oS x . ae Rae 2 So 3 SS SAX ANS SSI SV \ WW SAV / won SOOO SSNS SSS S NS NK RRayy RN SSS SSIES Se x ~ SARS \ ‘ SS SK WOW QW SSX \N S SS ~ \ . \ SQA RG . \ DIKE \N SS A . SONS SA S RAQy ~ SSN WS SY SA RQ SQ \ SQ S Sy ‘ N RQ SSAIwsy SQ SSS WY MV . Ca a WUC WS < \ OC CjqjCCoaKi WN ase ee te ery LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, | Ghap.—__ Copyright Do. Sheltie A489 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ‘ a < 4 , . = ‘eg - : ; : zi ; . k i ; . , 2 ; : © 2 ‘ “74 aa ; 2 ° hang! . , 7 . Sa . 4 - ‘ . ‘ = E p a: ‘ , " : a 5 5 c ‘ \ = 2 ; t , es . e : 5 y : oan Pas se 2 - BY : ; 2 : , . = . ' ' : 2 ‘ ; : 2 a" a 4 = ? ‘ 3 ss - ‘ , F ai az Ber ae . e. . *, x be oe ¢ nf 3 . shy fe $ Cad g . - : A aa ’ 7 - fi = v - , : 2 . 1 Pedy cg aa ks 5 re M - a - ie 7 - AMERICAN CATTLE DOCTOR DIRECTIONS FOR PRESERVING THE HEALTH AND CURING THE DISEASES OF OXEN, CATTLE, SHEEP, AND SWINE. WITH Recipes and Valuable Information upon Farm and Dairy Management. — oR G. H. DADD, M. D. NEW EDITION. Oo, 455 WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY COL. M. C. WELD. ~ = es Po ==[()E 3H LN f 3 PIT - if hs BS } A gt. é — £ NET / 3] v : Qs o NEW YORK: ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 751 BROADWAY. 1884. be ee Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, by the ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. CONTENTS. Face Ex rRoDUCTION,..c00e CVUOK SPCR OOCOCOLCLECELH LOLOL OHH HHOLOORE SiH BFL HO 9 CATTLE. Importance of supplying Cattle with pure Water,..ccssccssccececcssee 6 Remarks on feeding Cattle,....sceess secs scccccsccccccccccecccvecscs af The Barn and Feeding Byre,......-..---.- wees ccce cess rewscrvasssee DI MATE iaiciee oe ene vcec cece esen scr se avers seeces eis enarn id tors Biase Sreiohate cam renee Knowledge of Agricultural and Animal Chemistry important to Farmers, 2& On Breeding, Meera ereele ss sods essc so btnase SEO GOORE OOS SHO ORIN TO aisle cue abe “he Bull, eecrcescoes ec occce eee ee Be ee ere oe oeese OeoeFeeF cee L eo ee ee DEOe 39 Value of Bi Getenn Grecds of Cows,....- eM aialis, aise alae oie axe ae teats ons cee Method of preparing Rennet, as practised in England, ........-seseeees 36 Making Cheese, ....--.4.. SAOID ODI OOSOS SOO ORIG OLOde wlolo‘e iar aiaratenarstarata ten Rie OCS. bec ehcs Geese cedesses AAA Sea Oe See ie. RUSSO arc ocala is ala siete are sO Cars s Sele Heat ore deme e ce eae wet COU Reet IMME Se me aye ec-c= Sibloralolwidosa.wi ewiblss ove Aiaiaie aieiah ol olcel le e-ofeee we ieee 40 Tb? Chess6 UR GE ABAD RID G Cos pOODD RO orm cn pr enmnnnsGo racic mk 3 Pe ITC Se ee eferasixis' a's Oe oF sie wls'a.d id's aiels ve clade ce cis bam ginewia Maweniae RS EALER Salas clea oss ns soto viccwencecectence sees vase ce Bote ed -- «44 Mash UELeT, -ces eo che wesc tes ciccecconcccsesesvcstcecuses 40 COSIG™ eRe SAN Rn eee erence inno ar hnnninicar Ui SiS: cire'e biehere eee AO Description of the Organs of Digestion in Cattle,.....cccceccececcccee 47 Respiration and Structure of the Lungs, ........ Bake nicueteretnt slalota\alatelaratstenrrierd Circulation of the Blood, .......... Relea tcpeictatavele ssoidiei de wale ack etoid eGR OT COd Mine tHeart-viewed externally, <.0<.ccnsccenccsccconssccsccccosses OO Brera tac OT OOH ICUEIMG, «6 0,.a.5 w cine ms oc ces cece cet eccecscebecoecce |<56 WinerestatoNatuce to remove Disease, -:.:. ws.ccscsscsesececisscece Giaieievee Op Proverbs of the Veterinary Reformers,............ Bh oper codec cence open hk An Inquiry concerning the Souls of Brutes,...........cceescee Seiten es The Reformed Practice — Synoptical View of the Prominent Systems of RPGMVCINC. ciseccesslese BS rsiaste enalictreh ove Sete olsielaud wialciicten ol eharavereia ates evaiesoiae MO Merce ol the IVClOFMEYS, . os 02. cece cenwes cos aro die chiouans tnaaierel she Sebeatoevae eens CAD rarer MTF CG: talnle eis co oic\e "s\n ele’e sie W ania cs cose isice sce cscs wane sace sel OF PRMREPEMIALIGN, s s/orc'a ere cle so ce ee sess ck eoes amereseres ehstat avenareinacrs atiuena vans) Ahly OSE temarks, showing that very little j is known of the Nature and Treatment EMEDISCASE sic anevtopematettede sicuienieieae ee ie Black Quarter, ss. 2 sens sisicds oc ea aaje'sls oie s ely oe 60 isicia e's > win eiaaea yee res Open Joints sic. c siceiele did't wires Se wild oe we sie e.g be sateen epee ee ESL Siwellings of: Joints, oe 50s bseieeasosee 5558 Sosa bole olelmlets seein Sprain of the Fetlock, <<. .c02sc0 00626 asides s des 10: «pian ore lalelataialees = enemas Strain of the Hip,.....s..s6 eas) Eats pieces soos Seine is Soe setae « 154 Mout im thes Fo@t, sc.c.s csict. kw eevee e ee eeiecoarneee 3:6 a8 ate pee wrordue Lok Wed Water ys cs.c0:0-s-cie eae aiesiaietsiaisi gases Sah eas tore 6 6 ¢ wide oes el dines aan Black: Water, .cecssdcsdedccatsc carsseclacie fee teeesee tae 160. Pein cles Wivined sw ors sie alletate abel w eel visle'elsle e e's db o.e'els o8a ois an 60 ce ata anna - 160 Hheumatism, os ecco siecicie vee oo ages oe sje 0 s'c clan viele ekareeieta a anne =-16t PDAs: ieicsecst ereioea Pine Wales! di wve'e Sicialc! eteiatictid clas’ old’ ot Fiahliale ductaaanele es anna veer Boe WEHTUSH, \scceine wie ttodd welaes sede ga deste Hoke Soe aoe a Seo ae biclp eo pnerote nea meter Black Tongue, < ci 0se govt cavw iddode 2306 60's. iol ee er - 168 Inflammation of the Throat and its Appendages,.....s.....0sseeeceeee 163 PRON CHIGIS, vein cicista hhanae'e anton We a eae ode o a ice eeaee 2 Sens wee 164 Inflammationof: Glands, «226 oc Osc sice whee Se Ss bcd oeete Gee eee o> 164 TOSS “OF - Cad) sswrescvncohteieetet. Wel ciwielelete titalslefiele! cisielatyiv’ate’ ae iaie feehsietal stan 166 CEI as aid nts lage 50iciinte 16 ig ae Voie jao¥a sla ta valde Nels ellolnte™e > (a'lntele ele Rae eee ee? OG A Spasnrodie: Colic¢,.s i isans8 sas ecs eee. ae siWet ove ch oe eee 167°: Constipation, 2s. 2.5 bess sac secs see e'se 00s oals inns seems ie nee - 168 Falling -down of the. Fundament;.:.0: iss 2% sees ccs ¢elueieslce kts een 171 Caving: sowie aves So s08 dears de ce 50 sci des citde eee Pasar eee WE BPnrbryotomy, «s+ sass ss 0 Gays sie '5i5 cule ps doo. eaters wien a ee eoeee ATS Falling of the Calf-Bed, or Womb, «.......0-.ccce2 cseece Rist el etane waa 176 Garget, Pialro sol Seat pce! onl a viabota aN haba anal wel diniolal a aie abel ate, «eae ding Se neers 177 Ore: Teatsy ices caterer Gil tities ‘eee ore" lee" oln'o e's ow bie yo cna 178 Chapped eas and: Chafed: Udder, . 0.1010 <4: 6 cis mss tere olosels eigenen 178 VET y oid ons Se EW fale siecle Wy. eee; Siurid’a\e cib\m gm WKS G16 ei aie Ieee we el eae - 178 Milk or Puerperal Fever,...... Siena ee eae Psy i Sa rs 182 Inflammatory Fever,... 21%). 2 2ese ons oes e cles Pee ishic oc PF - 183 Typhus Fever, ....-+sseeseee ees dab Soe eae a Vad store eee ee 186 Horm Ail in-Cattley.tss2.2%5.2% 220 Ses ees ees eens os Sie Sie ates Se ees 189 Abortsan ne Cows. e ssw te wos iad alee ee rr er hoe cic bc cr ie - WOW - POR, e's aids EN $5 te be Saas As es ole we ise so ole St oe! oe 194 MAN Gy n'a aie 2 Pc sc8bks Cia 8's wiaeiw ew wie ew ob « efaldielw ise eo 0 dere nen 195 Hidé-boutnd; osteitis ste cas sea aaa eee eee re eee fd tatwtal ei aeaenaees 196 TACO) cs sess Se os Ped dias a OSes Soe cde ota bob eee ee 196 Importance of keeping the Skin of Animals in a Healthy State,........ 197 Npaying Cows, 25 seen SF sais dk Es OOP ec 0 b's a so actin slorele oe ene eer 201 Operation of Spaying,........ cece cce ce nccesseece eocccsessesis 204 SHEEP. Preliminary Remarks,...+sccsccceeecceecceees: e@eeeosnsveeseeeeer tee"? 209 Stage ers, eoeeeors ese cee e ee ee eee 5 @eeecoeee 2ee- eeccoreena Sighereut wate a eee ee SD Poet Roti as eet eee eoeoeteoreeseaeaeneceees eevb eo PR ae 2 | hot, eet eceererseeoeoes ee 8s cre esst Beers seeeceesee overseer -@@eeseo, mi Miao ea 22] “ : ’ 4 [—oee, ee Se ee ae iY IRR as So 2a pase wiaioin clerwisieratels\cintsl nn oe Go oat omit- "awh Red Water, ....... Cachexy, or General Debility, Loss of Appetite, Foundering, (Rheumatism,) ..... BIGKSy as. + eeoereeceeceanvee CONTENTS. eooeveoseeoveeteoeeee eee282 8888 © Ce ae ee eecoc5veeeeeoe ee 26 e@oeeeoeec vee eeseeveseeeveaseeeee seeeeeene et = ee ecr ee - @@eeene8 ‘ eceeeose esoeeveceen MI icone ats! ejorse! Senko laisse ia 6 bio) sin slerem ds Eo ong alate se oles Gore INN ENE Fob 1s 20a faceplate Caran ia ak aha oh Cisddia sacle 10 Suw. ww ela lp 6 (ovale Sea Taree ea o)= 5 are wo ctwiel v0 wis! a0 4a, ¢-alnishieva wie.'w ce Sarssers ier ce Constipation, or Stretches,........... PR RG ge ee Sha epee ean Boke aroteilott ME acl che’ wlsceiio) does not appear to contain any of that saccharine and muci« laginous matter which !s found in good hay. When the spring comes, they are turned out to grass, and thus regain their flesh. Many, however, die in consequence of the sudden change. | | It has been satisfactorily proved that fat cattle, of the best quality, may be produced by feeding them on boiled food. Dr. Whitlaw says, “On one occasion, a number of cows were selected from a large stock, for the express purpose of making the trial: they were such as appeared to be of the best kind, and those that gave the richest milk. Ia order to ascertain what particular food would produce the best milk, different species of grass and clover were tried separately, and the quality and flavor of the butter were found to vary very much. But what was of the most importance, many of the grasses were found to be coated with silecia, or decomposed sand, tco hard and insoluble for the stomachs of cattle. In consequence of this, the grass was cut and well steamed, and it was found to be readily digested; and the butter, that was made from the milk, much firmer, better flavored, and would keep longer without salt than any other kind. Another cir- cumstance that attended the experiment was that, in all the various grasses and grain that were intended by our Creator as food for man or beast, the various oils that enter into their composition were so powerfully assimilated or combined with the other properties of the farinaceous plants, that the oil par- tock of the character of essential oii, and was not so easily evaporated as that of poisonous vegetabies; and experience has proved that the same quantity of grass, steamed and given to the cattle, will produce more butter than when given in its dry stite. This fact being established from numerous exper- iments, ther. there must be a great saving and superiority iy * = H a : sgl fea 4 . ite ON FEEDING CATTLE. 19 a this mode of feeding. The meat of such cattle is more wholesome, tender, and better flavored than when fed in the ordinary way.” (For process of steaming, see Dadd’s work on the Horse, p. 67.) _ A mixed diet (boiled) is supposed to be the most economi- eal for fattening cattie. ‘A Scotchman, who fattens 150 ~ head of Galloway cattle, annually, finds it most profitable to feed with bruised flaxseed, boiled with meal or barley, oats or Indian corn, at the rate of one part flaxseed to three parts meal, by weight, —the cooked compound to be afterwards mixed with cut straw or hay. From four to twelve pounds of the compound are given to each beast per day.” ‘The edi- tor of the Albany Cultivator adds, ‘‘ Would it not be well for some of our farmers, who stall-feed cattle, to try this or a similar mode? Weare by no means certain that the ordinary food (meaning, probably, bad hay and cornstalks) would pay the expense of cooking; but flaxseed is known to be highly nutritious,-and the cooking would not only facilitate its diges- tion, but it would serve, by mixing, to render the other food palatable, and, by promoting the appetite and health of the animal, would be likely to hasten its thrift.” Mr. Hutton, who has long been celebrated for producing exceedingly fat cattle at a small cost, estimates that cost as follows: — “13 lbs. of linseed, bruised, or 2 lbs. per 5 for six days, and: 1b. for Sunday, os ©. wt hg 32 lbs. of ground corn, or 5 lbs. per be fc S1X he aud 22 Ibs, for Sunday; at-1d.per-lb., . 00.002 2 8 35 lbs. of turnips, given twice a day for six days, ane thrice. on-Sunday<- 2.0%: SS ie a Chee Oats, 14 d.: labor on each beast, 6 ie Pe ERE Le rg 1 Total cost of each beast per week, a sens ee 63 “'The horses, cows, and young stock are also fed on this food, evidently with great advantage.” _ Mr. Workington, 2 successful dairyman, combining cut feed oan) AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. and oil cake with different sorts of green food, found that, by giving a middle-sized cow sixteen pounds of green food and two of boiled hay, with two pounds of ground oil cake, (dn- seed would be preferuble,) and eight pounds of cut straw, the daily expense of her keep was only 53d., (about ten cents.) The oil-cake he found to be much more productive of milk when given with steamed food, than when employed with- out it. Varying their food from time to time is found to be of much more advantage to the cow; and this may probably arise from the additional relish with which the animal eats, or from the superior excitement of a new stimulus on the different secretions. The following table represents the nutritive properties in rach article of food : — — Water. Husk, or Starch, gum, Gluten, Fatty Saline woody fibre.} and sugar. | albumen, &c.| matter.) matter. Matsa 16 20 45 11 6 2.3 Beans, -. « 14 8 to ll 40 26 2.0 3 Pease. ss 14 9 00 24 aa 3 Indian corn, 14 6 70 12 5 to 3 1.5 Barley, s.0 4. 15 14 52 13.5 2 to 3 3 Meadow hay 14 30 40 fat 2 to 5| 5 to 10 | Clover hay, 14 25 40 9.3) [8 too bats Pea straw, .|10to 1d 25 45 12.3 1.5| 4 tod Oat straw, . 12 45 30 1.3 08 6 Gaxrrotsen ic 8d 3 10 1.5 0.4] 1 to 2 Linseed,. . 9.2 8 to 9 30.3 20.3 20.0 6.3 iramee. bes 13.1 aoe 0 2 19.3 4.7 7.3 The most nutritious grasses are those which abound in sugar, starch, and gluten. Sugar is an essential element in the formation of good milk; hence the sweet-scented grasses are the most -profitable to cultivate and feed to milch cows. At the same time, the farmer, if he does not, ought to know that large quantities of saccharine matter are extracted from clover and sweet grasses by the bees. Mr. White tells us that, ‘on a farm. situated a few miles from London, the eld-— est son of the occupier had the management and profit of the bees given him, which induced him to increase the number of stocks beyond what had ever been kept on the farm before. It so happened that the sheep did not thrive so well as in- es y TRE BARN AND FEEDING BYE. oe) former years, and on the farmer complaining at the cause te his man, as they had plenty of keep, the man replied, ‘ You will never haze fat sheep so long as you suffer my young master to keep so many stocks of bees ; they suck all the honey from the flowers, so that the clover is not half so nourishing, and does not produce half such good milk.’’’ Wad this man ‘been acquainted with agricultural and animal chemistry, he would have had a clear conception of the seeming absurdity. All our !abor or efforts to improve stock or crops will be fruit- less, unless guided by chemical science. We must have sugar, starch, gluten, and other materials, to perfect animal _ organization. ‘The animal may be in good health, the differ- ent functions free and unobstructed, and possess the power of reprodu ing the species; yet, if fed on substances which lack the materials necessary to the composition of bones, blood- vessels, and nerves, sooner or later its health becomes im- paired. Reader, if you own cattle, and wish to preserve their health, give them boiled food occasionally; let them have their meals at regular hours, in sufficient quantity, and no more, unless they are intended for the butcher; then, an ex- tra allowance may be given, with a view of fattening. They should be well littered, and the barns well ventilated ; finally, keep them clean, avoid undue exposure, and govern them in a spirit of kindness and mercy. THE BARN AND FEEDING BYRE. Irv is well known that the more cleanly and comfortable cattle are kept, and the better the order in which their food is presented to them, the better they will thrive; and the more profitable they will be to the owner. Dr. Gunthier remarks, that “constant confinement to the barn is opposed to the nas ture of oxen, and becomes the source of numberless diseases. Endeavors are made to promote the lactea secretion in cows, < 22 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 4 ~ an and the fattening of oxen, by means of heat: for this purpose, — stables [barns] are converted into real stoves, either by not making them sufficiently large, or by crowding them to ex- cess, or by preventing the access of air from without; and al] this without recollecting that the skin, thus over-excited, must necessarily fall into a state of atony in a short time. — Besides, the moist heat and the emanations of the dung can- not fail to exercise a destructive influence cn the lungs and entire system. ‘To these causes if we add the absolute want of exercise and the excess of food, we shall not be surprised at the number of diseases resulting from these different prac- tices, and at the extraordinary forms which they ofttimes assume. | ‘“‘Persons propose to themselves, by feeding in the barn, to augment the mass of dung; and the beasts are left in their excrement, sometimes up to the very knees. Seldom is there any care taken to cleanse their skin, and still less attention is directed to the feet. What wonder, then, if they exhibit so many forms of disease?” ; The byre recommended by M:. Lawson consists of two apartments—an inner apartment, or byre for feeding the cattle, and an outer apartment, or barn for containing the fodder, The byre is constructed at right angles with the barn, as fol- lows: “At the distance of about three feet and a half from the side uf the building, within, there are constructed, on the ground, in a straight line, a trough, having ten partitions for — feeding ten animals. The troughs are so constructed, that there isa small and gradual declivity from the first or inner- most to the last or outermost one; and the partitions separating them being made with a small arch at the bottom, a bucket of water, poured in at the uppermost, runs out at the last one through a spout in the wall; and a sweep of the broom carries off the whole remains of the food, rendering all the troughs quite clean and sweet. The whcle food of the cattle is thus kept perfectly clean at all times. ‘In a line with the feeding troughs, and immediately over them, runs a strong beam of wood, from one end of the byre THE BARN AND FEEDING BYKE.. 93 to the other; which is strengthened by two strong urright _ supporters to the roof, placed at equal distances from the ends of the byre; and the main beam is again subdivided by the rattle stakes and chains, so as to keep each of the ten oxen opposite to his own feeding trough and stall. _ “The three and a half feet of space between the troughs . and outer wall, lighted by a glazed window, is the cattle feed- er’s waik, who passes along it in front of the cattle, and, with a basket, deposits before each of the cattle the food into the feeding trough of each. To prevent any of the cattle from _choking on small pieces of turnips, &c., as they are very apt to do, the chains at the stakes are contrived of such a length, that no ox can raisé nis head too high when eating; for in this way, it is observed, cattle are generally choked. “At the distance of about six feet eight inches from the feeding troughs, and parallel to them, is a dung grove and urine gutter. Here too, like the trough, there is a gradual declivity ; so that the moment the urine passes from the cat- tle, it runs to the lowest end of the gutter, whence it is con- veyed through the outer wall, in a spout, and deposited in the urinarium outside of the building. At this place is a large enclosed space, occupied as a compost dung-court. Here all sorts of stuff are collected for increasing the manure, such as fat, earth, cleanings of roads, ditches, ponds, rotten vegeta- bles, &c.; and the urine from the byre, being caused to run over all these collected together, which is done very easily by a couple of wooden spouts, moved backwards and forwards to the urinarium at pleasure, renders the whole mass, in a short time, a rich compost dunghill; and this is done by the urine alone, which, in general, is totally lost. The dung of the byre, again, is cleared several times each day, and deposited in the dung-court. Along the edge of the dung-court a few low sheds are constructed, in which swine are kept, and these con- sume the refuse of the food. | “In the side wall of the byre, and opposite to the heads of the cattle, are constructed three ventilators; these are placed at the distance of about two feet four inches from the = 4 ae a) re a /£ “ee m. x in 24 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ground, in the inside of the byre, and pass out just under the roof. The inside openings of these are about thirteen inches in length, seven in breadth, and nine in depth; and they serve two good purposes. The breath of cattle being super- ficially lighter than atmospheric air, the consequence is, that in some byres the cattle are kept in a constant heat and sweat, because their breath and heat have no way to escape ; where- as, by means of the ventilators, the air cf the barn is kept in proper circulation, which conduces as much to the health of the cattle as to the preservation of the walls and timber of the byre, by drying up the moisture produced from the breath and sweat of the cattle, which is found to injure those parts of the building.” | MILKING THE operation of milking should, if possible, always be performed by the same person, and in the most gentle man- ner; the violent tugging at the teats by an inexperienced hand is apt to make the animal irritable and uneasy during the operation, and unwilling to be milked. Many of the dis- eases of the teats and udder can be traced to viclence done to the parts under the operation of milking. Yvung animals are often unwilling to be milked: here a little patience and kindness will perform wonders. 3 It is not the quantity of milk that gives value to the dairy cow; for the milk of one good cow wiil make more butter than that of two poor ones, each giving the same quantity of milk. Its most abundant principles are cream, caseous matter or curd, and whey. In these are also contained a saccharine matter, (sugar of milk,) muriate and phosphate of potassa, phosphate of lime, acetic acid, acetate of potassa, and a trace of acetate of iron. The three principal constituents (cream, eurd, an whey) can easily be separated: thus the cream rises to the surface, and the curd and whey wi! separat> if — ss BNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 25 the milk becomes sour, or 2 little rennet is poured into 4t. When milk is intended to be made into cheese, no part of the cream should be separated. Good cheese is, consequently, _ rarely produced in those dairies where much butter is made ; the former being robbed for the sake of the latter. Sir J. Sinclair says, ‘If a few spoonfuls of milk are left in ‘ne udder of the cow at milking; if any of the implements used in the dairy are allowed to be tainted by neglect; if the _dairy-house be kept dirty, or out of order; if the milk is either too hot or too cold at coagulation; if too much or too little rennet is put into the milk; if the whey is not speedily taken off ; if too much or too little salt is apphed; if butter is too slowly or too hastily churned; or if othez minute at- tentions are neglected, the milk will be in a great measure lost. Jf these nice operations occurred once a month, or once a week, they might be easily guarded against; but as they require to be observed during every stage of the process, and almost every hour of the day, the most vigilant attention must be kept up during the whole season.” A KNOWLEDGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL CHEMISTRY IM- PORTANT TO FARMERS. : Tr is a well-known tact that plants require for their germi- nation and growth different constituents of soil, and that ani- mals require different forms of food to build up the waste, and promote the living integrity —the vital powers. In order to supply the materials necessary for animal and vegetable nutrition, we require alternate changes — the former in the diet, and the latter in the soil. Experience has proved that the cultivation of a plant for several successive years on the same soil impoverishes it, or the plant degenerates. On the contrary, if a piece of land be suffered to lie uncultivated for a short time, it will yield, in spite of the loss cf time, a ~ 25 AMERICAN REFURMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ¥ $ i tinea ee ¥. 4 greater quantity of grain; for, during the interval of rest, the | soil regains its original equilibrium. It has been satisfactorily. | demonstrated that a fruit-tree cannot be made to grow and | bring forth good fruit on the same spot where another of the | same species has stood; at least not until a lapse of years. | This is a fact worth knowing, for it apphes more or less to all forms of vegetation. Another fact of experience is, that some plants thrive on the same soil only after a lapse of years, while others may be cultivated in close succession, provided the soil is kept in equilibrium by artificial means ; these are subsoiling, &c. Some kinds of plants improve the soil, while others impoverish or éxhaust it. Professor Liebig tells us, ‘turnips, cabbages, beets, oats, and rye are considered to belong to the class which impoverish the soil; while by wheat, hops, madder, hemp, and poppies, it is supposed to be entirely exhausted.”” Many of our farmers expend large sums of money in the purchase of manure, with a view of improving the soil; and they suppose that their crops will be abundant — in proportion to the amount of manure; yet many have dis-— covered that, in spite of the extra expense and labor, the prod- | uce of their farms decreased. | The alternation of crops seems destined to effect a great change in agriculture. A French chemist informs us that the roots of plants imbibe matter of every kind from the soil, and - thus necessarily abstract a number of substances, which are not adapted to the purposes of nutrition, and that they are ultimately expelled by the excretory vessels, and return to the soil as excrement. The excrementitious portion of the food also returns to the soil. Now, as excrement cannot be assiin- lated by the same animal or plant that ejected it, without danger to the organs of digestion or elimination, it follows that the more vegetable excrement the soil contains, the more unfitted must it be for plants of the same species; yet these excrementitious matters may, however, still be capable of assimilation by another kind of plant, which would absorb them from the soil, and render it again fertile for the first. In connection with this, it has been observed that several ees en ‘ Paes - aa pear gee’ KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 27 plants will flourish when growing beside each other; but it is not good policy to sow two kinds of seed together: on the other haud, some plants mutually prevent each other’s devel- opment. ‘The same happens if young cattle are suffered tc graze and sleep in the barn together; the one lives at the ex- pense of the other, which soon shows evidences of disease. ‘The injurious effects of permitting young children to sleep with aged relatives are known to many of our readers; yet some parents see iheir children sicken and die without know- ing the why or wherefore. From such facts as these, — which we might multiply to an indefinite extent, were it necessary, — we learn that nature’s laws are immutable and nneompromising ; and woe be to the man that transgresses them: they are a part of the divine law, which cannot be set at nought with impunity. Ignorance on these important subjects has existed too long: yet we perceive in the distant horizon a ray of intellectual light, streaming through our. schools and agricultural socie- ties. ‘The result will be, that succeeding generations will be better acquainted with nature’s laws, from which shal] flow untold blessmgs. Chemistry teaches us that animals and vegetables are composed of a vast number of different com- pounds, which are nearly all produced by the same elementary principles. Vegetables consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxy- gen; and the same substances, with the addition of nitrogen, are the principal constituents of the animal economy. Ina word, all the constituents of animal creation have actually been discovered in vegetables: this has. we presume, led to the conclusion that “all flesh is grass.” Many horticulturists complain that certain fruits and seeds have ‘run out,” or degenerated. Has the stately oax, the elm, or the cedar degenerated? No. Hach has preserved its identity, and will continue so to do, at least just as the Di- vine Artist intended they shculd, unless man, by his fancied improvements, interferes; and here, reader, permit us to ask if you ever knew a piece of nature’s mechanism improved by human agency. Can we make a light better adapted to the SS Ra I PAT GAA TTP 28. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DcCTOR. wants of animate and inanimate creation than that which the sun, moon, and stars afford? Whenever we attempt to improve = | on immutable laws, as they are written on the face of crea- | tion, that moment we eprevent the full and free play of these laws. Hence the practice of grafting scions of delicious fruit-trees on stock of an inferior order compromises its iden- tity ; and successive crops will show unmistakable evidences of encroachment. A son of the lamented Mr. Phinney tells us that he had some very fine sows, that he was desirous of breeding from, with a view of making “‘improvements.” He bred in a close degree of relationship: in a short time, to use his own expression, ‘their sides appeared like two boards nailed together.”’ Does the farmer wish to know how to pre- -vent seeds and fruit “running out”? Let him study chem- istry. Chemistry furnishes the information; it also teaches the husbandman the fact, that to put a plant, composed of — certain essential elements, on a soil destitute of those ele- ments, — or to graft a scion, requiring a certain amount of sap ur juice, on a stock destitute of such sap or juice, expecting that they will germinate, grow to perfection, and preserve their identity, — would be just as absurd as to expect-that a dry sow would nourish a sucking pig. Agriculture being based on the equilibrium of the soils, a knowledge of chemistry is indispensable to every one who is desirous of keeping pace with the reforms of the age; for it is through the medium of that science alone that we are en- abled to ascertain with certainty how this equilibrium 1s dis- turbed by the growth of vegetation. Then is it not a matter of deep interest to the farmer to know how this equilibrium is restored ? | Does the farmer wish to know what kind of soil is neces- sary to nourish and mature a plant? Chemistry solves the - problem. Does the farmer wish to know how to improve the soil? Let him refer to chemistry. Chemistry will teach the farmer how to analyze the soil; by that means he will learn - which of the constituent elements of the plants and soil are eenstant, and which are changeable. By making ay analysis ; "KNOWLEDGE oF SHEMISTRY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 29 ie the soil at differer:t periods, through the process of germi- pation, growth, and maturity, we are enabled tu ascertain the amount of excretory elements given out. Bergman tells us that he found, by analysis, in “ 100 parts of fertile soil, coarse siiex 30 parts, silecia 30 parts, carbonate of lime 30 parts: ” hence the fertility of the soil diminishes in proportion as one or the other of these elements predominates. Ashes of wheat contain, among other elementary sub- stances, 48 parts of silecia. Now, what farmer could expect to raise a good crop of wheat from a soil destitute of silecious earth, since this earth constitutes a large amount of the earthy part of wheat? ‘There is no barrier to agricultural improve- ment so effectual as for farmers to continue their old customs purely because their forefathers did so. But prejudices are fast dying away before the rays of intellectual illumination; — the farmers are fast seceding from the supposed infallibles of their forefathers, and will soon become ‘book ” as well ag practical husbandmen. ‘Book farming,” assisted by prac- tical knowledge, teaches that manures require admixture of milder materials to mitigate their force; for some of them communicate a disgusting or offensive quality to vegetables. They are charged with imparting a biting and acrimonious taste to radishes and turnips. Potatoes and grapes are known to borrow the foul taint of the ground. Millers observe a strong, disagreeable odor in the meal of wheat that grew upon land highly charged with the rotten recrements of cities. Stable dung is known to impart a disagreeable flavor to vege- tables. ~The same effects may be illustrated in the animal king- dom. Ducks are rendered so ill tasted from stuffing down garbage as sometimes to be offensive to the palate when cooked. The quality of pork is known by the food of the swine, and the peculiar flavor of water-fowl is rationally traced to the fish they devour. ‘Thus a portion of the ele- ments of manure and nutrimental matter passes into the living bodies without being entirely subdued. For example, we can alter the color of the cow’s milk by mixing madder 9 saf 30 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. fron in the food; the odor may be influenced by gailic; the flavor may be altered by pine and wormwood ; and lastly, the medicinal effect may be influenced. | In the cultivatu u of grass the farmer will find it to his ad- © vantage to cultivate none but the best kinds; the whole pas-— | ture lands will then be filled with valuable grass seeds. The number of grass seeds worth cultivating is but few, and these should be sown separately. It is bad policy to sow different kinds of grass seed together —just as bad as to sow wheat, oats, turnips, and corn promiscuously. The reason why the farmers, as a community, wili be ben- efited by sowing none but the best seed is, because grass seeds are distributed through neighboring pastures by the © winds, and there take root. Now, if the neighboring pastures abound in inferior grasses, the fields will soon be filled with — useless plants, which are very difficult to be got rid of. We refer those of our readers who desire to make themselves ac- quainted with animal chemistry to Professor Liebig’s work on that science. ON BREEDING. Laree sums of money have, from time to time, been ex- pended with a view of improving stock, and many superior cattle have been introduced into this country ; yet, after a few generations, the beautiful form and superior qualities of the originals are nearly lost, and the importer finds to his cost that the produce is no better than that of his neighbors. What are the causes of this deterioration? We are told — and experience confirms the: fact —that ‘lke produces like.” Good qualities and perfect organization are perpetuated by a union of animals possessing those properties: of course it fol- lows, that malformation, hereditary taints, and vices are trans- matted and aggravated. The destructive practice of breeding “in and in,” or, mm | (i | | | E REEDING. 31 otter words, selecting animals of the seme family, :s one of the first causes of degeneracy ; and this destructive practice has proved equally unfortunate in the human family. Physical defects are the result of the intermarriage of near relatives. In Spain, the deformed and feeble state of the aristocracy arises from their alliances being confined to the same class of relatives through successive generations. But we need not so to Spain to verify such facts. Go into our churchyards and read on the tombstones the names of thousands of infants, — gems withered in the bud, — young men, and maidens, cut down and consigned to a premature grave; and then prove, if you can, that early marriages and near alliances are not the chief causes of this great mortality. Mr. Colman, in an article on live stock, says, ‘‘ There seems 10 be a limit. beyond which no person can go. The particu: lar breed may be altered and improved, but an entirely new breed cannot be produced ; and in every departure from the original there is a constant tendency to revert back to it. The stock of the improved Durham cattle seems to establish this fact. If we have the true history of it, it is a cross of a Teeswater bull with a Galloway cow. The Teeswater or Yorkshire stock are a large, coarse-boned animal: the object of this cross was to get a smaller bone and greater compact- ness. By attempting to carry this improvement, if I may so call it, still further by breeding continually in and in, that is, with members of the same family, in a close degree of affin- ‘ty, the power of continuing the species seems to become ex- iinct; at least it approximates to such a result. On the othe hand, by wholly neglecting all selection, and without an oe- casional good cross with an animal of some foreign blood, there appears a tendency to revert back to the large-boned, Jong-legged animal, from which the wmprovement began. “There are, however, several instances of superior animals bred in the closest affinity; whilst, in a very great majority of cases, the failure has been excessive.” Overiaxing the generative nowers of the male is another -2anse of deterioration, ‘The reader is probably aware of the Pear. ¥ a2 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. | woful results attending too trequent sexual intercourse. If he — has not given this subject the attention it demands, th2n let» hin. read the records of our lunatic asylums: they tell a sad tale of woe, and prove to demonstration that, before the blast of this dire tornado, serual excess, lofty minds. the suns and stars of our intellectual world, are suddenly blotted out. It spares neither age, sex, profession, nor kind. Dr. White re- Jates a case which substantiates the truth of our position “'The Prince of Wales, who afterwards became George the Fourth, had a stud horse of very superior qualities. His high- ness caused a few of his own mares to be bred to this stallion, and the produce proved every way worthy of the sire. ‘T'his horse was kept at Windsor for public covering witnout charge, except the customary groom’s fee of half a guinea. The groom, anxious to pocket as many half guineas-as possible, persuaded all he could to avail themselves of the prince’s lib- erality. The result was, that, being kept in a stable without sufficient exercise, and covering nearly one hundred mares yearly, the stock, although tolerably premising in their early age, shot up into lank, weakly, awkward, good-for-nothing creatures, to the entire ruin of the horse’s character and sire. Some gentlemen, aware of the cause, took pains to explain it, proving the correctness of their statement by reference to the first of the horses got, which were among the best horses in England.” : There is no doubt but that brutes are often endowed with extraordinary powers for sexual indulgence; yet, when kept for the purpose alluded to, without sufficient muscular exer- cise, — breathing impure air, and living on the fat of the farm, —his services in constant requisition, —then it is no wonder, that if, under these circumstances, the offspring are weak and inefficient. Professor Youatt reeommends that ‘“ valuable qualities once established, which it is desirable to keep up, should thereatter be preserved by occasional crosses with the best animals to be had of the same breed, but of a different family. ‘This is the great secret which has maintained the blood horse in his great superiority.” BREEDING. _ 33 The live stock of our farmers frequently degenerates in a very short space of time. The why and the wherefore is not generally understood ; neither will it be, until animal physi- ology shall be better understood than it is at the present time. Men are daily violating the laws of animal organization in more ways than one, in the breeding, rearing, and general management of all kinds of domestic animals, — until the dif- ferent breeds are so amalgamated, that, in many cases, it isa difficult task to ascertain, with any degree of certainty, their pedigree. Ifa farmer has in his possession a bull of a favor- ite breed, the neighboring stock-raisers avail themselves of his bullship’s services by sending as many cows to him as possible: the consequence is, that the offspring got in the lat- ter part of the season are good for nothing. The cow also, at the time of impregnation, may be in a state of debility, owing to some derangement in the organs of digestion ; if so, impregnation is very likely to make the matter worse; for great Sympathy exists between the organs of generation and those of digestion, and females of every order suffer more or less from a disturbed state of the stomach during the early months of pregnancy. In fact, during the whole stage they should be considered far from a state of health. Add to this the fact that impregnated cows are milked, (not generally, yet we know of such cases:) the foetus is thus deprived of its due share of nourishment, and the extra nutrimental agents, necessary for its growth and development, must be furnished at the expense of the mother. She, in her turn, soon shows unmistakable evidences of this “‘robbing Peter to pay Paul ” system, by her sunken eye, loss of flesh, &c., and often, be- fore she has seen her sixth month of pregnancy, liberates the fetus by a premature birth —in short, pays the penalty of disobedience to the immutable iaw of nature. On the other hand, should such a cow go safely through the whole period of gestation and parturition, the offspring will not be worth keeping, and the milk of the former will lack, in some meas ure, those constituents which go to make good milk, ana without which it is almost worthless for making butter cr “94 Poe ak 34 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOC1DR. cheese. A cow should never be bred from unless she shai. be in good health and fiesh. If she cannot be fatted, then a she may be spayed. (See article Spaying Cows.) By that means, her health will improve, and she will be made a per- manent milker. Degeneracy may arise from physical defects Ye } py cae on the part of the bull. It is well known that infirmities, — faults, and defects are communicated by the sexual congress to the parties as well as their offspring. Hence a bull should never be bred to unless he possesses the requisite qualifications ef soundness, form, size, and color. here are a great num- ber of good-for-nothing bulls about the country, whose services can be had for a trifle; under these circumstances, and when they can be procured without the trouble of sending the cow even a short distance, it will be difficult to effect a change. If the farming community desire to put a stop to this grow- ing evil, let them instruct their representatives to advocate the enactment of a law prohibiting the breeding to bulls or stal- lions unless they shall possess the necessary qualifications. THE BULL. Mr. Lawson gives us the following description of a good bull. It would be difficult to find one corresponding in all its details to this description ; yet it will give the reader an idea of what a good bull ought to be. “The head of the bull should be rather long, and muzzle fine; his eyes lively and prominent; his ears long and thin; his horns white; his neck rising With a gentle curve from the shoulders, and small and fine where it joins the head; his shoulders moderately broad at the top, joining full to his chine and chest backwards, and to the neck-vein forwards; his bosom open; breast broad, and projecting well before his legs; his arms or fore thighs mus- cular, and tapering to his knees; his legs straight, clean, and very fine boned; his chine and chest so full as to leave na holiows behind the shoulders; the plates strong, to keep his belly from sinking below the level of his breast; his back ox cin broad, straight, and flat; his ribs rising one above en- eo ae — — = Se VALUE OF OSEA FRENT BREEDS OF COWS. 36 sther, in such a manner that the last rib shall be ratler ths highest, leaving only a small space to the hips, the whole forming a round or barrel-like carcass ; his hips should be wide placed, round or globular, and a little higher than the back; the quarters (from the hips to the rump) long, and, instead of being square, as recommended by some, they should taper gradually from the hips backwards; rump close to the tail; the tail bread, well haired, and set on so as to be in ne same horizontal line with his back.” VALUE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF COWS. Mr. Culley, in speaking of the relative value of long and short forns, says, ‘The long-horns excel in the thickness and firm texture of the hide, in the length and closeness of the hair, in their beef being finer grained and more mixed and marbled than that of the short-horns, in weighing more in proportion to their size, and in giving richer milk; but they are inferior to the short-horns in giving a less quantity of milk, in weighing less upon the whole, in affording less fat when killed, in being generally slower feeders, in being coarser made, and more leathery or bullish in the under side of the neck. Ina few words, the long-horns excel. in hide, hair, and quality of beef; the short-horns in the quantity of beef, fat, and milk. Hach breed has long had, and probably may have, their particular advocates; but if I may hazard a conjecture, is it not proba- ble that both kinds may have their particular advantages in different situations? Why not the thick, firm hides, and long, closer set hair, of the one kind be a protection and security against tempestuous winds and heavy fogs and rains, while a regular season and mild climate are more suitable to the ccn- stitutions of the short-horns? But it has hitherto been the misfortune of the short-horned breeders to seek the largest and biggest boned ones fer the best, without considering that those are the best that bring the most money for a given quan- tity of food. However, the ideas of oar short-horned breed- ers belug now more diogei and their minds mote open te é 36 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR conviction, we may hope in a few years to see great Iniprove ments made in that breed of cattle. “T would recommend to breeders of cattle to-find out which breed is the most profitable, and which are best adapted to the different situations, and endeavor to improve that breed te the utmost, rather than try to unite the particular qualities of two or more distinct breeds by crossing, which is a precarious “practice, for we generally find the produce inherit the coarse- hess of both breeds, and rarely attain the good properties ‘which the pure distinct breeds individually possess. ‘Short-horned cows yield much milk; the long-horned give less, but the cream is more abundant and richer. The same quantity of milk also yields a greater proportion of cheese. The Polled or Galloway cows are excellent milkers and their milk is rich. The Suffolk duns are much esteemed for the abundance of their milk, and the excellence of the butter it produces. Ayrshire or Kyloe cows are much este2med in Scotland; and in England the improved breed of the long- horned cattle is highly prized in many dairy districts, Every judicious selecter, however, will always, in making his choice, keep in view not only the different sorts and individuals of the animal, but also the nature of the farm on which the COWS are to be put, and the sort of manufactured produce he is anxious to bring to market. The best age for a milch cow is betwixt four, or five, and ten. When old, she will give more milk; but it is of an inferior quality, and she is less easily supported.” METHOD OF PREPARING RENNET, AS PRACTISED IN ENGLAND. Taxe the calf’s maw, or stomach, and having taken out the curd contained therein, wash it clean, and salt it thor- oughly, inside and out, leaving a white coat of salt over. every part of it.” Put it into an earthen jar, or other vessel, aud Jet it stand three or four days; in which time it will have MAKING CHEEDE£. peas fonned the salt and its own natural juice into a pickle. Take it out of the jar, and hang it up for two or three days, to let he pickle drain from it; resalt it; place it again in the jar; cover it tight down with a paper, pierced with a large pin; and let it remain thus till it is wanted for use. In this state it ought to be kept twelve months; it may, however, in case of necessity, be used a few days after it has received the second salting ; but it will not be as strong as if kept a longer time. To prepare the rennet for use, take a handful of the leaves of the sweet-brier, the same quantity of rose and bram- ble leaves; boil them in a gallon of water, with three or four handfuls of salt, about a quarter of an hour; strain off the liquor, and, having let it stand until perfecily cool, put it into an earthen vessel, and add to it the maw prepared as above. ‘To this add a sound, good lemon, stuck round with about a quarter of an ounce of cloves, which give the rennet an agreeable flavor. ‘The longer the bag remains in the liquor, the stronger, of course, will be the rennet. The amount, therefore, requisite to turn a given quantity of milk, can only _ be ascertained by daily use and observation. A sort of aver- age may be something less than a half pint of good rennet to fifty gallons of milk. In Gloucestershire, they employ one third of a pint to coagulate the above quantity. MAKING CHEESE. Ir is generally admitted that many dairy farmers pay more atiention to the quantity than the quality of this article of food; now, as cheese is ‘a surly elf, digesting every thing but itself,” (this of course applies to some of the white oak specimens, which, like the Jew’s razors, were made to sell,) it is surely a matter of great importance that they should attend more to the quality, especially if it be intended for ex- _ portation. There ig 19 doubt but the home consumption cf (oan “he pada a aoe. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. good cheese would soon materially increase, for many thou- — sands of our citizens refuse to eat of the miserable stuif 4 ‘ misnamed cheese.” vee. | | q The English have long been celebrated for the superior qual- ity of their cheese ; and we have thought that we cannot do a better service to our dairy farmers than to give, in as few words as possible, the various methods of making the differ- ent kinds of cheese, for which we are indebted to Mr. law- son’s work on caitle. “It is to be observed, in general, that cheese varies in qual- ity, according as it has been made of milk of cone meal, or two meals, or of skimmed milk; and that the season of the year, the method of milking, the preparation of the rennet, the mode of coagulation, the breaking and gathering of the curd, the management of the cheese in the press, the method 7 of salting, and the management of the cheese-room, are a] objects cf the highest importance to the cheese manufacturer and yet, notwithstanding this, the practice, in most of these respects, is still regulated by little else than mere chance or custom, without the direction of enlightened observation or the aid f{ well-conducted experiment. a GLOUCESTER CHEESE. “Ta Gloucestershire, where the manufacture of cheese 1s perhaps as well understood as in any part of the world, they mae the best cheeses of a single meal of milk; and, when this is done in the best manner, the entire meal cf milk is used, without any addition from a former meal. But :t not unfrequently happens that a port‘on of the milk is reserved and set by to be skimmed for butter; and at the next milk- ing this pro“ortion is added to the new milk, from whiclt an equal quantity has been taken for a similar purpose. (One meal cheeses are principally made here, and go by the name of best making, or simply one meal cheeses. ‘The cheeses are distinguished into thin and thick, or single and double ; the last having usually four to the hundred weight. (112 hoe tps, alt - MAKING CHEESE. | 39 pounds,) the other about twice that number. The bost double Gloucester is always made from new milk. . ‘ The true single Gloucester cheese is thought by many to be the best, in point of flavor, of any we have. The season for making their thin or single cheese is mostly from April to November ; but the principal season for the thick or double is confined to May, June, and the early part of July. This is a busy season in the dairy; for at an earlier period the milk is not rich enough, and if the cheese be made later in the _summer, they do not acquire sufficient age to be marketable next spring. Very many cheeses, however, can be made even in winter from cows that are well fed. ‘The cows are milked in summer at a very early hour; generally by four o’clock in the morning, before the day becomes hot, and the animals restless and unruly. CHESTER CHEESE. “‘ After the milk has been strained, to free it from any im purities, it is conveyed into a cooler placed upon feet like a table, having a spigot at the bottom for drawing off the milk. This, when sufficiently cooled, is drawn off into pans, and the cooler again filled. In some cases, the cooler is large enough to hold a whole meal’s milk at once. ‘The rapid cooling thus produced (which, however, is necessary only in hot weather, and during the summer season) is found to be of essential utility in retarding the process of fermentation, and thereby preventing putridity from commencing in the milk before two meals of it can be put together. Some have thought that the cheese might be improved by cooling the even- ing’s milk still more rapidly, and that this might be effected by repeatedly drawing it off from and returning it into the sistern. When the milk is too cold, a portion of it is warmed over the fire and mixed with the rest. 40 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. stand over night. The whole of this infusion is, in the morning, mixed with the milk in the cheese-tub, and the rag dipped in the milk and rubbed on the palm of the hand as long as any of the coloring matter can be made to come away. “The next operation is salting ; and this is done, either by laying the cheese, immediaiely after it comes out of the press, on a clean, fine cloth in the vat, immersed in brine, to remain for several days, turning it once every day at least; or by covering the upper surface of the cheese with salt every time it is turned, and repeating the application for three successive days, taking care to change the cloth twice during the time In each of these methods, the cheese, after being so treated, is taken out of the vat, placed upon the salting bench, and the whole surface of it carefully rabbed with salt daily for eight or ten days. If it be large, a wooden hoop or a fillet of cloth is employed to prevent renting. The cheese is then washed in warm water or whey, dried with a cloth, and laid on what is called the drying bench. It remains there for . ve Pi 1 Te ea cota Gena : about a week, and is thence removed to the keeping house. In Cheshire, it is found that the greatest quantity of salt used for a cheese of sixty pounds is about three pounds; but the proportion of this retained in the cheese has not been deter- mined. ‘¢ When, after salting and drying, the cheeses are deposited in the cheese-room or store-house, they are smeared all over with fresh butter, and placed on shelves fitted to the purpose, or on the floor. During the first ten or fifteen days, smart rubbing is daily employed, and the smearing with butter re- peated. As long, however, as they are kept, they should be every day turned ; and the usual practice is to rub them tlree times a week in summer and twice in winter. STILTON CHEESE. “Stilton cheese is made by putting the night’s cream into the morning’s new milk along with the rennet. When the 3s Sea | MAKING CHEESE. Ay curd has come, it is not broken, as in making uther cheese but taken out whole, and put into a sieve to drain gradually, While this is going on, it is gently pressed, and, having be- éome firm and dry, is put into a vat, and kept on a dry board. These cheeses are exceedingly rich and valuable. They are called the Parmesan of England, and weigh from ten to twelve pounds. The manufacture of them is confined almost ex- clusively to Leicestershire, though not entirely so. Z DUNLOP CHEESE. “in Scotland, a species of cheese is produced, which has long been known and celebrated under the name of Dunlop cheese. The best cheese is made by such as have a dozen or more cows, and consequently can make a cheese every day ; one half of the milk being immediately from the cow, and the other of twelve hours’ standing. Their method of mak- ing it is simple. ‘They endeavor to have the milk as near as may be to the heat of new milk, when they apply the rennet, and whenever coagulation has taken place, (which is gener- ally in ten or twelve minutes,) they stir the curd gently, and the whey, beginning to separate, is taken off as it gathers, til] the curd be pretty solid. When this happens, they put it into a drainer with holes, and apply a weight. As soon es this has had its proper effect, the curd is put back again into the cheese-tub, and, by means of a sort of knife with three or four blades, is cut into very small pieces, salted, and carefully mixed by the hand. It is now placed in the vat, and put under the press. This is commonly a large stone of a cubical shape, from half a ton to a ton in weight, fixed in a frame of wood, and raised and lowered by an iron screw. The cheese is frequently taken out, and the cloth changed; -and as soon as it has been ascertained that no more whey remains, it is removed, and placed ona dry board or pine floor. It is turned and rubbed frequently with a hard, coarse cloth, to prevent moulding or breeding mites. No coloriig matter 42 AMERICAN Be CATTLE. DOCTOR. ris is used 10 talane Dunlop cheese, except by cach as vish ty imitate the English cheese cor GREEN CHEESE. * Grecn che2se 1s made by steeping over night. in a proper quantity of mulk, two parts of sage with one of marigold leaves, and a little parsley, after being bruised, and then mix- ing the curd of the milk, thus greened, as it is called, with the curd of the white milk. ‘These may be mixed irregular- ly or fancifully, according to the pleasure of the operator. The management in other respects is the same as for com- mon cheese.” Mr. Colman says, ‘‘In conversation with one of the largest whoiesale cheesemongers and provision-dealers in the coun- try, he suggested that there were two great faults of the American cheese, which somewhat prejudiced its sale in the English market. He is a person in whose character and ex- perience entire confidence may be placed. “The first fault was the softness of the rind. It often cracked, and the cheese became spoiled from that cireum- stance. ‘The second fault is the acridness, cr peculiar, smart, bit- ter taste often found in American cheese. He thought this might be due, in part, to some improper preparation or use of the rennet, and, in part, to some kind of feed which the cows found in the pastures. “Tl > rind may be made of any desired hardness, if the cheese be taken from the press, and allowed to remain in brine, so strong that it will take up no more salt, for four or five hours. ‘There must be great care, however, not to keep ii too long in the brine. “The calf from which the rennet is to be taken should not be allowed to suck cn the day on which it is killed. The office of the rennet, or stomach cf the calf, is, to supply the i | | | | {pe Mepetene 2 MAKING CHEESE. : 43 gastric juice by which the curdling of the milk is effected. If it has recently performed that office, it will have become, to a degree, exhausted of its strength. ‘Too much rennet |, should not be applied. Dairymaids, in general, are anxious to have the curd ‘come soon,’ and so applv an excessive quantity, to which he thinks much of the acrid taste of the cheese is owing. Only so much should be used as will pro~ duce the effect in about fifty mimutes. For the reason above given, the rennet should not, he says, be washed in water when taken from the calf, as it exhausts its strength, but be simply salted. ‘¢ When any cream is taken from the milk to be made into Lutter, the buttermilk should be returned to the milk of which tne cheese is to be made. ‘The greatest care should be taken m separating the whey from the cheese. When the pressing or handling is too severe, the whey that runs from the curd will appear of a white color. This is owing to its carrying off with it the small creamy particles of the cheese, which are, In fact, the richest part of it. After the curd is cut or broken, therefore, and not squeezed with the hand, and all the whey is allowed to separate from it that can be easily re- moved, the curd should be taken out of the tub with the greatest care, and laid upon a coarse cloth attached to a frame lize a sieve, and there suffered to drain until it becomes quite dry and mealy, before being put into the press. The object of pressing should be, not to express the whey, but to con- solidate the cheese. ‘There should be no aim to make whey butter. All the butter extracted from the whey is so mrsk of the proper richness taken from the cheese.” - 44 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. MAKING BUTTER. Ir 1s a matter of impossibility to make a supetior article of butter from the milk of a cow in a diseased state; for if either of the organs of secretion, absorption, digestion, 01 s1r< culation, be deranged, we cannot expect good blood. ‘The milk being a secretion from the blood, it follows that, in ors der to have good milk, we must have pure blood. A great deal depends also on the food ; certain pastures are more favor- able to the production of good milk than others. We know that many vegetables, such as turnips, garlic, dandelions, will impart a disagreeable flavor to the milk. On the other hand, sweet-scented grasses and boiled food improve the quality, and, generally, increase the quantity of the milk, provided, however, the digestive organs are in a physiological state. The processes of making butter are various in different parts of the United States. We are not prepared, from expe- rience, to discuss the relative merits of the different operations of churning: suffice it to say, that the important improve- ments that have recently been made in the construction < “ churns promise to be of great advantage to the dairyman. The method of churning in England is considered to be favorable to the production of good butter. From twelve to- twenty hours in summer, and about twice as long in winter, are permitted to elapse before the milk is skimmed, after it has been put into the milk-pans. If, on applying the tip of the finger to the surface, nothing adheres to it, the cream may be properly taken off ; and during the hot summer months, this should always be done in the morning, before the dairy heecmes warm. The cream should then be deposited ina ‘deep pan, placed in the coolest part of the dairy, or in a cool ceilar, where free air is admitted. In hot weather, churning shon!d be performed, if possible, every other day; but if this is not convenient, the cream should be daily shifted into a slean pan, and the churning should never be less frequent than twice a week. This work should 'e performed in the ae Pees ¢ > MAKING) BUTTER. 