PALSY IN CATTLE. 
77 
on the diseases that destroy so many valuable animals, might 
be fully and fairly made. The private individual can scarcely be 
expected to consent that his property should be risked in this 
way ; and the practitioner would not be justified in thus risking 
it without the consent of the owner. 
T/ie Cure of Tail-slip . — I promised to tell you what means of 
cure were adopted by the believers in tail-slip. The lower part 
of the tail has slipped out of its place ; there has been great de- 
rangement of the parts, and the mischief is extending over the 
whole of the spine. Well, what is done? “ Why,” says Pro- 
fessor Dick, they cut off the cow’s tail, to be sure, and thus get 
rid at once of the disease and the cause of it. Some, however, 
less cruel or more scientific, make an incision into the under 
surface, allow the wound to bleed freely, and then bind up the 
part, filling the wound with a mixture of tar and salt. But does 
not this often effect a cure? Why, the stimulus of the knife and 
the salt and the tar are no trifling matters ; and if only a little is 
wrong with the animal, the cow at once springs upon her feet; 
or, if much blood is allowed to escape, relief is given, as it would 
have been by blood drawn from any other part.” 
1 cannot help admiring how profoundly Mr. Parkinson treats of 
this disease. “ If you take hold of the tail and turn it upwards, 
the end will drop down, or with your fingers you may perceive a 
separation of the bone. The remedy is, to cut a piece off the 
tail end, and let it bleed. Farriers open the tail and put in some 
kind of salve through ignorance, and by way of making a bill ; 
there being no necessity for this, as I have made a cure by cut- 
ting the tail only : but ever since I have discovered the great 
efficacy of chamber-lie , in all cases I have given that, for it is a 
security against any farther complaint.” 
Well, but neither the operation nor the chamber-lie are always 
effectual. The extremity of the tail has not only slipped out of 
its place, but the animal is bewitched. Why, then a small piece 
of the rowan-tree is bound round the tail, and the cow is got up 
and held up by main strength ; and a black cat is procured and 
made to pass three times round the cow’s body, over her back, 
and under her belly. The cat mews and scratches might and 
main ; and after having sufficiently mauled the poor patient, and 
frightened her out of her wits, and out of the disease too, con- 
trives to make its escape, carrying away every ailment, real and 
imaginary. 
Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer with this nonsense. 
