THE EPIDEMIC IN BERBICE. 
203 
nahs of the east and west coasts, the soil there being less generally 
drained than in the river districts, on account of the great number 
of abandoned estates. 
The disease once established soon became contagious. This 
often occurs in Europe, whenever dysentery assumes an endemic 
or epidemic rage. Thus it was not only carried to the town and to 
other parts of the country, but passed from one to the other animal 
in the same stable, very often destroying every one on the same 
premises. 
In the event that my theory of the cause of the disease is correct, 
then will heavy and continued rains, which we may now expect, 
sweep away the disease — other necessary precaution being taken 
to prevent its spreading by contagion. 
I will now attempt to deduce from the above described facts 
that line of treatment which appears to be the most rational, and 
which will, I sincerely trust, be crowned with success, for the benefit 
of the country. 
The character of the disease being inflammatory, our sheet anchor 
must be the lancet. Strongly then must I advocate copious bleed- 
ings at an early stage of the disease. I would even go so far as 
to recommend prophylactic bleedings, to remove the inflammatory 
diathesis of the blood, which, in the present endemic, is the most 
obvious proximate cause of the disease. I would therefore have 
every head of cattle bled — sick or not sick. 
Next to venesection in rank will be the muriate of soda (common 
salt), mixed with the food, in considerable doses. 
Calomel should be in large doses (from half an ounce to an 
ounce, pro dosi, for smaller doses have not the least effect on cows, 
on account of the immense stomach which the medicine has to per- 
meate before it arrives at the seat of the disease). Calomel will also 
powerfully assist in reducing the inflammatory action in the intes- 
tine ; and saline injections *, often repeated, will have great power to 
check the haemorrhage from the mucous membrane. 
In conclusion, I would recommend some lime to be mixed with 
the water used by the cattle, and also to be thrown into the ponds 
on cattle farms, in order to purify it, and to neutralize the delete- 
rious effect of malaria. 
It is much to be deplored that so little is known of the symptom- 
atology of this formidable disease. It is with but few exceptions 
represented as very sudden in its attacks, without any previous symp- 
toms. The sick die within twenty-four hours. It is, however, very 
probable that the persons in charge of cattle on farms do not generally 
pay attention to precursory symptoms ; and from the above detailed 
* Say half a pound of murias of soda to one gallon and a half of cold water. 
