86 
ON RED-WATER IN CATTLE. 
list of diseases that afflict her nothing is more common or more 
fatal than red-water. Often has the thought struck me, when I 
have seen the mother and her infants stand around the carcass of 
their dead cow, formerly their only support, what a luxury to have 
been the means of saving the life of that animal ! 
And even to the wealthy breeder the loss of a cow is a serious 
inconvenience. She is often procured at a great price, brought 
from a distance at a heavy expense, and when she falls a prey 
to disease (as is often the case) at her first calving, it must be 
aggravating, the more so as it is, perhaps, impossible, at the time, 
to procure another of the same stamp or character. 
It is not confined to cows, but in some districts it is said to be 
most common, and prove very obstinate, in bulls, and other males, 
&c. It is also pretty generally admitted, that what are called the 
improved breeds, crosses, &c. are found more delicate in their con- 
stitution than original breeds : of course, if such is the fact, we are 
justified in saying they are the more susceptible of disease. 
This being a period when improved breeds of cattle are not only 
valuable, but are found to be increasing in value, on the recognized 
principle that “ special circumstances call for the performance of 
special duties,” I mean to say there is a particular call on us, as 
professional students, to make ourselves acquainted, as far as pos- 
sible, with the class of animals to which I refer. Experience of years 
being granted, I labour under disadvantages. The period is short 
since I commenced my regular studies ; but although not actively 
engaged in veterinary practice, I trust you will allow me to say, 
that for years I have not been an uninterested spectator of the con- 
dition of our domestic animals, their diseases, the treatment, the 
result of that treatment, and of that disease. I shall state what 
has come under my own observation, hoping to profit by the re- 
marks of those whom I have the honour to address. 
SYMPTOMS OF RED-WATER IN COWS. 
The first symptom observed is, generally, looseness; then 
costiveness appears, accompanied by redness, or a brown tinge 
of the urine, or perhaps it is brown from the first. Generally, 
there is a symptomatic fever, accompanied by rigors, difficult 
breathing, and the horns, ears, and extremities, being cold. Some- 
times the mouth is hot, the animal appears as if it were drawn 
together between the last rib and the anterior spines of the ileum, 
and along the greater part of the spine there is a feeling of coldness. 
The heart beats strongly, and may be heard at a little distance. 
Often the feces are very slightly changed in consistence ; but ge- 
nerally or in all cases they are darker in -colour. For a little after 
