ON THE DISTEMPER AMONG CATTLE. 653 
membranes — as those of the conjunctiva and vagina, and absence 
of diarrhoea — blood may be drawn, but with caution. In some 
cases the blood-letting may be repeated in twelve or twenty-four 
hours ; but, as a general rule, I abstain from blood-letting, having 
frequently employed it myself, and seen it employed by others, to 
the aggravation of the complaint. 
Next to the question of venesection, the state of the bowels 
must be ascertained, and if costiveness exists give ol. lini. Jxij 
ad § xxiv, with the addition of §j vel. §ij spts. eth. nit., if the ru- 
men is found to be overburdened with ingesta or distended with 
gas. These may be repeated in less doses if necessary. Cathartics 
must be studiously avoided ; therefore the mildest laxatives must 
be given with care. 
The next indication being to arrest the deposition of lymph and 
establish healthy secretion and absorption, chlorine, iodine, and 
some of their compounds, by virtue of acting chiefly on the organic 
or vegetive system, are available. Some years ago, having seen 
the chloric acid (Cl. + O 5 ) -f (OH) highly extolled as a stimulant 
to the nervous system and a sedative to the vascular by a writer 
in The Lancet , I have given it in this and other diseases of cattle 
and horses; and although my opportunities of attentively observing 
its effects do not warrant me in giving it a positive recommenda- 
tion, yet it is my impression that it will prove a very valuable 
auxiliary to our therapeutics. It may be given in doses of Jiss 
ad ^iij in cold water three or four times a-day. In the course of a 
week, or when the fever assumes a decided typhoid form, the 
chloric acid may be superseded by the amtnon. hydrochloras in 
doses of 3iv to 3vj two or three times a-day, or by iodine ; and, 
when the debility is more marked, the iodine may be mixed with 
ferri sulphas or cupri sulphas, to which stimulants and bitter, may 
be added when thought proper. In several cases the hydrochloric 
acid was given a few days previous to venturing on the stronger 
mineral tonics ; and also, when the system got surcharged with 
iodine this or the liq. ammon. sesqui carb. was resorted to. 
The diarrhoea, even when assuming the mucous character, which 
is generally found in this complaint, is best combatted by the 
preparations of iron and copper. I tried the vegetable astringents 
and opium with antacids without effect; but by discontinuing the 
iodine and giving the ferri carbonas or ferri sulph., the flux was 
often stayed, and then the chances of recovery were greatly in- 
creased. 
I have used setons and blisters to the sides and dewlap, and 
also to the head and neck, extensively and freely, and am satisfied 
that they have comparatively little power on this affection. When 
adopted, the formula given in The Veterinarian by Mr. Fer- 
