> staggering when forced to do so; obstinate costiveness is usually one of

the earliest symptoms, succeeded by diarrhoea, which is equally

difficult of management; sometimes, however, diarrhoea is present

from the first; the animal loses flesh rapidly; the coat is staring;

appetite is lost; tumors form about the head, neck, back, and joints,

which appear to be filled with air, and upon pressure cause a

crepitating sound; saliva flows from the mouth, becoming very fetid as

the disease progresses. The animal always dies of putrefaction.



Treatment.--This disease should be treated early, or not at all. Good

nursing is very essential. When costiveness is present, give Barbadoes

aloes, one ounce; croton-oil, ten drops; mix together; or give one pint

of linseed-oil, to which add from ten to twenty drops of castor-oil. If

the bowels are not open in twenty-four hours, give four ounces of

sulphate of magnesia every six hours until they are opened. Follow this

with tincture of aconite, ten drops in water, every four hours, until

the fever has abated.



Bleeding has been recommended by some writers; but the author has failed

to experience any benefit from resorting to it, but, on the contrary,

has seen much injury result from the use--or, rather, the abuse--of the

lancet. He is, indeed, inclined to attribute much of the fatality

attending this disease to indiscriminate blood-letting.



When much debility exists, the animal should be sustained by tonics and

stimulants. One ounce of nitric ether and half an ounce of tincture of

opium, given in a little water, will be found beneficial. It should be

given twice a day. Pulverized gentian-root, one ounce; Jamaica ginger,

half an ounce; pulverized cloves, half an ounce; mixed, and divided into

four powders, one to be given at night and at morning; will be found

useful, in place of the opium and ether.