OBSCURE ABDOMINAL CONDITIONS 53 



wall. These are all the symptoms that can be dug 

 out of the case; and even these are not always very 

 plain at first. 



Our treatment for these cases begins with a good 

 mustard plaster over the entire abdominal wall. 



The balance of the treatment consists of a few doses 

 of some intestinal cleanser such as triple sulpho-carbo- 

 lates or salol, in conjunction with ounce doses of fluid 

 extract of cascara sagrada. Three or four doses two 

 hours apart are usually sufficient. 



Absolutely no feed of any kind is allowed while the 

 treatment is being given. "Water is permitted freely. 

 When the course of treatment has been fully admin- 

 istered, feeding may be resumed. This should be 

 done gradually, however, giving not more than half 

 a feed the first few times. 



Most of these cases occuf during the winter months 

 when the cattle are housed. Only in one or two in- 

 stances have we seen this condition during the sum- 

 mer time. 



INFECTION WITH DISTOMA HEPATICUM 



Infection with Distoma or Pasciola hepaticum pro- 

 duces a disease commonly termed "liver rot." It is 

 seen only in cattle that have had access to lowlands, 

 river bottoms, sloughs and marshes, and then chiefly 

 in the South. 



The disease runs a very slow course and usually is 

 not recognized until it has reached what is known 

 as the third stage, when its manifestations are quite 

 evident. 



Almost the first symptom to attract attention is an 

 edematous swelling below and between the inferior 



