134 THE COW IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



case or at best a couple of cases in any one herd. 

 It is thought that it is caused by a fungus 

 growth that grows on the grasses and grains 

 that are usually and commonly eaten by cows 

 and that it gains access to the region of the head 

 through injuries of the gums and mucous mem- 

 branes of the mouth, and through diseased teeth, 

 and also when the young shed their first set of 

 teeth. 



When this condition affects the tongue of 

 cows it may progress for some liuie time be- 

 fore it is noticed; after a time the animal will 

 be noticed having the mouth slightly opened and 

 the saliva will be dribbling from her mouth. It 

 will be noticed that she has difficulty in swal- 

 lowing, and watched, it will be observed that 

 she can scarcely eat. 



If the tongue be examined at this time it will 

 be found to be stiff and hard. Treatment of 

 such cases must be prompt or the animal may 

 die of lack of nutrition. 



It is almost marvelous the results that may 

 be obtained in treating this condition in the 

 greater number of cases; if treatment is begun 

 before the bony tissues have become diseased 

 we have almost one hundred per cent of cures ; 

 after the bones have become involved treatment 

 is more difficult. 



The treatment that gives such results in these 

 conditions consists in administering from one to 

 two drams of potassium iodid three times each 

 day. This is dissolved and given in water as 



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