The American Reformed Cattle Doctor Part 13

Add to the capsic.u.m, charcoal, and sulphur, a small quant.i.ty of gruel; lastly, add the lime water. A second and similar dose may be given six hours after the first, provided, however, the symptoms are not so alarming.

The next indication is, to break down the morbid action of the nervous and vascular systems; for which the following may be given freely:--

Thoroughwort tea, 2 quarts.

Powdered a.s.safoetida, 2 drachms.

Aid the action of these remedies by the use of one of the following injections:--

Powdered lobelia, 2 ounces.

Oil of peppermint, 20 drops.

Warm water, 2 quarts.

_Another._

Infusion of camomile, 2 quarts.

Common salt, 4 ounces.

In all cases of putrid or malignant fever, efforts should be made to supply the system with caloric, (by the aid of stimulants,) promote the secretions, and rid the system of morbific materials.

DIARRHOEA, (LOOSENESS OF THE BOWELS.)

In the early stages of this disease, it is not always to be checked. It is often a salutary operation of nature to rid the system of morbific materials, and all that we can do with safety is, to sheathe and lubricate the mucous surfaces, in order to protect them from the acrid and stimulating properties of the agents to be removed from the alimentary ca.n.a.l.

When the disease, of which diarrhoea is only a symptom, proceeds from exposure, apply warmth, moisture, friction, and stimulants to the external surface, aided by the following lubricant:--

Powdered slippery elm, 1 ounce.

" charcoal, 1 table-spoonful.

Boiling water, 2 quarts.

Common starch, or flour, may be subst.i.tuted for slippery elm. The mixture should be given in pint doses, at intervals of two hours. When the fecal discharges appear more natural and less frequent, a tea of raspberry leaves or bayberry bark will complete the cure.

When the disease a.s.sumes a chronic form, and the animal loses flesh, the following tonic, stimulating, astringent drink is recommended:--

Infusion of camomile, 1 quart.

Powdered caraway seeds, 1 ounce.

Bayberry, powdered, half an ounce.

Mix for one dose.

_Remarks._--In the treatment of this disease, it is necessary for the farmer to know, that through the instrumentality of the nervous structure, there is constantly a sympathy kept up between the different parts of the animal; whenever any part is affected, the corresponding part feels the influence. Thus the external surface is opposed to the internal, so that, if the function of the former be diminished, or excessive, or suspended, that of the latter will soon become deranged; and the restoration of the lost function is the only true way to effect a cure. For example, if an animal be suffered to feed in wet lands, the feet and external surface become cold; and hence diarrhoea, catarrh, garget, dysentery, &c. If the circulation of the blood is obstructed by exposure, we should restore the lost function by rubbing the surface, and by the application of warmth and moisture. If the animal is in poor condition, and there is not enough vitality to equalize the circulation, give warm anti-spasmodics. (See APPENDIX.) In cases where diarrhoea results from a want of power in the digestive organs to a.s.similate the food, the latter acts on the mucous surfaces as a mechanical irritant, producing inflammation, &c. Inflammation is the concentration of the available vital force too much upon a small region of the body, and it is invited there by irritation. Now, instead of the popular error,--bleeding and purging,--the most rational way to proceed is, to remove the cause of irritation, (no matter whether the stomach or bowels are involved,) and invite the blood to the surface by means already alluded to, and distribute it over the general system, so that it will not be in excess any where. There is generally but little difficulty in producing an equilibrium of action; the great point is to sustain it. When the blood acc.u.mulates in a part, as in inflammation of the bowels, the sensibility of the part is so highly exalted that the least irritation causes a relapse; therefore the general treatment must not be abandoned too early.

DYSENTERY.

The disease is generally ushered in with some degree of fever; as, trembling, hot and cold stages, dryness of the mouth, loss of appet.i.te, general prostration, drooping of the head and ears, heaving of the flanks; there are frequent stools, yet these seldom consist of natural excrement, but are of a viscid, mucous character; the animal is evidently in pain during these discharges, and sometimes the fundament appears excoriated.