45 soolest time of the day, and in the coolest pa:t cf the house. Cold water should be applied to the churn, first by filling it with this some time before the cream is poured in, or it may be kept cool by the application of a wet cloth. Such means are generally necessary, to prevent the too rapid acidification of the cream, and formation of the butter. We are indebted for much of the poor butter, (cart-grease would be a more suitable name,) in which our large cities abound, to want of due care in churning: it should never be done too hastily, but —like ‘ Billy Gray’s”” drumming — well done. In win- ter the churn may be previously heated by first filling it with het water, the operation to be performed in a moderately warm room. He In churning, a moderate and uninterrupted motion should be kept up during the whole process; for if the motion be too rapid, heat is generated, which will give the butter a rank fla- vor; and if the motion is relaxed, the butter will go back, as it is termed WASHING BUTTER. ‘‘ When the operation is properly conducted, the butter, after some time, suddenly forms, and is to be carefully ccl- lected and separated from the buttermilk. But in doing this, it is not sufficient merely to pour off the milk, or withdraw the butter from it; because a certain portion of the caseous and serous parts of the milk still remains in the interstices of the butter, and must be detached from it by washing, if we would obtain it pure. In washing butter, some think it suf- ficient to press the mass gently between the hands; others press it strongly and frequently, repeating the washings till the water comes off quite clear. The first method is prefera- bie when the butter is made daily, for immediate use, from new milk or cream; because the portions of such adhering to it, or mixed with it, contribute to produce the sweet agreeable flavor which distinguishes new cream. But when our object is to prepare butter for keeping, we cannot repeat the wash- 46 AMERICAN REWORMPN CATTLE pocTOR. —_—_—sS|; ings tuo often, since the presence of a small quantity of milk | in it will, in less than twelve hours after churning, cause it | sensibly to lose its good qualities. “The process of washing butter is usually nothing more | than throwing it into an earthen vessel of clear cool water, ! working it to and fro with the hands, and changing the water until it comes off clear. A much preferable method, however, and that which we believe is now always practised by those who best understand the business, is to use two broad pieces of wood, instead of the hands. This is to be preferred, not only on account of its apparently greater cleanliness, but also because it is of decided advantage to the quality of the but- ter. ‘T'o this the warmth of the hand gives always, more or less, a greasy appearance. The influence of the heat of the hand is greater than might at first have been suspected. It has always been remarked, that a person who has naturally a warm hand never makes good butter.” COLORING BUTTER. As butter made in winter is generally pale or white, and its richness, at the same time, inferior to that which is made during the summer months, the idea of excellence has been associated with the yellow color. Means are therefore em- ployed, by those who prepare and sell butter, to impart to it the yellow color where that is naturally wanting. The sub- stances mostly employed in England and Scotland are the root of the carrct and the flowers of the marigold. ‘The juice ef either of these is expressed and passed through a linen cloth. A small quantity of it (and the proportion of it neces- sary is soon learned by experience) is diluted with a little cream, and this mixture is added to the rest of the cream when it enters the churn. So little of this coloring matter unites with the but er, that it never communicates to it any peculiar taste. ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. ‘s) ' DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. G sophagus, or Grullet. — This tube extends from the mouth to the stomach, and is the medium through which the food is conveyed to the latter organ. ‘This tube :s furnished with spiral muscles, which run in different directions. By this ar- rangement, the food ascends or descends at the will of the animal. ‘The inner coat of the gullet is a continuation of the same membrane that lines the mouth, nostrils, &c. The gul- let passes down the neck, inclining to the left side of the windpipe, until it reaches the diaphragm, through a perfora- tion of which it passes, and finally terminates in the stomach. The food, having undergone a slight mastication by the action of the teeth, is formed into a pellet, and, being both mois- tened and lubricated with saliva, passes down the gullet, by the action of the muscles, and falls immediately inte, the paunch, or rumen ; here the food undergoes a process of macer- ation, or trituration. ‘The food, after remaining in this portion of the stomach a short time, and being submitted to the united action of heat and moisture, passes into another division of the stomach, called reticulum, the inner surface of which abounds in cells: at the bottom, and indeed in all parts of them there are glands, which secrete from the blood the gastric fluids. This stomach possesses a. property similar to that of the blad- der, viz., that of contracting upon its contents. In the act of contracting, it squeezes out a portion of the partly masticated food and fluids; the former comes within the spiral muscles, is embraced by them, and thus ascends the gullet, and passes into the mouth for remastication. 'The soft and fluid parts continue on to the many plus and true digestive stomach. The second stomach again receives a portion from the paunch, and the process is continued. Rumination and digestion, however, are mechanico-vital actions, and can only be properly performed when the animal is in a healthy state. ; Now, a portion or the food, we just observed, had ascended Se at 48 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the gullet by the aid of spiral muscles, and entered the moutn, it is again submitted to the action of the grinders, and a fresh supply of saliva; it is at length swallowed a second time, and goes through the same routine as that just described, passing ito the manyplus or manifolds, as it is termed. The manyplus abounds internally in a number of leaves, called iamine. Some of these are attached to the upper and lower portion of the division, aud also float loose, and pene- trate into the wsophagian canal. The laminze have numerous projections on their surface, resembling the papille to be found © on the tongue ‘The action of this stomach is one of alter- — nate contraction and expansion: it secretes, however, like the other compartments of the stomach, its due share of gastric fluids, with a view not only of softening its contents, but for the purpose ot defending its own surface against friction. The mechanical action of the stomach is communicated to it partly by the motion of the diaphragm, and its own muscular arrangement. It will readily be perceived, that by this joint action the food is submitted to a sort of grinding process. Hence any over-distention of the viscera, from either food or gas, will embarrass and prevent the free and full play of this organ. 'The papilla, or prominences, present a rough and sufficiently hard exterior to grind down the food, unless it shall hzve escaped the reticulum in too fibrous a form: fox- grass, cornstalks, and frosted turnips are very apt to make sad havoc in this and other parts of the stomach, owing to their unyielding nature; for the stomach, -ike other parts of the organization, suffers from over-exertion, and a corre: fonuding debi)ity ensues. “The fourth division of the stomach of the ox is called abo-— masum. It somewhat resembles the duodenum of the horse in its function, it being the true digestive stomach. It 1s studded with numerous nerves, blood-vessels, and small glands. it is a laboratory admirably fitted up by the Divine Artist, | and is capable of carrying on the chemico-vital process as | | long as the animal lives, provided its healthy f.nctions are _ | not impaired.. The glands alluded to secrete frcm the blood | I ore se _ - QRGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. AG 1 powerful solvent, called the gastric juice, which is the agent m reducing the food to chyme and chyle. This, however, is accomplished by the united agency of the bile and pancreatic Juice. Both these fluids are conveyed into the abomasum by means of small tubes or canals. Secretions also take place from the inner membrane of the intestines, and, as the result of the united action of al] these fluids, aided by the muscular motion just alluded to, which is also communicated to the intestines, a substance is formed called chyle, which is the most niitritious portion of the food, and has a milky appear- ance. ‘I‘he chyle is received into a set of very minute tubes, called lacteals, which are exceedingly numerous, and arise by open mouths from the inner surface of the abomasum and in- testines. They receive the chyle; from thence it passes inte a receptacle, and finally into the thoracic duct. .The thoracic duct opens into a vein leading directly to the heart; so that whatever portion of the chyle is not actually needed ‘by the organism is thoroughly mixed with the general mass of blood. That portion of chyme which is not needed, or cannot be con- verted into chyle, descends into the intestines, and is finally carried out of the body by the rectum. The manner in which the gastric fluids act on alimentary matter, is by solution and chemical action; for cornstalks and fox-grass, that cannot be dissolved by ammonia or alcoh_t, yield readily to the solvent power of the gastric secretion. Bones and other hard substances are reduced to a pulpy mass in the stomach of a dog; while, at the same time, many bodies of delicate texture remain in the stomach, and ulti- mately are ejected, without being affected by the gastric fluids. This different action on different subjects is analogous to the operation of chemical affinity, and corroborates the theory that digestion is effected by solution and chemical action. The Spleen, or Milt, is an oblong, dark-colored substance, having attachments to the paunch. It is composed of blood- vessels, nerves, and lymphatics, united by cellular structure. lt appears to serve as a reservoir for the blood that may be designed for the secretion of bile in the liver. TP. M. Roget 3 50 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTON. says, ‘Any theory that assigns a very important function t the spleen will be overturned by the fact, that in many animals the removal of this organ, far from being fatal, or | nterrupting, in any sensible manner, the continuance of the functions, seems to be borne with perfect impunity.” Sir E. Home, Bichat, Leuret, Lassaigne, and others, suppose that | 1 of fluid taken into the stomach.” | The Liver is a dense gland, of a lobulated structure, situ< i ated below the diaphragm, or “skirt.” It is supplied, like other organs, with arterial blood, by vessels, called hepatic : arteries, which are sent off from the great aorta. It receives also a large amount of venous blood, which is distributed | through its substance by a separate set of vessels, derived | from the venous system. 'The veins which receive the blood that has circulate? ‘n the usual manner unite together into a .arge trunk, calied vena porte, (gate vein,) and this vein, on | entering the liver, ramifies ike an artery, and ultimately ter- | minates in the branches of the hepatic veins, which transmii | the blood, in the ordinary course of circulation, to the vena cava, (hollow vein.) Mr. Kiernan says, ‘‘ The hepatic veins, together with the lobules which surround them, resemble, in their arrangement, the branches and leaves of a tree, the suk- stance of the lobules being disposed around the minute branches of the veins like the parenchyma of a leaf around > its fibres. The hepatic veins may be divided into two classes, namely, those contained in lIcbules, and those contained in canals formed by lobules. ‘The first class is composed_of in- terlobular branches, one of which ove tpies the centre of each iobule, and receives the blood from a plexus formed in the lobule by the portal vein; and the second class of hepatic veins is composed of all those vessels contained in canais formed by the lobules, and including numerous small branches, as well as the large trunks terminating in the inferior cava. The external surface of every lobule is covered by an expan- sion of ‘Gilisson’s capsule,’ by which it is cannected to, as wel. #5 separated from, contiguous lobules, and in which t ranches of cs tf ie ORGANS OF DIGES'TION IN CATTLE. 51 the hepatic duct, portal v veins, and hepatic artery ramify. ‘The ultimate branches of the hepatic artery terminate in the branches of the portal vein, where the blocd they respective- ly contain is mixed together, and from which mixed blood the bile is secreted by the lobules, and conveyed away by the hepatic ducts. The remaining blood is returned to the heart by the hepatic veins, the beginnings of which occupv the centre of each lobule, and, when collected into trunks, pour their contents into the inferior cava. Hence the blood which has circulated through the liver, and has thereby lost its arte- rial character, is, in common with that which is returning from other parts, poured into the vena porte, and contributes its share in furnishing materials for the biliary secretion. The hepatic artery furnishes nutrition to the liver itself.” The bile, having been secreted, accumulates in the gall- bladder, where it_is kept for future use. When the healthy action of the fourth stomach is interrupted, the bile is sup- posed to be reabsorbed, — it enters into the different tissues, producing yellowness of the eyes; the malady is then termed yellows, jaundice, &c. Sometimes the passage of the bile is obstrucied by calcul, or gall-stones; they have been found in great numbers in oxen. The Pancreas is composed of a number of lobules or glands ; a small duct proceeds from each; they unite and form a common canal, which proceeds towards, and terminates 11, the fourth stomach. The pancreatic juice appears to be ex- ceedingly analogous, both in its sensible properties and chem- ical composition, to the saliva. ““"The recent researches of MM. Bouchardat, Sandras, Mialhe, Bareswil, and Bernard himself, have placed beyond a doubt the existence of a ferment, in some of the fluids which mix with the alimentary mass, destined to convert starchy matters into sugar. They have proved that the gastric juice has for its peculiar office the solution and digestion of azo- tized substances. There remained to be ascertained the real agent for the digestion of fatty métters; that is to say, the agent in the formation of chyle out of those substances. "* engtse M14 ie: 52 aap AMERIUAN REFGRMED CATTLE DOCTOR.» ‘(M. Bernard has proved that this remarkable office is per formed by the pancreatic juice ; he has demonstrated the fact - -by three conchisive proofs. Ny ©], The pancreatic juice, pure and recently formed, forms | -an emulsion with oils and fats with the greatest facility. | This emulsion may be preserved for a long time, and the fatty substance soon undergoes a fermentation which separates its eonstituent acids. “2. The chyle only begins to appear in the lacteals below that part of the intestinal tube where the pancreatic juice © enters it to mix with the alimentary matters. ‘3. In disorders of the pancreas, we find that the fatty | matters, contained in the food, pass entire in the evacu- ations.) 5: 7 The above is an extract from the report of a body com- posed of several members of the French Academy of Sci- ences. ‘‘M. Bernard” (continues the report) “has exhibited to us the first of these experiments, and has furnished us with the means of repeating it with the several varieties of the gastric juice. We have not the slightest doubt on the subject. It is incontestable that fatty substances are converted into an emulsion by this juice, in a manner easy and _ persist- ent, and it is no less true that the saliva, the gastric juice, and the bile are destitute of this property. : ‘‘’The second demonstration can be given in various modes; but the author has discovered, in the peculiar arrangement of the digestive apparatus of the rabbit, an unexceptional means of obtaining it with the greatest precision, and at will. ‘The pancreatic juice enters the intestinal tube of this animal about fourteen inches below the point where the bile is poured in. Now, as long as the food is above the region where it mixes with the pancreatic juice, there appears to be no formation and separation of a milky chyle; nothing shows thai the fatty matters are reduced to an emulsion. On the contrary, ag soon as the pancreatic juice mixes with the alimentary mat- ters, we observe the fat to be converted into an emulsion, and p milky chyle to fill the corresponding lacteals. Nothing can ; _-—s&RREESPIRATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE LUNGS. 53 give an idea of the result of these experiments, which have all the accuracy of a chemical operation performed in the laboratory, and all the beauty of the most perfect injection. “We are not, therefore, surprised that divers pathological eases, hitherto imperfectly understood, should come to con- firm the views of M. Bernard, by proving that, in diseases of the pancreas, “tty matters have been observed to pass un- ehanged in the dejections. “The committee cannot hectare to conclude that the author has perfectly demonstrated his physiological proposi- tions; that he has completed the general characters of the theory of digestion, and that he has made known the mode of formation of the fatty matter of the chyle, and the man- ner of the digestion of the fatty matters.” The Kidneys. —'Their office is, to secrete from the blood he useless or excrementitious fluids in the form of urine. When the skin is obstructed, the secretion is augmented, and profuse perspiration lessens it. From a cavity in the centre of each kidney a canal or tube proceeds, by which the urine is conveyed into the bladder. These tubes are named wreters. As the ureters enter the bladder, they pass forward, a short distance between its coats; which effectually prevents the urine from taking a retrograde course. ‘The urine is expelled by the muscular power which the bladder possesses of con- tracting upon its contents. RESPIRATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE LUNGS. Tue organs of respiration are the larynx, the trachea, or windpipe, bronchia, and the lungs. The air is expelled from the lungs principally by the action of the muscles of respiration; and when these relax, the lungs expand | y virtue of their own elasticity. This may be exemplified »y means of a sponge, which may be com: B64 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DCCTOR. Mle Peleg in the lungs is of vital importance, and indispensably neces- — sary to the due performance of all the functions; for if they — be in a diseased state, — either tuberculous, or having adhe- — sions to the pleura, their function will be impaired; the blood will appear black ; loaded with carbon; and the phlebotomi- zer will have the very best (worst) excuse for taking away a few quarts with a view of purifying the remainder! The trachea, or windpipe, after dividing into smaller branches, called bronchia, again subdivides into innumerable other branches, the extremities of which are composed of an infinite number of small cells, which, with the ramifications of veins, arteries, nerves, and connecting membranes, make up the whole mass or substance of the lungs. The internal surface pressed iuto a small compass by the hand, but, upon opening q| the hand, the sponge returns to its natural size, and all its — cavities become filled with air. The purification of the blood | 7? EE —————————ES. an of the windpipe, bronchea, and air-cells, is lined with a del- icate membrane, highly organized with blood-vessels, &c. The whole is invested with a thin, transparent membrane — a continuation of that lining the chest, named pleura. It also covers the diaphragm, and, by a duplication of its folds, forms a separation between the lobes of the lungs. CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD. Te blood contains the elements for building up, supplying the waste of, and nourishing the whole animal economy. On making an examination of the blood with a microscope, it is found full of little red globules, which vary in their size and shape in different animals, and are more numerous in the warm than in the cold-blooded. Probably this arises from the fact | that the latter absorb less oxygen than the former. When blood stands for a time after being drawn, it separates into two parts. One is called serum. and resembles the white of an THE HEART VIEWED EXTERNALLY. 4 wNyes ) eg a LE, i 7 \) sil yy) re Ae RAN — — = = = ——— >} = a SHE. ZS = = Z al. Ss P ———_— ZS ce == ——— BAL F — —_ a = Uj =a —— So — —. BZ ZEEE Zs wae re EE Sees ——— EE Ze Fa a a Bz SE. BBE EES ae 7) : - . AU 2M i VA NY iy co a ree “3 Se ZZ LEE a oy) phe ae a, the left ventricle; 5, the right ventricle; ¢, e, f, the aorta; g, h, 7, the carotid and other arteries springing from the aorta; &, the pulmonary artery; /, branches of the pulmonary artery in the lungs; m, m, the pulmonary veins emptying into the left auricle; 2. the right auricle; 0, the ascending vena cava; g, the descending vena cava; 7, the left auricle; s, the coronary vein snd artery. (See Circulation of the Bised, or. the opposite rage.) 56 AMERICAN REFORMED. CATTLE :O0CTOrR. ego; the other is tae clot, or crassamentum, and form, ed | coagulum, or jelly-like substance. This is accompaned by | Whitish tough threads, called fibrine. When blood has been drawn from an animal, and it assumeg a cupped or hollow form, if serum, or buffy coat, remains on its surface, it denotes an impoverished state ; but if the whole, | ) when coagulated, be of one uniform mass, it indicates a healthy | state of that fluid. The blood of a young animal, provided it be in health, coagulates into a firm mass, while that of an old or debilitated one is generally less dense, and more easily Separated. The power that propels the blood through the different blood-vessels is a mechanico-vital power, and is ac- complished through the involuntary contractions and relaxa- tions of the heart ; from certain parts of which arteries arise, in other parts veins terminate. (See Plate. ) The heart is invested with a strong membranous sac, called pericardium, which adheres to the tendinous centre of the diaphragm, and to the great vessels at its superior portion. The heart is lubricated by a serous fluid, secreted within the pericardium, for the purpose of guarding against friction. When an excess of fluid accumulates within the Sac, it ig termed dropsy of the heart. The heart is divided into four cavities, viz., two auricles, named from their resemblance to an ear, and two ventricles, (as seen at a, b,) forming the body. The left ventricle is smaller than the right, yet its walls are much thicker and stronger than those of the latter: it is from this part that the large trunk of the arteries proceed, called the great aorta. The right cavity, or ventricle, is the receptacle for blood returned by the venous structure aft>r having gone the rounds of the circulation ; the veins termi- nating, as they approach the heart, in a single vessel, called vena cava, (see plate, 0, g, ascending and descending portion. ) The auricle on the left side of the heart receives the blood that has been distributed through the lungs for purification. Where the veins terminate in auricles, there are valves placed, to prevent the blood from returning. For example, the blood proceeds out of the heart along the aorta ; the valve opens ie Le . sh iey. A is CIRCULATION O¥ THE BLOOD, Tey Br. f wards; the blood also moves upwards, and raises the valve | and passes through ; the pressure from above effectually closes | the passage. ‘The valves of the heart are composed of elastic | cartilage, which admits of free motion. They sometimes | however, become ossified. The heart and its appendages are, like other parts of the system, subject to various diseases, | which are frequently very little understood, yet often fatal. | Now, the blood, having passed through the veins and vena cava, flows into the right auricle; and this, when distended, | contracts, and forces its contents into the right ventricle, which, contracting in its turn, propels the blood into the pulmonary arteries, whose numerous ramifications bring it in contact | with the air-cells of the lungs. It then, being deprived of its | carbon, assumes a crimson color. Having passed through its | proper vessels, it accumulates in the left auricle. This also | contracts, and forces the blood through a valve into the left | ventricle. ‘This ventricle then contracts in its turn, and the blood passes through another valve into the great aorta, to go the round of the circulation and return in the manner just described. Many interesting experiments have been made to estimate the quantity of blood in an animal. ‘ The weight of a dog,” says Mr. Percival, “being ascertained to be seventy-nine pounds, a puncture was made with the lancet into the jugu- lar vein, from which the blood was collected. The vein having ceased to bleed, the carotid artery of the same side was divided, but no blood came from it; in a few seconds afterwards, the animal was dead. ‘The weight of the carcass was now found to be seventy-three and a half pounds; con- sequently it had sustained a loss of five and a half pounds — precisely the measure of the blood drawn. It appears from this experiment, that an animal will lose about one fifteenth part of its weight of blood before it dies; though a less quan- tity may so tar debilitate the vital powers, as to be, though less suddenly, equally fatal. In the human subject, the quan- tity of blood has been computed at about one eighth part of the weight of the body; and as such an ovinion has been Esa ne 6S AMERIGAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. sroached from the results of experiments on quadrupeds, we : may fairly take that to be about the proportion of it in the — horse ; so that if we estimate the weight of a horse to be thir- teen hundred and forty-four pounds, the whole quantity of — blood will amount to eighty-four quarts, or one hundred and — sixty-eight pounds; of which about forty-five qrarts, or ninety pounds, will commonly flow from the jugular vein prior to — death ; though the loss of a much less quantity will deprive the animal of life. | “alt ltt eS zn tiga REMARKS ON BLOOD-LETTING. Tur author has been, for several years, engaged in a: war- fare against the use of the lancet in the treatment of the vari- ous diseases of animals. When this warfare was first com- menced, the prospect was poor indeed. ‘The lancet was the great anti-phlogistic of the allopathic school; it had power- ful, talented, and uncompromising advocates, whe had been. accustomed to resort to it on all occasions, from the early set- tlement of America up to that period. The great mass had followed in the footsteps of their predecessors, supposing them to be infallible. Men and animals were bled; rivers of blood q i| have been drawn from their systems; yet they often got well, and men looked upon the lancet as one of the blessings of i the age, when, in fact, it is the greatest curse that ever afflict- ed this country: it has produced greater losses to owners of domestic animals than did ever pestilence or disease. A few philanthropic practitioners have, from time to time, in other countries, as well as in this, labored during their life, and on their death-bed, to convince the world of the destructive ten- dency of blood-letting in human practice; but none that we know of ever had the moral courage to wage a general war- fare against the practice in the veterinary department, until we commenced it. We have met with great success, and have given the blood-letting gentry who practise it at the spi us 3 » ‘REMARKS ON BLOOD-LETTING. — 59 present day (‘‘just to please their employers or to mae out a nase ’’) a partial quietus: in a few more years, unless they abandon their false theories, their occupation, notwithstanding their pretensions to cure secundum artem, will, like Othello’s, be “gone.” But we are not writing for doctors. Our busi- ness is with the farmers—the lerds of creation. 'The for- mer are mere lords of pukes and purges; they, like the farm- ers, have the materials, however, to mould themselves into men of common sense ; but the fact is, they are hide-bound ; they want a national sweat, to rid their systems, especially their upper works, of the theories of Sydenham and Para- celsus, which have shipwrecked inany thousands of the med- ical profession. They shut their eyes to the results of medi- cal reform, and cling, with ati their soul, and with all their might, worthy a better cause, tc a system that “always was false.” Lord Byron, hke mary other learned men, was well acquainted with the impotency of the healing art, and held the lancet in utter abhorrence. when beset, day and night, to be bled, the bard, in an angry tone, exclaimed, ‘‘ You are, I see, a d——d set of butchers; take away as much blood as you like.” ‘ We seized the onrortunity,” says Dr. Milligan, “and drew twenty ounces; yet the relief did not correspond to the hopes we had fo.iied.”” ©n the 17th, the bleeding was twice repeated, dangerous symptoms still increasing, and on the 19th he expired, just about bled to death. Washington, a taan whose name is G2az to every American, died from the effects of an evil system of medication. He was attacked With croup: his physician oiea him, and gave him calomel and antimony. The next day. physicians were called in, (to share the responsibility of the butchery,) and he was subject- ed to two more copious hleedings : in all he lost ninety ounces of blood. Which of our readers, at the present day, would submit to such unwazrantable barbarity? We just said we were not writing for doctors; yet we find ourselves off the track in thus administermy a small dose, as a sample of ‘geod and efficient ticatnent.” - 60 AMI RICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Tn reference to the success attending our labors a veterr nary reform, we do not claim the whole credit: much of it is due to the intelligence of the American farmers, mM appre=— ciating the value and importance of a safer and a more effec- tual system of medication; such a system es we advocate They have witnessed the resalts attending the practice of cattle doctors generally, and they have seen the results of our sanaiive system of medication, and a great majority in Mas- sachus2tts have decided in favor of the latter. We have de- monstrated to the satisfaction of our patrons, and we are ready and willing to repeat our experiments on diseased animals for the satisfaction of others, in showing that we can restore an animal, when suffering under acute attacks of disease, in a few hours, when, by the popular method, it takes weeks and months, if indeed they ever recover from the effects of the destructive agents used. _ We are told that ‘horses and cattle are bled and get well immediately.” This may apply to some cases; but, in very many instances, the animals are sent for a few weeks to ‘‘ Pr. Green,’ * to put them in the sarne condition they were at the time of bleeding. But suppose that some animals do zet well after bleeding; is it thus proved that more would not get welt if no blood were drawn from any? A cow mav fall down, and, in so deing, lacerate her muscles, blcod- vessels, &c., and lose a large quantity of blood. She may get well, in spite of the vielence and loss of blood. So we say of blood-letting, if the abstraction of a certain nuim- ber of gallons of blood will kill a strong animal, then the abstraction of a small quantity must injure it proportionately. There is in the animal economy a power, called the vital rinciple, which always operates in favor of health. If the provocation be gentle, and does not seriously derange the machinery, then this power may overcome both it and any disease the animal may at the time labor under. For exam ple, a horse falls down in the street, perhaps laboring under a * A piece of pasture land. HE Wee eee a % ne) ‘i 4 REMARKS ON BLOOD-LETTING. ; 61 temporary congestion of the brain: now, if he were let alone un- til nature has restored an equilibrium of the circulating fluid and nervous a tion, he would soon get up and proceed on his way, as many tl ousands do when a knife or lancet is not to be had. But, unfortunately, people are too hasty. ‘The moment a beast has fallen, they are bound to have him on his perpen- diculars in double quick time. 'The teamster cannot wait for nature; she is ‘‘too slow a coach” for him. He tries what virtue there is in the whip; this failing, he obtains a knife, if one is to be had, and ‘starts the blood.” By this time, nature, about resuming her empire, causes the horse to show sigus of returning animation, and the credit is awarded to the blood-starter. Animals are often bled when diseased, and the prominent symptoms that previously marked the character of the malady disappear, or give place to symptoms of anctrer order, less evident, and men have supposed that a cure is effected, when, in fact, they have just sown the seeds of a future disease. We are not bound to prove, in every case, how an animal gets well after two cr three repeated bleedings. It is enough for us to prove that this operation always tends to death, which can easily be produced by opening the carot- id artery of an animal. Permit us, dear reader, at this- stage of our article, to ob- serve, that “‘confession is good for the soul.” We mean to put it in practice. So here goes. We plead guilty to bleed- ing, biistering, calomelizing, narcotizing, antimonializing, a great number of patients of the human kind. We did it in our verdant days, because it was so scientific and popular, and because we had been taught to reverence the stereotyped practice of the allopathists. We have, however, done penance, and sought forgiveness; and through the aid of a few men, devoted to medical reform, we have been washed in the regenerating waters flowing through the vineyard of reason and experience, and now advocate and observe the self-regu- lating powers of the laws of life. On the other hand, we. are free from the charge of bleeding or poisoning domestic animals and car say, with a clea: conscience, ‘hat we have & G2e AMERICAN KETORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ‘ never drawn a drop of blood from a four-footed creature, (exe cept in surgical operations, when it could not ba avoided;) neither will we, under any circumstances, resort to the lancet ; for we are convinced that blood-letting is a powerful depress or of the vital powers. Blood is the fuel that keeps the lamp of life burning; 2f the fuel be withdrawn, the hght is extinguished. Professor Lobstein says, ‘So far from blood-letting being beneficial, it is productive of the most serious consequences —a cruel practice, and a scourge to humanity. How many thousands are sent by it to an untimely grave! Without bloed there is no heat, no motion in the body.” _ Dr. Reid says, ‘If the employment of the lancet was abol- ished altogether, it would perhaps save annually a greater number of lives than pestilence ever destroyed.” The fact of blood-letting having been practised by horse and cattle doctors from time immemorial is certainly not a clear proof of its utility, nor is it a sufficient recommendation that it may be practised with safety. During my professional career, the preconceived theories have commanded a due share of consideration ; and, when weighed in the scale of unin- fluenced experience, they never failed of falling short. If we grant that any deviation from the healthy state denotes debil- ity of one or more functions, then whatever has a tendency to debilitate further cannot restore the animal to health.. The following case will serve to illustrate our position: “A horse was brought to be bled, merely because he had been accus- tomed to it at that season of the year. I did not examine him minutely ; but as the groom stated there was nothing amiss with him, I directed a moderate quantity of blood to be drawn. About five pints were taken off; and while the operator was pinning up the wound, the horse fell. He appeared to suffer much pain, and had considerable difficulty of breathing. In this state he remained twelve hours, and then died. Judg- ing from the appearances at the post mortem examination, it is probable that a loss of a moderate quantity of blond caused a fatal interruption of the functions of the heart.” | oh ——— i REMARKS ON BILOOD-LETTING. 63 _ it ts strange that such cases as these do not open meu’s eyes, and compel them to acknowledge that there is some- thing wrong in the medical world. Such cases as these furnish us with unanswerable arguments against blood-letting ; for as the blood, which is the natural stimulus of, and gives strength ‘to, the organs, is withdrawn, its abstraction leaves all those organs less capable of self-defence. - Horse and cattle doctors have recommended bleeding when animals have been fed too liberally, or if their systems abound in morbific matter. Now, the most sensible course would be, provided the animal had been overfed, to reduce the quantity of food, or, in other words, remove the cause. If the secre- tions are vitiated, or in a morbid state, then regulate them by the means laid down in this work. For we cannot purify a well of water by abstracting a few buckets; neither can we purify the whole mass of blood by taking away a few quarts ; for that which is left will still be impure. If the different parts had between them partitions impervious to fluids, then there would be some sense in drawing out of the vessels over- filled; but unfertunately, if you draw from one, you draw from all the rest. In every disease wherein bleeding has been used, complete recovery has been protracted, and the animal manifests the debility by swelled legs and other unmistakable evidences. In some cases, however, the ill effects of the loss of blood, unless excessive, are not always immediately perceived ;- yet such animals, in after years, are subject to staggers, and dis- eases of the lungs, pleura, and peritoneum. Dr. Beach says, “The blood is properly called the vital fluid, and the life of a person is said to be in the blood.* We know: that just in proportion to the loss of this substance are our vigor and strength taken from us. When taken from the system by accident or the lancet, it is succeeded by great pr stration of strength, and a derangement of all the functiuns _ * Then the life of an animal is also in the blood; and the same er'l cox sequences fo.’ »v ts abstraction. ~ 64 AMERICAN REFORMED CAITLE DOCTOR of the body. These effects are invariably, in a greater or less " degree, consequent on bleeding. Is it not, then, reasonable to — 1 suppose, that what will debilitate the strongest constitution in a state of health, will be attended with most serious evils when applied to a person laboring under any malady? Is it not like throwing spirits on a fire to extinguish it ? ‘Bleeding is resorted to in all inflammatory complaints; but did practitioners know the nature and design of inflamma- tion, their treatment would be different. In fever it is pro- duced by an increased action of the heart and arteries, to expel acrid and noxious humors, and should be promoted until the irritating matter is dislodged from the system. This should be effected, in general, by opening the outlets of the body, inducing perspiration ; to produce which a preternatural de- gree of heat or inflammation must be excited by internal reme- dies. Fever is nothing more or less than a wholesome and salutary effort of nature to throw off some morbific matter; and, therefore, every means to lessen this indication proves in- jurious. Bleeding, in consequence of the debility it produces, prevents such indication from being fulfilled.” | The inveterate phlebotomizers recommend and _ practise bleeding when “the animal has too much blood.” There may be at times too much blood, and at others too little; but sup- pose there is, —has any body found out any better method of reducing what they please to term an excess, than that of | regular exercise in the open air, combined with a less quan- tity of fodder than usual? Or has any body found out any method of making good healthy blood, other than the slow process of nature, as exhibited in the results of digestion, se- cretion, circulation, and nutrition? Have they discovered any artificial means of restoring the blood to its healthful quantity when it is deficient? Have they found any means of purifying the blood, save the healthful operatious of na- ture’s secreting and excreting laboratory? Finally, have they found any safety-valve or outlet for the reduction of this ex- cess other than the excrementitious vessels? And if they have, are they better able to adjust the pressure on that valve than. x Fe, a he ne ene ee mS _ REMARKS ON BLOOD-LETTING. | yor ee - He who made the whole machinery, and knows the relative strength of all its parts? In an article on blood-letting, found in the Farmer’s Cyclopedia, the author says, “In summer, bleeding is often necessary to prevent fevers.” Now, it is evident that nature’s preventives are air, exercise, food, water, and sleep. Attention to the rules laid down in this work, under the heads of Watering, Feeding, &c., will be more satisfactory and less dangerous than that recommended by the Cyclopedia. If the directions given in the latter were fully carried out, the stock of our farms would be swept t way as by the blast of a tornado. Such a barbarous system would entail universal misery and degeneracy on all classes of live stock; and we might then exclaim, ‘“ They are living, yet half dead —victimis to an inconsistent system of medica- tion!” But thanks to a discerning public, they just begin to see the absurdity and wickedness of draining the system of the living principles. Veterinary reform has germinated in the New England States, and, in spite of all opposition, has struck its roots deep into the minds of a class of men who have the means and power to send forth its healing branches, and ap- ply them to their own interest and the welfare of their stock. The same author continues: ‘Some farriers bleed horses three or four times a year.” We hope the farmers have too much good sense to follow the wicked example of the former. Frequent bleeding is an indirect mode of butchery — killing by inches; for it gives to the blood-vessels the power to con- tract and adapt themselves to the measure of blood that remains. It impoverishes the blood, and leads to hydrothorax, (accumulation of water in the chest,) and materially shortens life. Mackintosh says, ‘“‘Some are bled who cannot bear it, and others who do not require it; and the result is death.” The conservative power of life always operates in favor of health, and resists the encroachments upon her province with all her might, and often recovers the dominion; but bv fre- quent bleedings, she is exhausted, and, on taking a little more blood than usual, the animal drops down and dies; and the awher attributes to disease what, in fact, is the result of bad 66 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DUCTOR. “ Patients who ree )ver aftsr general and copious cana have been employed, may attribute their 7 to the — strength of their constitution. “Tf you should ask a modern Sangrade what was most necessary in the treatment of disease, doubtless he would reply, ‘ Bleeding.’ ” “Qur modern pathologists, surgeons and cthers, think bleeding the factotwm in all maladies; it is the ne plus ultra, when drawn in large quantities. Blood-letting, say these authors, is not only the most powerful and important, but the most generally used, of all our remedies. Scarcely a case of acute, or, indeed, of chronic, disease occurs in which it does not become necessary to consider the propriety of having recourse to the lancet.” (? 2?) 'To what extent blood-letting is carried, in our modern age, may be learned by reading Youatt and others, who recommend it “when animals rub themselves, and the hair falls off; when the eyes appear aull and languid, red or inflamed ; in all inflammatory complaints, as of the brain, lungs, kidneys, bowels, womb, bladder, and Jeints ; in all bruises, hurts, wounds, and all other accidents ; | in cold, catarrh, paralysis, and locked-jaw.” Yet, strange to | say, one of these authors qualifies his recommendations as | follows: “No man, however wise, can tell exactly how much | blood ought to be taken in a given case.” Now, itis wel. known that the draining of blood from a vein, though it diminishes the vital resistance, and lessens the volume of fluids, does not mend the matter; for it thus gives to cold and atmospheric agents the ascendant influence. A collapse | takes place, the secretions become impaired, the animal refuses | its food, ‘‘looks dumpish,” &c. | We might continue this article to an indefinite length; but as we shall, in the following pages, have occasion to refer to the use of the lancet as a destructive agent, we conclude it with the following remarks of an English physician: ‘ Our - most valuable remedies against inflammation are but ill adapt- ed for curing that state of disease. They do not act directly en the diseased part; the action is only indirect; therefore it ae ee § hee See —— Le en eel = wie ee RN ERED 1 hs Rats ie? EFFORTS OF NATURE TO REVOVE DISEASE. - 62> 15 fea Rleeding, the best of any of these remedies. 1s in this predicament.” EFFORTS OF NATURE TO REMOVE DISEASE. ‘s Nature is ever busy, by the silent operations of her own forces, in curing disease.” — Dizon. WHENEVER any irritating substance comes in contact with sensitive surfaces, nature, or the vis medicatrix nature, goes immediately to work to remove the offending cause: for ex- ample, should any substance lodge on the mucous surface, within the nostril, although it be imperceptible, as often hap- yens when the hay is musty, it abounds in particles whose specific gravity enables them to float in atmospheric air: they are then inhaled in the act of respiration, and nature, 11 order to wash off the offending matter, sends a quantity of _. fluid to the part. The same process may be observed when a small piece of hay, or other foreign matter, shall have fallen into the eye: the tears then flow in great abundance, to pre- vent that delicate organ being injured. ‘ When a blister is applied to the surface, it first excites a genial warmth, with inflammation of the skin; and nature, distressed, goes in- stantly to work, separates the cuticle to form a bag, interposes serum between the nerves and the offensive matter, then pre- pares another cuticle, that, when the former, with the adher- ing substance, shall fall off, the nervous papille may be again provided with a covering. ‘The same reasoning will apply to the operation of emet- ics and cathartics; for not only is the peristaltic motion either greatly quickened or inverted, according to the urgency of the distress, but both the mucous glands and the exhalent arteries pour forth their fluids in abundance to wash away the ending matter, which at one time acts chemically, at others yehanically.” If a horse, or an ox, be wounded in the foct with a nail Ae OR ae Os I ee 68 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. } and a portion of it is broken off and remains in the wound, inflammation sets in, producing suppuration, and the nail is discharged. A few days ago, we were called to see a horse, said to have a swelling on the tarsus, (hock.) On an examination, it proved to be an abscess, well developed; the matter could be distinctly felt at the most prominent part. We should cer- tainly have been justified (at least in the eyes of the medical world; and then it would have looked so “ doctor-like”!) in displaying a case of instrnments and opening the tumor. If ulceration, gangrene, &c., set in, and the horse ultimately became lame, no blame could be attached to us, because the practice is scientific! —recognized by the schools as guod and efficient treatment. What was to be done? Why, it was evident that we could not do better than to aid nature. A relaxing, anti-spasmodic poultice was confined to the parts, and in six hours after, the sac discharged its contents, and with it a piece of splinter two inches in length. The pain immediately ceased, and the animal is now free from lame- ness. We here see the design of nature: the consequent inflammation was to produce suppuration, and make an outlet for the splinter. Professor Kost says, “The laws of all organic life are re- markably peculiar; they possess, in an eminent degree, the power of self-regulation. When interrupted, disease, indeed, supervenes; but unless the circumstances are particularly un- favorable, the physiological state will soon be restored. All observation most clearly corroborates this fact. The healing of wounds, restoration of fractured bones, expulsion of ob- truded substances, and particularly the manner in which extravasated matter or pus is removed from internal organs, as in case of abscess in the liver, in which exit may be gained by ulceration through the parietes, or by an adhesion to and ulceration into the intestines, or even by the adhesions to the diaphragm and lungs, in such a manner as, by ulceration into the bronchia, a passage may be gained, and the pus thus re- moved by expectoration, —all evince a most singular con 53 EFFORTS OF NATURE TO REMOVE DISEASE. 63 - selvative power. What is most remarkable in cases like the latter, is, that the adhesions are so formed as to prevent the escape of the pus into the peritoneal sac, which accident must inevitably prove fatal. “Some very interesting experiments have been performed to test the restorative power of the different tissues of the animal body. Ifa portion of the intestines of a dog be taken out, and tied, so as to obstruct completely the passage, it will be found that the adjacent portions of the intestine will reunite, the ligature will separate into the canal and be discharged, and the gut will heal up so as to preserve its normal continuity, and the animal, in a fortnight, will have recovered entirely from the effects of this fearful operation. | ‘When noxious or poisonous substances are threwn into any of the cavities of the body from which their escape is im- practicable, a cyst will often form around them, and they thus _ become isolated from absorption and the circulation, so as to _ prevent their doing harm. “The less remarkable instances of this character are of more common occurrence; and the self-regulating power of | the iaws of life, alias vis conservatrix nature, is so universally known and depended on, that it is rare, indeed, that indis- posed persons take medicine, until they have first waited at least a little, to see what nature would do for them; and they are seldom disappointed, as it may perhaps be safely asserted. that nine tenths of all the attacks of disease (taking the slight indispositions ; for such are most of them, as they are checked before they become severe) are warded off by the vital force, unassisted. Such, then, are the facts deduced from observing the operations of nature in disease unassisted.” Dr. Beach says, ‘‘ We are well aware, from what passes in the system daily, that the Author of nature has wisely pro- vided a principle which is calculated to remove disease. It is very observable in fevers. No sooner is noxious or morbid matter retained in the system, tian there is an increased ac- tion of the heart and arteries, to eliminate the existing cause from the skin; or it may pass off by other outlets establishea 70 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. — for that purpose. With what propriety, then, can this pros 4 vision of nature be denied, as it is by some? A noted pro- ff fessor in Philadelphia or Baltimore ridicules this power in the | | constitution; he says to his class, ‘ Kick nature out of doors.’ 1 It was this man, or a brother professor, who exclaimed to his _ class, ‘Give me mercury in one hand and the lancet in the - { other, and I am prepared to cope with disease in every shape | and form.’ I have not time to stop here, and comment upon such palpable and dangerous doctrine. I have only to say, © let the medical historian record this sentiment, maintained | in the highest medical universities in America in the nine- | teenth century. Iam pleased, however, to observe, that all physicians do not coincide with such views.” PROVERBS OF THe VETERINARY REFORMERS. Tue merciful man is merciful to his domestic animals. ‘‘ Avoid blood-letting and poisons, for they are powerful depressors of the vital energies. There are two medical /il- cra —reason and experience. E:xperience precedes, reason follows; hence, reasoning not founded on experience avails nothing. He who cures by simples need not seek for com- pounds.”? — Villanov. “The physician destitute of a knowledge of plants can never properly judge of the power of a plant.’”? — Whitlaw. “The vegetable kingdom is the most noble in medicines.” — Ibid. | Innocent medicines, which approach‘as near to food as pos- sible, preserve health, while chemical compounds destroy it. Heroic medicines (such are antimony, copper, corrosive sub- limate, lead, opium, hellebore, arsenic, belladonna) are like the sword in the hands of a madman. ‘‘Nature unassisted by art sometimes effects mirac. = * ae Whitlaw. if iL i | -fROVERBS OF VETERINARY REFORMERS. 7 i “ Et is the part of a wise physician to decline presvribing in a lost case.”” — Jbid. Whenever there is free, full circulation of blood, there is animal heat. If the heat of a part becomes deficient, the circulation is correspondingly diminished. As soon as voluntary motion in a part ceases, so soon the circu- lation becomes enfeebled; and if continued, the part will wither and waste away. The strength and health of an animal depend on a due share of exercise, pure air, and suitable food. Deprive an animal of these, and he will cease to exist. We believe in the great doctrine that the duty of the physician is to aid nature in protecting herself in the enjoyment of health, by proper attention to breeding, rearing, ventilation, and proper farm and stable management. “'The tinsel! glitter of fine-spun theory, or favorite hypothe- Sis, Which prevails wherever allopathy hath been taught, so dazzles, flatters, and charms human vanity and folly, that, so far from contributing to the certain and speedy cure of dis- eases, it hith, in every age, proved the bane and disgrace of the healing art.” — Graham, p. 15. ‘“<'Those physicians generally become the most distinguished who soonest emancipate themselves from the tyranny of the schools of physic.” — Rush. ‘“‘ Availing ourselves of the privileges we possess, and ani- mated by the noblest impulses, let us cordially codperate to give to medicine a new direction, and attempt those great improvements which it imperiously demands.” — T'her., vol. 1. pol. ‘Tt has been proved by allopathists themselves, that ‘a phy- sician should be nature’s servant;’ that ‘bleeding tends di- rectly to subdue nature’s efforts ;’ ‘that ‘all poisons suddenly and rapidly destroy a great proportion of the vitality of the system ;’ that whatever be the quantity, use, or manner of application, all the influence they inherently possess is inju- rious, and that they are not fatal in every instance of their use only because nature overpowers them.’ — Curtis. 48 Risiymace Ninn) 3° ahte® we Meg ee oe Gis DS Peg Pie, Marans hs AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ao AN INQUIRY CONCERNING THE SOULS OF BRUTES. “ ARE these then jualin in vain? Is man alone, Of ali the marvels of creative love, Blest with a scintillation of His essence —- The heavenly spark of reasonable soul ? And hath not yon sagacious dog, that finds A meaning in the shepherd’s idiot face ; Or the huge elephant, that lends his strength To drag the stranded galley to the shore, And strives with emulative pride t’ excel The mindless crowd of slaves that toil beside hims Or the young generous war-horse, when he sniffs The distant field of blood, and quick and snrill Neighing for joy, instils a desperate courage Into the veteran trooper’s quailing heart, — Have they not all an evidence of soul, (Of soul, the proper attribute of man,) The same in kind, though meaner in degree? Why should not that which hath been — be forevag? And death, O, can it be annihilation ? No, — though the stolid atheist fondly clings To that last hope, how kindred to despair! No, —’tis the struggling spirit’s hour of joy, The glad emancipation of the soul, The moment when the cumbrous fetters drop, And the bright spirit wings its way to heaven! No say that God annihilated aught, Were to declare that in an unwise hour He planned and made somewhat superfluous. Why should not the mysterious life that dwells In reptiles as in man, and shows itself In memory, gratitude, love, hate, and pride, Still energize, and be, though death may crush Yon frugal ant or thoughtless butterfly, Or, with the simoom’s pestilential gale Strike down the patient camel in the desert ? * There is one chain of intellectual soul, | : } - : : | + | : suc dephipieieressinted sak, [ee Bas 3 . = 4@N (NQUIRY CONCERNING THE SOULS OF BRUTES. = ~ In many links and various grades, throughout The scale of nature; from the climax bright, The first great Cause of all, Spirit supreme, Incomprehensible, and unconfined, To high archangels blazing near the throne, Seraphim, cherubiin, virtues, aids, and powers, All capable of perfection in their kind ;— "f'o man, as holy from his Maker’s hand He stood in possible excelience complete, (Man, who is destined now to brighter glories, ~ As nearer to the present God, in One His Lord and Substitute, — than angels reach 3) Then man has fallen, with every varied shade Of character and capability, From him who reads his title to the skies, Ur grasps, with giant-mind, all nature’s wonders, Down to the monster-shaped, inhuman forrn, Murderer, slavering fool, or blood-stained savage: Then to the prudent elephant, the dog Half-humanized, the docile Arab horse, The social beaver, and contriving fox, The parrot, quick in pertinent reply, The kind-affectioned seal, and patriot bee, The merchant-storing ant, and wintering swallow With ali those other palpable emanations And energies of one Eternal Mind Pervading and instructing all that live, Down to the sentient grass and shrinking ciaz In truth, I see not why the breath of life, Thus omnipresent, and upholding all, Should not return to Him and be immortal, (I dare not say the same,) in some glad stata Oxgimally destined for creation, As well from brutish bodies, as from man. The uncertain glimmer of analogy : Suggests the thought, and reason’s shrewder 3 sezaz Yet revelation whispers nought but this, — ‘Our Father careth when a sparrow dies, And that ‘the spirit of a brute descends,’ As to some secret and preserving Hades. 4: ro AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. “But for some better life, in what strange sort Were justice, mixed with mercy, dealt to these ? Tnnocent slaves of sordid, guilty man, Poor unthanked drudges, toiling to his will, Pampered in youth, and haply starved in age. Obedient, faithful, gentle, though the spur, Wantonly cruel, or unsparing thong, Weal your galled hides, or your strained sinews craek Beneath the crushing load, — what recompense Can He who gave you being render you, vi If in the rank, full harvest of your griefs Ye sink annihilated, to the shame Of government unequal ? — In that day When crime is sentenced, shall the crucl] heart Boast uncondemned, because no tortured brute Stands there accusing? Shall the embodied deeds Of man not follow him, nor the rescued fly Bear its kind witness to the saving hand ? Shati the mild Brahmin stand in equal sin Regarding nature’s menials, with the wretch Who flays the moaning Abyssinian ox, Or roasts the living bird, or flogs to death The famishing pointer? — and must these again. Tsase poor, unguilty, uncomplaining victims, Have no reward for life with its sharp pains ? — They have my suffrage: Nineveh was spared, Though Jonah prophesied its doom, for sake Of sixscore thousand infants, and ‘ much cattle 3’ And space 1s wide enough for every grain Of the broad sands that curb our swelling seas, Each separate in its sphere to stand apart As far «a sun from sun; there lacks not room, Ner time, nor care, where all is infinite.” — Tupper i i ae aay i 2 m pean 0 eet uate OS once aad gt DAN LS THE REFORMED PRACTIVE. | 75 THE REFORMED PRACTICE. SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF THE PROMINENT SYSTEMS OF : MEDICINE. Some of our readers, especially the non-medical, may desire to know what the following remarks, which appear to apply generally to the human family, have to do with cattle doctor- ing. We answer them in the language of Professor Percival. “'The object of the veterinary art is not only congenial with human medicine, but the very same paths which lead to a knowledge of the diseases of man, lead also to a knowledge of those of brutes. An accurate examination of the interior parts of their bodies; a studious survey of the arrangement, structure, use, connection, and relation of these parts, and of the laws by which they act; as also of the nature and prop- erties of the various food and other agents which the earth so hiberally provides for their support and cure, —these form, in a great measure, the sound and sure foundation of all medical science, whatever living individual animal be the subject of our consideration. Whether we prescribe for a man, horse, dog, or cat, the laws of the animal economy are the same; and one system, and that based upon established facts, is to guide our practice in all. “The theory of medicine in the human subject is the the- ory of medicine in the brute; it is the application of that theory —the practice alone — that is different. ““We might as well, in reference to the principles of each, alcempt to separate surgery from medicine, as insist that either of these arts, in theory, is essentially different from the veter- inary : every day’s experience serves to confirm this our be- lief, and in showing us how often the diseases of animals arise from the same causes as those of a man, exhibit the same indications, and require a similar method of cure. ‘The science of medicine, like cthers, consists of a col- fection of facts of a common and rot a specific character. wy POs. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR ~ ‘These, therefore, admit of arrargement into different systems, sf : according to the notions of theorists, and the various species +H of philosophy, brought to bear on the subject. " “The first regular system was founded by Hippocrates, — about three hundred and eighty years before Christ. It was founded upon theory, and comprised the doctrines of the an- | cient dogmatic school. Its pathology rested upon a-supposed change of the humors of the body, particularly the blood and bile; and here are the first elements of the ‘ hwmoral pathol- ery.’ Its remedial intentions were founded upon the exist- ence of the ‘vis conservatrix’ et ‘medicatrix nature ;’ and, although often maintaining direct autipathic principles of ac- tion, it rested mainly on physo-dynamic influence for the accomplishment of its therapeutic purposes. ‘About two hundred and ninety years before Christ, Phi- linus of Cos introduced the ancient Hmpiric System, which was founded upon experience and observation. About one nundred years before the Christian era, the Methodic System was introduced by Asclepiades of Bithynia. This system was got up with an avowed opposition to that of Hippocrates, which was called ‘a study of death.’ Themison of Lacdicea, pupil of Asclepiades, gives an exposition of the fundamental principles of the methodic system ; and it seems that all phys- iological and pathological action was considered to be depend- ent upon the strictum and laruwm of the organic pores, or increased and decreased secretion, and that all medicines act only on two principles, 7. e., by inducing contraction and velaxation, or an increase and decrease of the secretions. ‘It would seem that, in the first century of the Christian era, the methodic system was divided into various subordmate ones—the Pneumatic, Episynthetic, and EKelectic. ‘The pneumatic system, which was the most popular of the frag- ments of the methodic, was most indebted to Athenzus of Attalia for its successful introduction. ‘This system contem- plated the doctrine of the Stoics, which recognized the exist- ence of a spirit governing and directing every thing, and which, when offended, would produce disease; hence tha 4 VIEW OF THE PROMINENT SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE. 77 Game pneumatic. ‘The indications of cure were more moral than physical. Fire, air, water, &c., were not considered elemeuits, but their properties — heat, cold, dryness, moisture, é&c. — were alone entitled to the name. ‘In the second century, the Galenic System was founded by Claudius Galenus. This might, indeed, only be consid- ered the revival of the dogmatic or Hippocratean system. Galen professed to have selected what he found valuable from all the prevailing systems, and has embraced the elements and ruling spirit of the pneumatic school. ‘Thus he explained the operation of medicines by reference to their elementary qualities, —that is, heat, cold, dryness, and moisture, — of each of which he admitted four degrees. But he was gov- erned by a prevailing partiality for the system of Hippocrates, which, he states, was either misunderstood or misrepresented by all theorists, ever since the establishment of the empiric and methodic schools. He devoted most of his time to com- menting upon and embellishing it, and thus again established a system, founded on reason, observation, and sound induc- tion, which maintained its character, without a rival, for more than one thousand five hundred years. ‘Near the middle of the sixteenth century, Paracelsus in- troduced the Chemical System. 'This was strongly opposed by Bellonius and Riverius, who maintained the doctrine of Hippocrates and Galen. But the presumptuous Paracelsus burned, ‘in solemn state,’ the works of the ancients; and being succeeded by the indefatigable Van Helmont, the whole science of medicine was overwhelmed by the mysticism of the alchemical doctrines and languages. The chemical the- ory, in the main, rejects the influence, or even the existence, of the vis medicatriz nature, and explains all physiological, pathological, and therapeutic operations upon abstract chem- ical laws. Thus chemical or inorganic agents, and many of the most virulent poisons, as arsenic, mercury, antimony, &c., were placed among the most prominent remedies. * Soon after the introduction of the chemical system, med- ical science, if we make one exception, becarne ess eccentric, 78 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. but much less marked for the permanency of its systems, — Boerhaave ingeniously blended most of the prominent doc- trines of the Galenic and chemical systems: ud by an appli- — cation of several of the newly-developea natural sciences, — _especially mathen.atics and natural philosophy, he led his sue- cessors into a more even path and fixed method of investiga- — tion; for no more do we find any abstract physical laws the sole basis of a system. But these were the highest honors — allowed Boerhaave ; his particular system was soon subverted by Stahl, who proved the supreme superintendence of an im- material, vital principle, corresponding to that pointed out by Mippocrates. To this he ascribes intelligence, if not moral — attributes. Hoffman led Cullen into the path that brought — him into the fruitful field of the nervous pathology and sol- idism, which, with a modification of Stahl’s ruling dmmate- rial essence, formed the groundwork of his admired system. “Tf, now, we except the eccentricities of Brown, compris- ing his system, founded on the sthenic and asthenic diathesis, we find little interruption to the general prevalence of the’ ° Cullenian system, till nearly the present juncture. ‘The suc- ceeding authors, colleges, and medical societies have only modified and amplified the general theory, and regulated the practice into a comparative uniformity, which now con- stitutes the popular Allopathic System. But notwithstanding the comparatively settled state of medical science, it could not be supposed that in this remarkable age of improvement, while all other liberal sciences and arts are progressing as if prosecuted by superhuman agency, medicine should faii to undergo corresponding improvement. ‘“‘ Several new systems of medicine date themselves within the last forty years, viz.: 1. The Homeopathic, introduced by Hahnemann, and founded upon the principle, s¢milia simil- thus curantur. 2. The Botanic, established by a new class vf medical philosophers, within the last twenty years. 3. The Eclectic, corresponding, in its essential ¢ ctrines, with the ancient eclectic system.” | : | | j | le: Ht le | | | | | | es a SREED OF THE REFCRMERS. 79 ‘ CREED OF THE REFORMERS. We tice that a perfect system of medical science is that which never allows disease to exist at all; which prevents disease, instead of curing it, by means of a spelt hygienie system, proper modes of life, attention to diet, ventilation, and exercise. We believe that the next best system is that which, after disease has made its appearance, promptly meets its develop- ment by the use of such agencies as are perfectly in harmony with the laws of life and health, and physiological in then action; such, for example, as water, air, heat and cold, fric- tion, food, drink, and medicines that are not usually regardea as poisons, and are known to prove congenial to the animal constitution. We have no attachment to any remedy which experience shows unsafe; but, on the contrary, we rejoice in the success of every attempt to substitute sanative for disease-creating agents, and believe that a number of the articles which are still occasionally used in the old school, will in time be- come obsolete, as medical science progresses. We hold that our opposition to any course of medical . treatment should be in proportion to the mischief it produces, entirely irrespective of medical theories. Hence our hostility to the lancet. We do not profess to know more about anatomy, physiolo- gy, surgery, &c., than our allopathic brethren; but the supe- riority which our system claims over others is, in the main, Ray i to be found in our therapeutic agents, all of which are harm- less, safe, and efficient. While they arouse the energies of Mature to resist the ravages of disease, they act harmoniously with the vital principle, in the restoration of the system frora a pathological t~ the physiological state. es a 80 AMEPICA» REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. TRUE PRINCIPLES. ‘‘Qur objection to the old school,’ says Professor Curtis, y ‘Shas ever been, that they not only have no true principles ta 1 guide their practice, but they have adopted, fixed, and obsti- ~ nately adhered to principles the very reverse of the true. They have resolved that, in disease, nature turns a somerset —reverses all her normal Jaws, and requires them to do the same. ‘They have decreed that the best means and processes © H to cure the sick are those which will most speedily kill them when in health. In the face of all reason and common sense, they have adhered to this doctrine and practice for the last three centuries, and they have been constrained te confess that the destruction they have preduced on human life and health has far exceeded all that has been effected by the sword, pestilence, and famine. Still they obstinately persevere. They say their science is progressive — improv- ing; yet its progression consists in contriving new ways and means to take part of the life’s blood, and poison all the balance. ‘‘ Medicine, being based on the laws of nature, is in itself an exact science; and every process of the act should be directed by those laws. ‘‘ Medicine is a demonstrative science, and all its processes should be based on fixed laws, and be governed by positive inductims. Then, and not till then, will it deserve to be ranked among the exact sciences, and contemplated as a lib- eral art. “Truth 1s stationary ; it never progresses. What was true in principle in the days of Adam is so still. To talk ot progress in principle is ridiculous. Neither does a given prac- tice progress. ‘That which was ever intrinsicaliy good is so still. To talk, then, of the progress in principles of medicine is absurd. We may learn the truth or error of principles, and the comparative value or worthlessness of practices; but the principles are still the same. ‘T'bis is our progress in knowt- : - TRUE PRINCIPLES. 8] edge, not the progress o1 science cr art. The constant changers that have taken place in the adoption and rejection of various principles and practices have ever been an injury to the healing art. Both truth and falsehood, separately and con.bined, have been alternately received and rejected ; and this is that progress which is made in a circle, and not in lines direct. The fault of the cultivators of medicine lias been, not that they never discovered the truth nor adupted the right practice, but that they adopted wrong principles and practices as often as the right, and rejected the right as readily as the wrong. They have ever been ready to prove many, if not all things; but to cast off the bad and hold fast to the good, they seem to have had but little discrimination and power. ‘They say truly, that the object of the healing art is to aid nature in the preventicn and cure of her diseases; ye | in practice, they do violence to nature in the use of the lancet and poison.” We are told by the professors of allopathy that their med- - icines constitute a class of deadly poisons, (see ‘‘ Pocket Phar macopeia;”) ‘that, when given with a scientific hand, in small doses, they cure disease.”” We deny their power ta cure. If antimony, corrosive sublimate, &c., ever proved destructive, they always possess that power, and can never be used with any degree of assurance that they will make a sick animal well. On the other hand, we have abundant every- day evidence of their ability to make a well animal sick at any time. What difference does it make whether noisons are given with a scientific or an unscientific hand? Does it alter the tendency which all poisons possess, namely, that of rapidly depriving the system of vitality? The veterinary science was ushered into existence by men who practised according to the doctrines of the theoretical schools. We may trace it in its infancy when, in England, in the year 1788, it was rocked in the cradle of allopathy by Sainbel, its texture varying to suit the skill of Clark, Law- rence, Field, Blaine, and Yo'eman; yet with all their amount Df talent and wisdem, thei pupils must acknowledge that - oe Se F2 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR 4 the melancholy triumph of disease over its victims stent | evinces that tl.eir combined stock of knowledge is insufficient to perfect the veterinary science. Dr. J. Bell says, “ Anato-— my is the basis of medical skill;”’ yet, in another part of his work he says, ‘“‘I enables the physician to guess at the seat, — or causes, or consequences of disease!” This is what we propose hereafter to call the science —the science of guess- — 4 ing! If such is the immense mortality in England, (amount- | ing, as Mr. Youatt states, in loss of cattle, alone, to $50,000,- — 000,)—-a country that boasts of her veterinary institutions, © and embraces within her medical halo some of the brightest luminaries of the present century, — what, we ask, is the | mortality in the United States, where the veterinary science scarcely has an existence, and where not one man in a hun- dred can tell a disease of the bowels from one of the lungs? | Profiting by the experience of these men, we are in hopes to 1 build up a system of practice that will stand a tower of strength amid the rude shock of medical theories. We have discovered that the lancet is a powerful depressor of vitality, and that poisons derange, instead of producing, healthy action. That they are generally resorted to in this country, no one will deny, and often by men who are unacquainted with the nature of the destructive agents they are making use of. Hence our business, as reformers, is to expose error, and disseminate true principles. In doing so, we must be guided — by the light of reason, and interpret aright the doctrines of nature as they are written by the Creator on the tablets of the whole universe, animate and inanimate. In our reformed practice, we have true principles to guide _ us, which no man can controvert ; for they are based on the recognition of a curative power in nature, identical with the vital principle, and governed by the same laws that control its action in the healthy state. While, therefore, this system must not change, it may improve; and while it remains on the same foundation, it should progress. The necessity of aiding nature, in all our modes of medi- — tation is the raily true principle which should guide us eS ee — od TREE PRINCIPLES. ic: 83 “This we do by the aid of meuicines known to be 4. rmless, at the same time paying proper attention to diet, ventilation, exercise, é&c., rejecting all processes of cure that depress the vital energy, or destroy the equilibrium of its action. Our reformed principles teach us that, ‘“‘ Fever is the same in its essential character, under all circumstauces and forms which it exhibits. The different kinds, as they are called, are but varieties of the same condition, produced by varia- tions in the prevailing cause, or the strength of vital resist- ance, or some other peculiarity of the patient. Facts in abun- dance might be stated to justify this position. Again, fever is not to be regarded as disease, but as a sanative effort; in other words, as an increased or excited state of vital action, whose tendency is to remove from the system any agents or causes that would effect its integrity. Or, perhaps, it might be more properly said, that fever is the effect, or symptom, of accumulated vital action —an index pointing to the progress of causes, operating to ward off disease and restore health. “Our indications of cure and modes of treatment are to be learned from those manifestations of the vital operations uni- formly witnessed in the febrile state. If fever marks the action of the healing power of nature, which we must copy to be enecessful, why should we not consult the febrile phenomena for our rule of action? Now, what are the indications of cure which we derive from this source? In other words, what are the results which nature designs to accomplish through the instrumentality of fever? They are, an equilibrium of the circulation, a properly-proportioned action of all the organs and an increased depuration of the system, principally by cu- taneous evacuations.” Suppose the resistance of some local obstruction, as, for ex- ample, an accumulation of partly digested food in the many- plus of the ox, and, for want of a due portion of the gastric fluids to softeu the mass and prevent friction, it irritates the mucous covering of the lamingz. The result is inflammation, (local fever,) then general excitement, manifested in an in- 'Sreased state of the circulation generaliy. The consequences - * B4 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. — of this general excitement of the mass of the circulation are,a more equal distribution of the blood, and the stimulation of — every organ to do a part, according to its capacity, in remov- — ing disease. In such cases, the cattie doctors, generally, sup-~ pose that the inflammation is confined to the part, (manyplus :) yet it is evident that nature has marshalled her forces and produced a like action on the external surface. How can we prove that this is the case? By the heat, and red surfaces of the membrane lining the nostril, by the accelerated pulse, thirst, &c. Without heat there is no vitality in the system. Now, if the surface be hot, it proves that a large quantity of blood is sent there for the purpose of relieving the deranged internal organ. Hence the reader will perceive, that the eat- tle doctor whose creed is, ‘‘ The more fever, the more blood- .etting,’’ must be one of the greatest opponents nature has to deal with. Then it is no wonder that so many cattle, sheep and oxen die of fever. The practice of purging, in such a case, would be almost as destructive as the former; for many articles used as purges act on the mucous surfaces of the ali- mentary canal as mechanical irritants. Nature would, in this case, have to recall her forces from the surface, and concen- trate them in the vicinity of parts where they were not wanted, had not man’s interference conflicted with her well-planned arrangement, and made her ‘“‘turn a somerset.” When the increased action and heat are manifested on the surface, does it not prove that the different organs are acting harmoniously in self-defence? And is not this action manitested through the same channels in a state of health? ‘Then why call it disease ? If obstructions exist as the cause of fever, will the mode of evacuation be different from that of health? Certainly not. Hence the marked tendency of fever to evacuation by the skin or the bowels; the former by perspiration, and the latter by diarrhea. ever, then, is a vital action, and the reformers have correct principles. On the other hand, the allopathists tell us the’ they know very little about fever, but that :t is Our treatment is not directed with a view of comlating the fever : : we generally ai it by following the indications which .it presents ; and we often find it necessary, although the sur- | face of the animal shall be hot, and feverish symptoms ap- | pear, to use stimulants, (not alcoholic,) combined with anti- | spasmodics and relaxents. (See Stimulants, in the APPENDIX. j This class of medicines, aided by warmth and moisture, favors the cutaneous exhalation, and promotes the free and full play of all the functions. _ ‘TYhat the allopathist has but few principles to guide him is evident from the following quctations : — Veterinary surgecn Haycock says, ‘‘'The profession may flatter itself that it is advancing: for my part, however, I see little or no advancement. Our labors, for the last ten years, have been little more than a repetition of what has gone be- fore. Our books are things of shreds and patches; the sys- tem which is followed in the investigation of disease, in the treatment of disease, and in ihe reporting of it, is altogether so crude and barbarous, that I am thoroughly ashamed of the Ve ee wi she TRUE PRINCIPLES. : 85 | whole matter. “T have heard much noise about a charter, [which, we presume, means a charter by which men may be licensed to kal secundum artem, and ‘no questions asxen,’| the clamor of which may be compared to the rattling of peas in a dried oladder, or to a storm ina horse-pond. I have also read much whh has been said about the spirit of this charter. Until I am convinced that it is the best term which can be applied to it, verily the whole is a spirit ; for no one, I am persuaded, has ever yet discovered the substance.* It is not charters that * Mr. White says, “ According to the present system of teaching in these chartered institutions, there is very little benefit to be derived by the stu- dent.” Mr. Blane experienced in his own person the results of this imperfect sys- tem of teaching. He was sent for to fire a valuable horse, and gives the following account of it: “xt was my first essay in firing on my own account, and fired as I was with my wiskes to signalize myself, I labored ta enter mv novitia.e with all due honor. ‘ihe farrier of the village was ordcred to at- tead, a sturdy old man, civil enough, but looking as though inipressed with s : | | | : 1 Jan BE AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. a || | we want, but it is iat quiet spirit of earnestness which i} piracienines the true laborer on science. We require men — who will labor for the advancement of the profession from the pure love of the thing; we want, in fact, a few John Fields ormen who know how to work and who are possessed of the will to do it.” We hear a great deal said about sending young men from this country to Europe to acquire the principles of the veter- inary art, with a view to public teaching. Now, it appears to us that the United States can boast of as great a number of talented physicians, as well qualified to soon learn and understand the fundamental principles of the veterinary art, as their brethren of the old world. There is no country, probably, that can boast of such an amount of télent, in every ae a he, 5 no very high respect for a gentleman farrier’s knowledge. The horse was cast, awkwardly enough, and secured, as will appear,even more so. I, how- ever, proceeded to show the superiority of the new over the old schools. Ihad just then left the veterinary college, not as a pupil, but as a teacher, which I only mention to mark the climax. On the very first application of the iron, up started my patient, flinging me and my assistants in all directions from him, while he trotted and snorted round the yard with rope, &c. at his heels. As may be supposed, I was taken aback, and might have gone back as I vame, had not the old farrier, with much good humor, caught the horse round the neck with his arms, and by some dexterous manceuvre brought him on his knees; when, with a jerk, as quick as unexpected, he threw him at once on his side, when our immediate assistants fixed him, and we proceeded. It is needless to remark that I retired mortified, and left the village farrier Jord of the ascendant.” . “Tt cannot be doubted that the best operators in this case are always the common country farriers, who, from devoting themselves entirely to the oc- cupation, soon become proficients.” Vnis admission on the part of a regular graduate of a veterinary institu- tior of London shows that the veterinary science, as taught at the present day, is a matter for reproach. The melancholy triumph of disease over its victims shows that the science is mere moonshine; that, in regard to its most important object, the cure of disease, it is mere speculation, rich in the- ury, but poverty-stricken in its results. Hence we have not only proof that ihe American people will be immense gainers by availing themselves of the labors of reforms, but, as interested individuals, they have great encourage- ent to favor our more rational system of treatment. (For additional! re- marks on thi: subject vee he au tor’s work onthe Horse p. 105.) : _ he Fa ie i department of literat we and art, in proportion to elie popula- | tion, as the United States. We know that the veterinary art, | with one exception, had its existence from human practition- ers, received their fostering care and attention, and grew with | their growth. Have we not the materials, then, in this coun- try, to educate and qualify young men to practise this impor- ' tant branch of science? Most certainly. Just send a few to us, for example, and if we do not impart tothem a better sys- tem of medication than that practised in Europe, by which they will be enabled to treat disease with more success and less deaths, then we will agree to ‘“ throw physic to the dogs,” and abandon our profession. The greatest part of the most valuable time of the students of veterinary medicine is devoted to the study of pathology in such a manner as to afford little instruction. For example we are told that in “ Bright’s” disease of the kidneys they have detected albumen. What does this amount to? Dees it throw any rational light on the treatment other than that proposed by us, of toning up the animal, and restoring the healthy secretions? ‘They have studied pathology to their hearts’ content; yet any intelligent farmer in this country, with a few simple herbs, can beat them at curing disease. We would zive details, were it necessary. Suffice it to say, that it is done here every day, and often through the aid of a little thoroughwort tea, or other harmless agent. The pathologist may discover alterations in tissues, in the blood, and the va- rious organs, and tell us that herein lie the cause and seat of disease ; yet these changes themselves are but results, and pre- ceding these were other manifestations of disorder; therefore pathology must always be imperfect, because it is a science of ronsequences. | The most powerful microscopes have been used to discover the seat of disease; yet this has not taught us to cure one single disease hitherto incurable. The old school boast that their whole system of blood- letting, purging, and poisoning is based on enlightened erpe- rrence yet their victims have often discovered, by dear-bought - TRUE PRINCIPLES. 8? 88. - AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, = = . h fl “experience,” (many of whom are now doing penance with ulcerated gums, rotten teeth, and fetid breath,) that, however valuable this “experience” may be to the M. D.’s, they, vhe | a E | a recipients, have not derived that benefit which they were led _ to expect would accrue to them. From what has already been written in this work, the reader, provided he divests | himself of all prejudice, will perceive that allopathic experi- ence is not to be trusted, for their principles are false; hence their experience is also false. Professor Curtis, to whom we are indebted for much valuable information, says, “Do not the old school argue that the most destructive agents in nature may be made to ‘aid the vital forces in the removal of dts- ease by the judicious application of them’? Does not Pro- fessor Harrison say, that the lancet is the sreat anti-inflam- matory agent of the materia medica, that opium is the mag num Dei donum (the great gift of God) for the relief of pain, and that mercury is the great regulator of all the secretions ?”: Anatomy and physiology are now being taught in our pub- lic schools. The people will, ere long, constitute themselves umpires to decide when doctors disagree. We apprehend it will then be hard work to convince the intelligent and thin‘- ing part of the community that poisons and the lancet ai2 Sanative agents. INFLAMMATION. InrLammation has generally been considered the great bugs bear of the old school, and the scarecrow of the cattle doctor, But what do they know about it? Let us see. Dr. 'Thatcher says, ‘“‘ Numerous hypotheses or opinions re- specting the true nature and cause of inflammation have for eges been advanced, and fora time sustained; but even at the present day, the various doctrines appear to be considered altogether problernatica. ” ft ee Oe | INFLAMMATION. 83 | : | | euliarity of the constitution.” Profersor Percival says, “Inflammation consists in an in- greased action of the arteries, and may be either healthy or unhealthy * --a distinction that appears to relate to some pe- We find inflammation described by most old school au- thors as disease, and they treat it as such. Professor Payne says, ‘‘A great majority of all the disorders to which the hu- man frame is lable begin with inflammation, cr end in in- flammation, or are accompanied by inflammation in some part of their course, or resemble inflammation in their symptoms. Most of the crganic changes in different parts of the body recognize inflammation as their cause, or lead to it as their effect. In short,-a very large share of the premature extinc- tions of human life in general is more or less attributable to inflammation.” The term inflammation has long been employed by medi- cal men to denote the existence of an unusual degree of red- ness, pain, heat, and swelling in any of the textures or organs of which the body is composed. Professor Curtis says, ‘‘ But as inflammation sometimes exists without the exhibition of any of these symptoms, authors have been obliged to describe it by its causes, in attendant symptoms, and its effects. U is not more strange than true, that, after studying this subject for, as they say, four thousand years, experimenting on it and with it, and defining it, the sum of all their knowledge and definitions is this — inflammation in the animal frame 1s either a simple or compound action, increased or Ciminished, or 4 cessation of all action; it either causes, or is cased, or is ac- companied, by all the forms of disease to which the body is subject; it is the only agent of cure in every case in which a cure is effected ; it destroys all that die, except by accident or old age ; it is both disease itself, and the only antidote to _lisease ; it is the pathological piimeipie which lies at the base * Inflamma ion is a vital activun, and cannot be properly termed diseased action. The nly actio1 that van be properly termed diseased is the chem za} action. ‘ i | a) AMERICAS ¥Z¥ORMED CATTLE DOUTOR. 2 ae E | of all others; it is that which the profession least of all under- stand.” mf Who believes, then, that the science of medicine is based » on a sure foundation ? | The following selections from the allopathic works will prove what is above stated. ‘‘ Pure inflammation is rather an effort of nature than a is ease ; yet it always implies disease or disturbance, inasmuch as there. must be a previous morbid or disturbed state to make such an effort necessary.”’ — Hunter, vol. iv. pp. 293, 294. '“ As inflammation is an action produced for the restoratior. of the most simple injury in sound parts which goes beyond the power of union by the first intention, we must look upon | it as one of the most simple operations in nature, whatever it — may be when arising from disease, or diseased parts. Inflam- | mation is to be considered only a disturbed state of parts, which requires a new but salutary mode of action to restore them to that state wherein a natural mode of action alone is | necessary. Therefore inflammation in itself is not to be con-. sidered a disease, but a salutary operation consequent either to some violence or to some disease.” — Ibid. vol. iv. p. 285. ‘A wound or bruise cannot recover itself but by inflam- mation.” — Ibid. p. 286. “From whatever cause inflammation arises, it appears to be nearly the same in all; for in all it is an effort intended to bring about a reinstatement of the parts to their natural fune- tion.”’ — Ibid. p. 286. 7 Results of Inflammation. —“ Iuvilermaestaees is said to ter- minate in resolution, effusion, adhesion, suppuration, ulcera- tion, granulation, cicatrization, and mortification. All these different terminations, except the last, may be regarded as so many vital processes, exerted in different parts of the animal economy.” — Prof. Thompson, p. 97. ‘Inflammation must needs occupy a large share of atten-— tion of both the physician and the surgeon. In nine cases out of ten, th: first question which either of them asks him- self, on being summoned to the patient, is, Have I to deal ~_ INFLAMMATION. 9} eth mflummation here? It 1s constantly the object of his "treatment and watchfvl care.- It affects all parts that are fur- ! es | | | : | | | | : : nished with bloodvessels, and it affects different parts very ‘variously. . . . . It is by inflammation that wounds are closed and fractures repaired — that parts adhere together when their adhesion is essential to the preservation of the i- dividual, and that foreign and hurtful matters are conveyed out of the body. A cut finger, a deep sabre wound, alike require inflammation to reunite the divided parts. Does ui- ceration occur in the stomach or intestines, and threaten tc penetrate through them — inflammation will often forerun and provide against the danger—glue the threatened membrane to whatever surface may be next it. . . . . The foot mortifies, is killed by injury or by exposure to cold — inflamma- tion will cut off the dead and useless part. An abscess forms in the liver, or a large calculus concretes in the gall-bladder: how is the pus or the calculus to be got rid of? . . . . Partial inflammation precedes and prepares for the expulsion, the liver or the gall-bladder becomes adherent to the walls of the abdomen on the one hand, or to the intestinal canal o1 the other; and then the surgeon may plunge his lancet into the collection of pus, or the abscess; or the calculus may cut its own way safely out of the body, through the skin o1 into the bowels.”’ — Watson, p. 94. “The salutary acts of restoration and prevention just -adverted to, are such as nature conducts and originates. But we are ourselves able, in many instances, to direct and control the effect of inflammation—nay, we can excite it at our pleasure; and, having excited it, we are able, in a great de- gree, to regulate its course. And for this reason it hecomes, in skilful hands, an instrument of cure.’’ — Ibid. p. 94. The above quotations are not complete. They are selec- tions from the sources whence they are drawn of those por- tions which testify that fever and inflammation are one and the same thing, and that this same thing consists in a salutary effort of nature to protect the orgars of the body from the action of the zauses of disease, or to :emove those causes and y rate ee G2 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. sa their effects from the organs once diseased. That the same authors teach the very contrary of all this in the same para graphs, and often in the same sentences, the following ex- tracts will clearly prove : — oe Inflammation produces disease. —‘‘ When inflammation cannot accomplish that salutary purpose, (a cure,) as in cane cer, scrofula, &c., it does mischief.” — Hunter, p. 285. ‘Inflammation is occasionally the eause of disease.” Ibid. p. 286. | ‘‘In one point of view, it may be considered as a disease itself.”? — Ibid. “Tt may be divided into two kinds, the healthy and the unhealthy. . . . The unhealthy admits of a vast vari- ety,” &c. — Lbid. ‘Inflammation often produces mortification or death in the infiamed part.” — Ibid. vol. iv. p. 305. “In the hght of such authorities, it is surely not strange that no definite knowledge can be obtained of the nature, character, or tendency of inflammation. Of course, no one will dispute the proposition, that medicine, as taught in the schools, is a superstructure without a foundation, and should be wholly rejected.” — Prof. Curtis. If the regulars have no correct theory of inflammation, then their system of blood-letting is all wrong. ‘This they acknowledge; for many with whom we have lately conversed say, ‘‘ We do not use the lancet so often as formerly.” One very good reason is, the sovereign people will not let them. Would it not be better for them to abolish itsase altogether, as we have done, and avail themselves of the reform of the age? The following remarks, selected from an address delivered by our respected preceptor, Professor Brown, ought to Le read by every friend of humanity. _ "The very air groans with the bitter anathemas the people pronounce upon calomel, antimony, copper, zinc, arsenic, _arsenious acid, stramonium, foxglove, belladonna, i nux vemica, opium, morphia, and narcotin. subjects. sel acne INFLAMMATION. 93 “Hear their bitter cries, borne on every breeze, ‘Help! help! help!’ See the dim taper of life; it glimmers —’tis gone! Vitality struggled, and struggled manfully to the last. The poisonous dose was repeated, till the citadel was yield- ed up. ‘“<'TEe doctor arrives and attempts to comfort and quiet the broken-hearted widow, and helpless, dependent, fatherless children, by recounting the frailties of poor human nature, and reminding them of the fact that all men must die. ‘And thus the work of death goes on: the tenderest ties are severed ; children are left fatherless; parents are bereaved of their children ; families are reduced to fragments; society deprived of her best citizens, and the world filled with misery, confusion, and poverty, in consequence of an evil system of medication. : “'The ball is in motion, the banner of medical reforrn waves gracefully over our beloved country. Hosts of the right stripe are coming to the rescue. Poisons are condemned, the lancet is growing dull, the effusion of blood will soou cease, the battles are half fought, and the victory is sure. . While we would have you adhere to the well-estab- lished, fundamental principles of reformed medical science, as taught in this school, we would have you recollect that dis- coveries in knowledge are progressing. . . . . Never entertain the foolish, absurd, and dangerous idea, that because you have been to college, you have learned all that is to be learned — that your education is finished, and you have noth- ing more to learn. The college isa place where we go to learn how to learn, and the world is the great university, in which our educational exercises terminate with our last expir- ing breath.” The author craves the reader’s indulgence for introducing Dr. Brown’s remarks at this stage of the work. It is intend- ed for a class of readers (the farmers) who have not the time to make themselves acquainted with all that is going on in the medical world. We aim to make the book acceptable te that class of men. If we fail, the fault is in us, not in om 94 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCIURB. — —— REMARKS, “2 Ta SHOWING THAT VERY LITTLE IS KNOWN OF TILE NATURS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASE. § Mr. Percivat details a case of peritonitis,* after the usual symptoms in the carly stage had subsided. “The horse’s bowels became much relaxed: suspecting that there was some disorder in the alimentary canal, and that this was an effort of nature to get rid of it, I promoted the diarrhea by giving mild doses of cathartic medicine, in combination with calomel!” [Nature did not require such assistance: warm drinks, composed of marshmallows, or slippery elm, would have been just the thing. | ) ‘(On the third day from this, prolapsus ani (falling of the fundament) made its appearance. After the return of the gut, the animal grew daily duller, and more dejected, manifesting evident signs of considerable inward disorder, though he showed none of acute pain; the diarrhea continued ; swell- ing of the belly and tumefaction of the legs speedily fol- lowed: eight pounds of blood were drawn, and two ounces 3 of oil of turpentine were given internally, and in spite of another bleeding, and some subordinate measures, carried him off [the treatment, we presume] in the course of a few hours. “Dissection : a slight blush pervaded the peritoneum ; at least the parietal portion of it, for the coats of the stomach and intestines preserved their natural whiteness. About eight gallons of water were measured out of the belly.f The ab- dominal viscera, as well as the thoracic, showed 20 marks of disease.” We have stated, in the preceding pages, that the farmers * Inflammation of the peritoneum. + Water very frequently accumulates in the belly or chest, after blood-letting. . ~ VERY LITTLE KNOWN OF DISEASE. Cee can generally treat some cases of disease, by simple means, with much better success than some of the regulars; yet there are exceptions. Some of them have been inoculated with the virus of allopathy ; and when an animal is taken sicx, and manifests evident signs of great derangement, they seem _ to suppose that the more medicine they cram down the better, forgetting, perhaps not knowing, that the province of the physician is to know when to do nothing. Others err from want of judgment; and if they have an animal sick, they send for the neighbors ; each one has a favorite remedy; down go castor oil, aloes, gin and molasses, in rapid succession. “He has inflammation of the insides,” says one; ‘give him salts.” No sooner said than done; the salts are hurried down, and, of course, find their way into the paunch. These, to- gether with a host of medicines too numerous to mentior are tried without effect: all is commotion within; fermente tion commences; gas is evolved; the animal gives signs oi ‘woe. Asa last resort, paunching, bleeding, &c., follow; per _haps the horns are bored, or some form of barbarity practised, and the animal dies under the treatment. A case similar to the above came under our notice a few. months since. A cow, of a superior breed, was sent a few miles into the country to winter. Having always had the _ very best of feed, the owner gave particular instructions that she should be fed accordingly; instead of which, however, she was fed on foxgrass and other indigestible matter, in con- sequence of which she was attacked with acute indigestion, (gastric fever, as it is generally called,) more popularly known, in barn-yard language, as a “‘stoppage.”’ A man professing to understand cow-doctoring was sent for, who, after adminis- tering ‘every thing he could think of ” without success, gave a mixture of hog’s lard and castor oil. When asked what indication he expected to fulfil, he replied, ““My object was to wake up the cow’s ideas”! Unfortunately, he awoke the wrong ideas; for the cow died. On making a post mortem examination, about half a bushel of - partly-masticated fox- grass was found in the paunch, and the manyplus was dis- \ tbe’ Gh AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. tended beyond its physiological capacity. On making an iu cision into it, the partly-digested food was quite hard and dry, and the mucous covering of the lamine —even the laminz themselves — could be detached with the slightest force. The farmer will probably inquire, What ought to be done in such cases? Before we answer the question, a few remarks on the nature of the obstruction seem to be necessary. In the article Description of the Organs of Digestion, the reader will learn the modes by which the food reaches the different compartments of the stomach. In reference to the above case, the causes of derangement are self-evident, which will be seen as we proceed. ‘The animal had, previous to the journey, (thirty miles,) received the greatest care and atten- tion; in short, she had been petted. Being pregnant at the time, the stomach was more susceptible to derangement than at any other time. The long journey could not act other- wise than unfavorably: first, because it would fatigue the muscular system; secondly, because it would irritate the ner- vous. Here, then, are the first causes; and it is. important, in all cases of a deviation from health, to ascertain, as near as possible, the causes, and remove them. This ts considered the first step towards a cure. If we cannot remove the causes, we are enabled, by an inquiry into them, to adopt the most efficient means for the recovery of the animal. The animal having had a bountiful meal before starting on the journey, and not being allowed sufficient time to remasticate, (rumination is partially or totally suspended during active ex- ercise,) probably, combined with the above causes, an acute zttack of the stomach set in—subsided after a few days, and left those organs in a debilitated state. The sudden change in diet also acted unfavorably, especially as the foxgrass re- quired more than ordinary gastric power to reduce it to a pulpy mass, fit to enter the fourth, or true digestive stomach. For want of a due share of vital action in the abomasum, (fourth stomach,) it was unable to perform its part in the physinlogical process of digestion; hence the accumulation found in the manyplus. The causes of the detachment of ———————— VERY LITTLE KNOWN OF DISEASE. — 97 lamina, and the blanched appearances, — for it was 1s white as new linen, — were partly chemical and partly me:hanical. The mechanical obstruction consisted in over-distention of the manyplus from food, thereby obstructing the circulation of the blood through its parietes, (walls,) and depriving it not only of nutriment, from the nerves of nutrition, but paralyz- ing its secretive function. It then became a prey to chemical action and decomposition. The indications of cure were, to arouse the digestive organs by stimulants, then by anti-spas- modic, relaxing, and tonic medicines, (for which see APPEN- pix :) the digestive organs would probably have recommenced their healthy action, and the life of the animal might have been saved. Oil and grease, of every description and kind, are not suitable remedies to administer to cattle when labor- ing under indigestion; for at best their action is purely me- chanical, and cannot be assimilated by the nutritive function so as to act medicinally. Linseed oil is, however, absorbed and diffused. If the animal labors under obstinate constipa- tion, and it is evident that the obstruction is confined to the intestines, then we may resort to a dose of oil. The feader will perceive the benefits to be derived froma knowledge of animal physiology and veterinary medicine, when based upon sound principles and common sense. He will also see the importance of having educated and honora- ble men employed in cattle-doctoring. No doubt there are such; but surely something is ‘“‘rotten in Denmark ;” for we are repeatedly told by our patrons that they ‘judge of the merits of the veterinary art by the men they find engaged in it.” Scientific Treatment of Colic, or Gripes. —“ On the 5th September, 1824, a young bay mare was admitted into the infirmary with symptoms of colic, for which she lost eight pounds of blood before she came in. The following drench was prescribed to be given immediately: laudanum and oil of turpentine, of each, three ounces, with the addition of six ounces of decoction of aloes. In the course of half an hour, this was repeated! But shortly after, she vomited the - greater part by the mouth and nostrils. No relief having been 98 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DCCTOR. , obtained, twelve pounds of blood were taken fron. ne: and ‘he same drink was given. In another hour, this drench was repeated; and, for the fourth time, during the succeeiling hour; both of which, before death, she rejected, as she had done the second drink. Notwithstanding these active meas- ures were promptly taken, she died about three hours after her admission.” (See Clark’s E'ssay on Gripes.) It appears that the doctors made short work of it. T'welve ounces of laud- anum, and the same of turpentine,* in three hours! But this is “secundum artem” ‘skilful treatment ’”? —a specimen — of ‘‘science and skill,” and justifiable in every case where the symptoms are “alarming.” Let the reader, if he has ever seen a case of colic treated by us, contrast the result. Had the case been treated with relaxing, anti-spasmodic, carmina- tive drinks, warmth and moisture externally, injections inter- naliy, and frictions generally, the poor animal would, probably, have been saved. We have attended many cases of the same sort, and have not yet lost the first one. Extraordinary case of ‘‘ cattle doctoring ”*! — which oughi to be termed cattle-killing. — We were requested by Mr. 8. of Waltham, December 18, 1850, to see a sick cow. The follow- ing is the history of the case: The cow, as near as we could judge, was of native breed, in good condition, and in her eighth pregnant month; pulse, 80 per minute; respirations, 36 per minute ; external surface, ears, horns, and legs, cold. She had not dunged for several days. She was found lying on hex belly, with her head turned round towards the left side. She struggled occasionally, and appeared to suffer from abdominal pain. She uttered a low, moaning sound when pressure was made on the abdominal muscles. The following facts were related to us by the owner, which we give in his own language: -“T bought the cow, and drove her about 200 miles to this place. She had been here about a week, when I perceived she did * On remonstrating with a man who was about to administer half a pint ot turpentine to a cow, he replied, “She has no business to be a coy!” We presume that some of the regulars have just as much, and not a purtielg more of the ‘nilk of animal kindness as this man seemed to show, _ VERY LITTLE KNOWN OF DISEASE. — HS not eat her feed as well as usual. She became sick abvat nine daysago. Ithought it best to begin to doctor her! Ie.nployed a man who was reputed to be a pretty good cattle doctor. She got pretty well dosed between us, for we first gave her one pound of salts. The next day we gave ler another pound. - Finding this also failed to have the desired effect, we gave her one pound eight ounces more. She kept getting worse. We next gave her a quart of urine. She still grew worse. Two table-spoonfuls of gunpowder and a quarter of a pound of an- timony were then given ; still no improvement. Asa last resort, we gave her eight drops of croton oil; a few hours afterwards, nine drops more were given; and a final dose of twenty drops of the same article was administered. The cow rolled her eyes as if she were about to die. I then called in the neigh- bors to kill her, when one of them advised me to come and see you.” ‘I‘he reader will here perceive that we had a pretty desperate case; having been called in just at the eleventh hour. We may here remark that the cow had been under treatment nine days, during which time she had eaten scarcely any food, and passed but very tittle excrement. The medi- cine had been given at different stages during that period. There was evidently no accumulation of excrement in the rectum, for she had been raked and received several injections. _ As we were not requested to take charge of the case, the owner being unwilling to incur additional expense, we, there- fore, with a view of giving present relief, and fulfilling the necessary indications, ordered the following : — Powdered slipperyelm, . . ._ 1 table-spoonful. ee caraways, . . . . 1 tea-spoonful. marshmallows, . . 1 table-spoonful. es skullcap}=.- ..-.° . 2,4 tea-spoontful... . grains of-paradise, . . 1 tea-spoonful. A sufficient quantity of boiling water to form it into the con- sistence of thin gruel; a junk bottle ful’ to be given every two hours. _ Directions were given to rub the ears and extr2mities until ~ Fe ale rt se! 100 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. they were warm, and the strength of the animal to be i ported with thin flow gruel. 3 The indications to be fulfilled were as follows: — ist. To lubricate the mucous surfaces, and defend them from the action of the drugs. 2d. 'T'o arouse the digestive function, and prevent the gen- eration of carbonic acid gas. 3d. To allay nervous excitement, and remove spasms. Lastly. ‘T’o equalize the circulation. _ The first indication can be fulfilled by slappaua elm si! marshmallows; the second, by caraway seeds; the third, by skullcap ; and the fourth, by grains of paradise. | We have not been able, up to the present time, to ascertain the result. Here, then, are a few examples of herse and cattle doctor- ing, which we might multiply indefinitely, did we think it would benefit the reader. We ask the reader to ponder on these facts, and then answer the question, ‘‘ What do horse and cattle doctors know about the treatment of disease ?”’ It gives us much pleasure, however, and probably it wil. the reader, to know that a few of the veterinary surgeons of London are just beginning to see the error of their ways. The following contribution to the Veterinarian, from the pen of” Veterinary Surgeon Haycock, will be read with interest. The quotations are not complete. We only select those portions which we deem most instructive to our readers. ‘The disease to which it alludes, puerperai fever, has made, and is at the present time making, sad havoc among the stock of our cat: tle-growing interest ; and it stands us m hand to gather honey wherever we can find it. “ Of the various questions which present themselves to traders and owners of cattle respecting puerperal fever, the following are, perhaps, a few of the most important: First. At what period of their life are cows the most liable to be attacked with puerperal fever? Secondly At what period after the animal has calved does the disease generally supervene? Thirdly.. What is the average rate of mortality amongst cows attacked vith this disease ? Fourthiy ¥ oy ss @eRY LITTLE KNOWN OF DISEASE. ‘101 Whiat is the best method to pursue with cattle, in order, if pos- sible, to prevent the disease? Fifthly. What is the best mode of treatment to be pursued with cattle when soattacked? Ta these several questions I shall end:avor to reply as fully as my own knowledge of the matter will allow me. They are - questions which ought to have been answered years ago ; [so they would have been, doctor, if, as Curtis says, your brethren had not been progressing in a circle, instead of direct lines ;] but no one appears to have thought it necessary. They are questions of great importance to the agriculturist; if they were fully answered, he would be able to form a pretty accu- rate estimate as to the amount of risk he was likely at all times to incur with respect to puerperal diseases of a febrile nature. For instance, suppose it was fully ascertained, from data furnished by the correct observations of a number of prac- titioners, at what period of the cow’s life the animal is most liable to be attacked with puerperal fever; the agriculturist and cow-keeper would be able, in a considerable degree, to guard against it, either by feeding the animal, or taking such other steps as a like experience proved to be the best. It is of no earthly use practitioners writing ‘ grandiloquent’ papers upon diseases like puerperal fever; or in their telling the world, that puerperal fever is a disease of the nervous system ; or that the name which is given to it is very improper, and not suggestive ; or that bleeding and the administration of a powerful purgative are proper to commence with ; together. with hosts of stereotyped statements of a hke nature — state- rents which are unceasingly repeated, and which are without cne jot of sound experience to substantiate them. [All good cad sound doctrine. | “Question First. At what period of their lives are cows tha enost liable to be attacked with puerperal fever? I have in my possession notes and memoranda of twenty-nine cases of this disease, which notes and memoranda I have collected from cases I have treated from the month of July, 1842, to the month of July, 1849—a period of seven years; and witb reference to the above question the figures stand thus: Ont 102 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCT:R. eogNe | of the twenty-nine, three of shies were attacked at the third parturient period, five ditto at the fourth, sixteen at the a two at the sixth, and three at the eighth. “Tt appears, then, from the above numbers, that cows are the most liable to puerperal fever at the fifth parturient pe- riod —a fact which is noticed by Mr. Barlow. “Secondly. At what peried after the animal has calved does the disease generally supervene ? With reference to this question, the twenty-nine cases stand thus : — 5 cows immediately after parturition. 8 ‘im 20 hours — “ i 5 * in 93 66 be 6c Bi hh oo QA 66 66 66 3 * in 30 66 66 66 2 * ijn 36 66 6“ 66 Lon 72 66 66 3 “It appears, then, from the above, that after the twentieth and twenty-fourth hours, the animals, comparatively speak- ing, may be considered as safe from the disease ; and that after the seventy-second or seventy-third hour, all danger may be considered as past, beyond doubt. “Thirdly. What ts the average rate of mortality amongst cows attacked with this disease ? Out of the 29 cases, 12, I find, recovered and 17 died; which loss is equivalent to somewhere about 59 per cent. —a loss which, I am inclined to think, is not so great as that of many other practitioners. [It will be still less if you reject poison as weil as the lancet. ] ~ “Myr. Cartwright, in the May number of the Veterinaria of the present year, states that, ‘ Although I have seen at least a hundred cases, chiefly in this neighborhood, [ Whitchurch, | during the last twenty-five years, yet I am almost ashamed to confess that I cannot call to recollection that I ever cured asingle case, {neither will you ever cure one as long as the lancet and poison are coéperative,| nor have I ever heard of a case ever being cured by any of the quacks in the neighbor- hood.’ [Of course not, for the quacks follow in the footsteps of their prototypes, the regular veterinary surgeons. | VERY LITTLG KNOWN OF DISEASE. - 108 “Fourthly. What zs the best method to pursue with cattle, m order, if possible, to PREVENT the disease? ‘This is a ques- tion which I hope to see amply discussed by veterinarians. { Lave but little to offer respecting it myself; but I labor un- der a kind of feeling that something valuable may not only be said, but done, by way of prevention. With reference to preventing the disease, Mr. Barlow, in his Essay, says, ‘ There is a pretty certain preventive in milking the cow some time before calving in full blood-letting before or immediately after ; in purgatives, very limited diet, and other depletive measures ; each and al! tending to illustrate the necessity of a vascular state of the system for its development!’ ” ‘Mr. Haycock continues: “So far as my own experience is concerned, it is at variance with almost every one of my ob- servations. In the table which I have given respecting ques- tion 2, the reader will recollect that I stated that puerperal fever supervened in five cows immediately after parturition. Now, it is worthy of remark, of these five cases, that every animal had been milked many hours previous to calving. The full udder, under such circumstances, is a powerful excitant to the uterus: this is a well-known fact, and the consequence is, that if this natural excitant be withdrawn, the action of the process at once becomes diminished. I have known many cases, in addition to those already given, where the parturient process was prolonged for hours in consequence of the ani- mal’s being milked, in whom fever supervened almost imme- diately afterwards. The prolonged process, I think, greatly weakens the animal, and, as a natural result, the vital ener- gies become less capable of maintaining their normal integ- rity. With reference, again, to bleeding and purging as pre- ventives, I have nothing to offer in favor of either mode. I de not believe that they are preventives. {Good, again, doc- tor: you are one of theright stripe. It would give us pleasure to see_a few such as you on this side of the water.] First of all, we require to know what percentage of calving cows sre liable to be affected with puerperal fever; then, whether that percentage becomes reduced in number in consequence t ? . 7? 4 ae ni \ : i ee ie eae 104s AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOUTOR. | of such preventive measures being brought into force: these are the only modes whereby the matter can be nroved: and, so far as I know, no one has ever Lrought the question to sucn atest. That bleeding and purging are cousidered as preven- tives by people in general, I know perfectly ; but, hke many other popular opinions, the thing which is believed requires first to be proved ere it becomes truth. “T perfectly agree with Mr. Barlow in recommending spare diet. I regard it, in fact, as the great preventive. ts When I say spare diet, I do not mean poor diet. The food should be good, but they should not have that huge bulk of matter which they are capable of devouring, and which they appear so much to desire. I should commence the process for eight or ten days prior to calving, or even, with some ani- mals, much earlier; and the diet I would give should consist of beans, boiled linseed, and boiled oats, with occasionally small portions of hay. I should not always feed upon one mixture. I might occasionally substitute boiled barley in place of oats; and when the time for calving was very near at hand, say within a day or so, I should become more spar- ing with my hay, and more copious with my allowance of bran. With regard to the diet after calving, I should pursue much the same course I have named: perhaps for the first thirty hours I might allow the animal nothing but gruel and bran mash, in which I should mix a little oatmeal, or very thick gruel. I have sometimes thought — but hitherto it haz not gone beyond a thought with me— that a broad cotton or linen bandage, fixed moderately tight round the cow’s body immediately after calving, might prove of some assistance as a preventive. [I have had no experience in its benefit myself; I merely suggest the thing; and if it did nothing more, it would prevent, i some measure, the animal from feeling that sensation of vacxty which must necessarily exist immedi- ately and for some time after calving, and which, I think, un- r some conditions of the system, may be injurious to the -amal. Iam told by a medical friend of mine, that he has aiiown puerperal fever proluced in women solely from mid- _ wo Oe Sar ORES ace a ee eae “NATURE AND -CAUSES OF DISEASE IN CATTLE. (105 Wives’ neglecting to bandage them after delivery ; at any rate, a Landage, or a broad belt having straps and buckles attached, and placed securely round the cow’s body immediately after calving, and kept there for a day or two, could do no harm, if- it failed of doing good. “Pufthly. Which is the best method of treatment to pursue with cows when attacked with puerperal fever? Upon this question I feel that I could say much; but at present I defer its consideration. . . . Suffice it to say, then, that I never either bleed or administer purges. I used once to do both, but my experience has shown me, in numcrotis cases, that neither is necessary. . . . This malady I have writ- ten upon is fearfully destructive ; and if such diseuses cannot be met with powers capable of wrestling with it, I, for one, shall say that it is a stigma upon our art —I will say that when we are most wanted, we are of the least use.” NATURE, TREATMENT, AND CAUSES OF DISEASE IN CATTLE. Tue pathology, or doctrine of diseases, is, as we have pre~ viously stated, little understood. Many different causes have been assigned for disease, and as many different modes of cure have been advocated. We shall not discuss either the an< cient or modern doctrines any further than we conceive they interfere with correct principles. In doing so, we shall en- deavor to confine ourselves to truth, reason, and nature. We entirely discard the popular doctrine that fever and inflammation are disease. We look upon them as simple acts of the constitution—sanative in their nature. Then the reader may ask, ‘Why do you recommend medicine for them?” We do not. We only prescribe medicine, for the purpose of aiding nature to cure the diseases of which they (the fever and inflammation) are symptoms, and we do not expect to acermplish even that by medicine alone. Ventila- ; 5* . _ 106 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. tion, diet, and exercise, in nine cases out of ten, wil do more good than the destructive agents that have hitherto been used, and christened “cattle medicines.” The great secret of curing diseases is, by accurately observ- mg the indications of nature to carry off and cure disease, and by observing by what critical evacuations she does at last east off the morbid matter which caused them, and so restores health. By thus observing, following, and assisting nature, agreeably to her indications, our practice will always be more satisfactory. Whenever the great outlets (skin, lungs, and kidneys) of the animal body are obstructed, morbific and excrementitious substances are retained in the system; they irritate, stimulate, and offend nature in such a manner, that she always exerts her power to threw them off. And she acts with great regu- larity in her endeavors to expel the offending matter, and thus restore the animal to a healthy state. Suppose an animal to be attacked with disease, and fever supervenes; the whole system is then aroused to cast out this disease: nature invariably points to certain outlets, as the only passages through which the enemy must evacuate the system ;. and it is the province of the physician to aid in this wise and well-established effort; but when such means are resorted to as in the case of the cow at Waltham, (p. 98,) in- stead of rendering nature the necessary assistance, her powers and energies are entirely crushed. Let us suppose a horse to have been exercised ; during that exercise, there is a determination of heat and fluids to the surface: the pores of the skin expand and permit the fluids to make their exit : now, if the horse is put into a cold stable, evaporation commences, leaving the surface cold and the pores constricted, so that, after the circulating system has rested a while, it commences a strong action again, to throw eff the remaining fluids that were thus suddenly arrested ; there 1s no chance for their escape, as the pores are closed; the skin then becomes dry and harsh, the “coat stares,” and the anima! has. in common parlance, taker cold, and “it has - PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. __ 107 thrown him into a fever.” Now, the cold is the real enemy to be overcome, and the fever should be aided by warmth, moisture, friction, and diffusables. If, at this stage, the coid is removed, the fever will disappear; but if the disease (the cold) has been allowed to advance until a general derange- ment or sympathetic action is set up, and there is an accumu- lation of morbific matter in the system, then the restorative process must be more powerful and energetic; constantly bearinz in mind that we must assist nature in her endeavors to throw off whatever is the cause of her infirmities. In- stead of attacking the disease with the lancet and poison, — which is on the principle of killing the horse to cure the fever, — we should use remedies that are favorable to life. It matters not what organs are affected ; the means and processes are the same, and therefore the division of inflammation and fever into a great number of parts designated by as many names, and indicated by twenty times as many complications of symptoms which may never be present, only serve to be- wilder the practitioner, and render his practice ineffec ual. PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. As very little is, at present, known of the nature of this disease, we give the reader the views of Mr. Dun, who re- ceived the gold medal offered by the Agricultural Society for the best essay on this subject. ‘““ "The causes of the disease, both immediate and remote, are subjests full of interest and importance; and a knowledge of them not only aids in the prevention of disease, but also leads the practitioner to form a more correct prognosis, and to pur- sue the most approved course of treatment. It is, however, unfortunate that the causes of pleuro-pneumonia have not as yet been satisfactorily explained. No department of the his- tory of the disease is less understood, or more involve ] ip - 108 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. doubt and obscurity. But in this respect pleuro-pneumoria m= not peculiar: it is but one of an extensive class which em- braces most epidemic and epizootic diseases. And if the causes which produce influenza, fevers, and cholera, were clearly explained, those which produce pleuro-pneumonia would, in all probability, be easy of solution. ‘‘Viewing the wide-spread and similar effects of pleuro- pneumonia, we may surmise that they are referable to some common cause. And although much difference of opinion exists upon this subject, it cannot be denied that contagion is a most active cause in the diffusion of the disease. Indeed, a due consideration of the history and spread of pleuro-pneu- monia over all parts of the land will be sufficient to show that, in certain stages of the disease, it possesses the power of infectmg animals apparently in a sound and _ healthy condition, and otherwise unexposed to the action of any ex- citing cause. The peculiarity of the progress of this disease, from the time that it first appeared in England, is of itself no small evidence of its contagious nature. Its slow and grad- ual progress is eminently characteristic of diffusion by conta- gion; and not only were the earlier cases which occurred in this island distinctly proved to have arisen from contact with the Irish droves, but also subsequent cases, even up to the present day, show numerous examples in which contagion is clearly and unequivocally traceable. . . . Although pleuro- pneumonia is not produced by the action of any one of thiese cir- cumstances alone, [referring to noxious effluvia, &c.,] yet many of them must be considered as predisposing to the disease ; and although not its immedizte exciting causes, yet, by de- pressing the physical powers, they render the system more liable to disease, and less able to withstand its assaults. De- ficient ventilation, filth, insufficient and bad food, may indeed predispose to the disease, concentrate the animal effluvia, and become the matrix and nidus of the organic poison; but still, not one, alone, of these circumstances, or ever all of them combined, can produce the disease in question. There must be the subtle poison to call them into operation, the specific influence ta generate the disease. YY a PLEURO-PNEUMGNIA. o {C3 Or. the other hand, it appears probable that the excitmg zause, whether it be contagion, or whatever else, cannot, of itself, generate the disease; but that certain conditions or predisposing causes are necessary to its existence, and without which its specific effects cannot be produced. But although these remote or predisposing causes are very numerous, they are often difficult of detection ; nay, it is sometimes impossi- ble to tell to what the disease is referable, or upon what weak point the exciting cause has fixed itself. A source of per- plexity results from the fact. . . . The predisposing causes of the disease admit of many divisions and subdi- visions ; they may, however, be considered under two general heads — hereditary and acquired. ‘‘With reference to the former, we know that good points and properties of an animal are transmitted from one genera- tion to another; so also are faults, and the tendencies to par- ticular diseases. As in the same families there is a similarity of external form, so is there also an internal likeness, which accounts for the common nature of their constitution, modi- fied, however, by difference of age, sex, &c. ‘“‘ Among the acquired predisposing causes of pleuro-pneu- monia may be enumerated general debility, local weakness, resulting from previous disease, irritants and stimulants, ex- pesure to cold, damp or sudden changes of temperature, the want of cleanliness, the breathing of an atmosphere vitiated by the decomposition of animal or vegetable matters, or laden with any other impurity. In short, under this head may be included every thing which tends to lower the health and vigor of the system, and consequently to increase the suscep- tibility to disease. “The primary symptoms of pleuro-pneumonia are gener- ally obscure, and too often excite but little attention or anxi- ety. As the disease steals on, the animal becomes dull and dejected, and, if in the field, separates itself from its fellows. It becomes uneasy, ceases to ruminate, and the respirations are a little hurried. If it be a milk-cow, the lacteal secretion 's diminished, and the udder is hot and tender. 'The eyes 1¢ % u 2 +: [D> 15 1 J ‘ 110 , AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR are dul, the head is lowered, the nose protruded, and the — nostrils expanded. The urine generally becomes scanty and high-colored. It is seldom thought that much is the matter with the animal until it ceases to eat; but this crite- rion does not hold good in most cases of the disease, for the animal at the outset still takes its food, and continues to do so until the blood becomes impoverished and poisoned ; it 1s then that the system becomes deranged, the digestive process impaired, and fever established. 'The skin adheres to the ribs, and there is tenderness. along the spine. Manipulation of the trachea, and percussion applied to the sides, causes the animal to evince pain. Although the beast uiey have been ill only three days, the number of pulsations are generally about seventy per minute; but they are sometimes eighty and even more. In the first stage, the artery under the jaw feels full and large; but as the disease runs on, the pulse rap- idly becomes smaller, quicker, and more oppressed. The breathing is labored, and goes on accelerating as the local in- ~ flammation increases. The fore extremities are planted wide apart, with the elbows turned out in order to arch the ribs, and form fixed points for the action of those muscles which the animal brings into operation to assist the respiratory process. In pleuro-pneumonia, the hot stage of fever is never of long duration, [simply because there is not enough vitality in the system to keep up a continued fever.| 'The state of collapse quickly ensues, when the surface heat again decreases, and the pulse becomes small and less distinct. We have now that low typhoid fever so much to be dreaded, and which characterizes the disease in common with epizootics. “. . . The horse laboring under pleuro-pneumonia, or, indeed, any pulmonary disease, will not lie down; but, in the same circumstances, cattle do so as readily as in health. They do not, however, lie upon their side, but couch upon the sternum, which is broad and fiat, and covered by a quan- tity of fibro-cellular substance, which serves as a cushion ; while the articulation between the lower extremities of the ths admits of lateral expansion of the chest. In this pos« re ‘ i er no tee ee a ~ PLEURO-PNEUMONEA SEES it} ‘tion cattle g2nerally lie towards the side principally affected, thus relieving the sounder side, and enabling it to act more freely. There is sometimes a shivering and general tremor, which may exist throughout the whole course of the disease. (This is owing to a loss of equilibrium between the nerves of nutrition and the circulation.) . . . . As the case advances in severity, and runs on to an unfavorable termina- tion, the pulse loses its strength and becomes quicker. Res- piration is in most cases attended by a grunt at the com- mencement of expiration —a symptom, however, not obser- vable in the horse. ‘The expired air is cold, and of a notsome odor. The animal crouches. There is sometimes an appar- ent knuckling over at the fetlocks, caused by pam in the joints. ‘This symptom is mostly observable in cases when the pleura and pericardium are affected. The animal grinds its teeth. The appetite has now entirely failed, and the ema- ciation becomes extreme. The muscles, especially those employed in respiration, become wasted; the belly is tucked, and the flanks heave: the oppressive uneasiness is excessive ; the strength fails, under the convulsive efforts attendant upon respiration, and the poor animal dies. “In using means to prevent the occurrence of the disease, we should endeavor to maintain in a sound and healthy tone the physical powers of the stock, and to avoid whatever tends to depress the vital force. Exposure to the influence of contagion [and infection] must be guarded against, and, on the appearance of the disease, every precaution must be used to-prevent the healthy having communication with the sick. By a steady pursuance, on the part of the stock proprietor, of these precautionary measures, and by the exercise of care, prudence, and attention, the virulence of the disease will, we are sure be much abated, and its progress checked.” As the reader could not be benefited by our detailing the aystem of medication pursued in England,—at least we should judge not, when we take into consideration the great loss that a ‘ends their best efforts, —we shall therefure pro- 112 | AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR ceed to inform the reader what the treatinent ought to be in the different stages of the disease. General Indication of Cure in Pleuro-Pneumonia. — Re- store the suppressed evacuations, or the secretions and excre- tions, if they are obstructed. If bronchial irritation or a cough be present, shield and defend the mucous surfaces from irritation. Relieve conges- tions by equalizing the circulation. Support the powers of the system. Relieve all urgent symptoms. Special Practice. — Suppose a cow to be attacked with a slight cough. She appears dull, and is off her feed; pulse full, and bowels constipated; and she ts evidently out of condition. Then the medicines should be anti-spasmodic and relax- ent, tonic, diaphoretic, and lubr:.cating. The following 1s a good example : — Powdered golden seal, (tonic,). . . 1 table-spoonful, ~ mandrake, (relaxent,) . . 2 tea spoonfuls. fs lobelia, (anti-spasmodic,) . 1 tea-spoenful. ‘ slippery elm or mallows, (lubricating,) .°. . 1 table-spoonful. re hyssop tea, (diaphoretic,) . 1 gallon. After straining the hyssop tea, mix with it the other ingre- dients, and give a quart every two hours. In the mean time, administer the following injection: — Powdered lobelia,. ... . .-. ~ 2) of each, alia . SINOer. sheers he ' table-spoonful. Boilie water, 0k se ee a When cool, inject. Particular attention must be paid to the general surface. if the surface and the extremities are cold, then employ Re f | ees ro J a ie PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. — | 13 friction, warmth, and moisture. The animal must be in a comfortable barn, neither too hot nor too cold; if it be imper- fectly ventilated, the atmosphere may be improved by stirring a red-hot iron in vinegar or pyroligneous acid, or by pouring either of these articles on heated bricks. The strength is to be supported, provided the animal be in poor condition, with gruel, made of flour and shorts, equal parts; but, as it fre- quently happens (in this country) that animals in good flesh are attacked, in such case food would be inadmissible. Suppose the animal to have been at pasture, and she is not observed to be ‘‘ailing” until rumination is suspended. She then droops her head, and has a cough, accompanied with difficult breathing, weakness in the legs, and sore throat. Then, in addition to warmth, moisture, and friction, as already directed, apply to the joints and throat the following : — Boiling vinegar, seis oe foe ie eiilart: African cayenne, . . . . 1 table-spoonful. The throat being sore, the part should be rubbed gently. The joints may be rubbed with energy for several minutes. The liquid must not be applied too hot. Take Virginia snakeroot, . . . pe es Skullcap, (herb,) . . Wo leovnce: Piemasy Footy 8 6s. OS ye SS bounce: Infuse in boiling water, . . . . 1 gallon. t of each, 2 ounces. After standing for the space of one hour, strain; then add a gill of honey and an ounce of powdered licorice or slip. pery elm. Give a quart every four hours. Should the cough be troublesome, give Balsam copaiba, . . . . 1 table-spoonful. Pigp-Ol.farhic,-....-- . 6) ~.,..,k ounee. prem Miioles ge ag) kb art, Give ‘he whole at a dose, and repeat as occasion may 114 AMERICAN REFIRMED CATTLE DGUUTOR. require. A second dose, however, should not be given until — twelve hours have elapsed. : Injections must not be overlooked, for several importani ins dications can be fulfilled by them. (For the different forms, see APPENDIX. ) If the disease has assumed a typhus form, then the indica- tions will be, — First. ‘To equalize the circulation and nervous system, and maintain that equilibrium. ‘This is done by giving the fallowing : — Powdered African cayenne, . . 1 tea-spoonful. < flagroot,' .° .. . . «=. I fable-spoenmlr OKUHEAD, ses we ete ee Marshmallows, .. ., .._.-- -. =, Apotmeess Put the whole of the ingredients into a gallon of water; boil for five minutes; and, when cool, strain; sweeten with a small quantity of honey; then give a quart every two hours. The next indication is, to counteract the tendency to putrescence. This may be done by causing the animal to inhale the fumes of pyroligneous acid, and by the internal -use of bayberry bark. They are both termed antiseptics. The usual method of generating vapor for inhalation is, by first covering the animal’s head with a horse-cloth, the corners of which are suffered to fall below the animal’s nose, and held by assistants in such a manner as to prevent, as much as pos- sible, the escape of the vapor. A hot brick is then to he grasped in a pair of tongs, and held about a foot beneath the nose. An assistant then pours the acid, (very gradually,) on the brick. Half a pint of acid will be sufficient for one steaming, provided it be used with discretion ; for if too much — is poured on the brick at once, the temperature will be too rapidly lowered. In reference to the internal use of bayberry, it may be well to remirk, that it is a powerful astringent and antiseptic, and shoulc always be combined with relaxing, lubricating Oa eines. Such are licorice and slippery elm. aa ho a. ‘ . REL ES Dg MS OP na, - id ad . Z ‘ LOCKED-JAW. ~~ 115 _ The following inay be given asa safe anc « ficicnt anti- septic drink; — Powdered bayberry Sark, . half a table-spoonful. oe charcoal, . . . 1 table-spoonful ereppeny elit; ... .. .. Lounce moilme Water,... .'... 1 galton. Mix. Give a quart every two hours. The diet should consist of flour gruel and boiled carrots. Boiled carrots may be allowed (provided the animal will eat them) during the whole stage of the malady. The object of these examples of special practice is to direct the mind of the farmer at once to something that will answer a given purpose, without presuming to say that it is the best in the world for that purpose. ‘The reader will find in our materia medica a number of articles that will fulfil the same indications just as well. 4 LOCKED-JAW. Mr. Youatr says, “ Working cattle are most subject to locked-jaw, because they may be pricked in shoeing; and because, after a hard day’s work, and covered with perspira- tion, they are sometimes turned out to graze during a wet or cold night. Over-driving is not an uncommon cause cf locked-jaw in cattle. The drovers, from long experience, cal- culate the average mortality among a drove of cattle in their journey from the north to the southern markets; and at the head of the list of diseases, and with the greatest number of victims, stands ‘locked-jaw,’ especially if the principal drover is long absent from his charge.” The treatment of locked-jaw, both in horses ard cattle, | has, hitherto, been notoriously unsuccessful. ‘This is not to {16 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. | pe wondered at whee we take into consideration the destruce tive characier of the treatment. “Take,” says Mr. Youatt, “twenty-four ee of blood from the animal; or bleed bed almost to fainting o>. * . Give him Epsom salts in pound and a half doses (!) until “t yperates. Purging being established, an attempt must be made to allay the irritation of the nervous system by means of sedatives; and the best drug is opium.* The dose should be a drachm three times aday. [One fortieth part of the quantity here recommended to be given in one day would kill a strong man who was not addicted to its use.] At the same time, the action of the bowels must be kept up by Ep- som salts, or common salt, or sulphur, and the preportion of the purgative and the sedative must be so managed, that the constitution shall be under the influence of both.; centre of perception, and distribute themselves to all the mus- cles of voluntary motion. It is evident that the muscle itself cannot perform its office without the aid of the nerves, (elec- tric wires ;) for it has been proved by experiment on the living animal, that when the posterior columns of nervous matter, which pass down from the brain towards the tail, are severed, then all voluntary motion ceases. Motion may, however, con tinue ; but it can only be compared to a ship at sea without a rudder, having nothing to direct its course. It follows, then, that if the nerves of motion and sensation are severed, there if no communication between the parts to which they are dis- tributed and the brain. And the part, if its nutritive function be also paralyzed, will finally become as irsensible as a stone —- wither and die. 3d systé n. The respiratory. ‘These are under the control of PP ade ee + ae Pkt ee a ee fy . x bad Pak Sin eek K wot? {18 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the will only through the superior power, as manifested by the motive nerves. For the animal will breathe whether it wishes — to or not, as long as the vital spark burns. Ath system. The sympathetic, sometimes called nutritive nerves. ‘They are distributed to all the organs of digestion, ab- sorption, circulation, and secretion. ‘These four nervous struc- ~ tures, or systems, must al. be in a physiological state, in order — to carry on, with unerring certainty, their different functions. If they are injured or diseased, then the perceptions of exter- nal relations are but imperfectly conveyed to the mind. (Brutes have a mind.) On the other hand, if the brain, or its ap- pendages, spinal marrow, &c., be in a pathological state, then the manifestations of mind or will are but imperfectly rep- resented. Now, it is evident to every reasonable man, that the nerves may become diseased from various causes; and this explains the reason why locked-jaw sometimes sets in without any apparent cause. ‘The medical world have ther agreed to call it sdiopathic. This term only serves to bewil- der us, and fails to throw the least light on the nature of the malady, or its causes. Many men ridicule the idea of the nerves being diseased, just because alterations in their struc- ture are not evident to the senses. We cannot see the atoms of water, nor even the myriads of living beings abounding in a single drop of water! yet no one doubts that water contains _ many substances imperceptible to the naked eye. We know that epizootic diseases are wafted, by the winds, from one part of the world to another; yet none of us have ever seen the specific virus. Can any man doubt its existence ? Hence it appears that diseases may exist in delicately-organ- ized filaments, without the cognizance of our external percep- tions. [uv is further manifest that locked-jaw is only symptomatic of diseased nervous structures, and that a pathological state of the nervous filaments may be brought about independent of a prick of a nail, or direct injury to a nerve. Hence, jagead of tetanus consisting ‘in a spasmodic con- — traction of the muscles of voluntary mot on,” it consists Ina AS Laliiny: ee Sisk paet omer s: a te Sood Me noe “tah Be = PocKeD-sAw. | . £19 deranged state of the nervous system, and the contracted state of the muscles is only symptomatic of such derangement. hen wnat sense is there in blistering, bleeding, and itserting sctons in the dewlap? Of what use is it to treat symptoms ! Suppose a man to be attacked with hepatitis, (inflammation of the liver:) he has a pain in the right shoulder. Suppose the physician prescribes a plaster for the latter, without ascer- taining the real cause, or perhaps not knowing of its existence. We should then say that the doctor only treated symptoms. “¢ And he who treats symptoms never cures disease.”” Suppose locked-jaw to have supervened from an attack of acute indiges- tion: would it not be more rational to restore the lost function ? Suppose locked-jaw to have set in from irritating causes, such as bots in the stomach, worms in the intestines, &c.: would bleeding remove them? would it not render the sys- em less capable of recovering its physiological equilibrium, and resisting the irritation produced by these animals on the delicaie nervous tissues ? Suppose, as Mr. Youatt says, that locked-jaw sets in “ after turning the animal out to graze during a cold night:” will a blister to the spine, or a seton in the dewlap, restore the lost function of the skin? In short, would it not be more rational, in cases of locked- jaw, to endeavor to restore the healthy action of all the func- tions, instead of depressing them with the agents referred to ? Then the question arises, What are the indications to be fulfitled ? First. Restore the lost function. | Secondly. Equalize the circulation, and maintain an equi- librium between nervous and arterial action. Thirdly. Support the powers of life. Fourthly. If locked-jaw arise from a wound, then apply suitable 1emedial agents to the part, and rescue the nervous system from a pathological state. To fulfil the fourth indication, we commence the treatment as follows :— Suppose the foot tc have been pricked or wounded. Wa (20. - AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. make an examination of the part, and remove all extraneous q matter. The following poultice must then be applied: — Powdered skunk cabbage, a lobelias 3270 . . equal parts. MG poplar bark, . Indian meal lass = ponte Make it of the proper consistence with boiling water. Wh-n sufficiently cool, put it into a flannel bag, and secure it above the pastern. ‘To be renewed every twelve hours. After the second application, examine the foot, and if suppuration has commenced, and matter can be felt, or seen, a small punc- ture may be made, taking care not to let the knife penetrate beyond the bony part of the hoof. In the mean time, prepare the following drink : — Indian hemp or milkweed, (herb,) . 1 ounce. Powdered mandrake, .°. . 7. .... “1 ftable-speonml, Powdered lobelia seeds, . . . 1 tea-spoonful: is poplar bark, (very fine f . Lounge: Make a tea, in the usual manner — about one gallon. After straining it through a cloth, add the other ingredients, and give a quart every two hours. A long-necked bottle is the most suitable vehicle in which to administer; but it must be poured down in the most grad- ual manner. ‘I'he head should not be elevated too high. | A liberal allowance of camomile tea may be resorted to, during the whole stage of the disease. Next stimulate the external surface, by warmth and mois- ture, in the following manner: ‘Take about two quarts of vinegar, into which stir a handful of lobelia; have a hot brick ready, (the animal having a large cloth, or blanket, thrown around him ;) pour the mixture gradually on the brick, which - is held over a bucket to prevent waste; the steam arising will relax the surface. After repeating the operation, apply the following mixture around the jaws, back, and extremities: take of cayenne, skunk cabbage, and cypripedium, (ladv’s | thai gie INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 121 slipper,) powdered, each two ounces, boiling vinegar two quarts; siir the mixture until sufficiently cool, rub it well in with a coarse sponge ; this will relax the jaws a trifle, so that the animal can manage to suck up thin gruel, which may be given warm, in any quantity. This process must be perse- vered in; although it may not succeed in every case, yet it will be more satisfactory than the blood-letting and poisoning system. No medicine is necessary ; the gruel will soften the feces sufficiently ; if the rectum is loaded with feces, give injections of an infusion of lobelia. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH, (Gasrnrris.) Sucu a complicated piece of mechanism is the stomach ot tne ox, that that organ is particularly liable to disease. In- flammation, being the same as local fever, (or a high grade of vital power, concentrated within a small space,) may be pro- juced by over-feeding, irritating and indigestible food, or acrid, poisonous, and offensive medicines. ‘The farmer must re- member that a small quantity of good, nutritious food, capa- le of being easily penetrated by the gastric fluids, will repair the waste that is going on, and improve the condition with more certainty than an abundance of indifferent provender. Cure. — The first indication will be to allay the irritability | of the stomach; this will moderate the irritation and lesser the fever. Make a mucilaginous drink of slippery elm, or _tarshmallews, and give half a pint every two hours. All irritating food and drink must be carefully avoided, and the animal must be kept quiet; all writating cordials, ‘“ including the popular remedy, gin and molasses,’’ must be avoided. _ These never fail to increase the malady, and may occasion death. If there is an improper aceumulaticn of food in the 6 (122 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOUTOR, 3 _ viscera, the remedies will be, relaxing clysters, abstitence from 4 food, and a tea of sassafras and mandrake, made thus: — 3 | : | val Sassafias, (daurus sassafras,) . . . . 1 ounce. | Mandrake, (podophyllum Ie . Adrachms. — a) Boiling water, . . . oo en eee oa ee Rt | J.et the mixture stand until quite cool, and give a pint bee: | 2 four hours. “af a 8 Almost all animals, when suffering under acute symptoms, i require diluting, cooling drinks. ‘This at once points out the use of water, or any weak gruel of which water is the basis; — the necessity of diluting liquors is pointed out by the heat — and dryness of the mouth, and rigidity of the coat. | When the thirst is great, the following forms a grateful and i cooling beverage: Take lemon balm, (melissa officinalis,)two ounces; boiling water, two quarts; when cool, strain, and add half a tea-spoonful of cream of tartar. Give half a pint at intervals of two hours. . If the stomach continues to exhibit a morbid state, which may be known by a profuse discharge of saliva from the mouth, then administer camomile tea in small quantities: the addi- tion of a little powdered charcoal will prove beneficial. Remarks. — Gastritis cannot be long present without other parts of the system sharing the disturbance: it is then termed gastric fever. This fever is the result of the local affection. Our object is, to get rid of the local affection, and the feve. © will subside. Authors have invariably recommended destruc- tive remedies for the cure of gastritis; but they generally fail of hitting the mark, and always do more or less injury. A light diet, rest, a clean bed of straw in a we l-ventilated barn, will generally perfect the cure. > aes at tities Be Sie Oe Sale i ele Bi Ram mihi El Le eee eee ee eee eee - * alge INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, (Pxyevumoni.) Causes. — Errors in feeding, over-exertion, exposure id ; wet pastures, or suffering the animal, when in a state of pei- i «INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 123 spiration, to partake too bountifully ot ecvld water, are among the direct causes of a derangement of vital equilibrium. Want of pure air for the purpose of vitalizing the blood, the inha- lation of noxious gases, and filth and uncleanliness, may pro- duce this disease in its worst form; yet it must be borne in mind that the same exciting causes will not develop the same form of disease in all animals. It altogether depends on the amount of vital resistance, or what is termed the peculiar idiosyncrasy of the animal. On the other hand, several ani: mals often suffer from the same form of disease, from causes varying in their general character. Hence the reader will see that it would be needless, in fact impossible, to point to the direct cause in each grade of disease. ‘The least obstruction to universal vital action will produce pneumonia in some ani- mals, while in others it may result in disease of the bowels. Cure. —No special treatment can be successfully pursued m pneumonia; for the lungs are not the only organs involved: no change of condition can occur in the animal functions without the nervous system being more or less deranged ; for the latter is essential to all vital motions. Hence disease, in every form, should be treated according to its indications. A few general directions may, however, be found useful. The first indication to be fulfilled is to equalize the blood. Flan- nels saturated with warm vinegar should be applied to the extremities ; they may be folded round the legs, and renewed as often as they grow cold. Poultices of slippery elm, ap- plied to the feet, as hot as the animal can bear them, have sometimes produced a better result than vinegar. If the ant- mal has shivering fits, and the whole surface is chilled, apply warmth and moisture as recommended in article “ Locked- Jaw.” At the same time, endeavor to promote the insensible perspiration by the internal use of diaphoretics — lobelia or theroughwort tea. A very good diaphoretic and anti-spas- modic drink may be made ‘hus: — Lobelia, (herb, ) ee 2 OUNCES, IDEA hie. a w= oe Y OuNee: Olin Water ss: ee: 2 auarte. 124 AMERICAN REFORMED C:TTLE DOCTOR. Let the above stand for a few min ites; strain, then add two table-spoonfuls of honey. Give half a pint every Jour, tak- ing care to pour it down the csophagus very gently, soas to insure its reaching the fourth or true digestive stomach. ‘The } it following clyster must be given:—~ a Powdered lobelia, . . . . 2 ounces. Boiling. water, 28 4.6 2.0 ee When sufficiently cool, inject with a common metal syringe. These processes should be repeated as the symptoms re- quire, until the animal gives evidence of relief; when a light | diet of thin gruel will perfect the cure. It must ever be borne in mind that in the treatment of all forms of disease—those of the lungs more especially —the animal must have pure, uncontaminated atmospheric air, and that any departure from purity in the air which the animal respires, will counteract all our efforts to cure. , INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS, (EnteEniris. — INFLAMMATION OF THE Fisro-Muscutar Coat oF THE INTESTINES.) Character. — Acute pain ; the animal appears restless, and frequently turns his head towards the belly; moans, and ap- pears dull; frequent small, hard pulse; cold feet and ears. Causes. — Plethora, costiveness, or the sudden application of cold either internally or externally, overworking, &c. — Cure. —In the early stages of the disease, all forms of : s.edication that are in any way calcu.ated to arouse the peri- | staltic motion of the intestines should be avoided ; hence purges are certain destruction. Relax the muscular structure by the application of a blanket or horse-cloth wrung out 1n hot water. In this disease, it is generally sufficient to apply warmth and moisture as near the parts affected as possible; yet ifthe ears and legs are cold, the general application of warmth and mois- . ture will more speedily accomplish the relaxation of the whcle animal. After the application of the above, injections of a wm eA ¥ ae wore _ INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 125 mild, soothing character (slippery elm, or flaxseed tea) should be used very liberally. A drink of any mucilaginous, lubri- eating, and innocent substance may be given, such as mal- lows linseed, Iceland muss, slippery elm. During convales- cence, the diet must be light and of an unirritating character, such as boiled earrots, scalded meal, &c. INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEAL COAT OF THE INTESTINES, (PeErironitis.) This disease requires the same treatment as the latter malady. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS, (NeEpnaritts.) The usual symptoms are a quick pulse ; loss of appetite high-colored urine, passed in small quantities, with difficulty and pain. Pressure on the loins gives pain, and the animal will shrink on placing the hand over the region of the kidneys. Causes. — Cold, external injury, or injury from irritating substances, that are often sent full tilt through the kidneys, as spirits of turpentine, gin and molasses, saleratus. It is un- necessary to detail all the causes of the disease: suffice it to say, that they exist in any thing that can for a time ob- struct the free and full play of the different functions. Treatment. — This, too, will consist in the invitation of — the blood to the surface and extremities, and by removing all irritating matter from the system, in the same manner as for inflammation of the bowels. 'The apjlication of a poultice of ground hemlock, or a charge of gum hemlock, will gener- ally be found useful. The best drinks—and these should oniy be aliowed in small quantities —are gum arabic and marskmal ow decoctions. 126 | AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER, (Cysmir1s.) During the latter mont .s of pregnancy, tlie bladder is often in an irritable state, and a frequent desire to void the urine is observed, which frequently results from constipation. A pe- culiar sympathy exists between the bladder and rectum ; and -. when constipation is present, there is a constant effort on the part of the animal to void the excrement. This expulsive action also affects the bladder: hence the frequent efforts to urinate. The irritable state of the bladder is caused by the pressure of the loaded rectum on the neck of the former. The common soap-suds make a good injection, ard will quickly soften the hardened excrement ; after which the fol- lowing clyster may be used : — Linseed tea, so). eacp sep ee ee ee Gream of tartar”. so oxo 6) 0 & oe eee After throwing into the rectum about one third of the above, press the tail on the anus. The object is, to make it act as a fomentation in the immediate vicinity of the parts. After the inflammation shall have subsided, administer the following in a bottle, o: horn: — Powdered blackroot, (deptandra virginica, ) half an ounce. Warm water, s° 0.0 eee Repeat the dose, if the symptoms are not relieved. INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB. This may be treated in the same manner as the last-named disease. ‘The malady may be recognized by lassitude, loss of appetite, diminution in the quantity, and deterioration in the quality, of the milk. As the disease advances, there is often a fetid discharge from the parts; a constant straining, which is attended with a frequent flow of urine. | b 2 | 7S E % ae | ; om » " tg. , PY £ one ij ae Weer a INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. - 127 INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN, (Psreniris.) In this disease, the pia mater, arachnoid membrane, or ‘he cain itself, may be inflamed. It matters very little which cf the above are deranged, for the means of cure are the same. We have no method of making direct application to either of the above, as they all he within the cranium. Neither can we act upon them medicinally except through the organs of secretion, absorption, and circulation. Post mortem exam- Inations reveal to us evident marks of high inflammatory action, both in the substance of the brain and in its mem- branes ; and an effusion of blood, serum, or of purulent matter, has been found in the ventricles of the brain. Treatment. —'The indications are, to equalize the circula- tion by warmth and moisture externally, and maintain the action to the surface by rubbing the legs with the illosne counter-irritant : — a ee a se oh he A quart Scomumonesall, . . ....° ... .2 ounces. Set the mixture on the fire, (¢” an earthen vessel,) and allow it to simmer for a few moments; then apply it to the legs. After the circulation is somewhat equalized, give the follow- ing drench : — Extract of butternut, . . . half an ounce. Meee! hyssop,.. =... ¥ pint. A stimulating clyster may then be given, composed of warm water, into which a few grains of powdered capsicum may be sprinkled. 1f due attention be paid to counter-irritation, and the head cept cool by ~ret cloths, the chances of recovery are pretty certam. , Sn ae | SF Ee Ny ee nS ai be ~ a Bs ee ae pos 1283 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOM INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. T1is disease is too well known to require any description ; we shall therefore, at once, proceed to point out the ways end means for its cure. Treatment. — First wash the eyes with a weak decoction of camomile flowers until they are well cleansed; then give a cooling drink, composed of Cream/ol ‘tartar, 0. Decoction of lemon balm, . . . 1 quart. Repeat this drink every six hours, until the bowels are moved. Should the disease occur where these articles cannot be procured, give two ounces of common salt ina pint of water. Should the eye still continue red and swollen, give a dose of physic. (See Physic for Cattle. ) eH If a film can be observed, wash with a decoction of po w- dered bloodroot; and if a weeping remain, use the followiug astringent : — Powdered bayberry bark, . . . . 1 onnee. Barling avaters ike (5) si beaks ae 1 pint. When cool, pour off the clear liquor. Tt is then fit for use. Inflammation of the eye may assume different forms, but the above treatment, combined with attention to rest, ventila- tion, a dark location, and a light diet, will cover the whole ground, INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER, (Hepatitis. ) Cattle very frequently show signs of diseased liver. » Stall- fed oxen and cows kept in cities are most liable to derange- ment of the liver; in such animals, (after death,) there is an unusual yellowness of the fat. A disease of the liver may exist for a long time without interfering much with the gen. t seas ¥ s. G ~ pn eee Ree oe ee oe ee — INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. [29 era. healih. Mr. Youatt informs us that “a chronic form of diseased liver may exist for some months, or years, not char- acterized by any decided symptom and but little interfering wiih health.’’ Sympioms.— Permanent yellowness of the eyes; quick pulse; dry muzzle; hot mouth; considerable pain when pressure 1s made on the right side. Occasionally the animal looks round and licks the spot over the region of the liver. Treatment. — First give half pint doses of thoroughwort tea, at intervals of one hour, (to the amount of two quarts.} This will relax the system, and equalize vita) action. The following drench is then to be given : — Extract of butternut, . . . half an ounce. RUMI ACT cs, a) Aarts If the butternut cannot be obtained, substitute a dose of physic. (See Appenpix.) Stimulate the bowels to action by injections of soap-suds. If the extremities are cold, proceed to warm them in the manner alluded to in article Inflamma- tion of the Bowels. On the other hand, if the surface of the body is hot and dry, and there is much fever present, in- dicated by a quick pulse and dry muzzle, then bathe the _whole surface with weak saleratus water, sufficiently warm _to relax the external surface. The following fever drink may _be given daily until rumina‘ion again commences :-— PMN Sg ve oy. 2 OUNCES, Wrewmver tartar, . 2°. oo. ounce. money,’ . Select foe hae ete wk Salle Rt ig SS ee et guiarts, First pour the boiling water on the balm; after standing a few minutes, strain; then add the ahove ingredients. 6* 130. AME AN REFORMED CAfTLE DOCTOR. — JAJNDICE, OR YELLOWS. Tuts disease is well known to every farmer; the yellow appearance of the skin, mouth, eyes, and saliva at once betray its presence. It consists in the absorption of unchanged bile into the circulation, which bile becomes diffused, giving rise — to the yellow appearances. | In the treatment of jaundice, we first give a dios of physic, (see AppENDIx,) and assist its operation by injections of weak lie, made from wood ashes. 'The animal may roam about in the barn-yard, if the weather will permit; or rub the external surface briskly with a wisp or brush, which will answer the same purpose. The following may be given in one dose, and repeated every day, or every other eek as the symptoms may require : — Powdered golden seal, (hydrastus canadensis, ) . $6 slippery elm, <<) .)-«....« 724, Ouleess Water sufficient to make it of the consistence of gruel. ‘ 1 table-spoonful. Should a diarrhcea set in, it ought not to occasion alarm, but may be considered as an effort of nature to rid the system of morbific matter. It will be prudent, however, to watch the animal, and if the strength and condition fail, then add to — the last prescription a small quantity of poder Se ates and caraway seeds. There are various forms of disease in the liver, yet the treatment will not differ much from that of the last-named disease. There is no such thing as a medicine for a particu- .ar symptom, in one form of disease, that is not equally good for the same symptom in every form. In short, there is no such thing as a specific. Any medicine that will promote the healthy action of the liver in one form of jaundice will be equaily good for the same purpose in another form of that disease. | Mr. Youatt states, ‘ There are few diseases to which cattle ) | fs either through sympathetic action or from the absorption of morbid matter. Hence we must aid the vital power to main- tain her empire and resist the encroachments on her sanative operations by the use of antispetics and stimulants. The following is a good example : — Poweered charcoal, . . .... . I-ounce. = bayberry bark, . . . . half an ounce. ts plogrisy rOOt, |.) ae) 92 2 OUNCE: RAES cee ws ee es ee od table-spoonful. MMe i es eo ee | Quart MALIGNANT EPIDEMIC, (Morraiy.) This disease has been more or less destructive from the time of Pharaoh up to the present period. For information on the origin, progress, and termination of this malignant distemper, the reader is referred to Mr. Youatt’s work on cattle. Treatment. —'The indications to be fulfilled are, first, to preserve the system from putrescence, which can be done by ~ the use of the following drink :— Powdered capsicum, . . . . 1 tea-spoonful. : x eharcoal,.... .) ». «>2 ounces. Pomme water, (0.76 e sw. 2 4-ounceEs: BMH ea 8 ae. 8 tea-spoontuls. Add to the capsicum, charcoal, and sulphur, a small quantity of gruel; lastly, add the lime water. A second and similar dose may be given six hours after the first, provided, how- ever, the symptoms are not so alarming. The next indication is, to break down the morbid action of the nervous and vascular systems; for which the following may be given freely : — Thoroughwort tea, . . Ges eA. quariss Powdered assafeetida, . . . % drachms. 136 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR © Aid the action of these remedies by the use of one of the _ following injections : — Powdered lobelia, o «cs « 2 Ounces: Oibef peppermint °°: Sa a aeee drops. eMarmavater, iro 7) eer eee 2 quarts. Another. Infusion of-caniomile; —,¢ <9) 50) 3 2 quarts. Common salt, © 06 Ores In all cases of putrid or malignant fever, efforts should be made to supply the system with caloric, (by the aid of stimnu- lants,) promote the secretions, and rid the system of morbific materials. DIARRHGA, (Loosmness oF THE BowELs.) In the early stages of this disease, it is not always to be checked. It is often a salutary operation of nature to rij the system of morbific materials, and all that we can do with _ Safety is, to sheathe and lubricate the mucous surfaces, in order to protect them from the acrid and stimulating proper- ties of the agents to be removed from the alimentary canal. When the disease, of which diarrhea is only a symptom, proceeds from exposure, apply warmth, moisture, friction, and stimulants to the external surface, aided by the following lu- bricant : — Powdered slippery elm, (74 . source: charcoal, . . . . . 