> yt ae ttt Rn ee ene ieee ie nan WipsthenTOT ara tta Cette DID xsl — oe nearnte dine tna rate tetra de tut ee te tr 0" A ” oo pnep acne renin ; state? zane ath ee amy Manta et zie iO 2h SBN regret raagasettghatin brareeeetekencesttee tenes ettmatena ener a cae Go ep RAE He EP IT” le Oe ATA A staat whe sin esmas ther toartnertis eer see Sint teenie I Be rng aiae = ama xt” eet 98 icaesnar neat See, epart dates ne & gion nena ingen yet aT Ar oO NL ere — ree cee He iter ew Pestew Ane Aten hy tie tenes eee Calera - : - ~ ot pcyheinact or eet x —_ ae enagretreeenmnrnte SEN! we eh Sana npmetawiner Goth te Aen UPON oe satnee te MSS 9 Ae Tarangire a - aw: ap yoy arin < 2 ae at tuemat shame ak a a noncasnbehateesyncncastaesenamaeneste * * " aor mranretenay mrt 0 Porte . - a : . we . ecigamangnamanaezeaesnetan Tpngasataoenera ns eee nntsesne eet tea : : : : eR rete tep eee tics tac er rerun sete tas nnaree ome thas Pherae eer eee pe sae ta isos avsy ot ee rengavemnansirnenTaenarat TT Te, ae. etait Nee etaie eae ances Min net ARENT Saber enr onic tatretn orate atm enationlbaree Piatt pouemr ete One iacoanhathete Ale ath er ete SmI VOLT Poem an siswanereamae pi aOe Say oe ramegergewn eh tT Ss eee ead gmrsbenemaunanseertonen ee eri ath Si - ean ae Rearend pe HELD Ty rear art ee - Soave tins nese ter tc ; - seats . ph a a Se ss aie —— nnn “ sate oem ragmemens Tene ernest ae aageareaeeeeeet aan p “ 5 ” - gi rete eel avin saatin’ shvtowred DT erenet gi < . el ” - ve spite te EE eT ine mao ol roagh omoriegstaee Mey Hel — - — ane weasel ane gents Scnanenarenym han RONR eta nntecr er nret ~ namaste Pe ae ee eT acta ae eee ctr 2ihemmp en verbs nmatia ne! PRanemmngira he Tester w Tee - Be nponrrqanaenancensawan.wreern ame Welle Re ee nag eee ee vette “ arent ate paeNtgemeh Ppa nabs pte Coase ere —— reste Pee es eres neem Oe th arenes deerme emai Ph eareire Imoihy sbor ih gern aby Yi 8 me ra ofoat ears - piney ae os * * s ‘ . - = w - “ - ~ Sa eneeet net OE ETT 7" pee een nce ems Ene ert ~ Pals mem gts 3 ~ - ey pant ttn tar env teaslba tis otlin oon ioe WN Oe ee nee a ta aa celia ek han Ait Fo pm eae ae Oe Teen ae Belly ome me pharem et ee he eer Perte Nie! Tage Tarren OT MSM GFR e tearine Sone th thee Th Atta 6 tym olnaunlete nee anne eet 167 COMSTIAGIOM) Ts aleta > =\at ein ore! sles sleloce « o/ein chal cele) sins « ste cieia! ale) miiarnianenet coos 168 Falling down of the Fundament, Bho Sonim bGcGode a al ales! sis Saf eia erate ohare 171 Walley IN ite ona ate cleilovs)o/oyiel ele alors «:ele alleieissbia aie. syeheajeie eels velo tre aie) Miata stat eee 171 HET EY OLOMIYss'»/cicia\cle'ale a's (oe .c > o'clnlaie ain 0 o.cs cid cic sie’ sss sim o mislaslotele mia ulataiete 175 Falling of the Calf-Bed, or Womb, .........-.cessecece cues ar simian eels 176 MEAT Ct oie eloisipiehy nie coi tis (eis: slvbielecs eic\ele-e sjcks olaeig sieveietel el eiciele a) eete eioleleiee 177 OLE DCALSS rele clots Cine ie cata sl ciciate ere binlete es wile Ae el aia laVe'd c eielane tere mele Renee 178 Chapped Teats and Chafed Udder,..........csecccnceseecces cece 178 BICVER 6 ee aw eiete ee ice Se she's win'e ete e'e ais oe Su ae ele oetere e © c)s sais ee tenn eneaen 178 Milk or Puerperal Fever,.........---.. BASHMOUOOOOO oom. cucu douae 182 Tnflammiatory? HPEVEN)< 2c cc 6c cicle's ciclelela alee «cls «oe cle alu beet ala seta ete ye 183 Mays EWEN A ectere aol oleic cleleholafeleletol efclstel «o's o\fetaletet eta tel oteteNciiete plete leters 186 isvoram aul bmn Gino ALB ani RADIO DO OIiQGO. ULEAD a Sonoma Oo or od dh elinlict ob taetnta 189 PMB OE GIOM tl WO Wess so ai/> one el slayer =< SRO ici Ati eis aielel a alle Slaqetanete mies Pee SLI IES WOnVveTOKe hee Seistas afer s states in ose Se Ol US iy kai we'd Bstetaldetanets wade LOS. Jel, SoS ay CBG Senin) mileielplascietel | els/s.2 sie) slsje/e'e/e/e) sal» > sis = elelicyely etal amine 195 INGE = OURS ac lc/ ale’ clei cleo eyeraeluelnta NEDO ORO D OmOu Dr cd ot clue a)em oleate: sateen 196 UMC tec as icielone ois a atase ovsieieie, e's cis ieisve sieve sldnciatelel wie toletelale\clat alt letehs Aatete iments 196 Importance of keeping the Skin of Animals in a a Healthy State, sveci sen 197 Pa yams COWS, cielss css eee s naine sla otaicit /elalg css ein av e\eld'e whe oleleys) sleteranal ately 201 Operation of Spaying,.......-2-+- g's elasel el elle ies a,e\blae © awlsclte miele luMihys 204 SHEEP. Preliminary Remarks,.......+.-.-- sels bias « Ucjelle e/s)ahelals eeeeeescenes seeee 209 PILES OCIS, craters sare eiclaile sieje clare’ ovetale Boece Bb dat clo Pihia » elves sietmrnie cle amok 219 JLENo) of id eto yeaa Sea he Seats ate oe oa fateh tae er CLC ration atone gia ae eae Odea! ereronetaene 220 Rot, @eeereevee2eeeeoe ee ©ee7eee ee se eeee2 eG ee08 @ecovepoeoevevveeoe eococeeegenve0ee 221 CONTENTS. 7 Epilepsy, ---.---0seccescccecccccccces salen) mi etatal tata Sp aisieiararsiaraie aaa 222 MMT fees 2 ea cna. ee) 5), 94.44 8 ic AW aide 9 Haig Gass MRIAAIDS le Males aia 223 Cachexy, or General Debility, 21>) abe esas bape iollaiein ich aPeptale ae eietaeetereys 224 Me REN IICEIGGS 5/0) ) 5,10, 9,2\a/-.,«, »jx, 10; «/epareissal sia; = @(2)0i'9,er) c's jatell)a) alo) 4ie' whale sieialole 224 Foundering, (Rheumatism,) ........sseseccscsescceeeeees ia viereiaialareibuate 224 TR one Ce erese ere sal peeled eleGAved sekaiapasetinpercysyat ome eles ivieMisa ke 225 SOP) Ga ic ES GRORRN Se niSnmeinsoc pn omen sign, sisjehare eines sisial= into a slemee 225 Marae a eet te oles alete ohn ain,aisls\« ,eleinie ietoipin pisasto un oie io gehniei \eise heise ain aie ae oie ee 227 Wo WEED EIS Tb SSS Greens ane Seon on a Coote o Onn nme Met tn or Ar Ar hin 227 Constipation, or Stretches,.....0....ccseeees Biel ine. ahakarattielel ate! er alot se) sites dtl 228 RCRDRC er cle’ sisieicid.ce cetera cele e es Bh agiaray atte eeatal es aie at ie hier S mhatalakaimle etaletarsza (eters 230 MEAN Sees s)Wayiate Vol Si al oo s°Sinpa. aca layn seis cisye paw aja'e/ ais «syaie’e\d os sieves) ale) o:acaiaraia 231 A PRIPPICE peatefereia\ <>» Souwaw eben ewe NWO GLEEC REYES ERs cant notE at 266 ETS. ss vec ee some ee Besisiedalalialistolo wie mie vob Mik velotiwe Kla%ePatanwn tartrate sais 266 MPEP AOI ey niece icie ee rivieie sat cxiew st sh she s/s heitebne 6 sean e kee Wem ¢ 267 RAR Gog cc's coca 0s Fn alco eiaeeaa vie sla Baie sad ad Pee ea ne pene ie esas 267 PEt gig. ae ib ih'ei n'nio 1h miaicte, aicia egos safare ee belteibeda toma tarore to Woretora rove Hea! sca Saale 267 ACER ates Ai stale atafninitge Ao layacte OE lee Atl dae cliglerele whales dete agioic ele sce'ei eae 268 tg nee iainia aie ss ise RS Dede eae eG CRS INS Ge ee ede see yee 268 ie neg wicye nine cis isla sic wane KOE MME Wael ends Melia tis so le hkwee 268 WNC ee acdc Seis vce s bc cee. lati alel ers Nie stal'eicictehe ator chores deve ‘arevd avateenat aula 269 8 CONTENTS. PS PAYA Holclevele t= in\atctaietciatelat sixlote Sb cba oe ehetetenele mr o{elsle's|ats's (ol otete tate iets 270 WMarious Breeds! of (Swit, ies o c'sc ss! sisiei0 1s wielul ein alates iaCaalielig ab haralete tetapern ete 271 Berkshire Breed, ....-..-. ese Sodaed Aas PASCO OR Gbm dade abc 271 ammpshire Breed) care ire1c)ate\etelaia icles ale\n’s,0/etelleleye lo ololalalisja! oletelepeletaren al peta 271 Shropshire Breed) 2%. icc) elects os a'sele oe'ule sitehe.e:atru?e' bet ake ere aie eae! elie ata fate 272 Chhimese) “Breed re toca io ts acta tase vee olla rate ta o's 'o hoje iatate ls ele BAA cach o's Gtaleretatets 272 Boars and Sows for Breeding,.......... pele viofalafeteteterei tate al steaftha teens tenate ites 272 Hear igs WP Ue G yc leie a wlaleiciete «/ inleih © ele wie'sie so fale elem erare lee ie tase nin citer 273 Batterie TVG ag): telgaia lovato tm lM ileje%~ le lela\'e te» aie" Sa cociiier GGecogsS sod hs 275 Method of Curing Swine’s Flesh,....... stalatofetaits ‘ofotoia aancelelevs afarepevateestetena 277 APPENDIX. On the Action of; Medicinés,...: 2.6.6.5 025. cee wom oie Suaiote leteiinehore siaiieteinee 279 WV StCLS seis aieic)s' + eicic.n «ee veimimjelaje einie.6\clelble,s.s\ajnie aisieubysre ies a-mielaiclels ail tiaieiaee 281 Forms of: Clystérs,;<.... 63.50 ce. se UAB SIS BMEQAU COMO AG oD adoa ooo - 283 AGEEUSTOTIS foe eicrere ee scale Mineo awoke ieee atbieie’e ere Save! a Ma setacje are uote tetedalete cists eakenene 286 PACS ASMNOGUCS Neleyeruiersie cvaviejeietcyelelete ice (claicigi ens eisete Ba 860856 5645 faa ss 287 MOMICMEATIOMS 1.215 (50002 eeiess cio cloih iclele Gets Coo oie ieie Bie icv ooy Cla ole te ahaa eee 287- Miao a ESiiilcieie wcwelclels cleline wlevelevelsiee eleih clatereiele's ahs) cealeialale c/o eiverei eae a temeeae - 289 WVia SINS Sails ES BESS NAS So sie rave te. yee, or balte iteuminey er GUens oil mt ae ae ey oa 289 Pay Ste MOT ALLIEN «ec slraateo ole lee aépieieiceliote we sitlerere afeve |e ia ue eae tne ob oi aim 20 Mild Physic for Cattle,............ oa e's wie yore, « + sis elelccele refer ierenmens 291 MB OUUGIC ES reels shee tie he Aiken We eieleleus sale ale aia sov's in’ .6 sla) a veg eke ye Sete eee ern 292 LM CS. GO ALTESt BLCECING, 6 vereilore ce oleic s oe och o6 anes 4 ceiaemm ay nent 296 PATOSOL IDET AG sce ga ei vlens 6G sbiare Gio ous Aialeina axe lol sip ial onsdece a VRE siajelesevsgenainbor 296 Moris Of “A DSOTDCIIES. + 4.2 sie5 @iere aca ein o's 6 oo 8 6: ol ase) bulaialetel oa enone ee eee 297 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA, embracing a List of the various Remedies used by the Author of this Work in the Practice of Medicine on Cattle, Sheep, and Swine,..... 6 ae Silo sie lonelens anmbeceue eked 299 Generali Remarks om Niedicines, 2 525.. sac. «= cs wm wi clots ale aloes eralnl ueelaneeeR ne 312 Properties/o£ Plamtgy ti: rein 6.0 maleic ssc t-e'c\s > == a 'aie' o/s) ofoleyeiinielelene tania 815 MPO ERCO Es Cah e sie eee ie eee ae ee ea ee saa. eens Gee ora oe ae oe er 316 TREATMENT OF DISEASE IN DOGS — Preliminary Remarks, .... 323 MD IGECIMET, o's cicce ee ie elec wa wi sheleetel sloxeie © e\s'sla ©! b\e's\e: ole, ¢ ote eldle ile teem eaenn 325 DIGS aie Te SC SAN, die ae witha Siale’sce culate clwilelsiovv ase etsy elanane eta aaa 326 IVT ING, ie aicievelcisSiacehepelw se olde ocie: eanieleVsie\s e009 sjmls oe:ks(e\e.e.6 Siero Ta eae 327 Wien PUG Die Biate rss aretal ol tye.e) o'e/Pelle’a\e) 6 8 ee cnseleveielallo st aia toloiove lollelene ene ieee 328 imitergal Abscess "of theMary, 222.265 5h:5.cic\c2)s\5 c ierere «© wtey ae ele eee 329 Wiceratroncor tie VMare oi oc: h ic !e le Pie lecstehove ete eiele le eccieles wie euene Sete Rae aera 329 intlammatron Of cele Bo welsyii.'. sai /c.c1s isis es clsie ts so allele ale SISO roeeralIe Spee 329 irmiiammieationtor the Blad Ger, vi. :.sb%. es ee oleiicieve: sie «cree cieteie crear ies 2/330) JAR ONE WAS AOE oe Sialeieinlaelsia alle\e velsiels aw ce (ole e\9 le 'e''s o/eoilele' ain cyoreletalelsietel ete tnenene 381 MUGS ety re isis ale/ipieials Blip irieliniss, aya my ol eminer aoleilale e's oe sie abereloyelel Ce tetera ene 331 Dropsy,,+ +++ ss =5 +! Fes5 S454 55 4855 5050 wine 4 j0\:0,0;0\n|0i6) hile els 'e'e ete el aheel eran 332 Store: Minn aibain cw ene wists yeve alta lols we ole # aloes ole bale wlio ele ots oictele ee ae nee 332 are Wars.) 2. cee/s< ila g d0 a lai-e, ie jee b'se' oe a nile oie allelinlclalivie/oie! siete letaiele etme SOTO LER: (als Greccitald late voi imine! aise aie a hs eke levee ovesie io Weceljoim leva ole’ » pie Cae ere Re eee 333 BUNAG@UETN GIS: (2)n2 sere tae & ule weve tore ie tne Wintel ears Wickes cise miptaretbnove Saete oss eS ene 333 RORATING 10 lel ove re = iia la/ee/aioleva oils n\iose ai epleleliololie nivale le!» wo\ellsjauieiaiote\/alaleyotele decal tale nage neem ES SARs eile tolls iarelia at eile- ye te:ta te \biiealie Cen ie Vaid basse ofa bells ite a tialisiioe tee). ore: alts tolens te CTE Sea 334 (Ojolntnmibae . Ap eenes ahG Jb aonodsor obo do 30 46 pleieleters sls ole fo. potetstaiohevepa tere 334 \Weaik Iiyesy de as odaonssngnuoccoca sas {ne in nin; 6) Ae sate! sa\ oye /slaterditatelaeieae esse 385 Blea sande Sra: oie boo ake once ss sete ya; Sinbe sis lolls\ ailelaliewe /o/ete lalate Shc a te rennet + 38385 EV GrOplO DIA, ie ms eile ieee ier 2 ee = wis sie ela ieieie © eins, ojei nis ab ais allots inl) iai ee iatamapaiere 335 MALIGNANT MILK SICKNESS of the Western States, or Contagious MyDS etal te leleleselaynysteliela) steve velaieicieista stele a\el= a blatabe oie wite ctejata eimmoceteue erate 339 BONE DISORDER IN COWS, qievstalalo ciel os cislere telat yeieia)s essa ele 6 Ose 351 INTRODUCTION. Tuere is no period in the history of the United States when our domestic animals have ranked so high as at the present time; yet there is no subject on which there is such a lamentable want of knowledge as the proper treatment of their diseases. Governor Briggs, in a recent letter to the author, says, “ You have my thanks, and, in my opinion, are entitled to the thanks of the community, for entering upon this important work. While the subject has engaged the attention of scien- tific men in other countries, it has been too long neglected in our own. Cruelty and ignorance have marked our treatment to diseased animals. Ignorant himself both of the disease and the remedy, the owner has been in the habit of adminis- tering the popular remedy of every neighbor who had no better powers of knowing what should be done than himself, until the poor animal, if the disease would not have proved fatal, is left alone, until death, with a friendly hand, puts a period to his sufferings: he is, however, often destroyed by the amount or destructive character of the remedies, or else by the cruel mode of administering them. I am per- suaded that the community will approve of your exertions, and find it to their interest to support and sustain your sys- tem.” The author has labored for several years to substitute a safer and a more efficient system of medication in the treat- 2 10 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ment of diseased animals, and at the same time to point out to the American people the great benefits they will derive from the diffusion of veterinary education. That many thousands of our most valuable cattle die under the treatment, which consists of little else than blood-letting, purging, and blistering, no one will deny; and these danger- ous and destructive agents are frequently administered by men who are totally unacquainted with the nature of the agents they prescribe. But a better day is dawning; veter- inary information is loudly called for— demanded ; and the farmers will have it; but 7¢ must be a safer and a more efficient system than that heretofore practised. The object of the veterinary art is not only congenial with human medicine, but the very same paths that lead to a knowledge of the diseases of man lead also to a knowledge of those of brutes. Our domestic animals deserve consideration at our hands. We have tried all manner of experiments on them for the benefit of science ; and science and scientific men should do something to repay the debt, by alleviating their sufferings and improving their condition. We are told that physicians of all ages have applied themselves to the dissection of ani- mals, and that it was by analogy that those of Greece and Rome judged of the structure of the human body. For ex- ample, the Greeks and Arabians confined themselves to the dissection of apes and other quadrupeds. Galen has given us the anatomy of the ape for that of man; and it is clear that his dissections were restricted to brutes, when he says, that ‘if learned physicians have been guilty of gross errors, it is because they neglected to dissect animals.” We advocate the establishment of veterinary schools, and the cultivation of our reformed system of veterinary medicine, on the broad principles of humanity. ‘These poor animals are as suscepti- ble to pain and suffering as we are. Has not the Almighty given us dominion over them, and placed them under our protection? Have we done our duty by them? Can we render a good account of our stewardship ? INTRODUCTION. 11 In almost every department of science the spirit of inquiry is abroad, investigation is active; yet, in this department, every thing is left to chance and ignorance. Men of all pro- fessions find it for their interest to protect property. ‘The merchant, previous to sending his vessel on a voyage to a distant port, seeks out a skilful navigator to pilot that vessel into her desired haven with safety. He protects his property. We protect our property against the ravages of fire by insur- ance — we defend our houses from the lightning by conduct- ing that fluid down the sides of the building into the earth. And shall we not protect our animals? Is not property in- vested in live stock as valuable, in proportion, as that invested in real estate? Can we permit live stock to degenerate and die prematurely from a want of knowledge of the fundamen- tal laws of their being? Can we look on and see their heart’s blood drawn from them —their flesh setoned, burned, and blistered — simply because it was the misguided custom of our ancestors ? | We appeal to the American people at large. They have great encouragement to educate young men in this important branch of study; for the beneficial results will be, that the diseases of all classes of domestic animals will be better understood, and the great losses which this country sustains will, in a few years, be materially diminished. This is not all. The value of live stock will be increased at least twenty-five per cent ! Look for a moment at the amount of capital invested in live stock ; and from these statistics the reader will perceive that not only the farmers, but the whole nation, will be en- riched. ‘There are in the United States at least 6,000,000 horses and mules; these, at the rate of $50 per head, amount to $300,000,000. It is also estimated that there are 20,000,000 of neat cattle; reckon these at $25 per head, and we get the snug little sum of $500,000,000. We have also 20,000,000 sheep, worth the same number of dollars. 