82 THE TREATMENT OF PLEURISY IN CATTLE. 
most particularly over the shoulders, chest, and spine. It is usually 
accompanied by constipation so obstinate, that I have found an 
almost incredible quantity of purgative medicine requisite to effect, 
or even keep up, an expulsion of the faeces in a moistened state. 
Its character is evidently acute ; for the animal, a few hours after 
having been seen, to all appearance, in perfect health, is discovered 
in a state of intense suffering — shivering, grunting, and hoosing, 
though this last symptom is neither so loud nor so frequently 
repeated as to attract much attention from the owner. 
The distressing appearance which the animal generally presents, 
in so short a time, naturally tends to divest the owner of the con- 
fidence he is wont to place in either his own or his neighbours’ 
skill, in what he terms simple cases. To the being thus employed 
at the outset of the disease is, certainly, attributable its tracta- 
bility. 
I perform venesection freely at the commencement of the attack, 
and seldom repeat the operation. This is followed up by physic, 
regulated according to the consistence of the faeces, until the inflam- 
mation is combatted. After the physic begins to shew itself, I 
add to each dose of it an ounce of the spirit of turpentine. I have 
seldom had occasion to do more than this, except inserting a seton 
or two in the dewlap. I will subjoin a few cases. 
Case I. — On Dec. 1st, 1844, I was desired to attend a cow be- 
longing to Mrs. Ewbank, Colby Moor. Symptoms : breathing 
much accelerated and stitchy — mouth hot — muzzle dry — pulse 
quick and bounding — skin dry, and very tender, particularly about 
the shoulders, chest, and spine — coat staring — extremities cold and 
warm alternately — heaves now and then — a frequent grunt — almost 
a total cessation of the secretion of milk — bowels confined, and 
the abdomen distended — seldom lies down — neither eats nor drinks 
any thing — had been seen ill the night before. I abstracted blood 
very freely, and gave a purgative drink ; I also ordered her to be 
well clothed. 
2 d . — No abatement — bowels not acted on. Repeat the purga- 
tive drink. 
3c7. — The medicine has not operated — the distention of the ab- 
domen is increased — frequent eructations — symptoms generally 
more urgent. Insert a seton in the dewlap, and give in a quart 
of gruel R Pulv. al. Bbds. 3iv, ol. croton, tiglii gutta L, pulv. 
zingiber, ^iss. M. The same dose to be given in twelve hours 
afterwards, if purgation should not be established. 
4 th. — Medicine has not acted. Give in a quart of gruel 
R Pulv. al. Bbds. 5j, magnes. sulph. Jviij. Let this be repeated 
in the course of twelve hours, unless her bowels are opened : let 
enemata of tobacco, soap, and common salt be alternately thrown 
up, every two or three hours, by means of the pump. 
