ttfE ^. ^. pai pbrarg ^Drtij Carolina State (goUeae U55 35619 This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to »«iiiMflHHMHB' CENTS a day thereafter. It is due on the day indicated below: 3DecS4a DEC % MAY - t 1987 MAY ^ "MAY MAY n'' 1988 |2 1992 1993 r U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. J. R. MOHLE.^, Chief of Bureau. S^PECIAL REPORT ON DISEASES OF CATTLE. Drs. ATKINSON, DICKSON, EICHHORN, HICKMAN, LAW, LOWE, MARSH, MOHLER, MURRAY, PEARSON, RANSOM, TRUMBOWER, and WOODWARD. REVISED EDITION, 192i. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1923. [Extract from "An act making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1924, and for'other purposes," approved February 26, 1923. Public -No. 446.) For printing, binding, and distribution of the publications entitled " Diseases of the Horse" and "Diseases of Cattle," $200,000: Provided, That said publications shall be deposited one-third in the folding room of the Senate and two-thirds in the folding room of the House of Representatives, and said documents shall be diatrib- •ted by Members of the Senate and House of Representatives. 2 CONTENTS. Page. Administration of medicines. By Leonard Pearson 7 Diseases of the digestive organs. By A. J. Murray 12 Poisons and poisoning. By V. T. Atkinson 51 Diseases of the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatics. By W. H. Harbaugh. . 73 Noncontagious diseases of the organs of respiration. By William Herbert Lowe 87 Disesaes of the nervous system. By W. H. Harbaugh 101 Diseases of the urinary organs. By James Law 113 Diseases of the generative organs. By James Law 147 Diseases following parturition. By James Law 214 Diseases of young calves. By James Law 247 Bones: Diseases and accidents. By V. T. Atkinson 264 Surgical operations. By William Dickson and William Herbert Lowe 289 Tumors affecting cattle. By John R. Mohler 303 •^JDiseases of the skin. By M. R. Trumbower 320 Diseases of the foot. By M. R. Trumbower 335 Diseases of the eye and its appendages. By M. R. Trumbower 34l) Diseases of the ear. By M. R. Trumbower 355 Infectious diseases of cattle. Revised by John R. Mohler 358 The animal parasites of cattle. By B. H. Ransom 502 Mycotic stomatitis of cattle. By John R. Mohler 532 Index 538 a W'^'^ 35819 ILLUSTRATIONS, PLATES. Page. Plate I. Position of the first stomach (rumen or paunch) 48 II. Stomachs of ruminants 48 III. Instraments used in treating diseases of digestive organs 48 IV. Microscopic anatomy of the liver 48 V. Ergot in hay 48 VI. Ergotism 48 VII. Diagram of the circulation of the blood 86 VIII. Position of the lung 90 IX. Kidney and male generative and urinary organs 145 X. Microscopic anatomy of the kidney 145 XI. Calcidi of kidney and bladder 146 XII. Fetal calf within its membranes 210 XIII. Pregnant uterus with cotyledons 210 XIV. Vessels of :imbilical cord 211 XV. Normal position of calf in utero 211 XVI. Abnormal positions of calf in utero 211 XVII. Abnormal positions of calf in utero 211 XVIII. Abnoraml positions of calf in utero; surgical instruments and sutures 212 XIX. Monstrosities 212 XX. Instruments used in difficult labor 212 XXI. Instruments used in difficult labor 213 XXII. Supports for prolapsed uterus 246 XXIII. Supports for prolapsed uterus 246 XXIV. Instmments used in diseases following parturition 246 XXV. Skeleton of the cow 282 XXVI. De\-ices for casting cattle 302 XXVII. Surgical instruments and sutures 302 XXVIII. Various bacteria which produce disease in cattle 360 XXIX. Upper or dorsal surface of the lungs of the ox 368 XXX. Broncho-pneumonia 368 XXXI. Contagious pleuro-pneumonia 368 XXXII. Contagious pleiu-o-pneumonia 368 XXXIII. Foot-and-mouth disease 384 XXXIV. Tuberculosis of the lungs of cattle 416 XXXV. Tuberculosis of the liver 416 XXXVI. Tuberculosis of lymph gland and of omentum (caul) 416 XXXVII. Fig. 1. — Tuberculosis of sirloin and porterhouse cuts of beef. Fig. 2. — Tuberculosis of pleura of cow, so-called "pearly disease " 416 XXXVIII. Tuberculosis of cow's udder ' 416 XXXIX. Actinomycosis 450 5 6 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. Plate XL. Actinomycosis of the jaw 450 XLI. Actinomycosis of the lungs 450 XLII. Section of muscle from a blackleg swelling 464 XLIII. Necrotic stomatitis (calf diphtheria) 464 XLIV. Normal spleen and spleen affected by Texas fever 504 XLV. Texas fever 504 XLVI. The cattle tick ( Margaropics annulatus), the carrier of Texas fever. . 504 XLVII. The cattle tick ( Margaropus annulatus) 504 XLVIII. Portion of a steer's hide showing the Texas fever tick (Margaropm annulatus) 504 XLIX. Fig. 1.— Tick-infested steer. Fig, 2.— Dipping cattle to kill ticks. 504 L. Facsimile of poster comparing ticky and tick-free cattle 504 TEXT FIGURES. Fig. 1. Homily (Hsematobia serrata) in resting position 504 2. Hornfiies {Hsematobia serrata) on cow horn 505 3. Buffalo gnat 506 4. Screw worm (larva of Chrysomyia macellaria) 506 5. Screw-worm fly ( Chrysomyia macellaria) 507 6. The warble fly {Hypoderma lineata) 508 7. Short-nosed blue louse {Hsematopinus eurysternus) of cattle 512 8. Long-nosed blue louse {Hxmatopinu^ vituli) of cattle 512 9. Red louse ( Trichodectes scalaris) of cattle 513 10. Egg of short-nosed blue louse {Hsematopinus eurysternus) attached to a hair 513 11. Mite which causes psoroptic scab of sheep 514 12. Portion of the wall of the first stomach with conical flukes {Paramphis- tomum cervi) attached 519 13. Twisted stomach worms {Hxmonchus contortus) 519 14. Twisted stomach worms {Hsemonchus contortus) enlarged 520 15. Embryo of twisted stomach worm (Hsemonchtis contortus) coiled on tip of grass blade 521 16. A drenching tube made fi-om an ordinary tin funnel, a piece of rubber hose, and a piece of brass pipe 522 17. Piece of lining of foiu-th stomach showing cysts of the encysted stomach worm {Ostertatia ostertagi) 523 18. A tapeworm {Moniezia planissima) which infests cattle 524 19. The common liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) 526 20. The large American fluke {Fasciola magna) 526 21. Portion of grass stalk bearing three encysted cercaiise of the common liver fluke {Fasciola hepatica) 527 22. Hydatids {Echinococcus granulosus) in portion of hog's liver 528 23. Thin-necked bladder worm ( Taenia hydatigena) from abdominal cavity of a steer 529 24. Lung worms {Dictyocaulus viviparus) of cattle 530 SPECIAL REPORT ON DISEASES OF CATTLE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. By Leonard Peaeson, B. S., V. M. D. Medicines may be administered to cattle in many ways. The chan- nel and method of administration depend on whether a general or local effect is desired, the condition of the animal, and the nature of the medicine that is to be given. The easiest method, and therefore the most common, is to give ordinary remedies by the mouth with the food, with drink, or separately. There are, however, some condi- tions in which medicines administered in this way will not act promptly enough, or wherein a desired effect of the medicine on a distant part of the body is wholly lacking unless it is applied in some other way. The various methods of administering medicines to cattle will be considered below. By the mouth. — The simplest way to give medicines by the mouth is to mix them with the food or water. This can be done when the medicine is in the form of a powder or fluid, if but a small quantity is to be given, if it does not have a taste that is disagreeable to the animal and is not so irritant as to injure the lining membranes of the mouth and throat. The usual method of administering bulky or unpalatable doses is to mix them with a fluid vehicle, such as water, milk, molasses, or broth, and give from a bottle. A dose given in this way is known as a " drench." In administering a drench the head of the animal should be elevated a little by an assistant. This is best accomplished when standing on the left side of the cow's head and by grasping the nose with the thumb and fingers of the right hand inserted in the nostrils ; with the left hand beneath the chin the head is further raised and supported. If the animal is unruly, it may be tied in a stall or placed in a stanchion. The medicine can now be poured into the mouth by inserting the neck of the bottle between the lips on the right side. Care must be taken to avoid getting the bottle between the back teeth. Library 8 DISEASES OF CATTLE. The mouth of the bottle should be inserted as far as the middle of the tongue and the contents poured slowl3% If the cow coughs, the head must at once be lowered to permit the fluid to escape from the larynx. If medicine is given during coughing, some of the dose may pass down the windpipe to the lungs and cause a severe or a fatal pneumonia. This is especially to be guarded against when the throat is partly paralyzed or insensitive, as in parturient paresis (milk fever). In this disease it has often happened that drenches have been poured into the lungs, thus killing the coav. The quantity of fluid to be given in a drench depends upon the eflfect desired and the nature of the medicine. In impactions of the stomach very large quantities of fluid may be given — as much as a gallon or several gallons at a time. Usually, however, it is not customary or desirable to give more than from 1 to 2 quarts at a dose, and not more than a pint unless it is necessary on account of the irritant quality of the drug that has to be shielded with a large quantity of the vehicle. Soluble medicines should be completely dissolved before they are given; insoluble ones should be finely divided by powdering or by shaking, and should be well agitated and mixed immediately before they are given. In the latter case a menstruum with considerable body, such as molasses or flaxseed tea or milk, will help to hold solids or oils in suspension until swallowed. Balls are large pills adapted for the larger animals. Powders or gums are sometimes mixed with an adhesive substance and rolled into balls for the purpose of conA^enience of administration. Balls are not used so much and are not so well adapted to the medication of cattle as of horses. The process of solution is slower in the paunch of a cow than in the stomach of a horse; if the cow is so sick as to have stopped ruminating, a ball may get covered up and lost in the mass of material in the paunch and so lie for days, producing no effect whatever. Capsules are shells or envelopes made of soluble gelatin in which powders or liquids may be inclosed. Capsules and balls are adminis- tered by being placed on the tongue well back in the mouth Avhile the tongue is drawn forward and the mouth is held open by a block of wood between the back teeth. The ball should be dropped, the tongue released, and the block removed as nearly simultaneously as possible, so that the backward carriage of the tongue will throAv the ball into the throat and lead to its being swallowed. In introducing the ball care must be taken to avoid having the hand cut or crushed. After a little experience it is possible to do away with the block of wood. By the stomach. — Medicines are introduced directly into the first stomach by the use of an esophageal tube or through the cannula of a ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 9 trocar passed into the paunch through the side. This method is used in the treatment of diseases of digestion. By the kectum. — Medicines are usually administered by the rec- tum for the purpose of controlling the bowels and for the treatment of local diseases. Sometimes, however, medicines that have a gen- eral effect are given in this way when, for any reason, it is not possi- ble or convenient to give them through the mouth. Only drugs that are readily absorbed should be given per rectum for a general effect and in somewhat larger dose or more frequently than when given by the mouth. Such stimulants as ether, alcohol, or the aromatic spirits of ammonia, diluted with from four to six times their bulk of warm water, may be used in this way. Rectal injections, or enemata, are used in the treatment of consti- pation. If it is the purpose of the injection to soften hardened fecal masses, the water should be comfortably warm and may have a little clean soap in it. If it is the purpose of the injection to stimu- late sluggish bowels to contraction, the water may be cold. In giving rectal injections a rectal syringe ma}' be used, or, better, a piece of one-half to three-quarter inch rubber hose 5 feet long with a tin funnel attached to one end. The hose is soaped or oiled and introduced slowly and gently into the rectum 2 or 3 feet. The fluid is then slowly poured into the funnel and allowed to gravitate into the rectum. The same apparatus may be used for feeding by the rectum. By the vagina. — Medicines are inserted into the vagina, and through the vagina into the womb, in a manner similar to that of rectal administration. Most of the medication made use of in this way is for the local treatment of these organs. Following calving, during outbreaks of abortion, and in an infectious disease of the vagina, such injections become necessary. By the udder. — Injections into the udder are now regularly made in the treatment of parturient paresis (milk fever). For this pur- pose a 1 per cent solution of iodid of potassium is commonly employed, although some other solutions and oxygen gas are also used. In mak- ing this injection so many precautions are necessary in relation to the sterilization of the apparatus and the teats and skin that this work should be left to a skilled veterinarian. The introduction of even a minute quantity of infectious dirt may cause the loss of the udder. For making this injection one may use one of the prepared sets of apparatus or a milking tube and funnel connected by a piece of small rubber hose. The apparatus should be boiled and kept wrapped in a clean towel until needed. The udder and teats and the hands of the operator must be well disinfected, and the solution must be freshly made with recently boiled water kept in a sterile bottle. The udder should be emptied of milk before the injection is 10 DISEASES OF CATTLE. made. After all these precautions have been observed the milking tube may be inserted and through it one-half pint of solution intro- duced by gravity air pressure or by syringe. There is practically no danger in this mode of treatment if it is properly carried out. Injections into the udder are sometimes made in the treatment of garget, but so far with indifferent success. By the nostrils. — An animal mav bo caused to inhale medicine in the form of gas or vapor or to snuft' up a fine powder. Sometimes, for the purpose of local treatment, fluids are injected into the nose. A medicine inhaled may have either a local or a general effect. Medicated steam, carrjdng the volatile products of compound cresol solution, carbolic acid, balsam of Peru, compound tincture of benzoin, tincture of iodin, etc., may be liberated beneath the nostrils of a cow so that she must inhale these soothing vapors; but such treatment is not so common for cattle as for horses. In producing general anesthesia, or insensibility to pain, the vapor of chloroform or ether is administered by the nostrils. As a preliminary to this it is necessary to cast and confine the animal. Great care is necessary to avoid complete stoppage of the heart or breathing. By the trachea. — Medicines are injected into the trachea, or wind- pipe, in the treatment of some forms of diseases of the lungs, and especially in that form of bronchitis or pneumonia that is caused by lungworms. For this injection a large hypodermic syringe, fitted with a very thick, strong needle, is used. The needle is to be inserted about the middle of the neck and between the cartilaginous rings of the trachea. By the skin. — Although a number of drugs, notably mercury, are so readily absorbed by the skin of cattle as to render poisoning easy, medicines are not given in this way for their general or constitutional but only for their local eflPect. Diseases of the skin and superficial parasites are treated or de- stroyed by applications in the forms of washes, ointments, dips, and powders. Liniments and lotions are applied to the skin for the relief of some near-lying part, such as a muscle, tendon, or joint. Blisters are applied to the skin for the purpose of obtaining the effect of counterirritation upon a neighboring region or organ. Cold water may be applied to the skin to reduce the temperature and to diminish congestion or inflammation in a superficial area or to reduce the temperature of the whole body. High fever and heat strokes are treated in this way. By the tissue beneath the skin. — Hypodermic or subcutaneous injections are often made for the purpose of introducing a drug, reagent, or vaccine directly into the connecting tissue beneath the skin. Introduced in this way, the substance is quickly absorbed, ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 11 none of it is lost, and its whole effect is obtained, often within a few minutes. There are numerous precautions necessary in making a subcutane- ous injection, most of which have to do with cleansing and steriliza- tion. It is also important to select a proper site for the injection, so that blood vessels, joints, and superficial nerves, organs, or cavities may all be avoided. With due regard for the necessary precautions, there is practically no danger in such an injection, but it should be attempted only by those who are able to carry it through in a surgi- cally clean way. Only certain drugs can be given subcutaneously, and dosage must be accurately graduated. By the veins. — Certain medicines act most promptly and surely when introduced directly into the blood by injecting them into a vein, usually the jugular. Some vaccines and antitoxins are administered in this way. Intravenous injection should be practiced only by experienced veterinarians. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. By A. J. Murray, JI. R. C. V. S. [Revised by R. W. Hickman, V. M. D.] CHARACTER OF FEEDS AND FEEDING. Diseases of the digestive organs are very coniinon among cattle, and may often be traced to defects in feeding. The first three stom- achs of the larger ruminants hold the feed for a long time, during which period it is subjected to macerating, mixing, and straining processes in preparation for entrance into the fourth or true stomach. The straining is accomplished through the medium of the manyplies or book, while the paunch, or rumen, with its adjunct, the waterbag, is concerned in the macerating, kneading, and mixing, as well as in regurgitation for rumination or the chewing of the cud. The action of the first three stomachs is merely preparatory to digestion. Thus it would seem that as a result of their complex anatomical and func- tional arrangement the feed of the ox, when of good quality and Avholesome, is in the most favorable condition possible for the diges- tive process when it reaches the fourth stomach, Avhere true diges- tion first takes place. The location and arrangement of the stomachs are shown in Plates I and II. If the feed is of improper character, or is so given that it can not be cared for by the animal in a normal way, false fermentations arise, causing indigestion, and j)ossibly, later, organic disease. In feeding cattle there are a number of important considerations apart from the economy of the ration, and some of these are noted below. Feeds must not be damaged by exposure to the weather, by frost, by molds, or by deleterious fermentations. Damaged feeds retard or prevent digestion, and sometimes they contain or cause to be generated substances that irritate the digestive tract, or are distinctly jDoisonous to the animal. For example, hay that was rained on severely during curing has not only lost a part of its nutritive value through a washing-out process, but what remains is not so readily available as in good hay. Eoots that have been frozen are likely to irritate and injure the digestive tract. Grass eaten with frost on it may cause severe indigestion. All moldy feeds are not injurious, for some molds appear to have no influence on the process of digestion, but those of other sj^ecies may not only retard digestion and cause local injury to the digestive organs, but may cause general poisoning of a severe and fatal type. 12 DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 13 The following molds have been shown (Daininann) to be danger- ous in respect to the production of the morbid conditions enumer- ated: Tilletia caries grows chiefly in wheat and may be found with the grain, thus appearing in the bran or meal. It causes paralysis of the throat and spinal cord and irritation of the digestive tract. The rusts, such as Puccinia graminis, P. straminis, P. Coronata, and P. arundinacea, cause colic and diarrhea, and in some cases partial j^aralysis of the throat. The rusts that occur on clovers, beans, and ]^eas cause very severe irritation of the lining membrane of the mouth and throat, resulting sometimes in gangrene of this tissue. PolydesTnus exitans grows on the leaves of rape and turnips, ap- pearing in early summer. This fungus is very irritating to the mouths and feet of cattle, causing severe inflammation and the for- mation of a false membrane. In some instances this condition has been mistaken for foot-and-mouth disease, but it can be differentiated by the absence of the blister that is characteristic of that disease and by the further fact that it is nontransmissible. Polytrincium tHfolii^ which grows on clover, causing it to become black, causes severe irritation of the stomach and intestines of cattle feeding upon it. Feeds must not contain too large a proportion of woody fiber or of indigestible substances. If the dry matter ingested or the bulk of the feed is very great on account of the small proportion of digestible matter, it is impossible for the great mass to be moistened properly with and attacked by the digestive juices. In consequence of this, abnormal fermentations arise, causing indigestion and irri- tation of the digestive organs. On the other hand, a ration too con- centrated, and especially too rich in protein, is not suitable, because, after a meal, the animal must have a certain feeling of fullness in order to be comfortable and quiet, and the digestive organs require a relatively large volume of contents to fill them to the point where secretion is properly stimulated and their activity is most efficient. If too much protein is in the ration there is a waste of expensive feed, and the tendency is for the animal to become thin. It is evi- dent that a cow can not thrive on concentrated feeds alone, even though these contain in assimilable form all the nutritive materials needed for perfect support. It is because bulk is necessary that the standard of about 25 pounds of dry matter per cow per day has been reached by experimenters. There is no objection to feeding grain or meal separately to a cow, provided enough bulky feed is fed at another time in the day to keep the digestive tract sufficiently distended. In changing the ration, and especially in making radical changes, as at the beginning and the end of the pasturing season, the change 14 DISEASES OF CATTLE. should be made gradually, so that the digestive organs may accom- modate themselves to it. After the digestive organs and juices have from long practice become adjusted to the digestion of a certain feed, which is then suddenly withheld and another of quite different char- acter and properties is substituted, the second feed is not well di- gested ; it may even irritate the digestive canal. It is often observed that cattle lose from 25 to 100 pounds when turned on pasture from dry stable feed. This loss can readily be prevented by not shocking the digestive organs bj' a sudden change of diet. Regularity in feeding has much to do with the utilization of the ration, and gross irregularity may cause indigestion and serious disease. Water for live stock should be as free from contamination and as nearly pure as that used for household purposes. When practicable it is well to warm the water in the winter to about 50° F. and allow cattle to drink often. DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. WOUNDS AND CONTUSIONS OF THE LIPS, AND SNAKE BITE. The lips may become inflamed from contusions, which are some- times produced by a blow from the horns of another animal, or, in the case of working oxen, by a blow from the driver. "While cattle are grazing, more especially when they are in woods, they may be bitten in the lips by insects or serpents. /Symptoms. — As a result of a contusion the lips become thick and swollen, and if treatment is neglected the swelling may become hard and indurated, or an abscess may form. This condition renders it difficult for the animal to get food into its mouth, on account of the lips having lost their natural flexibility. In such cases an ox will use his tongue more in the prehension of food to make up for the inca- pacity of the lips. In cases of snake bite the swelling is soft or puffy and its limits are not well defined. Treatment. — When we have to deal with a bruise, the affected part should be bathed with hot water two or three times daily. In recent cases no other treatment will be required, but if the swelling is not recent and has become hard or indurated, then the swollen part should be treated each day by painting it with tincture of iodin. In snake bite a straight incision penetrating into the flesh or muscle should be made across the center of the swelling and in the direction of the long axis of the face. After this has been done a small wad of cotton batting should be pressed against the wounds until the bleed- ing has almost stopped. Afterwards the following lotion may be applied to the wounds several times a day : Permanganate of potas- sium, half a dram ; distilled water, 1 pint. As snake bites are usually DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OKGANS. 15 attended with considerable depression, which may terminate in stu- por, it is advisable to give a stimulant. One ounce of aromatic spirits of ammonia mixed with a pint of water should be given, and the dose should be repeated in half an hour if the animal is sink- ing into a stupefied and unconscious condition. The repetition of the dose must depend on the symptoms which the animal shows. It must be borne in mind that the object of treatment is to ward off the stupor, vrhich is one of the results of snake bite. The swelling from an insect bite should be bathed with ammonia water as soon as noticed and then treated with frequent applications of hot water. SALIVATION. Salivation is a symptom of some general or local disorder. It may be a symptom of a general disease, such as rabies or foot-and-mouth disease, or it may be a purely local trouble, as when copious secretion of the salivary glands is produced by the eating of irritating plants, such as wild mustard. "When saliva is observed to dribble from the mouth, that part should be carefully examined by introducing into the mouth an instrument like a balling iron, or, if one is not at hand, by grasping the tongue and partially withdrawing it from the mouth, and by placing a block of wood between the back teeth, while all parts of the mouth are exposed to a good light, so that the presence of nny foreign substance may be detected. The cause is sometimes found to be a short piece of wood becoming fixed on the palate, its two ends resting on the upper molar teeth of each side ; or it may be a needle, thorn, or splinter of wood embedded in the tongue. Some- times a sharp piece of tin or other metal may become partially em- bedded in the inner surface of the cheek. Hay occasionally possesses some quality, usually dependent upon its having heated in the mow or having become moldy, which produces salivation. Second-crop clover and some irritant weeds in the pasture or forage may cause salivation. Cattle rubbed with mercurial ointment may swallow enough mercury in licking themselves to bring about the same result. (See " Mercury poisoning," p. 57.) Such cases, of course, arise from the constitutional action of mercury, and, on account of the common habit which the animals have of licking themselves, indicate the danger of using such preparation externally. Mercury is also readily absorbed through the skin, and as cattle are very susceptible to its action it is thus easy for them to be poisoned by it even without lick- ing it from the surface. Cases of mercurial poisoning sometimes follow disinfection of cattle stables with the usual 1 to 1,000 solution of mercuric chlorid. 16 DISEASES OF CATTLE. Treatment. — If salivation depends on the irritation and inflamma- tion set up by the ingestion of acrid plants, or forage possessing some peculiar stimulating property, the feed must be changed, and a lotion composed of an ounce of powdered alum dissolved in a quart of water may be syringed into the mouth twice a day, using half a pint of the solution each time. If, however, the salivation is due to the presence of a thorn, splinter of wood, or any other foreign substance em- bedded in the cheek or tongue, the offending object should be re- moved and the mouth washed occasionally w^ith a weak solution (2 per cent) of carbolic acid and tepid water. When salivation is pro- duced by mercurial poisoning or by foot-and-mouth disease, the treatment appropriate to those general conditions of the system, as well as the local treatment should be api^lied. (For information about foot-and-mouth disease see p. 383.) IRREGULARITIES OF THE TEETH. Irregularities of the teeth may be occasioned by the unequal wear- ing of some of the teeth or by some of the incisors being broken, which may happen when cattle are pastured on sandy or gravelly soil. The molar teeth may also show irregular Avear from similar causes, or from a disease or malformation of the jaw. Their edges may become sharp, or it may happen that a molar tooth has been accidentally fractured. It may also occur that a supernumerary tooth has devel- oped in an unusual position, and that it interferes with the natural and regular mastication of the feed. Treatment. — The mouth vlvaj be examined by grasping the animal's tongue with one hand and partially withdrawing it from the mouth, so as to expose the incisor and molar teeth to inspection. "When it is desired, however, to examine the molar teeth with the fingers, so as to obtain a better idea of their condition, an instrument like the balling iron which is used for the horse should be introduced into the mouth, so as to separate the jaws and kepp them apart while the examination is being made. Any sharp edges of the molars must be removed by the tooth rasp, such as is used for horses. Any super- numerary tooth which interferes with mastication or any tooth which is fractured or loose should be extracted. In performing such opera- tions it is desirable to throw, or cast, the animal, and to have its head held securely, so as to enable the operator to do what is neces- sary without difficulty. CARIES OR DECAY OF THE TEETH. The presence of caries may be suspected if the mouth exhales a bad odor and if the animal during mastication occasionally stops as if it ■were in pain. The existence of caries in a molar tooth may be ascer- tained by examining the mouth in the manner already described. If DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 17 one of the molars is found to be carious, it should be extracted. When the crown of the tooth has been destroyed and only the stump or root is left, extraction is impracticable. In case the animal has special value the root stumps may be removed by a veterinarian by the operation of trephining; otherwise, it is best to sell tile animal to the butcher. ACTINOMYCOSIS OF THE JAWBONES (BIG JAW OR LUMPY JAW). [See Actinomj'cosis, p. 440.] INFLAMMATION OF MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF MOUTH (STOMATITIS). The membrane of the mouth may become inflamed by eating some irritating substance or plant, or little vesicles may form in the mouths of calves when they are affected with indigestion, constitu- ting what is termed aphtha. Symjytoms. — The saliva dribbles from the mouth, and when the mouth is examined the surface of the tongue and other parts appear red and inflamed. When young animals are afi^ected with the form of disease termed aphtha, small red elevations are observed on the tongue and other parts of the mouth, having little white points on their centers, which consist of the epithelium of the mucous mem- brane raised into vesicles. These white patches are succeeded by ulcerated surfaces, which are caused by the shedding of the white patches of epithelium. Treatment. — When there is merely a reddened and inflamed con- dition of the mucous membrane of the mouth, it will suffice to syringe it out several times a day with 4 ounces of the following solution: Alum, 1 ounce; water, 2 pints. When the edges of the tongue and other parts of the mouth are studded with ulcers, they should be painted over once a day with the folloAving solution until the affected surface is healed: Permanganate of potassium, 20 grains; w^ater, 1 ounce. "\A'Tien indigestion is associated with an ulcerated condition of the mouth, separate treatment is required. ULCERATIVE STOMATITIS (OR ULCERS IN THE MOUTHS OF YOUNG CALVES). [See Necrotic stomatitis, p. 464.] MYCOTIC STOMATITIS (SORE MOUTH). [See p. 532.1 INDURATION OF THE TONGUE (ACTINOMYCOSIS). [See Actinomycosis, p. 440.] DISEASES OF THE PHARYNX AND GULLET. PHARYNGITIS (SORE THROAT). Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the pharynx. It is frequently associated with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, such as laryngitis and bronchitis or pleurisy. 54793°— 23 2 18 DISEASES OF CATTLE. Symptoms. — The muzzle is dry and the saliva dribbles from the cor- ners of the mouth; the animal swallows with difficulty or not at all, and holds its neck in a stiff, straight position, moving it as little as possible. The eyelids are half closed, the white of the eye is bloodshot, and the animal occasionally grinds its teeth. After masticating the feed the animal drops it out of its mouth as if to avoid the pain of swallowing, and also evinces pain when pressure is applied externally on the pharjmx and tries to prevent the pressure from being applied. Causes. — Pharyngitis may be produced by a sudden cooling of the surface of the body, as when cattle are exposed to a cold wind or a cold rain ; or by swallowing irritant substances. Treatment. — The throat should be syringed three times a day with an ounce of the following solution : Nitrate of silver, 1^ drams ; dis- tilled water, 1 pint. Bland and soothing drinks, such as linseed tea or oatmeal and water should occasionally be offered. Diet should consist of soft food, such as bran mashes with a little linseed meal mixed in them. Dry hay and fodder should not be given. Fresh, green grass or sound ensilage may be fed in small quantities. The upper part of the throat and the space between the jaws should be well rubbed once a day with the following liniment: Liquor am- monia fortior, 4 ounces; oil of turpentine, 4 ounces* olive oil, 4 ounces; mix. When evidence of blistering appears the application of the liniment should be stopped and the skin anointed with vase- line. Under the treatment described above the inflammation of the throat will gradually subside and the animal will be able to swallow as usual in five or six days. We need hardly say that during its treatment the sick animal should be kept in a comfortable stable. PAROTITIS. Inflammation of the parotid gland may arise from the inflamma- tion extending to it when an ox is affected with pharyngitis or lai*yn- gitis, or the inflammation may commence in the salivary ducts and may depend on som.e influence the nature of which is unknown. Parotitis s'^metimes arises from a blow or contusion severe enough to set up inflammation in the structure of the gland. Tuberculosis and actinomycosis may infrequently be characterized by the lodg- ment of their parasitic causes in the parotid glands, in which case parotitis may be a symptom of either of these diseases. Symptoms. — There is an elongated, painful swelling, beginning at the base of the ear and passing downward along the posterior margin of the lower jaw. The swelling is sometimes limited to one side, and when both are swollen it is generally larger on one side than on the other. The secretion of saliva is increased, the appetite is poor, the neck is stiff, so that it is painful to raise the head, and feed is swallowed with difficulty. In many cases the swelling of the glands. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 19 when submitted to proper treatment, disappears in a comparatively short time. In other cases, however, they remain enhirged, even after the animal recovers its appetite. In tuberculosis, lymphatic glands beneath the parotid glands are sometimes enlarged, thus causing the appearance of enlarged parotid glands. Treatment. — A warm bran poltice, made by mixing bran with a hot 2 per cent compound cresol solution in water, should be applied on the swollen gland and kept in place by means of a bandage. Wlienever the poultice has cooled it should be replaced by a new one. This treatment should be continued until the pain is less and the swelling is reduced or until there is evidence of pus formation, which may be ascertained by examining the surface of the gland with the fingers ; and when, on pressing any part of the surface, it is found to fluctuate or " give," then we may conclude that there is a collection of pus at that place. It is well not to open the abscess until the fluctuation is well marked, as at this stage the pus or matter is near the surface and there is less trouble in healing the wound than if the pus is deep seated. The abscess should be opened with a clean, sharp knife. The poulticing should then be continued for two or three days, but the form of the poultice should be changed, by replacing the bran with absorbent cotton and pouring the compound cresol solution on the cotton. At all times the wound should be kept clean and the cavity injected once or twice daily with a solution of 1 dram of carbolic acid in 8 ounces of water. Under this treatment the pus may cease and the wound heal without complications. Saliva may issue from the orifice and result in the formation of a salivary fistula. This requires operative treatment by a qualified veterinarian. When poulticing fails to reduce the swelling or produce softening, the in- flamed area may be rubbed once daily with camphorated oil, com- pound iodin ointment, or painted twice daily with Lugol's solution of iodin. The diet should be as recommended under Pharyngitis (p. 17). PHARYNGEAL POLYPI. Tumors form not infrequently in the pharynx, and may give rise to a train of symptoms varying according to their size and location. The tumor may be so situated that by shifting its position a little it may partially obstruct the posterior nares (nostrils), when, of course, it will render nasal breathing very noisy and labored. In another situation its partial displacement may impede the entrance of air into the larynx. In almost any part of the pharynx, but especially near the entrance of the gullet, tumors interfere with the act of swallowing. As they are frequently attached to the wall of the pharynx by a pedicel or stalk, it will be seen that they may readily be displaced in different directions so as to produce the symptoms 20 DISEASES OF CATTLE. before described. Enlarged postpharyngeal lymphatic glands are not rare in tuberculosis, and by pressing upon the wall of the pharynx and restricting the lumen of this organ they cause difficulty in both breathing and swallowing. Such enlarged glands may be differ- entiated from tumors by passing the hand into the cow's throat after the jaws are separated by a suitable speculum or gag. Treatment. — The method of treatment in such cases is to sepa- rate the animal's jaws with an instrument termed a gag, and then, after drawing the tongue partially forward, to pass the hand into the pharynx and to tAvist the tumor gently from its attachment. One veterinarian who has had considerable practice in treating this form of disease scrapes through the attachment of the tumor gradually with his thumb nail. AVhen the attachment is too strong to be severed in this way an instrument like a thimble, but possessing a bharp edge at the end, may be used to effect the same purpose, or the base of the tumor may be severed by the use of a crushing instru- ment known as an ecraseur. CHOKING. Choking usually happens from attempting to swallow too large an object, such as a turnip, potato, beet, apple, or pear, though in rare cases it may occur from bran, chaff, or some other finely divided feed lodging in and filling up a portion of the gullet. This latter form of the accident is most likely to occur in animals that are greedy feeders. Symptonns. — The symptoms vary somewhat according to the part of the gullet or throat in which the obstruction is. In most cases there is a discharge of saliva from the mouth ; the animal coughs fre- quently, and wdien it drinks the water is soon ejected. The cow stops eating and stands back from the trough, the expression is troubled, breathing is accelerated, and oftentimes there is bloating as a result of the retention of gas in the paunch. These symptoms, however, are not always present, for if the obstacle does not com- pletely close the throat or gidlet, gas and water may pass, thus ameliorating the discomfort. If the obstruction is in the neck por- tion of the gullet, it may be felt as a lump in the left jugular gutter. Treatment. — If the object is in the throat, it is advisable to put a gag in the animal's mouth, and, while the head is in a horizontal direction by two assistants, to pass the hand into the pharynx, grasp the foreign body, and Avithdraw it gradually and steadil3^ When the substance is lodged in the upper part of the gullet, pressure should be made by an assistant in an upw^ard direction against the object while the operator passes his hand into the pharynx, and if the assist- ant can not by pressure dislodge the substance from the gullet, the operator may by passing his middle finger above and partly behind DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 21 the substance gradually slide it into the pharynx and then withdraw it by the mouth. The presence of an obstructing substance in the cervical (neck) portion of the gullet may be ascertained by passing the hand along the left side of the neck, when a hard and painless swelling will be found to indicate the presence of the foreign body. In such cases we must endeavor by gentle and persevering pressure with the thumb and next two fingers to slide the obstructing substance gradually up- ward to the pharynx.' To facilitate this it is well to give the animal a half pint of raw linseed or olive oil before the manipulations de- scribed are commenced. A^Hien the substance has been brought into or nearly into the pharynx, then the mouth gag should be used, the tongue drawn partially forward with the left hand, and the right should be passed backward into the pharynx to withdraw the ob- struction. When bran or chaff causes the trouble it is best to give a small quantity of oil to lubricate the walls of the gullet, and then by gentle and persevering pressure, to endeavor to separate and divide the mass and to work it downward toward the stomach. This will be assisted by pouring small quantities of oil and water down the animal's throat. It is not advisable to use the probang to push down any soft material, such as oats or chaff, as this generally condenses and renders firmer the obstructing substance by pressing its particles or elements together, so that it forms a solid, resisting mass which can not be moved. In some cases the foreign body, either because it is in the chest portion of the esophagus, and so beyond reach, or because too firmly seated, can not be dislodged from the neck by pressing and manipu- lating that part externally. In such event we must resort to the use of the probang. (PI. Ill, figs. 2 and 3.) A probang is a flexible instrument and adapts itself to the natural curvature of the gullet, and if used cautiously there is not much risk of injury. Before passing the probang, a gag which has an aperture at each end, from which straps pass to be buckled at the back of the head below the horns, is introduced into the mouth. (PI. Ill, fig. 4.) The pro- bang should then be oiled, and, the head and neck being held in a straight line by two assistants, the tongue must be partly drawn out of the mouth, the probang cautiously passed along the roof of the mouth into the pharynx and thence into the gullet, through which it is passed down. If resistance is met, gentle and continuous pressure must be used, under the influence of which the object will generally in a short time pass into the stomach. One must be careful not to pass the prol)ang into the larynx and thence into the windpipe, as an animal may readily be killed in this way. This accident is indi- cated by efforts to cough and by violently disturbed breathing. If such symptoms arise the probang must be withdrawn at once. To 22 DISEASES OF CATTLE. avoid a wrong passage, the end of the tube should be pressed very slowly through the throat until its presence in the esophagus is as- sured. After it is once in the esophagus care is still necessary, be- cause the walls of this tube may easily be torn. Some writers have advised that when the obstruction is lodged in the cervical (neck) portion of the gullet it should be struck with a mallet, to crush it and thus alter its shape, so that it may easily slip down into the stomach. If the obstructing substance is hard, this will be a dangerous operation, but if soft — as in the case of a rijie pear, for example — this procedure may be safely adopted. In all cases, if pressure applied on the neck fails to move the obstruction and the probang also fails to move it, it may be divided by a subcutaneous operation, or the gullet may be opened and the obstructing substance removed through the wound. In such cases the assistance of a veterinarian or a surgeon must be obtained. WOUNDS AND INJURIES OF THE GULLET. Sometimes the walls of the gullet may be more or less lacerated or abraded by the rash and too forcible use of the probang, and tlie animal consequently swallows with pain and difficulty. In such cases dry feed must be withheld for five or six days, so as to allow the injured parts to heal, and the diet must be limited to linseed tea, hay tea, and thin oatmeal gruel and molasses. The same kind of diet must be fed after the operation of cutting into the gullet has been performed. Sometimes the gullet is ruptured and lacerated to such an extent that treatment of any kind is hopeless. This has been known to occur when the handle of a pitchfork or buggy whip has been pushed down a cow's throat to remove an obstruction. Wlien such treatment has been applied it is best to slaughter the animal without delay, as the flesh may be utilized so long as there is no fever or general disease, and remedial treatment would be hopeless. In this connection it may be mentioned that whatever substitute may be used for a pro- bang, which sometimes is not at hand, it should be flexible and should possess a smooth surface. A piece of new rope, with the end closely wrapped and waxed and then oiled, or a piece of thin garden hose, or a well- wrapped twisted wire may be used in emergencies. DISEASES OF THE STOMACHS. ACUTE TYMPANITES (HOVEN. OR BLOATING). Tympanites is a distention of the rumen or paunch with gases of fermentation, and is manifested outwardly by swelling in the region of the left flank. Causes. — Tympanites may be caused by any kind of feed which produces indigestion. When cattle are first turned into 3'oung clover DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 23 they eat so greedily of it that tympanites frequently results. Tur- nips, potatoes, cabbage, or the discarded pulp from sugar-beet fac- tories may also cause it. Middlings and corn meal also frequently give rise to it. Care is necessary in turning animals into fields of clover or stub- ble fields in which there is a strong growth of volunteer grain. It is always better to keep them from such pasturage while it is wet with dew, and they should be taken out when they have eaten a moderate quantity. When cattle are fed upon pulp from sugar beets, germinated malt, etc., they should be fed in moderate amounts until they have become accustomed to it, as any of these feeds may give rise to severe bloating. An excessive quantity of any of the before-mentioned feeds may bring on this disorder, or it may not be caused by excess, but to eating too hastily. Sometimes the quality of the feed is at fault. Grass or clover when wet by dew or rain frequently disorders di- gestion and brings on tympanites; frozen roots or pastures covered with hoar frost should also be regarded as dangerous. Wlien feed has been eaten too hastily, or when it is cold and wet, the digestive process is imperfectly performed, and the feed contained in the paunch ferments, during which process large quantities of gas are formed. The same result may follow when a cow is choked, as the obstruction in the gullet prevents the eructation or passing up of gas from the stomach, so that the gas continues to accumulate until tympanites results. SymptoTHS. — The swelling of the left flank is very characteristic, as in well-marked cases the flank at its upper part rises above the level of the backbone, and when struck with the tips of the fingers emits a drum-like sound. The animal has an anxious expression, moves uneasily, and is evidently distressed. If relief is not obtained in time, it breathes with difficulty, reels in walking or in standing, and in a short time falls and dies from suffocation. The distention of the stomach may become so great as to prevent the animal from breathing, and in some instances the case may be complicated by rupture of the stomach. Treatvwnt. — If the case is not extreme, it may be sufficient to drive the animal at a walk for a quarter or half an hour; or cold water by the bucketful may be thrown against the cow's sides. In some cases the following simple treatment is successful: A rope or a tAvisted straw band is coated with pine tar, wagon grease, or other unsavory substance and is placed in the cow's mouth as a bit, being secured by tying behind the horns. The efforts of the animal to dis- lodge this object result in movements of the tongue, jaws, and throat that stimulate the secretion of saliva and swallowing, thus opening 24 DISEASES OF CATTLE. the esophagus, which permits the exit of gas and at the same time peristalsis is stimidated refiexly. In urgent cases the gas must be allowed to escape without delay, and this is best accomplished by the use of the trocar. The trocar is a sharp-pointed instrument incased in a cannula or sheath, which leaves the sharp point of the trocar free. (See PL III, figs. 5a and 5b.) In selecting the point for using the trocar a spot on the left side equally distant from the last rib, the hip bone, and the trans- verse processes of the lumbar vertebrae must be chosen. Here an incision about three-fourths of an inch long should be made with a knife through the skin, and then the sharp point of the trocar, being directed downward, inward, and slightly forward, is thrust into the paunch. (PI. I.) The cannula or sheath of the trocar should be left in the paunch so long as any gas continues to issue from it. If the cannula is removed while gas is still forming in the paunch and the left flank becomes considerably swollen, it may be necessary to insert it again. It is well, accordingly, to observe the cannula closely, and if gas is found to be issuing from it it should not be removed. When gas issues from it in considerable quantities the sound accompanying its escape renders the exact condition obvious. It is occasionally necessary to keep the cannula in the stomach for several hours. When this is necessary a piece of stout cord should be passed round the neck of the cannula immediately below the pro- jecting rim and then be passed round the animal's body and tied in a secure knot, and a careful attendant must remain with the cow during the entire period that the instrument is in place. The rim surrounding the mouth of the cannula should be in contact Avith the skin. Whenever the person in charge of the cow is convinced that gas has ceased to issue from the cannula the instrument should be removed. The trocar is to be used only in extreme or urgent cases, though everyone who has had experience in treating indigestion in cattle realizes that he has saved the lives of many animals by its prompt application. When the tympanitic animal is not distressed and the swelling of the flank is not great, or when the most distressing condition has been removed by the use of the trocar, it is best to use internal medicine. Two ounces of aromatic spirits of ammonia should be given every half hour in a quart of cold water; or half an ounce of chlorid of lime may be dissolved in a pint of tepid water and the dose repeated every half hour until the bloating has subsided ; or 1 ounce of creolin in 2 quarts of tepid water may be given at one dose or carefully injected through the cannula directly into the paunch to stop fermentation and the consequent formation of gas. It is generally necessary to give a moderate dose of purgative medi- Library N. C. State Collesre DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 25 cine after bloating has subsided, as animals frequently show symp- toms of constipation after attacks of indigestion. For this purpose 1 pound of Glauber's salt may be used. The animal should be fed carefully upon easily digested food for several days after the bloating has subsided, so that all fermenting matter may pass out of the stomach. CHRONIC TYMPANITES. Cattle, especially those that have been kept in the stable all winter, are liable to suffer from chronic tympanites. In this form they bloat up after feeding, but seldom swell so much as to cause any alarm. The chronic form of indigestion may also follow an acute attack like that previously described. This is also a symptom of tuberculosis when the lymphatic glands lying between the lungs are so enlarged as to press upon and partly occlude the esophagus. It may develop in calves as a result of the formation of hair balls in the stomach. Treatment. — Treatment should be preceded by a moderate dose of purgative medicine: 1 pound of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt) or sulphate of soda (Glauber's salt), half an ounce of powdered Barbados aloes, 1 ounce of powdered ginger, 1 pint of molasses. The salts and aloes should be dissolved by stirring for a few minutes in 2 quarts of lukewarm water, then the molasses should be added, and after all the ingredients have been stirred together for about 10 minutes the dose should be administered. After the operation of the purgative it is generally necessary to give some tonic and antacid preparation to promote digestion, which is imperfectly performed in such cases. The following may be used : Powdered gentian, 3 ounces; powdered bicarbonate of potash, 3 ounces; powdered ginger, 3 ounces ; powdered capsicum, 1 ounce. Mix and divide into 12 poAvders, one of which should be given three times a day before feeding, shaken up with a pint and a half of water. It is also advantageous in such cases to give two heaped teaspoonsfuls of wood charcoal, mixed with the animal's feed three times a day. The animal should also go out during the day, as want of exercise favors the continuance of this form of indigestion. If the dung is hard, the constipation should be overcome by feeding a little flaxseed twice daily or by giving a hand- ful of Glauber's salt in the feed once or twice daily, as may be neces- sary. Roots, silage, and other succulent feeds are useful in this con- nection. If tuberculosis is suspected as the cause of chronic bloating, a skilled veterinarian should make a diagnosis, using the tuberculin test if necessary. Until it is settled that the cow has not tuberculosis, she should be kept apart from the other members of the herd. iSb DISEASES OF CATTLE. DISTENTION OF RUMEN OR PAUNCH WITH FEED. This form of indigestion is caused by the animal gorging itself with feed, and arises more from the animal's voracious appetite than from any defect in the quality of the feed supplied to it. The con- dition is, however, more severe if the feed consumed is especially con- centrated or difficult of digestion. In cases of this kind there is comparatively no great formation of gas, and the gas which is formed is diffused through the stomach instead of accumulating in a layer in its upper part. On pressing the flank with the closed fist the indent of the hand remains for a short time in the flank, as if the rumen were filled with a soft, doughy mass. This form of indigestion should be treated by stimulants, such as aromatic spirits of ammonia. If the formation of gas is not gi-eat and the distention with solid material is somewhat limited, the animal may be drenched through a piece of ordinary garden hose, one end inserted in the mouth, and the other end fitted with a funnel, giving 1^ pounds of Epsom salt or Glauber's salt dissolved in 2 gallons of water, at a single dose. Immediately after this treatment the left side of the animal, extend- ing below the median line of the abdomen, should be powerfully kneaded with the fist, so that the impacted food mass will be broken, allowing the water to separate it into small portions which can be carried downward for the process of digestion. But if the treatment fails and the impacted or overloaded condition of the rumen con- tinues, it may become necessary to make an incision with a sharp, long-bladed loiife in the left flank, commencing at the point where it is usual to puncture the stomach of an ox, and prolong the incision in a downward direction until it is long enough to admit the hand. When the point of the knife is thrust into the flank and the blade cuts downward, the wall of the stomach, the muscle, and the skin should all be cut through at the same time. Two assistants should hold the edges of the wound together so as to prevent any food from slipping between the flank and the wall of the stomach, and then the operator should remove two-third of the contents of the rumen. This having been done, the edges of the wound should be sponged with a little carbolized warm water, and, the lips of the wound in the rumen being turned inward, they should be brought together with catgut stitches. The wound penetrating the muscle and the skin may then be brought together by silk stitches, which should pass through the entire thickness of the muscle and should be about 1 inch apart. The wound should afterwards be dressed once a day with a lotion and the animal covered with a tight linen sheet, to protect the wound from insects and dirt. The lotion to be used in such case is made up as follows: Sulphate of zinc, 1 dram; carbolic acid, 2 drams; glycerin, DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 27 2 ounces; water, 14 oimces; mix. It is clear that this operation re- quires special skill and it should be attempted only by those who are competent. IMAGINARY DISEASES (HOLLOW HORN; LOSS OF CUD; WOLF IN THE TAIL). It would appear quite in place here, in connection with the diseases of the stomach and bowels of cattle, to consider the three old fallacies or superstitions known by the above names, since these names, when- ever and wherever used, seem to be invariably applied to some form of digestive derangement or disease having its origin in the stomach and bowels. Hollow horn. — In the first place it should be noted that the horns of all animals of the ox tribe are hollow. The horn cores are elonga- tions of the frontal bones of the skull, and the frontal sinuses, which are the larger of the air spaces of the head, are prolonged into the horn cores. When a cow is sick, if the horns are hot it is an evi- dence of fever; if they are cold it indicates impaired circulation of the blood ; but these manifestations of sickness are to be regarded as symptoms of some constitutional disorder and do not in themselves require treatment. The treatment should be applied to the disease which causes the abnormal temperature of the horns. The usual treatment for the supposed hollow horn, which consists in boring the horns with a gimlet and pouring turpentine into the openings thus made, is not only useless and cruel, but is liable to set up an acute inflammation and result in an abscess of the sinus. Loss OF CUD. — The so-called loss of cud is simply a cessation of rumination, frequently one of the first indications of some form of disease, since ruminants stop chewing the cud when they feel sick. Loss of cud is a symptom of a great many diseases, and when it is detected it should lead the observer to try to discover other symptoms upon which to base a correct opinion as to the nature of the disease from which the animal suffers. No local treatment is required. Wolf in the tail. — This term also seems to be vaguely applied to various disturbances of the digestive function, or to some disease which is in reality in the stomach or bowels. vomiting. Vomiting is not to be confounded with rumination, though some writers have advanced the opinion that it is merely a disordered and irregular rumination. It is not of common occurrence in cattle. Symptoms. — Animals which vomit are frequently in poor condition. After having eaten tranquilly for some time the animal suddenly be- comes uneasy, arches the back, stretches the neck and head, and then suddenly ejects 10 to 12 pounds of the contents of the rumen. 28 DISEASES OF CATTLE. After having clone this the uneasiness subsides and in a short time the animal resumes eating as if nothing had happened. Cause. — The cause of this disordered state of the digestive system in cattle is usually obscure, but has in some cases been traced to a partial closure of the opening into the second stomach or to a disten- tion of the esophagus. It has been found to occur when there was cancerous disease of the fourth stomach, and experimentally it has been shown that a suspension of digestion or great derangement of this stomach produces considerable nervous disorder of the rumen and sometimes vomiting or attempts to vomit. Treatment. — Easily digested feed and plenty of water should be given. Fear and excitement, chasing, or hurrying animals after they have eaten heartily are liable to bring on this result. In order to overcome irritation which may produce vomiting the following draft should be given: Hydrate of chloral, half an ounce; water, 1 pint. The dose must be repeated wdien the condition of the animal : seems to require it. As a rule, treatment is not successful. DEPRAVED APPETITE (PICA). Cattle suffering from this disease have a capricious and variable appetite as regards their ordinary feed but evince a strong desire to lick and eat substances for which healthy cattle show no inclination. Alkaline and saline-tasting substances are especially attractive to cattle having a depraved appetite and they frequently lick lime, earth, coal, gravel, and even the dung of other cattle. Cows in calf and young cattle are especially liable to develop these symptoms. Animals affected in this way lose condition, their coat is staring, gait slow, and small vesicles containing yellow liquid form under the tongue ; the milk given by such cows is thin and watery. Such ani- mals become restless and uneasy, as is indicated by frequent bellow- ing. The disease may last for months, the animal ultimatel}^ dying emaciated and exhausted. Depraved appetite frequently precedes the condition in which the bones of cattle become brittle and fracture easily, which is known as osteomalacia. Cause. — From the fact that this disease is largely one of regions, it is generally believed that some condition of the soil and water and of the local vegetation is responsible for it. It is more prevalent some years than others, and is most common in old countries, Avhere the soil is more or less depleted. Cattle pastured on low, swampy land become predisposed to it. It occasionally happens, however, that one individual in a herd suffers though all are fed alike; in such cases the disease must arise from the affected animal's imperfect assimilation of the nutritive elements of the feed which is supplied to it. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OKGANS. 29 Treatment. — The aim in such cases must be to improve the process of digestion and to supply the animal with a sufficiency of sound and \Yholesome feed. The following should be given to the cow three times a day, a heaping tablespoonful constituting a dose: Carbonate of iron, 4 ounces; finely ground bone or "bone flour," 1 pound; powdered gentian, 4 ounces; common salt, 8 ounces; pow- dered fenugreek, 4 ounces; mix. In addition to this, 3 tablespoon- fuls of powdered charcoal may be mixed with the feed three times a day, and a piece of rock salt should be placed where the animal can lick it at will. German veterinarians have had brilliant results from the treatment of this disease with subcutaneous injections of apomorphin in doses of 1^ to 5 grains for three or four days. HAIR CONCRETIONS. Hair concretions, or hair balls, result from the habit which some cattle have of licking themselves or other animals. As a result the hairs Avhich are swallowed are carried around by the contractions of the stomach and gradually assume the form of a small pellet or ball. This increases in size as fresh quantities of hair are intro- duced into the stomach and adhere to the surface of the ball. These balls are found most frequently in the reticulum or second stomach (PI. II, B), though sometimes in the rumen.. In calves hair balls are generally foiuid in the fourth stomach. There are no certain symptoms by which we can determine the presence of hair balls in the stomach, and therefore no treatment can be recommended for such cases. In making post-mortem examinations of cattle we have sometimes found the walls of the reticulum transfixed with nails or pieces of w^ire, and yet the animal had not shown any symptoms of indigestion, but had died from maladies not involving the second stomach. INDIGESTION (DYSPEPSIA, OR GASTROINTESTINAL CATARRH). Tympanites, alread}^ described, is a form of indigestion in which the chief symptom and most threatening condition is the collection of gas in the paunch. This symptom does not always accompany indigestion, so it is well here to consider other forms under a sepa- rate head. If indigestion is long continued, the irritant abnormal products developed cause catarrh of the stomach and intestines — gastrointestinal catarrh. On the other hand, however, irritant substances ingested may cause gastrointestinal catarrh, which, in turn, will cause indigestion ; hence, it results that these several con- ditions are usually found existing together. Causes. — Irritant feed, damaged feed, overloading of the stomach, or sudden chnnges of diet mav cause this disease. Want of exer- 30 DISEASES OF CATTLE. cise predisposes to it, or feed which is coarse and indigestible may after a time produce it. Feed which possesses astringent prop- erties and tends to check secretion may also act as an exciting cause. Feed in excessive quantity may lead to disorder of digestion and to this disease. It is very likely to appear toward the end of pro- tracted seasons of drought; therefore a deficiency of water must be regarded as one of the conditions which favor its development. Synn)tmns. — Diminished appetite, rumination irregular, tongue coated, mouth slimy, dung passed apparently not well digested and smelling bad, dullness, and fullness of the flanks. The disease may in some cases assume a chronic character, and in addition to the foregoing symptoms slight bloating or tympanites of the left flank may be observed; the animal breathes with effort and each respira- tion may be accompanied with a grunt, the ears and horns are alter- nately hot and cold, rumination ceases, the usual rumbling sound in the stomach is not audible, the passage of dung is almost entirely suspended, and the animal passes only a little mucus occasionally. Sometimes there is alternating constipation and diarrhea. There is low fever in many cases. The disease continues a few days or a week in the mild cases, while the severe cases may last several weeks. In the latter form the ema- ciation and loss of strength may be very great. There is no appe- tite, no rumination, nor peristalsis. The mouth is hot and sticlr^% the e3^es have receded in their sockets, and milk secretion has ceased. In such cases the outlook for recovery is unfavorable. The patient falls away in flesh and becomes weaker, as is shown by the fact that one frequentl}^ finds it lying down. On examining animals which have died of this disease it is found that the lining membrane of the fourth stomach and the intestines, particularly the small intestine, is red, swollen, streaked with deeper red or bluish lines, or spotted. The lining of the first three stomachs is more or less softened, and may easily be peeled off. The third stomach (psalter) contains dry feed in hard masses closely adherent to its walls. In some cases the brain appears to become disordered, probably from the pain and wealmess and from the absorption of toxins gener- ated in the digestive canal. In such cases there is weakness and an unsteady gait, the animal does not appear to take notice of and will consequently run against obstacles; after a time it falls and gives U]) to violent and disordered movements. This delirious condi- tion is succeeded by coma or stupor, and death ensues. Treatment. — Small quantities of roots, sweet silage, or selected grass or hay should be offered several times daily. Very little feed should be allowed. Aromatic and demulcent drafts may be given to produce a soothing effect on the mucous lining of the stomachs and DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. . 31 to promote digestion. Two ounces of camomile flowers should be boiled for 20 minutes in a quart of water and the infusion on cooling should be given to the affected animal. This may be repeated three or four times a day. When constipation is present the following pur- gative may be administered : One pound of Glauber's salt dissolved in a quart of linseed tea and a pint of molasses. After this purgative has acted, if there is a lack of appetite and the animal does not ruminate regularly, the pow^der mentioned in remarks on the treat- ment of chronic tympanites may be given according to directions. The diet must be rather laxative and of an easily digestible character after an attack of this form of indigestion. Feed should be given in moderate quantities, as excess by overtaxing the digestive functions may bring on a relapse. Ice-cold water should be avoided. INDIGESTION FROM DRINKING COLD WATER (COLIC). This disorder is produced by drinking copiously of cold water, which arrests digestion and produces cramp of the fourth stomach, probably of the other stomachs, and also of the bowels. Causes. — It is not customary for the ox to drink much water at once. In fact, he usually drinks slowly and as if he were merely tast- ing the water, letting some fall out at the corners of his mouth at every mouthful. It would therefore seem to be contrary to the habits of the ox to drink copiously; but we find that during hot weather, when he has been working and is consequently very thirsty, if he drinks a large quantity of cold water he may be immediately taken with a very severe colic. Cows which are fed largely on dry hay drink copiously, like the working ox, and become affected in precisely the same manner. In such cases they are seized with a chill or fit of trembling before the cramps come on. Symptoms. — There is some distension of the abdomen, but no accu- mulation of gas. As the distension and pain occur immediately after the animal has drunk the water, there can be no doubt as to the exciting cause. Ti'eatnient. — Walk the animal about for 10 minutes before admin- istering medicine, and this allows time for a portion of the contents of the stomach to pass into the bowel, and renders it safer to give medicine. In many cases the walking exercise and the diarrhea bring about a spontaneous cure of this disorder, but as in some instances the cramps and pains of the stomachs persist, one may give 1 ounce of sulphuric ether and 1 ounce of tincture of opium, shaken up with a pint of warm water, and repeat the dose in half an hour if the ani- mal is not relieved. In an emergency when the medicine is not to be had, a tablespoonful of powdered ginger may be administered in a pint of warm water. 32 . DISEASES OF CATTLE. INDIGESTION IN CALVES (GASTROINTESTINAL CATARRH, DIARRHEA, OR SCOUR). Calves are subject to a form of diarrhea to which the foregoing designations have been applied. Causes. — Calves that suck their dams are not frequently affected with this disease, though it may be occasioned by their sucking at long intervals and thus overloading the stomach and bringing on indigestion, or from improper feeding of the dam on soft, watery, or damaged feeds. Suckling the calf at irregular times may also cause it. Exposure to damp and cold is a potent predisposing cause. Calves separated from their dams and fed considerable quantities of cold milk at long intervals are liable to contract this form of indigestion. Calves fed on artificial feed, used as a substitute for milk, frequently contract it. Damaged feed, sour or rotten milk, milk from dirty cans, skim milk from a dirty creamery skim-milk vat, skim milk hauled warm, exposed to the sun and fed from un- clean buckets may all cause this disease. Symptoms. — The calf is depressed; appetite is poor; sometimes there is fever ; the extremities are cold. The dung becomes gradually softer and lighter in color until it is cream colored and little thicker than milk. It has a most offensive odor and may contain clumps of curd. Later it contains mucus and gas bubbles. It sticks to the hair of the tail and buttocks, causing the hair to drop off and the skin to become irritated. There may be pain on passing dung and also abdominal or colicky pain. The calf stands about with the back arched and belly contracted. There may be tympanites. Great weakness ensues in severe cases, and without prompt and successful treatment death soon follows. Treatment. — Remove the cause. Give appropriate feed of best quality in small quantities. Make sure that the cow furnishing the milk is healthy and is properly fed. Clean all milk vessels. Clean and disinfect the stalls. For the diarrhea give two raw eggs or a cup of strong coffee. If the case is severe, give 1 ounce of castor oil with a teaspoonful of creolin and 20 grains of subnitrate of bismuth. Kej^eat the bismuth and creolin with flaxseed tea every four hours. Tannopin may be used in doses of 15 to 30 grains. Calves artificially fed on whole or skim milk should receive only such milk as is sweet and has been handled in a sanitary manner. Milk should always be Avarmed to the temperature of the body before feeding. When calves artificially milk-fed develop diarrhea, the use of the following treatment has given excellent results in many cases : Immediately after milking, or the separation of the skim milk from the cream, formalin in the proportion of 1 to 4,000 should be added to the milk which is used for feeding; this may be closely approximated by adding four drops of formalin to each quart of DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 33 milk. This medicated milk should be fed to the calf in the usual quantity. When the diarrhea is not controlled in three or four days by this treatment, the additional use of some of the agents recom- mended above may assist in a recovery. INFECTIOUS DIARRHEA; WHITE SCOUR. [See chapter on Diseases of young calves, p. 247.] GASTROENTERITIS. This consists of an inflammation of the walls of the stomachs and of the bowel. Gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the walls of the stomachs and intestines, follows upon irritations more severe or longer continued than those that produce gastrointestinal catarrh. Causes. — Severe indigestion may be followed by gastroenteritis, or it may be caused by swallowing irritant poisons, such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate or irritant plants. Exposure to cold or inclement Aveather may produce the disease, especially in debilitated animals or animals fed improperl3^ It is asserted that if cattle feed on vege- tation infested with some kinds of caterpillars this disease may result. Symptoms. — Dullness; drooping of the ears; dryness of the muz- zle ; dry skin ; staring coat ; loins morbidly sensitive to pressure : full- ness of the left flank, which is caused by the distention of the fourth stomach by gas. The pulse is small, the gait is feeble and staggering; each step taken is accompanied with a grunt, and this symptom is especially marked if the animal walks in a downw^ard direction. There is loss of appetite, and rumination is suspended. The passages at first are few in number, hard, and are sometimes coated with mucus or with blood. Later a severe diarrhea sets in, when the pas- sages contain mucus and blood and have an offensive odor. There is evidence of coliclcy pain, and the abdomen is sensitive to pressure. Pain may be continuous. There is fever and acceleration of pulse rate and respirations. ]Mental depression and even insensibility occur before death. The disease is alwa3^s severe and often fatal. Post-mortem appearances. — The mucous membrane of the fourth stomach has a well-marked red color and sometimes presents ulcera- tions. The wall is thickened and softened, and similar conditions are found in the walls of the intestines. The red discoloration ex- tends in spots or large areas quite through the wall, showing on the outside. Treatment. — Very small quantities of carefully selected feed must be given and the appetite must not be forced. Protect the animal well from cold and dampness. Internally, give linseed tea, boiled milk, boiled oatmeal gruel, or rice water. These protectives may carry the medicine. Tannopin in doses of 30 to 60 grains is good. 54793°— 2.3 3 34 DISEASES OF CATTLE. Subnitrate of bismuth in doses of 1 to 2 drams may be given. Pul- verized opium may be used, if the diarrhea is severe, in 1 to 2 dram doses. If the bowel movements are not free, one may give from a pint to a quart of castor or raw linseed oil. TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. This disease results from the presence of a foreign body. This condition is not rare in cattle, because these animals have the habit of swallowing their feed without careful chewing, and so nails, screws, hairpins, ends of wire, and other metal objects may be swallowed unconsciously. Such objects gravitate to the second stomach, where they may be caught in the folds of the lining mucous membrane, and in some instances the wall of this organ is perforated. From this accident, chronic indigestion results. The symptoms, more or less characteristic, are pain when getting up or lying down ; grunting and pain upon sudden motion, especially downhill; coughing; pain on pressure over the second stomach, which lies immediately above the cartilaginous prolongation of the sternum. If the presence of such a foreign body is recognized, it may be removed by a difficult surgical operation, or, as is usually most economical, the animal may be killed for beef, if there is no fever. DISEASES OF THE BOWELS. DIARRHEA AND DYSENTERY. [See also Gastrointestinal catarrh, p. 32.] The word " dysentery," as it is commonly used in relation to the diseases of animals, signifies a severe form of diarrhea. Causes. — Diarrhea is a symptom of irritation of the intestines, resulting in increased secretion or increased muscular contractions, or both. The irritation is sometimes the result of chiUing from exposure, improper feeding, irritant feeds, indigestion, organic dis- eases of the intestines, or parasites. Symptoms. — Passages from the bowels are frequent, at first con- sisting of thin dung, but as the disease continues they become watery and offensive smelling, and may be even streaked with blood. At first the animal shows no constitutional disturbance, but later it becomes weak and may exhibit evidence of abdominal pain by look- ing around to the side, drawing the feet together, lying down, or moving restlessly. Sometimes this malady is accompanied with fever, great depression, loss of strength, rapid loss of flesh, and it may terminate in death. Treatment. — V\^\q\\ the disease depends on irritating properties of the feed which has been supplied to the animal, it is advisable to give a mild purgative, such as a pint of castor or linseed oil. Wlien the DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 35 secretions of the bowels are irritating, an ounce of carbonate of mag- nesia and half an ounce of tincture of opium should be shaken up in a quart of linseed tea and given to the animal three times a day until the passages present a natural appearance. When there is debility, want of appetite, no fever, but a continuance of the watery discharges from the bowels, then an astringent may be given. For such cases the following is serviceable : Tannic acid, 1 ounce ; powdered gentian, 2 ounces; mix and divide into 12 powders, one powder to be given three times a day until the passages present a natural appearance. Each powder may be mixed with a pint and a half of water. Tanno- pin is a new remedy that is most useful in such cases. The dose is from 30 grains to 2 drams. Useful household remedies are raw eggs, strong coffee, parched rye flour, or decoction of oak bark. In all cases the food must be given sparingly, and it should be care- fully selected to insure good quality. Complete rest in a box stall is desirable. AVhen diarrhea is a symptom of a malady characterized by the presence of a blood poison, the treatment appropriate to such disease must be applied. SIMPLE ENTERITIS. [See Gastroenteritis, p. 33.] CROUPOUS ENTERITIS. Under certain conditions, severe irritation of the digestive canal may, in cattle, cause a form of inflammation of the intestines (enter- itis) that is characterized by the formation of a false membrane upon th3 surface of the lining membrane of the intestines, particularly the large ones. Symptoms. — There is fever, depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and in the fecal masses shreds of leathery false membrane may be found. These shreds are sometimes mistaken for parasites or for portions of the wall of the intestine. Treatment. — Give a pound of Glauber's salt, followed by bicar- bonate of soda in doses of 2 ounces four times daily. ENTERITIS (OBSTRUCTION RESULTING FROM INVAGINATION, OR INTUSSUSCEP- TION, TWISTING. AND KNOTTING OF THE BOWELS). Inflammation maj' arise from a knot forming on some part of the small intestine from the portion of the bowel becoming twisted on itself, or from one part of the bowel slipping into another, which is termed invagination. This form of enteritis occurs occasionally in animals of the bovine species. Causes. — The small intestine, which in the ox rests on the right side of the rumen, is, from the position which it occupies, predisposed to this accident. It has been ascertained that animals which have shown symptoms of this malady have trotted, galloped, or made other 36 DISEASES OF CATTLE. violent exertions in coming from drinking, or that they have been chased by dogs or by animals of their own species while at pasture. The accident is most likely to occur among cattle on very hilly pas- tures. The danger of jumping or running is greatest when the rumen is distended with food. iSymptoms. — This form of enteritis or obstruction is manifested by severe colicky pains; the ox scrapes and strikes the ground with his front and hind feet alternately; keeps lying down and getting up again; he keeps his tail constantly raised and turns his nose fre- quently to his right flank; he is frequently bloated, or tympanitic, on that side. He refuses feed and does not ruminate, and for some hours suffers severe pains. At first he frequently passes thin dung, and also urinates frequently, but passes only a little urine at a time. On the second day the pains have become less acute; the animal remains lying doAvn; moans occasionally; his pulse is small and quick; he still refuses feed and does not ruminate. At this stage he does not pass any dung, though sometimes a small quantity of bloody mucus may be passed. The animal passes very little urine. This condition may continue for a considerable time, as cattle so affected may live for 15 or even 20 days. Post-mortem appearance. — At death the bowels are found to be misplaced or obstructed, as mentioned above, and inflamed, the in- flammation always originating at the point where the intestine has been invaginated, twisted, or knotted. Sometimes the part is gan- grenous, the compression of the blood vessels preventing circulation, and thus causing the death of the tissues. Treatment. — Purgatives, anodynes, and other remedies are of no service in such cases, and bleeding also fails to produce any benefit. Indeed, it is usually true that in such cases treatment is useless. Some cases are recorded in which an incision has been made in the flank, so as to enable the operator to restore the intestine to its normal position or to remove the kink. CONSTIPATION. Constipation is to be regarded rather as a symptom of disease or of faults in feeding than as a disease in itself. It occurs in almost all general fevers unless the bowels are involved in local disease, in obstructions of all kinds, from feeding on dry, bulky feed, etc. In order to remove the constipation the treatment must be applied to remove the causes which give rise to it. Calves sometimes suffer from constipation immediately after birth when the meconium that accumulates in the bowels before birth is not passed. In such cases, give a rectal injection of warm water and an ounce of castor oil shaken up with an ounce of new milk. The mother's milk is the best DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 37 food to prevent constipation in the new-born calf, as it contains a large amount" of fatty matter which renders it hixative in its eifects. It is usually better to treat habitual constipation by a change of diet than by medicine. Flaxseed is a good feed laxative. If the constipation lias lasted long, repeated small closes of purgatives are better than a single large dose. I NTESTINAL W ORMS. [See chapter on " The unimal parasites of cattle," p. 502.] RUPTURES (VENTRAL HERNIA). Ventral hernia, or rupture, is an escape of some one of the abdom- inal organs through a rupture in the abdominal muscles, the skin remaining intact. The rumen, the small intestine, or part of the large intestine, and the fourth stomach are the parts which usually form a ventral hernia in bovine animals. Causes. — Hernia is frequently produced by blows of the horns, kicks, and falls. In old cows hernia may sometimes occur without any direct injury. Hernia or the rumen. — Hernia of the rumen is generally situated on the left side of the abdomen, on account of the situation of the -rumen. In exceptional cases it may take place on the right side, and in such cases it also generally happens that some folds of the intestine pass into the hernial sac. Hernias have been classified into simple or complicated, recent or old, traumatic (from mechanical injury) or spontaneous. In recent traumatic hernia there is swelling on the left side of the lower part of the abdomen. The swelling is greatest in the cases of hernia wdiich are situated on the lower part of the abdomen. Unless an examination is made immediately after the injury has been in- flicted it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to ascertain the exact extent of the rupture, owing to the swelling which subsequently takes place. Frequently there is no loss of appetite, fever, or other general symptoms attending the injury. From the twelfth to the fifteenth day the swelling has generally subsided to such an extent that it is possible by an examination to determine the extent of the rupture. In old cows what is termed spontaneous hernia may sometimes take place without any direct injury. The occurrence of this form of hernia is explained by the increase in the size of the abdomen, which takes place in an advanced stage of pregnancy, causing a thinning and stretching of the muscular fibers, which at last may rupture, or give way. Such hernias frequently occur about the end of the period of gestation, and in some instances have contained the right sac of the rumen, the omentum, the small and large intestines, a portion of the liver, and the pregnant uterus. 38 DISEASES OF CATTLE. In old hernias the swelling is soft and elastic, and if they have not contracted adhesions to the sides of the laceration, they can be made to disappear by pressure carefully applied. Sometimes this accident is complicated by a rupture of the rumen, constituting a complicated hernia. If a poition of the contents of the rumen esci pe into the abdomen, the case will be aggravated by the occurrence of peritonitis. Hernia of the bowel. — When the intestines (PI. Ill, fig. G) form the contents of the hernia, it will be situated at the right side of the abdomen. In an intestinal hernia the swelling is usually not painful, of a doughy consistence or elastic, according as the intestine does or does not contain alimentary matter. This swelling can generally be made to disappear by pressure, and when it has been reduced one can easily recognize the direction and extent of the hernial opening. Hernias of the bowel which are situated at the upper and right side of the abdomen are usually formed by the small intestine. They are less easily reduced than a hernia in a lower situation, but when reduction has been effected they are less readily reproduced than those occurring lower. In hernias of the small intestine, adhesion of the protruding parts to the walls of the opening, or strangulation, are complications which sometimes take place. If adhesion has taken place the hernia can not be reduced by pressure, and when strangu- lation has occurred the animal shows symptoms of pain — is restless, turns its nose to the painful part, and shows those symptoms which are usually collectively designated under the term colic. If relief is not afforded, the animal will die. Hernia of the rennet, or fourth stomach. — This disease occa- sionally occurs in calves and is usually caused by a blow from a cow's horn on the right flank of the calf. After such an accident a swell- ing forms on the right flank near the last rib. This swelling may be neither hot nor painful, even at first, and is soft to the touch. It can be made to disappear by careful pressure, when the sides of the aper- ture through which it has passed can be felt. The application of pressure so as to cause the disappearance of the hernia is best made immediately after the occurrence of the accident, or when the edema which accompanies the swelling has disappeared. Treatment. — When a hernia is reducible — that is, can be pushed back into the abdomen — then, if it is of recent occurrence, it is advis- able to maintain the natural position of the parts by bandaging and to allow the walls of the laceration to grow together. The bowels should be kept reasonably empty by avoiding the nse of bulky feed, and the animal must be kept quiet. The following method of bandaging is recommended by Bouley : First prepare a bandage (must be of strong material), about 10 yards long and between 3 and 4 inches broad, and a flexible and solid piece of pasteboard adapted in size to the surface of the hernia. The protruding organ must then DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 39 be replaced in the abdomen and maintained in that position during the applica- tion of the bandage. This being done, a layer of melted pitch and turpentine is quickly spread on the skin covering the seat of the hernia, so as to extend somewhat beyond that space. This adhesive layer is then covered with a layer of fine tow, then a new layer of pitch and turpentine is spread on the tow, and the piece of pasteboard is applied on the layer of picch, its outer surface being covered with the same preparation. Lastly, the bandage, adhering to the piece of pasteboard, to the skin, and to the different turns which it makes around the body, is carefully applied so as to form an immovable, rigid, and solid bandage, which will retain the hernia long enough for the wound in the abdominal walls to heal permanently. If the hernia is old and small it may be treated by injecting a strong solution of common salt about the edges of the tear. This causes swelling and inflammation, which, respectively, forces the pro- truded organ back and closes the opening. There is some risk attached to this method of treatment. In small, old, ventral hernias the method of compressing and sloughing off the skin has been used successfully. If the hernia is large a radical operation will be necessary, and this is also true when the symptoms indicate that a hernia is strangulated. This operation is performed by cutting down on the hernia, restoring the organ to the abdominal cavity, and then closing the wound with two sets of stitches; the inner stitches, in the muscular wall, should be made with catgut and the outer stitches, in the skin, may be made with silk or silver wire. The strictest surgical cleanliness must be observed. Bleeding vessels should be tied. Then a compress composed of ten or twelve folds of cloth must be placed smoothly over the seat of injury and a bandage applied around the body, the two ends being fastened at the back. In the smaller kinds of hernia, nitric acid may sometunes be applied with success. This treatment should not be applied until the swelling and inflammation attending the appearance of the hernia have subsided ; then, the contents of the hernia having been returned, the surface of skin corresponding to it is sponged over with a solution composed of 1 part of nitric acid to 2 of water. This treatment acts by exciting considerable inflammation, which has the effect of causing swelling, and thus frequently closing the hernial opening and preventing the contents of the sac from return- ing. A second application should not be made until the inflammation excited by the first has subsided. In what is termed spontaneous hernia it is useless to apply any kind of treatment. Umbilical hernia. — The umbilicus, or navel, is the aperture through which the blood vessels pass from the mother to the fetus, and naturally the sides of this aperture ought to adhere or unite after birth. In very young animals, and sometimes in newborn calves, this aperture in the abdominal muscles remains open and a part of the bowel or a portion of the mesentery may slip through the open- 40 DISEASES OF CATTLE. ing, constituting what is called umbilical hernia. The wall of the sac is formed by the skin, which is covered on the inner surface by a layer of cellular tissue, and within this there is sometimes, but not always, a layer of peritoneum. The contents of the hernia may be formed by a part of the bowel, by a portion of the peritoneum, or may contain portions of both peritoneum and bowel. When the sac con- tains only the peritoneum it has a doughy feel, but when it is formed by a portion of the bowel it is more elastic on pressue. Causes. — In the new^-born animal the opening of the navel is gen- erally large, and may sometimes give way to the pressure of the bowel on account of the weak and relaxed condition of the abdominal muscles. This