'The number of swine have been computed at 24,000,000; and these, at $3 per head, give us $72,000,000. Hence the reader will see that the capital invested in this class of live stock reaches the 12 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. enormous sum of $892,000,000. Add the 25 per cent. just alluded to, and we get a clear gain of $223,000,000. This sum would be sufficient to build veterinary schools and col- leges capable of affording ample accommodations to every farmer’s son in the Union. Hence we entreat the farming community to ponder on these subjects. ‘They have only to say the word, and schools for the dissemination of veterinary information shall spring up in every section of the Union. Does the reader wish to know how the farmers can accom- plish this important object? We answer, there are four mil- lions of men engaged in agricultural pursuits. Their number is three times greater than that of those engaged in naviga- tion, the learned professions, commerce, and manufactures. Hence they have the numerical power to control the govern- ment of these United States, and of course can plead their own cause in the halls of congress, and vote their own sup- plies for educational purposes. When the author first commenced a warfare against the lancet and other destructive agents, his only hopes of success were based on the codperation of this mighty host of hus- bandmen; he well knew that there were many prejudices to be overcome, and none greater than those existing among his brethren of the same profession. The farmers have just begun to see the absurdity of bleeding an animal to death, with a view of saving life; or pouring down their throats powerful and destructive agents, with a view of making one disease to cure another! If the cattle doctors, then, will not reform, they must be reformed through the giant influence of popular opinion. Already the cry is, and it emanates from some of the most influential agriculturists in the country, —“ Ne more blood-letting !’’ ‘‘ Use your poisons on yourselves.” To the cattle-rearing interest, at the hands of many of whom the author has received aid and encouragement, the following pages are dedicated; they are intended to furnish them with practical information, with a view of preventing disease, in- creasing the value of their stock, and restoring them to health when sick. INTRODUCTION. 13 In reference to our reformed system of veterinary medica- tion, it will be sufficient, in the present place, just to glance at the fundamental principles. In the succeeding pages these principles will be more fully explained. We contemplate the animal system as a complicated piece of mechanism, subject to the uncompromising and immutable laws of nature, as they are written upon the face of animate nature by the finger of Omnipotence. All our intentions of cure being in accordance with nature’s laws, (viz., promoting the integrity of the living powers,) we have termed our system a physiological one, though it is some- times termed botanic, in allusion to the fact that most of our remedial agents are derived from the vegetable kingdom. We recognize a conservative or healing power in the animal econ- omy, whose unerring indications we endeavor to follow; con- sidering nature the physician, and the doctor her servant. Our system proposes, under all circumstances, to restore the diseased organs to a healthy state, by cooperating with the vitality remaining in those organs, by the exhibition of sana- tive means, and, under all circumstances, to assist, and not Oppose, nature in her curative processes. Poisonous sub- stances, blood-letting, or processes of cure that act pathologi- cally, cannot be used by us. The laws of animal life are physiological: they never were, nor ever will be, pathological. The agents we use are just as we find them in the forest and the field, compounded by the Great Physician. Hence the reader will perceive that our aim is to depart from the popular debilitating and life-destroying practice, and approach as near as possible to the sanative. G. H. D. THE AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. IMPORTANCE OF SUPPLYING CATTLE WITH PURE WATER. In order to prevent many of the diseases to which cattle are liable, it is important that they be supplied with pure water. Cattle have often been known to turn away from the filthy fluid found in some troughs, which abound in slime and decayed vegetable matter ; and, indeed, the common stag- nated pond water is no better than the former. Such water has, in former years, proved itself to be a serious cause of disease ; and, at the present day, death is running riot among the stock of our western, and also our northern farmers, when, to our certain knowledge, the cause exists, in some cases, under their very noses. The farmers ofttimes see their best stock sicken and die without any apparent cause; and the cattle doctors are running rough-shod through the materia medica, pouring down the throats of the poor brutes salts by the pound, castor oil by the quart ; aloes, lard, and a host of kindred trash, follow in rapid succession, converting the stomach into a sort of apothecary’s shop; setons are inserted in the ‘“dewlap;” the horns are bored, and sometimes sawed off ; and, as a last resort, the animals are blistered and bled. They sometimes recover, in spite of the violence done to the constitution ; yet they drag out a low form of vitality, living, 16 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. it may be said, yet half dead, until some friendly epidemic puts a period to their sufferings. The author’s attention was first called to this subject on reading an article in an English work, the substance of which is as follows: A number of working oxen were put into a pasture, in which was a pond, considered to abound in good water. Soon after putting them there, they were attacked with scouring, upon which they were immediately removed | to another field. ‘The scouring continued. ‘They still, how- ever, drank at the same pond. 'They were shifted to another piece of very sweet pasture without arresting the disease. The farmer thought it evident that the pastures were not the cause of the disease; and, contrary to the advice of his friends, who affirmed that the spring was always noticed for the excellence of its water, fenced his pond round, so that the cattle could not drink; they were then driven to a distance and watered. ‘I'he scouring gradually disappeared. ‘The farmer now proceeded to examine the suspected pond; and, on stirring the water, he found it all alive with small crea- tures. He now stirred into the water a quantity of hme, and soon after an immense number of animalcule were seen dead on the surface. Ina short time, the cattle drank of this water without any injurious results. There is no doubt but that inferior kinds of water produce derangement of the digestive organs, and subsequently loss of flesh, debility, &c. We have frequently made post mortem examinations of animals that have died from disease induced by debility, and have often found a large number of worms in the stomach and intestines, which, we firmly believe, had their origin either primarily from the water itself, or subse- quently from its effects on the digestive function. All decayed animal and vegetable matter tends to corrupt water, and render it unfit for the purposes of life. Now, if the farmer has the best spring in the world, and the water shall flow from it, as it sometimes does, through whole fields of gutter or dike, abounding in decayed filth, such water will be impregnated with agents that will more or less affect its purity. ON FEEDING CATTLE. 17 REMARKS ON FEEDING CATTLE. Many of the most complicated diseases of cattle originate from the food: for example, it may be given in too large quantities more than is needed to build up and repair the waste that is constantly going on. The consequence is, the animals get into a state of plethora, which is known by heav- iness, dulness, unwillingness to move; there is a disposition to sleep, and they will lie down and often go to sleep in damp places. A chill of the extremities, or collapse of the capillaries, takes place, resulting in diseases of the lungs and pleura. At other times, if driven a short distance, and made to walk fast, they are liable to disease of the brain and other organs, which frequently terminates fatally. The food may be of such a nature as shall be very difficult of digestion, such as cornstalks, foxgrass, frosted turnips, &c. The clover and grasses may abound in woody fibre, in conse- quence of being cut too late; they will then require more than the usual amount of gastric fluids to msalivate them, and more time to masticate, and, finally, extract their nutri- mental properties. ‘The stomach becomes overworked, pro- ducing sympathetic diseases of the brain and nervous struc- tures. ‘The stomach not being able to act on fibrous matter with the same despatch as on softer materials, the former accumulates in its different compartments, distends the viscera, interferes with the motion of the diaphragm, presses on the liver, seriously interfering with the bile-secreting process. In order to prevent the grass and clover from becoming tough and fibrous, it should be mowed early, and while in flower, and should be afterwards almost constantly attended to, if the weather is favorable; the more it is scattered about, the bet- ter will it be made, and the more effectually will its fragrance and other good qualities be preserved. The food may also be deficient in nutriment. The effects of insufficient food are too well known to need much descrip- tion: debility includes them all; it invades every function of 3 18 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the animal economy. And as life is the sum of the powers that resist disease, if disease is only the instrument of death, it follows, of course, that whatever enfeebles life, or, in other words, produces debility, must predispose to disease. Many cattle, during the winter, live on bad hay, which does not appear to contain any of that saccharine and muci- laginous matter which is 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. In 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, too 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- took of the character of essential oil, and was not so easily evaporated as that of poisonous vegetables; 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 state. ‘This fact being established from numerous exper- iments, then there must be a great saving and superiority in ON FEEDING CATTLE. 19 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- cal for fattening cattle. “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 : — 8. de “13 Ibs. of linseed, bruised, or 2 lbs. per ving for six days, and 1 1b. for Sunday, .. . +) Ly 9 32 lbs. of ground corn, or 5 Ibs. per noe ie S1X ay and 23. lbs: for Sunday,.at 1d. per lbi,..... ..,. 2-8 35 lbs. of turnips, given twice a day or six days, and thrice on Sunday, . . . iesarher cyon etal 26 Oats, 14 d.: labor on each beast, 6 Ht Senthil o Ay (e. Potalcost of each beast per-week,) 9.0.9 5.) 6 64 “The horses, cows, and young stock are also fed on this food, evidently with great advantage.”’ Mr. Workington, a successful dairyman, combining cut feed 20 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, (lin- seed would be preferable,) 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 each article of food : — Water Husk, or (Starch, gum, Gluten, Fatty Saline * |woody fibre.| and sugar. | albumen, &c.| matter. | matter. Oats 16 20 45 11 6 2.5 Beams) ., iis ah 14 8 to ll 40 26 2.5 8 Pease, ... 14 9 50 24 2.1 3 Indian corn, 14 6 70 12 5 to 9 1.6 Barley, «:. . 15 14 52 13.5 2 to 3 3 Meadow hay, 14 30 40 Cal 2 to 5 | 5 to 10 Clover hay, 14 25 40 9.3 3 to 5 9 Pea straw, .|10to ld 25 465 12.3 15| 4tod Oat straw, . 12 45 30 1.3 0.8 6 @arrots. yor 85 3 10 1.5 0.4] 1 to 2 Linseed,. . 9.2 8 to 9 35.3 20.3 20.0 6.3.4 | Bran, Spay ie 53. 6 2 19.3 4.7 ics: 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 THE BARN AND FEEDING BYRE. 21 former years, and on the farmer complaining at the cause to his man, as they had plenty of keep, the man replied, ‘ You will never have 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.” Had this man been acquainted with agricultural and animal chemistry, he would have had a clear conception of the seeming absurdity. All our labor 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 reproducing 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. Ir 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 na- ture of oxen, and becomes the source of numberless diseases. Endeavors are made to promote the lacteal secretion in cows, 22 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 all 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 on the lungs and entire system. 'T'o 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 Mr. 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 of 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 oroutermost 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 whole 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 BYRE. 23 to the other ; which is strengthened by two strong upright supporters to the roof, placed at equal distances from the ends of the byre; and the main beam is again subdivided by the cattle 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 walk, 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 raise his 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, ike 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 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 of 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 violence done to the parts under the operation of milking. Young animals are often unwilling to be milked: here a little patience and kindness will perform wonders. It is not the quantity of milk that gives value to the dairy cow; for the milk of one good cow will 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, curd, and whey) can easily be separated: thus the cream rises to the surface, and the curd and whey will separate if KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 25 the milk becomes sour, or a little rennet is poured into it. 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 the 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 applied; if butter is too slowly or too hastily churned; or if other minute at- tentions are neglected, the milk will be in a great measure lost. If 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. Ir is a well-known fact 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 of time, a A 26 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 applies 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 exhaust 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. assim- ilated 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 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 hand, some plants mutually prevent each other’s devel- opment. The same happens if young cattle are suffered to _ 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 their 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 uncompromising ; 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 hight, 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 shali flow untold blessings. 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 oak, the elm, or the cedar degenerated? No. Each has preserved its identity, and will continue so to do, at least just as the Di- vine Artist intended they should, 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 28 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 prevent 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 lke 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 or 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 is 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 constant, and which are changeable. By making an analysis KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY IMPORTANT TO FARMERS. 29 of the soil at different periods, through the process of germi- nation, growth, and maturity, we are enabled to 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 as 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 or saf- 30 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. fron in the food; the odor may be influenced by garlic; the flavor may be altered by pine and wormwood; and lastly, the medicinal effect may be influenced. , In the cultivation 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, will 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. Larce 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 ‘like 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- mitted and aggravated. The destructive practice of breeding ‘in and in,’ or, in BREEDING. 31 other words, selecting animals of the same family, is 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 zo 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. 3 Mr. Colman, in an article on live stock, says, ‘“‘ There seems to 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- ity, the power of continuing the species seems to become ex- tinct ; at least it approximates to such a result. On the other hand, by wholly neglecting all selection, and without an oc- easional good cross with an animal of some foreign blood, there appears a tendency to revert back to the large-boned, long-legged animal, from which the zmprovement 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.”’ Overtaxing the generative powers of the male is another cause of deterioration. The reader is probably aware of the 32 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. woful results attending too frequent sexual intercourse. If he has not given this subject the attention it demands, then let him 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- lates 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. This horse was kept at Windsor for public covering without 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 promising 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 recommends that ‘“‘ valuable qualities once established, which it is desirable to keep up, should thereafter 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. 