62 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



tion through the improvement of meadows and pastures ; this will 

 be obtained through the use of artificial manure, Chilean nitrate, 

 etc. Experience has demonstrated a change of alimentation to 

 be the nlost natural and also the safest remedy for this trouble. 

 The food given should come from districts where the disease does 

 not exist; the transportation of these animals to such places 

 should also be advised. But it is often impossible to follow 

 these directions, on account of the expense occasioned by it, 

 and the veterinarian is limited to having an addition of food 

 rich in protein added to the regular ration. For instance, grains,, 

 leguminous food (peas), etc. saline substances, and especially sea- 

 salt. 



Attempts have been made for a long time to regulate the 

 digestion in many different ways : administration of dilute hydro- 

 chloric acid ; chloride of sodium in small doses ; bitters and 

 aromatics; when the digestive juices are too acid, antacids have 

 been given, also absorbents (lime-water, chalk, carbonate of mag- 

 nesia, and bicarbonate of soda). All these means are of advantage 

 when licking depends upon a condition of the digestive apparatus. 

 When there are signs of osteomalacia we must resort to phosphate 

 of lime. 



Feser has advised hydrochlorate of apomorphine in hypoder- 

 matic injections. This remedy has given some good results when 

 tried by Hackl and Keindl. Lemke, basing his statements upon 

 an extensive experience, has recently proclaimed it to be a specific 

 against licking. He has treated 226 cows, 21 oxen, and 141 

 calves. Licking disappeared within a few days in all these 

 animals ; a certain degree of inappétence, only, persisted from 

 eight to fifteen days. 



When the trouble is old, 0.1 gramme will be the dose for the 

 cow ; when recent, 0.2 gramme. For the calf the doses are the 

 same. The injections are given once a day for three days at a 

 time ; the animals remain cured for a period of three to five 

 months, when the causative surroundings are not changed ; when 

 the cause of the trouble is suppressed at the same time the cure 

 is permanent. 



According to Lemke, apomorphine injections, practised every 

 three months, keep the animals in flesh for a period of three years, 

 in regions where the disease is endemic, and where cattle must be 

 removed yearly or every other year. 



