Part 15 (1/2)

_Treatment._--In the early stages of joint murrain and its kindred maladies, if inflammatory fever is present, the first and most important step is to relax the external surface, as directed in article _Pneumonia_, p. 107. Should the animal be in a situation where it is not convenient to do so, give the following anti-spasmodic:--

Thoroughwort, 1 ounce.

Lemon balm, 2 ounces.

Garlic, bruised, a few kernels.

Boiling water, 3 quarts.

Allow the infusion to stand until cool; then strain, and give it a dose.

If the bowels are constipated, inject the following:--

Soft soap, half a pint.

Warm water, 2 quarts.

Rub the joints with the following embrocation:--

Oil of cedar, } equal parts.

Fir balsam, }

Keep the animal on warm, bland teas, such as catnip, pennyroyal, lemon balm, and a light diet of powdered slippery elm gruel.

BLACK QUARTER.

_Symptoms._--Rapid decomposition, known by the pain which the slightest pressure gives the animal. Carbonic acid gas is evolved from the semi-putrid state of the system, which finds its way into the cellular tissue, beneath the skin. A crackling noise can then be heard and felt by pressing the finger on the hide.

_Causes._--Among the chief causes are the blood-letting and scouring systems recommended by writers on cattle doctoring. In the inflammatory stage, we are told, ”The first and most important step is copious bleeding. As much blood must be taken as the animal will bear to lose; and the stream must flow on until the beast staggers or threatens to fall. Here, more than in any other disease, there must be no foolish directions about quant.i.ties. [_The heroic practice!_] As much blood must be taken away as can be got; for it is only by the bold and persevering use of the lancet that a malady can be subdued that runs its course so rapidly.” (See Youatt, p. 359.) From these directions we are led to suppose that there are some hopes of bleeding the animal to life; for the author above quoted seems to entertain no apprehension of bleeding the animal to death. Mr. Percival and other veterinary writers inform us, that ”an animal will lose about one fifteenth part of its weight of blood before it dies; though a less quant.i.ty may so far debilitate the vital powers, as to be, though less suddenly, equally fatal.” The latter portion of the sentence means simply this; that if the bleeding does not give the animal its quietus on the spot, it will produce black quarter, gangrene, &c., which will be ”equally fatal.” In the latter stages of the disease now under consideration, and, indeed, in dry gangrene, there is a tendency to the complete destruction of life to the parts involved: hence our remedies should be in harmony with the vital operations. We should relax, stimulate, and cleanse the whole system, and arouse every part to healthy action, by the aid of vapor, injections, stimulating applications, poultices of charcoal and capsic.u.m, to parts where there is danger of rapid mortification; lastly, stimulating drinks to vitalize the blood, which only requires distribution, instead of abstraction.

In reference to the scouring system, (purging,) as a cause of mortification, we leave the reader to form his own views, after reading the following: ”After abstracting as much blood as can be got away, purging must immediately follow. A pound and a half of Epsom salts dissolved in water or gruel, and poured down the throat as gently as possible, should be our first dose. If this does not operate in the course of six hours, another pound should be given; and after that, half pound doses every six hours until the effect is produced”!!--_Youatt_, p. 359.

_Treatment._--As the natural tendency of these different maladies is the complete destruction of life to all parts of the organization, efforts must be made to depurate the whole animal, and arouse every part to healthy action in the manner recommended under article _Joint Murrain_.

Antiseptics may be freely used in the following form:--

Powdered bayberry bark, 2 ounces.

” charcoal, 6 ounces.

” cayenne, 1 tea-spoonful.

” slippery elm, 1 ounce.

Add boiling water sufficient to make it of the consistence of thin gruel.

All sores and foul ulcers may be washed with

Pyroligneous acid, 1 ounce.

Water, 1 gill.