Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

274
"
CATTLE.
in a few cases, be repaired, but in the great majority of them will
proceed to its fatal termination. It is a disorganization which does
not immediately interfere with the discharge of the functions of life.
The beast will fatten, and,' perhaps, almost as rapidly as before. In
some cases it has been imagined that by careful feeding, a very con-
siderable degree of condition has been acquired with unusual quick-
ness ; but this will not last long. The effect of diseased structure,
and diminished substance of the lungs, will soon tell in the unthriftiness
and loss of condition of the beast. It will not be prudent to
attempt any medical treatment at all, or at least beyond that of a
mere palliative nature.
If any thing is to be done, bleeding will be here, as in other inflammatory
cases, the first step, but pursued in a more cautious manner
than in any of the others—never pushed beyond the very first
indication of its proper effect, nor repeated until after due consideration,
and a full conviction that renewed irritation is beginning to be
set up. To this must be added mild doses of physic, and the use of'
the sedative medicines ; with proper care that the animal is not unnecessarily
exposed to the vicissitudes of the weather, and yet avoid-
ing too much nursing.
If treatment be tried, there is one circumstance and one only,
which will enable one to understand the real ground, and that is, the
character of th&-cough, which will still remain, although much less
frequent. Is it the clear, sonorous cough which indicates the com-
parative healthiness of the air-passages, or does it continue to be, to
a greater or less degree, painful, inward, feeble, and gurgling ? If
the latter, the amendment is delusive. It is one of those temporary
rallyings of nature, or transient effects of medicine, which are sometimes
witnessed ; or, perhaps there has been some salutary change
of atmospheric influence : but there is mischief still—and the most
salutary advice would be, to dispose of the animal while something
like its value can be obtained. Weeks, months may pass on ; but byand-by—the
symptoms of confirmed phthisis appear, and the animal
is lost.
This second, and more violent attack, has many symptoms similar
to those that have been described as attending the latter stages of
bronchitis or pleurisy ; but there are a few which would point out
the nature and seat of the disease when there is no previous history
of the case to guide the practitioner. The milk gradually diminishes',
and, had it been examined before its diminution, an evident deterioration
in quality would have been observed ; it has acquired an unpleasant
flavor—it quickly becomes sour—it spoils, or gives a peculiar taste
to that with which it is mixed. The butter that is made from it is
ill-flavored, and the cheese will not acquire a proper consistence.
Some have said that the milk is of a blue color, and that it has more
serum in its composition than ordinary and healthy milk.