30 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 is a 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 feetus by a premature birth —in short, pays the penalty of disobedience to the immutable law 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, and without which it is almost worthless for making butter or = a 34 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. cheese. A cow should never be bred from unless she shall be in good health and flesh. If she cannot be fatted, then 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 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 of soundness, form, size, and color. ‘There 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 no hollows behind the shoulders; the plates strong, to keep his belly from sinking below the level of his breast; his back or loin broad, straight, and flat; his ribs rising one above an- VALUE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF COWS. 35 other, in such a manner that the last rib shall be rather the 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 glebular, 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 broad, well haired, and set on so as to be in the same horizontal line with his back.” VALUE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS OF COWS. Mr. Culley, in speaking of the relative value of long and short horns, says, ‘“‘’[he 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. Each 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 con- 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 for 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 our short-horned breed- ers being now more enlarged, and their minds more open to 36 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. . conviction, we may hope in a few years to see great improve- 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 to 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- _ ness 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 esteemed in Scotland; and in England the iwnproved 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. Take 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, and let it stand three or four days; in which time it will have MAKING CHEESE. 37 formed 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 the 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 perfectly 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 pit 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 attention 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 is no doubt but the home consumption of 38 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. good cheese would soon materially increase, for many thous sands of our citizens refuse to eat of the miserable stuff ‘‘misnamed cheese.” ‘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 cattle. ‘It is to be observed, in general, that cheese varies in qual- ity, according as it has been made of milk of one 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 of salting, and the management of the cheese-room, are all objects of 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 of well-conducted experiment. GLOUCESTER CHEESE. “In Gloucestershire, where the manufacture of cheese is perhaps as well understood as in any part of the world, they make the best cheeses of a single meal of milk; and, when this is done in the best manner, the entire meal of milk is used, without any addition from a former meal. But it not unfrequently happens that a portion of the milk is reserved and set by to be skimmed for butter; and at the next milk- ing this proportion is added to the new milk, from which 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 MAKING CHEESE. 39 pounds,) the other about twice that number. The best 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 cistern. When the milk is too cold, a portion of it is warmed over the fire and mixed with the rest. “The coloring matter, (annatto,) in Cheshire, is added by tying up as much of the substance as is thought sufficient in a linen rag, and putting it into a half pint of warm water, to AO 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 jong 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, immediately 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 rubbed 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 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 three 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 MAKING CHEESE. Al curd has come, it is not broken, as in making other 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- come 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. 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, till the curd be pretty solid. When this happens, they put it into a drainer with holes, and apply a weight. As soon as 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 on a dry board or pine floor. It is turned and rubbed frequently with a hard, coarse cloth, to prevent moulding or breeding mites. No coloring matter 6 A2 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. is used in making Dunlop cheese, except by such as wish to imitate the English cheese. GREEN CHEESE. ‘Green cheese is made by steeping over night, in a proper quantity of milk, 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 wholesale 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 circum- stance. “The second fault is the acridness, or 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. ‘The 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 it too long in the brine. “The calf from which the rennet is to be taken should not be allowed to suck on the day on which it is killed. The office of the rennet, or stomach of the calf, is, to supply the 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 apply 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 minutes. 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 butter, the buttermilk should be returned to the milk of which the cheese is to be made. ‘The greatest care should be taken in 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 like 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 much of the proper richness taken from the cheese.”’ 44 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. MAKING BUTTER. Ir is a matter of impossibility to make a superior article of butter from the milk of a cow in a diseased state; for if either of the organs of secretion, absorption, digestion, or cir- culation, be deranged, we cannot expect good blood. The milk being a secretion from the blood, it follows that, in or- 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 of 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”: becomes warm. ‘The cream should then be deposited in a deep pan, placed in the coolest part of the dairy, or in a cool cellar, where free air is admitted. -In hot weather, churning should be performed, if possible, every other day; but if this is not convenient, the cream should be daily shifted into a clean pan, and the churning should never be less frequent than twice a week. This work should be performed in the MAKING BUTTER. A5 coolest time of the day, and in the coolest part of 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, (cari-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 hot water, the operation to be performed in a moderately warm room. 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 col- 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- ble 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 REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ings too 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. ‘To 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 carrot and the flowers of the marigold. ‘The juice of 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 butter, that it never communicates to it any peculiar taste. ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. AZ DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. sophagus, or Gullet.— 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 is 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 into 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 itscontents. 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 manyplus 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 of the food, we just observed, had ascended 48 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the gullet by the aid of spiral muscles, and entered the mouth ; 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 into the manyplus or manifolds, as it is termed. The manyplus abounds internally in a number of leaves, called lamine. Some of these are attached to the upper and lower portion of the division, and also float loose, and pene- trate into the cesophagian canal. The lamine 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 of 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 papille, or prominences, present a rough and sufficiently hard exterior to grind down the food, unless it shall have 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, like other parts of the organization, suffers from over-exertion, and a corresponding debility 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 is 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 functions are not impaired. The glands alluded to secrete from the blood ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. AY a powerful solvent, called the gastric juice, which is the agent in 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 all 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 nutritious portion of the food, and has a milky appear- ance. ‘The chyle is received into a set of very minute tubes, called dacteals, which are exceedingly numerous, and arise by open mouths from the inner surface of the abomasum and in- testines. ‘I‘hey receive the chyle; from thence it passes into 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 alcohol, 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. It appears to serve as a reservoir for the blood that may be designed for the secretion of bile in the liver. P. M. Roget: Ly A f 5G AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. says, ‘‘ Any theory that assigns a very important function to the spleen will be overturned by the fact, that in many animals the removal of this organ, far from being fatal, or interrupting, in any sensible manner, the continuance of the functions, seems to be borne with perfect impunity.” Suir E. Home, Bichat, Leuret, Lassaigne, and others, suppose that ‘the spleen serves as a receptacle for the superfluous quantity of fluid taken into the stomach.” The Liver is a dense gland, of a lobulated structure, situ- ated below the diaphragm, or “skirt.” It is supplied, hke 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 circulated in the usual manner unite together into a large trunk, called vena porte, (gate vein,) and this vein, on entering the liver, ramifies like an artery, and ultimately ter- minates in the branches of the hepatic veins, which transmit 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 sub- 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 lobules, and those contained in canals formed by lobules. ‘The first class is composed of in- terlobular branches, one of which occupies the centre of each lobule, 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 canals 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 connected to, as well as separated from, contiguous lobules, and in which branches of ORGANS OF DIGESTION IN CATTLE. 51 the hepatic duct, portal veins, and hepatic artery ramify. The ultimate branches of the hepatic artery terminate in the branches of the portal vein, where the blood 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 occupy 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 obstructed by calculi, 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 in, 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 matters; that is to say, the agent in the formation of chyle out of those substances. 52 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ‘M. Bernard has proved that this remarkable office is per- formed by the pancreatic juice ; he has demonstrated the fact by three conclusive proofs. ‘1. The pancreatic juice, pure and recently otetieth 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 constituent acids. “2. The chyle only begins to appear in the lacteals below that part of the intestipal 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.” 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 1t 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 that the fatty matters are reduced to an emulsion. On the contrary, as soon as the pancreatic juice mixes with the alimentary mat- ters, we observe the fat to be converted into an emulsion, and a milky chyle to fill the corresponding lacteals. Nothing can RESPIRATION 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 cases, hitherto imperfectly understood, should come to con- firm the views of M. Bernard, by proving that, in diseases of the pancreas, fatty matters have been observed to pass un- changed in the dejections. ‘The committee cannot hesitate 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 the 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 by virtue of their own elasticity. This may be exemplified by means of a sponge, which may be com- 54 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. pressed into a small compass by the hand, but, upon opening the hand, the sponge returns to its natural size, and all its cavities become filled with air. The purification of the blood 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 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. Tue 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 ttle 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 serwm. and resembles the white of an ( 55 ) THE HEART VIEWED EXTERNALLY. = : 2 4 = ; dos ae VT im ’ ee iff . CUT» Rez, Migs || | Sn Y | mom] Xo Uj But oh TO ——<—~ yr : LAM ni i ms xu i Mn « (ui yy ( ny « Be ° / ©} => Ge ———— —— ——S3s —S—SSSS = = w SS ——— 7 = ———= =— er, Lair = = SEZ an = —s ———— ute —— Se Rein a eines SSS—S———= ———— Ss >> ny —— | ii uu) a, the left ventricle; 5, the right ventricle; c, e, f, the aorta; g, h, 2, the carotid and other arteries springing from the aorta; 4, the pulmonary artery ; 7, branches of the pulmonary artery in the lungs; m,m, the pulmonary veins emptying into the left auricle; n, the right auricle; 0, the ascending vena cava; g, the descending vena cava; 1, the left auricle; s, the coronary vein and artery. (See Circulation of the Blood, on the opposite page.) 56 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. egg; the other is the clot, or crassamentum, and forms the red coagulum, or jelly-like substance. This is accompanied by whitish tough threads, called fibrine. | When blood has been drawn from an animal, and it assumes 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 is 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. after 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 up- CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD. 57 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 lttle 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 far 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 opinion has been 8 58 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. broached 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 quarts, 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. REMARKS ON BLOOD-LETTING. Tue 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, who 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 have been drawn from their systems; yet they often got well, and men looked upon the lancet as one of the blessings of 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. 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 lord 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.” This admission on the part of a regular graduate of a veterinary institu- tion 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- ory, but poverty-stricken in its results. Hence we have not only proof that the American people will be immense gainers by availing themselves of the labors of reforms, but, as interested individuals, they have great encourage- ment to favor our more rational system of treatment. (For additional re- marks on this subject, see the author’s work on the Horse, p. 105.) TRUE PRINCIPLES. 87 department of literature and art, in proportion to the 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 to them 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 struction. For example, we are told that in “‘ Bright’s” disease of the kidneys they have detected albumen. What does this amount to? Does 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 give 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 isa science of consequences. 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 expe- rience! yet their victims have often discovered, by dear-bought 88 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. “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, the 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 dis- ease by the judicious application of them’? Does not Pro- fessor Harrison say, that the lancet is the great 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 think- ing part of the community that poisons and the lancet are sanative agents. INFLAMMATION. InrLammation has generally been considered the great bug- 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 ages been advanced, and fora time sustained ; but even at the present day, the various doctrines appear to be considered altogether problematical.” INFLAMMATION. 89 Professor Percival says, ‘Inflammation consists in an in- creased action of the arteries, and may be either healthy or unhealthy * —a distinction that appears,to relate to some pe- culiarity of the constitution.” 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 liable begin with inflammation, or end in in- flammation, or are accompanied by inflammation in some part of their course, or resemble inflammation in their symptoms. Most of the organic 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. It 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’is either a simple or compound action, increased or diminished, or a cessation of all action; it either causes, or is caused, 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 disease ; it is the pathological principle which lies at the base * Inflammation is a vital action, and cannot be properly termed diseased action. The only action that can be properly termed diseased is the chemi- cal action. 