_Causes._--The cause of this complaint appears to be, generally, exposure. Dr. White says, "Almost all the diseases of cattle arise either from exposure to wet or cold weather, from their food being of a bad quality, or deficient in quant.i.ty, or from the animal being changed too suddenly from poor, unwholesome keep to rich pasture. It is necessary to observe, also, that the animal is more liable to be injured by exposure to wet and cold, when previously enfeebled by bad keep, old age, or any other cause; and particularly when brought from a mild into a cold situation. I have scarcely met with a disease that is not attributable to a chill."

_Treatment._--This must be much the same as in diarrhoea--sheathing the mucous membrane, and inviting action to the surface. The animal must be warmly housed, well littered, and the extremities clothed with flannel bandages. The diet must consist of flour gruel, scalded meal.

Raspberry tea will be the most suitable drink. Much can be done by good nursing. Mr. Ellman says, "If any of my cattle get into a low, weak state, I generally recommend nursing, which, in most cases, is much better than a doctor; [meaning some of the poor specimens always to be found in large cities;] having often seen the beast much weakened, and the stomach relaxed, by throwing in a quant.i.ty of medicine injudiciously, and the animal lost; when, with good nursing, in all probability, it might have been otherwise."

SCOURING ROT.

_Cause._--Any thing that can reduce the vital energies.

_Symptoms._--A gradual loss of flesh, although the animal often feeds well and ruminates. The excrements are of a dark color, frothy, and fetid, and, in the latter stages, appear to be only half digested. There are many symptoms and different degrees of intensity, during the progress of this disease, indicate the amount of destruction going on; yet the author considers them unimportant in a practical point of view, at least as far as the treatment is concerned; for the disease is so a.n.a.logous to dysentery, that the same indications are to be fulfilled in both; more care, however, should be taken to prevent and subdue mortification.

In addition to the treatment recommended in article _Malignant Epidemic_, the following injection may be subst.i.tuted for the one prescribed under that head:--

Powdered charcoal, a tea-cupful.

Common salt, 2 ounces.

Pyroligneous acid,[11] half a wine-gla.s.s.

Warm water, 2 quarts.

Throw one quart of the above into the r.e.c.t.u.m, and the remainder six hours after the first.

FOOTNOTE:

[11] Vinegar obtained from wood.

DISEASE OF THE EAR

Diseases of the ear are very rare in cattle; yet, as simple inflammatory action does now and then occur, it is well that the farmer should be able to recognize and treat it.

_Symptoms._--An unnatural heat and tenderness about the base of the ear, and the animal carries the head on one side.

_Cure._--Fomentations of marshmallows; a light diet of scalded shorts; an occasional drink of thoroughwort tea. These with a little rest, in a comfortable barn, will perfect the cure.

_Remarks._--If any irritating substance is suspected to have fallen into the ear, efforts must be made to remove it: if it cannot be got at, a small quant.i.ty of olive oil may be poured into the cavity; then, by rotating the head, with the affected ear downwards, the substances will often pa.s.s out.

SEROUS MEMBRANES.

These membranes derive their name from the serous or watery fluid they secrete, by which their surface is constantly moistened. They are to be found in the three cavities of the chest; namely, one on each side, containing the right and left lung, and the intermediate cavity, occupied by the heart. The portion of the membrane lining the lungs is named the _pleura_, and that lining and covering the heart is called the _pericardium_. The membrane lining the abdomen is named the _peritoneum_. The ventricles of the brain are also lined by this membrane. The serous membranes, after lining their respective cavities, are extended still farther, by being reflected back upon the organs enclosed in their cavities; hence, if it were possible to dissect these membranes from off the parts which they invest, they would have the appearance of a sac without an opening. In the natural state, these membranes are exceedingly thin and transparent; but they become thickened by disease, and lose their transparency. The excessive discharge of fluids into cavities lined by these membranes const.i.tutes the different forms of dropsy, on which we shall now treat.

DROPSY.