574 ACCOUNT OF THE EPIDEMIC AMONG CATTLE IN 1842. 
put into a cow-house with several other cattle. Soon after this 
every one became affected, while some others in an adjoining 
place escaped. Where the infected animals have been removed, 
and disinfectants freely used, its ravages have been stayed. Such 
are my observations on this head. 
From the early symptoms and the post-mortem appearances, I 
believe that the disease is of an inflammatory character and pri- 
marily attacks the lining membrane of the nose, trachea, and bron- 
chial tubes. 
Post-mortem appearances. — The mucous membrane of the 
trachea and bronchi I have sometimes found ulcerated and eroded, 
and filled with pus. The bronchial glands are enlarged and turgid 
with blood, or suppurating. The substance of the lungs is first 
hepatized and enlarged, and then ulcerated and softened, and to 
that extent, that it- may be torn with the greatest ease. Its cells 
are filled either with serous fluid or with grumous blood, and, 
still oftener with purulent matter. The inflammation extends to 
the pleura and to the pericardium and diaphragm ; and, in lin- 
gering cases, there is generally effusion in the thoracic cavity. 
Before I enter on the treatment, I would impress on the minds 
of your readers that it is impossible to lay down any specific plan 
for our guidance in such a complicated disorder. The obser- 
vation and skill of a most experienced practitioner are indispen- 
sable. I have, however, been generally successful in restoring 
the animals to health, if I chanced to be called in before the dis- 
ease had made much progress, and the case was put entirely 
under my care. 
In the early stage of the malady, I bleed, and sometimes freely. 
Although I seldom bleed more than qpce, I have bled a third time 
with good effect. Attention to the pulse and the state of the 
membrane covering the vagina and conjunctiva, will usually tell 
the practitioner what he is to do. 
I have abandoned rowels and setons for strong vesicatories, ap- 
plying them from the larynx down to the sternum, and likewise 
the sides of the chest ; but this should be done in the early 
stage of the malady. If called in at first, and constipation exists, 
and certainly in any stage of the complaint until the bowels are 
in a regular state, I give the sulphate of magnesia, the super- 
tartrate of potash, and the carbonate of soda, twice in the day. 
The bowels being opened, opium is my sheet anchor, combined 
with powdered digitalis. 
If the disease has reached its second stage, I trust to opium alone, 
or in conjunction with oleum lini. This seems to have an almost 
specific effect in allaying the symptoms and regulating the bowels. 
It may be given in doses of from a few ounces to a pint. 