12 90) AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. of all others; it is that which the profession least of all under- stand.” | 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 dis- 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. 298, 294. ‘As inflammation is an action produced for the restoration 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.” — Jbid. vol. iv. p. 285. ‘‘ A wound or bruise cannot recover itself but by inflam- mation.’’ — Ibid. p. 286. ; ‘‘F'rom 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 func- tion.” — Ibid. p. 286. Resulis of Inflammation. —“ Inflammation 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, the first question which either of them asks him- self, on being summoned to the patient, is, Have I to deal INFLAMMATION. ‘ 91 with inflammation here? It is constantly the object of his treatment and watchful care. It affects all parts that are fur- 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 in- 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 ul- ceration occur in the stomach or intestines, and threaten to 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 on 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 or 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- sree, to regulate its course. And for this reason it becomes, 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 organs of the body from the action of the causes of disease, or to remove those causes and 92 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 : — Inflammation produces disease.—‘ When inflammation cannot accomplish that salutary purpose, (a cure,) as in can- cer, scrofula, &c., it does mischief.”” — Hunter, p. 285. ‘‘Inflammation is occasionally the cause 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. — Ibid. ‘Inflammation often produces mortification or death in the inflamed part.’”? — bid. vol. iv. p. 305. ‘In the lght 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 its use 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 be 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, henbane, nux vomica, opium, morphia, and narcotin. 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. ‘“‘'The 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 reform 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 soon cease, the battles are half fought, and the victory is sure. 3 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 is a 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 to that class of men. If we fail, the fault is in us, not in our subjects. 94 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. REMARKS, SHOWING THAT VERY LITTLE IS KNOWN OF THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF DISEASE. Mr. Percivat details a case of peritonitis,* after the usual symptoms in the early 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 diarrhcea continued ; swell- ing of the belly and tumefaction of the legs speedily fol- lowed: eight pounds of blood were drawn, and two ounces 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.t ‘The ab- dominal viscera, as well as the thoracic, showed no 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. 95 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 sick, and manifests evident signs of sreat 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 mention, are tried without effect: all is commotion within; fermenta- tion commences; gas is evolved; the animal gives signs of woe. Asa last resort, paunching, bleeding, é&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. 1 ounce. oammgotuel, - eee. yi sb quart. Give the whole at a dose, and repeat as occasion may 15 114 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. require. A second dose, however, should not be given until twelve hours have elapsed. Injections must not be overlooked, for several important in- 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 following : — Powdered African cayenne, . . 1 tea-spoonful. FA flacstoot, . . os... .. taDlesspo@meml. UCD i poe cel ods et ge gc SOUTER Marshmallows. ae a ae ge OEE 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 be grasped in a pair of tongs, and held about a foot beneath the nose. An assistant then pours the acid, (very graduaily,) 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 remark, that it is a powerful astringent and antiseptic, and should always be combined with relaxing, lubricating medi- cines. Such are licorice and slippery elm. LOCKED-JAW. 115 The following may be given asa safe and efficient anti- septic drink : — Powdered bayberry bark, . half a table-spoonful. . charcoal, . . . 1 table-spoonful. Slippery cum... se OUNCE, Berin= water, . ‘. 2, . Sallon. 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. LOCKED-JAW. Mr. Youarr 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 of 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 and cattle, has, hitherto, been notoriously unsuccessful. ‘This is not to NO eee oe ee re 116 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. be wondered at when we take into consideration the destruc- tive character of the treatment. “Take,” says Mr. Youatt, “twenty-four pounds of blood from the animal; or bleed him almost to fainting. ‘ Give him Epsom salts in pound and a half doses (! ) until it operates. 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 proportion of the purgative and the sedative must be so managed, that the constitution shall be under the influence of both.t A seton of black hellebore root may be of service. It frequently pro- duces a great deal of swelling and inflammation. { If the disease terminates successfully, the beast will be left sadly out of condition, and he will not thrive very rapidly. He must, however, be got into fair plight, as prudence will allow, and then sold; for he will rarely stand much work afterwards, or carry any great quantity of flesh.”” The same happens to us poor mortals when we have been dosed secun- dum artem. We resemble waiking skeletons. Our own opinion of the disease is, that it is one of nervous origin, and that the tonic spasm, always present in the muscles * This is a narcotic vegetable poison; and although large quantities have been occasionally given to the horse without apparent injury, experience teaches us that poisons in general — notwithstanding the various modes of their action, and the difference in their symptoms —all agree in the abstrac- tion of vitality from the system. Dr. Eberle says, “Opiates never fail to operate perniciously on the whole organization.” Dr. Gallup says, “The practice of using opiates to mitigate pain is greatly to be deprecated. It is probable that opium and its preparations have done seven times the injury that they have rendered benefit on the great scale of the civilized world. Opium is the most destructive of all narcotics.” + This is a perfect seesaw between efforts to kill and efforts to cure. } Then it ought not to be used. LOCKED-JAW. 117 of voluntary motion, is only symptomatic of derangement in the great, living electro-galvanic battery, (the brain and spi- nal cord,) or in some of its wires (nerves) of communication. Mr. Percival says, ‘“‘ Tetanus consists, in a spasmodic con- traction, more or less general, of the muscles of voluntary motion, and especially of those that move the lower jaw; hence the vulgar name of it, locked-jaw, and the technical one of trismus.” In order to make ourselves clearly understood, and furnish the reader with proper materials for him to prosecute his in- quiries with success, a few remarks on the origin of muscular motion seem to be absolutely necessary. It is generally understood by medical men, and taught in the schools, that there are in the animal economy four distinct systems of nerves. lst system. This consists of the sensitive nerves, which are distributed to all parts of the animal economy endowed with feeling ; and all external impulses are reflected to the medulla oblongata, é&c. (See Dadd’s work on the Horse, p. 127.) In short, these nerves are the media through which the animal gets all his knowledge of external relations. 2d system. The motive. These proceed from nearly the same centre of perception, and distribute themselves to all the mus- cles of voluntary motion. It is evident that the muscle itself cannot perform its officé 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 is 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 insensible as a stone — wither and die. 3d system. The respiratory. These are under the control of 118 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 all 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 then agreed to call it zdeopathic. ‘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 lving 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. } It 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, instead of tetanus consisting “in a spasmodic con- traction of the muscles of voluntary motion,” it consists in a LOCKED-JAW. 119 deranged state of the nervous system; and the contracted state of the muscles is only symptomatic of such derangement. Then what sense is there in blistering, bleeding, and inserting setons 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- tem less capable of recovering its physiological equilibrium, and resisting the irritation produced by these animals on the delicate 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 fulfilled ? 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 remedial 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 to have been pricked or wounded. We Lee AM OAT hs ee . Figs 120 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. make an examination of the part, and remove all extraneous matter. The following poultice must then be applied :— Powdered skunk cabbage, ie lotelia. 7 ok . . equal parts. uf poplar bark, Todian Medes te) ee es a eee Make it of the proper consistence with boiling water. When 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, . ... . . 1 table-spoonful. Powdered lobelia seeds, . .. . 1 tea-spoonful. o poplar bark, (very fine,) . 1 ounce. 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. ‘The 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, (lady’s INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 121 slipper,) powdered, each two ounces, boiling vinegar two quarts; stir 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 feeces sufficiently ; if the rectum is loaded with feces, give injections of an infusion of lobelia. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH, (Gasrarms.) SucH a complicated piece of mechanism is the stomach of the ox, that that organ is particularly lable 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- duced 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- ble 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 lessen the fever. Make a mucilaginous drink of slippery elm, or marshmallows, 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 irritating 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 accumulation of food in the 16 122 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. viscera, the remedies will be, relaxing clysters, abstinence from food, and a tea of sassafras and mandrake, made thus : — Sassafras, (laurus sassafras,) . . . . 1 ounce. Mandrake, (podophyllum Peay * . A drachms. Boiling water, . . . ot EES Let the mixture stand until quite cool, and give a pint every four hours. Almost all animals, when suffering under acute symptoms, 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 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 fever 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 well-ventilated barn, will generally perfect the cure. INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, (Pnevmonza.) Causes. — Errors in feeding, over-exertion, exposure in wet pastures, or suffering the animal, when in a state of per- INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 123 spiration, to partake too bountifully of cold 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 in 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 ani- 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 thoroughwort tea. Avery good diaphoretic and anti-spas- modic drink may be made thus: — Hiahelva, (herby eal taiono 022 @unees: Mpeaimumts Yt arly fai is fie: in-yli | -boounees Boilmg water, . . . . . 2 quarts. 124 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Let the above stand for a few minutes; strain, then add two table-spoonfuls of honey. Give half a pint every hour, tak- ing care to pour it down the esophagus very gently, so as to insure its reaching the fourth or true digestive stomach. The following clyster must be given : — Powdered lobelia, .- . . . 2 ounces. Boils (water, 5) 3" so. foe er ene: 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 hight 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, (Enteritis. — INFLAMMATION oF THE Fipro-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 medication that are in any way calculated 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 hear the parts affected as possible ; yet if the ears and legs are cold, the general application of warmth and mois- ture will more speedily accomplish the relaxation of the whole animal. After the application of. the above, injections of a INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 125 mild, soothing character (slippery elm, or flaxseed tea) should be used very liberally. A drink of any mucilaginous, lubri- cating, and innocent substance may be given, such as mal- lows, linseed, Iceland moss, slippery elm. During convales- cence, the diet must be light and of an unuritating character, such as boiled carrots, scalded meal, &c. INFLAMMATION OF THE PERITONEAL COAT OF THE INTESTINES, (PERiITONITIS.) This disease requires the same treatment as the latter malady. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS, (Nepurrts.) 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 application of a poultice of ground hemlock, or a charge of gum hemlock, will gener- ally be found useful. The best drinks—and these should only be allowed in small quantities ——are gum arabic and marshmallow decoctions. 126 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER, (Cystrrts.) During the latter months of pregnancy, the 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, and will quickly soften the hardened excrement ; after which the fol- lowing clyster may be used : — Tamseed tea, pos ko eel ie Cream Ol tartans. aw ey ye se OM 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, or horn : — Powdered blackroot, (leptandra virginica, ) half an ounce. NV REDD WALCT ee os ye 6) «mie, vicsrat my) op ae a 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. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 127 INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN, (PuHRENITIS.) In this disease, the pia mater, arachnoid membrane, or the brain itself, may be inflamed. It matters very little which of 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 following counter-irritant : — Rae sar 7th AS Pulas. Tee. hs ob biquart, Conmmmonsalt;) 0%. (a Oh RO, Brotmecs: Set the mixture on the fire, (27 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. Beamer iyssopee. 4. . . h pint. A stimulating clyster may then be given, composed of warm water, into which a few grains of powdered capsicum may be sprinkled. If due attention be paid to counter-irritation, and the head kept cool by wet cloths, the chances of recovery are pretty certain. 128 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. This disease is too well known to require any description ; we shall therefore, at once, proceed to point out the ways and 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 (Crean Oltartar,. £0 20) 6 (ie, 4) 0 ah Ones Decoction of lemon balm, . . ~~ I 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.) If a film can be observed, wash with a decoction of pow- dered bloodroot ; and if a weeping remain, use the following astringent : — Powdered baybetry ark...) . oe ounce. olims Watery. ee ie. vey syile ciley suey een When cool, pour off the clear liquor. It 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, (Heparitis.) 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- INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 129 eral health. 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 with health.” Symptoms. — Permanent yellowness of the eyes; quick pulse; dry muzzle; hot mouth; considerable pain when pressure is 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 vital action. The following drench is then to be given : — Extract of butternut, . . . half an ounce. Mian Water. 6) 4, ae a LE Quart: 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 rumination again commences : — Wemon Dalia.) 7. <. «5 «= 6. 2 OUNCES, Wream of tartar, '. . e e L OUNCE. BAOHEW a tials teeter tte. ct Set at ake em = NU 3 a asia) Sse ga MO el eI hey (0) 12) CS First pour the boiling water on the balm; after standing a few minutes, strain; then.add the above ingredients. 17 130 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. JAUNDICE, OR YELLOWS. Tis 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 dose 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 day, as the symptoms may require : — Powdered golden seal, (hydrasius canadensis, ) . “ slippery_elm,.'...; ye 12, Ounces: 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 powdered gentian 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- lar 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 equally good for the same purpose in another form of that disease. Mr. Youatt states, ‘‘ There are few diseases to which cattle JAUNDICE, OR YELLOWS. 