Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

DIARRHCEA AND DYSENTERY. 347
erate into the disease which is now under consideration. The practi-
tioner will therefore mingle stomachics, and probably tonics, with his
astringents, in this case. Here also he will find the vegetable the
best. Experience of its beneficial effect has made ginger a necessary-
ingredient in almost every medicine, unless the animal evidently
labors under fever. Gentian is an admirable tonic and stomachic
and if to these be added Colombo and cascarilla, there is sufficient
choice. The proportions of the different medicines will .necessarily
vary with the age and strength of the animal, and the character,
duration, and ravages of the disease.
Vegetable astringents and tonics having been fairly tried, and
either not producing the desired effect, or beginning to lose their
power, the mineral ones may be resorted to. The preference should
undoubtedly be given to alum, and that in -the common and very
convenient form of alum whey. (See List of Medicines.) To this
the usual quantity of ginger may be added without producing decomposition
; and, if it should be deemed advisable, the opium may be
continued." Should this not succeed, or not to the full extent wished,
blue vitriol (sulphate of copper) may be substituted ; and to this
the opium will be a necessary auxiliary. The dose should be about
one drachm of the former and half a drachm of the latter. There is
no other mineral astringent or tonic that can be depended on or safely
given.
Clysters should not be neglected hi this stage of the disease.
With the assistance of the injection-pump, they promise to be as
efficacious as any medicines that can be administered by the mouth,
for they may be brought into immediate contact with the inflamed or
ulcerated surface. Gruel may be made with a decoction of poppyheads,
already recommended. To this may succeed an infusion of
catechu, decoction of oak-bark, and with or without opium ; and
possibly a weak solution of alum or blue vitriol. The practitioner
will here, however, proceed with considerable caution.
The malady being apparently subdued, there will be need for much
caution in the after-treatment of the animal. IJe must not soon
return altogether to green meat, and more especially not to luxuriant
pasture. The best way to prevent diarrhoea is to continue to
give a small quantity of hay for some time after turning to grass, and
not to keep him too many hours at a time from water. When
coming on, keep the ox as much as possible on hay and bran, and let
him have water often in srnalj quantities.
For a long period after a severe attack of this complaint, the animal
will be subject to occasional diarrhoea, and will require careful management.
The best thing.to be done is to get him, as quickly as the
state of his constitution will admit, into fair cqndition, and sell him ;
but there will be some difficulty in accompjshing this, for abundance
even of the most wholesome food will oftet be more than jiis debjh-
;