THE PRESENT EPIDEMIC AMONG CATTLE, &c. 191 
rated, and the respiration not much above the general standard 
of health. Sometimes we observe a peculiar mumping with the 
mouth and tongue, and loud grinding of the teeth, bespeaking 
great pain. This is immediately followed by a discharge of foam 
or saliva from the mouth, which continues for some time; and 
then the animal will suddenly assume a more tranquil state, and 
appear as if nothing was the matter. 
The above symptoms will continue from six to eight days, ac- 
cording to the treatment adopted ; but in some cases the feet ap- 
pear first affected. Two or three days previous to the attack the 
cattle will frequently be heard to cough or boose. 
Treatment . — This must vary according to the symptoms and 
course of the disease, and which entirely puts an end to all nos- 
trums, specifics, and never-failing recipes. In regard to medicine, 
we must bear in mind how requisite it is that what we exhibit 
should take speedy and due effect; it therefore must be exhibited 
in due and proper doses. Some practitioners have recommended 
bleeding, others strongly deprecate it ; but this, like purgation, 
must depend on circumstances. In some cases, where the dis- 
ease is ushered in by alarming inflammatory symptoms, and the 
animal is in a plethoric state, it may be advisable to bleed, but 
by no means to a great extent ; for the character of the disease 
which supervenes is of a remarkable low typhoid nature, and it 
invariably assumes a more protracted form after bleeding has 
been pushed too far. I have, however, attended nearly 1000 
cases, and never in one instance found venesection, in my 
opinion, necessary, except mere topical bleeding. The purgative 
should be sufficient to excite the bowels to moderate action, but 
not to produce dysentery. 
In the generality of cases this typhoid fever will continue from 
six to eight days, according to the treatment of the animal, with 
little marked variation in its stages, except some paroxysms or 
periodical exacerbations, depending on the severe pain of the feet 
in neglected cases. Here we have marked symptoms of symp- 
tomatic fever, clearly demonstrating that our greatest attention 
should be paid to the feet, and on this will depend, in a great 
measure, our success. 
More depends on the local treatment of this disease than on 
internal remedies. They are both useful, and should be employed 
in time ; but bleeding is seldom necessary, and drastic purgatives 
are always dangerous. The best and safest treatment 1 have 
found is to keep the stomach and bowels in a somewhat lax state 
by the administration of sulphate of magnesia or soda, the doses 
seldom exceeding Ibss, combined with nitre and ginger, of each 
?i. This medicine must be repeated until the proper effect is 