131 are so frequently subject, or which are so difficult to treat, as jaundice, or yellows.”” Hence it is important that the farmer should know how and in what manner the disease may be prevented. And he will succeed best who understands the causes, which often exist in overworking the stomach, with a desire to fatten. Men who raise cattle for the market often attempt to get them in fine condition and flesh, without any regard to the state of the digestive organs, the liver included ; for the bile which the latter secretes is absolutely necessary for the perfection of the digestive process. They do not take into consideration the state of the animals’ health, the climate, the quality of food, and the quantity best adapted to the digestive powers; and what is of still greater importance, and too often overlooked, is, that all animals should be fed at regular intervals. Some men suppose that so long as their cattle shall have good food, without any regard to quantity, —if they eat all day long, and cram their paunch to its utmost capacity, — they must fatten; when, in fact, too much food deranges the whole digestive apparatus. As soon as the paunch and stomach are overloaded, they press on the liver, interfering with the bile-secreting process, producing conges- tion and disorganization. Diseases of the liver may be produced by any thing that will for a time suspend the process of rumination: the known sympathy that exists between the stomach and liver explains this fact. Digestion, like every other vital process, requires a concen- tration of power to accomplish it: now, if an ox should have a bountiful meal, and then be driven several miles, the process of digestion, during the journey, will be partly suspended. The act of compelling an ox to rise, or annoying him in any way, will immediately suspend rumination, which may result in an acute disease of the liver. In most cases, however, the stomach is primarily affected. Dealers in cattle often overfeed the animals they are about to dispose of, in order to improve their external appearance, and increase their own profits: the consequence is, that such OU a Se ae eee ae, 132 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. animals are in a state of plethora, and are liable at any mo- ment to be attacked with congestion of the liver or brain. Again. If oxen are driven a long journey, and then turned into a pasture abounding in highly nutritious grasses or clo- ver, to which they are unaccustomed, they fill the paunch to such an extent that it becomes a matter of impossibility on the part of the animal to throw it up for rumination; this” mass of food, being submitted to the combined action of heat and moisture, undergoes fermentation; carbonic acid gas is evolved; the animal is then said to be ‘ blown,” “ hoven,” or ‘“‘blasted.”’? Post mortem examination, in such cases, re-_ veals a highly-congested state of the liver and spleen. In fattening cattle, the injury done to the organs of diges- tion is not always observed in the early stages; for the vital. power, which wages a warfare against all encroachments, endeavors to accommodate itself to the increased bulk ; yet, by continuing to give an excess of diet, it finally yields up the citadel to the insidious foe. Chemical action then overpow- ers the vital, and disease is the result. Thousands of valuable cattle are yearly destroyed by being too well, or, rather, injudiciously fed. Many diseases of the liver and digestive organs result from feeding on unwhole- some, innutritious, and hard, indigestible food. Bad water, and suffering the animal to partake too bountifully of cold water when heated and fatigued, are among the direct causes of disease. DISEASES OF THE MUCOUS SURFACE. THE mucous membrane isa duplicature of the skin, and is folded into the external orifices of the animal, as the mouth, ears, nose, lungs, stomach, intestines, and bladder; but not being so much exposed to the action of external agents, it is not so strong or thick as the skin. It performs, however, nearly the same office as the skin. If the action of one is DISEASES OF THE MUCOUS SURFACE. 133 suppressed, the other immediately commences the perform- ance of its office. ‘Thus a common cold, which collapses the skin, immediately stops insensible perspiration, which recedes to the mucous membrane, producing a discharge from the nose, eyes, bowels, &c. So, when great derangement of the mucous membrane exists, debilitating perspiration succeeds. In the treatment of diseases of the mucous membrane, we endeavor to remove the irritating causes from the organs affected, re- store the general tone of the system, and invite action to the external surface. CATARRH, OR HOOSE. This disease often arises from exposure to wet or cold weather, and from the food being of a bad quality, or defi- cient in quantity. If the animal is enfeebled by poor feed, old age, or any other cause, then there is very little resistance offered against the encroachments of disease: hence young beasts and cows after calving are often the victims. ‘Treatment. — It is necessary to attend to this disorder as soon as it makes its appearance; for a common cold, neg- lected, often lays the foundation of consumption. On the other hand, a little attention in the early stages, and before sympathetic action sets in, would set all right. The first in- dication to be fulfilled is to invite action to the surface by friction and counter-uritants. The following liniment may be applied to the feet and throat : — Qhive.oil. ba osoenea- uot tien ac aavouneces Chl OF GECAT moae . we wei yestierl ener ackepuMees Liquid ammonia,. . . .. . . half an ounce. Rub the mixture in well; then give SABC D isan ye > founce: Pennelseeds;..5°).°.. .. 0. (1 olimee Powdered charcoal, . . . 1 table-spoonful. Boiling water, 7. . ::5.. «9 2.quarts, Let the mixture stand until sufficiently cool; then strain, and administer in pint doses, every ten minutes. HOOVE, OR ‘‘ BLASTING.” 145 The following clyster should be given : — Powdered lobelia, . ., .. °°». Z*ounees: ct eharcoal, .. 33). GO GUMces, Waramonealt, oon rs Leta ble-spoaniul, PW ACCT sie a et ea yoke) QEIAELS. When cool, strain, and inject. If the animal is only blasted in a moderate degree, this treatment will generally 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- lative: 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- bor, 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 assafeetida. 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 and shorts, with the addi- tion of a few grains of caraway seeds. A drink composed of the following ingredients will aid in rapidly restoring the animal to health : — 19 7 146 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Marshmallows. ...:.:.. 4 «0 pes. » 2 CUeeS: Linseed ee eee ete! A omnes Boiling water, 2... ee 2s, Set 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 less expensive than the fashionable system of making a chem- ical laboratory of the poor 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 animals 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 impair their health. Still, however, the powers of resistance are greater in some than in others; this explains the reason why all 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 night. JOINT MURRAIN. 147 JOINT MURRAIN. TH1s malady, in its early stages, assumes different 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 muzzle, pulse full and bounding, manifestations of pain, &c. &c. Dif- ferent animals show, according to local or constitutional pecu- lharities, 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 tissue, 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, foot rot, &c. In the above disease, the whole system par- takes more or less of constitutional disturbance; therefore it is 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 black 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: 148 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 leg, quar- ter 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 integrity, 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-feed- 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 : — Dhorough Wort. cc ctu clog iter ave, a ah Speuniem. neIaoes Lemon balm, sdulmepimnntie as tidak eo em Garlic, bruised, occ. 1 seh cack Peele nme iets: Boiling Waterye. ctiele bien csav; sc) ou REESE Allow the infusion to stand until cool; then strain, and give it a dose. If the bowels are constipated, inject the following : — Soft sbapwiquiyowh. bin Seo. ah WehabPanphet Warmawater?! 20 Oi oasge0) Tor See quarts: JOINT MURRAIN. 149 Rub the joints with the following embrocation : — Oil of cedar, Fir balsam, ¢ equal iat 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. [T'he heroic practice!] As much blood must be taken away as can be got; for it is only by the bold and persevering use of the lancet that a malady can be subdued that runs its course so rapidly.” (See Youatt, p. 359.) From these directions we are led to suppose that there are some hopes of bleeding the animal to life; for the author above quoted seems to entertain no apprehension of bleeding the animal to death. Mr. Percival and other veteri- nary writers inform us, that “an animal will lose about one fifteenth part of its weight of blood before it dies; though a less quantity may so far debilitate the vital powers, as to be, though less suddenly, equally fatal.”” The latter portion of 150 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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. A pound and a half of Epsom salts dissolved in water or gruel, and poured down the throat as gently as possible, should be our first dose. If this does not operate in the course of six hours, another pound should be given; and after that, half pound doses every six hours until the effect is produced ” !! — Youatt, p. 359. Treatment. — As the natural tendency of these different maladies is the complete destruction of life to all parts of the organization, efforts must be made to depurate the whole ani- mal, and arouse every part to healthy action in the manner recommended under article Joint Murrain. Antiseptics may be freely used in the following form : — Powdered bayberry bark, . . . . 2 ounces. charcoal, 64. 4 ae + hte: (UO kebes: CAYENNE, Gaius): eit be dy Lila sponte c slippery elm, Ak Nie! tpt O UGE. Add boiling water sufficient to make it of the consistence of thin gruel. | OPEN JOINT. 151 All sores and foul ulcers may be washed with Pyrolignedus ‘acid 2, 29 ee Lounce. RViatera ly; Soe, TB, ae eRe es bead, | Another. Chiende or time, «..:) ree" SL ounce: A Seg. uiichinte arth mates cals orlipme: Another. MMOTIGS OL SOGA, wi ong os oe aes ol OUCe: UCI tee Dae a eee ai OL OUNCES: The affected parts should be often bathed with one of these washes. If the disease is not arrested by these means, repeat them, and put the animal on a diet of flour gruel. OPEN JOINT. Joints are liable to external injury from wounds or bruises, and, although a joint may not be open in the first instance, subsequent sloughing may expose its cavity. The ordinary effects of disease in membranes covering joints are, a profuse discharge of joint oil, (synovia,) and a thickening of the syno- vial membrane. Sometimes the joint is cemented together ; it is then termed anchylosis. Treatment. — 'The first object is, to promote adhesion, by bringing the edges of the wound together, and confining them in contact by stitches. A pledget of lint or linen, previously moistened with tincture of myrrh, should then be bound on with a bandage forming a figure 8 around the joint. If the parts feel hot and appear inflamed, apply a bandage, which may be kept constantly wet with cold water. If adhesion of the parts does not take place, apply the following : — Powdered baybepry. Dated: eds iyi eelyounece: 152 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Fir balsam, sufficient to form a thick, tenacious mass, which may be spread thickly over the wound; lastly, a bandage. Should a fetid discharge take place, poultice with Powdered charcoal, ft ; ee bayberry, eee In cases where the nature of the injury will not admit of the wounded edges being kept in contact, and a large sur- face is exposed, we must promote granulation by keeping the parts clean, and by the daily application of fir balsam. Un- healthy granulations may be kept down by touching them with burnt alum, or sprinkling on their surface powdered bloodroot. The author has treated several cases, in which there was no hope of healing by the first intention, by the daily use of tincture of capsicum, together with tonic, stimu- lating, astringent, antiseptic poultices and fomentations, as the case seemed to require, and they always terminated favorably. In all cases of injury to joints, rest and a light diet are indis- pensable. SWELLINGS OF JOINTS. Swexuines frequently arise from bruises and strains; they are sometimes, however, connected with a rheumatic affec- tion, caused by cold, exposure to rain, or turning an animal into wet pasture lands after active exercise. In the acute stage, known by tenderness, unnatural heat, and lameness, the animal should be put on a light diet of scalded shorts, &c.; the parts to be frequently bathed with cold water; and, if practicable, a bandage may be passed around the limb, and kept moist with the same. If the part still continues painful, take four ounces of arnica flowers, moisten them with boiling water, when cool, bind them around the part, and let them remain twenty-four hours. This seldom fails. On the other hand, should the parts be in a chronic state, which may be recog- SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. 153 nized by inactivity, coldness, &c., then the following embro- cation will restore the lost tone : — @ilfot twormivood,..-.. +. -. +... : 1 otinee. SE CCOAR o.oo yal ee een sail wk GUMCe: ERO RGCONS ws 4) ee eg ca A OUNCES, REMC ey on eae le DINE Mix, and rub the part faithfully night and morning. F'ric- tion with the hand or a brush will materially assist to cure. In all cases where suppuration has commenced, and matter can be distinctly felt, the sooner the following poultice shall be applied, the better : — Powdered slippery elm, ce linseed, . ‘ equal parts. Boiling water sufficient to moisten; then add a area of vinegar. To be renewed every twelve hours, until the matter escapes. SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. SPRAIN, or sirain, as it is commonly termed, sometimes arises from violent exertions; at other times, by the animal unexpectedly treading on some uneven surface. Treatment. — First wash the foot clean, then carefully ex- amine the cleft, and remove any substance that may have lodged there. A cotton bandage folded around the claws and continued above the fetlock, kept wet with the following lotion, will speedily reduce any excess of inflammatory action that may exist : — AGSieraclds: Ow. Neos) et .siseol ounee: Waters Wiodewnr.,. tien 90) secorticpmts 20 154 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Another. WOMGS Oe el oh ae a a mate, ee Watery fo. ie le va ce cop ROD FOG STRAIN OF THE HIP. T'HIs may sometimes occur in working oxen. Rest is the principal remedy. ‘The part may, however, be bathed daily - with the following : — Wormwood, oy). 6.06, (HOO 4 otmhie|es: SCaldine VINESAL rie va hap dpe ee yeu Ce nmMeUalies The liquor must be applied cold. Strain of the knees or shoulder may be treated in the same manner as above. FOUL IN THE FOOT. A ereat deal of learned nonsense has been written on this subject, which only serves to plunge the farmer into a laby- rinth from which there is no escape. ‘The author will not trespass on the reader’s patience so much as to transcribe dif- ferent authors’ opinions in relation to the nature of the dis- ease and its treatment, but will proceed at once to point out a common-sense explanation of its cause, and the proper mode of treating it. The disease is analogous to foot rot in sheep, and is the consequence of feeding in wet pastures, or suffering the ani- mals to wallow in filth. A large quantity of morbific or ex- crementitious matter is thrown off from the system through the surfaces between the cleft. Now, should those surfaces FOUL IN THE FOOT. 155 be obstructed by filth, or contracted by cold, the delicate mouths 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- cate 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- rheea, 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 to 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 accomplished, the poultice should be discontinued. Poultice for Foul Feet. Roots of marshmallows, bruised, . half a pound. Rewm@erea charcoal," «> 2°). oe a handtul. a lobeliay tt... ate w Ounces. Mealy cs ee a tea-cupful. Boiling water sufficient to soften the mass. 156 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Another. Powdered lobelia, . plippery ely a oe a ye fon parts. Pond daly, CVISeO oye lg ee 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, .... > ..4,.. . Mall avenge: 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 Chioride’of soda?) (he, OY Oe iRommees Ee ot as gt OMIOBEENG Ess Mix. Another. Pyroligneous acid," .) . MPN aR (OM. BSA voupreess WY ater: OUT TBR MES Ete ANT eM: oes Mix. Another. Commonisalt/4.40:0) Soict woo nel table-spoontmk Vinesarsi tau: 29. peitemviih)oGlesaeawiheselass: Wiater ines serene. bidvars. da) xabqment ~Whenever any fungous excrescence makes its appearance between the claws, apply powdered bloodroot or burnt alum. RED WATER. 157 RED WATER. Tus affection takes its name from the high color of the urine. It is not, strictly speaking, a disease, but only a symp- 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 ina 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 who 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 usual 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 womb, 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 to healthy action. If the bowels are constipated, give the fol- lowing : — 158 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Golden seal; ... .\nsiftam. Itable-speomtul, Thorough wort tea,)\.'\\." pe 2rqmanrts: To 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 vittegar, as ao gh, eco TRA Powdered iobelia or cayenne, . . I 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- lating liniment to the belly and legs, a poultice may be placed over the kidneys. Poultice for inflamed Kidneys. Plipperyrelm, POI! I. er SOG es Hobelias aye. yee AOU ese Boiling water mimedne Another. Linseed, tink Seibel Seek Marshmallomys, seysinajalale ie * equal 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 : — itemon balm, 9. 0... a ee OMMees: Cream ot tartar, . "a © Ounee: Bolmieowater,) .. oh. se) eae oe CURSE Elomenme te to es i es taencenm ee When cold, strain, and give a pint every fifteen minutes. RED WATER. 