36 ON MURRAIN, OR THE VESICULAR EPIZOOTIC. 
house than in the fields; they will there be more likely to be 
properly attended to, and, if kept in a cool place, will be less 
troubled by the attacks of flies. The annoyance caused by these 
insects may be prevented by washing the parts on which they 
are likely to alight with some empyreumatic oil. 
Although the mouth is very painful, the animal will some- 
times shew' a disposition to eat, which should be encouraged by 
placing before it mashed or soft green food. The food given 
should, however, be both easily masticated and easily digested. 
But, if the animal do not eat, it should have gruel horned down 
twice a- day. The gruel must not be above blood heat, and 
must be put over very carefully. 
The management of the animals during convalescence is very 
simple. Their food should be soft and easy of digestion, and, 
when the season permits, succulent green food should be given. 
The animals appear to recover more quickly when allowed to be 
in the open air during the greater part of the day. But although 
they may remain in the fields during the day, it is better, espe- 
cially after a severe attack, that they be brought in at night. 
Attention must still be paid to the state of the feet, and astrin- 
gents may be applied if necessary. In milch cows, the same 
care should be exercised as during the progress of the disease, 
in milking regularly, and at each time drawing away all the 
milk contained in the udder. The bowels should not be allowed 
to become constipated, but any tendency to diarrhoea must be 
immediately checked. The practice of giving large quantities 
of diuretic medicine is not to be recommended, and even moderate 
doses are seldom required. After a somewhat severe attack of 
the disease, the exhibition of tonic medicine is, however, at- 
tended with much advantage, and, indeed, its use is sometimes 
necessary throughout the whole course of the malady : when, 
therefore, there is much typhoid fever and prostration of strength, 
vegetable or mineral tonics may be prescribed. In conjunction 
with these, stimulants may also be useful: they invigorate 
the constitution, call forth its energies, and supply that power of 
reaction which is so often deficient in the diseases of cattle, and 
especially in those of an epizootic character. 
In the treatment of the disease in sheep, the same general 
principles must be attended to as those which should regulate 
the remedies applied to cattle. In large flocks, however, the 
measures prescribed must be of a general rather than of a par- 
ticular character. Let the animals be placed upon thoroughly 
dry land, and allow them a liberal quantity of succulent food. 
Such as shew much lameness should have their hoofs well pared, 
and their feet dressed with strong astringent lotion. That re- 
commended for cattle will also be suitable for sheep. In severe 
