34 ON MURRAIN, OR THE VESICULAR EPIZOOTIC. 
branes are in a highly sensitive state, and the abuse of medicine, 
and, indeed, its being given even in the usual doses, is very apt 
to excite intestinal irritation, and induce troublesome diarrhoea. 
The formula we would recommend is, from a-half to three-quar- 
ters of a pound of Epsom salts, with an ounce of ginger ; but, in 
some cases, oil is perhaps preferable, as being less likely to 
cause irritation. It may be given in doses of a pound, with an 
ounce of tincture of opium. A tendency to constipation may be 
counteracted by the use of treacle, but, if there is the slightest 
appearance of diarrhoea, it is to be withheld. If the diarrhoea 
become troublesome, give flour-gruel, with astringents or opium. 
The animal must be kept most scrupulously clean, and plen- 
tifully supplied with dry litter. In this, as in almost all other 
diseases, it is better that the animal should be in a loose box 
than tied up in a byre. The temperature of the house must be 
cool, but not cold. If the patient be unable to stand, its position 
must be changed several times a-day ; and care must be taken 
to prevent undue pressure and sloughing of the integuments, by 
supplying the animal with plenty of straw. Parts that seem 
disposed to ulceration must be carefully relieved from pressure, 
and may be washed with some astringent solution. 
The mouth may be sponged w r ith tepid water, and subse- 
quently washed with vinegar and water, or with a weak solu- 
tion of alum, in the proportion of half an ounce to an imperial 
quart of water. This may be repeated three or four times 
a-day. Where there is a tendency to sloughing, a stronger 
solution of alum must be used, and the vinegar and water should 
be tepid. The sloughing parts occasionally require to be 
removed by the fingers or with the knife. In cases where a 
large number of cattle are slightly affected, the trouble of wash- 
ing their mouths may be grudged, and, if so, a small quantity of 
mash, slightly acidulated with vinegar or hydrochloric acid, may, 
instead, be given daily to each animal. This, however, is only 
available when the disease is very slight, for the mashes are 
often of little benefit, as cattle will seldom eat food which has an 
acid taste. Some prefer to acidulate the water, and, if the ani- 
mals will drink it, it may do some good. It is necessary, how- 
ever, not to add too much acid either to the food or to the water, 
for, if used in excess, it is apt to induce purgation. 
When the teats and udder are involved, bathe them with oil 
and tepid water previous to milking, and after it, wash again, 
and dress with mild digestive ointment. The operation of milk- 
ing should be repeated regularly and often. More than usual 
care should be exercised in drawing off all the milk ; for, if this 
is not done, the irritation of the already morbidly sensitive mu- 
cous membrane is much increased, and inflammation, with all its 
evil consequences, may be thereby induced. 