1 table-spoonful. Bovine water, so... 2 aa OaNN ie eee quarts. Common starch, or flour, may be substituted for slippery elm. The mixture should be given in pint doses, at intervals of two hours. When the fecal discharges appear more natural and less frequent, a tea of raspberry leaves or bayberry bark will complete the cure. When the disease assumes a chronic form, and the animal iniamete ~ _ see pe ra se Set ey NT DISEASES OF THE MUCOUS SURFACE. ne loses flesh, the following tonic, stimulating, astringent drink is recommended : — iasion of camomile, . 2... 2 FE quart. Powdered caraway seeds, . . . . 1 ounce. Bayberry, powdered, . . . . . half an ounce. Mix for one dose. Remarks. —In the treatment of this disease, it is necessary for the farmer to know, that through the instrumentality of the nervous structure, there is constantly a sympathy kept up between the different parts of the animal; whenever any part is affected, the corresponding part feels the influence. Thus the external surface 1s opposed to the internal, so that, if the function of the former be diminished, or excessive, or sus- pended, that of the latter will soon become deranged; and the restoration of the lost function is the only true way tc effect acure. For example, if an animal be suffered to feed in wet lands, the feet and external surface become cold; and hence diarrhea, catarrh, garget, dysentery, &c. If the cir-- ulation of the blood is obstructed by exposure, we should restore the lost function by rubbing the surface, and by the application of warmth and moisture. If the animal is in poor -ondition, and there is not enough vitality to equalize the cir- evlation, give warm anti-spasmodics. (See Appenpix.) In cases where diarrheea results from a want of power in the di- gestive organs to assimilate the food, the latter acts on the mucous surfaces as a mechanical irritant, producing inflam- mation, &c. Inflammation is the concentration of the avail- able vital force too much upon a small region of the body, and it is invited there by irritation. Now, instead of the popular error, —bleeding and purging,—the most rational way to proceed is, to remove the cause of irritation, (no matter whether the stomach or bowels are involved,) and invite the blood to the surface by means already alluded to, and distribute it over the general system, so that it will not be in excess any where. There js generally but little — Bee i Sc ONte ab a Na ot Sit ae ee ees a al * “ 138 AMFRICAN REFORMED CATTLE DUCTOR. difficulty in producing an equilibrium of action; the great point is to sustain it. When the blood accumulates in a part, as in inflammation of the bowels, the sensibility of the part is so highly exalted that the least irritation causes a re- lapse ; therefore the general treatment must not be abandoned too early. ; Se ee DYSENTERY. The disease is generally ushered in with some degree of fever; as, trembling, hot and cold stages, dryness of the mouth, loss of appetite, general prostration, drooping of the | head and ears, heaving of the flanks; there are frequent stools, j yet these seldom consist of natural excrement, but are of a viscid, mucous character; the animal is evidently in pain dur- ing these discharges, and sometimes the fundament appears excoriated. Causes. —'The cause of this complaint appears to be, gen- erally, exposure. Dr. White says, ‘“‘ Almost all the diseases of cattle arise either from exposure to wet or cold weather, from their food being of a bad quality, or deficient in quan- tity, or from the animal being changed too suddenly from poor, unwholesome keep to rich pasture. It is necessary to observe, also, that the animal is more liable to be mjured by exposure to wet and cold, when previously enfeebled by bad keep, old age, or any other cause; and particularly when brought from a mild into acold situation. I have scarcelv met with a disease that is not attributable to a chill.” Treatment. — This must be much the same as in diarrhea — sheathing the mucous membrane, and inviting action to the surface. The animal must be warmly housed, well littered, and the extremities clothed with flannel bandages. 'The diet must consist of flour gruel, scalded meal. Raspberry tea wil be the most suitable drink. Much can be done by good nurs- ing. Mr. Ellman says, “If any of my cattle get into a low ~ i ~ | DISEASES OF 1HE MUCOUS SURFACE, 139 weak state, I generally recommend nursing, which, in most ceses, is much better than a doctor; [meaning some of the poor specimens always to be found in large cities;] having ' often seen the beast much weakened, and the stomach re- laxed, by throwing in a quantity of medicine injudiciously, and the animal lost; when, with good nursing, in all proba- bility, it might have been otherwise.” SCOURING ROT. Cause. — Any thing that can reduce the vital energies. Symptoms. — A gradual loss of flesh, although the animal often feeds well and ruminates. The excrements are of a dark color, frothy, and fetid, and, in the latter stages, appear to be only half digested. There are many symptoms and different degrees of intensity, during the progress of this dis- ease, which indicate the amount of destruction going on; yet the author considers them unimportant in a practical point of | view, at least as far as the treatment is concerned; for the disease is so analogous to dysentery, that the same indications are to be fulfilled in both; more care, however, should be taken to prevent and subdue mortification. | In addition to the treatment recommended in article Malig- nant Epidemic, the following injection may be substituted for the one prescribed under that head : — Poweered charcoal, ... . : . a tea-cupful. Mremeionsalto. 6 se Sw BOUNCES. Pyroligneous acid,* . . . . . halfa wine-glass. Pemmewater, .... -..- . 2 Quarts. Throw one quart of the above into the rectum, and tha emainder six hours after the first. — * Vinegar obtained from wood. 140 AMEKICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOL DISEASE OF THE EAR. Disrasz3 of the ear are very rare in cattle, yet, as simple inflammatory action does now and then occur, it is well that the farmer should be able to recognize and treat it. Symptoms. — An unnatural heat and tenderness about the base of the ear, and the animal carries the head on one side. Cure. — Fomentations of marshmallows; a light diet of scalded shorts; an occasional drink of thoroughwort tea These with a little rest, in a comfortable barn, will perfect the cure. 3 Remarks. —If any irritating substance is suspected to have fallen into the ear, efforts must be made to remove it: if it cannot be got at, a small quantity of olive oil may be poured into the cavity; then, by rotating the head, with the | affected ear downwards, the substances will often pass out. SEROUS MEMBRANES. Turse membranes derive their name from the serous 21 watery fluid they secrete, by which their surface is con- stantly moistened. They are to be found in the three cavi- ties of the chest; namely, one on each side, containing the right and left lung, and the intermediate cavity, occupied by the heart. The portion of the membrane lining the lungs is named the pleura, and that lining and covering the heart is called the pericardium. 'The membrane lining the abdomen is named the peritoneum. The ventricles of the brain are also lined by this membrane. The scrous membranes, after lining thei: respective cavities, are extended still farther, by ce ee ee Ne eee ee | a DROPSY. 14} | being reflected back upon the organs enclosea in their cavi- ties; hence, if it were possible to dissect these inembranes | from off the parts which they invest, they would have the |appearance of a sac without an opening. In the natural | state, these membranes are exceedingly thin and transparent ; _but they become thickened by disease, and lose their trans- parency. The excessive discharge of fluids into cavities lined by these membranes constitutes the different forms of | dropsy, on which we shall now treat. | : DROPS Y. ‘Luts disease consists in the accumulation of fluid in a cav- ity of the body, as the abdomen or belly, the chest, and ven- tricles of the brain, or in the cellular membrane under the skin. As the treatment of the several forms of dropsy re- quires that the same indications shall be fulfilled, —viz., to equalize the circulation, invite action to the surface, promote absorption, and invigorate the general system, —so it matters but little whether the effusion takes place under the skin, producing anasarca, or within the chest or abdomen. The popular treatment, which comprehends blood-letting, phys- icking, and the use of powerful diuretics, has proved no- toriously unsuccessful. Blood-letting is charged as one of the direct causes of dropsy: how then can it be expected that a system that will produce this form of disease 2an ever cure it? In reference to physicking, if the bowels we forced to remove the excess of fluids in a short time, they become much exhausted, lose their tone, and do not recover their healthy power for some time. Dr. Curtis says, ‘‘ May we not give diuretics and drastic cathartics in dropsy? I answer, if you do, and carry off the fluids of the body in those direc- tions, as you sometimes may, you have not always removed ‘he 142 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. cause of the disease, which was the closing of the surface . -6-otilices. : Wenmon salt, . . 2 .-.: . 1 table-spoonfut. amis water,~. 2. - . + «° quarts. Whdén cool, strain, and inject. If the animal is only blasted in a moderate degree, th:s treatment will generaily prove successful. Some practition- ers recommend puncturing the rumen or paunch ; but there is always great danger attending it, and at best it is only a pal- liative: the process of fermentation will continue while the materials still remain in the paunch. Some cattle doctors make a large incision into the paunch, and shovel out the contents with the hand; but the remedy is quite as bad as the disease. For example, Mr. Youatt tells us that ‘a cow had eaten a large quantity of food, and was hoven. A neigh- por, who was supposed to know a great deal about cattle, made an incision into the paunch ; the gas escaped, a great portion of the food was removed with the hand, and the ani- mal appeared to be considerably relieved ; but rumination did not return. On the following day, the animal was dull; she refused her food, but was eager to drink. She became worse and worse, and on the sixth day she died.” In all dangerous cases of hoove, we must not forget that our remedies may be aided by the external application of warmth and moisture ; flannels wrung out in hot water should be secured to the belly; at the same time, the legs and bris- ket should be rubbed with tincture of assafcetida. These remedies must be repeated until the animal is relieved. Steady and long-continued perseverance in rubbing the ab- domen often succeeds in liberating the gas. If the animal recovers, he should be fed, very sparingly, on scalded food consisting of equal parts of meal ané shorts, with the addi- tion of a few gra‘ns of caraway seeds. A drink composed of the following ingredients will aid in rapidly restoring the animal to health »— | : 7 ; Boiling water, (003 04. vi ..) ge) ees 46 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. _ Marshmallows, 2.0.0 03. 4s) & 2 Sees Linseed: 2220) se oe ees Ses the mixture near the fire, and allow it to macerate for a short time; after straining through a sieve or coarse cloth, © it may be given and repeated at discretion. Remarks. — As prevention is much more convenient and fess expensive than the fashionable system of making a chem- — teal laboratory of the pocr brute’s stomach, the author would — remind owners of stock that the practice of turning the latter into green, succulent pasture when the ground is damp, or — permitting them to remain exposed to the night air, is among ~ the direct causes of hoove. The ox and many other animais are governed by the same laws of nature to which man owes ~ allegiance, and any departure from the legitimate teachings, ~ as they are fundamentally ingrafted in the animate kingdom — by the Omnipotent Creator, is sure to subject us to the pen- alty. We are told that, during the night, noxious gases and poisonous miasmata emanate from the soil, and that plants throw off excrementitious matters, which assume a gaseous form, and are more or less destructive. Now, these animals have no better powers of resisting the encroachments on their organization (through the agency of these deleterious gases) _ than we have; they must have atmospheric air to vitalize the blood ; any impurity in the air they breathe must impai their health. Still, however, the powers of .resistan.e are greater in some than in others; this explains the reason why ali do not suffer. Sometimes, the gases are not in sufficient quantities to produce instant death, but only derange the general health; yet if an animal be turned into a pasture, the herb- age and soil of which give out an excess of nitrogen and carbonic acid, the animal will die; just as a man will, if you lower him into a well abounding in either of these destructive agents. From these brief remarks, the farmer will see the importance of housing domestic animals at n ght, > % Be Ge ei a 4 * 4 ar is ~ ‘ gia Eight lg Sain eit cali eee ee es YOinT MURRAIN. ot STAT JOINT MURRAIN. Tuts malady, in its early stages, assume: diflzcent forms ; sometimes making its appearance under a high grade of vital action, commonly called inflammatory fever, and known by the red appearance of the sclerotica, (white of the eye,) hur- ried breathing, expanded nostrils, hot tongue, and dry muzzie, pulse full and bounding, manifestations of pain, &c. &c. Dif: ferent animals show, according to local or constitutional pecu- harities, different symptoms. | This disease, in consequence of its assuming different forms during its progress, has a host of names applied to it, which rather embarrass than assist the farmer. We admit that there are numerous tissues to be obstructed ; and if the disease were named from the tisstie, it would have as many names as there are tissues. If it were named from the location, which often happens, then we get as many names as there are locations; for example, horn ail, black leg, quarter evil, joint murrain, fout rot, &c. In the above disease, the whole system par- fakes more or less of constitutional disturbance; therefore it s of no use, except when we want to avail ourselves of local applications, to decide what particular muscle, blood-vessel, or nerve is involved, seeing that the only rational treatment consists in acting on all the nerves, blood-vessels, and muscles, and that this can only be accomplished through the healthy operations of nature’s secreting and excreting processes. The indications of cure, according to the reformed principles, are, . to relax spasm, as in locked-jaw, stoppages of the bladder or intestines, obstructed surfaces, &c.; to contract and strengthen weak and relaxed organs, as in general or local debility, diar- rhea, scouring, lampas, &c. ; to stimulate inactive parts, as in biack leg, joint murrain, quarter ill, foot rot ; to equalize the circulation, and distribute the blood to the external surface and extremities, as In congestions; to furnish the animal with sufficient nutriment for its growth and development. No matter what the nature of disease may be, the treatment should be conducted on these principles. eh 48 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. The farmer will overcome a host of obstacles, that might — otherwise fall in his way, in the treatment of joint murrain, when he learns that this malady, together with black lea, quar- tcr ill or evil, black quarter, and dry gangrene are all analo- gous: by the different names are meant their grades. In the early or mild forms, it consists of congestion in the veins or venous radicles, and effusions into the cellular tissue. When chemical action overpowers the vital, decomposition sets in; it then assumes a putrid type; mortification, or a destruction of organic itegrity, is the result. Causes. — Its proximate causes exist in any thing that can for a time interrupt the free and full play of any part of the vital machinery. Its direct cause may be found in over-fecd- ing, miasma, exposure, poisonous plants, poor diet, &c. The milk of diseased cows isa frequent cause of black leg in young calves. The reason why the disease is more likely to mani- fest itself in the legs is, because they are more exposed, by the feet coming in contact with damp. ground, and because the blood has a kind of up-hill work to perform. Treatment. —In the early stages of joint murrain and: its kindred maladies, if inflammatory fever is present, the first aud 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,.° 0.00 8%i,.c.8 <<) +s se ee Lemon balm, PEEP ES, Grarlie, bruised, . 0... 6... e det ee eee teriete Boitline water, 3.04: s wel eyo. se ee Allow the infusion to stand until cool; then strain, and give it a dose. If the bowels are constipated, inject the following :— Soft soaps 6. oe SV ee eae Warm-waters ss es 2 quarts. - -- SOINT MURRAIN. 149 Rub the joints with the following embrocation : = Mamemimecdar, =... we Q ] eee ke ks goin parts. Keep the animal on warm, bland teas, such as catnip, pen nyroyal, 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 doc- toring. 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 fool- ish directions about quantities. [The heroic practice!] As much blood must be taken away as can be got; for it 1s only by the bold and persevering use of the lancet that a malady ean 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 veteri- nary writers inform us, that “an animal will lose about one fifteenth part of its weight of blood before it dies; though a ‘ess quantity may so far debilitate the vital powers, as to be, though less suddenly equally fatal.” The latter pertion of uo: haa AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. _ ee: 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 capsicum, 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. ABS be obstructed by filth, or contracted by cold, the delicate mcaths of these excrementitious vessels, or outlets, are una- ble to rid the parts of their morbid accumulations: these ves- sels become distended beyond their usual capacity, communi- eate with each other, and, when no longer able to contain this mass of useless material, an artificial drain, in the form of “foot rot,” is established, by which simple method the parts recover their reciprocal equilibrium. In this case, as in diar- rhea, we recognize a simple and sanative operation of nature’s law, which, if aided, will generally prove beneficial. - That ‘foul in the foot” is caused by the sudden stoppage of some natural evacuation is evident from the following facts: First, the disease is most prevalent in cold, low, marshy countries, where the foot is kept constantly moist. Secondly, the disease is neither contagious nor epidemic. (See Journal de Méd. Vet. et comparée, 1826, p. 319.) Treatment. — In all cases of obstruction to the depurating apparatus, there is a loss of equilibrium between secretion and excretion. The first indication is, to restore the lost function. Previously, however, to doing so, the animal must be removed to a dry situation. The cause once removed, the cure is easy, provided we merely assist nature and follow her teachings. As warmth and moisture are known to relax all animal fibre, the part should be relaxed, warmed, and cleansed, first by warm water and soap, lastly by poultice ; at the same time bearing in mind that the object is not tu produce or invite suppuration, (formation of matter,) but only to liberate the excess of morbid materials that may already be present: as soon as this is accompiished, the poultice shy uid be discontinued. Poultice for Foul Feet. Roots of marshmallows, bruised, . half a pound. Powered charcoal. 02". te a handial, = lobeliag sc. ays oe a few ‘eunees, Stet CS A tea-cuptul: -Bouing water suffi ‘ent to soften the mass “ r ‘ i e “ . a a Ne ae +4 * E| 156 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, 2 | _ Another. SMPPCEY CLM aS iene reyes Powdered lobelia,. . . . . f Pend“niy; bruised, 34. ae equal parts. Mix with boiling water. Put the ingredients into a bag and secure it above the fetlock. : Give the animal the foliowing at a dose: — Flowers of sulphur, . . . . .~ half an ounce. Powdered sassafras bark, . . . 1 ounce. Burdock, (any part of the plant,) . 2 ounces. The above to be steeped in one quart of boiling water When cool, strain. All that is now needed is to keep the part cleansed, and at rest. If a fetid smell still remains, wet the cleft, morning and evening, with Chloride of soda, s20. 5. 6°. os “2 ae Water, 0) ca a ah eh eee Mix. Another. Pyroligneous acid, ©...» « .. «° 2@umees. Waterss s. 2.42, (ec? seas 26) oko a ee s a Mix. ke Another. 4 Common salt, . . . ... .°., Ptablesspeontuis: : WVinecar, 6. fs is 0 ba > wo ee i DV Obes Git: 4!" e's. Bua ence gd eee oe ee Whenever any fungous excrescence makes its apy caranes belween the claws, apply powdered bloodroot ¢ burnt atum. RED WATER. | GY RED WATER. Tis affection takes its name from the high color of the urine. It is not, strictly speaking, a disease, but only a syimp- tom of derangement, caused by high feeding or the suppres- sion of some natural discharge. If, for example, the skin be obstructed, then the insensible perspiration and excrementi- tious matter, which should pass through this great outlet, find some other mode of egress ; either the lungs or kidneys have to perform the extra work. If the lot falls on the latter, and they are not in a physiological state, they give evidence of febrile or inflammatory action (caused by the irritating, acrid character of their secretion) in the form of high-colored urine. In all cases of derangement in the digestive appara- tus, liver included, both in man and oxen, the urine is gener- ally high colored; and the use of diuretic medicines is objec- tionable, for, at best, it would only be treating symptoms. We lay it down as a fundamental principle, that those whe treat symptoms alone never cure disease, for the animal often dies a victim to the treatment, instead of the malady. Whenever an animal is in a state of plethora, and the usuai amount of morbific matter cannot find egress, some portion of it is reabsorbed, producing a deleterious effect: the urine will then be high colored, plainly demonstrating that nature is making an effort to rid the system of useless material, and will do so unless interfered with by the use of means op- posed to the cure, such as blood-letting, physicking, and diuretics. The urine will appear high colored, and approach a red hue, in many cows after calving, in inflammation of the womh, gastric fever, puerperal fever, fevers generally, inflam- mation of the kidneys, indigestion ; in short, many forms of acute disease are accompanied by high-colored urine. The treatment, like that of any other form of derange ment, must be general. Excite all parts of the system ts nealthy action. If the bowels are constipated, give the fui- w . VAssr tsar . ~ ws SERS < = ~ {58 © —s AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTCGR. = Golden seal, . . . . . 1 table-spoonful. Thoroughwort tea, . . . 2 quarts. T'o be given at a dose. Scalded shorts will be the most suitable food, if any is required; but, generally, abstinence is necessary, especially if the animal be fat. If the surface and extremities are cold, give an infusion of pennyroyal, catnip, sage, or hyssop; and rub the belly and legs with Hot: vinezar.: 20. .\5. 7. erate Powdered lobelia or cayenne, . . 1 ounce. If the kidneys are inflamed,— which may be known by tenderness in the region of the loins, and by the animal stand- ing with the legs widely separated,——the urine being of a dark red color, then, in addition to the application of stimu- cating liniment to the belly and legs, a poultice may be placed over the kidneys. Poultice for inflamed Kidneys. Slippery elm, 5...) 32's oe a ee Lobelia, (3 a eae eee Boiling water sufficient. Another. Eiamseed 31s eRe eee eae Marshmallows, 3.0) tenes & equa parts. Boiling water sufficient. Lay the poultice on the loins, pass a cloth over it, and secure under the belly. : A drink of marshmallows is the only fluid that can with safety be allowed. If the horns, ears, and surface are hot, sponge the whole surface with weak lie or saleratus water, and give the follow- ing antifebrile drink : — Lemon bala, oo .e e e e Cream-of tartar, 9.0... 0.53. 42 oe: Boiling water, °. .. 4. >... 42 is Honey, . aot oacG ss ed eilb When cold, strain, and give a pint every fifteen minutes — ce t ae aa i ca yin cE ATES RED WATER. | : L549 if the bowels are constipated, use injections of soaj-sids. Suppose the animal to be in poor condition, hide bound iver inactive, the excrement of a dark color and fetid odor. Then use Powdered golden seal, . . . 2 ounces. = Calaways.. «3. OUNCE: es cayenne, . . . I tea-speonful. Popiar bark, or slippery a . 2 ounces. Mix, divide into ten parts, and give one, in thin gruel, three times a day. ‘The animal should be fed on boiled car- rots, scalded shorts, into which a few handfuls of meal or flour may be stirred. In short, consider the nature of the ease ; look beyond the symptoms, ascertain the cause, and, if possible, remove it. An infusion of either of the following articles may be given at discretion: marshmallows, linseed, juniper berries, pond lily roots, poplar bark, or queen of the meadow. Mr. Cole remarks that “red water is most common in cows of weak constitution, a general relaxation, poor blood, &c.”’ In such eases, a nutritious diet, cleanliness, good nursing, friction on the surface, comfortable quarters at night, and an occasional tonic will accomplish wonders. Tonic Mixture. Powdered golden seal, . . . I tea-spoontul. balmony, . . . 2 tea-spoonfuls. Mix the above in shorts or meal. Repeat night anu morn- ing until convalescence is established. In cases of great pros- tration, where it is necessary to act with promptitude, the following infusion may be substituted : — Thoroughwort, . Stans Gorden seal 5. 2 sss 1 7 of each, 1 ounce: Camomile flowers, . Povine water 2 i: gente eae. 5). 2. quarts: _ After standing one hour, strain, and ae a pint every fons "hours 160 = AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR BLACK WATER. My plan of treatment, in this malady, is similar to that fur red water. In both cases, it is indispensable to attend to the general healih, to promote the discharge of all the secretions, to remove all obstructions to the full and free play of all parts of the living machinery. 'The same remedies recommended in the preceding article are equally good in this case, only ~ they must be more perseveringly applied. THICK REN: Wuenever the urine is thick and turbid, deficient in quan tity, or voided with difficulty, either of the following prescrip tions may be administered : — Juniper berries, 2°. 60.0 3k See Boiling water, 0.60020 Se eee Strain. Dose, 1 pint every four hours. Another. Slippery elms. 05. 6 eee Poplarbark,) 0. 6 sas «wey oa os ee Make a tea; sweeten with molasses, and give pint doses every four hours. Another. Make a tea of cedar or pine boughs, sweeten with honey, and give it at discretion. rm ; 3 z - sd Pe het tee Ss Lor a AD ei he RET, 9 hi T ea Salas | ee eS RHEUMATISM | meee ts RHEUMATISM. Raetmatism thrives in cold, damp situations, and in wet foggy weather. It is often confined to the membranes of ths large joints, and sometimes consists in a deficiency of joint oil, (synovia.) It is liable to become chronic, and involve the fibro-muscular tissues. . Acute rheumatism is known by the pain and swelling in certain parts. Chronic rheumatism is recognized by coldness, rigidity about the muscles, want of vital action, &c. When lameness, after a careful examination, cannot be accounted for, and is found to go off after exercise, and xe! in again, it is probably rheumatism. Treatment of Acute Rheumatism. — Bathe the parts » th an infusion of arnica flowers, made thus : — Promied HOWETS), 2. 33°. 857. ss 4 ounces, maine water, 6. wos. ws DS Quarts. When sufficiently cool, it is fit for use. Give the following :— MMPI i) 8 a3 iS) ee ee OUNCES, i@ream of. tartar, -. ss: sc. 2. -. . ounEES. Pewdered pleurisy root; . -.. ...° 1 ounce: ih NeoOnce,. 7. om ale}. i Beounees: Bria Mea, oe es oe + ck POUNC. Mix. Gjive a table-spoonful three times a day in the feed A light diet and rest are indispensable. Treatment _of Chronic Rheumatism. — Put the animal on a generous diet, and give an occasional spoonful of golden seal or balmony in the food, and a drink of sassafras tea. The parts may be rubbed with stimulating liniment, for - which, see APPENDIX {62 AMERICAS REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOnN. © a BLAINE. Some veterinary writers describe this disease as ‘“‘a watery tumor, growing at the root of the tongue, and threatening suffocation. The first symptoms are foaming at the mouth, gaping, and loiling out of the tongue.” ) The disease first originates in the mucous surfaces, which enter into the mouth, throat, and stomach. It partakes some- what of the character of thrush, and requires nearly the same treatment. Make an infusion of raspberry leaves, to which add a small quantity of borax or alum. Wash the mouth and tongue with the same by means of a sponge. If there are-any large pustules, open them with the point of a penknife. After cleansing them, sprinkle with powdered bayberry bark, or bloodroot. Rid the system of morbid matter by injection and physic, (which see, in Appenprx.) The following antiseptic drink will then complete the cure : — : Make a tea of raspberry leaves by steeping two ounces ina quart of boiling water; when cool, strain; then add Powdered charcoal, . . . . 2 ounces. re bayberry bark, . . 1 ounce. Honey, . =... % 2 tales Give a pint every four hours. . The diet shouid consist of scalded meal, boiled turnips, carrots, &c., to which a small portion of salt may be added. If the glands under the ears and around the throat are sym- pathetically affected, and swollen, they must be rubbed twice a day-with the stimulating hniment. (See Appenprx.) The disease is supposed, by some veterinarians, to origi- nate in the tongue, but post mortem examinations lead us to determine otherwise. Mr. Youatt informs us that ‘ post mor- tem examination shows intense inflammation, or even gan- grene, of the tongue, erophagus, paunch, and fourth stomach. | The food in the paunc’ has a most offensive smell, and that A gre = us re aces ; ‘Sasa : - INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT. ~ A163 [Peo 1S aaohential = 7 1 wn the manyplus is hard and dry. Inflammation reaches te the small intestines, which are covered with red and black patches in the ccecum, colon, and rectum.” THRUSH. Thrush, and all eruptive diseases of the throat and internal surface, are treated in the same manner as laid down in Biaine. BLACK TONGUE. Buiacx Tongue appears when the system is deprived of vital force, as in the last stages of blaine, &c. The indications to be fulfilled are the same as in blaine, but applied with more perseverance. INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT AND ITS APPENDAGES.* In many cases, if attended to immediately, nothing more will be necessary than confining the animal to a light diet, with frequent drinks of linseed tea, warmth and moisture ap- plied locally in the form of a slippery elm poultice, which may be kept in close contact with the throat by securing it to the horns. But, in very severe attacks, mullein leaves steeped in vinegar and applied to the parts, with an occasional stimulating injection, (see Appenpix,) together with a gruel det, are the only means of relief. * This includes the larynx, pharynx, and trachea. 4 anata AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. BRONCHITIS. Broncuiris consists in a thickening of the fibrous and muse cous surfaces of the trachea, and generally results from mal- treated hoose or catarrh. Symptoms. — A dry, husky, wheezing cough laborious breathing, hot breath, and dry tongue. Treatment. — Warm poultices of slippery elm or flaxseed, on the surface of which sprinkle powdered lobelia. Apply them to the throat moderately warm ; if they are too hot they will prove injurious. In the first place administer the follow- ing drink : — Powdered. licorice, wf eo), “ouniee és elecampane, . . . . _ half an ounce. Slippery-elm, 2. 4.4, % 0.01 24> ou aae Boiling water sufficient to make it of the consistence of thin gruel. If there is great difficulty of breathing, add half a tea-spoon of lobelia to the above, and repeat the dose night and morn- ing. Linseed or marshmallow tea is a valuable auxiliary in the treatment of this disease. The animal should be com- fortably housed, and the legs kept warm by friction with coarse straw. ; INFLAMMATION OF GLANDS THere are numerous glandular bodies distributed over the animal stricture. ‘Those to which the reader’s attention is called are, first, the parotid, situated beneath the ear; sec- ondly, the sub-lingual, beneath the tongue; lastly, the sub- _ maxillary, situated iust within the angle of the jaw. Thev é é , a z INFLAMMATION OF GLANDS. 165 ‘are organized similarly to other glands, as the kidneys, &c., possessing arteries, veins, lymphatics, &c., which terminate in a common duct. They have also a ramification of nerves, and the body of the gland has its own system of arterial vessels and absorbents, which are enclosed by a serous membrane. They produce a copious discharge of fluid, called saliva. Its use is to lubricate the mouth, thereby preventing friction ; also to lubricate the food, and assist digestion. Inflammation of either of these glands may be knuwn ie the heat, tenderness, enlargement, and difficulty of swallow- ing. ‘They are usually sympathetically affected, as in hoose, catarrh, influenza, &c., and generally resume their natural state when these maladies disappear. Treatment. —In the inflammatory stage, warm teas of marshmallows, or slippery elm, and poultices of the same, are the best means yet known to reduce it; they relax constricted or obstructed organs, and by being directly applied to the parts affected, the more speedily and effectually is the object accomplished. ‘T'wo or three applications of some relaxing poultice will be all that is needed ; after which, apply Olive‘oil, or goose grease, . . . I gill. Smits Gl camphor,: .°°. os L ounce: Mid@iest Cedars: it cs. a Domne, Peseta ee he Sa oe) hal a oll Mix. Another. Eyeoneheous acid, .° ..-. '. « 2:0unces. eee al tos, oy coy renames bei, Peyenne, @.0-0/., 5 2.1. -. >. 1 tea-spoonful To be rubbed around the throat as occasion may reqitire. Ali hard or indigestible food will be injurious. a i66 AMERICAN REFORMED JATCLE UCCTOR. LOSS OF CUD. Loss or Cup is a species of indigestion, and may be brought = on by the animal’s eating greedily of some food to which it has been unaccustomed. Loss of cud and loss of appetite ara synonymous. Compound for Loss of Cud. Goiden seal, powdered, . . . . I ounce. Caraway, ie oe tk a SOT Cream of tartar, ..- 2.0%.) 4 ‘halt aae@enes Powdered poplar bark, . .. . 2 @2oumees Mix. Divide into six powders, and give one every four hours in a sufficient quantity of camomile tea. COLIC. Couic is occasioned by a want of physiological power in che organs of digestion, so that the food, instead of undergo- ing a:chemico-vital process, runs into fermentation, Ey which process carbonic acid gas is evolved. Symptoms. — The animal is evidently in pain, and appears very restless; it occasionally turns its head, with an anxious gaze, to the left side, which seems to be distended more than the right; there is an occasional discharge of gas from the mouth and anus. , spat Se 3 ; Treatment. — Give the following carminative : — Powdered aniseed, ... . . half a tea-spoonful. te elmnamony<: 9... e ee To be given m a quart of spearmint tea, and repvated if necessary. - SPASMODIC COLIC. | 167 Another. - Powdered assafetida, . . . . . half a tea-spocn, Thin gruel of slipperyelm, . . . 2 quaits. amen aniseed. <> a ge hp CO -Orops: To be given at a dose. lf the animal suffers much pain, apply fomentations to the belly, and give the following injection : — Powdered ginger, ...- . . . . half'an ounce. Seman salt, -. 5... . .. F-table-spoonint. Bieler oe. se gahon: SPASMODIC COLIC. Tuts affection may be treated in the same manner as flatu- lent colic, aided by warmth and moisture externally. . The author has in many cases cured animals of spasmodic colic with a little peppermint tea, brisk friction upon the stomach and bowels, and an injection of warm water; whereas, had the animals been compelled to swallow the usual amount of gin, saleratus, castor oil, salts, and other nauseous, useless drugs, they would probably have died. ‘The reader, espe- cially if he is an advocate of the popular poisoning and blood- letting system, may ask, What good can a little simple pep- permint tea accomplish? We answer, Nature delights ir simples, and in all her operations invites us to follow her ex- . ample. The fact is, warm peppermint tea, although in the estimation of the learned it is not entitled to any confidence as a therapeutic agent, yet is an efficient anti-spasmodic in the hands of reformers and common-sense farmers. It is evident that if any changes are made in the symptoms, they ought te be for the better; yet under the heroic practice they oftev grow worse 2 Gig « ¥ 5 a lo Ti Se 168 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. CONSTIPATION. Eros In constipation there 1s a retention of the excrement, whick -bezomes dry and hard. It may arise from derangement of the liver and other parts of the digestive apparatus: at other tines, there is a loss of equilibrium between the mucous and external surface, the secretion of the former being deficient, and the external surface throwing off too much moisture in the form of perspiration. In short, constipation, in nine cases out of ten, is only a symptom of a more serious discrder in some important function. The use of powerful purges is at all times attended with danger, and in very many cases they fall short cf accomplishing the object. Mr. Youatt tells us that “a heifer had been feverish, and had refused all food during five days; and four pounds of Epsom salts, and the same quantity of treacle, and three fourths of a pint of castor oil, and numerous injections, had been administered before any purgative effect could be produced.” Several cases have come under the author’s notice where large doses of aloes, salts and castor oil had been given without producing the least effect on the bowels, until within a few minutes of the death of the animal. If the animal ever recovers from the danger- ous effects resulting from powerful purges, it is evident that the delicate membranes lining the alimentary canal must lose their energy and become torpid. All mechanical irritants — for purges are of that class — divert the fluids of the body from the surface and kidneys, producing watery discharges from the bowels. This may be exemplified by a person taking a pinch of snuff; the irritating article comes in contact with the mucous surfaces: they endeavor to wash off the offend- ing matter by secreting a quantity of fluid; this, together with what is forced through the membranes 1n the act of sneezing, generally accomplishes the purpose. A constant repetition of the vile habit renders the parts less capable of self-defence : they become torpid, and lose their natural power of resisting encroachments ; finally, the altered voice denotes the havec en ee Besa sikan, SPASMOL C COLIC. eee i: made ea the mucous membrane. This explains the whole modus operandi of artificial purging; and although, in the latter case, the parts are not adapted to sneezing, yet there is often a dreadful commotion, which has destroyed many thou- sauds of valuable animals. An eminent professor has said that “ purgatives, besides being uncertain and uncontrollable, often kill from the dangerous debility they produce.” The good results that sometimes appear to follow the exhibition of irritating purges must be attributed to the sanative action of the constitution, and not to the agent itself; and the life of the patient depends, in all cases, on the existing ability of the vital power to counteract the effects of purging, bleed- ing, poisoning, and blistering. The author does not wish to give the reader occasioen to conclude that purgatives can be entirely dispensed with; on the contrary, he thinks that in many cases they are decidedly beneficial, when given with discretion, and when the nature uf the disease requires them; yet even in such cases, too much confidence should not be placed on them, so as to ex- clade other and sometimes more efficient remedies, which come under the head of laxatives, aperients, &c. Treatment. —If costiveness is suspected to be symptom- atic of some derangement, then a restoration of the general health will esiablish the lost function of the bowels. In this case, purges are unnecessary; the treatment will altogether depend on the symptoms. For example, suppose the animel constipated ; the white of the eye tinged yellow, head droop- ing, and the animal is drowsy, and off its feed; then give the following : — Powdered mandrake, . . . . 1 tea-spoonful. Castile soap, in shavings, . . . quarter of an ounce. - Peet oe a OS half a wine-glase: Powdered capsicum, . . . . . third of a table-spoon. ‘Dissolve the soap in a small quantity of hot water, then mix the whole in three pints of thin gruel. To. eg a See wg Beast +5 ae 170 | AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTO&. This makes a good aperient, and can be given wich perfeet safety in all cases of constivation arismg from derangement of the hver. The liquid m ist be poured Gown the throat in | a gradual manner, in order to insure its reaching the fourth stomach. Aid the medicine by injections, and rub the belly occasionally with straw. : Suppose the bowels to be torpid during an attack of inflam- | mation of the brain; then it will be prudent to combine re- laxents and anti-spasmodics, in the following form : — Extract of butternut, ...” .. 2 hall aaounee: Powdered skunk cabbage, . . . ream Oftattat -. i. a ee = Powdered lobeha, . 0.0 2°.) os 2 ese First dissolve the butternut in two quarts of hot water, | after which add the remaining ingredients, and give it for a dose. The operation of this prescription, like the preceding, must be aided by injection, friction, and warm drinks made of | hyssop or pine boughs. Suppose the bowels to be constipated, at the same time the | animal is hide-bound, in poor condition, &c.; the aperient must then be combined with tonics, as follows : — Extract of butternut, ~. =. .-....* Welh aaegmee: Rochelle salts, 022°. SY) So Ome Goldeix'seal, ko ee Ginger, ee Hot water, 2 oo ee _ Dissolve and administer at a dose. In order to relieve the cold, constricted, inactive state of the hide, recourse must be had to warmth, moisture, and friction. A simple aperient of linseed oil may be given in cases of stricture or intr ssusception of the bowels. ‘Te dose is one pint. PA eter donee Os IC ALVINGSS 17 FALLING DOWN OF THE FUNDAMENT. Rerusn the prolapsed part as quickly as possibie by gently isneading the parts within the rectum. In recent cases, the part should be washed with an infusion of bayberry bark. (See Appenpix.) The bowel may be kept in position by applying a wad of cotton, kept wet with the astringent infn- sion, confined with a bandage. A weak solution of alum water may, however, be substituted, provided the bayberry or white oak bark is not at hand. Should the parts appear swollen and much inflamed, apply a large slippery elm poultice, on the surface of which sprin- kle powdered white oak or bayberry bark. This will soon lessen the swelling, so that the rectum may be returned. The diet must be very sparing, consisting of flour gruel; and if the bowels are in a relaxed state, add a small quan- tity of powdered bayberry. CALVING. Ar the end of nine months, the period of the cow’s gesta- tion is complete; but parturition does not always take place at that time; it is sometimes earlier, at others later. ‘One hundred and sixteen cows had their time of calving regis- tered: fourteen of them calved from the two hundred und forty-first day to the two hundred and sixty-sixth day, — that is, eight months and one day to eight months and twenty-six days; fifty-six from the two hundred and seventieth to the two hundred and eightieth day ; eighteen from the two hun- dred and eightieth to the two hundred and ninetieth; twenty on the three hundredth day; five on the three hundred and sighth day; consequently there were ie seven es be: ween the two extremities.” as ae a ie 172, AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, — "> Sa ei | Immediately before caving, the animal appears uneasy; the tail is elevated; she shifts from place to place, and is fre- quently lying down and getting up again. The labor pains then come on; and by the expulsive power of the womb, the f@tus, with the membranes enveloping it, is pushed forward. At first, the membranes appear beyond the vagina, or “‘ shape,” often in the form of a bladder of water; the membranes burst, the water is discharged, and the head and fore feet of the calf protrude beyond the shape. We are now supposing a case of natural labor. ‘The body next appears, and soon the de- livery is complete. In a short time, a gradual contractien of the womb takes place, and the cleansings (afterbirth) are discharged. When the membranes are ruptured in the early stage of calving, and before the outlet be sufficiently expand- ed, the precess is generally tedious and attended with danger ; and this danger arises in part from the premature escape of the fluids contained within the membranes, which are intend- ed, ultimately, to serve the double purpose of expanding of dilating the passage, and lubricating the pants, thereby facil- itating the birth. Under these circumstances, it will be our duty to supply the latter deficiency by carefully anointing the parts with olive oil; at the same time, ailow the animal a generous supply of slippery elm gruel: if she refuses to partake of it, when of- fered in a bucket, it must be gently poured down the throat — from a bottle. At times, delivery is very slow; a consid- erable time elapses before any part of the calf makes its ap- pearance. Here we have only to exercise patience; for if there is a natural presentation, nature, being the best doctor under all circumstances, will do the work in a more faithrul manuer unassisted than when improperly assisted. ‘“ A med- dlesome midwifery is bad.’”? Therefore the practice of at- tempting to hurry the process by driving the animal about, or annoying her in any way, is very improper. In some cases, however, when a wrong presentation is apparent, which seems to render calving impracticable, we should, after smearing the hand with lard, introduce it into the vagina. and endeavor CALVING. | 175 © ascertain th position of the calf, and chauge it when it is found unfavorible. When, for example, the head presents without the fore legs, which are bent under the breast, we may gently pass the hand along the neck, and, having ascer- tained the position of the feet, we grasp them, and endeavor to bring them forward, the cow at the same time beiug put into the most favorable position, viz., the hind quarters being elevated. By this means the calf can be gently pushed back, as tne feet are advanced and bronght into the outlet. ‘The calf being now in a natural position, we wait patiently, and give nature an opportunity to perform her work. Should the expulsive efforts cease, and the animal appear to be rapidly sinking, no time must be lost ; nature evidently calls for as- sistance, but not in the manner usually resorted to, viz., that of placing a rope around the head and feet of the calf, and employing the united strength of several men to extract the feetus, without regard to position. Our efforts must be di- rected to the mother; the calf is a secondary consideration : the strength of the former, if it is failing, must be supported ; the expulsive power of the womb and abdominal muscles, now feeble, must be aroused ; and there are no means or processes that are better calculated to fulfil these indications than that of administering the following drink : — EUITOOt gs oi. os BOUNCES; Powdered cayenne, . . . . one third of a tea-spoon. Motherwort, .. . ..:.«, « -» lounce. Infuse in a gallon of boiling water. When cool, strain, then add a gill of honey, and give it in pint doses, as occasion may require. Under this treatment, there is no difficulty in reéstablishing | aterine action. If, however, the labor is still tedious the ealf may be grasped with both hands, and as soon asa pain | or expulsive effort 1. et .dent, draw the calf from side to side. While making this lateral motion, draw the calf forward. _ Expulsion generally follows. If, on examination, it is clearly ascertained that the calf is ™~ = i és > DS a aoe Be ree AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ly!ng in an unnatural position, —for example, the calf may be in such a position as to present its side across the outlet, — in such cases delivery is not practicable unless the position is altered. Mr. White says, “‘I have seen a heifer that it was found impossible to deliver. On examining her after death, a very large calf was found lying quite across the mouth of the uterus.” In such cases, Mr. Lawson recommends that, ‘¢ when every other plan has failed for turning the calf, so as to put it in a favorable position for delivery, the following has often succeeded: Let the cow be thrown down in a-proper position, and placed on her back; then, by means of ropes and a pulley attached to a beam above, let the hind parts be raised up, so as to be considerably higher than the fore parts; in this position, the calf may be easily put back towards the bottom of the uterus, so as to admit of being turned, or his head and fore legs brought forward without difficulty.” We must ever bear in mind the important fact that the suc- cessful termination of the labor depends on the strength and ability of the parent; that if these fail, however successful we may be in bringing about a right presentation, the birth is still _ tedious, and we may finally have to take the fetus away piecemeal ; by which process the cow’s life is put in jeopardy. To avoid such an unfortunate occurrence, support the ani- mal’s strength with camomile tea. ‘The properties of camo- mile are antispasmodic, carminative, and tonic —just what is wanted. : Mr. White informs us that ‘instances sometimes occur of the calf’s head appearing only, and so large that it is found impossible to put it back. When this is found to be the case, the calf should be killed, and carefully extracted, by cutting off the head and other parts that prevent the extraction; thus the cow’s life will be saved.” {n cases of malformation of the head of the foetus, or when the cranium is enormously distended by an accumulation of @uid within the ventricles of the brain, after all other reme- dies, in the form of fomentations, lubricating antispasmodic é drinks, have failed, then recourse must be had to embryotomy. Boy oie - eS es . are 2) tet - EMBRI OTOMY. | 175 EMBRYOTOMY. For the following method of performing the operation we are indebted to Mr. Youatt’s work. The details appeared in the London Veterinarian of 1831, and will illustrate the oper- ation. M. Thibeaudeau, the operating surgeon, says, “I was consulted respecting a Breton cow twenty years old, which was unable to calve. I soon discovered the obstacle to the delivery. The fore limbs presented themselves as usual; but the head and neck were turned backwards, and fixed on the eft side of the chest, while the feetus lay on its right side, on ihe inferior portion of the uterus.” M. ‘Thibeaudeau then relates the ineffectual efforts he made to bring the fetus into » favorable position, and he at length found that his only re- source to save the mother was, to cut in pieces the calf, which was now dead. ‘TI amputated the left shoulder of the fetus,” says he, “in spite of the difficulties which the position of the head and neck presented. Having withdrawn the limb, I made an incision through all the cartilages of the ribs, and laid open the chest through its whole extent, by which means ~ [ was enabled to extract all the thoracic viscera. Thus hav- ing lessened the size of the calf, I was enabled, by pullirne at the remaining fore leg, to extract the fetus without much re- sistance, although the head and neck were still bent upon the chest. The afterbirth was removed immediately afterwards.” This shows the importance of making an early examination, to determine the precise position of the fetus; for if the head had been discovered in such position in the early stage of la- bor, it might have been brought forward, and thus prevented the butchery ‘Ve TS tO Ne ay ERS oe ea bee a ee ‘ . ‘ ‘ th a. ee = fre ieee & SPS aa ) 4 GA ue 2 EY, 2 oo a a 176 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCI°R FALLING OF THE CALF-BED, OR WOMB. Wuen much force is used in extracting the calf, it sone- times happens that the womb falls out, or is inverted; and great care is required in putting it back, so that it may remain in that situation. Treatment. — If the cow has calved during the night, in a cold situation, and, from the exhausted state of the animat. we have reason to suppose that the labor has been tedious, or that she has taken cold, efforts must be made to re- store the eguilibrium. The following restorative must be given :— Motherwort.tea,. .-. .. . 2 “a 2 @iaites Hot drops,°. 0 22. se ee se ee earn: Powdered cinnamon, . . . . . _ 1 tea-spoonful. Give a pint every ten minutes, and support the animal with flour gruel. The uterus should be returned in the following manner: Place the cow in such a position that the hind parts shall be higher than the fore. Wash the uterus with warm wate, into which sprinkle a small quantity of powdered bayberry ; remove any extraneous substance from the parts. A linen cloth is ihen to be put under the womb, which 1s to be held by two assistants. The cow should be made to rise, if lying down, —that being the most favorabie position, and the operator is then to grasp the mouth of the womb with both hands and return it. When so returned, one hand is to be immediately withdrawn, while the other remains to prevent that part from falling Jown again. ‘The hand at liberty is then to grasp another portion of the womb, which is to be pushed into the body, hke the former, and retained with one hand. This is to be repeated until the whole of the womb is put back. If the womb does not contract, friction, with a crush, around the belly and back, may excite contractien N - : ae ne - 6 ARGET. Adee Eh An attendant must, at the same time, apply a pad wetted with weak alum water to the “shape,” and keep it in close eontact with the parts, while the friction is going on. It is sometimes necessary to confine the pad by a bandage. GARGET. In order to prevent this malady, the calf shouid be put to suck immediately after the cow has cleansed it; and, if the bag is distended with an overplus of milk, some of it should be milked off. If, however, the teats or quarters become het and tender, foment with an infusion of elder or camomile flowers, which must be perseveringly applied, at the same time drawing, in the most gentle manner, a small quantity of milk; by which means the over-distended vessels will col- _ lapse to their healthy diameter. An aperient must then be given, (sce ApprnpIx,) and the animal be kept on a light diet. if there is danger of matter forming, rub the bag with the ‘ollowing liniment : — GOOSE Ol: : ge cropsre. a>. equal parts. If the parts are exceedingly painful, wash with a weak lie, wr wood ashes, or sal soda. In spite of all our efforts, matter will sometimes form. As soon as it is discovered, a lancet nay be introduced, and the matter evacuated ; then wash the part clean, and apply the stimulating liniment. (See Arpen DIX ) fe w78 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. — SORE TEATS. Firsr wash with castile soap = warm water, then appiy the following : — dornre water, 505 eee femseed Oil ea ee ¢ equal parts. CHAPPED TEATS AND CHAFED UDDER. These may be treated in the same manner. If the above preparation is not at hand, substitute bayberry tallow, elder or marshmallow ointment. FEVER. Description and Definition. — Fever is a powerful effort of the vital principle to expel from the system morbific or irri- tating matter, or to bring about a healthy action. The rea- son why veterinary practitioners have not ascertained this fact heretofore is, because they have been guided by false princi- ples, to the exclusion of their own common experience. Let — them receive the truth of the definition we have given; then the hight will begin to shine, and medical darkness will be rendered more visible. Fever, we have said, is a vital ac- tion —an effort of the vital power to regain itsequilibrium of action through the system, and should never be subdued hy the use of the lancet, or any destructive agents that deprive the organs of the power to produce it. Fever will be gener- ally manifested in one or more of that combination of signs known as follows: loss of appetite, increased velocity of the pulse, difficult respiration, heaving at the flank, thirst, pain, and swelling: some of which will be present, local or gen- rral in greater or less degree, in all forms of disease. When a = jae ae FEVER. “ 17% an animal has taken cold, and there is power in tl e systein ta keep up acontinual warfare against encroachmeuts, the dis- turbance of vital action being unbroken, the fever is called pure or persistent. Emanations from animal or vegetable sub- stances in a state of decomposition or putrefaction, or the nox- ious miasmata from marshy lands, if concentrated, and not sufficiently d:luted with atmospheric air, enter into the sys- tem, and produce a specific effect. In order to dethrone the intruder, who keeps up a system of aggression from one tissue to another, the vital power arrays her artillery, 11 good ear- nest, to resist the invading foe ; and if furnished with the mu- nitions of war in the form of sanative agents, she generally conquers the enemy, and dictates her own terms. While the forces are equally balanced, which may be known by a high grade of vital action, it is also called wnbroken or pure fe- ver. The powers of the system may become exhausted by efforts at relief, and the fever will be periodically reduced ; this form of fever is called remzttent. By remittent fever is to be understood this modification of vital action which rests or abates, but does not go entirely off before a fresh attack ensues. It is evident, in this case, also, that nature is busily engaged in the work of establishing her empire; but being more exhausted, she occasionally rests from her labors. It would be as absurd to expect that the most accurate definition ef fever in one animal would correspond in all its details with another case, as to expect all animals to be alike. ‘There are many names given to fevers; for example, in addition to the _ two already alluded to, we have milk or puerperal fever, symp- tomatic, typhus, inflammatory, &c. Veterinary Surgeon Per- cival, in an article on fever, says, ‘‘We have no more reason —not near so much — to give fever a habitation in the abdo- men, than we have to enthrone it in the head; but it would tppear from the full range of observation, that no part of the jody can be said to be unsusceptible of inflammation, (loca! iever,) though, at the same time, no organ is invariably on P=f which they nevey would have arisen, but by the restorative efforts of that living pewer which at once triumphed over poison, blood-letting, | disease, and death.” In the treatment of disease, and when fever is manifested Ly the sigus just enumerated, the object is, to invite the blood to the external surface; or, in other words, equalize the cir- culation by warmth and moisture; give diaphoretic or sudor- ific medicines, (see APPENDIX,) with a view of relaxing the capillary structure, ridding the system of morbific materials, and allaying the general excitement. If the ears and legs are cold, rub them diligently with a brush; if they again re- lapse into a cold state, rub them with stimulating liniment. and bandage them with flannel. In short, to contract, to stimulate, remove obstructions, and furnish the system with the materials for self-defence, are the means to be resorted to in the cure of fevers. We shall now give a few examples of the treatment of fever; from which the reader will form some idea of the course to be pursued in other forms not enumerated. But we may he asked why we make so many divisions of fever when it is evidently a unit. We answer the question in the words of Professor Curtis, whcese teachings first emancipated us from the absurdity of allopathic theories. ‘These divisions were made by the learned in phvsic, and we follow them out in their efforts to divide what. is in its nature indivisible, to satisfy the demands of the public, and to give it in small criums to those practitioners of the art who have not capacity enough to take in the whole at a single mouthful.” In the treatment of fevers, we must endeavor to remove all intruding agents, their influences and effects, and reéstab- lish a full, free, and universal equilibrium throughout the sys- tem. ‘The means are,” says Professor Curtis, “ antispas- modics, stimulants, and tonics, with emollients to grease the wheels of life. Disprove these positions, and we lay by the pen and ‘throw physic to the dogs.’ Adhere strictly to them in the use of the best means, and you will do all that can be dane in the hour of need.” 1§2 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCioR. _ \ MILK OR PUERPERAI FEVER. Treatment. — Aperients are excecdingiy impertant in the | early stages, for they liberate any offending matte. that may have accuinulated in the different compartments of the stom: | ach or intestines, and deplete the system with more certainty and less danger than blood- ——. Aperient for Paired Fever. Rochelle salts, °° 0... Mantas ose. oe os Sat pie en ODIO Extract of buteraut: - . ©» » hala omnee: Dissolve in boiling water, . es. @ Quarts: To be given at a dose. | By the aid of one or more of the following drinks , the aperient will generally operate : — | Give a bountiful supply of hyssop tea, sweetened with {" honey. Keep the surface warm. | Suppose the secretion of milk to be arresteds then apply — warm fomentations to the udder. Suppose the bowels to be torpid; then use injections of soap-suds and salt. Suppose the animal to be in poor condition ; then give the following : — : Powdered balmony or gentian, . . 1 ounce. : Golden'seal, 0. os 3) Pour eruel, .\- . V oe gallon. To be given in quart doses, every four hours. Suppose the bowels to be distended with gas; then Btve the following : — Powdered caraways, . ... . ~ Jonunes. Assafeetida, - 2 2 « « « 1 tea-spoonfu. Boiling water, sc ee quarts. aot : x ‘¢ — - ©. & ad ‘ 4 be > 3 ™ é * Ms Nail RCT LTE hamid cigs iy a Ri He mena actin ek hua acs} e ieee : oe 3 = — = Se) ee To be given at a dose. “4 “the pre eo - FEVER. 182 Any of the above preparations may be repeated, as circume stances seem to require. Yet it must be borne in mind that we are apt to do too much, and that the province of the good physician is ‘to know when to do nothing.” ‘The following case from Mr. Youatt’s work illustrates this fact : — “A very singular variety of milk fever has already been hinted at. The cow is down, but there is apparently nething - moré the matter with her than that she is unable to rise; she eats and drinks, and ruminates as usual, and the evacuations are scarcely altered. In this state she continues from ten days to a fortnight, and then she gets up well.” Yes, and | many thousands more would “get up well,” if they were only let alone. Nature requires assistance sometimes : hence the need of doctors and nurses. All, however, that is required of the doctor to do is, just to attend to the calls of nature, — whose servant he is, —and bring her what she wants to use in her own way. ‘The nearer the remedies partake or consist of air, water, warmth, and food, the more sure and certain are they to do good. If a cow, in high condition, has just calved, appears rest- less, becomes irritable, the eye and tongue protruding, anda total suspension of milk takes place, we may conclude that there is danger of puerperal fever. No time should be lost: the aperient must be given immediately; warm injections must be thrown into the rectum, and the teats must be indus- triously drawn, to solicit the secretion of milk. In this case, ' all food should be withheld: “starve a fever’”’ suits this case exactly. ; INFLAMMATORY FEVER. Inflammatory fever manifests itself very suddenly. The animal may appear well during the day, bit at night it ap- pears dull, refuses its food, heaves at the flanks, seems uneasy, and sometimes delirious; the pulse is full and bounding; the mouth hot ; urine high colosed and rcanty. Sometimes there are hot and «old stages. | wa e ae ce ve ¢ Aces Hesiod 184 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Remarks. — When. disease attacks any particular .igan suddenly, or in an acute form, inflammatory fever generally manifests itself. Now, disease may attack the brain, the lungs, kidneys, spleen, bowels, pleura, or peritoneum. [a-_ flammatory fever may be present in each case. Now, it -is evident that the fever is not the real enemy to be overcome; it is only a manifestation of disorder, not the cause of it, The skin may be obstructed, thereby retaining excrementi- tious materials in the system: the reabsorption of the latter | produces fever; hence it is obvious that a complete cure can only be effected by the removal of its causes, or, rather, the restoration of the suppressed evacuations, secretions, or excre- : tions. It is very important that we observe and imitate nature in her metnod of curing fever, which is, the restoration of the Secretions, and, in many cases, by sweat, or by diarrhea ; either of which processes will remove the irritating or offend- ing cause, and promote equilibrium of action throughout the Whole animal system. In fulfilling these indications consists the whole art of curing fever. But says one, “It isa very difficult thing to sweat an ox.” Then the remedies should be more perseveringly applied. Warm, relaxing, antispasmodic drinks should be freely al- lowed, and these should be aided by warmth, moisture, and friction externally; and by injection, if needed. If the ox does not actually sweat under this system of medication, he i | will throw off a large amount of insensiblo perspiration. i —— an? | Causes. —In addition to the causes already enumerated, are the accumulation of excrementitious and morbific materi- | als in the system. Dr. Eberle says, “‘A large proportion of | the rzcrementitious elements of perspirable matter must, when q the surface is obstructed, remain and mingle with the blood, | (unless speedily removed by the vicarious action of ‘some q i other emunctory,) and necessarily impart to this fluid quali- ties that are not natural to it. Most assuredly the retention ] of materials which have become useless to the system. and ———— . PEEVE. eo ce ee 185 for whose constant elimination nature has provided so exten- sive a series of emunctories as the cutaneous exhalents, can- not be long tolerated by the animal economy with entlie impunity.” Dr. White says, “‘ Many of the diseases of horses and cat- tle are caused by suppressed or checked perspiration; the _ various appearances they assume depending, perhaps, in a great measure, upon the suddenness with which this discharge is stopped, and the state of the animal at the time it takes place. “Cattle often suffer from being kept in cold, bleak situa- tions, particularly in the early part cf spring, during the prev- alence of an easterly wind; in this case, the suppression of the discharge is more gradual, and the diseases which result from it are slower in their progress, consequently more insid- ious in their nature; and it often happens that the animal is left in the same cold situation until the disease is incurable.” It seems probable that, in these cases, the perspiratory ves- seis gradually lose their power, and that, at length, a total and permanent suppression of that necessary discharge takes place ; hence arise inflammatory fever, consumption, decayed liver, rot, mesenteric obstructions, and various cther complaints. How necessary, therefore, is it for proprietors of cattle to be provided with sheltered situations for their stock! How many diseases might they prevent by such precaution, and how much might they save, not only in preserving the lives of their cattle, but in avoiding the expense (too often useless, to say the least of it) of cattle doctoring! Treatment. — We first give an aperient, (see APPENDIX, ) to deplete the system. ‘The common practice is to deplete by blood-letting, which only protracts the malady, and often brings on typhus, black quarter, joint murrain, &c. Promote the secretions and excretions in the manner already referred to under the head of Puerperal Fever ; this will relieve the siricture of the surface. A drink made from either of the follo-ving articles should be freely given: lemon balm, wars - 186 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE 1 CTOR. 4 2 a - oe > 4 } a a | ‘Take either of the above articles, . . 2 ouncas. >| dering milk weed, thoroughwort or lady s s.ipper, made follows : — | , Boiling: water, i. ash 2 quarts. When cool, strain, and add a wine-glass of honey. oe | If there is great thirst, and the mouth is hot and dry, the _ animal may have a plentiful supply of water. If the malady threatens to assume a putrid or malignant type, add a small quantity of capsicum and charcoal to the - drink, and support the strength of the animal with flour cruel TYPHUS FEVER Causes. —Sudden changes in the temperature of the at- mosphere, the animal being at the same time in a state of debility, unable to resist external agencies. a | Treatment. — Support the powers of the system through the means of nutritious diet, in the form of flour gruel, © scalded meal and shorts, bran-water, &e. . Give tonics, relaxents, and antispasmodics, in the follow- : ing form : — | 3 Powdered: capsicum, .°.3)..,— joe tea-spoonful. | ue bloodroat, :,.\. - .- 5 ei omaee Hy é : | ; a cinnamon, .. -.--. .. «. -haliaounee: j : Thoroughwort or valerian, . . . 2 ounces. | t Boiling water, the same universal laws that we are, and whether we pre-— scribe for a man or an ox, the laws of the animal economy are the same, and require that the same indications shall be ~ fulfilled. ‘“‘A little examination into the consequences of blood-let- ting will prove that, so far from its being beneficial, it is pro- ductive of the most serious effects. ‘‘Nature has endowed the animal frame with the power of preparing, from proper aliment, a certain quantity of blood. This vital fluid, subservient to nutrition, is, by the amazing structure of the heart and blood-vessels, circulated through — the different parts of the system. A certain natural balance — between what is taken in and what passes off by the several | outlets. of the body is, in a state of health, regularly pre- served. When this balance, so essential to health and life, is, — contrary to the laws of the animal constitution, interrupted, — either a deviation from a sound state is immediately per- ww ecivel, or health from that moment is rendered precarious * Dr. Beach. ? \ - i oe . SORN AIL IN CATTLE: 189 toe tends artificially to destroy the natural balance | in the constitution.”” (For more important information on blood-letting, see the author’s work on the Horse; also page 58 of the present volume. ) | HORN AIL IN CATTLE. | On applying the hand to the horn or horns of a sick beast, an unnatural heat, or sometimes coldness, is felt: this enables 'us to judge of the degree of sympathetic disturbance. And i! here, reader, permit us to protest against a cruel practice, that \is much in fashion, viz., that of boring the horns with a gim- let; for it does not mend the matter one jot, and at best it | is only treating symptoms. he gimlet frequently penetrates : the frontal smuses which communicate with the nasal pas- sages, and where mucous secretion, if vitiated or tenacious, will , accumulate. On withdrawing the gimlet,a small quantity of ‘thick mucus, often blood, escapes, and the interested operator will probably bore the other horn. Now, it often happens ‘that after the point of the gimlet has passed through one side - | of the horn and bony structure, it suddenly enters a sinus, and _does not meet with any resistance until it reaches the oppo- ‘site side. Many a ‘“mare’s nest” has been found in this way, usually announced as follows: ‘The horn is hollow! ” Again, in aged animals, the bony structure within the horn often collapses or shrinks, forming a sinus or cavity within the horn: by boring in a lateral direction, the gimlet enters it; the horn is then pronounced hollow! and, according to the usual custom, must be doctored. An abscess will sometimes form in the frontal sinuses, resulting from common catarrh or “hoose ;” the gimlet may penetrate the sac containing the “pus, which thus escapes; but it would escape, finally, through (the nostrils, if it were et alone. Here, again, the ‘horns ine diseased ;” and sl:~ild the animal recever, ‘which it | lS SEUSS baby 3 # 190 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTUR. eee would, eventually, without any interference,) the recovery is strangely attributed to the boring process. An author, whose name has escaped our memory, recommends “cow doctors to carry a gimlet in their pocket.” We say to such men, Lead yourselves not into temptation! if you put a gimlet into your pocket, you will be very likely to slip it into the cow’s horn. Some men have a kind of instinctive impulse to bore the cow’s horns; we allude to those who are unacquainted with the fact that “horn ail” is only a symptom of derangement. It is no more a disease of the horns than it is of the functions generally ; for if there be an excess or deficiency of vital ac- tion within or around the base of the horn, there must be a corresponding deficiency or excess, as the case may be, in some other region. ‘Horn ail,” as it is improperly termed, we have said, may accompany common catarrh, also that of an epidemic form; the horns will feel unnatural if there be a determination of blood to the head: this might be easily equalized by stimu- lating the external surface and extremities, at the same time giving antispasmodic teas and reg wating the diet. The horns will feel cold whenever there is an unnatural distribution of the blood, and this may arise from exposure, or suffering the animal to wallow ir filth. The author has been consulted in many cases of ‘horn ail,’ in several of which there were slow fecal movements, or constipation; the conjunctiva of the eyes were injected with yellow fluid, and of course a deficiency of bile in the abomasum, or fourth stomach; thus ~ plainly showing that the animals were laboring under derange- ment of the digestive organs. Our advice was, to endeavor to promote a healthy action through the whole system; to stimulate the digestive organs; to remove obstructions, both — by injection, if necessary, and by the use of aperients; lastly, to invite action to the extremities, by stimulating liniments Whenever these indications are fulfilled, “‘horn ail’ soon dis appears. 4 - gBORTION IN COWS. ; 19) ABORTION IN COWS. Sows are particularly liable to the accident of “slinking the calf,” The common causes of abortion are, the respira- tion and ultimate absorption of emanations from putrid ani- mal remains, miasmata, over-feeding, derangement of the stomach, &c. The filthy, stagnant water they are often com- pelled to drink is likewise a serious cause, not only of abor tion, but also of general derangement of the animal functions. Dr. White, V. S., tells us that “(a farm in England had beeu given up three successive times in consequence of the loss the owners sustained by abortion in their cattle. At length the fourth proprietor, after suffering considerably in losses oc- easioned by abortion in his stock, suspected that the water of. his ponds, which was extremely filthy, might be the cause of the mischief. He therefore dug three wells upon his farm, and, having fenced round the pond to prevent the cattle from drinking there, caused them to be supplied with the well water, in stone troughs erected for the purpose; and from this moment the evil was remedied, and the quality of the butter and cheese made on his farm was greatly improved. In order to show,” says the same author, ‘that the accident of abortion may arise from a vitiated state of the digestive organs, I will here notice a few circumstances tending to cor- roborate this opinion. In_1782, all the cows of the farmer {)’Euruse, in Picardy, miscarried. The period at which they warped was about the fourth or fifth month. The accident was attributed to the excessive heat of the preceding sum- mer; but, as the water they were in the habit of drinking was extremely bad, and they had been kept on oat, wheat, ead rye straw, it appears to me more probable, that the great quan- tity of straw they were obliged to eat, in order to obtain suf- ficient nourishment, and the injury sustained by the third stomach in expressing the fluid parts of the masticated or rus minated mass, together with the large quantity of water they 4 UN ee Za [92 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTCR. _ drank, while kept on this dry food,-were the real causes of the miscarriage. Sota ‘¢ A farmer at Chariton, out of a dairy of twenty-eight cows — had sixteen slip their calves at different periods of gestation — The summer lad been very dry; they had been pastured in | muddy place, which was flooded Ly the Seine. Here the cows were generally up to their knees in mud and water. In 1789, all the cows in a village near Mantes miscarried. Al! the lands in this place were so stiff as to be, for some time, Impervious to water; and as a vast quantity of rain fell that year, the pastures w2re for a time completely inundated, on which account the grass became bad. ‘This proves that keep- Ing cows on food that is deficient in nutritive properties, and difficult of digestion, is one of the principal causes of miscar- riage.” Mr. Youatt says, ‘It is supposed that the sight of a slipped calf, or the smell of putrid animal substances, are apt to produce warping. Some curious cases of abortion, which are worthy of notice, happened in the dairy of a French farm: er. For thirty years his cows had been subject to abortion. His cow-house was large and well ventilated; his cows were in apparent health; they were fed like others in the village; fhey drank the same water; there was nothing different in the pasture; he had changed his servants many times in the course of thirty years; he pulled down the barn and cow- house, and built another, on a different plan; he even, agreea- bly to superstition, took away the aborted. calf through the window, that the curse of future abortion might not be entailed — on the cow that passed over the same threshold. ‘T’o make all sure, he had broken through the wall at the end of the cow-house, and opened anewdoor. But still the trouble con- tinued. Several of his cows had died in the act of abortion, and he had replaced them by others; many had been sold, and their vacancies filled up. He was advised to make a thior- ough change. ‘This had never occurred to him; but at once he saw the propriety of the counsel. He sold every beast, and the pest was stayed, and never appeared in his new _ stock. ‘This was owing, probably, to sympathetic influerce* — | ee ee = “ABORTION IN: COWS...) 193 He result of such influence is as fatal as the diiest conta- gion.” My own opinion of this disease is, that it is one of nervous origi; that there is a loss of equilibrium between the nerves of voluntary and involuntary motion. The direct causes of this pathological state exist in any thing that can derange the | organs of digestion. Great sympathy is known to exist be- _ tween the organs of generation and the stomach: if the latter _ be deranged, the former feels a corresponding influence, and the sympathetic nerves are the media by which the change takes place. It invariably follows that, as soon as impregnation takes | place, the stomach from that moment takes on an irritable state, _ and is more susceptible to the action of unfavorable agents. Thus the odor of putrid substances causes nausea or relaxa- | tion when the animal is in a state of pregnancy; otherwise, the same odor would not affect it in the least. Professor Cur- tis says, ‘The nervous system constitutes the check lines by which the vital spirit governs, as a coachman does his horses, the -vhole motive apparatus of the animal economy; that ev=ry line, or pencil, or ganglion of lines, in it, is antagonistic to .»me other line or ganglion, so that, whenever the function 01 sns ‘s exalted, that of some other is depressed. It follows, © course, that to equalize the nervous action, and to sustain t2e squilibrium, is one of the most important duties of the physician.” | In addition to the causes of abortion already enumerated, we may add violent exercise, jumping dikes or hedges, sud- den frights, and blows or bruises. Treatment. — When a cow has slipped her foetus, and ap- p2ars in good condition. the quantity of food usually given should be lessened. Give the following dink every night tor a week : — Valerian, Se ee a ene, L.cunee. Powdered skunk cabbage, . . 1 tea-spoonful. | i) en AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTUR. Bg es ee Ui Here ae Se ae Aen = i. ee ee Steep in half a gallon of boiling water. When cold. s.rain . and administer. : ; 4 | Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then pur her on a nourishing diet, and give tonics and stimulants, as fol- lows: — Powdered gentian, °. . .. 3) alommees a Sassafras, ..°..4. ..° 3.) eoumee. Eimseed or flaxseed, .) . 3) pommar Mix. Divide into six portions, and give one, night and morning, in the food, which ought to consist of scalded meal — and shorts. A sufficient quantity of hay should be allowed ; yet grass will be preferable, if the season permits. Suppose the animal to have received an injury; then rest. and a scalded diet are all that are necessary. As a means of prevention, see article feeding, page 17. ’ fer ae heh On ie Nn ai, COW-POX. a | Tis malady makes its appearance on the cow’s teats in the form of small pustules, which, after the inflammatory stage, suppurate. A small quantity of matter then escapes, — and forms a crust over the circumference of each pustule. If the crust be suffered to remain until new skin is formed be- neath, they will heal without any interference. It often hap. pens, however, that, in the process of milking, the scabs are _ rubbed off. The following wash must then be resorted to; — PV TOUSTCOUSHAEIGs 7. eam eae a wine-glass. Waters.) 0 See ee lene Wet the parts two or three times a day; medicine is unne- eessary. A few meals of scalded food will complete the cure | | : sb oa eee - MANGE. pi bade 2 195 MANGE. _&MancGe may be generated either from excitement of the skin itself, or through the medium of that sympathetic influ- ence which is known to exist between the skin and organs of digestion. We have, it appears to me, an excellent illus- tration of this in the case of mange supervening upon povert 7 —a fact too notorious to be disputed, though there may be different ways of theorizing on it.” Mr. Blanie says, ‘“‘ Mange has three origins — filth, debility, and contagion.” Treatment.— Rid the system of morbific materials with the following : — Powdered sassafras,. . . . . . . 2 ounces. - PWarCOnL, cc) deo gs cde. sake. > UNE: BEMMM or ee we we et se kL ONCE Mix, and divide into six parts; one to be given in the feed, night and morning. The daily use of the following rash will then complete the cure, provided proper attention be paid to the diet. Wash for Mange. Eyfanemeous acid, ..-. i... .°. “. \ 4 ounces: oe ae a ee aotearoa PIE. The mange is known to be infectious: this suggests the propriety of removing the animal from the rest of the herd. and stimulants, to tone up the digestive organs, and relax the 196 = AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, HIDE-BOUND Tuts is seldom, if ever, a primary disease The known sympathy existing between the digestive orge 1s and the skin enables.us to trace the malady to acute or chronic indi- } gestion. | q / Treatment. —'The indications to be fulfilled are, to inviie action to the surface by the aid of warmth, moisture, friction, whole animal. ‘The latter indications are fulfilled by the use ‘ of the following: — j Powdered balmony, (snakehead,) . . 2 ounces. = sassafras,” << 20%. ha ee ee Timseed oe ae Rt pMUr i eo ee Mix together, and divide the mass into eight equal parts, and give one night and morning, in scalded shorts or meal; the better way, however, is, to turn it down the throat. - = A few boiled carrots should be allowed, especially in the winter season, for they possess peculiar remedial properties, which are generally favorable to the cure. LICE. Treatment. — Wash the skin, night and morning, with the following : — Powdered lobelia seeds. . . .« - - 2 ounces. Boiling water, 32 205 5 Pe) 6h ee After standing a few hours, it is fit for use, and can be a piied with a sponge. bs - Wie eteminee eta cp ey ss si We ae th a We Sle en & et foe Pato oe ae i e ; ‘IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY S1ATE OF THE SKIN. 197 ‘e ~ IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING TEE SKIN OF ANIMALS IN A HEALTHY STATE. Tis is a subject of great importance to the farmer: .or many of the diseases of cattle arise from the filthy, obstiuct- ed state of the surface. This neglect of cleansing the hide of cattle arises, in some cases, from the absurd notion (often expressed to the author) that the hide of cattle is so thick and dense that they never sweat, except on the muzzle! For the information of those who may have formed such an absurd and dangerous notion, we give the views of Protessor Bou- iey. ‘In all animals, from the exterior tegumentary surface incessantly exhale vaporous or gaseous matters, the products of chemical operations going on in the interior of the organ- ism, of which the uninterrupted elimination is a necessary condition for the regular continuance of the functions. Re- garded in this peint of view, the skin may be considered as a dependency of the respiratory apparatus, of which it contin- ues and completes the function, by returning incessantly to the atmosphere the combusted products, which are water and carboiic acid. ‘Therefore the skin, properly speaking, is an expiratory apperetus, which, under ordinary conditions of the organism, exhales, iz an insensible manner, products analogous to those expired from the pulmonary surface; with this difference, that the quantity of carbonic acid is very much less consider- able in the former than in the latter of these exhalations ; according te Burbach, the proportion of carbonic acid, as ins haled by the skin, being to that expired by the lungs as 350 to 23,450, or as 1 to 67. “ The experiments made on inferior animals, such as frogs, toads, saiamanders, or fish, have demonstrated the waste by general transpiration to be, in twenty-four hours, little less than half the entir: weight of the body.” ‘The same author remarks, ‘“ Direct experiment has shewn, ie M = A. Bsc AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, in the clearest manner, the close relation »f function existing 4 betwee the perspiratory and respiratory membranes.” a. “M. Fourcault, with a view of observing, through different species of arimals, the effect of the suppression of perspira- tion, conceis ed the notion of having the skins of certain live animals covered with varnish. After having been suitably prepared, some by being plucked, others by being shorn, he snieared them with varnish of variable composition; the sub- stances employed being tar, paste, glue, pitch, and other plas- tic matters. Sometimes these, one or more of them, were spread upon parts, sometimes upon the whole of the body. The effects of the operation have varied, showing themselves, soon or late afterwards, decisively or otherwise, according as the varnishing has been complete or general, or only partial, thick, thin, &c. In every instance, the health of the animal has undergone strange alterations, and life has been grievously compromised. Those that have been submitted to experi- ment under our eyes have succumbed: in one, two, three days, and even at the expiration of some hours.” (See Lon- don Veterinarian for 1850, p. 353.) pidyies In a subsequent number of the same work we find the sub- ject resumed ; from which able production we select the fol- lowing : — . “The suppression of perspiration has at all times been thought to have a good deal to do with the production of disease. -Without doubt this has been exaggerated. Bat allowing this exaggeration, is it not admitted by all practi- tioners that causes which act through the medium of the skin ace susceptible, in sufficient degree, of being appreciated in the circumstances ushering in the development of very many diseases, especially those characterized by any active flux of the visceral organs? For example, is it not an incontestable pathological fact, that catarrhal, bronchial, pulmonic, and pleuritic affections, congestions of the most .alarraing descrip- tion in the vast:ular abdominal system of te horse, inflam- maticn of the peritoneum and womb following lator, ca ————— z ae Eh Oe eR ae ete ma Sete nie Tey : of aa kos cae = “IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY STATE OF THE SKIN. 199 | feet, &c., derive their origin, in a great number of instances, from cold applied to the skin ina state of perspiration? What Beppens in the organism after the application of such a | cause Ts its effect instantaneous? Jet us-see. Jmmedi- | ately on the repercussive action of cold being felt by the skin, | the vascular system of internal parts finds itself filled with repelled blood. Though this effect, however, be simply hy- | drostatic, the diseased phenomena consecutive on it are far ia LS tarrhal inflammations of the bowels, even congestions of. the | | | _ otherwise. | “It 1s quite certain that, in the immense System of com- - municating vessels forming the circulating apparatus, when- | ever any large quantity of blood flows to any one particular | part of the body, the other vessels of the system must be _ comparatively empty.* The knowledge of this organic hy- | drostatic fact it is that has given origin to the use of revul- sives under their various forms, and we all well know how much service we derive from their use. ‘* But in what does this diseased condition consist ? Where= abouts is it seated ? “The general and undefined mode it has of showing its presence in the organism points this out. Immediately sub- sequent to the action of the cause, the actual seat of the gen- erative condition of the disease about to appear is the blood; this fluid it is which, having become actually modified in its chemical compositions under the influence of the cause that has momentarily obstructed she cutaneous exhalations, carries about .every where with it the disordered condition, and ulti- mutely giving rise, through it, to some lccal disease, as a sort of eruptive effort, analogous in its object, but often less salu- tary in its effect; owing to the functional importance of. the part attacked, to the external eruptions produced by the pres-. * What a destructive system, then, must blood-letting be, which proposes ‘9 supply this deficiency in the empty vessels by opening a vein and suffer- ing the contents of the overcharged vessels to fall to the ground! If the blood abstracted from the full veins could be returned into those “ empty 7 ones, ther there woulc be some sense in blood-letting. 5 e. | mw AMERICAN REFORMED. CATTLE. DOCTOR. ana’, we by yar os hl Cea reeds as a ‘ ‘ hoe te: Sees So eet " = tg yt aed ee ence 19 the blood af virus, which alters both its dynainic and — chemical properties. , “But what is the nature of this alteration? In this case, every clew to the solution of this question fails us. We know well, when the experiment is designedly prolonged, the blood _— grows black, as in asphyzia, (loss of pulse,) through the com- bination with it of carbonic acid, whose presence is opposed to the absorption of oxygen. But what relation is there be- tween this chemical alteration of blood here and the modifi cations in composition it may undergo under the influence of instantaneous suppression, but not persistent, of the cutaneous exhalations and secretions? The experiments of Dr. Four- cault tend, on the whole, to explain this. His experiments discover the primitive form and almost the nature of the alteration the blocd undergoes under the influence of the ces- sation of the functions of the skin. They demonstrate that. under these conditions the regularity of the course of this fluid is disturbed —that it has a tendency to accumulate and stagnate within the internal organs: witness the abdominal pains so frequently consequent on the appl ation of plasters upon the skin, and the congestions of the abdominal and pul- monary vascular systems met with almost always on opening animals which have been suffocated through tar or pitch plasters. “They prove, in fact, the thorough aptitude of impression of the nervous system to blood altered in its chemical prop- erties, while they afford us an explication of the phenomena of depression, and muscular prostration, and weakness, which accompany the beginning of disease consecutive on the oper- — ation of cold, ‘How often do we put a stop to the ulterior development. of disease by restoring the function of the skin by mere [dry] friction, putting on thick clothing, exposing to exciting fumi- gation, applying temporary revulsives in the ee mus- tard poultices, administering diffusible stimuli made warm in drenches, trying every means to force the skin, and so tend, by the reéstablishment of its exhalent functions, to permit Seen eee ee CN SS = = SPAYINC 7Ows. pete oo AE the elimir uion of blood saturated with carbonic matters op- pes sed to the absorption by it of oxygen! *‘T)o we not here perceive, so to express ourselves, the evil enter and depart through the skin? _ “M. Roche-Lubin gives an account of some lambs which were exposed, after being shorn, to a humid icy cold succeeds sng upon summer heat. These animals all died; and their post mortem examination disclosed nothing further than a blackened condition of blood throughout the whole circulat- ing system, with stagnation in some organs, such as the liver the spleen, or abdominal vascular system. “From the foregoing disclosures, which might be multi- plied if there was need of it, we learn that the regularity or perversion of the functions of the skin exercises an all-power- ful influence over the conservation or derangement of the health, and that very many diseases can be traced to no other origin than the interruption, more or less, of these functions.” These remarks are valuable, inasmuch as they go to prove the importance, in the treatment of disease, of a restoration of the lost function. Our system of applying friction, warmth, and moisture to the external surface, in all cases of internal disease, here finds, in the authors just quoted, able advocates SPAYING COWS. Tne castration of cows has been practised for several ,ears in different parts of the world, with such remarkable | success, that no one will doubt there are advantages to be derived from it. For the benefit of those who may have doubts on this subject, we give the opinions of a committee appointed by the Rheims Academy to investigate the matter. “To the question put to the committee — * Ist. Is the spaying of cows a dangerous operation ? “The answer is, This operation, in itself, involves no mre 9* . 202 | AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTuUR. ~ danger than many others of as bold a character, (as punctura of the rumen, ) which are performed without accident by men even strangers to the veterinary art. ‘Two minutes suffice for the extraction of the ovaries; two minutes more for ‘eniMnipg the wound. | | “2diy. Will not the spaying of cows pat an aut to the pro- duc:ion of the species ? é | “ Witnout doubt, this is an operation which must be kept within bounds It is iu the vicinity of large towns that most benefit wil: be derived from it, where milk is most generally sought after, and where pasturage is scanty, and consequently food for cows expensive. On this account it is not the prac- tice to raise calves about the environs of Paris. Indeed, at Cormenteul, near Rheims, out of one hundred and forty-five cows kept, not more than from ten to fifteen calves are pro- ‘luced yearly. ‘““3dly. is spaying attended with amelioration of the quality of the meat? ‘That cows fatten weil after being spare is an incontesta- ble fact, long known to agriculturists. _“Athly.. Does spaying prolong the period of lactation, aaa increase the quantity of milk ? : “The cow will be found to give as much milk after Binks teen months as immediately after the operation; and there was fonnd in quantity, in favor of the spayed cows, a great difference. ‘“Sthly. Is the quality of the milk ameliorated by Ae) *“'T’o resolve this question, we have thought proper to make an appeal to skilful chemists resident in the neighborhood ; and they have determined that the milk abounds more by one third in cheese and butter than that of ordinary cows.” Mr. Percival says, ‘No person hesitates to admit the ad- vantages derivable from. the castration of bulls and _ stallions. I do not hesitate to aver, that equal, if not double, advantages are to be derived from the same operation when performed on cows.” “It ist) Americy: we are indebted: fut’ t slate discovery. In WG METS 2F SBAVING: COWS. 23 2 24 203 1832, an American traveller, a lover ot milk, no doubt, asxed for some of a farmer at whose house he was. Surprised at finding at this farm better milk than he had met with else- where, he wished to know the reason of it. After some nesi- tation, the farmer avowed, that he had been advised to perform on his cows the same operation as was practised on the bills. The traveller was not long 1 in spreading this information. The Veterinary Society of the country took up the discovery, when it got known in America. The English —those ardent ad- mirers of beefsteaks and roast beef — profited by the new procedure, as they know how to turn every thing to account, and at once castrated their heifers, in order to obtain a more juicy meat. “’The Swiss, whose principal employment is agricultural, had the good fortune to possess a man distinguished in his art, who foresaw, and was anxious to realize, the advantages of eastrating milch cows. M. Levrat, veterinary surgeon at Lan- sanne, found in the government of his country an enlightened assistaut in his praiseworthy and useful designs, so that, at the present day, instructions in the operation of spaying enter into the requirements of the programme of the professors of agriculture, and the gelders of the country are not permitted i® exercise their calling until they have proved their quai:f- cations on the same point.’””— London Vet. p. 274, 1850. For additional evidence in favor of spaying, see Aibany Oul- tivetor, p. 145, vol. vi. ; We have conversed with several farmers in this sestion of the United States, and find, as a general thing, that they iabor under the impression that spaying is clrefly resorted to with a view of fattening cattle for the market. We have, on all occasions, endeavored to correct this erroneous conclusion, and at the same time to point out the benefits to be derived from this practice. The quality of the milk is superior,-and the quantity is augmented. Many thousands of the miserable specimens of cows, that the farmer, with all his care, and having, J Bt the sume tune an abividance of te best fring GF erovender, ‘is unible to fatien might. aite~ the epenuies of spaying, O6 — BOA AMERICAN REFORMED) ‘CATTLE ‘DOCTOR. | ee aft 5 easily fattened, and rendered fit for the market ; “gS if they | q shall have had ‘ea they may be made - permanent, and, of course, profitable milkers. 3 If a cow be in a weak, debilitated state, or, in other words, “out of condition,” she may turn out to be a source of great loss to the owner. In the first place. her offspring will be weak and inefficient ; successive generations will deteriorate ; and if the offspring be in a close degree of relationship, they will scarcely be worth the trouble of rearing. The spaying of such a cow, rather than she shall give birth to weak and worthless offspring, would be a great blessing ; for then one of the first causes of degeneracy in live stock will have been removed. scans citation , — sm yo ti Ain 9 om al Spay oda _ Again, a cow in poor condition is a curse to the farmer ; for she is often the medium through which epidemics, infec- ious diseases, puerperal fever, &c., are communicated to other stock. If there are such diseases in the vicinity, those in poor flesh are sure to be the first victims; and they, coming in con- tact with others laboring under a temporary indisposition, involve them in the general ruin. If prevention be cheaper than cure, —and who doubts it?—then the farmer should avail himself of the protection which spaying seems to hold out. OPERATION OF SPAYING. sa se eRe rt NBM iN a SALMA TESTA LEME bo i Nebel le aN The first and most imrortant object in the successful per- formance of this operation is to secure the cow, so that she shall not injure herself, nor lie down, nor be able to kick or injiire the operator. The most convenient method of secur- ing the cow is, to place her in the trevis;* the hind legs Ee Stk. OE Orem * GEES we recommend that cows be confined in the trevis for the purpose of performing this operation, it by no means follows that it cannof; be done as well in other ways. Jn fact, the trevis is inadmissible wnere chloroform 1s used. The animal must be cast in order to use thatagent with anv degree of safety. Jf the trevis is not at hand, we showd prefer tg uperate, having the cow secured to the floor, er held in that pasion by ~ nv secetanty We lately operated on a cow, the property tf My Go sti gh> Haws sis ahaa ania > aa fee BPATING - COWS. =. 205 snould then b2 securely tied in the usual manner: the band used for the purpose of raising the hind quarters when be_ug shod must be passed under the belly, and tightened just sufficient to prevent the animal lying down. Having secured tne band in this position, we proceed, with the aid of two or moze as- sistants. in case ihe animal should be irritable, to perform the Operation. Aud here, for the benefit of that portion of our. readers wh.o desire to perform the cperation secundum arien., we detail the methcd recommended by Morin, a F'rench vet- erinary surgeon ; although it has been, and “an again be, per- formed with a common knife, a curved needle, and a few silken threads to close the external wound. ‘The author is acquainted with a farmer, now a resident of East Boston, who nas performed this operation with remarkable success, both in Drake of Holliston, in this state, under very unfavorable circumstances; yet, as will appear from the accompanying note, the cow is likely to co well, notwithstanding. The history of the case is as follows: We were sent for by Mr. D. to see a heifer having a swelling under the jaw, which proved te be a scirrhous gland. After giving our opinion and prescribing the usual iemedies, the conversation turned upon spaying cattle; and Mr. D. remarked that he had a five year old cow, on which we might, if we chose, operate This we rather objected to at first, as the cow was ina state of plethora, and the stomach very much-distended with food; yet, as the owner appeared willing to share the responsibility, we consented to perform the operation. The cow was accordingly cast, in the usual manner, she lying on her z:ght side, her head being firmly held by an assistant. We then made an incision through the skin, muscles, and peritonezm. The hand was then introJ:ced, and each ovary in its turn brought as neur to the external wound as possible, and separated from its attachment with a buatton-pointed bistoury. ‘Phe wound was then brought tegether with ‘our interrupted sutures, and drocsed as already described. Directions were given to keep the animal quint, and on a light diet; the calf, which was four weeks old, ts suckie as usual. The operation was perfermed on the 17th cf January, 1851, snc en tho 27th, the following communication was received : — Dr. Dann. Dear Sir: Agreeably to reonesi, t wil! inform you as regards the cow. I must say that, so far as appearances utc concerned, she is doing well. Sha has a good appetite, and chews ha: cud, anc the wound is not swelied ar in: flamed. Yours try, C. DRAKE Yoiriston, Jan. 27, 185L ~ B06 AMERICAN REFORMED GATTI£ )OCTOX this couctry and Scotland, with no other instrumcnts than a commoaa shoemaker’s knife and a curved needle. The fast is, the ultiraace success of the operation does not depend so much on the invstiumepts as on the skill of the operator. If he is’ aii experich*ed nan, understands the anatomy of the parts, aud is well acquinted, by actual experience, with the nature of the operation, “ben the instruments become a matter of taste. The best cuszators are those who devote themselves entirely to the ccusitcticn. (See Mr. Blane’s account of | his “first-essay m swag,” p. 85, note) Morin advises: us to secure the cow, Ly \eans i. five rings, tothe wall. (See | Albany Cultivator, vol. wi. p. 244, 1850.) “The cow being | senveniently disposed u!, and the instruments:and apphances, __ ~such as curved scissors, upon a table, a convex-edged bis- tonry, a straight one, and one buttoned at the point, suture needJe filled with double thread of desired length, pledgets of lint of appropriate size and length, a mass of tow (in pled- gets) being collected in a shailow basket, held by anassistant,— dae Pee vo 5 li -we place ourseives opposite to the left flank, our back turned ~ a little towards the head of the animal; we cut off the hair vhich covers the hide in the middle of the flanks, at an equal one -Eeiween the back and hip, for the space of thirteen or fourteen centimetres in circumference; this done, we take the convex bistoury, and place it open between our teeth, the i! edge out, the point to the left; then, with both hands, we iF seize the hide in the middie of the flank, and form of ita wrinkle of the requisite elevation, and running lengthwise of the body. “We then direct an assistant to seize, with his mght haad, the sight side of this wrinkle. We then take the bistoury, — } and cut the wrinkle at one stroke through the middle: the wrinkle having been suffered to go down, a separation of the 4 hide is presented of sufficient icngth to enable us to intro- — ; diice ine hand; thereuvon we separaie the edges of the hide with ihs thumb and fore finger of the left hand, and, in like i Mautcr, we cut through the abdomina. muscles, the iliae, rather oLiiquely,) aid the lumbar, (<1¢ss,;; for a distance of. a ee LB } | | RP AVING COW SY <- 2558s. 207 Weeatinetre from the lower extremii, of the incision made in the hide: this done, armed with the straight bistoury, we -vaake a puncture of the pertoneum, at the upper extremity ef the wound; we then introduce the buttoned bistoury, and we move it phlignely from above to the lower part up to the termination of the incision made in the abdominal muscles. The fiank being opened, we introduce the right hand into the abdomen, and direct it along the right side of the cavity of the pelvis, behind the paunch and underneath the rectum where we find the horns of the uterus; after we have ascer- tained the position of these viscera, we search for.the ovaries, which are at the extremity of the cornua, or horns, (fallopian tubes,) and when we have found them, we seize them be- tween the thumb and fore finger, detach them completely from the hgaments that keep them in their place, pull light- ly, separating the cord, and the vessels (uterine or fallopian tuves) at their place of union with the ovarium, by means of the nails of the thumb and fore finger, which presents itself at the point of touch; in fact, we break the cord, and bring away the ovarium. “« We then introduce again the hand in the abdominal cav- ity, and we proceed in the same manner to extract the other ovarium.. “This operation terminated, we, by the assistance of a necdle, place a suture of three or four double threads, waxed, at <2 equal distance, and at two centimetres, or a little less, from the lins of the wound; passing it through the divided tissues, we move from the left hand with the piece of thread ; having reached that point, we fasten with a double knot ; we place the seam in the intervals of the thread from the right, and as we approach the lips of the wound, we fasten bya simple knot, being careful not to close too tightly the lower part cf the seam, so that the suppuration, which may be estab- ished in the wound, may be able to escape. “The operation effected, we cover up the wound witha siedget of lint, kept in its place by three or four threads vassed through the stitches, and all is completed per? 5 - 208 = AMERICAN REFORMED satTLE DOCTOR. _ = ae oe 3 “It happens, sometimes, that in cutting the muscles DO. zs | _Which we have before spoken, we cut one or two of the ars teries, which bleed so much that there is necessity for a liga- ture before opening the peritoneal sac, because, if this preean tion be omitted, blood will escape into the | occasion the most serious consequences.” The best time for Spaying cows, with a view of makiag them permanent milkers, is between the ages of five and seven, especially if they have had two or three calves, If intended to be fattened for beef, the operation should not be ~ performed until the animal has passed its second year, nor _ after the twelfth. We usually prepare the animal by allowing a scalded mash every night, within a few days of the operation. The same precaution is observed after the Operation. 2853 If, after the operation, the animal appears dull and irritable and refuses her food, the following drink must be given: abdomen, and may —= Valerian, so) ee 2 ounces, Boilie water.) 0.2" 5. 2 quarts. Set the mixture aside to cool. Then strain, and add infu sion of marshmallows (see APPENDIX) one quart; which maz be given in pint doses every two hours. epee If a bad discharge sets up from the wound, — but this wil] ~ zeldom happen, unless the System abounds in morbific mater als, — then, in addition to the drink, wash the wound with Pyroligneous acid,. . . . Wateras. occ, Mix. 2 - « 2 ounces, ce 6 + 6 2 quarts. SS i Ei Stace 4 nn Sint ihe dee ae cane a2 SHEEP. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Many >of the diseases to which sheep are subject can be traced to want of due care in their management. ‘The com- mou practice of letting them range in marshy lands is one of the principal causes of disease. _ The feet of sheep are organized in such a manner as to be capable, when in a healthy state, of eliminating from the system a large amount of worn-out materials — excrementi- tions matter, which, if retained in the system, would be injurious. ‘The direct application of cold tends to contract the mouths of excrementitious vessels, and the morbid matter accumulates. This is not all. ‘There are in the system lu merous outlets, — for example, the kidneys, lungs, surface, feet, &c. The health of the animal depends on all tuess functions being duly performed. If a certain function be m- terrupted for any length of time, it is sure to derange the system. Diseases of the feet are very common in wet situa- tions, and are a source of great loss to the farming commu- nity. Hence it becomes a matter of great importance to know how to manage*them so as to prevent diseases of the feet. Professor Simonds says, ‘No malady was probably so much feared b> the agriculturist as the rot; and with reason, for jt was mosi destructive to his hoves. It was comznonly be- ‘ 1% tfeved to be incurable, and therefore it was al! important to ° ’ t » ae - oth _ ae aa SS ae — ee are > : Ae Ts , oo “er 210 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. St ee an | . inquire into the causes which gave rise to it. Somes & ares: were notorious for rotting sheep; on other lands, sheep, under all ordinary circumstances, were pastured with impunity ; but, ‘i as a broad principle, it might be laid down that an‘excess of :| 5 moisture is prejudicial to the health of the animal. Sheep, — by nature, are not only erratic animals, wandering over a large space of ground, but wre a!so imhabitants of arid dis- tricts. The skill of maa lias iucreased and improved the - breed, and has naturalized the animal in moist and temperate’ | climates. But, nevertheless, circumstances now and then ~ take place which show that its nature is not entirely changed ;_ thus, a wet season occurs, the animals are exposed to the de- — bilitating effects of moisture, and the | .»reads among them toa fearful extent. The malady is not confined to England © or ta Krope; it is found in Asia and Africa, and occurs also — in Keypt on the receding of the waters of the Nile. : “These facts are valuable, because they show that the | enuse of the disease is not local—that it is not produced by climate or temperature ; for it 4s found that animals in any temperature become affected, and on any soil in certain sea- sons. ... .... -2 Oulsees: . 1 Water, 0. et ee cs oe Oe } Suppose that, on examination, the feet have a fetid odor ; the: apply the following : —- 1| | Vame@ar, ie cs Se he eh, vee Cee Common salt, .. .........>. J tablesspoantul. Watery oe Sal ees ogiile D6 i veep Meme semnaie Mix, and apply daily. At the same time, put the sheep in a dry place, and give a dose of the following every morn: ing : — Powdered bayberry bark, . ._ half an ounce. ve flaxseed; .. ...... }\4 2, pounals: “ sulphur, -; <., - 3 0ye+-:cclee OUI ee ee charcoal, .. 4. uj. gl OUmees e sassafras <>", .. ..” Loumee: Mix. A handful to be yiven in the food twice a day. Remarks. — Foot rot is generally considered a iocal dis- ease; yet should it be neglected, or maltreated, the a spsiem will share in the lecal derangement. - SHEEP. — ROT. ‘ 22) reer. ‘Tue progress of this disease is generally very slow, and a person unaccustemed to the management of sheep would find some difficulty in recognizing it.. A practical eye would dis- tinguish it, even at a distance. ‘The disease is known by one or more of the following symptoms: ‘The animal often zsemains behind the flock, shaking its head, with its ears depressed ; it allows itself to be seized, without any resist- ance. ‘The eye is dull and watery; the eyelids are swollen; the lips, gums, and palate have a pale tint; the skin, which is of a yellowish white, appears puffed, and retains the im- pression ; the wool loses its brightness, and is easily torn off ; the urine is high colored, and the excrement soft. As the disease progresses, there is loss of appetite, great thirst, gen- eral emaciation, &c. The indications are, to improve the secretions, vitalize the blood, and sustain the living powers. For which purpose, take | sePomerred-charcoal, 2. 5). 0. oe DQ -ounces. fe POOR, ook eke 4.36 ublep oes oe DUNE: ae Poldem sealsiecr 32 2 ie: ows ounce: MM a a OD an reyes, BR pound. Mix. Feed to each animal a handful per day, unless rumi~ nation shall have ceased; then omit the oatmeal, and give a tea-spoonful of the mixed ingredients, in half a pint of hyssop, or horsemint tea. Continue as occasion may re- quire. The food should be boiled, if possible. The best kind, especially in the latter stages of rot, is, equal parts of linseed and ground corn. If the urine is high colored, and the animal is disiste aie an occasional drink of 222 AMERICAN REFORMED ‘TATTLE DOCTOR. Cleavers, (galium aparine,) . . . . 2 ounces. Boiling water, 2. 4) ec ee When cold, strain. Dose, one pint. To be repeated, if u2cessary. EPILEPSY. Tuts is somewhat different from staggers, as the animal does not remain quietly on the ground, but it suffers from convulsions, it kicks, rolls its eyes, grinds its teeth, &c. The duration of the fit varies much: sometimes it terminates at the expiration of a few minutes; at other times, a quarter of an hour elapses before it is perfectly conscious. In this mal- ady, there is a loss of equilibrium between the nervous and muscular systems, which may arise from hydatids in the brain, offering mechanical obstructions to the conducting power of the nerves. ‘This malady may attack animals in apparently good health. We frequently see children attacked with epilepsy (fits) without any apparent cause, and when they are in good fiesh. The symptoms are not considered dangerous, except by their frequent repetition. | The following may be given with a view of equalizing the circulation and nervous action : — Assafestida,. . . . . °. °. one third of a teaspoonful. Gruel made from slippery elm, 1 pint. Mix, while hot. Repeat the dose every other day. Make some change in the food. ‘Thus, if the animal has been fed on green fodder for any length of time, let it have a few meuls of shorts, meal, linseed, &c. The water must be of the best quality A ae ti —, RT rE - — SHEEP. -RED WATER. 223 s Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then com- | pine tonics and alteratives in the following form: — Peeteetida, 6. ae Se ee Ltea-spoonful. Powdered golden seal, . . . 1 ounce. a slippery elm, . . . 2 ounces. ern Pe ee ng LE pani: Mix thoroughly, and divide into eight equal parts. A pow- der to be given every morning. RED WATER. | Tuts is nothing more nor less than a symptom of deranged | function. The cure consists in restoring healthy action to all parts of the animal organization. For example, high-col- _ ored urine shows that there is too much action on the inter- nal surfaces, and too little on the external. This at once : points to the propriety of keeping the sheep in a warm situa- tion, in order to invite action to the skin. | Compound for Red Water. Powdered slippery elm, . . : pleurisy root, . . of each, 1 ounce. of poplar bark, . oy ee he Syste rs ee ES : | pe i NATURE OF: SHEEP. Basar having previously supplied himself with a piece of waxed silk land the necessary implements, grasps the scrotum in his left a He then makes an iicision over the most prominent |part of the testicle, through tne skim, cellular structure, &c. | The testicle escapes from the scrotum. A ligature is now ‘passed around the spermatic artery, and tied, and the cord is severed, bringing the testicle awav at one stroke of the knife. _As soon as the operation is completea, the animal is released. |The evening is the best time tor performing the operation, ‘for then the animal remains quiet during the night, and the ‘wound heals kindly. | | | | NATURE OF SHEEP. “Tue sheep, though in most countries under the proteet- ‘tion and control of man, is not that stupid and contemptil le animal that has been represented. Amidst those numerous flocks which range without control on extensive mountains, | where they seldom depend upon the aid of man, it will be found to assume a very different character. In those situa- tions, a ram or a wether will boldly attack a single dog, and often come off victorious; but when the danger is more ' alarming, they have recourse to the collected strength of the whole flock. On such occasions, they draw up into a com- pact body, placing the young and the females in the centre, while the males take the foremost ranks; keeping close by each other. Thus an armed front is presented to all quar- _ ters, and cannot be easily attacked, without danger or destruc- tion to the assailant. In this manner they wait with firmness _the approach of the enemy ; nor does their courage fail them in the moment of attack; for when tne aggressor advances to within a few yards of the line, the rams dart upcn him with such impetuosity, as to lay him dead at their feet, unless he save himself by flight. Against the attack of a single _ dog, when in this situation, they are perfectly secure.”’ 