445 
BLACK-WATER IN A COW, &C. 
On the 21st of June 1841, I was consulted very early in the 
morning respecting a cow that had calved on the previous 
morning, a fortnight before the expected time. The parturition 
was not difficult, but she partially refused her food, looked dull 
and heavy, and had not cleansed. The owner therefore wished 
that she should have a cleansing drink, which was accordingly 
given, with an extra quantity of sulphur. 
At 11 a.m. the pulse was full, and 100, accompanied by 
palpitation of the heart — the horns deathy cold — the ears of a 
more natural temperature — a very considerable degree of hide- 
bound, the skin clinging tight to the back — the eyes and muzzle 
tinged with yellow, and the little milk that was given being tinged 
with blood. Part of the cleansing had now appeared, i raised 
it, and a considerable quantity of black-water was evacuated. 
Indeed, this seems to have been her principal disease, and which 
the owner had carelessly neglected. A little oatmeal and water 
was drunk with avidity. A drink composed of aperient medicine, 
combined with some astringent and stimulating powders, was 
ordered, for the faeces were very thin, and voided with consider- 
able force. The drink was repeated, no faeces in a favourable 
state having appeared. 
On the 22d in the morning no faeces had passed of a favour- 
able character. The palpitation of the heart was more clearly 
heard at a considerable distance — she frequently voided urine in 
great quantities. The medicine was repeated, with the addition 
of a tonic. Enemata of cold spring water were frequently applied, 
with some chloride of sodium. She has made no improvement, 
and frequently moans very loudly. At noon she was a little 
better, and had passed some feeces of a more satisfactory 
character. There was likewise a decided improvement in her 
urine. Her appetite was also returning. Suspend all medicines. 
23d . — She is very weak, and hardly able to rise. Her dung, 
however, has more consistence, and her urine is clearer. Mingled 
aperients and tonics were administered. 
24 th . — She eats sufficiently to support herself — nevertheless, 
repeat the medicine. 
2 5th. — Convalescent. 
I decidedly coincide with Mr. Cott in opinion, that the disease 
is caused by feeding on some acrid herbs ; and also, that red and 
black-water are generally confined to the months of July, August, 
and September. 
On the 21st of June, 1841, I was requested to see a cow, 
whose period of utero-gestation would expire on the following 
day. Being in very luxuriant pasture, the owner thought that 
