154 
Rearinrj of Calves. 
to act quickly, and drawn from knot to button, or the reverse, 
daily. Black hellebore is sometimes used as a seton, and it may 
not be out of place to quote Mr. Youatt's valuable opinions, 
when writing on this subject : — " The use of setons in practice 
on the diseases of cattle is in a manner limited to the passing of 
a piece of hair, rope, or of black hellebore-root through the dew- 
lap ; and as exciting inflammation in the neighbourhood of the 
diseased part, and thus lessening the original one, and causing a 
determination of blood to a greater or less extent to this new seat 
of irritation, they are useful both in acute and chronic inflamma- 
tion of the respiratory organs. In young cattle rapidly thriving, 
and placed in pasture perhaps a little too luxuriant, permanent 
setons are highly beneficial ; they act as a salutary drain, and 
prevent that accumulation of the circulating fluid which is 
the usual cause of inflammatory fever and other fatal com- 
plaints." 
In conclusion, a few hints may be given for the treatment 
of navel-ill,' diarrha'a, hoose or catarrh, and blackquarter, in 
their incipient stages, although all serious cases involving the 
necessity of operations or really scientific treatment call for the 
presence of the veterinary surgeon. 
The examination of the navel-string of the newly-dropped 
calf demands the first attention of the herdsman, who should not 
be satisfied ■ if it present too raw an appearance, or blood be 
dropping from it. Mr. Youatt advises " a ligature should be 
passed close round it, but, if it can be avoided, not close to the 
belly. Possibly the spot at which the division of the cord took 
place may be more than usually sore. A pledget of tow, well 
wetted Avith Friar's balsam, should be placed over it, confined 
with a bandage, and changed morning and night ; but the caustic 
applications that are so frequently resorted to should he avoided. 
Fomentation in the part, in order to disperse the tumour, the 
opening of it with a Itincet if it evidently points, and the admi- 
nistration 6f two or three ounce doses of castor oil, made into an 
emulsion by means of an egg, will constitute the first treatment ; 
but if, when the inflammation abates, extreme weakness should 
come on, as is too often the case, gentian and laudanum, with 
perhaps a small quantity of port wine, should be administered." 
Next, Scouring. — So long as we observe the calf to be lively 
and playful, taking its milk freely, we need not be alarmed by 
thin evacuations. Most practitioners recommend a mild pur- 
gative in the first instance to remove the acidity and irritation of 
the bowels, after which the simple doses of from h oz. to J oz. of 
tincture of rhubarb with an equal quantity of water. 
Calves well housed until at least two months old, and not 
put to grass at too earlv an age, are seldom liable to scour which 