159 If the bowels are constipated, use injections of soap-suds. Suppose the animal to be in poor condition, hide bound, liver inactive, the excrement of a dark color and fetid odor. Then use Powdered golden seal, . . . 2 ounces. vk CalaWaYS, yo 15 ok Ounce ih cayenne, . ... ..1 tea-spoontul. Poplar bark, or slippery elm, . 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 case; 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 cases, 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, . . . 1 tea-spoonful. belmony, 5° <* 2% 2) tedsspoortuls: Mix the above in shorts or meal. Repeat night and 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, . Goldenjseal, . 4... (a). +) 7of each,, 1 ounce. Camomile flowers, . BaMinawatcl) ens... .. 2 quarts. After standing one hour, strain, and give a pint every four hours. 160 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. BLACK WATER. My plan of treatment, in this malady, is similar to that for red water. In both cases, it is indispensable to attend to the general health, 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 URINE. Wuenever the urine is thick and turbid, deficient in quan- tity, or voided with difficulty,-either of the following prescrip- tions may be administered : — Junipersberries/r es) Viens £ on eioemees. Boiling water, tn2o'o, J) si a2ieieris Strain. Dose, 1 pint every four hours. Another. re) Peoyele) nia cli en ae a earMner vemma mer a come! (OTST Cre: Poplar bark... Oca gue MOUs: 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. ; RHEUMATISM. 161 RHEUMATISM. Ruevmatism thrives in cold, damp situations, and in wet, foggy weather. It is often confined to the membranes of the 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 return again, it is probably rheumatism. Treatment of Acute Rheumatism. — Bathe the parts with an infusion of arnica flowers, made thus : — : Prheta AOWEIS co 27n at sy 6 aGo..y (8 2 ounces, ppalane Watery niyo. pe Sg om QUALLS. When sufficiently cool, it is fit for use. Give the following :— Sulphamyo wt: ls. Lt CNY eG 2 ounces. Cream of tartar,.. . . . . . 3 ounces. Powdered pleurisy root, |. .°. ... 1 ounce. ee NGGriee eat cy a tay 2 QUNeeS Badia. lege. os ga fas) ee ye), Lb POUNe: Mix. Give 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, fo1 which, see APPENDIX. 21 162 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 lolling 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 Appenpix.) The following antiseptic drink will then complete the cure : — Make a tea of raspberry leaves by steeping two ounces in a quart of boiling water; when cool, strain; then add Powdered charcoal, . . . . .2 ounces. ¢ bayberry. bark,, . . 1 ounce. Honeys. 2°. 8 eR tablesspuemuls Give a pint every four hours. The diet should 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 lmiment. (See AppEnpix. ) 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- erene, of the tongue, cesophagus, paunch, and fourth stomach. The food in the paunch has a most offensive smell, and that INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT. 163 in the manyplus is hard and dry. Inflammation reaches to the small intestines, which are covered with red and black patches in the cceecum, 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 Blaine. BLACK TONGUE. Buack TonevE 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- pled 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 AppENpDIx,) together with a gruel diet, are the only means of relief. * This includes the larynx, pharynx, and trachea. 164 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. BRONCHITIS. Broncuiris consists in a thickening of the fibrous and mu- 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, . . . . . . J ounee. ig elecampane, . . . ._ half an ounce. Slappery ebm .auchid. oie egine oft) dota Boiling water sufficient to make it of the consistence of thin cruel. 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 structure. ‘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 just within the angle of the jaw. They INFLAMMATION OF GLANDS. 165 are organized similarly to other glands, as the kidneys, &c., possessing arteries, veins, lymphatics, &c., which terminate ina 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 known by the heat, tenderness, enlargement, and difficulty of swallow- ing. ‘They are usually sympathetically affected, as in hoose, eatarrh, 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 appled to the parts affected, the more speedily and effectually is the object accomplished. ‘I'wo or three applications of some relaxing poultice will be all that is needed; after which, apply Wiive soll. Or smose Orease. 4... 4 tall: PAPIEIS OF CAMP NOL, ogc a eta dh OUMCE. not COMA in te eh wi woh a. gel, OMMCE, SETS a a NPE Aen neeerree camp oe) 0 Mec nro He Mix. Another. PVTONSNEOUS, ACIG oie a. su oly) .s ue) QUES. | Blea S| PN ERM: 8 eter! CAYENNE, ns s icMilat ult a aud) oie Lease pOomLUL» To be rubbed around the throat as occasion may require. All hard or indigestible food will be injurious. 166 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. LOSS OF CUD. Loss or Cup is aspecies 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 are synonymous. : Compound for Loss of Cud. Golden seal, powdered, . . . . 1 ounce. Caraway, af jo 2Thae Se iouiates Cream of tartar, . . . . . . half an ounce. Powdered poplar bark, . . . . 2 ounces. Mix. Divide into six powders, and give one every four hours in a sufficient quantity of camomile tea. COLIC. Conic is occasioned by a want of physiological power in the organs of digestion, so that the food, instead of undergo- ing a chemico-vital process, runs into fermentation, by 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. Treatment. — Give the following carminative : — Powdered aniseed, . . . ._ half a tea-spoonful. ue CiatamMonn wo “ i. To be given'in a quart of spearmint tea, and repeated if necessary. SPASMODIC COLIC. 167 Another. Powdered assafetida, . . . . ._ half a tea-spoon. Thin gruel of slippery elm, . . . 2 quarts. Oiieranseed ws aes We ORODS. To be given at a dose. If the animal suffers much pain, apply fomentations to the belly, and give the following injection : — rowdercd SIn’er, - . . 4 + 4, al al Ounce, Cunmion salt, |: .. +... 1 table-spoomul. BRO WIACET Lees gee ee E eaOR, 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 in 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 to be for the better; yet under the heroic practice they often grow worse. 168 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. CONSTIPATION. In constipation there is a retention of the excrement, which becomes dry and hard. It may arise from derangement of the liver and other parts of the digestive apparatus: at other times, 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 disorder in some important function. 'The use of powerful purges is at all times attended with danger, and in very many cases they fall short of 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 hning 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 in 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 havoc SPASMODIC COLIC. 169 made on 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- sands 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 occasion 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 of the disease requires them; yet even in such cases, too much confidence should not be placed on them, so as to ex- clude other and sometimes more efficient remedies, which come under the head of laxatives, aperients, d&c. Treatment. —If costiveness is suspected to be symptom- atic of some derangement, then a restoration of the general health will establish the lost function of the bowels. In this case, purges are unnecessary; the treatment will altogether depend on the symptoms. For example, suppose the animal 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. Beers gall, .).. cgi >) |) co) Dall a, wine-glass. Powdered capsicum, . . . . third of atable-spoon. Dissolve the soap in a small quantity of hot water, then mix the whole in three pints of thin gruel. 22 170 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. This makes a good aperient, and can be given with perfect safety in all cases of constipation arising from derangement of the liver. The liquid must be poured down 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 butternttt; .. «._..-..:... half ansoumes, Powdered skunk cabbage, .. . “ CreamgOULATtahe ye ee ee oe bet ota a Powdered.lobelia, ..04.. «-.. .,~ 2 Graenms. 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, . . : . . Halemiommec: Rechetleisalts° 4... Ou ke gs AOUNn@ese COldeMUSCALy suet ith). oats cece yi ee ROmne eee GINBer ee we ie a. eee, w Leceap nae nnne HOt Watet eta es ees let Mae vena aes 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 intussusception of the bowels. The dose is one pint. CALVING. 171 FALLING DOWN OF THE FUNDAMENT. Return the prolapsed part as quickly as possible by gently kneading 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 infu- 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 ina 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 and 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 eighth day; consequently there were sixty-seven days be- tween the two extremities.”’ 172 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Immediately before calving, 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 foetus, 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 contraction 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 process 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 or dilating the passage, and lubricating the parts, 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, allow 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 faithful manner 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, 1s 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. 173 to ascertain the position of the calf, and change it when it is found unfavorable. 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 being put into the most favorable position, viz., the hind quarters being elevated. By this means the calf can be gently pushed back, as the feet are advanced and brought 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 foetus, 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 : — PeUNEOOR Ass ik Picasa OUNCES: Powdered cayenne, . . . . one third of a tea-spoon. NIG LMEENCOUE sein masiieutanchvhs dude by OUNCE: 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 uterine action. If, however, the labor is still tedious, the calf may be grasped with both hands, and as soon as a pain or expulsive effort is evident, 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 174 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. lying 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.” In cases of malformation of the head of the feetus, or when the cranium is enormously distended by an accumulation of fluid within the ventricles of the brain, after all other reme- dies, in the form of fomentations, lubricating antispasmodic drinks, have failed, then recourse must be had to embryotomy. a EMBRYOTOMY. 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 left side of the chest, while the fetus lay on its right side, on the inferior portion of the uterus.” M. Thibeaudeau then relates the ineffectual efforts he made to bring the feetus into a 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. “I 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 I was enabled to extract all the thoracic viscera. Thus hav- ing lessened the size of the calf, | was enabled, by pulling 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 foetus; 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. 176 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. FALLING OF THE CALF-BED, OR WOMB. Wuen much force is used in extracting the calf, it some- 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 animal, 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 equilibrium. The following restorative must be given : — Wotherworttea, oP ck ee Hot drops, 3.0. se 8 fe eee eee 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 water, into which sprinkle a small quantity of powdered bayberry ; remove any extraneous substance from the parts. A linen cloth is then to be put under the womb, which is to be held by two assistants. The cow should be made to rise, if lying down, —that being the most favorable 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 down again. The hand at liberty is then to grasp another portion of the womb, which is to be pushed into the body, like 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 brush, around the belly and back, may excite contraction. GARGET. 177 An attendant must, at the same time, apply a pad wetted with weak alum water to the “shape,” and keep it in close contact 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 should 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 hot 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, (see APPENDIX, ) and the animal be kept on a light diet. If there is danger of matter forming, rub the bag with the following liniment : — Goose oil, iL parts. Hot drops, . -. § equa Barts If the parts are exceedingly painful, wash with a weak lie, or wood. ashes, or sal soda. In spite of all our efforts, matter will sometimes form. As soon as it is discovered, a lancet may be introduced, and the matter evacuated ; then wash the part clean, and apply the stimulating liniment. (See Apprn- DIX. ) 23 178 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. SORE TEATS. First wash with castile soap and warm water ; then apply the following :— _ Time avater, ~~ ata isuine ete ] parts. Linseed oil, equa aces 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 light 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 its equilibrium of action through the system, and should never be subdued by 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- eral, in greater or less degree, in all forms of disease. When FEVER. 179 an animal has taken cold, and there is power in the system to keep up a continual warfare against encroachments, 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 diluted 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, in 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 remittent. 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 of 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 appear from the full range of observation, that no part of the body can be said to be unsusceptible of inflammation, (local fever,) though, at the same time, no organ is invariably or exclusively affected.”’ From this we learn that disease always attacks the weak- 180 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. est organ, and that our remedies should be adapted to act on all parts of the system. The same author continues, “ All I wish to contend for is, that both idiopathic and symptomatic fevers exhibit the same form, character, species, and the same general means of cure ; and that, were it not for the local affection, it would be diffi- cult or impossible to distinguish them.” Fever has always been the great bugbear, to scare the farm- er and cattle doctor into a wholesale system of blood-letting and purging; they believe that the more fever the animal manifests, the more unwearied must be their exertions. The . author advises the farmer not to feel alarmed about the fever ; for when that is present it shows that the vital principle is up and doing. Efforts should be made to open the outlets of the. body, through which the morbific materials may pass: the fever will then subside. It will be difficult to make the com- munity credit this simple truth, because fever is quite a fash- ionable disease, and it is an easy matter to make the farmer believe that his cow has a very peculiar form of it, that re- quires an entirely different mode of treatment from that of - another form. ‘Then it is very profitable to the interested allo- pathic doctor, who can produce any amount of “learned non- sense ’”’ to justify the ways and means, and support his theory. The author does not wish, at the present time, to enter into a learned discussion of the merit or demerit of allopathy: the object of this work is, to impart practical information to farn- ers and owners of stock. In order to accomplish this object, an occasional reference to the absurdities of the old school is unavoidable. : A celebrated writer has said, ‘‘ The very medicines [mean- ing those used by the old school, which kill more than they ever cure] which aggravate and protract the malady bind a laurel on the doctor’s brow. When, at last, the sick are saved by the hving powers of nature struggling against death and the physician, he receives all the credit of a miraculous cure ; he is lauded to the skies for delivering the sick from the details of the most deadly symptoms of misery into which FEVER. 181 he himself had plunged them, and out of which they never would have arisen, but by the restorative efforts of that living power which at once triumphed over poison, blood-letting, disease, and death.” In the treatment of disease, and when fever is manifested by the signs 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 be 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, whose teachings first emancipated us from the absurdity of allopathic theories. ‘‘ These divisions were made by the learned in physic, 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 crums 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 done in the hour of need.” 182 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. MILK OR PUERPERAL FEVER. Treatment.— Aperients are exceedingly important in the early stages, for they liberate any offending matter that may have accumulated in the different compartments of the stom- ach or intestines, and deplete the system with more certainty and less danger than blood-letting. Aperient for Puerperal Fever. Rochelle salts, “P97 20> Yoho Boumes: lamba eT Rh es Pn ee eee Extract of butternut,. . . . .. half an ounce. Dissolve in boiling water, . . . 3 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 arrested; 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" 2... ea ees Mlour eruely ee ie ce ee ee To be given in quart doses, every four hours. Suppose the bowels to be distended with gas; then give the following : — Powdered caraways,” 2 0") WP omnes Assaiectida, '' 8.00... tea Ss BOOnienms Boning water MS 0.8 ee “2 antes To be given at a dose. FEVER. 