512 
DISEASES OF CATTLE. 
Red Water is not very common here, and I know but one farm 
in this vicinity that is subject to it. This farm lies in a low damp 
situation; and I am informed, upon respectable authority, that 
the farmer always cures it by the administering of brandy. Has 
brandy the effect of constringing the ruptured vessels of the 
kidnies ? 
Sore bags is a very common complaint, for which bleeding, 
followed by doses of tartar emetic, is resorted to; but I should 
be glad to be informed of the best mode of treatment for sore bags, 
and for foul in the foot. I trust some professional brother will 
take the hint. In acute diarrhoea I have almost always suc¬ 
ceeded by housing the animal, giving dry food and astringents. 
The Rot has been very destructive this season, some farmers 
having lost almost all their flock. The cause is at present a 
mystery. I believe the theory of the present Professor of the 
Veterinary College is, that the ova of the insect are taken into the 
stomach, and that the existence of moisture is necessary for these 
insects to live: all I know upon the subject is, that fanners 
object to place sheep on any land producing rot, until there has 
been some frost, which favours the theory of the Professor. 
Foot Rot has also prevailed much this season: the cause of 
this disease is the want of paring the feet, and the animal's 
grazing in long and wet pastures. Butter of antimony is in 
general use here, and is mostly effective. As to its contagious 
nature, a great difference of opinion exists, the preponderance of 
which is in the affirmative : but although I have known it to 
invade a whole flock on the admission of two diseased sheep, 
I am still sceptical. 
Scab is highly contagious. The practice is to dip the sheep in 
a weak solution of sublimate, at once getting rid of vermin and 
disease. 
I am sensible that I have offered little that is new on the treat¬ 
ment of the diseases of cattle. This is a part of veterinary prac¬ 
tice which has been shamefully despised and neglected; and I am 
glad to find the profession, at last, awake to an evil which has 
tended not a little to lower the veterinary practitioner in the esti¬ 
mation of his employer. I trust no opportunity will be lost in 
diffusing any knowledge that may be acquired amongst practi¬ 
tioners generally on such an important subject. 
The most ridiculous and barefaced quackery exists in this 
county, and will, I fear, continue to do so, in spite of all our 
efforts, until the farmers are enabled to place more confidence in 
the regular practitioner; and this must be the work of time. 
Take one example: An old woman in this neighbourhood, who 
professes to cure all diseases, was requested, in my absence, to 
visit a cow with inflammatory fever: she gave her a powder, for 
