392 
ON RHEUMATISM IN CATTLE. 
tissues, will either render the animal unserviceable, or entail or 
him a degree of suffering which will prevent his fattening for th< 
butcher. 
The causes of rheumatism in cattle are numerous. In the fore¬ 
most rank are the variations of the atmosphere, so frequent in ou; 
countiy, and which often impress a periodical type on a simpk 
attack of the disease. Next are low and ill-ventilated stables, ir 
which many oxen are shut up, and from the warm and rarifiet 
air of which increasing the pulmonary perspirations, like so mail) 
stoves, the animals go, in the spring and the winter, into a cold 
and moist atmosphere, which suddenly suppresses this excretion, 
lo these may be added long and laborious journeys, succeeded 
by complete inaction, and exposure to a chilling air. 
The treatment of rheumatism differs according as the disease is 
simple, or complicated with one or more inflammations, according 
as it is acute or chronic, and the degree in which, in the last state, 
it is periodical. 
When rheumatism is simple, and in an early stage, one copious 
bleeding, restricted diet, and emollient local applications, will 
usually be sufficient. As external applications, I much prefer 
soothing ointments to poultices: the latter are not easily retained 
in their place, or kept at the same temperature. Cattle are the 
most untractable of all animals, when we endeavour to bandage 
their extremities. If, however, the acute muscular irritation 
should have produced internal inflammation, it will be necessary 
somewhat to modify these measures, in order to combat both af¬ 
fections. 
In chronic rheumatism, if it be certain that there is internal 
inflammation, the treatment should have for its object to lessen 
that as much and as speedily as possible; to rouse the vitality 
which is dormant in the muscles ; and to arrest the progress of dis¬ 
organization. Stimulants applied over the parts produce a metas¬ 
tasis favourable to the internal inflammation; and they produce a 
degree of irritation and excitement proper to favour a resolution of 
the tumours, and to sustain the action of the absorbent system. I 
have seen very considerable dense enlargements of the articula¬ 
tions of the horse, entirely resolved by friction with the spirit of 
turpentine, and soft tumours have diminished in volume, and 
ceased to be painful. As to the cysts which exist in the trian¬ 
gular hollow of the hock, they resist all irritating frictions, and 
yield to the cautery alone. I operate in this manner. The ani¬ 
mal being thrown and bound, I apply a budding-iron at nearly a 
red-heat, to the cyst until the integument is almost penetrated. 
I then bring my iron to a white heat, and introduce it into the tu¬ 
mour, at the most dependent part, working it lightly round the in- 