183 Any of the above preparations may be repeated, as circum- 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 nothing more 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, and a 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, but 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 colored and scanty. Sometimes there are hot and cold stages. 184 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Remarks. — When disease attacks any particular organ 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. In- 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 method 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 writating 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 is avery 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 will throw off a large amount of insensible perspiration. 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 recrementitious elements of perspirable matter must, when the surface is obstructed, remain and mingle with the blood, (unless speedily removed by the vicarious action of some 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 FEVER. 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 entire impunity.” Dr. White says, “ Mat 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 of 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- sels 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 other 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 stricture of the surface. A drink made from either of the following articles should be freely given: lemon balm, wan- 24 186 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. dering milk weed, thoroughwort, or lady’s slipper, made as follows : — Take either of the above articles, . . 2 ounces. Boiline’ water, . or <, te aoe se a elena When cool, strain, and add a wine-glass of honey. 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 gruel. . 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. 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, &c. Give tonics, relaxents, and antispasmodics, in the follow- ing form : — Powdered capsicum, . . . . . J téa-spoontal. ds bloodroot,,.’ .”..: «... oumve: et cinnamon, .. . on |. Malldnvoumes Thoroughwort or valerian, . . . 2 ounces. Boiling water, ... 5.4. wn. 7 allio When cold, strain, and give a quart every two hours. Remove the contents of the rectum by injections of a stimulating character, and invite action to the extremities by rubbing them with stimulating liniment, (which see.) A drink of camomile tea should be freely allowed; if diarrhea sets in, add half a tea-spoon of bayberry bark to every two puarts of the tea. These few examples of the treatment of fever will give FEVER. 187 the farmer an idea of the author’s manner of treating it, who can generally break up a fever in a few hours, whereas the popular method of ‘smothering the fire,” as Mr. Youatt terms the blocd-letting process, instead of curing, will pro- duce all forms of fever. Here is a specimen of the treatment, in fever of a putrid type, recommended by Dr. Brocklesby. He says, “ Immediately upon refusing fodder, the beast should have three quarts of blood taken away; and after twelve hours, two quarts more; after the next twelve hours, about three pints may be let out; and after the following twelve hours, diminish a pint of blood from the quantity taken away at the preceding blood-letting; lastly, about a single pint should be taken away in less than twelve hours after the for- mer bleeding ; so that, when the beast has been blooded five times, in the manner here proposed, the worst symptoms will, it is hoped, abate; but if the difficulty and panting for breath continue very great, I see no reason against repeated bleeding.” (See Lawson’s work on cattle, p. 312.) The author has consulted several authorities on the treatment of typhus, and finds that the use of the lancet is invariably rec- ommended. We do not expect to find, among our American farmers, any one so reckless, so lost to the common feelings of humanity, and his own interest, as to follow out the direc- tions here given by Dr. B.; still blood-letting is practised, to some extent, in every section of the Union, and will continue to be the sheet-anchor of the cattle doctor just so long as the influential and cattle-rearing community shall be kept in dark- ness as to its destructive tendency. Unfortunately for the poor dumb brute, veterinary writers have from time immemo- rial been uncompromising advocates for bleeding ; and through the influence which their talents and position confer, they have wielded the medical sceptre with a despotism worthy of a better cause. It were a bootless task to attempt to reform the disciples of allopathy; for, if you deprive them of the lancet, and their materia medica of poisons, they cannot practise. 'They must be reformed through public opinion ; and for this purpose we publish our own experience, and that 188 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. of others who have dared to assail allopathy, with the moral certainty that they would expose themselves to contempt, and be branded as “‘ medical heretics.”’ No treatment is scientific, in the estimation of some, unless it includes the lancet, firing-iron, setons, boring horns, cram- ming down salts by the pound, and castor oil by the quart. The object of this work is to correct this erroneous notion, and show the farming community that a safer and more ef_i- cient system of medication has just sprung into existence. When the principles of this reformed system of medication are understood and practised, then the veterinary science will - be a very different thing from what it has heretofore been, and men will hail it as a blessing instead of a “curse.” ‘They will then know the power that really cures, and devise means. of prevention. And here, reader, permit us to introduce the opinions of an able advocate of reform in human practice :* the same remarks apply to cattle; for they are governed by 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- ceived, or health from that moment is rendered precarious. * Dr. Beach. HORN AIL IN CATTLE. 189° Blood-letting 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 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. The gimlet frequently penetrates the frontal sinuses 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 let alone. Here, again, the ‘“ horns are diseased ;’’? and should the animal recover, (which it 190 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 regulating 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 in 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. ABORTION IN COWS. 191 ABORTION IN COWS. Cows 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. 8., tells us that “a farm in England had been 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- casioned 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 treughs 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 D’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, and 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 ru- minated mass, together with the large quantity of water they 192 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. drank, while kept on this dry food, were the real causes of the miscarriage. ‘¢ A farmer at Chariton, out of a dairy of twenty-eight cows, had sixteen slip their calves at different periods of gestation. The summer had been very dry; they had been pastured in a muddy place, which was flooded by 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. All 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 were 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 ; they 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. ‘To 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 thor- 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 influence : ABORTION IN COWS. 193 the result of such influence is as fatal as the direst conta- gion.” My own opinion of this disease is, that it is one of nervous origin; 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 ina 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 whole motive apparatus of the animal economy; that every line, or pencil, or ganglion of lines, in it, is antagonistic to some other line or ganglion, so that, whenever the function of one is exalted, that of some other is depressed. It follows, of course, that to equalize the nervous action, and to sustain the equilibrium, 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- pears in good condition, the quantity of food usually given should be lessened. Give the following drink every night for a week : — Waienan. (herby) Wis). ¢.... .. 1 ounce; Powdered skunk cabbage, . . 1 tea-spoonful. 25 194 » AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Steep in half a gallon of boiling water. When cold, strain and administer. Suppose the animal to be in poor condition; then put her on a nourishing diet, and give tonics and stimulants, as fol- lows : — Powdered Gentian, 2% nou 1... ounee. cf SasSalras) 4%. acnan © hoa OMe: Fanseettormaxseed, 3.0.7... spe. 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 F'eeding, page 17. COW-POX. Tuts 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 : — Pyroligneous acid, = 23+... 4 2) ‘a ~wine=elass! Wietens, os. to sep OLn Seach minnie Wet the parts two or three times a day ; medicine is unne- cessary. A few meals of scalded food will complete the cure. MANGE. 195 MANGE. ‘‘Manee 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 poverty —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 ounices. Charcoal, .¢- ss +, es, of os . @.KreNenene NM a iol ie ot hats one) ag el OUNCE. Mix, and divide into six parts; one to be given in the feed, night and morning. The daily use of the following wash will then complete the ne provided proper attention be paid to the diet. Wash for Mange. ROWSE OUS ACIG 6 ie es acs. He OUCES, WVBEET, os. autrtemnmermramertames sg. & DUNE, The mange is known to be infectious: this suggests the propriety of removing the animal from the rest of the herd. 196 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. HIDE-BOUND. Tuts is seldom, if ever, a primary disease. The known sympathy existing between the digestive organs and the skin enables us to trace the malady to acute or chronic indi- gestion. Treatment. —'The indications to be fulfilled are, to invite action to the surface by the aid of warmth, moisture, friction, and stimulants, to tone up the digestive organs, and relax the . whole animal. The latter indications are fulfilled by the use of the following : — Powdered balmony, (snakehead,) . . 2 ounces. 13 SASSAITAS, 2 2 te ceo dae se) Re Pamseed, Seu es es en en ce BR Re le SOUMIINEES G04, ek es ce en oe ee, Ontos 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, men and morning, with the following : — , Powdered lobelia seeds, .. .. ..:. 9. 2 outiees. Bove aWale iy a6) ag ye she col). ean | Lee After standing a few hours, it is fit for use, and can be ap- plied with a sponge. IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY STATE OF THE SKIN. 197 IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE SKIN OF ANIMALS IN A HEALTHY STATE. Tis is a subject of great importance to the farmer; for many of the diseases of cattle arise from the filthy, obstruct- 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 Professor Bou- ley. ‘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 point 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 carbonic acid. ‘Therefore the skin, properly speaking, is an expiratory apparatus, which, under ordinary conditions of the organism, exhales, in 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 to Burbach, the proportion of carbonic acid, as in- 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, salamanders, or fish, have demonstrated the waste by general transpiration to be, in twenty-four hours, little less than half the entire weight of the body.” The same author remarks, “‘ Direct experiment has shown, 198 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. in the clearest manner, the close relation of function existing between the perspiratory and respiratory membranes.’’ ‘M. Fourcault, with a view of observing, through different species of animals, the effect of the suppression of perspira- tion, conceived 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 smeared 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.) 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. But, allowing this exaggeration, is it not admitted by all practi- tioners that causes which act through the medium of the skin are 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 alarming descrip- tion in the vascular abdominal system of the horse, inflam- mation of the peritoneum and womb following labor, ca- IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY STATE OF THE SKIN. 199 tarrhal inflammations of the bowels, even congestions of the feet, &c., derive their origin, in a great number of instances, from cold applied to the skin in a state of perspiration? What happens in the organism after the application of such a cause? Is its effect instantaneous? Let us see. Immedi- 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 otherwise. ‘“‘Tt is 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 the cutaneous exhalations, carries about every where with it the disordered condition, and ulti- mately giving rise, through it, to some local 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 to 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 ” ones, then there would be some sense in blood-letting. 200 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ence in the blood of virus, which alters both its dynamic 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 asphyxia, (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 blood 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 application 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 shape of 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 SPAYING COWS. 201 the elimination of blood saturated with carbonic matters op- posed to the absorption by it of oxygen! ‘‘Do we not here perceive, so to express curselves, 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 succeed- ing 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. ““E'rom 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. Tue castration of cows has been practised for several years 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 more 26 202 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. danger than many others of as bold a character, (as puncture 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 suturing the wound. ‘‘Qdly. Will not the spaying of cows put an end to the pro- duction of the species ? ‘Without doubt, this is an operation which must be kept within bounds. It is in the vicinity of large towns that most benefit will 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- duced yearly. “3dly. Is spaying attended with amelioration of the quality of the meat? ‘““'That cows fatten well after being spayed is an incontesta- ble fact, long known to agriculturists. ‘‘Athly. Does spaying prolong the period of lactation, and increase the quantity of milk? - “The cow will be found to give as much milk after eigh- teen months as immediately after the operation; and there was found in quantity, in favor of the spayed cows, a great difference. “Sthly. Is the quality of the milk ameliorated by spaying? ‘"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.” ‘Jt is to America we are indebted for this discovery. In SPAYING COWS. 203 1832, an American traveller, a lover of milk, no doubt, asked 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 hesi- tation, the farmer avowed, that he had been advised to perform on his cows the same operation as was practised on the bulls. The traveller was not long 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 castrating milch cows. M. Levrat, veterinary surgeon at Lau- sanne, found in the government of his country an enlightened assistant 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 to exercise their calling until they have proved their qualifi- cations on the same point.”” — London Vet. p. 274, 1850. For additional evidence in favor of spaying, see Albany Cul- tivator, p. 145, vol. vi. We have conversed with several farmers in this section of the United States, and find, as a general thing, that they labor under the impression that spaying is chiefly 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, at the same time an abundance of the best kind of provender, is unable to fatten, might, after the operation of spaying, be 204. AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. easily fattened, and rendered fit for the market ; or, if they shall have had calves, they may be made permanent, and, of course, profitable milkers. 