Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

168 CATTLE.
limbs, and those by which the impressions of surrounding objects are
conveyed to the mind. First, of the diseases of the nerves of motion.
There is a fluid or influence conveyed from the brain, through the
medium of the spinal chord, to the various parts of the body, by
means of which those parts are moved. In health that influence is
communicated in a uniform succession of undulations, or pulses. In
disease, it may rush on violently and without interruption ; if that be
only partial to a single muscle, or one set of muscles, the animal is
said to be cramped ; if this violent and uninterrupted action extend
over the frame, he labors under tetanus ; if the stream of influence
be rapid and strong, but there are suspensions, he has "fits ;
nervous influence be altogether withheld, there is palsy.
and if the
Tetanus is not frequent in cattle, but it is seldom that a beast
recovers from it. Its approach is rarely observed until the mischief
is done. The animal is off its food, ceases to ruminate, is disinclined
to move, and stands with its head protruded, but there is no dryness
of the muzzle, or heat of the horn, or coldness of the ears. The next
day the beast is in same state ; has scarcely moved, and is straddling
behind, can scarcely be induced to alter his position, and, if made to
turn, turns all together. It is found that the jaw is locked ; a discovery
which might have been made two or three days before, when
the ox might have been saved.
Working cattle are most subject to tetanus, because they may be
and because, after a hard day's work, covered with
pricked in shoeing ;
perspiration, they are sometimes turned out to graze during a cold
and wet night. Overdrivifig is a common cause of tetanus.
The treatment must be the promptest ; bleed until the pulse
falters, or rather until the patient blows, staggers, and threatens to
fall. There is nothing so likely to relax spasm of every kind, and
even this excessive and universal one, as bleeding almost to fainting.
Twenty, and even twenty-four pounds have been taken, before the
desired effect was produced, and those cases oftenest do well, when
the constitution resists the bleeding long, and then gives way.
One effect, not always lasting enough,- follows the bleeding ; the
spasm is somewhat relaxed, and the jaws can be opened a little.
Advantage must be immediately taken of this to pour in a dose of
pliysic. That which is most active, and lies in the smallest compass,
and half a drachm, or two scruples of farina of the Croton
is the best ;
nut should be given in gruel, with, if it can be administered, or as
soon as it can, a pound or a pound and a half of Epsom salts in
solution. This must be followed upmntil the bowels are well opened.
All other means will be thrown away until brisk purging is produced.
There is sometimes a great difficulty in this. The direction which a
fluid takes, or the stomach into which it goes, is uncertain. It may
pass on at once through the third and fourth stomachs, and produce
its effects on the bowels ; or it may accumulate in the paunch, with-