THE LATE EPIDEMIC DISEASES OF CATTLE, &C. 39 L 
the diseased animals from having any employment that would 
brino- them among the other cattle of the farm. 
O c? 
The yard was littered with dry straw, and kept clean. To 
some of the first that were attacked a pound of Epsom salts was 
given, which I am now satisfied was improper, since the undue 
purgation produced such excessive excitement, that all the first 
cases were the longest in recovering. In the later cases the pur- 
gative was reduced to half its quantity, repeating it if occasion 
required, the object being gently to relax the bowels*. 
The tongue and palate were well washed, twice a-dav, with 
the solution of sulphate of copper, as recommended in the 
Society’s paper. This, with a slight tonic, when recovery ap- 
peared tardy, was the only treatment observedf. 
They were fed, during the early stages of the disease, on soft 
cold mashes, made with equal portions of bran and linseed dake, 
ground very tine. As soon as they were able to eat them, white 
turnips were added. The cattle were always sheltered in rainy 
weather during the continuance of the disease. It may be 
observed, that the most certain sign of convalescence was the 
gradual cessation of the undue flow of saliva. 
In about a fortnight after the commencement of the disease 
they were turned out of the yard into a dry paddock that had 
been closely grazed, turnips being carried to them ; and in 
about a month from the same period they were again driven to 
the pasture.” 
Earl Spencer and Mr. Hall’s attention being devoted chiefly 
to the breeding of stock, nothing is said of the treatment of 
milch cows ; but some valuable observations are made on the 
treatment of sheep under this disease. Mr. Hall states, that “ a 
field of turnips was purchased from a farmer situate at a dis- 
tance of five miles from Wiseton, and about 200 of the fattening 
tups and shearlings were sent there, to be fed on the turnips. 
This was towards the latter end of October. 
They finished the turnips in two months, and were then 
brought to the same feeding on our own farm, but separate from 
the remaining portion of the flock. 
* I perfectly agree with Mr. Hall, that in this peculiar disease, in which 
all the vascular membranes are so peculiarly excitable, a pound of sulphate of 
magnesia is somewhat too much to be administered at a dose. Some aperient 
medicine, however, is absolutely necessary for many cattle were lost for want 
of it, but, perhaps, half-pound doses of the Epsom salts, guarded with a 
little ginger, were the safest and the most effectual. — Y. 
f Considerable tact, however, was frequently, or in almost every case, re- 
quired to indicate the time when the tonic should be resorted to — the nature 
and quantity, and the alteration, and increase, or diminution, or suspension of 
the tonic or the aperient. Here it was that the non-medical man so often 
failed, and the veterinary surgeon was so requisite. — Y. 
