Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

160
CATTLE.
The periodical nature of the disease being once apparent, send the
animal to the butcher, or hasten to prepare it for sale ; ophthalmia is
certainly hereditary in cattle.
To combat general inflammation of the eye, bleeding, physicking,
and fomentations are the principal weapons. The blood should be
taken from the jugular, for that is supplied by veins coming from
the inflamed parts. If the bleeding is ever local, the lid should be
turned down, and the lining membrane lightly scarified. A few drops
of blood thus obtained will often do a great deal of good. Fomen-
tations having been continued for a day or two, one of the two following
lotions should be used, a few drops of it being introduced
into the eye two or three times every day
Sedative Eye Lotion.—Take, dried leaves of foxglove, powdered,
one and a half ounce : infuse them into a pint of Cape or dry raisin
wine, for a fortnight, and keep the infusion for use.
There cannot be a better sedative in the early stage of inflamma-
tion of the eyes.
* In" many cases this alone will effect the temporary or perfect re-
moval of the inflammation ; but should the eye not improve, or be-
come insensible to the tincture, try this
Sedative Eye Lotion.—Take, extract of goulard, two drachms
spirituous tincture of digitalis (made in the same manner as the vinous
in the last recipe), two drachms ; tincture of opium, two drachms -,
water, a pint : this should also be introduced into the eye. Two or
three drops at a time will suffice.
The inflammation being subdued by the one or the other of these
applications, or even bidding defiance to them, and assuming a chron-
ic form, a lotion of a different character must be had recourse to.
Strengthening Lotion for the Eye.—Take, white vitriol, one scru-
ple ; spirit of wine, a drachm ; water, a pint : mix them together,
and use the lotion in the same manner as the others.
When the inflammation runs high, the transparent part of the
eye is apt to ulcerate, and a fungous substance ' sprouts, and sometimes
protrudes through the lids. This should be very lightly
touched with a solution of .nitrate of silver, or, if it is very prominent,
it should be cut off, and the base of it touched with the
caustic.
A seton in the dewlap will always be beneficial in inflammation of
the eye, and it should either be made of the black hellebore root, or
a chord well soaked in turpentine.
Of one circumstance, the breeder of cattle should be aware—that
blindness is an hereditary disease, and that the progeny of a bull
that has any .defect of sight is very apt to become blind.
If the case is neglected, inflammation of the eye will sometimes
run on to cancer, and not only the eye, but the soft parts around it,
and even the bones, will be affected.
:
:
;