238 AMERICAN aEFOKMED CATTLE DOCTOR, THE RAM. | Mr. I.awson says, ‘It may be observed that the rams of d:fferent breeds of sheep vary greatly in their forms, vools, and fleeces, and other properties; but the following descrij« | tion, by that excellent stock-farmer, Mr. Culley, deserves the — attention of the breeder and grazier. According to him, the head of the ram should be fine and small; his nostrils wide | and expanded ; his eyes prominent, and rather bold or daring ;_ | nis ears thin; his collar full from his breast and shoulders, but tapering gradually all the way to where the neck and head join, | which should be very fine and graceful, being perfectly free’ from any coarse leather hanging down; the shoulders full. which must, at the same time, join so easy to the collar forward, : | and chine backward, as to leave not the least hollow in either place; the mutton upon his arm or fore thigh must come | quite to the knee; his legs upright, with a clean fine bone, — being equally clear from superfluous skin and coarse, | wool from the knee and hough downwards; the breast broad and well forward, which will keep his fore legs at a proper width ; his girt or chest full and deep, and instead of a hellow © between the shoulders, that part by some called the fore flank _ should be quite full; the back and loins broad, flat, and straight, fron which the ribs must rise with a fine circular 4 arch ; his belly straight; the quarters long and full, with the — mutton quite down to the hough, which should neither stand — in nor out; his twist, or junction of the inside of the thighs, — deep, wide, and full, which, with the broad breast, will keep A his legs open and upright; the whole body covered with a _ thin pelt, and that with fine, bright, soft wool. | “Tt is to be observed that the neare any breed of sheep — eome up to the above description, the nearer they approach _ tewards excellence of form.” , » *‘ BHIEEP. —~ ARGYLESHIRE BREEDERS. —Q39 LEAPING. “Tae manner of treating rams has lately received a very great improvement. Instead of turning them loose among the ewes at large, as heretofore. and agreeably to universal — practice, they are kept apart, in a separate paddock, or small enclosure, with a couple of ewes only each, to make them rest quietly ; having the ewes of the flock brought to them singly, and leaping each only once. By this judicious and accurate regulation, a ram is enabled to impregnate near twice _ the number of ewes he would do if turned loose among them, especially a young ram. In the old practice, sixty or eighty ewes were esteemed the full number foraram. [Overtaxing the male gives rise to weak and worthless offspring. ] “The period during which the rams are to go with the ewes must be regulated by climate, and the quantity of spring _ food provided. It is of great importance that lambs should be dropped as early as possible, that they not only be weli nursed, but have time to get stout, and able to provide for themselves before the winter sets in. It is also of good ad- vantage to the ewes that they may get into good condition before the rutting season. ‘The ram has been known to live to the age of fifteen years, and begins to procreate at one. When castrated, they are called wethers; they then grow sooner fat, and the flesh becomes finer and better flavored.” ARGYLESHIRE BREEDERS. in Argyleshire, the principal circumstances attended to by the most intelligent sheep-farmers are these: to stock hghtly, which wiil mend the size of the sheep, with the quantity ana quality of the wool, and also render them less subject to dis- eases, (in ali these respects it is allowed, by good judges, tha aS es J Lae Fs Sige eZ poms eae ye AMERICAN RLFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. five hundred sheep, kept well, will return more frofit than : | | six hundred kept indifferently ;) to select the best lambs, and _ such as have the finest, closest, and whitest wool, for tups B | nnd breeding ewes, and to cut and spay the worst; to geta __ change of rams frequently, and of breeding ewes occasions ally ; to put the best tups to the best ewes, which is consid- ered necessary for bringing any breed to perfection; not to— tup three-year-old ewes, (which, in bad seasons especially would render the lambs produced by them of little value, as the lambs would not have a sufficiency of milk; and would q ; also tend to lessen the size of the stock ;) to keep no rams above three, or at most four years old, nor any breeding ewes above five or six; to separate the rams from the 10th of Octo- ber, fer a month or six weeks, to prevent the lambs from ) coming too early in the spring ; to separate the lambs between | the 15th and 25th of June; to have good grass prepared for __ them; and if they can, to keep them separate, and on good grass all winter, that they may be better attended to, and have the better chance of avoiding disease. A few, whose possessions allow them to do it, keep not only their lambs, but also their wethers, ewes, &c., in separate places, by which every man, having his own charge, can attend to it better than if all were in common; and each kind has its pasture that best suits it. | FATTENING SHEEP, 21 We are indebted to Mr. Cole, editor of the New England Farmer, for the following article, which is worthy the atten- tion of the reader :— | ‘“ Quietude and warmth contribute greatly to the fattening process. This is a fact which has nct only been developed — by science, but proved by actual practice. ‘The manner in which these agents operate is simple, and easily explained. Mee Ree isiing r yin fae : = 4 MIN Me fo pec Wes face at - FATTENING SHEEP. tee ee OA Motion increases respiration, and the excess of oxygen, thus taken, requires an increased quantity of carbon, which would utherwise be expended in producing fat. So, hkewise, celd robs the system of animal heat; to supply which, more cxy- gen and more carbon must be employed in extra combusticn, to restore the diminution of temperature. Nature enforces the restoration of warmth, by causing cold to produce both hunger and a disposition for motion, supplying carbon by the gratification of the former, and oxygen by the indulgence of the latter. ‘The above facts are illustrated by Lord Dvcie : —- “One hundred sheep were placed in a shed, and ate twenty pounds of Swedish turnips each per day; whilst another hun- dred, in the open air, ate twenty-five pounds each; and at that rate for a certain period: the former animals weighed each thirty pounds more than the latter; plainiy showing that, to a certain extent, «warmth is a substitute for food. This was also proved, by the same nobleman, in other experiments, which also illustrated the effect of exercise. “No. 1. Five sheep were fed in the open air, between the 2ist of November and the Ist of December. They con- siimed ninety pounds of food per day. tue temperature being 44°, At the end of this time, they weighed two pounds less than when first exposed. | “No. 2. Five sheep were placed under shelter, and allowed to run at a temperature of 49°. They consumed at first elghty-two pounds, then seventy pounds, and increased in weight twenty-three pounds. ‘No. 3. Five sheep were placed in the same shed, but not ailowed any exercise. 'They ate at first sixty-four pounds, then fifty-eight pounds, and increased i1 weight thirty pounds. “No. 4. Five sheep were kept in the dark, quiet and cov- ered. ‘They ate thirty-five pounds per day, and increased in weight eight pounds. | “A similar experiment was tried by Mr. Childers, M. P. He states, that eighty Leicester sheep, in the open field, con- sumed fifty baskets of cut turnips per day, besides oil cake u ae CORSO Ribak SRS aN Ear ao Ae Sle AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE Dv_TOR. On putting them in a shed, they were :mmediately able to consume only thirty baskets, and soon after but twenty-five being only one half the quantity required before; and yet they fattened as rapidly as when eating the largest quantity. “From these experiments, it appears that the least quan- tity of food, which is required for fattening, is when ank mals are kept closely confined in warm shelters; and the greatest quantity when running at large, exposed to all a weather. But, although animals will fatten faster for a cer-. tain time without exercise than with it, if they are closely confined for any considerable time, and are at the same time full fed, they become, in some measure, feverish; the propor- tion of fat becomes too iarge, and the meat ‘s not so palatable and healthy as when they are allowed moderate exercise, in yards or small f-elds. | “As to tre kinds of food which may be used most advan- tageously in fattening, this will generally depend upon what is raised upon the farm, it being preferable, in most eases, to use the produce of the farm. Sheep prefer beans to almost any other grain; but neither beans nor peas are so fattening 2S some other grains, and are used most advantageously along with them. Beans, peas, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, &c., may be used along with Indian corn, or oil cake, or succulent food, making various changes and mixtures, in order to fur- nish the variety of food which is so much relished by the sheep, and which should ever be attended to by the sheep fattener. This will prevent their being cloyed, and will hias- — ten the ‘fattening process. A variety of food, says Mr Syooner, operates like cookery in the human subject, enabling more sustenance to be taken. “The quantity of grain or succulent food, which it will be proper to feed, will depend upon the size, age, and condition of the sheep; and judgment must be used im ascertaining — how much they can bear. Mr. Childers states that sheep (New Leicester) fed with the addition of half a pit of bar-— ley per sheep, per day, half a round of linseed oi cake, with hay, and a crustant supply of salt, became ready for. the — eee ee PH oirias ji FAISENING SHEEP. 243 butcher in ten weeks; the gain of flesh and _ tallow, thirty- three pounds to forty pounds per head. (One sheep gained fifty-five pounds in twelve weeks. ) “This »xperiment shows what is about the largest amount of grain which it is necessary or proper to feed to New Leices- _ ter sheep, at any time while fattening. The average weight of forty New Leicester wethers, before fattening, was found by Mr. Childers to be one hundred and twenty-eight pounds each. By weighing an average lot of any other kind of sheep, which are to be fattened, and by reference to the table of comparative nutriment cf the different kinds of food, a cal- culation may be readily made, as to the largest amount, which will be necessary for them, of any article of food whatever. ‘When sheep are first put up for fattening, they should be sorted, when convenient, so as to put those of the same age, size, and condition, each by themselves, so that each may have a fair chance to obtain its proportion of food, and may be fed the proper length of time. “They should be fed moderately at first, gradually increas- ing the quantity to the largest amount, and making the proper changes of food, so as not to cloy them, nor produce acute Aiseases of the head or intestines, and never feeding so much as to scom chem. ‘Sheep, when fattening, should not be fed oftener thar. three times a day, viz., morning, noon, and evening. In the intervals between feeding, they may fill themselves well, and will have time sufficient for rumination and digestion: these processes are interrupted by too frequent feeding. But they should be fed with regularity, both as to the quantity of food and the time when it is given. When convenient, they should have access to water at all times; otherwise a full supply of it should be furnished to them immediately after they have consumed each foddering. | ‘When sheep become extremely fat, whether purposely or not, it is generally expedient to slaughter them. Permitting animals to yecome alternately very fat and lean is injurious te all stock. Therefore, if animals are too strongly inclined to ' a ee ths a

be manufactured in proportion, and the market to be steady .. I have seen Merino wool, since 1810, range from one dollar per pound to eighteen and three fourths cents, though I do not recollect selling below twenty-two cents. The best variety of sheep stock I have seen, putting fineness of fleece aside, was the mixed Bakewell and South Down, imported by Mr. Smith, of New Jersey. The flesh of the Merino has been pronounced of inferior flavor. This, however, does not agree with my experience, as I have found the lambs command a readier sale than any other, from being preferred by consumers.” | DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP. ~Mr. Lawson tells us that ‘the variety in sheep is so great, that scarcely any two countries produce sheep of the same kind. ‘There is found a manifest difference in all, either in the size, the covering, the shape, or the horns. TEESWATER BREED. “This is a breed of sheep said to be the largest in Eng- land. It is at present the most prevalent in the rich, fine, fertile, enclosed lands on the banks of the Tees, in York- shire. In this breed, which is supposed to be from the same stock as those of the Lincolns, greater attention seems to have been paid to size than wool. It is, however, a breed only caiculated for warm, rich pastures, where they are kept in small lots, in small enclosures, and well supported with food in severe winter seasons. The legs are longer, finet boned, and support a thicker ana more firm and heavy car. ja tugtbe bat) boy * ety pe Ve & , Rein eae 3) , %. ee 250 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. cass than the Lincolnshires; the sheep are much wider on the — backs and sides, and afford a fatter and finer-grained mutton. LINCOLNSHIRE BREED. { “This is a breed of shecp which is characterized by their | having no horns; white faces; long, thin, weak carcasses; | thick, rough, white legs; bones large; pelts thick; slow feed- ‘ing; mutton coarse grained; the wool from ten to eighteen inches in length; and it is chiefly prevalent in the district which gives the name, and other rich grazing ones. The | new, or improved Lincolns, have now finer bone, with broader — loins and trussed carcasses, and are among the best, if not actually the best, long-wooled stock we have. THE DISHLEY BREED. “This is an improved breed of sheep, which is readily distinguished from the other long-wooled sorts; having a ful- ness of form and substantial width of carcass, with peculiar plainness and meekness of countenance; the head long, thin, and leaning backward; the nose projecting forward; the ears somewhat long, and standing backward; great fulness of the fore quarters; legs of moderate length, and the finest bone; tail small; fleece well covering the body, of the shortest and finest of the combing wools, the length of staple six or seven inches. | COTSWOLD BREED. “This is a breed of sheep answering the following descrin- tion: long, coarse head, with a particularly blunt, wide nose ; a top-knot of wool on the forehead, running under the ears; rather long neck; great length and breadth of back and loin; full thigh, with more substance in the hinder than fore quar- ters; bone somewhat fine; legs not long; fleece soft. like — that 3f the Dish!ey, but in closeness and darkness of color — |; | 1 i DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP. - 251 bearing more resemblance to short or carding wool. Although very fat, they have all the appearance of sheep that are full of solid flesh, which would come heavy to the scale. At two years and a half old, they have given from eleven to fourteen pounds of wool each sheep; and, being fat, they arc indiy putably among the larger breeds. } ROMNEY MARSH BREED. «This is a kind which is described, by Mr. Young, as be- ing a breed of sheep without horns; white faces and legs; rather long in the legs; good size; body rather long, but well barrel-shaped; bones rather large. In respect to the wool, it is fine, long, and of a delicate white color, when in its perfect state. - DEVONSHIRE BREED. «This is a breed or sort of sheep which is chietly distin- guished by having no horns; white faces and legs; thick necks ; backs narrow, and back-bones high; sides good ; legs short, and bones large; and probably without any material objection, being a variety of the common hornless sort. Length of wool much the same as in the Romney Marsh breed. It is a breed found to be prevalent in the distric% from which it has derived its name, and is supposed to have received considerable improvement by being crossed with the new Leicester, or Dishley. THE DORSETSHIRE BREED. “ This brecd is known by having the face, nose, and legs white, head rather long, but broad, and the forehead woolly, as in the Spanish sort; the horn round and bold. middle- sized, and standing from the head; the shoulders broad at top, but lower than the hind quarters; the back tolerably straight; carcass deep, and loins broad; legs -not Jong, not. 252 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTUR. 4 , very fine in the bone; the wool is fine and short. Itisa — breed which has the peculiar property of producing lambs at any period of the season, even so early as September and Oc-. tober, so as to suit the purposes of the lamb-suckler. THE WILTSHIRE BREED. ° — ‘“'This is a sort which has sometimes the title of horned erocks. The writer on live stock distinguishes the breed as having a large head and eyes; Roman nose; wide nostrils; horns bending down the cheeks; color all white ; wide bo- som ; deep, greyhound breast; back rather straight ; carcass substantial ; legs short; bone coarse ; fine middle wool, very thin on the belly, which is sometimes bare. He supposes, with Culley, that the basis or this breed is doubtless the Dor- sets, enlarged by some long-wooled cross; but how the horns came to take a direction so contrary, is not easy, he thinks, to conjecture ; he has sometimes imagined it must be the result of some foreign, probably 'Tartarian cross, THE SOUTH DOWN BREED. “This is a valuable sort of sheep, which Culley has dis- tinguished by having no horns; gray faces and legs; fine bones ; long, small necks; and by being rather low before, high on the shoulder, and light in the fore quarter ;. sides cood ; loin tolerably broad; back-bone rather high ; thigh full; twist good; mutton fine in grain and well flavored ; wool short, very close and_ fine; in the length of the staple from two to three inches. It 1s a breed which prevails on the dry, chalky downs in Sussex, as well as the hills of Surrey and Kent, and which has lately been much improved, both in carcass and wool, being much enlarged forward, earrying a good fore flank; and for the short, less fertile, hilly pastures is an excellent sort, as feeding close. The sheep are hardy, and disposed to fatten quickly ; and where the ewes are full _ i kept, they frequently produce twia lambs, nearly in proper. — aia ee i Sap ae al ge RAE d= > Sree ee et) - z ‘ nes 4 5 ; oo _ vIFFERENT BREEDS Jr SHEEP. 253 tion of one third of the whole, orice are, when roy ped, well wooled.: THE HERDWICK BREED. se “This is a breed which is ieee by Mr. Calley ag having no horns, and the face and legs being speckled ; the larger portion of white, with fewer black spots, the purer the breed ; legs fine, small, clean; the lambs well covered when dropped ; the wool, short, thick, and matted in the fleece. It is a breed peculiar to the elevated, mountainous tract of coun- try at the head of the River Esk, and Duddon in Cumberland, where they are let in herds, at an annual sum; whence the name. At present, they are said to possess the property of being extremely hardy in constitution, and capable of sur porting themselves on the rocky, bare mountains, with the trifling support of a little hay in the winter season. THE CHEVIOT BREED. “'This breed of sheep is known by the want of horns; by the face and legs being mostly white; little depth in the breast ; narrow there and on the chine; clean, fine, small- toned legs, and thin pelts; the wool partly fine and partly coarse. It is a valuable breed of mountain sheep, where the herbage is chiefly of the natural grass kind, which is the case in the situations where these are found the most preva- lent, and from which they have cbtained their name. Itisa breed which has undergone much improvement, within these few years, in respect to its form and other qualities, and has been lately introduced into the most northern districts; and from its hardiness, its affording a portion of fine wool, and being quick in fattening, it is likely to answer well in such situations. THE MERINO BREED ‘ In this breed of sheep, the males have horns, but the fen.ales are without them. They have white faces and iegs, ~ 3 amt . - ae Far” be : eh og IS if aS a 254 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ~ the body not very perfect in shape; rather long in the legs ‘ J fine in the bone ; a production of loose, pendulous skin under — the neck ; and the pelt fine and clear; the wool very fine. It is a breed that is asserted by some to be tolerably hardy, and to possess a disposition to fatten readily. THE WELSH SHEEP “These, which are the most general breed in the hill dis- tricts, are smail horned, and all over of a white color. They are neat, compact sheep. There is likewise a polled, short- wooled sort of sheep in these parts of the country, which are esteemed by some. The genuine Welsh mutton, from its sinailness and delicate flavor, is commonly well known, high- ly estzemed, and sold zt a high price.” SWINE. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Swine have generally been considered “ unclean,” creatures o! gross habits, &c.; but these epithets are unjust: they are not, in their nature, the unclean, gross, insensible brutes that mankind suppose them. If they are unclean, they got their first lessons from the lords of creation, by being confined in narrow, filthy sties —often deprived of light, and pure air, by being shut up in dark, underground cellars, to wallow in their own excrement; at other times, confined beneath sta- bles, dragging out their existence in a perfect hotbed of cor- ruption — respiring the emanations from the dung and urine of other animais; and often compelled to satisfy the cravings of hunger by partaking of whatever comes in their way. All manner of filth, including decaying and putrid vegetable and animal substances, are considered good enough for the hogs. And as long as they get such kind of traslt, and no other, they must eat it; the cravings of hunger must be satisfied. The Almighty has endowed them with powerful organs of digestion; and as long as there is any thing before them that the gastric fluids are capable of assimilating, although it be disgusting to their very natures, rather than suffer of hunger, they will partake of it. Much of the indigestible food given to swine deranges the stomach, and destroys the powers of assimilation, or, in other words, leaves it in a morbid state. There is then a constant sensaticn of hunger, a longing for ary 256 — AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. and every thing within their reach. . Does the reader wonder, then, at their morbid tastes? What will man do under the same circumstances? Suppose him to be the victim of dys- pepsia or indigestion. In the early stages, he is constantly catering to the appetite. At one time, he longs for acids; at another, alkalies; now, he wants stimulants; then, refriger- ants, &c. Again: what ‘vy. nct aman do to satisfy the crav- ~ ings of hunger? Will hic not eat his fellow, and drink of his blood? And all to satisfy the craving of an empty stoma h. We know from experience that, if young pigs are daily washed, and kept on clean cooked food, they will not eat the common city ‘“swill;” they eat it only when compelled by hunger. When free from the control of man, they show as — mucn sagacity in the selection of their food as any other ani- mais; and, indeed, more than some, for they seldom get poi- soned, like the ox, in mistaking noxious for wholesome food. The Jews, as well as our modern physiologists, consider the flesh of swine unfit for food. No doubt some of it is, espe- cially that reared under the unfavorable circumstances alluded to above.. But good home-fed pork, kept on good country produce, and not too fat, is just as good food for man as the flesh of oxen or sheep, notwithstanding the opinion of our medical brethren to the contrary. Their flesh has long been considered as one of the principal causes of scrofula, and other diseases too numerous to mention: without doubt this is the case. -But that good, healthy pork should produce sucli re- sults we are unwilling to admit. We force them to load their stomachs with the rotten offal of large cities, and thus derange their whole systems; they become loaded with fat; their systems abound in morbific fluids; their lungs become tu- bereulous; their livers enlarge; calcerous deposits or glan- dular disorganization sets in. Take into consideration their inactive habits; not voluntary, for instinct teaches them, when at liberty, to run, jump, and gambol, by which the excess of carbon is thrown off. Depriving them of exercise may be profitable to the breeder, but 1t induces a state of plethora. The cellular structures of such an animal \ pert ipa Sd - SWINE. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 257. are distended to their utmost capacity, preventing the full and free play of the vital machinery, obstructing the naturai out- lets (excrementitious vessels) on the external surface, and retaiuing in the system morbid materials that are positively ‘injurious. At the present time, there is on exhibition in Boston a woman, styled the ‘fat girl;”. she weighs four hundred and ninety-five pounds. A casual observer could detect nothing in her external appearance that denoted dis- ease; yet she is liable to die at any moment from congestion of the brain, lungs, or liver. Any one possessing a knc wl- edge of physiology would immediately pronounce her tw be in a pathological state. Hence, the laws of the animal econ- omy being uniform, we cannot arrive at any other conclusion in reference to the same plethoric state in animals of an infe- rior order. , 7 _ Professor Liebig tells us that excess of carbon, in the formn of food, cannot be employed to make a part of any organ; it must be deposited in the cellular tissue in the form of tallow or oil. This.is the whole secret of fattening. _At every period of animal life, when there occurs a dispro- portion between the carbon of the food and the inspired ox- yzen, the latter being deficient, — which must happen beneath stables and in ili-constructed hog-sties, —fat must be formed. Experience teaches us that in poultry the maximum of fat is obtained by preventing them from taking exercise, and by a medium temperature. These animals, in such circum- stances, may be compared to.a plant possessing in the highest degree the power of converting all food into parts of its own structure. 'The excess of the constituents of blood forms iicsh and other organized tissues, while that of starch, suger, &c., is converted into fat. When animals are fed on food destitute of nitrogen, only certain parts of their structure in- crease in size. Thus, in a goose fattened in the manner alluded to, the liver becomes three or four times larger than in the same animal. when well fed, with free motion; while ‘ve cannot say that the organized structure of the liver is thereby :ncreased. The liver of a goose fed in the ordinary 2a8 - AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCYI€R. — way is fit.n and elastic: that of the imprisoned animal is soft _ and spongy. he difierence consists in a greater or less } expansion of its cells, which are filled with fat. Hence, |} when fat accumulates and free motion is prevented, the ani- mal is in a diseased state. Now, many tens of pork are eaten in this diseased state, and it communicates disease to the hu- man family: they blame the pork when, in fact, the pork raisers are often more to blame. The reader is probably aware that some properties of food pass into the living organ- ism without being assimilated by the digestive organs, and | produce an abnormal state. For example, the faculty of New York have, time and again, testified to the destructive tenden- cy of milk drawn from cows fed in cities, without due exer- cise and ordinary care in their management, giving it as their opinion that most of the diseases of children are brought about by its use. If proof were necessary to establish our position, we could cite it inabundance. A single case, which happened in our own family, will suffice. . | ee BaSSaligse. ai a ae. eC Mal pares. Ks CIMNAWIOU. Aor ae ye Dose. half a tea-spoonful, to be given in warm gruel. If | this does not give immediate relief, dip an old cloth in hot | water, (of a proper temperature,) and fold it round the ani- | mal’s body. ‘This may be repeated, if necessary, until the | muscular system is relaxed. ‘The animal should be wiped | dry, and placed in a warm situation, with a good bed of straw. MEASLES. Tis disease is very common, yet is often overlooked. Symptoms. — It may be known by eruptions on the belly, | ears, tongue, or eyelids. Before the eruption appears, the animal is drowsy, the eyes are dull, and there is sometimes loss of appetite, with vomiting. On the other hand, if the disease shall have receded towards the internal organs, its presence can only be determined by the general disturbance of the digestive organs, and the appearance of a few erup- tions beneath the tongue. Treatment. — Remove the animal from its companions to a warm place, and keep it on thin gruel. Give a tea-spoonful of sulphur daily, together with a drink of bittersweet tea. The object is to invite action to the surface, and maintain it there. If the eruption does not reappear on the surface, rub it with the following liniment : — Take one ounce of oil of cedar; dissolve in a wine-glass . ae 12 266 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. _ of alechol; then add half a pint of new rum and a teas spoonful of sulphur. 4 Aimost all the diseases of the skin may be treated in thes || same manner. OPHTHALNIA. 4 Causes. — Sudden changes in temperature, unclean sties | want of pure air, and imperfect hght. | +4 Treatment. — Keep the animal on thin gruel, and allow | two tea-spoonfuls of cream of tartar per day. Wash the eyes with an infusion of marshmallows, until a eure is_ effected. VERMIN. Somz animals are covered with vermin, which even pierce — the skin, and sometimes come out by the mouth, nose, and eyes. * Symptoms. — The animal is continuaily rubbing anda scratching itself, or burrowing in the dirt and mire. “ai Treatment. — First wash the body with a strong he of | wood ashes or weak saleratus water, then with an infusion i of lobelia: Mix a tea-spoonful of sulphur, and the same quan- _ tity of powdered charcoal, in the food daily. 4 eee ---« SWINE. — CATARRH. ae Se CNS pe RED ERUPTION. ‘ars disease is somewhat analogous to scailet fever. It malces its appearance in the form of red pustules on the back aud belly, which gradually extend to the whole body. The externa! remedy is: — Powdered bloodroot, . . . . . halfan ounce. Pome WineCary ) oy 5) dete eS Lopint. When cool, it should be rubbed on the external surface. The diet should consist of boiled vegetables, coarse meal, &c., with a small dose of sulphur every night. DROPSY. Symptoms. —'The animal is sad and depressed, the appe- tite fails, respiration is performed with difficulty, and the belly swells. Treatment. — Keep the animal on a light, nutritive diet, and give a handful of juniper berries, or cedar buds, daily. If these fail, give a table-spoonful of fir balsam daily. CATARRH. _ Symptoms. — Occasional fits of coughing, accompanied with a mucous discharge from the nose and mouth. Causes. — Exposure to cold and damp weather. 268 - AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, — Treatmeut. — Give a liberal ah dueanes of gruel made with powdered elm or marshmallows, and give a tea-spoonful of balsam copaiba, or fir balsam, avers Bees The anima‘ must — be kept comfortably warm. . COLIC. Spasmopic and flatulent colic requires antispasmodics and carminatives, in the following form : — Powdered caraway seeds, . 1 tea-spoonful. = assafeetida,. . . one third of a tea-spoonfui. To be given at a dose in warm water, and repeated at the expiration of an hour, provided relief is not obtained. DIARRHGA. For the treatment of this malady, see division SHEEP, article Scours. hie 5 | FRENZY. Tis makes its appearance suddenly. The animal, having remained in a passive and stupid state, suddenly appears much | disturbed, to such a degree that it makes irregular movements, | strikes its head against every thing it meets, scrapes with its . feet, places itself quite erect alongside of the sty, bites any — thing in its way, and frequently whirls itself round, alter 4 which it suddenly becomes more tranquil. i _ SWINE.— SORENESS OF THE FEET. 269 ‘Treatment. —Give half an ounce of Rochelle sats, in a pint of thoroughwort tea. If the bowels are not moved in the course of twelve hours, repeat the dose. A ligl.t diet for a few days will generally complete the cure. JAUNDICE. aaa aa 4 | - Tuts disease is recognized by the yellow tint of the cone junciiva, (white of the eye,) loss of appetite, &c. , The remedy is, — Powdered golden seal, . . half an ounce. ee sulphur, . . . one fourth of an ounce. i = blue flag, . . . half an ounce. ere, 2... Swe, 1 pourid. | Mix, and divide into four parts, and give one every night. | The food must be boiled, and a small quantity of salt added to it. SORENESS OF THE FEET. Tuts often occurs to pigs that have travelled any distance: the feet often become tender and sore. In such cases, they should be examined, and all extraneous matter removed from the foot. Then wash with weak lie. If the feet discharge fetid matter, wash with the following mixture: — | IVEGeMeOUS JCIG 5 i 6 oe wits ohpis 4. - & OUNCES: ee eee ka Peek ae yan. «4 OUNCES. In the treatment of diseased swine, the “issues,” as they are called ought to be examined, and be kept free. They -_ may be found on the inside of the legs, just above the pas- ee Sa, ey at) 4 a 270 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. __ tern joint. They seem to serve asa drain or outlet for the morbid fluids of the body, and whenever they are obstructed, i local or general disturbance is sure to supervene. SEALING Tis is the operation of removing the ovaries of sows, in order to prevent any future conception, and promote their fat- tening. (See article Spaying Cows, p. 201.) It is usually performed by making an incision in the middle of the flank, on the left side, in order to extirpate or cut off the ovaries, (female ¢estes,) and then stitching up the wound, and wetting the part with T'wlington’s balsam. An able writer on this subject says, ‘The chief reason why a practice, which is beneficial in so many points of view to the interests and ad- vantages of the farmer, has been so little attended to, is the difficulty which is constantly experienced from the want of a sufficient number of expert and proper persons to perform the operation. Such persons are far from being common in any, much less in every district, as some knowledge, of a nature which is not readily acquired, and much experience in the practice of cutting, are indispensably necessary to the suc cess of the undertaking. When, however, the utility and benefits of the practice become better understood and more fully appreciated by the farmer, and the operators more nue “merous, much greater attention and. importance will be bestowed upon it; as it is capable of relieving him from much trouble, of greatly promoting his profits, and of benefit- ing him in various ways. The facts are long since well proved and ascertained, that animals which have undergone this operation are more disposed to take on flesh, more quiet in their habits, and capable of being managed with much greater ease and facility in any way whatever, ‘han they were before the operation was performed. It may also have VARIOUS BREEDS OF SWINE. Rosey 7/3 ' advantages in other ways in different sorts of animals; it may render the filly nearly equal to the gelded colt for several - different uses; and the heifer nearly equal to the ox for all sorts of farm labor. The females of some other sorts of ani- mals may likewise, by this means, be made to nearly equal ‘the castrated males in usefulness for a variety of purposes and intentions, and in al! cases be rendered a good deal more val- uable, or manageable, than they are at present.” VARIOUS BREEDS OF SWINE. BERKSHIRE BREED. My1s breed is distinguished by being in general of a tawny, white, or reddish color, spotted with black ; large ears hang- ing over the eyes; thick, close, and well made in the body ; legs short ; small in the bone ; having a disposition to fatten quickly. When well fed, the flesh is fine. The above county has long been celebrated for its breed of swine. The Berk- shire breeders have made a very judicious use of the pug cross, by not repeating it to the degree of taking away all shape and power of growing flesh, in their stock. This breed is sup- posed by many to be the most hardy, both in respect to their nature and the food on which they are fed. Their powers of digestion are exceedingly energetic, and they reqture con- stant good keep, or they will lose flesh very fast. ‘They thrive well in the United States, provided, however, due care is exercised in breeding. \ HAMPSHIRE BREED. This breed is distinguished by being longer in the body and neck, but not of so compact a form as the Berkshire. They are mostly of a white color, or spotted, and are easily ag SALSA eee R72 = AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE vuCTOR. _ fattened. The goodness of the Hampshire hog is proverbial — ; and in England they are generally fattened for hams. ss SHROPS#IRE BREED. - ‘These are not so well formed as those of the Berkshire kind, — or equal to them in their disposition to fatten, or to be sup ported on such cheap food. Their color is white or brinded, They are flat boned ;,deep and flat sided; harsh, or rather Wiry-haired; the ear large; head long, sharp, and coarse; legs long ; loin, although very substantial, yet not sufficiently q wide, considering the great extent of the whole frame. They have been much improved by the Berkshire cross. There are various other breeds, which take their name from the different counties in the mother country. Thus we have the Herefordshire, Wiltshire, Yorkshire, &c. Yet they are not considered equal to those already alluded to. Many of the different English breeds might, however, serve to im prove some species of breed in this country. . CHINESE BREED. _ This is of small size; the body being very close, compact, and well formed; the legs very short; the flesh delicate and firm. The prevailing color, in China, is white. They fatten 4 very expeditiously on a small quantity of food, and might be + reared in the United States to good advantage, especially for . licme consumption. BOARS AND SOWS FOR BREEDING. Mr. Lawson says, “The best stock may be expected from ; the boar at | is full growth, but no more than from three ic gearold. — - REARING PIGS. 273 five Soars old.* No sows should be kept open for breeding unless they have large, capacious bellies. “Tt may be remarked, in respect to the period of being with young, that in the sow it is about four months; and the usual produce is about eight to ten or twelve pigs in the ee but more in the smaller breeds. “Inthe ordinary management of swine, sows, after they have had a few litters, may be killed; but no breeder should part with one while she continues io bring good litters, and rear them with safety.” Pregnant sows should always be lodged separately, espe- cially at the time of bringing forth their young, else the pigs would most probably be devoured as they fall. The sow should also be attended with due care while pigging, in order to preserve the pigs. It is found that dry, warm, comfortable lodging is of almost as much importance as food. The pigs may be weaned in about eight weeks, after which the sow requires less food than she does while nursing. In the management of these animals, it is of great utility and ad- vantage to separate the males from the females, as it lessens their sexual desires. REARING PIGS. - * As the breeding of pigs isa business that affords the farmet a considerable profit and advantage in various views, it is of essential iinrortance that he be provided with suitable kinds of food in abundance for their support. Upon this being properly and efectually done, his success and advantage will in a great measure depend. The crops capable of being | cultivated with the most benefit in this intention are, beans, * Sows are generally bred from too early -— before they come to maturity. This not only stints their own growth, but their offsoring give evidence of deterioration. i sow should never be put to the boar untii she Be a 13 - 274 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. se peas, barley, buckwheat, Indian corn, potatoes, carrots, pars nips, Swedish turnips, cabbages, &c. a “The sows considerably advanced in pig, and those witle 1 pigs, should be fed in a better manner than the stone pigs. — The former should be supplied with boiled meal, potatoes, carrots, &c., so as to keep them in good condition. ‘The sows — with pigs should be kept with the litters in separate sties, and be still better fed than those with pig. When dairying is | practised, the wash of that kind which has been preserved : for that purpose while the dairying was profitable, must be _ given them, with food of the root kind, such as carrots, pars: — lW nips, &c., in as large proportions as they will need to ae | them in condition.” i Pea-soup is an admirable article when given in this inten- | tion; it is prepared by boiling six pecks of peas in about rty@ gallons of water, till they are well broken down and diffused | in the fluid: it is then put into a tub or cistern for use. When ‘| dry food is given in combination with this, or of itself, the 1 above writer advises oats, as being much better than any other sort of grain for young pigs, barley not answering nearly s9 1 5 4 A 4 4 a well in this application. Oats coarsely ground have been found very useful for young hogs, both in the form of wash with water, and when made of a somewhat thicker consistence. — But in cases where the sows and pigs can be supported with dairy-wash and roots, as above, there will be a considerable saving made, by avoiding the use of the expensive articles of — ei bariey-meal, peas, or bran. Mr. Donaldson remarks, that in the usuai mode, the pigs +] reared by the farmer are fed, for some weeks after they are weaned, on whey or buttermilk, or on bran or barley-meal mixed with water. They are afterwards maintained on other food. as _ potatoes, carrots, the refuse of the garden, kitchen, scullery,&c., — together with such additions as they can pick up in the farm- i yard. Sometimes they are sent into the fields at the close of — : harvest, where they make a comfortable living for several — weeks on the gleanings of the crop; at other times, when the } farm is situated in the neighborhood of woods: or forests, they. 4 a saat FATTENING HOGS. 215 ate sent thither to p.ck up the beech-nuts and acorns in the fall of the year; and when they have arrived at a properage for fattening they are either put into sties fitted up for the«purpose, or sold to distillers, starch-makers, dairymen, or cottagers. Nothing tends more effectually to preserve the health and promote the growth of young pigs than the liberal use of hay tea. The tea should be thickened with -orn meal and shorts. This, given lukewarm, twice a day, will quicken their growth, and give the meat a rich flavor. A few parses nips * or carrots (boiled) may be made use of with much SUCCESS. FATTENING HOGS. FE’. Donce, of Danvers, Mass., states that, in the spring of 1848, he “‘ bought, from a drove, seven shotes, the total weight of which was 925 pounds. The price paid for them was seven cents per pound. They were fed an average of 184 days, and their average gain was 179 pounds of net pork. The cost of the food they consumed was as follows : — 68 bushels corn at 53cents, . . . »« « - « $36 04 oe es ** damaged,at do cents ~~..". ~~ 10°50 50 eS Fat. Ga cents). 2 Bs er eh 2230 8 “ meal at 65 cents,. . Pay ee 5 20 $84 24 Med fret-cost-of pis, 2 2. 2 eee we 64095 : Making a total costof . 2°. . 6 « « « « $148 99 “The whole quantity of pork afforded by the pigs killed was 2178 pounds, which was sold at 6! cents per pound. amounting * The Sussex (Eng.) Express says, “At our farm we have been in the habit of employing parsnips for this purpose for some time. Upon refer- ence to our byoks, we find that on the 11th of October, 1847, we put up twe © shotes of eleven weeks old, and fed them on skim milk and parsnips for three months, when they were killed, weighing 231 and 238 pounds. ‘Phey were well fattened, firm in flesh, and the meat of excellent flavor. The | Qmanict: of parsnip? consumed by them was nine bushels each.” - pa saa AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE poctour. te 3 to $14) 57; leaving a balance against the pigs of 87 42, The inference from this statement is, that, at the above prices of — | grain, pork could not be profitably produced at six and a half — cents per pound. But it is suggested that something might be saved by breeding the stock, instead of purchasing shotes at seven cents per pound, live weight. It is thought, how- ever, that the manure afforded by the hogs would be of suffi- cient value to more than overbalance any deficiency which might appear in the account by only crediting the pork.” The food in the above case was too costly. One half of. it, mixed with parsnips, carrots, beets, or turnips, would have: | answered the purpose better. The balance would then have been in favor of the pigs. We are told, by an able writer on swine, that they will feed greedily, and thrive surprisingly, on most kinds of roots and tubers, such as carrots, beets, parsnips, potatoes, &c., particularly when prepared by boiling. It may be taken as a general rule, that boiled or prepared food is more nutritious and fattening than raw or cold food; the additional expense and labor will be more than. compensated by the increased weight and quality. Cornstalks might be used as food for swine by first cutting — them * in small pieces, and then boiling them until they are quite soft; a small quantity of meal is then to be mixed in the fluid, and the stalks again added, and fed to the pigs twiceaday. — Mr. P. Wing, of Farmersville, C. W., gives us his experi- ence In feeding swine ; and he requests his brother farmers to ; make similar experiments with various’ kinds of food, and, by | preparing them in various ways, to ascertain what way it will yield the most nutriment — that is, make the most porik. He says, — “T now give the result of feeding 100 bushels of good reas to sixteen hogs, of various mixed breeds, as found in this section. [The peas were boiled until fine, making what 1 eall thick soup. After havirg fed the hogs on the same kind SS SEEN SUAS RED * Messrs. Parker & White, in Boston, have shown us an excellent ma enine nsed for the purpose of cutting cornstalke, Every farm 2r shou!d save @ke in big posscssion. ‘ a FATTENING HOS. min: 277 of food for two weeks, I gave them their morning feed, and weighed each one separately, noting the weight. Twelve of them were about eighteen months old; one was a three year old sow, ana three pigs were seven and a half months old when weighed. I found their total weight 4267 ibs.; ane after consuming the above amount, which took forty-two days, I weighed them again, and found that they had gained 1558 lbs. ; and on the supposition that as they gained in flesh they shrunk in offal, I estimated their net gain to have been 1400 lbs. Their drink consisted of ten pails of whey per day. It was allowed to stand forty-eight hours, and the cream was skimmed off. “YT find that there is a great difference in breeds of hogs, The three year old sow was small framed, and pretty full- fleshed, weighing 504 lbs. Her gain in the forty-two days was 66 lbs. The three pigs were from her, and showed traces of three distinct breeds of hogs. Their first weight and gain were as follows: the first weighed 253 lbs. — gain, 97 lbs., the second, 218 lbs. — gain, 75 lbs.; the third, 171 lbs.— gain, 46 lbs. When butchered, the smallest one was the best pork, being the fattest. ‘Two of the most inferior of the hogs gained 12 lbs. per day; six, a mixture of the Berkshire, (I should think about one fourth,) gained 13 lbs. per day; three of the common stock of our country gained 2} lbs. ; and one of a superior kind weighed 318 lbs., and in the forty- two days gained 134 lbs. They were weighed on the 20th September, the first time. They were kept confined in a clase pen, except once a week [| let them out for exercise, and to wallow, for the most part of a day.” METHOD OF CURING SWINE’S FLESH. ‘In the county of Kent, when pork is to be cured as bacon, it is the practice to singe off the hairs by mak‘ng a stiiaw fire round the carcass ——an oper*tion which is termec OT Sr. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. swaling. The skin, in this process, should be kept perfectly — free from dirt of all sorts. When the flitehes are cut out, they should be rubbed effectually with a mixture of common salt and saltpetre, and afterwards laid in a trough, where they are to continue three weeks or a month, according to their size, keeping them frequently turned; and then, being taken out of the trough, are to be dried by a slack fire, which will take up an equal portion of time with the former; after which, they are to be hung up, or thrown upon a rack, — there to remain until wanted. But in curing bacon on the . continent, it is mostly the custom to have closets contrived in } the chimneys, for the purpose of drying and smoking by wood fires, which is said to be more proper for the purpose. And a more usual mode of curing this sort of meat is that of salting it down for pickled pork, which is far more profitable than bacon. 4 “In the county of Westmoreland, where the curing of hams has long been practised with much success, the usuas method is for them to be at first rubbed very hard with bay salt; by some they are covered close up; by others they are left on a stone bench, to allow the brine and blood to run off. — At the end of five days, they are again rubbed, as hard as they were at first, with salt of the same sort, mixed with an ounce of saltpetre to a ham. Having lain about a week, either on a stone bench or in hogsheads amongst the brine, they are hung up, by some in the chimney, amidst the smoke, whether of peat or coals; by others in places where the smoke never reaches them. If not sold sooner, they are suf- fered to remain there till the weather becomes warm. They are then packed in hogsheads with straw or catmeal husks, and sent to the place of sale.” A smal] portion of pyroligneous acid may be added to the brine. It is a good antiseptic, and improves the flavor of ham and bacon. (See Acid, Pyroligneous, in the Materia Medice. ) rom Ate Fe APPENDIX. ON THE ACTION OF MEDICINES. In reference to the action of medicines and external agents on the animal body, we would observe, that warmth and moisture always expand it, and bayberry bark, tannin, and gum catechu always contract it; and that these agents have these effects at all times (provided, however, there be sufii- cient vitality in the part to manifest these peculiar changes) and under all circumstances. If a blister be applied to the external surface of an animal, and it produces irritation, it always has a tendency to produce that effect, whatever part of the living organism it maybe applied to. So alcohol always has a tendency to stimulate; whether given by the mouth, or rubbed on the external surface, it will produce an excitement of nerves, heart, and arteries, and of course the muscles partake of the influence. Again, marshmallows, gum acacia, slippery elm, &c., always lubricate the mucous surfaces, quiet irritation, and relieve inflammatory symptoms. It follows, of course, Ist. That when any other effects than those just named are seen to follow the administration of these articles, they must be attributed to the morbid state of the parts to which they are applied; 2d. That a medicine which is good .5 promote a given effect in one form of dis-. ease, will be equally good for the same purpose in another form of disease in the same tissue. Thus, if an in‘usion of- mallows is good for uf *mmation of the stomach, and wil! . 280 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. * rT ee > = — ~ lubricate the surface, and allay irritation in that organ, then — it is equally good for the same purpose in inflammation of the bowels and bladder. What we wish the reader to under- stand is this: that a medicine used for any particular symp- tom in one form of disease, if it be a sanative agent, is equal- ly good for the same symptom in every form. Medical men range their various remedies under different heads. Thus opium is called narcotic, aloes purgative or cathartic, potass diuretic, &c. And because the same results do not always follow the administration of these articles, they are perplexed, and are compelled to try every new remedy, in hopes to find a specific; not knowing that many of their “ best medi- cines”’ (opium, for example) war against the vital principle, and as soon as they get into the system, nature sets up a strong action to counteract their effects; in short, to get them out of the system in the quickest possibie manner: sometimes they pass through the kidneys; at other times, the intestinal canal, the lungs, or surface, afford them egress. And because a certain agent does not always act in their hands with un- erring certainty, they seem to suppose that the same uncer- tainty attends the administration of every article in the ma- teria medica. The medicinés we recommend owe their diuretic, astringent, diaphoretic, and cathartic powers to their aromatic, relaxing, antispasmodic, lubricating, and irritating properties ; and if we give them with a view of producinga certain result, and they do not act just as we wish, itisno proof that they have not done good. The fact is, all our medicines act on the parts where nature is making the great- est efforts fo restore equilibrium ; hence they relieve the con- stitution, whatever may be the nature of their results. Many of the remedies recommended in this work are de- nounced by the United States Dispensatory as “useless, inert,” &c.; yet many of our most celebrated physicians are in the daily habit of using them. Mr. Bracy Clark, V.S.. — recommer ds tincture of allspice for gripes. And Mr. Causer, — an experie.ced veterinarian, says, “I ordered a dessert spoou- ful {about two drachms) of tincture of gentian and bark ta en eee skye, yt how APPENDIX. — CLYSTERS. ‘ 231 pe given twice a day in a case of gripes. Scarcely an hour after the animal had taken the first dose, he began to eat some hay, and on the next day he ate every thing that was offered him. After this, I ordered a quart of cold boiled | milk to be given him every morning and evening. By these means, together with the good care of the coachman, he re- covered his strength.” Mr. White, V.S., says, “I have been assured by a veterinary surgeon, that he once cured a horse of gripes by a dose of hot water; and it is by no means un- — likely that a warm infusion of some of our medicinal herbs, such as peppermint, pennyroyal, rosemary, &c., would be found effectual.” | Mr. Gibson says, “It is a fact that cannot be too generally | known, that an infusion of garlic has, to my certain knowl- edge, cured several cases of epilepsy —a dreadful disease, | that seems to have baffled, in most instances, every effort of | medical skill.” An intelligent farmer assures Dr. White that he has had forty sheep at a time hoven or blasted from feeding on vetches, -and so swollen that he hardly knew which would drop | first. His usual remedy was a quart of water for each sheep; and that generally had the desired effect, though .nany died before it could be given. We might give our own experi- | ence in favor of numberless simple agents, which we are in | the constant habit of using, were it necessary; suffice it to “say, that at the present time we use none else than sini- ‘ple means. CLYSTERS. _ Remarks. — As the more general use of clysters is reeom mended by the author, especially in acute diseases, he ha thought proper to introduce, in this part of the work, a fev (remarks on them, with examples of their different forms. | Phey serve not only to evacuate the rectum of its contents, i | 282 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. — but assist to evac.iate the intestines, and serve also to oo nourishment into the system ; as in cases of locked-jaw, and great prostration They soften the hardened excrement in the rectum, and cause it to be expelled: besides, by their — warm and relaxing powers, they act as fomentations. AY stimulating clyster in congestion of the brain, or lungs, will | relieve those parts by counter-irritation. An animal that is — unable to swallow may be supported by nourishing clysters; for the lacteals, which open into the inner cavity of the intes- | tines, absorb, or take up, the nourishment, and convey it into | | the thoracic duct, as already described. Some persons deny — the utility of injections. We are satisfied on that point, and — are able to convince any. one, beyond a reasonable doubty | f that fluids are absorbed in Te rectum, Vth es the opinion of some men to the contrary. : In administering clysters, it ought always to be observed — that the fluids should be neither too hot nor too cold: they should be about the temperature of the blood. The common ) —sixteen-ounce metal syringe, with a wooden pipe about six ' inches in length, and gradually tapering from base to point, is to be preferred. It is, after being oiled, much more easily introduced into the fundament than one that is considerably smaller; and, having a blunt point, there is no danger of © hurting the animal, or wounding the rectum. | : The following injections are suitable for all kinds of ani- — mals. The quantity, however, should be regulated according: : to the size of the patient. Thus a quart will suffice fora sheep. or pig, while three or four quarts are generally necessary in the — ease of horses and cattle. If clysters are intended to havea ~ nutritive effect, they must be introduced in the most gentle — manner, and not more than one pint should be given at any ~ one time, for fear of exciting the expulsive action of the rec- — tum, In constriction and intussusception of the intestines, :- and when relaxing clysters are indicated, they should not be too long persevered in, for falling of the rectum has been Known, in many instances, to arise from repeated injections. Eilorts shold be made to cela the whole animal by warmtk 5 ¥ | ee ad a aetee eerste SS ee ie tae Hi $4 ‘1 % 1 i APPENDIX. — CLYSTERS. 