Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

CATTLE.
the lime or potash, or soda, will be liberated ; yet no danger results
from the presence of this corroding acid and caustic alkali ; for there
is a chemical affinity between them which will be soon exerted, and
the harmless and inert muriates of lime or potash, or soda, be
produced. Hence resulted one of the most important improvements
in cattle-medicine that modern times have produced.
There are several other medicaments which have been- found of
great service in this disease, such as lime-water, potash, hartshorn,
and particularly sulphuric ether. About ah ounce and a half of
hartshorn may be given in a pint and a half of water, unless the
symptoms are so urgent as to threaten immediate suffocation : then
the flexible tube, if at hand, should be used ; or, if not, the trochar,
or the knife, plunged into the flank. If the symptoms should denote
any inflammation, ether will be preferable as a medicine, as it
promptly condenses the gases : an ounce may be given in a pint of
water. If the symptoms are produced by green food, there is less
probability of inflammation than if the food has been previously
dry.
The chloride of lime is as good as either of the others, and should
always be in the possession of the farmer and practitioner, not only
for this purpose, but because, in cases of foul, fetid ulceration, and
gangrene generally, it is the most powerful disinfectant, and the most
useful stimulant that can be applied. The proper and safe dose is
two drachms of the powdered chloride" of lime dissolved in two
quarts of water, and injected into the paunch by means of the stomach-pump.
This may be repeated an hour afterward, if circumstances
should appear to require it.
The trochar will then supersede the use of the knife and the lancet,
when, under circumstances- of emergency, the practitioner may be
compelled to act promptly ; for, by the continuance of the tube in
the wound, some of the distant and unsuspected results of the common
method of puncturing the rumen may be avoided ; but when
the practioner is near home, or can obtain speedy access to his stomach-tube
and pump, the trochar will be completely discarded.
The animal having been relieved, and the gas ceasing to distend
the paunch, a pound of Epsom salts should be administered with an
ounce of carraway powder, and half an ounce of ginger ; and, on
several successive mornings, four ounces of Epsom salts, two of
powdered gentian, and half an ounce of ginger should be given.
The object of the practitioner, or the owner, should be to restore,
as speedily and as effectually as possible, the tone and action of the
rumen. The return of the process of rumination will show when
that is beginning to be effected, and rumination will usually precede
the desire to eat.
Attention should for some time be paid to the manner of feeding.
A mash should be daily allowed, and the pasture on which the beast