PRIZE ESSAY : — PLKURO-PNEUMONIA AMONG CATTLE. 52 L 
having proved more effectual. The operations may be performed 
as follows : If a seton be employed, a large and sharp seton-needle 
should be used, armed with coarse filleting or a mixture of tow and 
horse-hair ; each end must be tied into a large knot. The seton 
should be dressed once or twice a week with strong blistering oint- 
ment. For pegging, an incision is made on either side of the dew- 
lap with a pair of rowelling scissors, or scalpel, sufficiently large to 
admit the end of the fore- finger. The integuments are then sepa- 
rated from the cellular tissue beneath, between which parts two or 
three small pieces of the fresh root of black hellebore ( helleborus 
niger) are inserted, or in place of these a small portion of tow be- 
smeared with blistering ointment may be used. When the con- 
dition of the animal admits, an occasional purge of a ifej or a fbjss 
of magnes. sulph. should be given, combined with an aromatic, as 
5j of caraway or cumin seed powdered, to prevent any depressing 
effects that might attend its action. 
But if, in addition to the cough, any symptoms of febrile dis- 
turbance should exist, such as unusual heat of the horns, dryness 
of the muzzle, accelerated pulse whether strong or oppressed, 
costiveness, or any of the symptoms before alluded to under the 
head of premonitory, which would lead us to suspect the approach 
of inflammation of the pleura, or of the lung itself, the animal should 
at once be removed into a comfortable and airy hovel, taking care 
at the same time to place it in such a way as not to expose it to any 
direct currents of air. It should then be bled, and that repeated, if 
necessary, within a few hours ; but we have generally found one 
bleeding suffice, except occasionally in stall-fed beasts or cattle in 
high condition. 
Bleeding is the most valuable means we can employ in order to 
restrain or extinguish the incipient inflammatory action of the lungs 
or pleura at this period. 
Some general rules may be laid down with respect to the man- 
ner and quantity in which blood should be extracted. The earlier 
it is performed after the above symptoms have appeared the better 
will be the chance of recovery. The patient should be bled from 
a large orifice and in a full stream, and continued until some de- 
cided effect is produced upon the system, which may be known 
by the pulse becoming stronger if it were oppressed, or lowered if 
previously strong and full ; the quantity to be drawn will also de- 
pend upon these circumstances. After bleeding, it will be advisable 
to have recourse to medicines calculated to promote the discharge 
of the secretions, and at the same time diminish febrile excitement. 
This object will be best gained by the administration of a saline 
purgative combined with potass, nitrat. and ant. tart, in something 
like the following form : — 
VOL. XXIII. 4 A 
