HiE Matos eps is. 
249 
&c., is one in which there is but little chance of a cure 
being effected, and consequently our attention should be 
chiefly directed towards preventive measures. I think there 
cannot be the least doubt that this is an affection of the 
blood, but whether simple plethora is its only predisposing 
cause I am not satisfied of, indeed I have little doubt that 
animals sometimes die of it when they are in a debilitated 
state. It would hence appear that the proper equilibrium 
or balance of the circulating elements is at least a predis- 
posing if not an exciting, cause of the malady. The causes, 
likewise, can often be traced to injuries of various kinds, 
changes of pasture, food, or situation ; but the principal 
exciting one, in my opinion, is atmospherical, for when one 
case occurs there are generally a great many, and this too in 
various parts of the country. 
Young cattle, when about 12 months old, are very prone 
to the disease ; and although it is not altogether confined to 
such, still as the animals advance in age their danger becomes 
less. I have seen many two and three year old animals affected, 
and some four and Jive year olds . Mr. Sherwin, of Osmaston, 
lost an animal which was between five and six years old. 
Mr. T. Buxton, of Stanton, also lost one at the age of six; 
and Mr. Archer, of the Birdsgroove, had a cow which died 
of the malady when between six and seven years of age. I 
have, however, no notes or remembrance of any case occurring 
later in life than seven years. 
Various preventive remedies are adopted in different parts 
of the country. Some persons — empirics in particular — 
divide the plantar veins of the feet. Others row r el or seton 
the animals in various ways, as well as in different places. 
Some practitioners have recourse to an occasional blood- 
letting and the exhibition of purgative medicine. Others 
give purgatives, but do not bleed. Some administer, at 
stated periods, such medicinal agents as Ol. Tereb., Potas. 
Nit., Potass. Bitart, purif., Pul. Alumen, Antim, Tart., Sulph. 
Fluor., Hyd. Chlor., &c. Pow T dered madder with nitre is a 
favorite remedy, and so is alum and common salt. 
I have seen all these means tried, but with little or no 
good. Occasionally I have knowm that the stroke from the 
blood-stick has brought on the disease w'hich the bleeding 
was intended to prevent. I have likewise known setoning 
and rowelling do the same thing ; at least the disease has 
commenced almost simultaneously wfith their introduction, 
and in the very places. In my opinion, regularity in feeding, 
where they had been inserted, watering, and housing the 
animals, are the principal preventives ; not keeping them too 
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