588 POPULAR LECTURE ON THE PREVAILING EPIZOOTIC 
fatally. One case in particular was most remarkable. In the 
paunch of a three years’ old cow, I found nine balls undissolved, 
with the paper in which they were originally wrapped still perfect. 
There were also the wrapping papers of three others. This ani- 
mal had been ill for eighteen days previous to her death. Two 
balls per diem had been given for the first nine days ; but on 
her continuing to get worse, the owner left her to nature. 
Now, whether it was nature killed the cow, or the intense 
inflammation found to exist in her paunch, and which was 
undoubtedly caused by the irritating effects of its fermented 
contents, and the balls that had been dissolved, I shall not pre- 
tend to say ; let the facts speak for themselves. 
Mode of giving Medicine . — Having given what I apprehend will 
be deemed sufficient reasons why a liquid form is the best for ad- 
ministering medicine to ruminants, it may be remarked that it is 
essential that the drench should be given in a particular manner, 
in order to ensure its desired action. If the animal is roughly 
handled, frightened, or the medicine poured quickly down the 
throat, the chances are greatly against its producing the desired 
effect. Fluids forced down in a hurried manner, on being swal- 
lowed generally fall into the paunch, instead of passing on into 
the third and fourth stomachs. The animal should be handled 
as gently as is possibly consistent with the safety of those about 
her and the effectual exhibition of the draught. The head being 
moderately elevated, just high enough to prevent the fluid from 
falling out of the mouth, and no higher, the drench should be 
poured in small and often-repeated quantities into it, allowing 
sufficient breathing time between each swallow. The draught, in- 
stead of being dashed from a porrenger, or other large-mouthed 
vessel, into the throat, should be gently poured into the mouth. 
Thin gruel is an excellent solvent for the medicine. 
Diet . — For the first two days animals need not be fed, unless 
they evince evident appetite ; but on and after the third day they 
should have a small quantity of tolerably thick gruel, three or 
four times per diem. When the appetite returns, mashes and 
green food are the most desirable. Cattle, on recovering, fre- 
quently have an extraordinary great appetite. They must not, 
however, be over- fed. For the first week they should be fed 
sparingly. Over-feeding frequently produces relapse. 
Secondary Consequences . — Few cattle that have had a very 
severe attack of the present distemper, thrive equally as well as 
previous to their becoming affected. There generally remains 
such an altered state of some portion of the lungs, as interferes 
considerably with their function of respiration, the consequence 
of which is, that the blood is not sufficiently acted on by the 