defective and abnormal condition of the umbilicus is frequently hereditary. It may be occasioned by roughly pulling away the umbilical cord; through kicks or blows on the belly; through any severe straining by which the sides of the navel are stretched apart. We may mention in this connection that it is best in new-born calves to tie the umbilical cord tightly about 2 inches from the navel, and then to leave it alone, when in most cases it will drop off in a few days, leaving the navel closed. Treatment. — It is well to bear in mind that many, and especially the smaller, umbilical hernias heal spontaneously; that is, nature effects a cure. As the animal gets older the abdominal muscles get stronger and possess more power of resistance to pressure, the bowels become larger and do not pass so readily through a small opening, so that from a combination of causes there is a gradual growing to- gether or adhesion of the sides of the navel. In cases of umbilical hernia in which there are no indications that a spontaneous cure Avill take place, the calf should be laid on its back ; immediately on this being done the hernia will often disappear into the abdomen. If it does not, its reduction may be brought about by gentle handling, endeavoring, if need be, to empty the organs forming the hernia before returning them into the abdomen. After the hernia has been returned, the hair should be clipped from the skin covering it and a compress composed of 10 or 12 folds of linen or cotton should be applied, first smearing the skin with pitch and then a bandage about 3 inches wide should be passed round the body so as to retain the compress in position. The lower part of the compress should be smeared with pitch, and also those portions of the bandage which pass over it, so as to keep it solid and prevent it from shifting. In some cases it will be found that the contents of the sac can not be returned into the abdomen, and this generally arises from the fact that some part of the contents of the sac has grown to or become adherent to the edges of the umbilical opening. In such a case the skin must be carefully laid open in the long direction, the adhesions of the protruding organs carefully separated from the umbilicus, and DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 41 after the protruding parts have been returned into tlie abdomen, the sides of the umbilicus must be freshened if necessary by paring, and then the edges of the opening brought together by catgut stitches; the ^YOund in the skin must then also be brought together by stitches. The wound must be carefully dressed every day and a bandage passed round the body so as to cover and protect the part operated on. In small hernias nitric acid has been used successfully in the same manner as has been described in the treatment of ventral hernia. Sulphuric acid has also been used for a similar purpose, diluting it to the extent of 1 part of acid to 3 or 5 of water. In thin-skinned animals the weaker preparations ought to be preferred, and caution must be exercised in using such preparations so as not to destroy the tissues on which they are applied. Another method of treatment is, after the contents of the sac have been returned into the abdomen, to tie a piece of strong waxed cord round the pendulous portion which formed the outer covering of the hernia. The string is apt to slacken after two or three days, when a new piece of cord should be applied above the first one. The con- striction of the skin sets up inflammation, which generally extends to the umbilicus and causes the edges to adhere together, and by the time the portion of skin below the ligature has lost its vitality and dropped off, the umbilicus is closed and there is no danger of the abdominal organs protruding through it. This is Mdiat takes place when this method has a favorable result, though if the umbilicus does not become adherent and the skin sloughs, the bowels will protrude through the opening. Gut-tie (peritoneal hernia). — In peritoneal hernia of the ox a loop or knuckle of intestine enters from the abdomen into a rent in that part of the peritoneum which is situated at the margin of the hip bone or it passes under the remains of the spermatic cord, the end of which may be grown fast to the inner inguinal ring. The onward pressure of the bowel, as well as the occasional turning of the latter round the spermatic cord, is the cause of the cord exercising considerable pressure on the bowel, which occasions irritation, ob- structs the passage of excrement, and excites inflammation, which terminates in gangrene and death. The rent in the peritoneum is situated at the upper and front part of the pelvis, nearer to the sacrum than the pubes. CoMses. — Among the causes of peritoneal hernia considerable im- portance is attached to a method of castration which is practiced in certain districts, viz, the tearing or rupturing of the spermatic cord by maiQ force instead of di\dding it at a proper distance above the testicle in a surgical manner. After this violent and rough method of operating, the cord retracts into the abdomen and its stump be- comes adherent to some part of the peritoneum, or it may wind 42 DISEASES OF CATTLE. around the bowel and then the stump becomes adherent, so that stianguhition of the bowel results. The rough dragging on the cord may also cause a tear in the peritoneum, the result of which need not be described. The severe exertion of ascending hills and mountains, drawing heaA^ loads, or the straining which oxen undergo while fighting each other may also give rise to peritoneal hernia. Symptoms. — The ox suddenly becomes very restless, stamps with his feet, moves backward and forward, hurriedly lies down, rises, moves his tail uneasily, and kicks at his belly with the foot of the affected side. The pain evinced may diminish but soon returns again. In the early stage there are frequent passages of dung, but after the lapse of 18 or 24 hours this ceases, the bowel apparently being emptied to the point of strangulation, and the passages now consist only of a little mucus mixed with blood. When injections are given at this time the water passes out of the bowel without even being colored. The animal lies down on the side where the hernia exists and stretches out his hind feet in a backward direction. These two particular symptoms serve to distinguish this affection from en- teritis and invagination of the bowel. As time passes the animal becomes quieter, but this cessation of pain may indicate that gangrene of the bowel has set in, and may, therefore, under certain circum- stances, be considered a precursor of death. Gangrene may take place in from four to six days, when perforation of the bowel may occur and death result in a short time. Treatment. — In the first place the ox should be examined by pass- ing the oiled hand and arm into the rectum; the hand should be passed along the margin of the pelvis, beginning at the sacrum and continuing downward toward the inguinal ring, when a soft, painful swelling will be felt, which may vary from the size of an apple to that of the two fists. This swelling will be felt to be tightly compressed by the spermatic cord. It very rarely happens that there is any similar swelling on the left side, though in such cases it is best to make a thorough examination. The bowel has sometimes been released from its position by driving the ox down a hill ; by causing him to jump from a height of 2 feet to the ground; the expedient of trot- ting him also has been resorted to with the hope that the jolting movement might bring about a release of the bowel. If the simple ex- pedients mentioned have been tried and failed, then the hand being passed into the rectum should be pressed gently on the swelling in an upward and forward direction, so as to endeavor to push the im- prisoned portion of the bowel back into the abdomen. While this is being done the ox's hind feet should stand on higher ground than the front, so as to favor the slipping out of the bowel by its own weight, and at the same time an assistant should squeeze the animal's loins, so as to cause it to bend downward and so relax the band formed by DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 43 the spermatic cord. If the imprisoned portion of gut is freed, which may be ascertained by the disappearance of the swelling, the usual sounds produced by the bowels moving in the abdomen will be heard, and in a few hours the feces and urine will be passed as usual. If the means mentioned fail to release the imprisoned portion of the gut, then an incision about 4 inches long must be made in the right flank in a downward direction, the hand introduced into the abdomen, the situation and condition of swelling exactly ascertained, and then a probe-pointed knife inserted between the imprisoned bowel and band compressing it, and turned outward against the band, the latter being then cautiously divided and the imprisoned gut allowed to escape, or, if necessary, the bowel should be drawn gently from its position into the abdomen. The wound in the flank must be brought together in the same way as in the case of the wound made in operat- ing for impaction of the rumen. WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. A wound of the abdomen may merely penetrate the skin; but as such cases are not attended with much danger, nor their treatment with much difficulty, we will consider here merely those wounds which penetrate the entire thickness of the abdominal walls and expose to a greater or less extent the organs contained in that cavity. CoMses. — Such accidents may be occasioned by falling on fragments of broken glass or other sharp objects. A blow from the horn of another animal may penetrate the abdomen. Exposure and pro- trusion of some of the abdominal organs may also be occasioned by the incautious use of caustics in the treatment of umbilical or ventral hernia. The parts which generally escape through an abdominal wound are the small intestine and floating colon. Symptojns. — When the abdominal wound is small, the bowel ex- posed presents the appearance of a small round tumor, but in a few moments a loop of intestine may emerge from the opening. The ani- mal then shows symptoms of severe pain by pawing with his feet, which has the efi'ect of accelerating the passage of new loops of in- testine through the wound, so that the mass which they form may even touch the ground. The pain becomes so great that the ox now not only paws but lies down and rolls, thus tearing and crushing his bowels. In such cases it is best to slaughter the animal at once ; but in the case of a valuable animal in which tearing and crushing of the bowels has not taken place the bowels should be washed with freshly boiled water reduced to the temperature of the body and returned and the wounds in the muscle and skin brought together in a manner somewhat similar to that described in speaking of ventral hernia. 44 DISEASES OF CATTLE. DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND SPLEEN. JAUNDICE (THE YELLOWS, OR CONGESTION OF THE LIVER). When jaundice exists, there is a yellow appearance of the Avhite of the eyes and of the mucous membrane of the mouth. A similar aspect of the skin may also be observed in animals Avhich are either partly or alto<2:ether covered with white hair. Jaundice is then merely a symptom of disease and ought to direct attention to ascertaining, if possible, the cause or causes which have given rise to it. A swollen condition of the mucous membrane of that part of the bowel called the duodenum may produce jaundice, as that mechanically closes the orifice of the biliary duct. In constipation there is an inactive or tor- pid condition of the bowel, and the bile which passes into the intes- tine may be absorbed and cause the yellow staining of jaundice. Jaundice is one of the symptoms of Texas fever. It may also arise from the presence of parasites or gallstones in the ducts, forming a mechanical obstruction to the onward flow of bile. The conditions under which jaundice most commonly calls for treatment are when cattle have been highly fed and kept in a state of inactivity. At such time there is an excess of nutritive elements carried into the blood, which is associated with increased fullness of the portal vein and hepatic artery. ^^Hien continued high feeding has produced this congested state of the liver, the functions of that organ become dis- ordered, so that a considerable portion of the bile, instead of being excreted and passing into the intestine, is absorbed by the hepatic veins. The structure of the liver is shown in Plate IV. Symptoms. — This disease, although rare, occurs most frequently among stall-fed cattle. Pressure along the margin of the short ribs on the right side produces pain ; the appetite is poor and the annual shows hardly any inclination to drink ; the mucous membranes of the eye and mouth are yellow, the urine has a yellow or broAvn appear- ance, the animal lies down much and moves with reluctance, moans occasionally, and has a tottering gait. The ears and horns are alter- nately hot and cold : in cows the secretion of milk is much diminished, and that which is secreted has a bitter taste; sometimes the animal has a dry, painful cough and presents a dull, stupefied appearance. Treatment. — In such cases it is advisable to produce a free action of the bowels, so as to remove the usually congested condition of the portal vein and liver. For this purpose the administration of the following dose is recommended: Sulphate of soda, 16 ounces; molasses, 1 pint; warm water, 1 quart. The sulphate of soda is dis- solved by stirring it up in tepid Avater. Following this the animal should have a heaping tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salt in the feed three times daily. This treatment may be assisted by giv- DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE OEGAKS. 45 ing occasional injections of warm water and soap. The diet should be laxative and moderate in quantity and may consist of coarse bran mash, pulped roots, grass in the season, and hay in moderate quantit3^ HEPATITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER). Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and usually occurs as a complication of some infectious disease. It may also occur as a complication of gastrointestinal catarrh or in hot weather from overheating or damaged (putrid or fermented) feeds. Symptoms. — The symptoms are sometimes obscure and their real significance is frequently overlooked. The most prominent symp- toms are yellowness of the white of the eye and of the membrane lining the mouth ; the appetite is poor, the body presents an emaci- ated appearance, the feces are light colored, while the urine is likely to be unusually dark; there is thirst, and pain is caused by pressing over the liver. The gait is weak and the animal lies down more than usual, and while doing so frequently rests its head on the side of its chest. Treatment. — Give a purge of Glauber's salt and after it has oper- ated give artificial Carlsbad salts in each feed, as advised under " Jaundice.-' Give green feed and plenty of water. Oil of turpen- tine should be rubbed in well once a day over the region of the liver. The skin on which it should be applied extends from the false ribs on the right side to 6 inches in front of the last one, and from the backbone to 12 inches on the right side of it. FLUKE DISEASE. [See chapter on " The animal parasites of cattle," p. .502.] SPLENITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE SPLEEN). This disease occurs almost solely as a result of the existence of some infectious disease, and the symptoms caused by it merge with the symptoms of the accompanying causative disease. The spleen is seriously involved and becomes enlarged and soft in Texas fever, anthrax, and blood poisoning. DISEASES OF THE PERITONEUM. PERITONITIS. Peritonitis consists of an inflammation of the peritoneum, which is the thin, delicate membrane that lines the ?.bdomen and covers the abdominal organs. Causes. — Wounds are the usual cause in cattle. The wound may be of the abdominal wall or of the intestines, stomach, or uterus ; or inflammation may extend from one of the organs of the abdominal 46 DISEASES OF CATTLE. cavity to the peritoneum ; so this disease may complicate enteritis or inflamed womb. A sharp metal body may perforate the second stomach and allow the gastric contents to escape, irritating the peri- toneum. This disease may follow castration or operation for hernia. Symptoms. — A continuous or occasional shivering; the animal lies down, but appears uneasy; it frequently turns its head toward its belly and lows plaintively; pressure on the flanks produces pain; has no appetite; muzzle is dry and no rumination ; while standing, its legs are placed well under its body ; pulse small and hard. The evacua- tions from the bowels are dry and hard. If this disease is compli- cated by the presence of inflammation of the bowels, the pain is more severe and the animal is more restless. The skin is cold and dry in the early stage of this disease, but in a more advanced stage this con- dition may be succeeded by heat of thfe skin and quick breathing. The fits of trembling, uneasiness, small and hard pulse, and tension of the left flank are symptoms the presence of which would enable one to reach the conclusion that peritonitis exists. Post-mortem appearance. — The membrane lining the abdomen and covering the surface of the bowels is reddened to a greater or less extent, and there is usually considerable serous, or watery, fluid col- lected in the abdomen. Treatment. — When we have to do with the form of peritonitis re- sulting from an injury, as when the horn of another animal has been thrust through the abdominal walls, this lesion must be treated in accordance with directions before given, but the general treatment must be similar to that which follows. Peritonitis resulting from castration or from parturient fever must also be treated in connec- tion with the special conditions which give rise to it, as the general treatment of this disease must be modified to some extent by the exciting cause. The aim must be to discover and remove the cause. The cause must be treated according to its nature. Harms strongly recommends borax in the treatment of peritonitis. He gives 6 ounces in the first 24 hours, divided into three doses, and afterwards he gives 6 drams three times daily. Opium in doses of 2 to 3 drams may be given. To bring on evacuations of the bowels it is better to give rectal injec- tions than to administer purges. The strength may be sustained by coffee or camphor. The body should be warmly clothed, and it is advisable, when prac- ticable, to have a blanket which has been wrung out of hot water placed over the abdomen, then covered by several dry blankets, which are maintained in position by straps or ropes passing round the body. The wet blanket must be changed as it cools — the object of treatment being to warm the surface of the body and to determine as much blood to the skin as possible. The diet should consist of laxative DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 47 food and drinks, such as linseed tea. If peritonitis assumes chronic form the diet should be nutritious, such as selected clover hay, linseed cake, grass, etc., and iodid of potassium should be given three times a day in gram doses dissolved in a pint of water. DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN (ASCITES). In this disease there is a serous, or Avatery, effusion in the cavity of the abdomen. Causes. — When old animals are fed on innutritions feed or when reduced by disease, they become anemic ; in other words, their blood becomes impoverished and dropsy may follow. An innutritions and insufficient diet produces the same effect in young animals. It is one of the results of peritonitis, and may also arise from acute or chronic inflammation of the liver, such as is of common occurrence when flukes are present in the liver in large numbers. Heart disease and chronic limg disease may be followed by ascites. It is sometimes, in calves, a symptom of infestation with worms. Symptoms. — A gradual increase in the size of the abdomen at its lower part, while the flanks becomes hollow; pallor of the mucous membrane of the mouth and ej^e; weak and sluggish gait; want of appetite, and irregularity in ruminating. On percussion or tapping the surface of the abdomen with the fingers, a dull sound is produced. If the hand and arm are oiled and passed into the rectum as far as possible, on moving the hand from one side to the other the fluctua- tion caused by the presence of fluid in the abdomen may be felt. Treattnent. — If possible the cause must be discovered and removed. The diet should be nutritious, and in those cases in which we have merely to deal with anemia (the bloodless state) arising from insuffi- cient diet, the use of tonics and diuretics, at the same time keeping the skin warm, may bring about a gradual absorption of the fluid contained in the abdomen. One of the following powders may be mixed with the animal's feed three times a day; or, if there is any uncertainty as to its being taken in that way, it should be mixed with sirup, so as to form a paste, and smeared well back on the animal's tongue with a flat wooden spoon : Carbonate of iron, 3 ounces ; pow- dered gentian, 3 ounces ; powdered nitrate of potassium, 3 ounces ; mix and divide into 12 powders. The administration of purgatives which promote a watery discharge from the mucous surface of the bowels also tends, by diminishing the serum of the blood, to bring about absorption and a gradual removal of the fluid contained in the abdo- men. Large doses should not be given, but moderate ones should be administered morning and night, so as to produce a laxative effect on the bowels for several days. To attain this end the following may be used : Sulphate of soda, 8 ounces; powdered ginger, half an ounce; to be mixed in 2 quarts of tepid water and given at one dose. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANC. DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. lATE I. Position of the first stomach (rumen or paunch) on tlie left side. The area inclosed by heavy dotted lines represents the rumen ; the elongated, shaded organ is the spleen resting upon it. The skin and muscles have been removed from the ribs to show the position of the lungs and their relation to the paunch. Plate II. Stomach of ruminants. Fig. 1. Stomach of a full-grown sheep, i natural size (after Thanlioffer, from R. Meade Smith's Physiology of Domestic Animals) : a, rumen, or first stomach ; b, reticulum, or second stomach ; c, omasum, or third stomach; d, abomasum, or fourth stomach; e, esophagus, or gullet, opening into the first and second stomachs ; /, opening of fourth stomach into small intestine ; g, opening of second stomach into third ; //, open- ing of third stoma:?h into fourth. The lines indicate the course of the food in the stomachs. The incom- pletely masticated food passes down the esophagus, or gullet, into the first and second stomachs, in which a churning motion is kept up, carrying the food from side to side and from stomach to stomach. From the first stomach regurgitation takes place; that is, the food is returned through the gullet to the mouth to be more thoroughly chewed, and this constitutes what is known as " chewing the cud." From the second stomach the food passes into the third, and from the third into the fourth, or true, stomach, and from there into the intestines. Fig. 2. Stomach of ox (after Colin, from R. Meade Smith's Physiology of Domestic Animals) : a, rumen; h, reticulum; c, omasum; d, abomasum; t , esophagus ; /, opening of fourth stomach into small intestine. Fiirstenberg calculated that in an ox of 1,4(X) pounds weight the capacity of the stomach is as follows : rer rent. Rumen, 149.25 quarts, liquid measure G2. 4 Reticulum, 23.77 quarts 10 Omasum, 36.98 quarts 15 Abomasum, 29.05 quarts 12. 6 According to Colon— Q"«rts. The capacity of a beef's stomach is 266. 81 Small intestine 69. 74 Cecum 9. 51 Colon and rectum 25. 58 Plate III. Instruments used in treating diseases of digestive organs. Fig. 1. Clinical thermometer, t natural size. This is used to determine the temperature of the animal body. The thermometer is passed into the rectum after having been moistened with a little saliva from the mouth, or after having had a little oil or lard rubbed upon it to facilitate its passage. There it is allowed to remain two or three minutes, then Avith- 48 Diseases of Cattle. Plate Diseases of Cattle. Plate II, Ston.ach of Ruminants. Diseases of Cattle. Plate III. IrJSTRUMENTS USED IN TREATING DISEASES OF DIGESTIVE ORGANS. DrsEASES CF Cattle. Microscopic Anatomy of the Liver. Diseases of Cattle, Plate V. Eroqt in Hay, Diseases of Cattle-U. S. Dept. of Agr Plate VI. Marx, from nature. Ergotism. DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OEGANS. 49 Plate III. — Instruments used in treating diseases of digestive organs — Contd. drawn, and the temperature read as in any ordinary thermometer. The clinical thermometer is made self-registering; that is, the mercury in the stem remains at the height to which it was forced by the heat of the body until it is shalven back into the bulb by taking liold of the upper portion of the instrument and giving it a short, sharp swing. The normal temperature of cattle varies from 100° to 103° F. In young animals it is somewhat higher than in old. The thermometer is a very useful instrument and frequently is the means by which disease is detected before the appearance of any external sign. Fig. 2. Simple probang, used to dislodge foreign bodies, like apples, pota- toes, eggs, etc., wliich have become fastened or stuck in the esophagus or gullet. Fig. 3. Grasping or forceps probang. This instrument, also intended to remove obstructions from the gullet, has a spring forceps at one end in the place of the cup-like arrangement at the end of the simple probang. The forceps are closed while the probang is being introduced ; their blades are regulated by a screw in the handle of the instrument. This probang is used to grasp and withdraw an article which may have lodged in the gullet and can not be forced into the stomach by use of the simple probang. Fig. 4. Wooden gag, used when the probang is to be passed. The gag is a piece of wood which fits in the animal's mouth ; a cord passes over the head to hold it in place. The central opening in the wood is intended for the passage of the probang. Figs. 5a and 5b. Trocar and cannula ; 5« shows the trocar covered by the cannula ; 5h, the cannula from which the trocar has been withdrawn. This instrument is used when the rumen or first stomach becomes distended with gas. The trocar covered by the cannula is forced into the rumen, the trocar withdrawn, and the cannula allowed to remain untii the gas has escaped. " Fig. G. Section at right angles thi-ough the abdominal wall, showing a hernia or rupture. (Taken from D'Arborval. Dictionnaire de MSdecine, de Chirurgie de Hygiene) : a a. The abdominal muscles cut across; v, opening in the abdominal Avail permitting the intestines i i to pass through and outward between the abdominal wall and the skin ; p p, peritoneum, or membrane lining the abdominal cavity, carried through the opening o by the loop of intestine and forming the sac S, the outer walls of which are marked b f b. Plate IV. Microscopic anatomy of the liver. The liver is composed of innu- merable small lobules, from ^ to rrs inch in diameter. The lobules are held together by a small amount of fibrous tissue, in which the bile ducts and larger blood vessels are lodged. Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of a lobule; v v, interlobular veins or the veins between the lobules. These are branches of the portal vein, which carries blood from the stomach and intestines to the liver; c c, capillaries, or very fine blood vessels, extending as a very fine network between the groups of liver cells from the interlobular vein to the center of the lobule and emptying there into the intralobular vein to the center of the lobule; v c, intralobular vein, or the vein within the lobule. This vessel passes out of the lobule and there becomes the sublobular vein ; v s, sublobular vein. This joins other similar veins and helps to form the hepatic vein, through which the blood leaves 54793°— 23 4 50 ■ DISEASES OF CATTLE. Plate IV. Microscopic anatomy of the liver — Continued. the liver; d d, the position of the liver cells between the meshes of the capillaries ; A A, branches of the hepatic artery to the interlobular connective tissue and the walls of the large veins and large bile ducts. These branches are seen at r r and form the vena vascularis; V V, vena vascularis; i i, branches of the hepatic artery entering the substance of the lobule and connecting with capillaries from the inter- lobular vein. The use of the hepatic artery is to nourish the liver, while the other vessels carry blood to be modified by the liver cells in certain important directions; g, branches of the bile ducts, carrying bile from the various lobules into the gall bladder and into the intes- tines ; X X, intralobular bile capillaries between the liver cells. These form a network of very minute tubes surrounding each ultimate cell, which receives the bile as it is formed by the liver cells and carried outward as described. Fig. 2. Isolated liver cells : c, blood capillary ; a, fine bile capillary channel. Plate V. Ergot in hay: 1, bluegrass ; 2, timothy; 3, wild rye; 4, redtop. Ergot is a fungus which may affect any member of the grass family. The spore of the fungus, by some means brought in contact with the undeveloped seed of the grass, grows, obliterates the .seed, and prac- tically takes its place. When hay affected with ergot is fed to animals it is productive of a characteristic and serious affection or poisoning known as ergotism. Plate VI, Ergotism, or the effects of ergot. The lower part of the limb of a cow, showing the loss of skin and flesh in a narrow ring around the pastern bone and the exposure of the bone itself. POISONS AND POISONING. By V. T. Atkinson, V. S. [Revised by C. Dwight Marsh, Ph. D.] DEFINITION OF A POISON, To define clearly the meaning of the word " poison " is somewhat difficult. Even in law the word has never been defined, and when a definition is attempted we are apt to include either too much or too little. The following definition given by Husemann is perhaps the best : " Poisons are those substances, inorganic or organic, existing in the organism or introduced from the outside, produced artificially or formed as natural products, which, through their chemical nature, under definite conditions, so affect some organ of a living organism that the health or well-being of the organism is temporarily or chronically injured." The common conception of a poison is any substance which, in small quantity, will destroy life, except such as act by purely mechanical means, as, for example, powdered glass. Some substances that are not usually looked upon as poisons may destroy life if given in large doses, such as common salt. Other sub- stances which are perfectly harmless when taken into the body in the usual way are poisons if injected into the circulation, such as distilled water, milk, or glycerin. Living organisms are not " chem- ical substances," and are not considered in this connection. SOURCES OF POISONING. Poisoning may come from many causes, among the chief of which are the following : (1) Errors in medication. — By using the wrong substance or too large dose an animal may be poisoned, (2) The exposure of poisons used for horticultural., technical., or other legitimate purposes. — Poisons used for spraying plants, disin- fecting, poisoning vermin, dipping cattle or sheep, painting, smelt- ing, dyeing, or other purposes may be so handled as to come within the reach of animals. (3) Damaged food. — Food that has undergone putrefaction or cer- tain kinds of fermentation or heating, may have become poisonous, producing forage poisoning, meat poisoning, cheese poisoning, etc. (4) Poisonous plants in the pastu7'e or forage. (5) The hite or sting of a poisonous insect or the hite of an animal. (6) Malicious poisoning. 