FIFTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION 145 



form of fluid extract of nux vomica, one-half dram, three 

 times daily. 



Snake Bites. 



The symptoms of snake bites are local swelling and 

 inflammation, suppression of milk, fang wounds, systemic 

 weakness, depression, blue membranes, and later coma or 

 convulsions and possibly death. In the event of survival, 

 abscess formation or sloughing of tissue at the point of in- 

 jury may develop later. 



Treatment — Thoroughly cleanse the wound with di- 

 lute ammonia or a 1 per cent potassium permanganate solu- 

 tion. Endeavor to prevent the absorption of venom by the 

 excision of the wound, cauterizing it, or painting it freely 

 with tincture of iodin. The effect of the toxin on the system 

 should be combated with internal administrations of alco- 

 hol, coffee, digitalis, strychnin, or aromatic spirits of am- 

 monia. An antitoxin for the counteraction of snakebites has 

 been placed on the market. 



Wounds or Contusions. 



Wounds of thei udder may be caused by barbed-wire 

 cuts, brier cuts, nail snags, long and jagged finger nails of 

 milkers, bites of dogs, the trampling of teats under the 

 hoofs of other cattle, high barn doorsills, fence jumping, 

 goring, etc. 



Treatment — Cleanse the wound and keep it clean. If 

 the skin is laid open or the wound is gaping, the underlying 

 tissue should be thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic 

 solution, the hair should be shaved or clipped from around 

 the injury, and the lips of the wound should be brought to- 

 gether and held in position by means of sutures or strips of 

 adhesive tape. Tincture of iodin should be applied at in- 

 tervals. In case of pus formation, suitable drainage should 

 be provided, and the wound dressed frequently to prevent 

 the germ-laden discharge from reaching the teat orifices, 

 as such a contingency might involve the infection of one or 

 more quarters, with disastrous consequences. 



