90 
ON RED- WATER IN CATTLE. 
account by the practitioner. On the whole, as regards treatment, 
I do not think there is scarcely a disease to which cattle are liable 
for which it would be more difficult to prescribe a specific treat- 
ment than for red-water. There is such variety of circumstances 
as regards the intensity of the disease, the stage of it, and the pre- 
disposing and exciting causes, that much must be left to the skill of 
the practitioner, and in this disease, above many others, is the supe- 
riority of scientific knowledge made apparent, and in many places 
which I know, the farmers and the more enlightened agriculturists 
are finding it their interest to employ the professional man and dis- 
card the empiric. 
Prevention .— A reference to the causes will at once point to 
what may be done or avoided in the way of prevention. Much 
may be done by due attention at the proper time — being careful 
as to the quality of the food — that the water is of a good and 
healthy nature, sufficient in quantity, and regularly supplied to 
the animals, — that the houses are properly ventilated, and kept as 
much as possible of a uniform temperature, — that cattle during 
spring, the early part of summer, and autumn are not recklessly 
exposed to cold winds or rains, especially easterly winds on the 
east coast, and vice versa — that, during cold and rainy seasons 
cattle have proper shelter when at grass, and even temporary sheds 
when there is no natural shelter — that great attention is paid to 
the difference of situation, nature of food, &c. when cattle are 
transferred from one place to another. As regards cows, if ple- 
thoric, I would bleed before calving, and gently keep the bowels 
open even after calving. I would give moderate doses of Epsom 
salts for two or three weeks, if there is any febrile action or any 
tendency to constipation. If the cow is in a weakly state, give 
light but nourishing food, preserving from cold or fatigue, and still 
keeping the bowels in a healthy state. If the food had been pro- 
per before calving, I would by no means change it. I believe that 
repeated milkings might be useful to cows in high condition, 
at least for some little time after calving. 
Did I then address the owners of cattle, I would advise or 
counsel them to call in the aid of a regular professional man as 
soon as the slightest symptom of disease manifests itself in any 
of their cattle ; but, too often, when the man of science is summoned 
he finds the time gone by when he could have been useful. Many 
a valuable animal is lost simply because the owner trusts to some 
ignorant quack, who, although unable to treat the disease, is able 
to deceive the owner. 
I may here slightly glance at the nature and action of the medi- 
cines which I have recommended. 
Salt of tartar is diui'etic and antacid. 