51 52 DISEASES OF CATTLE. THE ACTION OF POISONS. The action of poisons may be either local, and exerted directly on the tissues with Avhich they come in contact, or remote, acting through the circulation or the nervous system ; or both local and remote action may be exerted by the same drug. Poisons Avhich act locally gener- ally either destroy by corrosion the tissues with Avhich they come in contact or by inhalation set up acute inflannnation. When any cor- rosive agent is taken into the stomach in poisonous quantities, a group of symptoms is developed which is common to all. The tissues Avith which the agent comes in contact are destroyed, sloughing and acute inflammation of the surrounding structures take place ; intense pain in the abdomen and death ensue. In a like manner, but with less rapidity, the same result is reached if the agent used be not of a suffi- ciently corrosive nature to destroy the tissues, but sufficiently irritat- ing to set up acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. If the poison exerts a remote influence alone, the action is quite different, little or no local effect being produced upon the digestive organs. To produce an effect on some part of the body distant from the channel of entrance, a poison must have been absorbed and carried in the blood to the central nervous system or other region invohed. The poisonous effect of any substance is modified by the quantity used; by its chemical combinations; by the part of the animal struc- ture with which it comes in contact ; by the physical condition of the subject; and also b}^ the rapidity with which the poison is excreted. As an illustration, opium may be given with safety in much larger doses to an animal suffering from acute pain than to one free from pain, and to an adult animal with greater safety than to a young one. The rapidity wdth which the poison is absorbed, owing to the part of the body with which it is brought in contact, is also an important factor. So marked is this quality that some agents which have the power of destroying life with almost absolute certainty when intro- duced beneath the skin, may be taken into the stomach without caus- ing inconvenience, as curara, the arrow poisons, or the venomous secretion of snakes. Other agents in chemical combination may tend to intensifj^, lessen, or wholly neutralize the poisonous effect. For example, arsenic in itself has well-marked poisonous properties, but when brought in contact with dialyzed iron it forms an insoluble compound and becomes innocuous. Idiosj'^ncrasies are not so notice- able in cattle practice as in practice among human beings, but the uncertainty with which some drugs exert their influence would lead us to believe that well-marked differences in susceptibility exist. Even in some cases a tolerance for poison is engendered, so that in a POISONS AND POISONING. 53 herd of animals equally exposed injurious or fatal effects do not appear with uniformity. For example, among cattle that are com- pelled to drink water holding in solution a salt of lead the effects of the poisoning will be found varying all the way from fatality to imperceptibility. GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF POISONING. It is not always easy to differentiate between poisoning and some disease. Indeed, examination during the life of the animal is some- times wholly inadequate to the formation of an opinion as to whether the case is one of poisoning or, if it is, as to what the poison may be. A chemical and physical examination after the death of the animal may be necessary to clear up the doubt. On the other hand, the symptoms may be of such a nature as to point unmistakably to poi- soning with a certain agent. In general, the following classes of symptoms may be regarded as indicative of poisoning : Sudden onset of the disease without visible cause, a number of animals being simi- larly affected at once, with severe gastrointestinal disorder or de- rangement of the nervous system, or both ; sudden alteration of heart action in relation to frequency, force, or rhythm; local irritation, dyspnea, or change in the urine or urination. After death, lesions of the greatest variety may be found, and it is necessary for one to be skilled in anatomy and pathology in order to determine their significance. Oftentimes the stomach and intes- tines are red, have thick walls, and contain blood. This signifies a scAere irritant, such as arsenic or corrosive sublimate. Other altera- tions sometimes found are inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, points of hemorrhage in various organs, changes in the blood, con- gestion of the lungs, and certain microscopic changes. GENERAL TREATMENT. The treatment of animals suffering from poison must vary accord- ing to tlie nature of the toxic agent. There are a few general plans of action, however, which should be followed so far as possible. In man and in some of the smaller animals it is possible to eliminate unabsorbed poison by the use of the stomach pump or by causing vomiting. These proceedings are impracticable in cattle. It is well, therefore, in many cases to endeavor to expel the unabsorbed poison by emptying the digestive tract, so far as may be, with a nonirritating purge. Castor oil in doses of 1 pint to 2 quarts is adapted to this purpose. If the poison is known to be nonirritant — as a narcotic plant — from 10 to 20 drops of croton oil may be given with a quart of castor oil. When poisons are somewhat prolonged in their effect, Epsom salt in doses of 1 pound can be given advantage- 64 DISEASES OF CATTLE. ously. To protect the mucous membrane from the action of strong irritants, one ma}^ give flaxseed tea, barley water, the whites of eggs, milk, butter, olive oil, or fresh lard. Chemical antidotes may some- times be used for special poisons, as advised below. In general, if an acid has been taken it maj^ be neutralized with an alkali, such as chalk, magnesia, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), ammonia (diluted), or soap. If the poison is an alkali, such as caustic soda or potash (lye), or ammonia, an acid, such as diluted (1 per cent) sulphuric acid or vinegar, may be administered. Special treatments and antidotes are considered below. A poisonous agent may be so gradually introduced into the system as to slowly develop the power of resistance against its own action. In other cases where the poison is introduced slowly the poisonous action becomes accumulative, and, although there is no increase in the quantity taken, violent symptoms are suddenly developed, as if the whole amount, the consumption of which may have extended over a considerable period, had been given in one dose. Other agents, poisonous in their nature, tend to deteriorate some of the important organs, and, interfering \vith their natural functions, are productive of conditions of ill health which, although not necessarily fatal, are important. Such might properly be called chronic poisons. Poisons of themselves dangerous when, administered in large doses are used medicinally for curative purposes, and a very large percentage of the pharmaceutical preparations used in the practice of medicine if gi\en in excessive quantities may produce serious results. In the administration of medicines, therefore, care should be exercised not only that the animal is not poisoned by the administration of an excessive dose but that injury is not done by continued treatment with medicines the administration of which is not called for. MINERAL POISONS. ARSENIC POISONING. Of the common irritant and corrosive poisons, arsenic, especially one of its compounds (Paris green), is likely to be the most danger- ous to our class of patients. The common practice of using Paris green and other compounds of arsenic as insecticides for the destruc- tion of potato beetle and other insect enemies of the farmer and fruit gix)wer has had the effect of introducing it into almost all farming establishments. White arsenic is also a principal ingredient in soma popular dipping preparations, and poisoning from this source occa- sionally takes place when, after dipping, animals are allow^ed to run in a yard in which there is loose fodder. The drippings from POISONS AND POISONING. 55 the animals falling on the fodder render it poisonous and dangerous to animal life if eaten. Familiarity with its use has in many in- stances tended to breed contempt for its potency as a poison. Rat poisons often contain arsenic. The excessive use of arsenic as a tonic, or of "condition powders" containing arsenic, has been the means of poisoning many animals. This is the common poison used by malicious persons with criminal intent. The poison may also be absorbed through wounds or through the skin if used as a dip or bath. If a large dose is given, at once acute poisoning is produced; if repeated small doses are given, chronic poisoning may result. The poisonous dose for an ox is from 3 drams to 1 ounce. Symqytmns. — The symptoms of acute poisoning first appear as those of colic; the animal is restless, stamping with the feet, lying down and getting up. There is tenderness on pressure over the abdomen. The acute symptoms increase; in a few hours violent diarrhea is developed ; in many cases blood and shreds of detached mucous mem- brane are mixed with the evacuations. There is irregular and feeble pulse and respiration, and death is likely to supervene between the eighteenth hour and the third day. If the latter period is passed, there is a reasonable hope of recovery. In chronic poisoning the symptoms are similar to those of chronic gastrointestinal catarrh, with indigestion, diarrhea, and general weakness and loss of condition. Treatment. — The antidote for arsenic is a solution of hydrated oxid of iron in water. It should be prepared fresh by mixing a solu- tion of sulphate of iron, made by dissolving 4 ounces of sulphate of iron in one-half pint water, with a suspension of 1 ounce of magnesia in one-half pint water. This quantity is sufficient for one dose for a cow and may be repeated in an hour, if much arsenic was taken. A solution of calcined magnesia or powdered iron or iron filings or iron scale from a blacksmith's forge may be given in the absence of other remedies. Powdered sulphur is of some value as an antidote. One must also administer protectives, such as linseed tea, barley water whites of eggs, etc. LEAD POISONING. Lead poisoning of cattle sometimes comes from their having licked freshly painted surfaces and thus swallowed compounds containing white lead. In several instances cattle have been poisoned by silage from a silo painted inside with lead paint shortly before filling. Sometimes cattle eat dried paint scrapings with apparent relish and are poisoned. Cattle grazing on rifle ranges have been poisoned by lead from the bullets. Sugar of lead has been administered by mis- 56 DISEASES OF CATTLE. take for Glauber's salt. Lead poisoning may be acnte or chronic. The fatal dose of sugar of lead is from 1 to 4 ounces. Water drawn from lead pipes or held in a lead-lined tank may cause poisoning. SymiHoTns. — The symptoms are generally dullness, lying down with the head turned toAvard the flank, colic, rumbling in the abdomen, loss of control of the limbs when walking, twitching, champing of the jaws, moving in a circle, convulsions, delirium, violent bellowing, fol- lowed by stupor and death. The symptoms generally extend over considerable time but may end in death after 24 hours. Chronic lead poisoning occasionally occurs in districts where lead mining is the principal industry. The waste products of the mine thrown into streams contaminate the water supply, so that the min- eral is taken into the system gradually, and a very small per cent of any of the salts taken into the system in this way is pernicious. Water which contains any salt of lead to the extent of more than one-tenth of a grain to the gallon is unfit to drink. Such water when used continually is likely to produce colic from the resulting intesti- nal irritation, and in aggravated cases paralysis more or less severe is likely to be developed. A blue line on the margin of the gums, the last symptom, is regarded as diagnostic and its presence as con- clusive evidence of the nature of the disorder. Treatment. — The treatment should first be directed toward remov- ing the cause. A large dose of purgative medicine should be given, and the brain symptoms be relieved by giving bromid of potas- sium in half -ounce doses every 4 or 5 hours and by the application of cold water to the head. Dilute sulphuric acid in half-ounce doses should be given with the purgative medicine. In this case sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salt) is the best purgative, and it may be given in doses of from 1 to 2 pounds dissolved in warm water. After the acute symptoms have abated, iodic! of potassium may be given, in doses of 2 drams each, three times a day for a week. No treatment is likely to be of avail until the cause is removed. COPPER POISONING. The soluble salts of copper, though used as a tonic in the medicinal treatment of cattle, are poisonous when taken in large quantities. Like lead and arsenic, they have an irritant effect upon the mucous membrane with which they come in contact in a concentrated form. Cattle are not very likely to be poisoned from this cause unless through carelessness. Sulphate of copper, commonly called blue vitriol, is occasionally used for disinfecting and cleansing stables, where it might inadvertently be mixed with the feed. It is also used largely for making the Bordeaux mixture used in spraying fruit POISONS AND POISONING. 57 trees. The general symptoms produced are those of intestinal irrita- tion, short breathing, stamping, and tender abdomen. Treatment. — Give powdered iron, or iron reduced by hydrogen, or calcined magnesia. Sulphur may be used. This should be followed by a liberal supply of demulcents, linseed infusion, boiled starch, whites of eggs, etc. ZINC POISONING. Several of the soluble salts of zinc are irritant poisons. The chlorid and sulphate are those in most common use. In animals which have power to vomit they are emetic in their action. In others, when retained in the stomach, they set up more or less irri- tation 'of the mucous membrane and abdominal pain, producing symptoms already described in the action of other poisons which produce the same result. Treatment. — The treatment should be the same as for copper poi- soning. PHOSPHORUS POISONING. Only one of the forms of phosphorus in common use — the ordinary yellow — is poisonous. Phosphorus in this form is used for the destruction of rats and mice and other vermin, and has been largely used in the manufacture of matches. Symptoms. — The symptoms are loss of appetite, colic, diarrhea, irritation of the mouth and throat, and paralysis of the throat. There is also weakness, difficult breathing, and rapid pulse. The course of the poisoning is usually rapid, terminating in either recov- ery or death within three days. The toxic dose for cattle is from 5 to 30 grains. If taken in large quantities the excreta are occa- sionally noticed to be luminous when examined in the dark. Treatment. — Turpentine is given in an emulsion with flaxseed tea in a single dose of from 2 to 8 ounces. Permanganate of potassium may be given in a one-fourth of 1 per cent solution. Stimulants, such as alcohol and ether, should be administered. Oils and milk must not be given. MERCURY POISONING. Mercury poisoning is not rare in cattle from the fact that these animals have a special susceptibility to the action of this substance. Antiseptic washes or injections containing the bichlorid of mercury (corrosive sublimate) must be used on cattle with great care. Mer- curial disinfecting solutions or salves must be used cautiously. Calomel can not be given freely to cattle. Sympteyms. — The symptoms are salivation, sore mouth, indiges- tion, diarrhea, skin eruption, paralysis of local groups of muscles, and nephritis. 58 DISEASES OE CATTLE. Treatment. — The treatment consists in adniinisterino; siilplmi- in large doses (2 to -i ounces) or iron powder. Both make msoluble compounds with mercury. Follow with the whites of eggs mixed with water and with linseed tea. If the case does not terminate promptly, give iodid of i^otash in 1-dram doses twice daily, POISONING BY ACIDS. Mineral acids. — The mineral acids — nitric, sulphuric, hydrochlo- ric, etc. — when used in a concentrated form destro}' the animal tissues with which they come in contact, and in this respect differ from most of the poisons previously described. "Wlien taken into the stomach the mucous membrane of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach is apt to be more or less completely destroyed. If taken in large quantities death is likely to result so speedily that nothing can be done to relieve the patient, and even if time is allowed and the action of the acid can be arrested it can not be done until consider- able and, perhaps, irreparable damage has been done. The mucous membrane with which the acid has come in contact in the esophagus may be destroyed by its corrosive action and carried away, leaving the muscular tissues exposed. The raw surface heals irregularly, the cicatrice contracting causes stricture, and an animal so injured is likely to die of starvation. In the stomach even greater damage is likely to be done. The peristaltic action of the esophagus carries the irritant along quicklj^, but here it remains quiet in contact with one surface, destroying it. It is likely to perforate the organ and, coming in contact with the abdominal lining or other organs of di- gestion, soon sets up a condition that is beyond repair. In a less concentrated form, when this is not sufficiently strong to be coi-rosive, it exei'ts an irritant effect. In this form it may not do much harm unless taken in considerable quantity. When thus the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines becomes inflamed- pain and diarrhea are likely to result. Treatment. — Any of the alkalies may be used as an antidote. Most convenient of these are chalk, baking soda, marble dust, mag- nesia, lime, soap, or plaster from a wall. Mucilaginous drinks should be given in large quantities. Vegetable acids. — Oxalic acid in particular is corrosive in its action when taken in concentrated solution, losing its corrosive effect and becoming irritant when more dilute. It also exerts a specific effect on the heart, frequently causing death from syncope. Taken in the form either of the crystals or solution it is likely to cause death in a very short time. Failure of heart action and the attendant small pulse, weakness, staggering, and convulsions are the more noticeable symptoms. Acetic acid is irritant to the gastro- intestinal tract, and may cause sudden paralysis of the heart. POISONS AND POISONING. 59 Treatment. — ^The action of the acid sliould be counteracted by the use of alkalies, as advised above, by limewater or lime or plaster given promptly, by protectives to the digestive tract, and by stimu- lants. POISONING BY ALKALIES. The carbonates of potash and soda and the alkalies themselves in concentrated form cause symptoms of intestinal irritation similar to those produced by mineral acids. Ammonia, caustic soda, and caus- tic potash (lye) are those to which animals are most exposed. The degree of their caustic irritant effects depends on their degree of concentration, ^^lien they reach the stomach the symptoms are nearlj' as well marked as in the case of the acids. The irritation is even more noticeable, and purgation is likely to be a more prominent symptom. If death is not caused soon, the irritation of the gastro- intestinal tract and malnutrition will last for a long time. Treatment. — Treatment consists in neutralizing the alkali by an acid, such as dilute sulphuric acid (1 per cent) or strong vinegar. The administration of such an antidote and its action must be care- fully watched during administration. In the chemical change which takes place when the acid and alkali are combined, carbonic-acid gas is liberated, which may be to an extent sufficient to cause considerable distention of the abdomen, and even to produce asphyxia from pres- sure forward on the diaphragm. Should this danger present itself, it may be averted by opening the flank, permitting the gas to escape. (See "Acute tympanites, or Bloating," p. 22.) Flaxseed or slippery- elm decoction must be given to sooth the inflamed mucous surface. Opium may be used to allay pain. COAL-OIL POISONING. Coal oil is sometimes administered empirically as a treatment for intestinal parasites. If given in large doses it produces poisonous effects, which are likely to be manifested some time after the adminis- tration. It acts as an irritant to the digestive tract, causing drib- bling of ropy saliva from the mouth, diarrhea, tenesmus, and loss of appetite, with increased temperature and cold extremities. Visible mucous membranes are injected, pupils of the eyes are contracted, and there is a watery discharge from the eyes and nostrils. Re- motely it exerts a depressing influence on the functions of the brain and slight coma, and occasionally convulsions, from which the animal is easily aroused. The kidneys also suffer. The urine is dark colored and has the characteristic odor of coal oil. Death may re- sult from gastroenteritis or convulsions. Treatment. — The patient's strength should be fostered by the fre- quent administration of mild stimulants, of which aromatic spirits 60 DISEASES OF CATTLE. of ammonia is perhaps the best. The animal should be encouraged to eat soft feed and given mucilaginous drinks. Crude coal oil is sometimes applied to the skin to kill parasites. If too much is used, especially in hot weather, great weakness and depression may be caused and in some cases death may result. CARBOLIC-ACID POISONING. Although one of the most valuable antiseptic remedies, carbolic acid in a concentrated form, when taken internally or used over a large surface externally, is likely to produce poisonous effects. It causes whitening, shrinking, and numbness of the structures with which it comes in contact, and, besides its irritant effect, exerts a powerful influence on the nervous system. Being readily absorbed, it produces its effect whether swallowed, injected into the rectuni, inhaled, or applied to wounds, or even to a large tract of unbroken skin. Used extensively as a dressing, it may produce nausea, dizzi- ness, and smoky or blackish colored urine. The last symptom is nearly always noticeable where the poisonous effect is produced. In more concentrated form, or used in larger quantities, convulsions, followed by fatal coma, are likely to take place. Even in smaller quantities, dullness, trembling, and disinclinaticm for food often continue for several days. In a tolerably concentrated solution it coagulates albumen and acts as an astringent. Treatment. — As an antidote internally, a solution of sulphate of soda or sulphate of magnesia (Glauber's or Epsom salt) may be given. The white of Qgg is also useful. Stimulants may be given if needed. When the poisoning occurs through too extensive applica- tions to wounds or the skin, as in treatment of mange, cold water should be freely applied so as to wash off any of the acid that may still remain unabsorbed. As a surgical dressing a 3 per cent solu- tion is strong enough for ordinary purposes. Water will not hold more than 5 per cent in permanent solution. No preparation stronger than the saturated solution should be used medicinally under any circumstances. SALTPETER POISONING. Both nitrate of soda and nitrate of potassium are poisonous to cattle. These substances are used for manure and for preserving meats. They may be administered in a drench by error in place of Glauber's salt, or they may be exposed within reach of cattle and thus be eaten. The toxic dose depends upon the condition of fullness of the stomach. If in solution and given on an empty stomach, as little as 3 ounces of saltpeter (nitrate of potassium) may be fatal to a cow. More of the Chile saltpeter (nitrate of soda) is required to cause serious trouble. POISONS AND POISONING, 61 Symptoms. — Severe gastroenteritis, colic, tympanites, diarrhea, excessive urination, weakness, trembling, convulsions, collapse. Treatment. — Same as for poisoning by common salt. POISONING BY COMMON SALT. A few pounds (3 to 5) of common salt will produce well-marked signs of poisoning in cattle. So much salt as this will not be taken by cattle except under unusual conditions. If the feed is poor in salt, and if no salt has been given for a long time, an intense " salt hunger" may occur that may lead an animal to eat a poisonous quantity, or an overdose of salt may be given by error as a drench. In order to prevent overeating of salt, it is doubtless better in salting cattle to use rock salt rather than that in more or less finely divided form. Herring and mackerel brine and pork pickle are also poisonous, and are especially dangerous for hogs. In these substances there are, in addition to salt, certain products extracted from the fish or meat which undergo change and add to the toxicity of the solution. Sometimes saltpeter is present in such brines. Symptoms. — The symptoms are great thirst, abdominal pain, diar- rhea, poor appetite, redness and dryness of the mouth, increased urination, paralysis of the hind legs, weak pulse, general paralysis, coma, and death in from six to eight hours. Treatment. — Allow as much warm water as the animal will drink ; give protectives, such as linseed tea, etc. Linseed or olive oil may be given. To keep up the heart action give ether, alcohol, camphor, digitalis, or coffee. To allay pain, give opium. VEGETABLE POISONS. Vegetable poisons may be divided into two classes — those that are likely to be administered to the animal as medicine, and such as may be taken in the feed, either in the shape of poisonous plants or as plants or feeds of vegetable origin that have been damaged by fungi or bj^ bacteria which have produced fermentation or putre- faction. VEGETABLE POISONS USED AS MEDICINE. OPIUM (MORPHIN, LAUDANUM) POISONING. Opium and its alkaloid, morphia, are so commonly used in the practice of medicine that the poisonous result of an overdose is not uncommon. The common preparations are gum opium, the inspis- sated juice of the poppy; powdered opium, made from the gum; tincture of opium, commonly called laudanum; and the alkaloid or active principle, morphia. Laudanum has about one-eighth the strength of the gum or powder. Morphia is present in good opium to the extent of about 10 per cent. In medicine it is a most useful agent in allaying pain. It first produces a stimulating action, 62 DISEASES OF CATTLE. which is foUoNved by drowsiness, a disposition to sleep or complete anesthesia, depending on the quantity of the drug used. In poi- sonous doses a state of exhilaration is well marked at first. This is particularly noticeable in cattle and in horses. The animal be- comes much excited, and this stage does not pass into insensibility unless an enormous dose has been given. If the dose is large enough, a second stage sometimes supervenes, in which the symptoms are those of congestion of the brain. The visible membranes have a bluish tint (cyanotic) from interference with the air supply. The breathing is slow, labored, and later stertorous; the pupils of the eyes are very much contracted; the sldn dry and warm. Gas accu- mulates in the stomach, so that tympanites is a prominent symptom. The patient may be aroused by great noise or the infliction of sharp pain, when the breathing becomes more natural. A lapse into the comatose condition takes place when the excitement ceases. Later, there is perfect coma and the patient can no longer be aroused from the insensible condition. The contraction of the pupil becomes more marked, the breathing intermittent and slower, there is perspiration, the pulse more feeble and rapid, till death takes place. Poisoning of cattle w4th opium or its products rarely goes beyond the stage of excitement, because the quantity of the drug required for the later effects is so great. Seventy-five grains of morphia administered sub- cutaneously has sufficed merely to excite for 12 hours. Treatment. — Give strong coffee, 1 to 4 quarts, aromatic spirits of annnonia or carbonate of ammonia. Atropia is the physiological antidote, STRYCHNIN POISONING. Strychnin is a very concentrated poison and produces its effect very quickly, usually only a few minutes being necessary if given in sufficient dose and in such a way that it will be at once absorbed. Wlien employed as a medicine, as a rule, minimum doses should be used, as cattle are quite susceptible to its effects and may be killed by the maximum doses given in the common manuals of veterinary medicine. The first noticeable symptom is evidence of unrest or mental excitement; at the same time the muscles over the shoulder and croup may be seen to quiver or twitch, and later there occurs a more or less well-marked convulsion; the head is jerked back, the back arched and leg extended, the eyes drawn. The spasm continues for only a few minutes, when it relaxes and another occurs in a short time. The return is hastened by excitement and in a short time again disappears, continuing to disappear and reappear until death results. As the poisonous effect advances the intervals between the spasms become shorter and less marked and the spasms more severe until the animal dies in violent struircles. POISONS AND POISONING. 