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Murrain

Categories: Diseases and their Remedies

This is one of the most malignant diseases to which cattle are liable.

Fortunately, however, true murrain is comparatively rare in this great

stock-raising country.



The entire system seems to partake of the disease. The first indication

of its approach is a feverish condition of the system, attended with a

frequent and painful cough; the pulse is small, hard, and rapid. As the

disease advances, the respir
tion becomes disturbed; the flanks heave;

vesicular eruption is observed upon the teats, mouth, and feet; the

horns are cold; the animal is sometimes lame; constipation and,

sometimes, diarrhoea are accompanying symptoms; faeces black and

fetid; the eyes weep and become much swollen; great tenderness along the

spine; a brown or bloody discharge from the nose and mouth; the animal

moans incessantly, grinds his teeth, rarely lies down, but to get up

again quickly; finally, the breath becomes very offensive; tumors make

their appearance in various parts of the body, which, in favorable

cases, suppurate, and discharge a fetid matter.



Treatment.--Give one fourth of a pound of Epsom-salts, with one drachm

of Jamaica ginger, twice a day, for two or three days. A bottle of

porter, twice a day, will be found serviceable. Very little medicine is

required internally in this disease, but much depends upon good nursing.

External applications are chiefly to be depended upon. A solution of

chloride of lime should be applied to the eruptions, or a solution of

the chloride of zinc, twenty grains to an ounce of water; or, of

sulphate of zinc, two drachms to a pint of water; or pulverized

charcoal applied to the parts will be found useful.



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