DISEASES OF CATTLE.

phleme bleed in a vein that runs around the coronet, just above the hoof: take from each leg a pint of blood; give a pound of salts dissolved in three half pints of water, in form of a drench, keep his feet stuffed with fresh cow manure, and bathe his legs with equal parts of sharp vinegar, spirits and sweet oil or lard. By attention to these directions, in two or three days the horse will again be fit for service.

A horse in this unpleasant situation, requires great attention. Whenever they are foundered, they search for a bank of manure to stand on, which should always be prevented, as its heat increases the fever.

Horses slightly foundered, have sometimes been cured in a few hours, by standing them in pond water or mud, or by bleeding in the mouth, but those remedies are uncertain, and are not so much to be relied on as those first recommended.

A foundered horse is generally very much reduced in flesh, before a cure is effected; and always more subject to founder afterwards.

Large ridges on the hoofs, or a turning up of the feet are strong indications of old founders or other injuries.

2.-CATTLE.

COLIC or GRIPES. When afflicted with colic, the diseased animal will rise up and lie down almost incessantly, continually striking its head and horns against any object that occurs. Young cattle are chiefly affected by the colic; which is attended either with a scouring or with costiveness, and which of course must be treated according to those two circumstances. In the former case, a warm draught should be given, consisting of one quart of ale, mixed with a few drops of laudanum, and two or three ounces of oil of sweet almonds; or, which, perhaps, is preferable, with half a pint of olive oil, and sweetened with sugar. This draught is to be repeated at the end of twelve hours, or oftener, as the nature of the case may require. When colic is accompanied with costiveness, the following purge should be given, as early as possible. Dissolve from four to six drachms of fine Barbadoes aloes, (according to the size of the beast and the urgency of the case,) in half a pint of brandy, or other ardent spirit; mix the infusion with two quarts of water-gruel, and administer the draught in a lukewarm state. In both cases, great and speedy attention is necessary, to prevent inflammations of the intestines, which must otherwise prove fatal; the beasts should be kept warm and dry in order to promote perspiration.

HOVEN. No distemper is of more frequent occurrence among cattle than that of being swollen, that is, blown or hoven, as it is usually denominated among farmers. It is induced either by exposure to damp situations, by too sudden removal from an inferior to a rich pasture, or by eating too eagerly of turnips, clover, or any other succulent food, especially before the dew is off in the morning; thus the stomach is loaded with food, and the process of rumination, or chewing the cud, being prevented, the animal becomes swollen with confined air, which penetrates into the stomach and intestines. Its preventive is obvious, and consists simply in turning cattle into such rich pastures, only when they are not pressed by hunger, so that their appetite may soon be gratified; or they should be gently driven about for a few hours, that the dew may not only have time to evaporate, but also

DISEASES OF CATTLE.

the animals being thus suffered to graze a very short time at once, their stomachs will become gradually accustomed to it.

Various remedies have been tried and recommended for this malady, which if not opportunely discovered, inevitably proves fatal. Of these, the most common is to make an incision with a pen-knife beneath the short ribs, when a quill, or small tube of ivory or smoothed elder, is introduced in order to give vent to the confined air; the wound is then covered with adhesive plaster, to prevent it from being affected by the external cold, and thus the danger is in general quickly removed.

The method here noticed appears to be the result rather of absolute necessity than of mature thought, though sanctioned by custom; and as it is liable to be attended with fatal consequences through the ignorance or inexpertness of the operator, it becomes necessary to resort to more easy remedies. Medicines, indeed, are seldom of any particular service, on account of the distance to which country people are often obliged to go in order to procure them; but the following recipe, (which we communicate from Mr. Young's "Annals of Agriculture," Vol. xxxiii.) being composed of simple, cheap, and common ingredients, promises to be useful.* Let three quarters of a pint of olive oil, and one pint of melted butter, or hog's lard be mixed together, and given to the animal by means of a horn or bottle; if no favorable change be produced in a quarter of an hour, the same quantity may be repeated. This dose is calculated for neat cattle: for sheep, when hoven or blown, a wine glass full and a half, or two glasses will be sufficient to be given in like manner. And it is asserted in the communication above cited, that this remedy is a specific for the malady in question, effecting a cure within the short period of half an hour. Where, however, the pen-knife is resorted to-and necessity alone can justify itthe incision ought to be made with a small pen-knife, very sharp at the point, with a sudden push, four inches from the hip bone, and four inches from the edge of the loin.

A writer in the American Farmer recommends a spoonful of hartshorn infused in water, which he says completely removes the distention; others recommend soda and potash, all of which combining with the carbonic acid gas-the cause of the distention-will immediately reduce it. For want of these, ley from wood ashes may be employed.

When the animal has obtained relief one of the following drinks is recommended by Dr. White; No. 1. powdered ginger, half an ounce; spirits of nitrous ether, 2 ounces; oil of peppermint, 30 drops; warm water, one pint. Mix for one dose.