63 Treatment. — The best method is to put the patient under the influ- ence of chloral, chloroform, or ether, and keep it there continuously until the effect of the poison has passed off. Alcohol may be given in large doses. ACONITE POISONING. In recent years tincture of aconite has become a popular stable remedy. If an animal is ailing, aconite is given whether indicated or not. Fortunately the dose used is generally small, and for this reason the damage done is much less than it would otherwise be. Aconite is one of the most deadly poisons known. It produces paralysis of motion and sensation, depresses the heart's action, and causes death by paralysis of respiration. In large doses it causes profuse salivation, champing of the jaws, and attempts at swallow- ing. If not sufficient to cause death, there is impaired appetite with more or less nausea for some time after. In poisonous doses it causes the animal to tremble violentl}^, to lose power to support itself, and brings on slight convulsions, with perspiration. The pulse is de- pressed, irregular, and afterwards intermittent. Treatment. — The chemical antidote is tamiic acid, which forms an insoluble compound with the aconitin. The depressing effect on the heart should be counterated by the use of ammonia, digitalis, alcohol, camphor, or other diffusible stimulants, which have a physiological effect opposite to aconite. POISONOUS PLANTS. An important group of poisons may be classed under this head. In most cases it is poison naturally belonging in the plant ; in other cases the poisonous principle is developed in what would otherwise be harmless plants as a plant disease, or as a fermentation or putre- faction due to bacterial growth and observed in forage, grain, or meal that has become heated, damaged, or " spoilt." The subject of poisonous plants is an important one and is .of especial interest to those using the western stock ranges, for it is probable that there is no other single cause producing so many fatali- ties. In this article only a few of the more important plants are treated in a brief way, for an extended treatise would be necessary if the subject were to be handled adequately. Further information should be sought in the more elaborate publications. Many of the American poisonous plants have been treated in bulletins issued by the United States Department of Agriculture. Treatment for plant foisoning. — Remedies given by the mouth in most cases fail to give relief to cattle affected by poisonous plants. The material of the poisonous plants in the first stomach is not very largely affected by a remedy given as a drench. If any beneficial 64 DISEASES OF CATTLE. result is effected, it must be on the material which has already passed into the fourth stomach, so that to get any real antidotal result the remedy must be given repeatedly in order to meet the alkaloid poi- sons as they are passing through the fourth stomach. "V^^iile certain substances like tannic acid and potassium permanganate are the logical antidotes for plant poisons, in practical application they are very disappointing in the treatment of ruminant animals. Reliance must be mainly on prevention and upon such remedies as will in- crease elimination. A laxative or purgative is always helpful, and for this purpose Epsom salt may be given in pound doses, or linseed oil in doses of 1 or 2 pints. In some few cases special remedies can be given as is indicated below. It is well to bear in mind that cattle while grazing freely in good pasture are not likely to eat poisonous plants to any extent. If these same plants are gathered and thrown in a pile, the animals, through a kind of pernicious curiosity, may eat them with disastrous results. This has frequently happened when freshly cut branches of cherry, yew, oleander, and other plants have been thrown where dairy cattle could get at them. The foliage of oaks is a valuable constituent of the forage oti many ranges and pastures. It has been shown, however, that when this is eaten without some admixture of other food, cattle frequently sicken and die. Many cases of the poisoning of cattle by acorns have been reported in England and Germany, and there have been some com- plaints in the United States. Harmful results from eating acorns do not seem likely to occur except as they are eaten in considerable quantities. Symptoms. — The symptoms of oak poisoning are constipation, mucus and blood in the feces, emaciation, and edema. The symptoms of acorn poisoning are much the same. Treatment. — Change of pasture or an addition of other food material. HORSE CHESTNUT— BUCKEYE. All the species of ^sculus, popularly known as horse chestnut or buckeye, are considered poisonous. The bark, leaves, and fruit are injurious. It is said that if the fruit is boiled or roasted and washed out it becomes harmless and even is a desirable addition to the feed of cattle. The Indians in time of scarcity of food have used the fruit after preparing it in this way. The buckeyes are said to have a specific effect in producing abortion in cattle and goats. POISONS AND POISONING. 66 DEATH CAMAS (SPECIES OF ZYGADENUS). The death-camas plants, which are commonly known in the Pacific States as " lobelia," are especially destructive of sheep, but cattle sometimes eat them and are poisoned. Cases of cattle poisoning are not likely to result fatally. Symptoms. — The symptoms are salivation, nausea accompanied by vomiting, great weakness, and lowered temperature. Treatment. — There is no effective treatment for death-camas poisoning. FLY POISON (CHROSPERMA MUSC^TORIUM). This plant, which is closely related to the death-camas plants, is sometimes known as " stagger grass " and causes a considerable loss in the Southern States. It grows earlier than the grasses, and on this account is more likely to be eaten. Like death camas, it produces pronounced nausea, resulting in vomiting and weakness, and in cases which recover the effects may continue for several days. Appar- ently the injurious effects are more common in the case of cattle than in other domestic animals. There is no known way of treating these animals, though doubtless purgatives would be beneficial. YEW (TAXUS BACCATA). The European yew has long been known as a very poisonous plant. It is cultivated in America, and while cases of poisoning have not been common, it is well to recognLze its dangerous character. A comparatively small dose is poisonous and ordinarily acts with great rapidity. It causes respiratory paralysis and the animal dies in convulsions. LAUREL. The laurels, including the broad-leafed laurel, Kahnia latifolia., the narrow-leafed laurel, Kalmia angustifolia., the rhododendrons, and other closely related plants are poisonous and cause considerable losses. It is dangerous to let cattle graze where these plants are abundant at times when other forage is scarce. The symptoms are salivation, nausea and vomiting, spasms, dizziness, stupor, and death. The common brake or bracken fern, Pteris aquilhia, has been con- sidered responsible for the poisoning of many horses and cattle. Many cases have been reported in England and Germany, and some well-authenticated cases in the United States. Very little has been learned experimentally of fern poisoning, but there seems to be little question that it has been the cause of many deaths. The symptoms 54793°— 23 o 66 DISEASES OF CATTLE. are said to be temperature higher tlian normal, loss of appetite, bloody discharges from mouth, nose, and bowels, and great depres- sion followed by coma and death. Some authors say that the urine is colored by blood. It is thought by some that the disease known as " red water " in the northwestern United States and Canada is caused by eating ferns. SORGHUM POISONING. Under certain conditions sorghum contains enough hydrocyanic acid to make it exceedingly dangerous to cattle. These cases of poi- soning most commonly occur when cattle are pastured upon the young plant or upon a field where the crop has been cut and is mak- ing a second growth. Conditions of drought make the sorghum especially dangerous. There is some reason to think that the frosted second growth is particularly rich in hydrocyanic acid. The cases of poisoning occur when animals are grazed upon the plant, but not from the harvested crop or from silage. If cattle are grazed on sorghum or sorglium stubble they should at first be under constant observation and should be removed as soon as any signs of illness appear. Similar precautions should be used in grazing kafir. CORNSTALK DISEASE. Considerable losses of cattle have occurred when they were turned upon cornfields in the fall. Deaths come very suddenly and there is no opportunity to apply remedies. It has been thought that these fatalities, like those from sorghum, were caused by hydrocj'-anic acid, but there is good reason to think that this is not true, and at the present time there is no accepted explanation of this disease, al- though there seems to be no doubt that it is connected in some way with the condition of the corn. TVHiether a given field is poisonous or not can only be determined by experiment, and the wise farmer will keep his cattle under close observation when they are first turned into a cornfield. WATER HEMLOCK (CICUTA). This plant, growing in wet places by ditches and along creeks, is the most poisonous of North American plants. The root is the poisonous part, and cattle generally get ii when it is plowed up or washed out by high water. Sometimes they pull it up, for the plant occasionally grows out into ditches so that the whole plant will be taken in grazing. The most marked symptoms of Cicuta poisoning are the violent convulsions, which remind one of the ejffect of strychnin. POISOKS AND POISONING. 67 Treatrtient. — Little can be done in the way of treatment. The logical thing is to attempt to control the convulsions by means of morphia, but in view of the fact that the stomach can not be emptied, the prognosis is not good, and .most cases die. LARKSPURS. The larkspurs are a source of heavy loss to cattle owners in the higher ranges of the West. There are a number of species, growing at altitudes from 4,000 feet to timber line, and all are poisonous. A few cases of poisoning by larkspurs have been reported in the eastern United States, but most of the losses are confined to the West, both because larkspurs grow there in greater profusion and because cattle are grazed in that region on the open ranges. The losses are confined to cattle, for sheep and horses can graze on lark- spur with no resulting harm. Most of the larkspur losses occur in the spring and early summer, as the plants lose their toxicity after maturing. Symptoms. — Larkspur poisoning is accompanied by a definite line of symptoms. In range animals the first symptom noted is generally the sudden falling of the animal and consequent inability to rise. After a while it may rise, only to fall again. This may happen re- peatedly. In severe cases the animal lies prone and exhibits nausea, accompanied by vomiting. It dies of respiratory paralysis, death many times being hastened by the asphyxia following the vomiting. Treatment. — The animal, if found down, should be turned so that its head is uphill in order to relieve the lungs. Many cases will recover with no further treatment. Nearly all cases will recover if a hypodermic injection is given immediately of phj^sostigmin salicylate 1 grain, pilocarpin hydrochlorid 2 grains, strychnin sul- phate I grain. The loco i^lants have caused especially heavy losses of cattle, horses, and sheep. They grow in the semiarid regions of the West and some- times in great luxuriance. The best Imown are the " blue loco," the " woolly loco " or " purple loco," and the " white loco " or " rattle- weed." The blue loco is common in parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. It affects both horses and cattle. The purple loco. Astragalus moUissimus, is common in Texas and the adjoining States and extends north as far as Nebraska and Colorado. It is especially destructive to horses. The white loco, Oscytropis lamberii, is still more widely distributed, being found in the plains region from Alaska to Mexico and west of the Rocky Mountains to central Utah. The white loco is much more important than the purple loco, for it 68 DISEASES OF CATTLE. affects not only horses but cattle and sheep. These plants belong to the pea family, and there are a number of other species of this family that are loco plants and produce the same symptoms. Symptoms. — Loco poisoning is a chronic condition and symptoms are shown only after somewhat prolonged feeding. The condition is one of cumulatixe poisoning, and animals sometimes decline very rapidly after the first symptoms appear. In many cases animals acquire a habit of eating loco and prefer it to any other feed. The poison affects the central nervous system. There is a lack of mus- cular coordination and the animal performs very erratic movements. In the later stages the animal becomes emaciated and eventually dies of starvation. Treatment. — Locoed animals are badly constipated, and it is im- portant that this condition should be remedied at the start. Any purgative can be used, but Epsom salt has been found especially effective. If locoed animals can be turned into a field of alfalfa, a large proportion of them w^ill recover with no further treatment. Recovery may be aided by giving cattle, hypodermically, daily doses of three-twentieths to four-twentieths of a grain of strychnin. By this treatment cattle can be cured and put in condition for market. WHITE SNAKEROOT (EUPATORIUM UKTIC^FOLIUM). "Wliite snakeroot, frequently known as " rich weed," is a plant growing in great abundance in some of the eastern and central regions of the United States. It is particularly abundant in parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and in western North Carolina. It is responsible for most, if not all, of the cases of a disease which is commonly known as " milk sickness." Symptoms. — The animals are constipated, sometimes have bloody feces, become weak, and exliibit muscular trembling. This trembling is very characteristic, so that the disease is sometimes known as " the trembles." Remedy. — There are no remedies which will work vqtj efficiently. It is desirable to give the animals purgatives like Epsom salt and, of course, to remove them from fields where this plant is abundant. RAYLESS GOLDENROD (ISOCOMA WRIGHTII). The rayless goldenrod is a plant growing in especial abundance in parts of the Pecos Valley in New Mexico and Arizona, and there produces a disease so much like that produced in the East by white snakeroot that it is sometimes called milk sickness. More generally this disease goes under the name of " alkali disease." The plant has produced heavy losses in the regions where it grows abundantly. Symptoms. — The symptoms are much like those produced by the white snakeroot. The animals are constipated, sometimes have POISONS AND POISONING. 69 bloody feces, become weak, and exhibit muscular trembling. There is good reason to think, too, that the milk of cows eating this plant is more or less injurious. Treatment. — A purgative like Epsom salt will aid an animal in recovering, but most important is to remove the cattle from pastures where the plant is abundant and give them an abundance of good forage. Under such conditions they are almost certain to recover. MILKWEEDS. Many of the milkweeds have long been known to have more or less poisonous properties. Within the last few years it has been discov- ered that certain of the milkweeds going under the popular name of whorled milkweeds are especially toxic. There are at least four species of whorled milkweeds, but two of them are particularly im- portant from the standpoint of people handling livestock. One, known scientifically as Asclepias galioides, is harmful in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, while another, known as Asdepias me.ricana, has produced losses, especially in California and Nevada. These whorled milkweeds are distasteful to all animals and are eaten only when the stock is closely confined to pastures where there is little else in the way of forage. Sijmptoms. — The most prominent symptoms are weakness, produc- ing staggering, and this is followed in acute cases by violent spasms. Treatment. — There is no treatment which will effectively antidote the effect of the poison. In practically all cases, however, poisoning may be avoided if care is taken to prevent animals from being closely confined where this plant is abundant, as they never eat the plant by choice. CHERRY. In the leaves of the cherries more or less hydrocyanic acid is pro- duced, and when these leaves are eaten in any considerable quantity cases of poisoning are likely to arise. It is popularly supposed that these cases arise from eating wilted cherry leaves, but there is every reason to think that the fresh leaves will produce the same results. These cases are easily prevented, because no harm results from eat- ing a small quantity of the leaves, and if the fact is recognized that poisoning may result from eating a large quantity, it is not difficult to care for the animals so as to prevent poisoning. ERGOTISM. The poisonous effects of ergot (Pis. V, VI) appear chiefly in the winter and spring of the year and among cattle. It is developed among grasses grown on rich soil in hot, damp seasons. Rye seems more liable to ergot than any of our other crops. Of the grasses 70 DISEASES OF CATTLE. which enter into the composition of hay, bluegrass is the most likely to become affected. Ergot may also affect redtop, oats, grasses, and grains. On the plant the fungus manifests itself on the seeds, where it is easily recognized when the hay is examined in the mow. The ergotized seeds are several times larger than the natural seeds — hard, black, and generally curved in shape. The effect of the protracted use of ergot in the feed is pretty well imderstood to be that of producing a degeneration and obstruction of the smaller arterial branches. The result is to shut off the blood supply to the distal parts of the body, where the circulation is weak- est, and thus to produce a mummification or dry gangrene of the extremities, as the ears, tail, feet, etc. Cattle seem to be more suscep- tible than other animals to the influence of ergot, possibly on account of the slowness of the heart's action. When the effect of the poison has become sufficient to entirely arrest the circulation in any part, the structures soon die. The disorder manifests itself as lameness in one or more limbs; swelling about the ankle which may result in only a small slough or the loss of a toe, but it may circumscribe the limb at any point below the knee or hock by an indented ring, below which the tissues become dead. The indentation soon changes to a crack, which extends completely around the limb, forming the line of separation between the dead and living structures. The crack deepens till the parts below drop off without loss of blood, and fre- quently with very little pus. Ergot may cause serious irritation of the digestive tract,- or by acting upon the nervous system it may cause lethargy or paralysis. It also operates to cause contraction of the uterus, and may thus cause abortion. Treatment. — Eegarding the treatment, change of feed and local antiseptics are, of course, indicated. The former may be useful as a preventive, but when the symptoms have appeared the animal is nec- essarily so completely saturated that recovery is likely to be tedious. Tannin ma> be given internally in doses of one-half dram twice daily for a few days to neutralize the unabsorbed alkaloids of the ergot. At the same time give castor oil. To dilate the blood vessels give chloral hydrate. Bathe the affected parts with hot water. If sloughing has gone far, amputation must be resorted to. OTHER POISONOUS FUNGI. Many other fungi poison herbivora. In some instances, however, where fungi are blamed for causing disease their presence on the feedstuff or herbage is but coincidental with some other and more potent disease-producing factor. For example, if the conditions are favorable to the growth of fungi they are also favorable to the growth of bacteria, and bacteria may produce poisons in feeds. In general it may be said that any feed that is moldy, musty, or putrid POISONS AND POISONIKG. 71 is possibly dangei-ous. Silage, properly cured, does not belong to this class, because the curing of silage is not a bacterial process. But spoiled silage and silage matted with mold is dangerous and should not be fed. POISONING BY ANIMAL PRODUCTS. SNAKE BITES. The poison contained in the tooth glands of certain venomous rep- tiles, particularly some of the snakes, which is injected into or under the skin of an animal bitten by the reptile, is a very powerful agent. It is likely to produce a serious local irritation, and in the case of the more poisonous snakes serious constitutional disturbances, even to causing death, which it may do in either of two ways: First, when very strong, by exerting a narcotic influence similar to that of some of the powerful poisons, checking heart action. Second, by diffused inflammation of the areolar tissue, gangrene, and extensive sloughing. SymptoTns. — The symptoms of snake bite are a local swelling caused by an intense local inflammation, pricks showing where the fangs penetrated, depression, weakness, feeble pulse, difficult breath- ing, bluish discoloration of the visible mucous membranes, stupor, or convulsions. If the poison is not powerful or plentiful enough to produce death, it is, at any rate, likely to cause severe local ab- scesses or sloughs. Treatment. — The treatment may be divided into local and general. Locally ever}^ effort should be made to prevent absorption of the poison. If discovered at once the bitten part had better be excised. If that is impracticable and a ligature can be applied, as in the case of a bite to one of the limbs, no time should be lost in applying it above the injury. It should be made sufficiently tight to so far as possible arrest circulation in the bitten part. The wound should lie freely incised, so that it will bleed freely, and the poison should be extracted by cupping, or pressed out by squeezing with the fingers. Permanganate of potassium in 5 per cent solution should be applied to and injected into the wound. The depressing effect of the poison on the general system should be counteracted by hypodermic injections of strychnin, or by liberal drenching with stimulants, such as coffee, digitalis, or the aromatic spirits or carbonate of ammonia. In ani- mal practice the alcoholic stimulants and local treatment above described are likely to meet with best success. A special anti- toxin for use in treating snake bite is now prepared and may be had from the leading druggists. It is quite effective if used promptly. WASP AND BEE STINGS. Wasps and bees secrete a poisonous substance which they are able to insert through the skin of an animal by the aid of their sharp 72 DISEASES OF CATTLE. stings. This poison is a severe local irritant and may even cause local gangrene. It also has a depressing effect upon the central nervous system and destroys the red-blood corpuscles. To produce these general effects it must be introduced in very large quantities, as when an animal is stung by a swarm of bees or wasps. Treatment. — The treatment is to wash the parts with diluted am- monia or permanganate of potassium solution and to give stimulants mternalh^ If there is so much swelling about the head and nostrils as to interfere with breathing, tracheotomy may be necessary. POISONING WITH SPANISH FLY. Spanish fly, in the form of powdered cantharides, may be given in an overdose, or when applied as a blister to too large a surface of skin enough may be absorbed to poison. If given by the mouth, it causes severe irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, shown by saliva- tion, sore throat, colic, blood}^ diarrhea, etc. It also produces, whether given by the mouth or absorbed through the skin, irritation of the urinary tract, as shown by frequent and painful urination. If death results, it is due to respiratory paralysis. Treatment. — Give protectives and the white of egg, with opium. Do not give oils or alcohol. DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. By W. H. Habbaugh, V. S. [Revised by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.] THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. Ill cattle, as in human beings, the heart, blood vessels, and lym- phatics may be described as the circulatory apparatus. The heart is in the thoracic cavity (chest). It is conical in form, ■with the base or large part uppermost, while the apex, or point, rests just above the sternum (breastbone). It is situated between the right and left lungs, the apex inclining to the left, and owing to this the heart beats are best felt on the left side of the chest, behind the elbow. The heart may be considered as a hollow muscle, contain- ing four compartments, two on each side. The upper compartments are called auricles and the lower ones ventricles. The right auricle and ventricle are completely separated from the left auricle and ventricle by a thick septum or wall, so that there is no communication between the right and left sides of the organ. At the bottom of each auricle is the auriculo-ventricular opening, each provided with a valve to close it when the heart contracts to force the blood into the arteries. In the interval between the con- tractions these valves hang down into the ventricles. The muscular tissue of the heart belongs to that class known as involuntary, because its action is not controlled by the will. The cavities of the heart are lined by a serous membrane, called the endocardium, which may be considered as a continuation of the veins and the arteries, forming their internal lining. The walls of the ventricles are thicker than those of the auricles, and the walls of the left ventricle are much thicker than those of the right. The heart is enveloped by a fibrous sac (or bag), called the pericar- dium, which assumes much of the general shape of the outer surface of the heart. The action of the heart is similar to that of a pump and its function is to keep the blood in circulation. The auricles may be considered as the reservoirs or receiver of the blood and the ventricles as the piunp chambers. During the interval between contractions, the heart being in momentary repose, the blood pours into the auricles from the 73 74 DISEASES OF CATTLE. veins; the aiiiiculo- ventricular orifices being widely open, the ven- tricles also receive blood ; the auricles contract and the ventricles are filled; contraction of the ventricles follows; the auriculo- ventricular valves are forced up by the pressure of the blood and close the auric- ulo-ventricular openings and prevent the return of blood into the auricles; the contraction of the ventricles forces the blood from the right A-entricle into the lungs through the pulmonary artery and its branches, and from the left ventricle into the aorta, thence through the arteries to all parts of the body. After the contraction of the ventricles the heart is again in momentary repose and is being filled with blood, while the valves in the aorta and pulmonary artery close to prevent the return of blood into the ventricles. (See PI. VII.) The average weight of the heart of an ox is said to be from 3i to 5 pounds; but, of course, owing to the many breeds and sizes of cattle, it must vary in different animals. The vessels that convey the blood from the heart to all parts of the bod}'' are called arteries; those which return the blood to the heart are called veins. The arteries divide and subdivide (like the branches of a tree), become smaller and smaller, and ultimately ramify into every part of the body. Between the ultimate ramifica- tions of the arteries and the beginning of the veins there is an inter- mediate system of very minute vessels called capillaries, which con- nect the arterial with the venous system of the circulation. The walls of the arteries are possessed of a certain amount of rigidity, sufficient to keep the tubes open when they are empty. The blood leaves the left ventricle through a single vessel, the com- mon aorta, consisting of the anterior and posterior aortas, which give off the large arteries. The veins take the blood from the capillaries in all parts of the body. They begin in very small tubes, which unite to become larger in size and less in number as they approach the heart. In its course an artery is usually accompanied with a vein and in many situations with a nerve. The more important arteries are placed deep within the body; when they are superficial, however, they are generally found where least exposed to injury, as, for exam pie, on the inner side of the legs. Arteries are less numerous than veins, and their total capacity is much less than that of the vems A great number of veins are in the tissue immediately beneath the skin and do not generally accompany arteries. The blood, throughout its course in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins, is inclosed within these vessels. Except where the large lymphatics empty into the venous blood, there is no opening into the course of the blood. All the arteries except the pulnumarv and its branches carry bright-red blood, and all the veins, except the pulmonary veins, DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 75 cany dark-red blood. The impure dark-red blood is collected from the capillary vessels and carried to the right auricle by the veins; it passes down into the right ventricle, and thence into the pulmonary artery and through its branches to the capillaries of the lungs, where the carbonic-acid gas and other impurities are given up to the air in the air cells of the lungs (through the thin walls between the capilla- ries and the air cells), and where it also absorbs from the air the oxygen gas necessary to sustain life. This gas changes it to the bright-red, pure blood. It passes from the capillaries to the branches of the pulmonary veins, which convey it to the left auricle of the heart; it then passes through the auriculo- ventricular opening into the left ventricle, the contraction of which forces it through the common aorta into the posterior and anterior aortas, and through all the arteries of the body into the capillaries, where it parts with its oxygen and nutritive elements and where it absorbs carbonic-acid gas and becomes dark colored. (See theoretical diagram of the circulation, PI. VII.) The branches of certain arteries in different parts unite again after subdividing. This reuniting is called anastomosing, and assures a quota of blood to a part if one of the anastomosing arteries should be tied in case of hemorrhage, or should be destroyed by accident or operation. THE BLOOD. The various kinds of food, after being digested in the alimentary canal, are absorbed and carried into the blood by the lymphatics, and by the blood to the places where nutrition is required. The blood takes from all parts of the body all that is no longer required, and carries it to the different organs through which it is eliminated from the body. It contains within itself all the elements which nourish the body. The blood may be considered as a fluid holding in solution certain inorganic elements and having certain bodies suspended in it. To facilitate description, the blood may be considered as made up of the corpuscles and the liquor sanguinis. The corpuscles are of two kinds, the red and the Avhite, the red being the more numerous. The color of the blood is caused by the coloring matter in the red corpuscles, which are the oxygen carriers. Both kinds are very minute bodies, which require the aid of the microscope to recognize them. The liquor sanguinis is composed of water containing in solution salts, albumen, and the elements of fibrin. The lymphatics, or absorbents, are the vessels which carry the lymph and chyle in the blood. They begin as capillaries in all parts of the body, gradually uniting to form larger trunks. Placed along the course of the lymphatic vessels are glands, in some situations collected into groups; for example, in the groin. These glands are 76 DISEASES OF CATTLE. often involved in inflammation arising from the absorption of deleterious matter. Al)sorption is the function of the lymphatics. The liquor san- guinis passes from the blood capillaries to supply nutrition to the tissues. All of the liquor sanguinis that is not required is absorbed by the lymphatic vessels and conveyed back to the blood by the lym- phatic ducts. The lymphatics which proceed from the intestines convey the chyle into the blood during digestion. As a rule, the lymi^hatic A^essels follow the course of the veins. All the absorbent \ essels convey their contents to the thoracic duct and right great lymphatic vein, which empty into the anterior vena cava, where the lymph and chyle mix with the venous blood, and thus maintain the supply of nutritive elements in the blood. THE PULSE. As fully explained, the heart pumps the blood throughout the arterial system. The arteries are always full and each contraction of the ventricle pumps more blood into them; this distends their elastic walls and sends along them a wave which gradually becomes less perceptible as it nears the very small arteries. This wave constitutes the pulse, and is lost before the capillaries are reached. The sen- sation or impression given to the finger when placed upon the artery shows the force exerted by the heart and some important facts con- cerning the condition of the circulation. In adult cattle the average number of pulsjitions in a minute is from 50 to 60. The pulse is faster than normal after exercise, excitement, on hot days, from pain, and as a result of fullness of the stomach. In old animals it is slower than in the young and in males slightly slower than in females. In fevers and inflammations and in local diseases of the heart the pulse rate is increased. If the rate is greater than 100 or 1 10 to