Rearinr/ of dili cs. 
157 
of the symptoms which present themselves. Inflammatory fever 
would better describe the malady. 
It is not the calf alone that is liable to its dread attacks, cattle 
of all aji^es may be smitten with it, and it is more frecjuently 
present where there is hi<rh condition and much thrift. So sudden 
are its visitations, that we may to-day see a beast drooping and 
quite amiss, that we thought in perfect health yesterday. The 
heated breath, heaving Hank, dry muzzle, quick ])ulse, and 
anxious looks, indicate the fever that rages within. The animal 
objects to move about, and when the posture is changed the gait 
is unsteady, principally in the hind (juarters ; there is also 
peculiar moaning, and laborious breathing. The uneasiness 
increases, he is constantly up and down, at last seems uncon- 
scious of surrounding objects. His efforts to rise prove abortive, 
the symptoms get worse, and the beast dies. The worst signs 
are a tenderness in the back and loins, with swelling in these 
parts, and yielding to the least touch ; then we must fear that 
decomposition has begun ; one of the limbs becomes swollen, and 
feels inflamed and tender, and shows no elasticity on being 
pressed by the finger : it is, in fact, in a state of mortification. 
Ulcers may appear in different parts of the body, particularly in 
the mouth, and the urine is discoloured, being darker, and 
perhaps bloody. To treat this disease, in the first instance the 
animal must be housed, and (much as 1 object to it in the 
general treatment of cattle) bleeding must be resorted to ; purging 
with Epsom salts should follow : if one dose does not operate it 
must be repeated. The beast should be most closely watched 
during this treatment, the least change being carefully noted by 
the attendant. If there is improvement, doses of digitalis, tartar 
emetic, and nitre should be administered two or three times a 
day. Any swellings of the joints should be well fomented with 
hot water, and rubbed with equal parts of camphorated spirits of 
wine, spirit of hartshorn, and turpentine. Chloride of lime is a 
most valuable disinfectant, and it would be wise to wash all 
ulcers that may appear with a solution of it several times in the 
day ; it will serve, in a great measure, to prevent the bad smell 
which always arises from the ulcers. A solution of chloride of 
lime of a quarter of an ounce in weight may be mixed with a 
pint of water, and will form a most valuable disinfectant lotion. 
" Prevention is better than cure," and I am disposed to attri- 
bute my immunity from loss by quarter-ill to proper attention to 
feeding and housing, and also to the use of the seton, which it is 
my practice to insert in the calf's dewlap towards the end of 
January. The oilcake, which I strongly commend, causes the 
bowels to be kept in a regular state. 
