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.