the minute the outlook for recovery is not good. Other variations of the pulse are known as infrequent pulse, which means that the number of pulsations in a given time is less than nor- mal. The irregular or the intermittent pulse is when the pulsations do not follow in regular order. The large pulse and the small pulse refer to the volume of the pulse, which may be larger or smaller than usual. The strong pulse and the feeble pulse refer to the strength or weakness of the pulsation. The pulse is said to be hard when the vessel feels hard and incompressible, the soft pulse being the opposite. By dicrotic pulse is meant that kind of pulsation which makes each beat seem double, and therefore it is generally called the double pulse. The venous or "jugular pulse" is the pulsation so frequently observed in the jugular vein of cattle and is particularly noticeable while they are ruminating — ^"chewing the cud." It is not always DISEASES OF THE HEAET, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 77 associated with disease, but may be a symptom of some disease of the heart; in such cases the juguhir pulse is continuous. The place selected for feeling the pulse in cattle is where the submaxillary artery Avinds around the lower jawbones, just at the lower edge of the flat muscle on the side of the cheek ; or, if the cow is lying down, the metacarpal artery on the back part of the fore fetlock is very convenient for the purpose. THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART. Corresponding to the beats of the heart two sounds are emitted which are of a definite type in healthy animals. The first is pro- duced by the contraction of the heart and the flow of blood out of it ; the second is caused by the rebound of blood in the aorta and the closure of the valves that prevent it from flowing backward into the heart, w^hence it came. The first sound is the longer and louder of the two, though of low pitch. The second sound is sharper and shorter, and is not always easy to hear. There is a brief interval between them. To distinguish these sounds, the ear is placed against the left side of the chest, a little above the point where the elbow rests when the animal is standing in a natural position, and about opposite the sixth rib. Both heart sounds are reduced in intensity when the animal is weak or when the heart is forced away from the chest wall by col- lections of fluid or by tubercular or other gi'owths. Nonrhythmical heart sound is often caused by pericarditis or by disease of the valves. It may also be attributable to overfilling of the heart upon the right side, as occurs in severe congestion of the lungs and in some febrile diseases. In pericarditis, sounds like scraping, rubbing, or splashing may be heard, entirely apart from the two normal sounds above described. The impulse of the heart, as felt by placing the hand against the chest, is of some consequence in reaching a conclusion in respect to disease of the heart ; but it must be remembered that the impulse may be very much increased by diseases other than those of the heart, as, for example, inflammation of various organs, severe pains, etc. The impulse may be increased also (when disease does not exist) by work, exercise, fright, or any cause of excitement, or, in general, by anything that causes acceleration of the pulse. The impulse of the heart may be felt and the sounds may be heard fairly well in lean cattle, but in fat ones it is difficult and often impossible to detect either impulse or sound with any degree of satisfaction. PALPITATION. When the impulse of the heart is excessive — that is, when it beats more or less tumultuously — the familiar expression " palpitation of 78 DISEASES OF CATTLE. the heart " is applied ; by many it is called " thumps." The hand or ear placed against the chest easily detects the imnatural beating. In some cases it is so violent that the motion may be seen at a distance. Palpitation is but a symptcmi, and in many instances not connected with disease of the structure of the heart or its membranes. A badly frightened animal may have palpitation. When it comes on sud- denly and soon passes away, it depends on some cause other than diseases of the heart; when it is gradually manifested, however, and becomes constant, although more pronounced at one time than an- other, heart disease may be suspected, especially if other symptoms of heart disease are present. INJURY TO THE HEART BY FOREIGN BODIES. Cattle are addicted to the habit of chewing and swallowing many objects not intended as articles of food. Every veterinarian of ex- perience has met with instances to remind him of this, and it is well known to butchers. Among the great variety of things that have thus found their way into the stomachs of cattle the following have been noticed : Finger rings, knitting needles, old shoes, table knives, wood, pieces of leather, pieces of wire, buttons, hairpins, brushes, nails, coins, etc. The more sharply pointed objects sometimes pene- trate the wall of the stomach, in some cases causing gastric irritation enough to produce indigestion, gradually work their way through the diaphragm toward the heart, pierce the pericardium (bag inclosing the heart), wound the heart, and thus prove fatal to the animal. Cases are recorded in which the foreign body has actually worked its way into one of the cavities of the heart* Instances are known, however, in which the object took a different course, and finally worked its Avay toward the surface and was ex- tracted from the wall of the chest. While it is possible that the foreign body may pierce the wall at different parts of the alimentary canal, as it frequently does that of the rumen (paunch), it is thought that in most cases it passes through the wall of the reticulum (smaller honeycombed compartment, or second stomach) and is drawn towar-l the heart by the suctionlike action of the chest, Post-moi-tem ex- aminations have demonstrated the course it pursued, as adhesions and other results of the inflammation it caused were plainly to be seen. All manner of symptoms may precede those showing involve- ment of the heart, depending upon the location of the foreign body and the extent of inflammation caused by it. Severe indigestion may occur ; stiffness and difficulty in moving about owing to the prods of the sharp body following muscular contraction ; pain on pressure over the front, lower, or right side of the abdomen; coughing and difficult, quick breathmg. In most cases the foreign body does not penetrate to the heart, nor even to the pericardium. DISEASES OP THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 79 SymptoTTis. — The symptoms are as follows: The animal is disin- clined to move actively, the step is restricted and cautious, sudden motion causes grunting, the attitude is constrained, the feet are drawn somewhat together, the back is arched, the face has an anxious expression. If the disease is of several days' standing, there is likely to be soft swelling (edema) beneath the neck, in the dewlap, and under the chest, between the fore legs. Breathing is short and difficult; it may clearly be painful. The pulse is rapid, 80 to 120 per minute. The muscles quiver as though the animal were cold. Rumination and appetite are depressed or checked. The dung is hard, and to void it appears to cause pain. These symptoms usually develop gradually, and, of course, they vary considerably in different animals, depending upon the size and location of the foreign body and the irritation it causes. As a matter of course, in such cases treatment is useless, but when it is possible to diagnose correctly the animal could be turned over to the butcher before the flesh becomes unfit for use; that is, before there is more than a little suppuration and before there is fever. Knowing that cattle are prone to swallow such objects, ordinary care may be taken in keeping their surroundings as free of them as possible. PERICARDITIS. Inflammation of the pericardium (heart bag) is often associated with pneumonia and pleurisy, rheumatism, and other constitutional diseases, or with an injury. It also occurs as an independent affec- tion, owing to causes similar to those of other chest affections, as ex- posure to cold or dampness and changes of the v :ather. Symptoms. — It may be ushered in with a chill, followed by fever, of more or less severity; the animal stands still and dull, with head hanging low, and anxiety expressed in its countenance. The pulse may be large, perhaps hard ; there is also a venous pulse. The hand against the chest will feel the beating of the heart, which is often irregular, sometimes violent, and in other instances weak, depending in part upon the quantity of fluid that has transuded into the peri- cardial sac. The legs are cold, the breathing quickened and usually abdominal ; if the left side of the chest is pressed on or struck, the animal evinces pain. There may be spasms of the muscles in the region of the breast, neck, or hind legs. After a variable time swelling may also appear in the legs and under the chest and brisket. In those animals in which the heart sounds may be heard somewhat distinctly, the ear applied against the chest will detect a to-and-fro friction sound, corresponding to the beats of the heart. This sound is produced by the rubbing of the internal surface of the heart bag 80 DISEASES OF CATTLE. against the external surface of the heart. During the first stages of the inflammation these surfaces are dry, and the rubbing of one against the other during the contraction and relaxation of the heart produces this sound. The dry stage is followed by the exudation of fluid into the heart sac, and the friction is not heard until the fluid is absorbed sufficiently to allow the surfaces to come in contact again. But during the time the friction sound is lost a sound which has been called a " churning noise " may take its place. The friction sound of pericarditis can not be mistaken for the fric- tion sound of pleurisy if the examination is a careful one, because in the heart affection the sound is made in connection with the heart beats, while in the pleuritic affection the sound is synchronous with each respiration or breath of air taken in and expelled from the lungs. Treatment. — When pericarditis is complicated with rheumatism or other diseases the latter must be treated as directed in the description of them. The ariimal must be kept in a quiet, comfortable place, where it will be free from excitement. Warm clothing should be applied to the body, and the legs should be hand-rubbed until the cir- culation in them is reestablished, and then they should be snugly bandaged. The food should be nutritive and in moderate quantity. Bleeding should not be performed unless the case is in the hands of an expert. At the beginning give as a purgative Epsom salt — 1 pound to an average-sized cow — dissolved in about a quart of warm water and administered as a drench. "VA^ien there is much pain 2 ounces of laudanum, diluted with a pint of water, may be given every three hours until the animal is better. Do not give the laudanum unless demanded by the severity of the pain, as it tends to constipate. Give one-half omice of nitrate of potassium (saltpeter) , dissolved in drink- ing water, four or five times a day. After the attack has abated mustard mixed with water may be rubbed well over the left side of the chest to stimulate the absorption of the fluid within the pericardium. The other medicines may be discontinued and the following administered: Sulphate of iron, 2 ounces; powdered gen- tian, 6 ounces; mix and make 8 powdei*s. Give one powder every day at noon, mixed with feed, if the animal will eat it, or shaken up with water in a bottle as a drench. Also the following: lodid of potassium, 2 ounces; nitrate of potassium, 8 ounces; mix and make 16 powders. Give one in drinking water or in drench every morning and evening. The last two prescriptions may be continued for sev- eral weeks if necessary. DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 81 In extreme cases tapping the pericardium with a trocar and can- nula to draw off the fluid is resorted to, but the operation requires exact anatomical knowledge. After death from pericarditis there is always more or less fluid found in the pericardium ; the surfaces are rough and covered with a j^ellow-colored exudate. There are also in many cases adhesions to a greater or less extent between the heart and pericardium. MYOCARDITIS. Inflammation of the muscular structure of the heart occurs in limited, circumscribed areas, as evidenced by post-mortem examina- tion, and it is probably always somewhat involved in connection with pericarditis and endocarditis. It may readily be inferred that if the whole organ were inflamed death would ensue immediately. Usually myocarditis results from the preexistence of blood poisoning or of some infectious febrile disease. Symptoms. — The chief symptoms are those of heart weakness. The heart beat is fast, weak, and often irregular. Kespiration is difficult and rapid. There is great general wealmess and depression. Death comes suddenly. Treatmejnt. — Treatment consists in supporting the animal by the use of stimulants, such as ammonia, coffee, digitalis, camphor, etc. Complete quiet must be provided, and the general care should be as in pericarditis. ENDOCARDITIS. When the membrane which lines the cavities of the heart — ^the endocardium — suffers inflammation, the disease is called endocarditis. The cause is another disease, during which substances that irritate the lining of the heart are produced and admitted into the circula- tion. These substances are usually living organisms, or it is possible that in some cases they are chemical irritants. Endocarditis occurs as a complication of or sequel to pneumonia, blood poisoning, inflam- mation of the womb, rheumatism, or severe wounds or abscesses. The symptoms are much the same as those of pericarditis, and it is difficult to discriminate between the two affections. There is a jugular pulse, the legs may become dropsical, and there is a tendency to faint if the head is elevated suddenly. The bellowslike sound is more distinct than it is in pericarditis. It is the most fatal of heart diseases, because of the liability of the formation of clots, which may adhere to the valves, change in the structure of the valves, and often a complication with an abnormal condition of the blood. .54793°— 23 6 82 DISEASES OF CATTLE. Clots may be formed in the heart, and, being carried to other parts, prove fatal b}^ interrupting the circulation in some vital organ. Treatment similar to that advised for myocarditis may be followed in this disease. VALVES OF THE HEART. The valves are subject to abnormal growths and structural changes in chronic endocarditis or as a result of acute endocarditis. Some- times valves are torn by sudden, extreme muscular effort or a con- genital abnormality. Cases are also reported in which they have been found ruptured. SymptoTiis. — The general symptoms are those of heart weakness, accompanied with edema and congestion of the lungs. Treatmeiit. — Relief is sometimes afforded, but usually only tempo- rarily, by the use of stimulants, especially digitalis. RUPTURE OF THE HEART. Sudden effort, blows, or disease may lead to rupture of the heart of the ox. The first cause does not operate so often in cattle as in horses. Tuberculosis or ulceration from other causes, such as a foreign body, is the most common source of this accident. Rupture is shown by sudden fainting, followed very shortly by death. HYPERTROPHY AND DILATATION OF THE HEART. This is an enlargement of the heart, and may consist of the thick- ening of the walls alone, or at the same time the cavities may be either enlarged or diminished. Dilatation of the cavities has been noticed as existing independently of thickened walls. In hyper- trophy the sounds of the heart are loud and pronounced, may be heard on both sides of the chest distinctly, and palpitation occurs to a greater or less extent. Fortunately both conditions are very rare in cattle. ATROPHY. Atrophy is the technical term for wasting of the muscular tissue. Atrophy of the heart is very rare among cattle, and is usuall,y a result of other diseases. FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. This condition of the heart is met with in some very fat cattle, but it must be understood that the accumulation of fat around the heart is not referred to by this designation. In fatty degenera- tion the elements of the muscular tissue are replaced by fatty or oily granules. The muscle becomes weak, the heart contractions are insufficient, and heart weakness is shown by general weakness, short- ness of breath, and weak, rapid pulse. DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 83 CYANOSIS. Owing to the most prominent s^vmptoms, cyanosis is also called '* blue disease," and is seen occasionally in new-born calves. It is recognized by the blue color of the mucous membrane (easily seen by looking within the mouth and nostrils), the coldness of the surface of the body, and rapid, labored breathing. It is caused by non- closure of the foramen ovale, connecting the right with the left side of the heart, and the consequent mixing of the venous with the arte- rial blood. Calves so affected live but a short time. MISPLACEMENT OF THE HEART. Cases are recorded in which the heart has been found out of its natural position, sometimes even outside the chest. This is a con- genital condition for which there is no remedy. A heifer calf with the heart entirely outside the thoracic cavity and beneath the skin in the lower part of the neck was kept for two years at the veteri- nary hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, during which time it grew to be a well-developed cow. WOUNDS OF ARTERIES AND VEINS. When a blood vessel is opeued a glance will tell whether it is an artery or a vem by simply remembering that bright-red blood comes from arteries and dark-red from veins. When a vein or a very small artery is severed the blood flows from the vessel in a continuous and even stream, but when one of the larger arteries is severed the blood comes in intermitting jets or spurts corresponding to the beats of the heart. It is well to call attention to the fact that the dark- red blood which flows or oozes from a wound soon becomes bright red, because it gives up its carbonic-acid gas to the air, and absorbs oxygen gas from the air, which is exactly the change it undergoes in the capillaries of the lungs. The general treatment of woimds will be found in another section ; here it is necessary only to refer briefly to some of the most practical methods used to arrest hemorrhages, as instances occur in which an animal may lose much strength from the loss of blood, or even bleed to death unless action is prompt. BLEEDING (HEMORRHAGE). The severity of a hemorrhage depends upon the size of the vessel from which the blood escapes, though it may be stated that it is more -;erious when arteries are severed. If the wound in an artery is in the direction of its length, the blood escapes more freely than if the vessel is completely severed, because in the latter instance the severed ends retract, curl in, and may aid verv much in arresting the flow. When 84 DISEASES OF CATTLE. the blood merely oozes from the Avound, and even when it floAvs in a small stream, the forming of the clot arrests the hemorrhage in a comparatively short time. Slight hemorrhages may be checked by the continuous application of cold water, ice, or snow, to the wound, as cold causes contraction of the small vessels. Water from a hose may be thrown on a wound, or dashed on it from the hand or a cup, or folds of cotton cloths may be held on it and kept wet. Ice or snow may be held against the wound, or they may be put into a bag and conveniently secured in position. Hot water of an average temperature of 115° to 120° F. injected into the vagina or womb is often efficient in arresting hemorrhages from those organs. Tow, raw cotton, lint, or sponges may be forced into a wound and held or bound there with bandages. This is an excellent method of checking the flow of blood until the arrival of an expert. If the flow persists, these articles may be saturated with tincture of iron, but it is not advisable to use it unless necessary, as it is a caustic and retards healing by causing a slough. In cases of necessity, the articles may be saturated with vinegar, or tannic acid or alum dissolved in water may be used instead. AATiatever article is used should be left in the wound sufficiently long to make sure that its removal will not be followed by a rencAval of the hemorrhage. Sometimes it must remain there one or two days. An iron heated white and then pressed on the bleeding vessel for three or four seconds is occasionally used. It should not be applied longer, or else the charred tissue will come away with the iron and thus defeat the purpose of its application. Compression may be applied in different ways, but only the most convenient will be mentioned. To many wounds bandages may easily be applied. The bandages may be made of linen, muslin, etc.. suffi- ciently wide and long, according to the nature of the wound and the region to be bandaged. Bed sheets torn in strips the full length mnke excellent bandages for this purpose. Cotton batting, tow, or a piece of sponge may be placed on the wound and firmly bound there with the bandages. Many cases require ligating, which is almost entirely confined to arteries. A ligature is a piece of thread or string tied around the vessel. Veins are not ligated unless very large (and even then only when other means are not available) on account of the danger of causing phlebitis, or inflammation of a vein. The ligature is tied around the end of the artery, but in some instances this is difficult and it is necessary to include some of the adjacent tissue, although care should be taken not to include a nerve. To apply a ligature, it is nec- essary to have artery forceps (tweezers or small pincers may suffice) by which to draw out the artery in order to tie the string around it. To grasp the vessel it may be necessary to sponge the blood from the DISEASES OF THE HEAET, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 85 wound so that the end will be exposed. In case the end of the bleed- ing artery has retracted, a sharp-pointed hook, called a tenaculum, is used to draw it out far enough to tie. The ligature should be drawn tightly, so that the middle and internal coats will be cut through. Another method of checking hemorrhage is called torsion. It con- sists in catching the end of the bleeding vessel, drawing it out a little, and then twisting it around a few times with the forceps, which lacer- ates the internal coats «o that a check is effected. This is very effec- tual in small vessels, and is to be preferred to ligatures, because it leaves no foreign body in the wound. A needle or pin may be stuck through the edges of the wound and a string passed around between the free ends and the skin (PI. XXVII, fig. 10), or it may be passed around in the form of a figure 8, as is often done in the operation of bleeding from the jugular vein. ANEURISM. A circumscribed dilatation of an artery, constituting a tumor which pulsates synchronously with the beats of the heart, is called aneurism. It is caused by disease and rupture of one or two of the arterial coats. The true aneurism communicates with the interior of the artery and contains coagulated blood. It is so deeply seated in cattle that treat- ment is out of the question. Such abnormalities are ascribable to severe exertion, to old age, to fatty or calcareous degeneration, or to parasites in the blood vessels. Death -is sudden when caused by the rupture of an aneurism of a large artery, owing to internal hemor- rhage. Sometimes spontaneous recovery occurs. As a rule no symp- toms are caused in cattle by the presence of deep-seated aneurisms, and their presence is not known until after death. A false aneurism results from blood escaping from a wounded artery into the adjacent tissue, where it clots, and the wound, remain- ing open in the artery, causes pulsation in the tumor. THROMBOSIS (OBSTRUCTION) OF THE ARTERIES. Arteries become obstructed as a result of wounds and other injuries to them, as those caused by the formation of an abscess or the ex- tension of inflammation from surrounding structures to the coats of an artery. Arteries are also obstructed by the breaking off of particles of a plug or clot, partly obstructing the aorta or other large artery. These small pieces (emboli) are floated to an artery that is too small to permit them to pass and are there securely held, pro- ducing obstruction. These obstructions are shown by loss of power in the muscles supplied by the obstructed artery and by excitation of the heart and by respiration after exercise. The loss of power may not come into evidence until after exercise. 86 DISEASES OF CATTLE, Symptoms. — While standing still or when walking slowly the ani- mal may appear to be normal, but after more acti\e exercise a grtmp of muscles, a leg, or both hind legs, may be handled with difficulty, causing lameness, and later there is practically a local paralysis. These symptoms disappear with rest. In some cases the collateral circulation develops in time, so that the parts receive sufficient blood and the symptoms disappear. INFLAMMATION OF VEINS (PHLEBITIS). When bleeding is performed without proper care or with an un- clean lancet, inflammation of the vein may result, or it may be caused by the animal rubbing the wound against some object. When inflammation follows the operation, the coats of the vein become so much enlarged that the vessel may be felt hard and knotted beneath the skin, and pressure produces pain. A thin, . watery discharge, tinged with blood, issues from the wound. The blood becomes coagu- lated in the vessel. In inflammation of the jugular the coagu- lation extends from the wound upward to the first large branch. Abscesses may form along the course of the vem. The mflammation is followed by obliteration of that part in which coagulation exists. This is of small import, as cattle have an accessory jugular vein which gradually enlarges and accommodates itself to the mcreased quantity of blood it must carry. Treatment. — The treatment for inflammation of the vein is to clip the hair from along the course of the ajffected vessel and apply a blister, the cerate of cantharides. Abscesses should be opened as soon as they form, because there is a possibility of the pus getting into the circulation. In the operation of bleeding the instruments should be clean and free from rust. If the skin is not sufficiently opened, or when closing the wound the skin is drawn out too much, blood may accumulate in the tissue, and if it does it should be removed by pressing absorbent cotton or a sponge on the part. Care should also be used in opening the vein, so that the instrument may not pass entirely through both sides of the vein and open the artery beneath it. DISEASES OF THE HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. Plate VII: Diagram illustrating the circulation of the blood. The anows indicate the direction in which the blood flows. The valves of the heart, situated between the right auricle and ventricle, and left auricle and ventricle, and between the ventricles and large arteries, are represented by curved liuea. These valves are intended to prevent the flow of blood in a direction con^ trary to that indicated by the arrows Diseases of Cattle. Plate VII. NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF RESPIRATION. By William Heebekt Lowe, D. V. S. DIAGNOSIS. In the determination of disease in the human being the physician, in making his diagnosis, is aided by both subjective and objective symptoms, but the veterinary physician, m a very large majority of eases, is obliged to rely almost solely upon objective symptoms, and perhaps in no class of diseases is this more true than in the explora- tion of those under consideration. This condition of affairs has a strong tendency to develop observation and discernment in the veter- inarian, and not infrequently do we find that the successful veteri- nary practitioner is a very accm-ate diagnostician. In order to make a differential diagnosis, however, it is not only necessary to know the structure and functions of the organs in health, but to adopt a rigid system of details of examination, without which suc- cessful results can not be reached. History. — The history of a case should always be ascertained so far as possible. The information obtamed is sometimes unsatisfactory and not to be depended upon, but even when this is the case it is advisable to weigh the evidence from every point of view. In coimection with the history of every case it is always of pri- mary importance to ascertain the cause of illness. A knowledge of the origin and development of a disease is important, both in making a diagnosis and in formulating the treatment. Exposure to cold and dampness is frequently the exciting cause of affections of the organs of respiration. The experienced practitioner is always sure to ascertain whether the particular animal he is called on to attend is the only one in the stable or on the premises that is similarly affected. If several ani- mals are similarly affected, the disease may have a common cause, which may or may not be of an infectious nature.. Another thing that the experienced practitioner ascertains is what previous treatment, if any, the animal has had. Medicine given in excessive doses sometimes produces symptoms resembling those of disease. The hygienic and sanitary conditions must always be considered in connection with the cause as well as the treatment of disease. S7 88 DISEASES OF CATTLE. Much of the disease which occurs in hirge dairies and elsewhere could be prevented if owners and those in charge of animals had proper regard for the fundamental laws of animal hygiene and modem sanitation. Disregard for these laws is the cause of most of the diseases under consideration in this chapter. Attitude and general condition. — The feeling of pain in animals suffering from serious affections of the organs of respiration is ex- pressed to the close observer in no uncertain langiuige — ^by their flinching Avhen the painful part is touched ; by the care with which they move or lie down; by walking or standing to " favor " the part; by the general attitude and expression of the eye ; by the distress and suffering apparent in the face ; and by other evidences. The general physical condition and attitude of the sick animal tell the careful observer much that aids him in making a diagnosis and prognosis. Cows suffering from affections of the organs of respira- tion usually assume a position or attitude that is characteristic, well known to experienced stockmen, as well as to veterinarians. ^Mien an animal has a fever or is suffering from an inflammation, the skin is one of the first parts to undergo a change that is apparent to the average observer, for it soon loses its elasticity and tone, and the hair becomes dry and staring. From the general condition or state of nutrition one is able to judge the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal and to estimate the strength remaining available for its restoration to health; from the degree of emaciation one can approximate the length of time the animal has been ill. The age and breed of the animal, as well as its constitution and temperament, are among the things that have to be taken into account in making a diagnosis and in overcoming the disease. The miicous memhrane. — The mucous membrane should in all cases be examined. It can be readily seen by everting the eyelids or by an inspection of the lining membrane of the nostrils. Paleness of the mucous membrane indicates weak circulation or poor blood and may result from disease, hemorrhage, or from in- jcppropriate feed. In healthy animals increased redness of the mucous membrane occurs from pain, excitement, or severe exertion, and in such in- stances is always transitory. In certain pathological conditions, such as fevers and inflaramation, this condition of the mucous membrane Avill also be fr "nd. The increased redness of the mucous membrane lasts durinT to 3 duration of the fever or inflammation. 