No. 2. Powdered carraway, 1 ounce; ginger, 1 drachm; warm ale or warm water, 1 pint. Mix.

No. 3. Powdered gentian, 1 ounce; Cascarilla bark, 2 drachms; warm ale, or water, 1 pint.

INDIGESTION, OR LOSS OF THE CUD. Mr. Lawrence says, that in this disease, "the beast mourns and has no appetite, or drops its food without attempting to swallow it. Probably from defective irritability of the fibres or contracting muscles of the rumn or cud-bag, the animal is unable to throw up or ruminate; of course the bag remains loaded and obstructed. The intention is to remove the obstruction, and invigorate the animal fibres. Let the animal fast sometime, then give a warm bran or pollard mash, with good hay, and warm water with salt. This treatment alone may succeed with patience, even should the maw be obstructed by acorns or

L

DISEASES OF CATTLE.

other hard fruit. An aloes tincture, made with brandy and ginger, or capsicum, (red pepper) might be of use in this case. After conquering the obstruction, bitter infusions made of camomile, hoarhound, oak bark, &c., in beer, may be required, as restoratives, although, perhaps, good dry nourishing feed will have an equally good effect."

It is remarked by Mr. White that "the earlier stages of this complaint are not marked by very striking symptoms. The animal has a dull or languid appearance, and generally a rough unhealthy coat and tight skin. The appetite is diminished, and at length he ceases to chew the cud. The eyes and mouth have generally a yellow appearance.”

"To cure this disease, it should be attacked at an early period; for when the liver has become effected in a considerable degree, it terminates fatally. Should there be any appearance of costiveness, the following warm laxative, is first to be given; more commonly, however, the bowels are in a loose state, and the dung has an unhealthy appearance; in this case let the tonic drench be given morning and evening, and let the animal be kept in a warm sheltered situation. It may be necessary to repeat, that this like most other internal diseases of cattle, may generally be removed by timely attention; but in attempting a cure after they have existed some time a great deal of unnecessary expense is often incurred.

Warm laxative. Barbadoes aloes, half an ounce; castile soap, 6 drachms; ginger, 3 drachms; cascarilla bark, 2 drachms; warm water, 1 pint. Mix.

After the operation of the laxative, the following tonic drench may be given should it be found necessary :-Of cascarilla bark and ginger, each 2 drachms; soda, 2 drachms; to be given in a pint of ale beer, or warm

water.

JAUNDICE or Yellows. This disease may be known, principally by the yellowness of the eyes and mouth; a dull or languid appearance and debility; a loss of appetite also, is a common symptom. It may be distinguished from the former disease by the costiveness, which uniformly attends it, and by the animal appearing to be in more pain. At the commencement of the disorder, a cure may generally be accomplished, by giving the warm laxative directed for the foregoing complaint, and repeating it, after an interval of five or six days, giving in the intermediate time, the following drink every morning and evening.—Castile soap, half an ounce; Venice turpentine, half an ounce; ginger, 3 drachms; powdered gentian root, 1 ounce. Rub the soap and turpentine together in a mortar, until they are incoporated, then add gradually, a pint of water, and afterwards the ginger and gentian. In the more advanced stage of this disorder, the liver is generally so injured as to render a cure impossible.

FOUL IN THE FOOT, or hoof-ail. Dr. Peck, an English writer, has given the following account of this disorder and its treatment.

The first appearance of this disease is a hard crack between the claws or hoofs, attended with considerable inflammation; afterwards, a fœtid and offensive matter is discharged, similar to that of the grease in horse's heels; sometimes it appears in form of a large tumor upon the cornet, between the hair and the hoof, attended with violent pain and inflammation.

Wash the parts from all dirt, castile soap should be used, and if between the claws, take a rope of proper thickness and chafe the part afflicted, and afterwards dress it with the butter of antimony, or oil of vitriol. Let the animal stand in a dry place for an hour; repeat the application every day.

DISEASES OF CATTLE.

If the part be much affected, rub it with some stimulating ointment, and if the tumor be likely to suppurate, linseed poultices as often as are necessary should be applied, and repeated, till the inflammation has subsided; then dress the wound with lint and mild astringent ointment. Due regard must be paid to existing symptoms. A few doses of Glauber's salts will cool the body and accelerate the cure.

Edward Skellet, Professor of the Veterinary art; an English writer of reputation, says, that this disorder proceeds from two causes; the one from accidents, and the other from a morbid state of the system. Its situation is betwixt the claws of the cow either in the fore or hind feet, but more frequently in the former. It is always attended with a swelling, the discharge from which, when it breaks or cracks, has a very offensive smell. The accidental foul proceeds from gravel, flint, bones or any other hard substance getting between the claws, which produces great pain and inflammation. The first step to be taken for its cure, is to remove the hard substance, and clean the wound out; then the following ointment is to be applied to the part, spread on tow, and bound on with a cloth and string.-Soft soap, 1 lb. ; common turpentine, 1 lb. Melt over a slow fire, till the two articles are completely united. The dressings may be repeated two or three times, which never fails to complete a cure.

