Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

CATTLE.
adhesive or bloody mucous fluid ; the larger intestines are even more
inflamed ; they exhibit more extensive ulceration, and contain many
clots of effused blood. The rectum is ulcerated and gangrenous from
end to end.
There is usually considerable effusion in the chest ; the . coverings
of the lungs are inflamed ; the bag of the heart more so ; the sub-
stance of the lungs is sometimes emphysematous, and at other times
gorged with blood, and the heart is marked with black spots outwardly,
and in its cavities. The lining membrane of all" the air-passages
is of a red brown color ; the larynx and the pharynx are
intensely red, and so is the membrane of the gullet.
Of the causes of this disease it is difficult to speak. It seems
occasionally to be epidemic, for several instances of it occur, of the
same character, and in the same district.
When isolated cases occur, they may generally be attributed to
mismanagement. Exposure to cold; or the drinking of cold water
when heated with work ; too hard work in sultry weather ; the use
of water stagnant, impure, or containing any considerable quantity of
metallic salts ; the sudden revulsion of some cutaneous eruption ; the
crowding of animals into a confined place ; too luxuriant and stimulating
food generally ; and the mildewed and unwholesome food on
which cattle are too often kept, are fruitful sources of this complaint.
Homoeopathic treatment.—Aconitum is to be given in doses repeated
every fifteen or twenty minutes, until the most prominent symptoms
of the inflammation have disappeared. If this end be not attained
after some hours, or if, notwithstanding a perceptible improvement,
pain still remains, arsenicum is to be given. The medicine alternately
with aconitum, has sometimes, it is said, produced good effects. It
is particularly indicated when the disease has been occasioned by
cold drinks, or by improper food and disturbance of digestion.
When aconitum and arsenicum fail, we must have recourse to carbo
vegetabilis and rhus toxicodendron.
WOOD-EVIL, MOOR-ILL, PANTAS.
These are but varieties of the same disease, frequently produced,
•as the first name would import, by browsing on the young buds of
trees, and particularly on those of the ash and the oak. These
buds are tempting to cattle at the commencement of the spring, but
they are of too acrid and stimulating a character to be eaten with
impunity in any considerable quantities. Heat of the mouth and skin
—redness of the membranes—thirst—^obstinate constipation—hardness
of the little faeces that are expelled—the covering of them with
mucus and blood—difficulty of voiding urine, and its red color and
penetrating odor—colicky pains—depression—are the characteristic
symptoms of this disease.
Some veterinarians give the narae of wood-evil to complaints allied