1^ .ins" or blue mucous membrane indicates that the blood is imperl Lly oxidized and contains an excess of carbon dioxid, and is seen in serious diseases of the respiratory tract, such as pneumonia, and in heart failure. NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIKATOEY ORGANS. 89 The secretions. — The secretions may be diminished, increased, or perverted. In the early stage of an inflammation of a secretory or- gan its secretion is diminished. In the early stage of pleurisy the serous membrane is dry, and as the disease advances the membrane becomes unnaturally moist. The products of secretion are sometimes greatly changed in character from the secretion in health, becoming excessively irritant and yielding evidence of chemical and other alterations in the character of the secretion. Cough. — Cough depends upon a reflex nervous action and may be primary when the irritation exists in the lungs or air passages, or secondary when caused by irritation of the stomach, intestines, or other parts having nervous communications with the respiratory ap- paratus. A cough is said to be dry. moist, harsh, hollow, difficult, paroxysmal, suppressed, sympathetic, etc., according to its character. It is a very important symptom, often being diagnostic in diseases of the respiratory organs, but this is a subject, however, which can be more satisfactorily treated in connection with the special diseases of the organs in question. Resjnration. — In making an examination of an animal observe the depth, frequency, quickness, facility, and the nature of the respira- tory movements. They may be quick or slow, frequent or infre- quent, deep or imperfect, labored, unequal, irregular, etc., each of which indications has its significance to the experienced veterinarian. Sleep, rumination, pregnancy in cows, etc., modify the respiratory movements e^en in health. Respiration consists of two acts — inspira- tion and expiration. The function of respiration is to take in oxygen from the atmospheric air, which is essential for the maintenance of life, and to exhale the deleterious gas known as " carbon dioxid." The frequency of the respiratory movements is determined by observing the motions of the nostrils or of the flanks. The normal rate of respiration for a healthy animal of the bovine species is from 15 to 18 times a minute. The extent of the respiratory sys- tem renders it liable to become aifected by contiguity to many parts and its nervous connections are very important. Rapid, irregular, or difficult breathing is laiown as dyspnea, and in all such cases the animal has difficulty in obtaining ?.s much oxygen as it requires. Among the conditions that give rise to dyspnea may be mentioned restricted area of active lung tissue, owing to the fill- ing of portions of the lungs with inflammatory exudate, as in pneu- monia ; painful movements of the chest, as in rheumatism or pleurisy ; fluid in the chest cavity, as in hydrothorax; adhesions between the lungs and chest walls ; compression of the lungs or loss of elasticity ; excess of carbon dioxid in the blood: weakness of the respiratory passages: tumors of the nose and paralysis of the throat: swellings 90 DISEASES OF CATTLE. of the throat; foreign bodies and constriction of the air passages leading to the lungs; fevers, etc. As already stated, it is only the careful and constant examina- tion of animals in health that will enable one properly to appreciate abnormal conditions. One must become familiar with the frequency and character of the pulse and of the respirations and know the temperature of the animal in health, before changes in abnormal con- ditions can be properly appreciated. Temperature. — The temperature should be taken in all cases of sickness. Experienced practitioners can approximate the patient's temperature with remarkable accuracy, but I strongly recommend the use of the self-registering clinical thermometer, which is a most valuable instrument in diagnosing diseases. (See PI. Ill, fig. 1.) It is advisable to get a tested instrument, as some thermometers in the market are inaccurate and misleading. The proper place to insert the thermometer is in the rectum, where the instrument should be rested against the walls of the cavity for about three minutes. The normal temperature of the bovine is 101° to 102° F., which is higher than that of the horse. A cow breathes faster, her heart beats faster, and her internal temperature is higher than that of the horse. Ordinary physiological influences — such as exercise, digestion, etc. — give rise to slight variations of internal temperature ; but if the tem- perature rises two or three degrees above the normal some diseased condition is indicated. Pulse. — The pulse in a grown animal of the bovine species in a state of good health beats from 45 to 55 times a minute. Exercise, fright, fear, excitement, overfeeding, pregnancy, and other condi- tions aside from disease may affect the frequency and character of the pulse. It assumes various characters according to its rapidity of beat, frequency of occurrence, resistance to pressure, regularity, and perceptibility. Thus we have the quick or slow, frequent or infrequent, hard or soft, full or imperceptible, large or small pulse, the character of each of which may be determined from its name; also that known as the intermittent, either regular or irregular. We may have a dicrotic, or double, pulse ; a thready pulse, which is ex- tremely small and scarcely perceptible; the venous, or jugular, pulse; the " running down " pulse, and so on. (See p. 76.) In cattle the pulse is conveniently felt over the submaxillary artery where it winds around the lower jawbone, just at the lower edge of the flat muscle on the side of the cheek. If the cow is lying down the pulse may be taken from the metacarpal artery on the back part of the fore fetlock. The pulsations can be felt from any superficial artery, but in order to ascertain the peculiarities it is necessary to select an artery that may be pressed against a bone. There is a Diseases of Cattle. Plate VIII. .rf^ / K^ i\i NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 91 marked difference in the normal or phj^siological pulse of the horse and that of the cow, that of the horse being full and rather tense, while in the cow it is soft and rolling. The pulse is faster in young or old cattle than it is in those of middle age. Auscultation. — Auscultation and percussion are the chief methods used to determine the various pathological changes that occur in the respiratory organs. Auscultation is the act of listening, and may be either mediate or immediate. Mediate auscultation is accom- plished by aid of an instrument known as the stethoscope, one ex- tremity of which is applied to the ear and the other to the chest of the animal. In immediate auscultation the ear is aplied directly to the part. Immediate auscultation will answer in a large majority of cases. Ausculation is resorted to in cardiac and certain abdominal diseases, but it is mainly employed for determining the condition of the lungs and air passages. Animals can not give the various phases of respiration, as can the patients of the human practitioner. The organs themselves are less accessible than in man, owing to the greater bulk of tissue surrounding them and the pectoral position of the fore extremities, all of which render it more difficult in deter- mining pathological conditions. (See PI. VIII.) The air going in and out of the lungs makes a certain soft, rustling sound, known as the vesicular murmur, which can be heard distinctly in a healthy state of the animal, especially upon inspiration. Exer- cise accelerates the rate of respiration and intensifies this sound. The vesicular murmur is heard only where the lung contains air and its function is active. The vesicular murmur is weakened as inflam- matory infiltration takes place and when the lungs are compressed by fluids in the thoracic cavity, and disappears when the lung becomes solidified in pneumonia or the chest cavity filled with fluid as in hydrothorax. The bronchial murmur is a harsh, blowing sound, heard in normal conditions by applying the ear over the lower part of the trachea, and may be heard to a limited extent in the anterior portions of the lungs after severe exercise. The bronchial murmur when heard over other portions of the lungs generally signifies that the lung tissue has become more or less solidified or that fluid has collected in the chest cavity. Other sounds, known as mucous rales, are heard in the lungs in pneumonia after the solidified parts begin to break down at the end of the disease and in bronchitis where there is an excess of secretion, as well as in other conditions. Mucous rales are of a gargling or bubbling nature. They are caused by air rushing through tubes con- taining secretions or pus. They are said to be large or small as they are distinct or indistinct, depending upon the quantity of fluid that is present and the size of the tubes in which the sound is produced. 92 DISEASES OF CATTLE. According to their cliaracter they are di\ided into dry and moist. The friction sound is produced by the rubbing together of roughened surfaces and is characteristic of pleurisy. Percussion. — Percussion is that mode of examination by which we elicit sounds by striking or tapping over the part. It may be direct or indirect. If the middle finger of the left hand is placed firmly on the chest and smartly tapped or struck with the ends of the first three fingers of the right hand, the sound will be noticed to be more reso- nant and clear than when the same procedure is practiced on a solid part of the body. This is because the lungs are not solid, but are always, in health, w^ell expanded with air. In certain pulmonary diseases, however, as in pneumonia, they fill up and become solid, when percussion produces a dull sound, like that on any other solid part of the animal. When fluid has collected in the lower part of the chest cavity the sound will also be dull on percussion. "Where there is an excess of air in the chest cavity, as in emphysema or in pneumothorax, the percussion sound becomes abnormally loud and clear. By practice on healthy animals the character and boimdaries of the sounds can be so well determined that any variation from them will be readily detected, and will sometimes disclose the pres- ence of a diseased condition when nothing else ^\\\\. Percussion is sometimes practiced with the aid of a special per- cussion hammer and an object known as a pleximeter to strike upon. A percussion hammer is made of rubber or has a rubber tip, so that when the pleximeter, which is placed against the side of the animal, is struck the impact will not be accompanied with a noise. A percus- sion hammer and pleximeter may be purchased from any veterinary instrument maker. CATARRH (COLD IN THE HEAD). Xasal catarrh is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nostrils and upper air passages. Simple catarrh is not a serious dis- ease in itself, but if neglected is liable to be complicated with laryn- gitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, plurisy, or other serious and sometimes fatal diseases of the respiratory organs. Catarrh is a common disease among cattle. It is often caused by sudden exposure to wet and cold after they have been accustomed to shelter. It may arise from inhalation of irritating gases. It is also sometimes produced by certain specific atmospheric conditions, and may assume an enzootic form. It is very debilitating, and requires prompt and judicious treatment. Symptoms. — Kedness of the mucous membranes of the nose and redness and watering of the eyes are symptoms of nasal catarrh. The mucous membrane first becomes dry; afterwards a watery dis- charge appears, and later, in severe cases, the discharge becomes NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EESPIRATOEY ORGANS. 93 mucopurulent. In mild cases there is little or no fever, but in severe ones it may run high. The animal becomes dull, languid, and is not inclined to move about, and the appetite may become impaired ; there is also variable temperature of the horns and ears. If in a cow giving milk the secretion diminishes, the mucus from the eyes and nose becomes thicker and yellower. Afterwards, as the symptoms increase in severity, the discharge becomes mucopurulent. Treatment. — The animal should be housed in a well-ventilated place, with good hygienic surroundings. In cold and damp weather it should be kept warm with blanketing, and, in severe cases, hot, medicated inhalations given. If the fever is high, it may be reduced by giving nitrate of potassium, from 1 to 2 ounces, in the drinking water, three times daily. Diffusible stimulants are beneficial in most cases. Too much importance can not be attached to good nursing. There is no necessity to resort to the old system of bleeding, purging, or the use of poAverful sedatives. EPISTAXIS (BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE). Bleeding from the nostrils is rather rare in cattle. It may arise from an}^ one of a variety of causes, but usually results from disease or injury to the mucous membranes or to violent exertions in cough- ing and sneezing. It is seldom serious. It generally occurs in drops from one nostril only^- accompanied with sneezing, and without frothing. Bleeding from the lungs comes fiom both nostrils, is bright red, frothy, and accompanied with a cough. Treatment, — In many cases the bleeding will cease spontaneously and all that is necessary is to keep the animal quiet and bathe the head and nostrils with cold water. The cause of the bleeding should be learned and governed accordingly in the treatment. In severe and exceptional cases, when the hemorrhage is persistent and long con- tinued, the animal's head should be tied to a high rack or beam and cold water or ice applied, or recourse to styptic injections taken. If the hemorrhage is profuse and persistent, either a drench composed of 1^ drams of acetate of lead dissolved in a pint of water or 1^ drams of gallic acid dissolved in a pint of water should be given. LARYNGITIS (SORE THROAT). An inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the larynx is known as laryngitis. It may be either a primary or a secondary disease, complicated or uncomplicated. In the majority of cases it is attributable to some form of exposure, a sudden change from warm to cold surroundings, or exposure to cold storms. It may also result from inhaling irritating gases or from external violence. In an acute attack of laryngitis there is an elevation of temperature, pain on pressure OA^er the region of the larj^nx, violent paroxysms of 94 DISEASES OF CATTLE. coughing, difficult and noisy respiration. The nostrils are dilated, the nose extended, and the animal has a frightened expression. There is marked difficulty in swallowing. Treatment. — Treatment consists of fomentations and hot applica- tions over the throat. Stimulating liniments, mustard mixed with cold water and well rubbed in with a stiff brush, or other forms of counterirritation may be applied in severe cases. Hot inhalations should be frequently resorted to, and often afford much relief to the suffering animal. In this disease medicines should be given so far as possible in the form of electuaries (soft solid) on account of the diffi- culty of deglutition. Large drafts of medicines have a tendency to produce violent spells of coughing, and in this way retard recovery. The subjoined formula for an electuary will be found to answer the purpose in ordinary cases: Chlorate of potassium, pulverized, 8 ounces; fluid extract of belladonna, 2 ounces; powdered opium, 1 ounce; powdered licorice root, 8 ounces; sirup, sufficient quantity; mix. Place a small tablespoonful of the mixture frequently on the tongue or back teeth. Or the following may be used instead : Aloes, powdered opium, and gum camphor in equal parts; mix. Rub an ounce on the molar teeth every four or five hours. The bowels should be kept open and the diet should be such as the patient can easily swallow. Warm, sloppy mashes, boiled oatmeal gruel, linseed tea, and the like are the most suitable substances. If suffocation be threatened during the course of the disease, tracheotomy should be performed without delay. The details of the operation are fully described under the head of " Surgical operations." (See p. 289.) When the disease assumes a chronic form, strong counterirritation is indicated. A cantharides blister may be applied, or the following ointment used : Biniodid of mercury 1 part, lard 6 parts ; mix. In some cases it will be found necessary to repeat the application. BRONCHITIS. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. Wlien a primary disease, it is generally the result of what is commonly known as "catching cold." It may be sec- ondary to or complicated with many of the diseases of the respiratory system. It may also be caused by breathing irritating gases, or by the introduction of foreign bodies into the bronchial tubes, which sometimes results from injudicious and careless drenching when the larynx is temporarily relaxed. It may be acute or chronic, and is divided, according to the seat of the inflammation, into bronchitis proper when the large tubes are affected, or capillary bronchitis wlien the trouble is in the smaller ones. Symptoms. — Loss of appetite, elevation of temperature, generally 104'' or 105° F. The inspiration is incomplete, short, and painful, KONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF BESPIBATOKY ORGANS. 95 and the expiration is prolonged. The pulse is increased in frequency and is hard. A characteristic, painful cough is present, but it is par- oxysmal and incomplete. Auscultation and percussion greatly aid us in a diagnosis. A normal sound is given on percussion. On aus- cultation, in the early stages, rhonchus rales are detected if the larger tubes are affected, and sibilant rales if the smaller ones are affected. Later mucous rales are noted, and sometimes all sounds in certain parts are absent, owing to the plugging up of the tubes. This plugging, if extensive enough, is sometimes the cause of death, or death may result from extension of the disease to the lungs or pleura. Treatment. — The animal should be placed in a light, well-venti- lated box, and the bowels kept in a soft condition by enemas, etc. Violent purgatives should not be used. The body should be kept warm by blanketing. In the early stages a draft composed as follows should be given three times daily: Extract of belladonna, 2 drams; solution of acetate of ammonium, 4 fluid ounces ; water, one-half pint. In the later stage of the disease the following formula may be sub- stituted and given twice daily: Carbonate of ammonium, 3 drams; liquor hydrochlorate of strychnin, 2 tiuid drams; spirits of nitrous ether, 1 fluid ounce ; Avater, one-half pint. In some cases the following is preferable to either of the above, and may be given in a pint of lmse«d tea every four hours: Spirits of nitrous ether, 1^ ounces; aromatic spii'its of anmionia, 2 ounces; powdered camphor, 2 drams. The feed should be light and nutri- tious. Bronchitis is liable to become chronic if not properly treated in the earliest stage. In this case remedial treatment is of little value. PLEURISY. Pleurisy is an inflammation of the serous membrane lining the chest cavity and enveloping the lungs. It is somewhat rare as an independent disease, but it often complicates pneumonia; indeed, it is often caused by the same germ that causes pneumonia — pneumo- coccus. It may arise from exjjosure to cold or wet or from external violence, and is usually present in some degi'ee in cases in which the ribs have been fractured with or without a penetrated wound. Symptoms. — In the first stage there is great pain aggravated by movement, and the animal is usually stiff as though foundered, the pulse is quick and hard, the breathing abdominal, the chest being fixed so far as possible, the inspiration short and jerk}', the expiration longer. The pain is caused by the friction of the dry, inflamed pleural surfaces of the lung and chest on each other. At this stage the ear detects a dry friction murmur, resembling somewhat the sound made by rubbing two pieces of sole leather together. Pres- 96 DISEASES OF CATTLE. sure between the ribs gives pain and usually causes the animal to flinch and grunt. The muzzle is hot and dry, the mouth slimy, and the secretions scanty. After a day or two the severity of the symp- toms is much lessened, the temperature, which during the first days may have been as high as 106° F., falls to 103° or 104°, the pain decreases, the stiffness disappears, and the patient eats a little. The pulse softens, but remains quicker than normal. Now, day by day the patient loses a little strength, the friction sound disappears as the exudation moistens the pleural surfaces; percussion now shows a horizontal line of dullness, which day by day rises higher in the chest, the respiration grows more frequent and labored, the counte- nance is anxious and haggard, the eyes sink somewhat in their sockets, and in unfavorable cases death occurs during the second or third week, from either asphyxia or heart failure. In pleurisy, as in pneumonia, the elbows are usually turned out- ward. Care must be taken to differentiate pleurisy from traumatic pericarditis (which see). In the latter condition the area of dullness of the heart is much increased, and usually a splashing sound is heard at each beat of the heart. Another diagnostic symptom of value is that in traumatic pericarditis respiration is painful, not difficult, and the respiratory rate is very much increased on move- ment. In both conditions a considerable swelling of the dewlap may be noticed in the later stages. Treatment. — Give the same general care as recommended in bron- chitis or pneumonia. In the early stages give a febrifuge to reduce the fever, as directed for pneumonia. For relief of the cough give electuary formula, W'hich will be found in the treatment of laryngitis. The bowels must be kept relaxed and the kidneys secreting freely. In the stage of effusion the following should be given three times daily: Digitalis tincture, 1 ounce; iodid of potassium, 30 to 60 grains ; mix. Apply strong coimterirritant to chest and put seton in dewlap. (See " Setoning," p. 293.) If collapse of the Ivmg is threat- ened, a surgical operation, termed paracentesis thoracis, is sometimes performed ; this consists in puncturing the chest cavity and drawing off a part of the fluid. The instruments used are a small trocar and cannula, which are introduced between the eighth and ninth ribs. The skin should be drawn forward so that the external wound may not correspond to the puncture of the chest, to prevent the entrance of air. Only a portion of the fluid should be removed. The animal gets immediate relief, but it is generally only temporary, as the fluid has a tendency to accumulate again. PNEUMONIA. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung substance, and is divided into three forms, viz, croupous, catarrhal, and interstitial. These NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF EESPIRATOEY ORGANS. 97 various forms, however, can be differentiated only by the expert, and it is therefore deemed necessary for the purpose of the present work to treat the subject under the general head of pneumonia. The causes of pneumonia in general are the same as those of the various other inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. The germ is known as a pneumococcus. The disease mostly follows con- gestion of the lungs, but may in rare cases have a parasitic origin. ^ym'ptoms. — In the first stage, that of congestion, the disease is usually ushered in by a chill, although this may not always be observed by the attendant. This is followed by an elevation of tem- perature, usually 105° to 106° F., or it may be even higher. The lespirations are quick and shallow ; the nostrils are dilated ; the pulse is full and hard. Cough may or may not appear in this stage. The nose is hot and dry; the tongue sometimes protrudes and is slimy; the coat is staring, and the skin dry and harsh. The urine is usually diminished in quantity, high colored, and the bowels constipated. The animal stands with the forelegs wide apart to facilitate respira- tion. On auscultation crepitation will be observed over the portion of the lung affected. The sounds elicited on percussion are practi- cally normal in this stage. In the second stage the temperature generally drops one or two degrees, and respiration is performed with much difficulty. The cough is frequent and painful. The animal still stands with the forelegs wide apart and the elbows turned outward. If it assumes the recumbent position it rests on the sternum. All secretions are more or less suspended, particularly the milk in cows. The animal has a haggard appearance, and the pulse becomes small and wiry at this period. The extremities are hot and cold alternately ; the crepi- tation which was present in the first stage is now absent, and no sound on auscultation is heard, unless it is a slight wheezing or whistling noise. On percussion dullness over the diseased lung is manifested, indicating consolidation. The lung has now assumed a characteristic liverlike appearance. In the third stage, if the disease is to terminate favorably, the cough becomes loose, the animal improves, the appetite returns, and the symptoms above detailed rapidly subside ; if, on the other hand, resolution is not progressing, the lung substance degenerates, becomes clogged up, and ceases to function. In fatal cases the breath has a peculiar, fetid, cadaverous odor, and is taken in short gasps; the horns, ears, and extremities become cold and clammy, and the pulse is imperceptible. On auscultation, when suppuration is taking place and the lung structure is breaking down, a bubbling or gurgling crepitation, caused by the passage of air through pus, is heard. Treatment. — Good hygienic surroundings and good nursing are essential in connection with the medical treatment. The probability 54793°— 2.3 7 y8 DISEASES OF CATTLE. of recovery depends largely on the extent of the lung tissue involved, as well as on the intensity of the inflammatory process. In the early stage, when the fever is high, febrifuges should be given. If the pulse be strong and full, aconite (Fleming's tincture, 1 to 2 drams, every four or five hours) may be given for a short time, but should be discontinued as soon as the fever begins to abate. Aconite is a valuable drug in the hands of the intelligent practitioner, but my experience leads me to believe that not infreciuently animals are lost by its injudicious use, for in many febrile conditions it is positively contraindicated, owing to its action upon the heart. In a plethoric animal, with a strong, bounding pulse, bleeding may be resorted to instead of administering aconite. If the bow^els are constipated, calomel, 1 to 3 drams, which acts as a cathartic and a febrifuge, is advisable. In the second stage diffusible stimulants are required, viz: Spirits of nitrous ether, 2 ounces: aromatic spirits of ammonia, 1 ounce; mix, and give in gruel three times daily. In some cases carbonate of ammonia, 2 to 5 drams, has been found beneficial. Most practitioners apply counterirritants, such as mustard plasters, tur- pentine, and ammonia liniment, or cantharides. EMPHYSEMA (HEAVES). Emphysema is a rupture of the minute air vesicles of the lung- substance, and may be either interlobular or vesicular. There is an extreme interference with respiration, inspiration being short and expiration prolonged. It is a nonfebrile condition, in wdiich the appetite is not decreased and the milk secretion is kept up. It may be caused by an attack of asthma or mav result from chronic bron- chitis. The disease can be diagnosed by the marked interference with respiration,' The animal, as a rule, is emaciated, has a staring coat, and is hidebound. If percussion is resorted to, the animal's chest will give a tympanic, drumlike sound. The normal resonant sound is exaggerated. Treatment. — The disease is incurable, and only a palliative form of treatment can be carried out. The destruction of the animal is often advisable, from a humane as well as from a financial point of view. PULMONARY CONGESTION. Cattle that are overdriven or overworked are liable to pulmonary congestion in an acute form, and sometimes to pulmonary apoplexy. In such cases they should be allowed to rest, and if the weather is hot, they should be put in a shady place. Give stimulants inter- nally, unload the venous side of the heart by bleeding, and apply stimulating applications to the legs, and bandage. NONCONTAGIOUS DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 99 HEMOPTYSIS. Hemoptysis is a term used to signify bleeding from the lungs. The trouble may result from a previous congestion of the lungs or from a breaking down of the lung substance, or from specific disorders. Bleeding from the lungs comes from both nostrils and from the mouth. The blood is bright red, frothy, and accompanied with a cough, the flow being somewhat profuse and intermingled with mu- cus. It may cease of its own accord. Internally hemostatics are in- dicated, and locally over the sides cold applications have a tendency to check the hemorrhage. A drench of 1^ drams of gallic acid dis- solved in a pint of water should be given. ABSCESS OF THE LUNG. Abscesses of the lung sometimes form during the course of or sub- sequent to tuberculosis or other diseases. An animal affected with abscess of the lung usually has a protracted, feeble cough and a gen- eral appearance of emaciation and anemia. The pulse is feeble and the breath foul. An offensive discharge from the lungs frequently occurs. Percussion and auscultation aid in making a diagnosis in this condition. The appetite is poor. Such animals go from bad to worse, and their prompt destruction would, as a rule, be to the interest of the owner. HYDROTHORAX. Hydrothorax, or dropsy of the chest, is not a disease in itself, but is simply a condition in which an effusion takes place in the chest cavity, and is the result or effect of some disease, mostly pleu- risy. It can be easily diagnosed by physical signs. A loss of the res- piratory murmur will be noticed on auscultation, and on percussion dullness or flatness on a line as high as the effusion has taken place. When a large amount of effusion is present, tapping with the trocar and cannula is generally resorted to. The proper method of per- forming this operation will be found under the head of " Pleurisy." PNEUMOTHORAX. An accumulation of gas in the pleural sac is known as pneumo- thorax. The presence of air may result from either an injury of the lung or a wound communicating from the exterior. The indications for treatment are to remove any foreign body that may have pene- trated, to exclude the further entrance of the air into the cavity by the closure of the external opening, and to employ antiseptics and adhesive dressings. The air already in the cavity will in most cases be absorbed. 100 DISEASES OF CATTLE. VERMINOUS BRONCHITIS. This is a disease that sometimes attacks young cattle when pas- tured in low-lying meadows near rivers subject to flood. It is caused by a small worm, Strongylus mlcrurus^ which lodges in large num- bers in the trachea and bronchial tubes, giving rise to considerable irritation of the air passages and inflammation. Sometimes the strongjdes lodge in large numbers in the windpipe, forming them- selves into a ball, and thus choke the animal to death. Symft