Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

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CATTLE.
and in, or that had been weakly from other causes, and particularly
in those that had been subject to chronic cough, associated with
tubercles in the lungs. In low and damp situations these tumors
have been found on the mesentery of cattle that have been long
unthrifty and out of condition, and that have at length died apparently
in consequence of some other disease.
The association, however, with these diseases has differed so ma-
terially in different cases, and the symptoms have been so obscure, or
so much resembling those of various and almost opposite complaints,
that they have not yet been satisfactorily classed and arranged.
The treatment of these mesenteric enlargements, when they are
suspected and pretty well ascertained, would be a course of mild
purgatives, mingled with tonics, (the Epsom salts with gentian and
ginger, a dose sufficient to keep the bowels gently open being admin-
istered every morning,) with the exhibition of from six to ten grains
of the hydriodate of potash, at noon and night, and the removal of
the animal to good and dry pasture.
INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS.
Of this malady there are two species : the first is inflammation of
the external coat of the intestines, accompanied by considerable fever,
and usually by costiveness ; the second is that of the internal or
mucous coat, and generally attended by violent purging.
The first of these, designated by the term Enteritis, is, in most
cases, sudden in its attack. Beasts of middle age—strong—in good
condition, and particularly working cattle, are most subject to it.
Calves, old beasts, and milch cows are comparatively exempt from it.
The disease is most frequent in hot weather, and after long-continued
drought.
The beast, that on the preceding day seemed to be in perfect
health, is observed to be dull—depressed—his muzzle dry—his hair
rough ;—he shrinks when his lotos are pressed upon, and his belly
seems to be enlarged on the left side. To these symptoms speedily
succeed disinclination to move—weakness of the hind limbs—trembling
of them—staggering—heaving of the flanks—
protrusion of the
head—redness of the eyes—heat of the mouth and ears and roots of
the horns, and a small, but rapid pulse, generally varying from 60 to
80 beats in a minute. Rumination has now ceased ; the appetite is
lost ; the feces are rarely voided, and are hard and covered with a
glazy mucus, and that mucus is sometimes streaked with blood ;—the
animal also moans with intensity of pain.
The symptoms rapidly increase ; the patient becomes more depressed
; the pulse more feeble ; the moaning incessant, and the
beast is continually down. He becomes half unconscious, and is
evidently half-blind ; the mouth is filled with foam, and the tongue
is covered with a browish yellow deposit. There is p-rindinor nf tha