284 a mo.sture externally, and in the use of antispasmodic teas “rather than to place too much dependence on clysters. Ps FORMS OF CLYSTERS. : | Laxative Clyster. Warm water, eth sonnis oo . ..... <° . ¥ tea-spoonful. | | Stimulating Clyster. | _® A large portion of the cayenne found in the stores is adulterated with | logwont, and i is positively injurious, as it would thus prove astringent te 284 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE: DOCTOR. __ 4 Another tena a Powdered ginger, . . . > half a table-spoonful. Boiling water: 0. °.c. 7s 3 seogMatts When cool, inject. Use. —In all cases, when the rectum and small intestines are inactive, and loaded with excrement, or gas. Anodyne Clyster. Lady’s slipper, (cypripedium,) . . . Lounee. Camomile flowers, «0 u's a 3. eee Bolling watenac ssjrst ne a ee . 3 quarts. Let the mixture stand a short time, then strain through a _— fine sieve, when it will be fit for use. Use. — To relieve pain and relax spasms. Diuretic Clyster. ae eas ene “ Linseed tea, ..). 6. ee) ee Oil of juniper, ..... 2. .. 0... 2 0 «7 dablesspoonim | Or, substitute for the latter, cream of tartar, half an ounce. | Use. — This form of clyster may be used with Tecidedl advantage in all acute diseases of the urinary organs. This injection is useful in cases of red water, both in cattle and sheep; and when the malady is supposed to result from gen-— eral or local debility, the addition of tonics (golden seal or gentian * ) will be indicated. Astringent Clyster. Take an infusion of hardhack, strain, and add a table- ~ spoonful of finely-pulverized charcoal to every three quarts — of fluid. + ¥ , ; * Their active proserties may be extracted by infusion = | . oe 2-6 --; APPENDIX; —CLYSTERS, QRH Another. An infusion »f witch hazel. Another. Powdered bayberry bark, . . . 1 table-spoonful. Meine. watery: 22), eso seve). d- Quarts When cool, it is fit for use. _ Use. — Astringent injections are used in all cases where it is desired to contract the living fibre, as in scouring, dysentery, scouring rot, diarrheea, bloody flux, falling of the womb, fundament, &c. ' Nourishing Clyster. Nourishing clysters are composed of thin gruel made from | flour, &c. Injection for Worms. Make an infusion of pomegranate, (rind of the fruit,) and inject every night for a few days. This will rid the animal of worms that infest the rectum; but if the animal is infested with the long, round worm, (éeres,) then half a pint of the above infusion must be given for a few mornings, tefore feeding. Another for Worms. Powdered lobelia, . . . . . »* Lounce. Wood ashes, Pin REA E rapes th Mee a handful. Boiling water, ..« « « «< + 3:quarts, When cool, it is fit for use. (286 AMERI>AN REFORMED CATTLE DOCToR. INFUSIONS. ee TneseE are made by steeping herbs, rovts, and cther medic nal substances in boiling water. No particular rules can be | laid down as to the quantity of each article required: it will, | however, serve as some sort of a guide, to inform the reader that we generally use from one to two ounces of the aromatie | herbs and roots to every quart of fluid. A bitter infusion, | such as wormwood or camomile, requires less of the herb. | All kinds of infusions can be rendered palatable. by the addi- | tion of a small quantity of honey or molasses. Asa general rule, the human palate is a good criterion; for if an infusion — be too strong or unpalatable for man, it is unfit for cattle or sheep. We do not depend so much on the strength of our agents: the great secret is to select the one best adapted to the case in view. If it be an agent that is capable of acting | in concert with nature, then the weaker it is, the better. In short, nature requires but slight assistance under all ordinary | circumstances, unless the animal is evidently suffering from debility ; then our efforts must act in concert with the living | powers. We must select the most nutritious food — that which can be easily converted into blood, bones, and muscles. — If, on the other hand, we gave an abundance ot provender, and it lacked the constituents necessary for the purposes in~ view, or was of such an indigestible nature that its nutritive — properties could not be extracted by the gastric fluids, this © would be just as bad as giving improper medicines, both in~ reference to its quantity and quality. An infusion of either of the following articles is valuable J in colic, both flatulent and spasmodic, in all classes of ani- 4 mals: cczaways, peppermint, spearmint, fenne) seed, angelica, bergamo‘, snakeroot, aniseed, ginseng, é&c. mp ch. bal PS ghia: Pe ithe Ak oe Sep : es Ce ee ae Ne ae sah otc ai APPENDIX. —- FOMENTATIONS. 287 - ANTISPASMODICS. By antispasmodics are meant those articles that assist, through their physiological action, in relaxing the nervous and muscular systems. Hence the reader will perceive, by the definition we have given of this class of remedies, that Wwe. cannot recommend or employ the agents used by our brethren of the allopathic school, for many of them act pathologically. The class we use are simple, yet none the the less efficient. Professor Curtis says, when alluding to the action of me- dicinal agents, ‘‘ Experiments have shown that many vegeta- ble substances, which seem in themselves quite bland and harmless, are antidotes to various poisons. ‘Thus the skull- cap (scutellaria laterifolia) is said to be a remedy for hydro- _ phobia, the alisma planiago and polemonium reptans for the bites of serpents, and lobelia for the sting of insects. They are good; but why? Because they are permanently relaxing and stimulating, and depurate the whole system.” Natural antispasmodics are warmth and ‘moisture. The medicinal ones are lobelia, Indian hemp, castor musk, ginseng assafcetida, pleurisy root, Virginia snakeroot, camomile, worm- _ wood. The above are only specimens. There is no limit to the number and variety of articles in the vegetable king- dom that will act as antispasmodics or relaxants. They may | be given internally or applied externally: the effect is ths same. FOMENTATIONS. Tus class of remedies is usually composed of relaxants, &c., of several kinds, combined with tonics, stimulants, and anodynes. ‘They are very useful to rel‘eve pain, to remove | rigidity, to restore tone, and to stimulate the parts to which | thev are applied. 288 _ AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, = Common Fomentation. Wormwood, <2." Se ae AP ANS Y: isa bs ee ee eee equal parts. POPS). Wee’ eee: a ee Moisten them with equal parts of boiling water and vine- gar, and apply them blood warm. Use. — For all kinds of bruises and sprains. They should | be confined to the injured parts, and kept moist with the su- | perabundant fluid. When it is not practicable to confine a_ fomentation to the injured parts, as in shoulder or hip lame- ness, constant bathing with the decoction will answer the same purpose. Anodyne Fomentation. ELODS, oe.) wee eee White poppy heada, oes ay a eS Water and vinegar, . . . . equal parts. Simmer a few minutes. Use. —In all painful bruises. Relaxing Fomentation. Powdered ‘lobelia,-..- >... ws * Boumees: Boiling water,” 0. 2-".' « .- 5) a eee ‘Simmer for a few minutes, and when sufficiently cool, bathe the parts with a soft sponge. Use. —In all cases of stiff joints, and rigidity of the mus- cies. Animals often lie down in wet pastures, from which theumatism and stiffness of the joints arise. In such cases, — the animal must be taken from grass for a few days, and the affected parts be faithfully bathed. a Stimulating Fomentation. Cedar buds, or boughs, any quantity, to which add a APPENDIX. — WASHES. 289 faaall quantity of red pepper and ginger, boiling water sufficient. Use. — This wil! be found very efficacious in chronic lame- ness anc paralysis, for putrid sore throat, and when the giand are enlarged from cold and catarrh. MUCILAGES. Mucitaces are soft, bland substances, made by dissolving fam arabic in hot water; or by boiling marshmailows, stipe pery elm, or lily roots, until their mucilaginous properties are extracted. A table-spoonful of either of the above articles, when powdered, will generally suffice for a quart of water. Use. —In all cases of catarrh, diarrhoea, inflammation of the kidneys, womb, bladder, and intestines. They shield the mucous membranes, and defend them from the action of poi- sons and drasti¢-cathartics. WASHES. Wasues generally contain some medicinal agent, and aie - principally used externally. Wash for Diseases of the Feet. Pycousneons acid... 3. 2... .,...4.ounces. Water, Aaah Sua aver ear en OY OUNCES, Use. —'This wash excels every other in point of efficacy, and removes rot and its kindred diseases sooner than any otner. 13 290 AMERICAN REFORWED CATTLE DOCTC Cooling Wash for the Hye. =< Rain watet, <1. 2). Acetic acid, rr Use. — In ophthalmia. ad Tonic and Antispasmodic Wash. RAGA Ses Bes Camomile flowers, . . . . . . half an ounce. Boiling ‘water, .. ... 2) 32 ee | When cool, strain through fine linen. Use. —In chronic diseases of the eye, and when a weeping | remains after an acute attack. ; | . 7) Wash for unhealthy (or ulcerated) Nores. 4i A weak solution of sal soda or wood ashes. 4 Wash for Diseases of the Skin. . ‘Take one ounce of finely-pulverized charcoal, pour on 1 one ounce of pyroligneous acid, then add a pint of water. Bottle, and keep it well corked. It may be applied to the skin by means of a sponge. It is also an excellent remedy — for ill-conditioned ulcers. ae ‘ sd Sh RS ia aa PHYSIC FOR CATTLE. ; Extract of butternut, (juglans cinerea,) . half an ounce. — Cream of tart, - - 2 e . oe OD tea-spoontalowa Boiling water. se a Mis, When cool, administer. ; : / - APPENDIX. -— PHYSIC FOR CATTLE. 29) Another. | _ Extract of blackroot, (leptandra virginica,) . half an ounce. BESSA Se gn ee Gy oe ee ae oe othe: Memmerca Pinger, . 6 ws eee) os od tea-spoonful. Dissolve in two quarts of warm water. Another. Powdered mandrake, . . . . 1 table-spoonful. @ream of tartar, . . =. . . .. d-tea-spoonful. Piet water Pe ey A uarts. Here are three different forms of physic for cattle, which do not debilitate the system, like aloes and salts, because they determine to the surface as well as the bowels. ‘They may _be given in all cases where purges are necessary. One third of the above forms will suffice for sheep. MILD PHYSIC FOR CATTLE. | sirup of buckthorn, 2. .)...°. °° 2 ounces. SUIOHNE oy. eS halla table-spoonful Came ee See alfa teazepoontul: | ater oe as Se 2 quarts: Aperient. MRI eCd Ol Ge eas 6 oh ea he are Lk PME Yolks of two eggs. Mix. » Another. MCE OU ar lee Sngeee spilt. Powdered cayenne, . . . ._ half a tea-spoonful Mix. _ A sheep will require about one half v* the above. ~~ — BNL ae >t é 292 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTDM, Simulating Tincture. Boiling vinegar, . . . . . kt. Tineture of myrrh, “. “22 » . 2 ounces. Powdered capsicum,. . . . . . 2 tea-spoonfuls Use. —- For external application in putrid sere throat. Another. Tincture of camphor, . . + . °s 4 ounces: Oil of eedar, oS; . half an ounce. | Tincture of capsicum, (hot drops,) . 4 ounces. To be rubbed around the throat night and morning. Stimulating Tincture for Chronic Rheumatism. Tincture of ‘capsicum, . 9... ©." Aeamees: Oil of ‘cedar, 2. eo ee ees Gil of wormwood, 2) 20°. > Ae eae: half a pint. 1 gill. : | Vinegar ius ae ey eee Gisese Bre Ase) oe 2k Fi Mix. ‘To be applied night and morning. The mixture should be kept in a well-corked bottle, and shaken before being used. POULTICES. Preliminary Remarks. — As oxen, sheep, and pigs are lia- bie to have accumulations of matter, in the form of abscess, resulting from injury or from the natural termination of dis- eases, it becomes a matter of importance that the farmet should rightly understand their character and treatment. If a foreign substance enters the flesh, the formation of matter is a part of the precess Sy which nature rids ‘he system of ae et 4 : 2 - . Bees: | APPENDIX. — POULTICES. 293. ; the enemy. A poultice relaxing and lubricating will then be indicated. If, however, the foreign body shall have entered at a point where it is impossible to confine a poultice, then the suppurative stage may be skortened by the application of relaxing fomentations, and lastly, by stimulants. It is a law of the animal economy, that, unless there be some obstacle, matter always seeks its exit by an external opening; and it becomes part of our duty to aid nature in her efforts to accom- _plish this salutary object. Nature requires aid in consequence of the unyielding character of the hide, and the length of time it takes to effect an opening through it. Animals are known to suffer immensely from the pressure a large accumulation of pus makes on the surrounding nerves, &c., and also from the reabsorption of this pus when it cannot readily make its exit, This is not all; for, if pus accumulates, and cannot in due time find an outlet, it produces destruction of the blood-ves- sels, nerves, and surrounding tissues. ‘These vessels are dis- tributed to the different surfaces; their supply of blood and nervous energy being cut off, they decompose, and in their turn become pus, and their open mouths allow the morbid matter to enter the circulation, and thus poison the blood. Hence it becomes our duty, whenever matter can be distinctly felt, to apply that sort of poultice which will be most likely to aid nature. There is no article in the materia medica of so much value to the farmer as marshmallows; he cannot. place too much value on it. Whether he uses it in his own family or con- fines it exclusively to cattle practice, it is equally valuable. It has numerous advantages over many similar remedies: the most important one to the farmer is, that it can be procured in this country at a small cost. We have used it for a num- ber of years, and in many cases we consider it our sheet- anchor. In short, we cannct supply its place. Mr. Cobbett says, “I cannot help mentioning another herb, _ which is used for medicinal purposes. J mean the marsh- mallows. It is amongst the most valuable of plants that ever grew Its leaves stewed, and applied wet, will cure, and 294 AMERICAN REFYRMED CATLLE DOCTOR. almost instantly cure, any cut, or bruise, or wound of any sort. Poultices made of it will cure sprains; fomenting with © it will remove swellings; applications of the liquor will cure chafes made by saddles and harness; and its operation, in all — cases, is so quick that it is hardly to be believed. Those who have this weed at hand need not put themselves to the trouble — and expense of sending to doctors and farriers on trifling occa- sions. It signifies not whether tne wound be old or new. The mallows, if you have it growing near you, may be used directly after it is gathered, merely washing off the dirt first. But there should be some always ready in the house for use. It should be gathered just before it blooms, and dried and preserved just in the same manner as other herbs. It should be observed, however, that, if it should happen not to be gathered at the best season, it may be gathered at any time. [ had two striking instances of the efficacy of mallows. A neighboring farmer had cut his thumb ina very dangerous | manner, and, after a great deal of doctoring, it had got to such a pitch that his hand was swelled to twice its natural size. I recommended the use of the mallows to him, gave hima a little bunch out of my store, (it being winter time,) and his hand was well in four days. He could go out to his work the very next day, after having applied the mallows over night. The other instance was this. I had a valuable hog, that had been gored by acow. It had been in this state for two days before I knew of the accident, and had eaten noth- ing. ‘lhe gore was in the side, making a large wound. I poured in the liquor in which the mallows had been stewed, and rubbed the side well with it. ‘The next day the hog got up and began to eat. On examining the wound, I found it so far closed that I did not think it right to disturb it. I bathed the side again; and in two days the hog was turned out, and was running about along with the rest. Now, a per- son must be criminally careless not to make provision of this herb. Mine was nearly two years old when I made use of it upon the /.st-mentiorec occasion. If the use of this weed was generally adopted the art. and mystery of healing _ ss APPENDIX. — POULTICES. ‘Go OOS “wounds, and of curing sprains, swellings, and other external maladies, would very quickly be reduced to an unprofitable trade.” Lubricating and healing Poultice. Powdered marshmallow roots, . Marshmallow leaves, . .. . ¢ equal parts. Moisten with boiling water, and apply. Use. — In ragged cuts, wounds, and bruises. Stimulating Poultice. Indianmeal, .°. . Slippery elm, . equal parts. Mix them together, and add sufficient boiling water to moiste1 the mass. Spread it on a cloth, and sprinkle a small quantity of powdered cayenne on its surface. | Use. —'To stimulate ill-conditioned ulcers to healthy ac- | tion. Where there is danger of putrescence, add a small guantity of powdered charcoal. | “a | | Poultice for Bruises. | Nothing makes so good a poultice for recent bruises ag | boiled carrots or marshmallows. / Poultice to promote Suppuration. Pnceammedl «9. ©. i... (.i5 a Sufficient, quantity. Ramee fre ets ere as 8 So ea pandful. WomMenne eh es cs. teaspoonful: To be moistened with boiling vinegar, and applied at the — usual temperature, ~ 296 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. © STYPTICS, TO ARREST BLEEDING. Witch hazel, (winter bloom,) bark or leaves, 2 ounces. ) Make a decoction with the smallest- possible quantity of | water, and if the bleeding is from the nose, throw it up by — means of a syringe; if from the stomach, lungs, or bowels, add more water, and let the animal drink it, and give soma by injection. * Styptic to arrest external Bleeding. Wet a piece of lint with tincture of muriate of iron, and bind it on the part. There are various other styptics, such as alum water, strong tincture of nutgalls, bloodroot, common salt, fine flour, &c. ABSORBENTS. Remarks. — Absorbents are composed of materials partak- ing of un alkaline character, and are used for the purpose of neutralizing acid matter. ‘The formation of an acid in the stomach arises from some derangement of the digestive or- gans, sometimes brought on by the improper quantity or quality of the food. It is useless, therefore, to give absorb- ents, with a view of neutralizing acid, unless the former are combined with tonics, or agents that are capable of restoring the stomach to a healthy state. This morbid state of the stomach 1s recognized in oxen by a disposition to eat all kinds of trash that comes in their way, such as dirt, litter, &c. They are frequently licking themselves, and often swallow a great dea! of hair, which is formed into balls in the stomack and oceasions serious irritation. Calves, when fattening, are often fed so injudiciously, that the stomach is incapable of reducing the food to chyme and chyle: the consequence 1s 8 APPENDIX. — ABSORBENTS. 29% | that a Jarge amount of carbonic acid gas is evolved. Many i calves and lambs die from this cause. : | A mixture of chalk, saleratus, and soda is often given by la farmers; yet they do not afford permanent relief. They do | sume good by correcting the acidity of the stomach; but the | } animals are often affected with diarrha@a, or costiveness, loss I ef appetite, colic, and convulsions. Attention to the diet _ would probably do more than all the medicine in the world. _ Yet if they do get sick, something must be done. The best | forms of absorbents are the following: they restore healthy - _ action to the lost function at the same time that they neutral- : | | ize the gas. FORMS OF ABSORBENTS. Powdered charcoal, . . . . 1 table-spoonful. a snakeroot,. . . . _ halfa table-spoonful. = caraways, . . . . 1 tea-spoonful. Miemaieri ee co A quart. | Mix. 'T'o be given at one dose, for a cow; half the quan- _ tity, 01 indeed one third, is sufficient for a calf, sheep, or pig. Another. Powdered charcoal, . . . . . 1 table-spoonful. To be given in thoroughwort tea, to which may be added a verv small portion of ginger. Another, adapted to City Use. ~ Subcarbonate of soda,. . . . . 1 tea-spoonful. Pineture of gentian,... 6 .¢a .: b ounce. Sbalusiol,.Of, speariint,¢.- vo :%6. 8.) 21 pint. _- Mix. Give a cow the whole at a dose, and repeat daily, for a short time, if necessary. One half the quantity will | suffice for a smaller animal. { | 13* Ok 298 |. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR, ~~ Drink for Coughs. Belm of Gilead buds, . . . . half an ounce. Honey, .. . . . . « « 2 table-spoonfuls, Vinegar, ais ei. ahs a, Water, 2 40 ie Sa ee Set the mixture on the fife in an earthen vessel; let it” simmer a few minutes. When cool, strain, and it is fit for use. Dose, a wine-glassful, twice a day. Another. Balsam copaiba, .- . 0... ws eee Powdered licorice, ;..:,. ous.) = a eee Honey, . . ..). . 2<%. Aaale=semmnis: Boiling water; : >... “.. .., «) ene - Rub the copaiba, licorice, and honey together in a mortars after they are well mixed, add the water. Dose, half a pint, night and morning. | Another Balsam oF Wot, tee . half an ounce. Powdered marshmallow roots, . . lounce. ~ Honey, 2 a BOLLE Watel, =: 2° gts vast os 2 quarts. Mix. Dose, half a pint, night and morning. © == Drink fora Cow after Calving. methwort, (0 a oh Ee es Marshmallows, -. ..°. . £4 Sete eur. ih bind ac S a MaRS 4 —, r yy aoe se io i as! ns $b i Line i nV wb tev ln si itera hep) tab koteba ae Teri wae as. cA ial he ae ae (ap ays ee we First make an infusion of bethwort by simmering it ina _ quart of water. When cool, strain, and stir i the mallows. — Woce half a pint, every two hours. APPENDIX. — MATERIA MEDICA 295 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA, EMBRACING A LIST OF THE VARIOUS REMEDIES USED BY THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK IN THE PRACTICE OF MED- ' ICINE ON CATTLE, SHEEP, AND SWINE. - Acacia, Catecuu, or Japan Earntu. It is a powerful as- mingent and tonic, and given, in half tea-spoonful doses, in mucilage of slippery elm or mallows, is a valuable remedy in diarrhea, or excessive discharges of urine. Acacia Gum makes a good mucilage, and is highly recom- mended in diseases of the mucous surfaces and urinary or- gans. It is highly nutritious, and consequently can be given with advantage in locked-jaw. Acretum, (vinegar.) This is cooling, and a small portion of it, with an equal quantity of honey, administered in thin gruel, makes an excellent drink in fevers. Diluted with an equal quantity of water, it is employed externally in bruises and sprains. It neutralizes pestilential effluvia, and, com- bined with capsicum, makes a good application for sore throat. Acip, Pyrotienrous. This is one of the most valuable articles in the whole materia medica. Diluted with equal parts of water, it is applied to ill-conditioned sores and ulcers ; it acts as an antiseptic and stimulant. It is obtained from wood by destructive distillation in close vessels. This acid is advantageously applicable to the preservation of animal food. Mr. William Ramsay (Hdinburgh Philosophical Journal, ni. 21) has made some interesting experiments on its use for this purpose. Herrings and other fish, simply dipped in the acid and xfterwards dried in the shade, were effectually preserved, . and, when eaten, were found very agreeable to the taste. Herrings slightly cured with salt, by being sprinkled with it for six hours, then drained, next immersed in pyroligneous acid for a few seconds, an1 afterwards dried in the shade for ‘wo months, were found by Mr. Ramsay to be of fine quality ray ay 300 = AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ud flavor. Fresh beef, dipped in the acid, in the sunimet _ season, for the short space of a minute, was perfectly sweet ; in the following spring. Professor Silliman states, that one quart of the acid added to the common pickle for a barrel of — hams, at the time they are laid down, will impart to them the — : smoked flavor as perfectly as if they had undergone the com» ~ mon process of smoking. | | Auper Bark, Brack, (prinos verticillatus.) A strong de-— ecction makes an excellent wash for diseases of the skin, in all classes of domestic animals. Auutium, (garlic.) This is used chiefly as an antispasmodic. It improves all the secretions, and promotes the function of — the skin and kidneys. It is useful also to expel wind and worms. A few kernels may be chopped fine and mixed with the food. When used for the purpose of expelling worms, an ounce of the root should be boiled in a pint of milk, and ~ given in the morning, about an hour before feeding. Atogs. The best kind is brought from the Island of Socotra, and is supposed to be more safe in its operation than the other kinds. In consequence of the irritative properties of aloes, — they are ill adapted to cattle practice; and asa safer article has been recommended, (see Physic for Catile,) we have en- tirely dispensed with them. | ALTHEA, (marshmallows.) See Remarks on Poultices. Axum. It possesses powerful astringent properties, and when burnt and pulverized, is useful to remove proud flesh. Ammoniacum. Gum ammoniacum is useful for chronic —_ coughs. The dose is two drachms daily, in a quart of — gruel. AnisEED. A good carminative in flatulent colic. The dose is about one ounce, infused in a quart of boiling water. AntHemis, (camomile.) It is used as a tonic in derange- ment of the digestive.organs, &c. An ounce of the flowers may be infused in a quart of water, and given when cool. [t is useful also as an external application in bruises and sprains. Asu Barx, Ware. This is 2 useful remedy m loss of } | APPENDIX. — MATERIa MEDICA. (301 : = cud, caused by disease of the liver. Dose, one ounce of the bark, infused in boiling wate When cool, pour off the clear liquor. Assaretipa. This article is used as an antispasmodic, The dose is from one to two drachms, administered in thia gruel. Baum, Lemon. See Fever Drink. Baim or Giteap Buns. One cunce of the buds, after being infused in boiling water and strained, makes a good driii< for chronic coughs. Batmony. A good tonic and vermifuge. Bausam, Canapa, is a diuretic, and may be given in slip- pery elm, in doses of one table-spoonful for diseases of the kidneys. Batsam or Coparpa, or Cartvi, is useful in all diseases of the urimary organs, and, combined with powdered marshmal- lows and water, makes a good cough drink. Dose, half an vulce. Bausam of Toxiv. Used for the same purpose as the pre- ceding. Barury. Barley water, sweetened with honey, is a useful drink in fevers. | Bayperry Barx. We have frequently prescribed this arti- cle in the preceding pages as an antiseptic and astringent for scouring and dysentery. BrearBerry, (uva ursi.) This is a popular diuretic, and is useful when combined with marshmallows. When the urine is thick and deficient in quantity, or voided with diffi- eulty, it may be given in the following form : — Bermmected bearberry, 6 soos ah den es - L ouines: Sy marshmallows, 3) 2 ac. oo 2- ounces. MGIC a Bier tad ha ahi a ew ce, 2 Pounds: Mix. Dose, half a pound daily, in the cow’s feed. — Birrer Root, (apocynum androsa‘nifolium.) Given in doses of half an ounce of the powdered bark, it acts as an aperient, and is good wherever an aperient is indicated, S025" AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 7 Buacxperry Root, (rubus trivialis.) A vaiuable os - for scours in sheep. : : . Buacx Roor, (leptandra virginica.) The extract is used as physic, instead of aloes. (See Physic for Cattle.) A strong decoction of the fresh roots wit generally act as a cathartic on all classes of animals. | | BioopRoot, (sanguinaria canadensis.) Tt is used in our practice as an escharotic. -It acts on fngous excrescences, and is a good substitute for nitrate of silver in the dispersion of all morbid growth. One ounce of the powder, infused in boiling vinegar, is a valuable application for rot and mange. Brus Fuae, (irzs versicolor.) The powdered root is a good vermifuge. Bonerset, (eupatorium perfoliatum.) 'This is a valuable domestic remedy. Its properties are too well known to the | farming community to need any description. 4 Borax. This is a valuable remedy for eruptive diseases { of the tongue and mouth. Powdered and dissolved in water, it forms an astringent, antiseptic wash. The usual form of prescription, 1n veterinary practice, 1s, — : | Powdered borax, . . . .... .” half amg@ipmee: PLOWCY 5 cos 5 oe ts sop gh as ae ae e | $ Mix. | | Bucxtuorn, (rhamnus catharticus.) A sirup made from this plant is a valuable aperient in cattle practice. "The dese ts from half an ounce to two ounces. ii Burvock, (arctium lappa.) The leaves, steeped in vine- gar, make a good application for sore throat and enlarged glands. ‘The seeds are good to purify the blood, and may be 4 given in the fodder. Burrernur Bark, ( juglans cinerea.) Extract of butternut makes a good cathartic, in doses of half an ounce. It is much safer than any known cathartic, and, given in doses of two drachms, in hot water, combined with a small quantity of ginger, it forms a useful aperieut and alterative. In a consti- pated habit, attended with loss of cud, it is invaluable. During EE ee PUR ili ee aia es‘ ta Ri gael ame ae : ? Me wet mee J 2 Z ai pr ee oe F an ; t ii i S ‘ae APPENDIX. -— MATERIA MEDICA. 303 _ the American revolution, when medicines were scare, this article was brought into use by the physicians, and wag es- ‘teemcd by them an excellent substitute for the ordinary cathartics. Catamus, (acorus calamus.) A valuabie remedy for loss — of cud. Camomite. See Anthems. - Canectia Bark is an aromatic stimulant, and forms a good stomachic. Capsicum. A pure stimulant. Useful :n impaired digestion. Caraway SeExp, (carwm caruz.) A pleasant carminative for colic. Carpamom Seeps. Used for the same purpose as the preceding. ~ Cassta Bark, (laurus cinnamomum.) Used as a diffusible stimulant in flatulency. | Catecuu, (see Acacta.) Catnip, (nepeta cataria.) An antispasmodic in colic. Crepar Buns. An infusion of the buds makes a good ver- mifuge for sheep and pigs. Cuarcoat. This is a valuable remedy as an antiseptic for fou! ulcers, foot rot, &c. Cieavers, (galium aparine.) The expressed juice of the herb acts on the skin and kidneys, increasing their secretions. One tea-spoonful of the juice, given night and morning ina thin mucilage of poplar bark, is an excellent remedy for dropsy, and diseases of the urinary organs. An infusion of the herb, made by steeping one ounce of the leaves and seeds in a quazt of boiling water, may be substituted for the expressed ONE AE” 4 ean juice. Conosu, Brack, (macrotrys racemosa.\ Useful in dropsy. Coutsroor, (tussilago farfara.) An excellent remedy for cough. CRANESBILL, (geranium maculatum.) Useful in scours, dysentery, and diarrhea. | Ditt Seep, (anethum graveolens.) Its properties are the ~ game as carawavs. 304 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Teg Dock, Yetuow, (rumez crispus.) Good for ee ot the iver and of the skin. 3 = EXecampane, (tnula helentum.) An excellent remedy for cough and asthma, and diseases of the skin. Ever F'Lowers, (sambucus canadensis.) Used as an ape- rient for sheep, in constipation. 3 Eicm Bark, (ulmus fulva.) 'This makes a good mucilage. See Poultices. Essence or Peppermint. Used for flatulent colic. One ounce is the usual dose for a cow. To be given in warm water. F'ennet Seep. Useful to expel wind. Fern, Mare, (aspidium felix mas.) Used as a remedy for worms. | FiaxseeD. A good lubricant, in cold and catarrh, and in diseases of the mucous surfaces. It makes a good poultice. FLowER or Sutpuur. This is used extensively, in veter- inary practice, for diseases of the skin. It is a mild laxative. ‘Fumieations. For foul barns and stables, take of Common salt, .. 7. ... 4 ounces: Manganese, . . . . . 1 ounce and a half. Let these be well mixed, and placed in a shallow earthen vessel; then pour on the mixture, gradually, sulphuric acid, four ounces. The inhalation of the gas which arises from this mixture is highly injurious ; therefore, as soon as the acid is poured on, all persons should leave the building, which should immediately be shut, and not opened again for several. hours. Dr. White, V. 8., says, “This is the only efficacious fumigation, it having been found that when glanderous or infectious matter is exposed to it a short time, it is rendered perfectly harmless.” GatBanum. This gum is used for similar purposes as gum ammoniac and assafeetida. Gauus. They contain a large amount of tannin, and are— powerfully astringent. A strong decoction is useful to arrest — hemorrhage. 7 4 3 i | ‘ : APPENDIX. —- MATERIA MEDICA. 305 § 5; | Garuic See Allium. | Gentian. This is a good tonic, and is often employed te | remove weakness of the stomach and indigestion. | Gincer. A pure stimulant. Ginger tea is a useful remedy | for removing colic and flatulency, and is safer and better | adapted to the animal economy, where stimulants are indie eated, than alcoholic preparations. | GINSENG, (panaz quinquefolium.) It possesses tonic and | stimulant properties. | GoLpeNn Seat, (hydrastis canadensis.) A good tonic, lax- | ative, and alterative. | GoLDTHREAD, (coptis trifelia.) A strong infusion of this | herb makes a valuable application for eruptions and ulcera- | tions of the mouth. We use it in the following form: — | | OMOMIEC AG ee es eo OUNCE: : ese WaAtel en ces wo eb pint. Set the mixture aside to cool; then strain, and add a table- | spoonful of honey, and bathe the parts twice a day. Grains oF Parapise. A warming, diffusible stimulant. | HarDHAck, (spir@a tomentosa.) Its properties are astrin- | gent and tonic. We have used it in cases of “scours” with great success. It is better adapted to cattle practice in the | form of extract, which is prepared by evaporating the leaves, stems, or roots. ‘The dose is from one scruple to a drachm | for a cow, and from ten grains to one scruple and a half fora sheep, which may be given twice a day, in any bland liquid. Honey, (mel.) Honey is laxative, stimulant, and nutri tious. With vinegar, squills, or garlic, it forms a good cough | mixture. Combined with tonics, it forms a valuable gargle, and a detergent for old sores and foul ulcers. | Hops, (humulus.) An infusion of hops is highly recom: mended in derangement of the neryous system, and for allay- ing spasmodic twitchings of the extremities. One ounce of the article may be infused in a quart of boiling water, strained, and sweetened with honey, and given, in half pint doses, every four honrs. They are used as an external application, ali ine form of fomentation. for bruises, &c. | a 306. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOvTOR. 4 Horevounn ‘marrubium.) This is a valuable r:.medy for — catarrh and chronic affections of the lungs. It is generally | used, in the author’s practice, in the following form: An in-— fusion is made in the proportion of an ounce of the herb to aquart of boiling water. A small quantity of powdered marshmallows is then stirred in, to make it of the consistence of thin gruel. The dose is half a pint, night and morning. For sheep and pigs half the quantity will suffice. ; Horsrmint, (monarda punctata.) Like other mints, it is antispasmodic and carminative. Useful in flatulent colic. Horsrerapisu. The root scraped and fed to animals labor- ing under loss of cud, from chronic disease of the digestive organs, and general debility, is generally attended with bene- ficial results. If beaten into paste with an equal quantity of powdered bloodroot, it makes a valuable application for foul ulcers. | Hyssop, (hyssopus officinalis.) Hyssop tea, sweetened with honey, is useful to promote perspiration in colds and ecatarrh. Inpian Hemp, (apocynum cannabinum.) An infusion of this herb acts as an aperient, and promotes the secretions. It may be prepared by infusing an ounce of the powdered or bruised root in a quart of boiling water, which must be placed in a warm situation for a few hours: it should then be strained, and given in half pint doses, at intervals of six hours. A gill of this mixture will sometimes purge a sheep. i Inpico, Win, (baptista tinctoria.) We have made some é experiments with the inner portion of the bark of this plant, and find it to be very efficacious in the cure of eruptive dis- eases of the mouth and tongue, lampas, and inflamed gums. A strong decoction (one ounce of the bark boiied for a few minutes in a pint of water) makes a good wash for old sores. A small quantity of powdered slippery elm, stirred into the — decoction while hot, makes a good emollient application to sore teats and bruised udder. : af Juniper Berrins, (juniperus.) These are used in dropst a eal affections, in conjunction with tonics; also in diseases of ry 1 ‘ the urinary organs. ie Hae Kixo. ‘This ‘s a powerful astringent, and may be used in APPENDIX. — MATERIA MEDICA. 307 ; diarrhoea, dysentery, and red water, after the inflammatory symptoms have subsided. We occasionally use it in the foi- | lowing form for red water and chronic dysentery :— © Powdered kino, . . . . . . . . 20 gracns. emrwonr Priel... se ae quart. | To be given at a dose, and repeated night and morning, as occasion requires. | | _ Lapy’s Surprer, (cypripedum pubescens. ) This is a valu- | able nervine and antispasmodic, and has been used with great | success, in my practice, for allaying nervous irritability. It is a good substitute for opium. It is, however, destitute of all | the poisonous properties of the latter. Dose for a cow, half _ a table-spoonful of the powder, night and morning; to be | given in bland fluid. | Licorice. Used principally to alleviate coughs. The ‘ol- _ lowing makes an excellent cough remedy : — Peedcred liconce, 6... te AL ounee: ) Balsam of Tolu, .- 2° 2.6 <2 -« 1 tea-spoonful. | See eons, water, <2 1. ws wT quart. T_ be given at a dose. _Lity Roor, (nymphea odorata.) Used principally tor poultices. Lime Water. ‘This article is used in diarrhoea, and when the discharge of urine is excessive. Being an antacid, it is very usefully employed when cattle are hoven or blown. It is unsafe to administer alone, as it often deranges the diges- tive organs: it is therefore very properly combined with tone ies. The following will serve as an example : — Lime water, . . seers. 2 OULEESt Infusion of shalechiad: ae) ea & Gants. Dose, a quart, night and morning. Lose ta, (herb, ) (dodelia infiata.) ‘This is an excellent ant spasmodic. It is used in tne form of poultice for locked-jaw, _ and as a relaxant in rigidity of the muscular structure. | Manprake, (podophyliium peltatum. ) Used as physic for it cattle, (which meee a ey oe eS ue egy CERIN > 208 AMERICAN REFORMED CAITLE DOGTOR. — Marsumattows. See Althea Meavow Caspace Root, (ictodes fetida.) ‘This plant is | “used as an antispasmodic in asthma and chronic cough. Dose, | a tea-spoonful of the powder, night and morning; to be given in mucilage of slippery elm. Moruerworrt, (leonurus cardiaca.) A tea of this herb is | valuable in protracted labor. Muutew, (verbascum.) The leaves steeped in vinegar make a good application for sore throat. Coy Myrru. The only use we make of this article, in cattle practice, is to prepare a tincture for wounds, as follows: -— Powdered.myrrh, «3s i ae < ; ‘ pag an , = < * ay » aS Dn ate Pee SS a aCe ae APPENDIX. — MALIGNANT MILK SICKNESS. 349 Special Treatment with reference to the Symptoms. — _ Suppose the animal to be ‘off her feed,” and the bowe's are censtipated ; then give an aperient composed of Extract of butternut,. . . 2 drachms. Powdered capsicum, . . . one third of a tea-spoonful. Thoroughwort tea, . . . 2 quarts. To be given at a dose, taking care to pom it down the throat in a gradual manner; for, if poured down too quick, it will fall into the paunch. If the rectum is suspected to be loaded with excrement, make use of the common svap-suds injection. If the animal appears to walk about without any apparent object in view, there is reason to suppose that the brain is congested. ‘This may be verified if the sclerotica (white of the eye) is of a deep red color. The following will be indicated : — Mandrake, ds see 1 table-t poonful. | Sapir... ‘ te? & de ted Spoontit, Peewredim ol tattar, 5... 9. . . > Ttea-spoonful. ! mer water ee Se Qi quarts: © To be given at adose. At the same time apply cold wate: to the head, and rub the spine and legs (below the knees) with the following counter-irritant : — Powdered bloodroot or cayenne, . . 1 ounce. = black peppens %..s- +s so half-an ounce: Poti VANeSal, 40°. 2 Fc ee A tart: Rub the mixture in while hot, with a piece of flannel. If a trembling of the muscular system is observed, then give Powdered ginger, .-. . . . ns emilamon.. 606. : - Polen seals 5 65 -o of each half a tea-spoonful. Tu be given at a dose, in haif a gallon of catnip tea. Aid ee 685) AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the vital powers in producing a crisis by the warmth and moisture, as diiceted in the treatment of colds, &u. It is necessary to keep the rectum empty by means of in- jections, ferms of which will be found in this work. The remedies we here recommend can be safely and suc- cessfully used by those unskilled in medicine; and, when aided by proper attention to the diet, ventilation, and comfort of the patient, we do not hesitate to say (provided, however, they are resorted :o in the early stages) they will cure forty- bine cas2s out of filty without the advice of a physician. q | APPENDIX. — BONE DISCRL&R N COWS. 35% BONE DISORDER IN COWS. We have frequently seen accounts, in vario1s papers, of - ‘Done disorder in milch cows.” The bony structure of ani- mals is composed of vital solids studded with crystallizations of saline carbonates and phosphates, and is liable to take on morbid action similar to other textures. Disease of the bones may originate constitutionally, or from derangement of the digestive organs. We have, for example, molliites ossium, (softening of the bones ;) the disease, however, is very rare. It may be known by the substance of the bones being soft and yielding, liable to bend with small force. We have also fragilitas ossium, (brittleness of bones. } This is characterized by the bony system being of a friable nature, and liable to be fractured by slight force. We have jn our possession the fragments of the small pastern of a horse, the bone having been broken into seventeen pieces, by a slight concussion, without any apparent injury to the skin and cellular substance ; not the slightest external injury could be perceived. There are several other diseases of the bones, which, we presume, our readers are acquainted with; such as exostosis, caries, &c., neither of which apply to the malady under con- sideration. We merely mention these for the purpose of showing that the bones are not exempt from disease, any more than other structures; yet it does not always follow that a lack of the phosphate of lime in cow’s milk is a sure sign of diseased bones. Reader, we do not like the term “ bone disorder :”’ it does not throw the least light on the nature of the malady ; it savors too much of “horn ail,” “tail ail” —terms which only apply to symptoms. We are told also that, in this dis- ease, ‘the bones threaten to cave in—have wasted away.” If they do threaten to cave in, the best way we know of to 352 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DGUTOR. give them an out vard direction is, to promote tne healthy secretions and excretions by a well-regulated diet, and to stimulate the digestive organs to healthy action. If the bones ‘‘have wasted away,” we should like to have a few of them. in our coliection of morbid anatomy. That the bones should waste away, and be capable of assuming their original shape simply by feeding bone meal, is something never dreamt of in our philosophy.* Besides, if the cows get well, (we are told they do,) then we must infer that the bones possess the properties of sudden expansion and contraction, similar to those of the muscles. It may be well for us to observe, that not only the bones, but all parts of animal organization, expand and contract in an imperceptible manner. . Thus, up to the period of puberty, all. parts expand: old age comes on, and | with it a gradual wasting and collapse. This is a natural result —one of the uncompromising laws of nature, over which human agency (bone meal included) has not the least control. If the bones are diseased, it results either from im- paired digestion or a disproportion between the carbon of the food and the oxygen respired; hence the “bone disorder,”’ not being persistent, is only a result—-a symptom; and as such we view it. As far as we have been able to ascertain ~ she nature of the malady, as manifested by the symptoms, {caving in, wasting, absence of phosphate of lime in the milk, &c.,) we give it as our opinion,—and we think our medical brethren will agree with us, (although we do not often agree,)— that ‘bone disorder” is a symptom of a dis- ease very prostrating in its character, originating in the diges- tive organs; hence not confined to the bones, but affecting all parts of the animal more or less. And the only true plan of treatment consists in restoring healthy action to the whole * Whenever there is a deficiency of carbon, bone meal may assist to sup- port combustion in the lungs, and by that means restore healthy action of the different functions, provided, however, the digestive organs, aided by the vital power, cau overcome the ree action by winch fe atoms of bone meal ars held together, ‘ : 5 Oye eS ta ale Sen acid ———— : 7 ; a ek 3 ho aa a alate ii a a eae ene ee ee ee Re Pe aya ona APPENDIX. — BONE DISORDER IN Cows. 382 enimal system. The ways and means of accomplishi.g ‘this object are various. If it is clearly ascertained that the animal system is deficient in phosphate of lime, we see no good rea- son way bone meal should not be included among our reme- dial agents; yet, as corn meal and linseed contam a large amount of phosphate, we should prefer them to bone dust, although we do not seriously object to its use. The value of food or remedial agents consists in their adaptation to assimilation; in other words, an absence ot chemical properties. ‘These may be very complex; yet, if they are only held together by a weak chemical action, they readily yield to the vital principle, and are transformed. Atoms of bones are held together by a strong chemical aflin- ity ; and the vital principle, in order to convert bone dust into component parts of the organism, must employ more force to transform them than it would require for the same purpose when corn meal or linseed were used, their chemical affinity being weaker than that of bones. In the treatment of any disease, we always endeavor te ascertaili 1ts causes, and, if possible, remove them; and what: ever may be indicated we endeavor to supply to the system. Thus, if phosphates were indicated, we should use them. In cases of general debility, however, we should prefer lin- seed or corn meal, aided by stimulants, to bone dust. Why not use the bone dust for manure? The animal would then have the benefit of it in its fodder. In reference ‘o a deficiency of phosphate of lime in the milk, we would observe, that it may result either from im- paired digestion, (in such cases, a large amount of that article may be expelled from the system in the form of excrements, ) or the food may lack it. We then have a sick plant, for we believe that the phosphate of lime is as necessary for the growth of the plant as it seems to be for animal develop- ment. If the plant lacks this important constituent, then its vitality, as a whole, will be impaired. This is all we desire to contend for in the animal, viz., that the disease _earbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and exYear not of phosphate of ~ 354 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. s general, and cannot be Be or treated as a iocal © aflection. It has been observed that successive cultivation eieetts the soil, and deprives it of the constituents necessary for vegetable development. If so, it follows that there will be a deficiency of silecia, carbonate of lime, —#4in short, a loss of lime alone. The fields might be made to produce the requisite amount of nutriment by replacing every year, in the form of animat excrement, straw, wood-ashes, and charcoal, as much as we remove from them in the form of produce. An increase of crop can only be obtained when we add more to the soil than we take away from it. “In Flanders, the yearly loss of the necessary matters in the soil is completely restored by covering the fields with ashes of wood or bones, which may, or may not, have been | lixiviated. The great importance of manuring with ashes has tea aj sp EIR a ecloe e peen long recognized by agriculturists as the result of experi- 7 ence. So great a value, indeed, is attached to this material in the vicinity of Marburg, and in the Wetterau, — two well- known agricultural districts, —that it is transported, as a | % manure, from the distance of eighteen or twenty-four miles, Its use will be at once perceived, when it is considered that the ashes, after being washed with water, contain silicate of q potass exactly in the same proportion as In the straw, and that their only other constituents are salts of phosphoric acid.” It is well known that phosphate of lime, potass, silecia, carbonate of lime, magnesia, and soda are discharged in the } excrement and urine of the cow; and this happens when they are not adapted to assimilation as weli as when present ; inexcess. If it is clearly proved that the bones of a cow are weak, then we should be inclined to prescribe phosphates ; if they are brittle, we should prescribe gelat- inous preparations; but not in the form of bone dust: we should use linseed, which is known to be rich in phos ae aN Cha ease OR Bd = ai Arte as APPENDIX. ——- BONE DISORDER IN COWS. 355 thates. At the same time, the general healti must be improved. - | It is well known that some cows cannot be fa.tened, al though they have an abundance of the best kind of fodder In such cases, we find the digestive organs deranged, which disturbs the equilibrium of the whole animal economy. The food may then be said to be a direct cause of disease. The effects of insufficient food are well-known ; debility includes them all. If there is uot sufficient carbon in the food, the animal is deprived of the power of reproducing it self, and the cure consists in supplying the deficiency. At the same time, every conditicn of nutrition should be consid- ered; and if the function of digestion is impaired, we must look to those of absorption, circulation, and secretion also, for they will be more or less involved. If the appetite is im- paired, accompanied by a loss of cud, it shows that the stom- ach is overloaded, or that its function is suspended: stimu- lants and tonics are then indicated. A voracious appetite indicates the presence of morbid accumulations in the stem- ach and bowels, and they should be cleansed by aperients; after which, a change of diet will generally effect a cure. When gas accumulates in the intestines, we have evidence of a loss of vital power in the digestive organs ; fermentation takes place before the food can be digested. The cure consists in restoring the lost function. Diarrhaa is generally caused by exposure, (taking cold,) or by eating poisons and uritating substances; the cure may be accom- plished by removing the cold, and cleansing the system of the irritants. Costiveness often arises from the absorption of the fluids from the solids in their slow progress through the intestines; exercise will then be indicated. An occasional injection, however, may be given, if necessary. General de- bility, we have said, may arise from insufficient food; to which we may add the popular practice of milking the cow while pregnant, much of which milk is yielded at the hazard of her own health and that of her fetus. Whatever ‘s taken 356 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOUTUP, away from the cow in the form of milk ought to be. replaced 3 by the food. Proper attention, however, must be paid to the — state of the digestive organs: they must not be overtaxed — with indigestible substances. With this object in view, we 4 recommend a mixed diet ; for no animal can subsist on a sin- gle article of food. Dogs die, although fed on jelly; they eannct live upon white bread, sugar, or starch, if these are given as food, to the exclusion of all other substances. Neither can a horse or cow live on hay alone: they will, sooner or later, give evidences of disease. They require stimulants. Common salt is a good stimulant. ‘This ex- plains why salt hay should be occasionaliy fed to milch cows ; - : it not only acts as a stimulant, but is also an antiseptic, pre- venting putrefaction, &c. : A knowledge of the constituents of milk may a the | farmer in selecting the substances proper for the nourishment of animals, and promotive of the lacteal secretion; for much of tre food contains those materials united, though not al- ways in the same form. ‘The constituents of milk are cheese, or caseine —a compound containing nitrogen in large © proportion ; butter, in which hydrogen abounds; and sugar of milk, a substance with a large quantity of hydrogen and ~ oxygen in the same proportions as in water. It also contains, in solution, lactate of soda, phosphate of lime, (the latter in very small quantities,) and common salt; and a peculiar aro- matic product exists in the butter, called butyric acid.” — Liebig. sae It is very difficult to explain the changes wnich the food undergoes in the animal laboratory, (the stomach, ) because that organ is under the dominion of tl terial agency which the chemist cannot control. Yet we are justified in furnishing the animal with the elements of its own organization; for although they may not be deposited in the different structures in their original atoms, they may be changed into other compounds, somewhat similar. Liebig tells us that whether the elements of non-azctized food take an im- sites bgceistii ; si il i it Te ree Bil wean sl domain APPENDIX. — BONE DISORDER IN COWS. eo? mediate share in the act of transformation of tissues, or whether their share in that process be an indirect one, is a question probably capable of being resolved by careful and cautious experiment and observation. It is possible that these constit- uents of food, after undergoing some change, are carried from *‘2e intestinal canal directly to the liver, and that there they are converted into bile, where they meet with the prod- ucts of the metamorphosed tissues, and subsequently complete their course through the circulation. | This opinion appears more probable, wken we reflect that as yet no trace of starch or sugar has been detected in arterial blood, not even in animals that have been fed exclusively with these substances. The following tables, from Liebig’s Chemistry, will giva the reader the difference between what is taken into the sys: tem and what passes out. FOOD CONSUMED BY A COW IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. ? | Weight | Weight | Salts in the | in the | Carbon.} Hydro- | Oxygen.| Nitro- and Ayticles of food. | fresh dry gen. gen. earthy | state. State. matters. H { I { Potatoes, 15000; 4170) 1839.0) 241.9 | 1830.6] 50.0] 208.5 After grass, | 7500) 6315 | 2974.4) 353.6 | 2204.0} 151.5 | 631.5 Water, 60000; — — — — — 50.0 Total, | $2500 10485 | 4813.4| 595.5 | 4034.6] 201.5 | 889.0 EXCRETIONS OF A COW IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. ie Weight | Weight | Salts ; inthe | inthe | Carbon.| Hydro- | Oxygen.| Nitro- and Excretions. fresh dry gen. gen. earthy State. State. matters. Excrements, | 28413 | 4000.0 1712.0 208.0 | 1508.0} 92.0 | 480.0 Urine, 8200| 960.8; 261.4; 25.0) 253.7) 36.5 | 384.2 Malky 8539 | 1150.6; 628.2) 99.0} 321.0) 46.0 | 56.4 Total, | 45152 | 6111.4 2601.6, 332.0 | 2082.7; 174.5 | 920.6 ee Total of first |— ~ part of this | 82500 |10485.0' 4813.4) 595.5 table, 4034.6 20) 5 | 989.0 | | =e 262.5] 1951.9, 27.0 | 31.6] _ a eee | pa Difference, | 37348 | 4374.6 858 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DUCTOR. FOOD CONSUMED BY A HORSE IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, | @ | Weight | Weight oR Steg : in tle | inthe | Carbon.) Hydro- carve Nitro- | and ‘G Articles of food. | fresh dry gen. gen. | earthy Stite. | State. Higiters. | Hay, 7500| 6465 | 2961.0! 323.2 | 2502.0 97.0 | 581. hee Oats, 2270 1927 | 977.0, 1233) 707.2] 42.4 ear Water, 16000} — | — . =) (aS Ce ea ate Total, | 25770| 8392 3938.0) 446.5 | 3200.9! 1394 | 6722 | EXCRETIONS OF A HORSE IN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. Weight } Weight , | Salts inthe | in the | Carbon. Hydro- | Oxygen.| Nitro- and Excretions. fresh dry gen. gen earthy state. | state. ; | matters, Urine, 1330! 302] 1087| 11.5| 341| 37.8 | 109.9 Excrements, | 14250 | 3525 | 1364.4) 179.8! 1828.9} 77.6! 574.6 j S| | Total, 15580 | 3827 | 1472.9| 191.3 1363.0/ 115.4| 684.5 ee Total of first | | part of this |25770| 8392 | 3938.6 wate 139.4 | 672.2 table, | oe — | | | ee Difference, | 16190| 4565 | 2465.1 255.2 | 1816.2 24.0] 12.3 The weights in these tables are given in grammes. 1 gramme is equal td . 15.44 grains Troy, very nearly. . It will be seen from these tables that a large proportion of 4 carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and earthy matters are q again returned to the soil. From this we infer that more of — these matters being present in the food than were requisite 1 for the purpose of assimilation, they were removed from the system in the form of excrement. Two suggestions here present themselves for the consideration of the farmer, viz., that the manure increases in value in proportion to the rich- — ness of food, and that more of the latter is often giventoa — 3 cow than is necessary for the manufacture of healthy chyle. In view, then, of preventing “bone disorder,” which we — have termed indigestion, we should endeavor to ascertain _ what articles are best for food, and learn, from the experience of others, what have been universally esteemed as such, and, by trying them on our own arimals, prove whether we actu- - a APPENDIX. —BONE LISORDER IN COWS. 359 ally find them so. Scalded or boiled food is better adapted to the stomach of animals than food otherwise prepared, and is so much less injurious. The agents that act on the inter- nal system are those which, in quantities sufficient for an ordinary meal, supply the animal system with stimulus and -nutriment just enough for its wants, and contain nothing in their nature inimical to the vital operations. All such articleg are properly termed food. (For treatment, see Hide-bouned, p. £98.) a Le ee " . Pon ' > 4 ' ‘ i } ’ . wae . ’ M . ‘ — le . ; “3 = « 4 ' 4 “ w 7 x ~ fe , ., . iF : = 7 a 5 3 3 ‘ a coy’! : S F * ‘ 4 a . ‘ , 4 Ti ‘ " x. ‘ 2 , . ‘ ' te a - . ee 7 t 4 y ’ . ‘a ‘ < 4 A . “ , . < ~ : . , 4 ct 4 - ' > \ “ ‘ . te 7 . % = e ‘4 Z . ¥ ‘ ; = org . . 3 4 : i‘ : : - os 0 Cae - 7 - “ ” — a ‘ f a 3 rs Pa ee ot! an ? > 4 ;, : ‘ 7 oa * 2 a ‘ . . 4 w : n = : A 3 ‘ . Me: & :