Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

DISEASES OF THE EAR. 155
warm water, or soap and water, and the application of a weak solu-
tion of Goulard, while much inflammation remains, and of a still
weaker solution of alum, when the inflammation has subsided.
Simple inflammation of the ear is a rare disease in cattle. It is
recognized by the animal carrying his head a little on one side ; this
is plainly referable to the ear from the heat and tenderness of its
base both within and without, and a kind of immobility of the ear,
resulting from the pain which the animal suffers in moving it. Bleeding
from the neck vein, a dose of physic, and fomentation of the
part, will usually give relief ; and afterwards a lotion composed of a
drachm of the extract of lead and the same of laudanum added to
four ounces of water : a little of this may be poured into the ear,
and the ear gently squeezed so that the lotion shall find its way to
every part of it.
Sometimes the beast is much annoyed by an itching of the ear.
A dry scurfiness spreads over a greater or less part of the skin of
the inside of the ear. A healing ointment will afford the most ready
cure. A little must be gently but well rubbed into the inside of the
ear, until the scurfy skin is softened, and be repeated daily. The
ointment is thus composed :—melt together four pounds of lard, and
one of common resin ; set them by to cool, and when they begin to
thicken, stir in one pound of calamine powder, rubbed down to a
slate of the greatest possible fineness. In a very few instances a
collection of fluid will appear between the cartilage and the inner
skin of the ear. The tumor must be opened from end to end.
Still more rarely fungous granulations spring up from the base of
the ear. They must be cut down with a knife. Nitrate of silver
must then be applied over the exposed surface, and an alum wash,
not too strong, afterwards used.
Homoeopathic Treatment,—If there be a foreign body in the ear, it
should be removed, and arnica water be injected with a small syringe.
If insects are the cause, a little oil is to be poured into the ear. If
the inflammation, from being neglected, has passed into suppuration,
pus is the best topical application : elaborated by the vital force in
the wound, it serves chiefjy to disintegrate the particles which have
been contused or otherwise injured, to effept the expulsion of foreign
bodies, such as splinters, &c, and to dispose the edges of the wound
to unite by means of fleshy granulations, It is a great mistake then
to remove it ; it diminishes of itself as the granulations aoquire suf-
ficient consistence to form the tissue of a cicatrix. To fulfill its destination,
it must be of good quality. Where its quality or characters
are not such as they should be, there only art should interfere, as
well to facilitate the cure of the wound itself as to secure and preserve
the adjoining parts. The means to which we are to have
recourse are : arnica, internally and externally, in wounds, &c, of
every kind ; mercurius vivus and asafwtida, in ulcers which secrete