Another application is recommended in the fourth volume of the Massachusetts Agricultural Repository, viz. From one to three grains of corrosive sublimate, reduced to a fine powder to be applied, as nearly as may be, completely into the slit, to be repeated once in twenty-four hours, until the cure is effected. Care should be taken to put a piece of rag or bit of leather between the claws, lest the animal, by licking the foot, should be injured by the corrosive sublimate. An ox, it is said, may be kept at work, while affected with this disease, without injury, unless his lameness be so great, as to impair his condition.

GRAIN SICKNESS. The first symptoms of this disease are a dull, heavy appearance about the eyes of the animal; she frequently shifts about from one side to the other, or when let loose or driven about, complains very much. On examining her, a fulness may be perceived betwixt the hips and ribs, on the opposite side to the milking one; if pressed with the hand, this fulness will be felt to consist in the extension of the stomach. As the disease advances, a loss of milk ensues, and a total dislike to any food.

This disease is caused by a surfeit of grain, and its remedies are bleeding and purging; the first to relieve the urgent symptoms, the second to remove the cause of the malady. The quantity of blood, according to Dr. Skellet, should be not less than from two to three quarts, but as he prescribes for large cows in the vicinity of London, perhaps a smaller quantity would be preferable for animals of but a middling size. The purging drink recommended by the same author is as follows.-Sulphur, from 8 to 12 ounces, proportioning it to the strength of the animal; nitre, 2 ounces, turmeric and cummin seeds, of each 1 ounce.

When this has operated in unloading the stomach, the weakness of that organ, the loss of appetite which ensues, and the deficiency of milk connected with it, will be repaired by medicines of an aromatic and bracing nature, such as coriander, ginder, anisseed, &c. Diluent liquors and mashes, form the proper food for some days.

A writer in the New England Farmer recommends to give either to

DISEASES OF CATTLE.

horses or cattle, which have eaten too much grain, a pint of melted hog's lard, as soon as the fact is ascertained.

WARTS or Horny Excrescences. These are affections of the skin, which in cows do not go deep; they destroy the roots of the hair, wherever they form, and are of a firm and horny texture, and readily give way when pulled or roughly handled, which occasions them to bleed, and shows their connexion with the vessels of the skin. They readily yield to emollient ointments particularly to goose grease, which should be frequently rubbed on them till the excrescences fall off.

MANGE. This is a cutaneous disease which is very contagious, for so many cows as come in contact with one laboring under the disorder will be sure to catch it. Its symptoms are a scurf on the external part of the body, which is always attended with an itching. This the animal shews by having a continual inclination to rub the affected part or parts against any thing she can get at. Some say that it is caused by a kind of animalenlae, which burrow in the skin. It generally attacks those animals, which are low in flesh, and have been fed on poor forage.

The first step to effect a cure of this disease, is to gently curry off the scurf, in order that the medicine may have the better effect. After this. the following application is to be rubbed on the parts affected, which may be repeated every three or four days, till a cure is effected; and it seldom requires more than two or three applications :-Flours of sulphur, 1 lb.: spirits of turpentine, half a pint; train oil enough to make it into a thir liquid.

HORN DISTEMPER. This is a disease which has its seat in the horns. Cows are more subject to it than oxen, and it does not attack bulls; steers and heifers under three years old, it is said are not subject to it. The distemper causes the pith of the horn to be gradually consumed. It is most commonly confined to one horn only, but sometimes appears in both. It is occasioned by poor keeping, by which the blood becomes thin and reduced, and does not circulate properly in the extremities. It is discovered by the sluggishness of the animal, loss of appetite, coldness of the horn, and a disposition to lie down.

To cure the disease, the horn should be bored with a nail gimblet in such a manner as to effect a discharge of the matter, which has become purulent. The hollow part should be well cleansed by vinegar, in which a portion of salt has been dissolved, to be injected by a syringe. Dr. Dean recommends the injection of a mixture of rum and honey, with myrrh and aloes. Stimulating medicines, such as ginger, spices. &c., have been given; but these are injurious, until the bowels have been evacuated. Laxatives, however, such as sulphur, Glauber's salts, &c. prove serviceable, and after the bowels are evacuated, and the horn well cleansed, good keeping will be necessary to effect the cure.

A writer in the New England Farmer recommends the following mixture to be given to cattle affected with this disease, viz. salt and soot, of each half a pint; black pepper one table spoonful. Soot is frequently administered combined with the yolk of eggs. For this disease spirits of turpentine will be found of essential service applied freely to the top of the head, along the roots of the horn. It will commonly be found, it is believed, that cattle afflicted with the horn distemper have the end of the tail soft and relaxed. In this case a small piece of the tail should be cut off; or which is still better, it may be slit for an inch or two and pounded