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. Again, a cow in poor condition is a curse to the farmer ; for she is often the medium through which epidemics, infec- tious diseases, puerperal fever, é&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. Aa OPERATION OF SPAYING. The first and most important 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 injure the operator. The most convenient method of secur- ing the cow is, to place her in the trevis;* the hind legs * Although we recommend that cows be confined in the trevis for the purpose of performing this operation, it by no means follows that it cannot be done as well in other ways. In fact, the trevis is inadmissible where chloroform is used. The animal must be cast in order to use that agent with any degree of safety. If the trevis is not at hand, we should prefer to operate, having the cow secured to the floor, or held in that position by trusty assistants. We lately operated on a cow, the property of Mr. C. SPAYING COWS. 205 should then be securely tied in the usual manner: the band used for the purpose of raising the hind quarters when being shod must be passed under the belly, and tightened just sufficient to prevent the animal lying down. Having secured the band in this position, we proceed, with the aid of two or more as- sistants, in case the animal should be irritable, to perform the operation. And here, for the benefit of that portion of our readers who desire to perform the operation secundum ariem, we detail the method recommended by Morin, a French vet- erlinary surgeon; although it has been, and can 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 has 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 do 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 to be a sciurhous gland. After giving our opinion and prescribing the usual remedies, 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 right side, her head being firmly held by an assistant. We then made an incision through the skin, muscles, and peritoneum. The hand was then introduced, and each ovary in its turn brought as near to the external wound as possible, and separated from its attachment with a button-pointed bistoury. The wound was then brought together with four interrupted sutures, and dressed as already described. Directions were given to keep the animal quiet, and on a light diet; the calf, which was four weeks old, to suckle as usual. The operation was performed on the 17th of January, 1851, and on the 27th, the following communication was received : — Dr. Dann. Dear Sir: Agreeably to request, I will inform you as regards the cow. { must say that, so far as appearances are concerned, she is doing well. She has a good appetite, and chews her cud, and the wound is not swelled or in- flamed. Yours truly, C. DRAKE. Houston, Jan. 27, 1851. 206 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. this country and Scotland, with no other instruments than a common shoemaker’s knife and a curved needle... The. fact is, the ultimate success of the operation does not depend so much on the instruments as on the skill. of the operator. If he is an experienced man, understands the anatomy of the parts, and is well acquainted, by actual experience, with the nature of the operation, then the instruments become a matter of taste. ‘The best operators are those who devote themselves entirely to the occupation. (See Mr. Blane’s account of his “first essay in firing,” p. 85, note.) Morin advises us to secure the cow, by means of five rings, to the wall. (See Albany Cultivator, vol. vi. p. 244, 1850.) ‘The cow being conveniently disposed of, and the instruments and appliances, —such as curved scissors, upon a table, a convex-edged bis- toury, a straight one, and one buttoned at the point, suture needle filled with double thread of desired length, pledgets of lint of appropriate size and length, a mass of tow (in pled- gets ) being collected ina shallow basket, held by an assistant,— we place ourselves opposite to the left flank, our back turned a little towards the head of the animal; we cut off the hair which covers the hide in the middle of the flanks, at an equal distance between 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 edge out, the point to the left; then, with both hands, we seize the hide in the middle of the flank, and form of it a wrinkle of the requisite elevation, and running lengthwise of the body. “We then direct an assistant to seize, with his right hand, the right 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 hide is presented of sufficient length to enable us to intro- duce the hand ; thereupon we separate the edges of the hide with the thumb and fore finger of the left hand, and, in like manner, we cut through the abdominal muscles, the iliac, (rather obliquely,) and the lumbar, (cross,) for a distance of SPAYING COWS. 207 a centimetre from the lower extremity of the incision made in the hide: this done, armed with the straight bistoury, we make a puncture of the peritoneum, at the upper extremity of the wound ; we then introduce the buttoned bistoury, and we move it obliquely from above to the lower part up to the termination of the incision made in the abdominal muscles. The flank 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 ligaments that keep them in their place, pull light- ly, separating the cord, and the vessels (uterine or fallopian tubes) 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 needle, place a suture of three or four double threads, waxed, at an equal distance, and at two centimetres, or a little less, from the lips 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 by a simple knot, being careful not to close too tightly the lower part of the seam, so that the suppuration, which may be estab- lished in the wound, may be able to escape. “The operation effected, we cover up the wound with a pledget of lint, kept in its place by three or four threads passed through the stitches, and all is completed. 208 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. “Tt happens, sometimes, that in cutting the muscles of which we have before spoken, we cut one or two of the ar- teries, which bleed so much that there is necessity for a liga- ture before opening the peritoneal sac, because, if this precau- tion be omitted, blood will escape into the abdomen, and may occasion the most serious consequences.” The best time for spaying cows, with a view of making 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. If, after the operation, the animal appears dull and irritable, and refuses her food, the following drink must be given : — Walergayy 76 uc e. cok) sn. eh) 3. db sy chen ee Oe. Bowie, Watery 6 is ey, sev ute shonin ey mes Set the mixture aside to cool. Then strain, and add infu- sion of marshmallows (see APPENDIX) one quart; which may be given in pint doses every two hours. If a bad discharge sets up from the wound, — but this will seldom happen, unless the system abounds in morbific materi- als, — then, in addition to the drink, wash the wound with Pyroligneous acid,. ..... + ».. + « 4 OUNCES: Wetec wi oo ain aay fay) onal ge tis siemens Mix. 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- mon practice of letting them range in marshy —— 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- tious 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 nu- merous outlets, — for example, the kidneys, lungs, surface’ feet, &c. The health of the animal depends on all these functions being duly performed. If a certain function be in- 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 by the agriculturist as the rot; and with reason, for it was most destructive to his hopes. It was commonly be- lieved to be incurable, and therefore it was all important to 27 210 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. inquire into the causes which gave rise to it. Some pastures were notorious for rotting sheep; on other lands, sheep, under all ordinary circumstances, were pastured with impunity ; but, as a broad principle, it might be laid down that an excess of 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 are also inhabitants of arid dis- tricts. The skill of man has increased 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 rot spreads among them to a fearful extent. ‘The malady is not confined to England - or to Europe; it is found in Asia and Africa, and occurs also in Egypt on the receding of the waters of the Nile. “These facts are valuable, because they show that the cause of the disease is not local—that it is not produced by climate or temperature; for it is found that animals in any temperature become affected, and on any soil in certain sea- sons. A great deal had been written on rot in sheep, which it were to be wished had not been. Many talented individu- als had devoted their time to its investigation, endeavoring to trace out a cause for it, as if it originated from one cause dione. But the facts here alluded to would show that it arose from more causes than one. He had mentioned the circumstance with regard to land sometimes producing rot, and sometimes not; but he would go a step further, and ask, Was there any particular period of the year when animals were more subject to the attack? Undoubtedly there was. In the rainy season, the heat and moisture combined would produce a most luxuriant herbage ; but that herbage would be deficient in nutriment, and danger would be run; the large quan- tity of watery matter in the food acting as a direct excitement to the abnormal functions of the digestive organs. Early dis- turbance of the liver led to the accumulation of fat, (state of plethora ;) consequently, an animal being ‘touched with the SHEEP. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. P11 rot’ thrived much more than usual. This reminded him that the celebrated Bakewell was said to be in the habit of placing his sheep on land notorious for rotting them, in order to pre- vent other people from getting his stock, and hkewise to bring them earlier to market for the butcher.” Referring to diseases of the lver, Professor S. remarked, that “‘ the bile in rot, in consequence of the derangement of the liver being continued, lost the property of converting the chymous mass into nutritious matter, and the animal fell away in condition. Every part of the system was now supplied with impure blood, for we might as well expect pure water from a poisoned fountain as pure blood when the secretion of bile was unhealthy. This state of the liver and the sys- tem was associated with the existence of parasites in the liver. ‘‘Some persons suppose that these parasites, which, from their particular form, were called flukes, were the cause of the rot. They are only the effect; yet it is to be remembered that they multiply so rapidly that they become the cause of further diseased action. Sheep, in the earlier stages of the affection, before their biliary ducts become filled with flukes, may be restored; but, when the parasites existed in abun- dance, there was no chance of the animal’s recovery. "hose persons who supposed flukes to be the cause of rot had, per- haps, some reason for that opinion. Flukes are oviparous ; their ova mingle with the biliary secretion, and thus find their way out of the intestinal canal into the soil; as in the feculent matter of rotten sheep may be found millions of flukes. A Mr. King, of Bath, (England,) had unhesitatingly given it as his opinion that flukes were the cause of rot; be- heving that, if sheep were pastured on land where the ova existed, they would be taken up with the food, enter into the ramifications of the biliary ducts, and thus contaminate the whole liver. ‘There appeared some ground for this assertion, because very little indeed was known with reference to the duration of life in its latent form in the egg. How long the eggs of birds would remain without undergoing change, if 212 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. not placed under circumstances favorable to the development of life in a more active form, was undecided. It was the same with the ova of these parasites; so long as they re- mained on the pasture they underwent no change ; but place them in the body of the animal, and subject them to the influence of heat, &c., then those changes would commence which ended in the production of perfect flukes. Take another illustration of the long duration of latent life: Wheat had been locked up for hundreds of years — nay, for thou- sands —in Egyptian mummies, without undergoing any change, and yet, when planted, had been found prolific. He was not, then, to say that rot was in all cases a curable affection; but at the same time he was fully aware that many animals, that are now considered incurable, might be restored, if sufficient attention was given to them. About two years ago, he purchased seven or eight sheep, all of them giving indisputable proof of rot in its advanced stage. He intended them for experiment and dissection; but as he did not require all of them, and during the winter season only he could dissect, he kept some till summer. ‘They were sup- phed with food of nutritious quality, free from moisture ; they were also protected from all storms and changes of weather, being placed ina shed. The result was, that with- out any medicine, two of these rotten sheep quite recovered ; and when he killed them, although he found that the liver had undergone some change, still the animals would have lived on for years. Rot, in its advanced stage, was a disease which might be considered as analogous to dropsy. A serous fluid accumulates in various parts of the body, chiefly be- neath the cellular tissue; consequently, some called it the water rot, others the fluke rot; but these were merely indi- cations of the same disease in different stages. If flukes were present, it was evident that, in order to strike at the root of the malady, they must get rid of these entozoa, and that could only be effected by bringing about a healthy con- dition of the system. Nothing that could be done by the application of medicine would act on them to affect their SHEEP. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 213 vitality. It was only by strengthening their animal powers that they were enabled to give sufficient tone to the system to throw off the flukes; for this purpose many advocated salt. Salt was an excellent stimulative to the digestive organs, and might also be of service in restoring the biliary secretion, from the soda which it contained. So well is its stimulative action known, that some individuals always keep salt in the troughs containing the animal’s food. This was a preventive, they had good proof, seeing that it mattered not how moist the soil might be in salt marshes; no sheep were ever attacked by rot in them, whilst those sent there infected very often came back free. Salt, therefore, must not be neglected; but then came the question, Could they not do something more? He be- heved they could give tonics with advantage. “The principles he wished to lay down were, to Hieband the animals’ powers by placing them ina situation where they should not be exposed to the debilitating effects of cold storms ; to supply them with nutritious food, and such as contained but a small quantity of water; and, as a stimulant to the di- gestive organs, to mix it with salt.”’ The remarks of Professor 8. are valuable to the American farmer. First, because they throw some light on the charac- ter of a disease but imperfectly understood ; secondly, they recommend a safe, efficient, and common-sense method of treating it; and lastly, they recommend such preventive meas- ures as, in this enlightened age, every farmer must acknowledge to be the better part of sheep doctoring. The reader will easily perceive the reason why the food of sheep is injurious when wet or saturated with its own natural juices, when he learns that the digestive process is greatly retarded, unless the masticated food be well saturated with the gastric fluid. If the gastric fluid cannot pervade it, then fermentation takes place ; by which process the nutritive properties of the food are partly destroyed, and what remains cannot be taken up before it passes from the vinous into the acetous or putre- factive fermentation ; the natural consequence is, that internal disease ensues, which often gravitates to the feet, thereby pro- 214 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. ducing rot. This is not all. Such food does not furnish sufficient material to replenish the daily waste and promote the living integrity. In short, it produces debility, and debility includes one half the causes of disease. It must be a matter of deep interest to the farmer to know how to prevent disease in his flock, and improve their condition, &c.; for if he pos- sessed the requisite knowledge, he would not be compelled to offer mutton at so low a rate as from three to four cents a pound, at which price it is often sold in the Boston market. We have already alluded to the fact that neat cattle can, with the requisite knowledge, be improved at least twenty-five per cent.; and we may add, without fear of contradiction, that the same applies to sheep. If, then, their value can be in- creased in the same ratio as that of other classes of live stock, how much will the proprietors of sheep gain by the operation ? Suppose we set down the number of sheep in the United States at twenty-seven millions, — which will not fall far short of the mark, — and value them at the low price of one dollar per head: we get aclear gain, in the carcasses alone, of six millions seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. ‘The in- crease in the quantity, and of course .in the value, of wool would pay the additional expenses incurred. It is a well- known fact that, when General Washington left his estate to engage in the councils of his country, his sheep then yielded five pounds of wool. At the time of his return, the animals had so degenerated as to yield but two and a half pounds per fleece. This was not altogether owing to the quality of their food, but in part to want of due care in breeding. It 1s well known that many diseases are propagated and aggravated through the sexual congress; and no matter how healthy the dam is, or how much vital resistance she possesses, —if the male be weak and diseased, the offspring will be more or less diseased at birth. (See article Breeding. ) Dr. Whitlaw observes, “The Deity has given power to man to ameliorate his condition, as may be truly seen by strict attention to the laws of nature. An attentive observer may soon perceive, that milk, butter, and meat, of animals that feed SHEEP. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Q15 on good herbage, in high and dry soils, are the best ; and that strong nourishment is the produce of those animals that feed on bottom land; but those that feed on a marshy, wet soil produce more acrid food, even admitting that the herbage be of the bland and nutritious kind; but if it be composed in part of poisonous plants, the sheep become diseased and rotten, much more so than cattle, for they do not drink to the same degree, and therefore (particularly those that chew the cud) are not likely to throw off the poison. Horses would be more liable to disease than cattle were it not for their sagacity in selecting the wholesome from the poisonous herbage. ‘‘ A great portion of the mutton slaughtered is unfit for food, from the fact that their lungs are often in a state of decompo- sition, their livers much injured by insects, and their intes- tines in a state of ulceration, from eating poisonous herbs.” Linneeus says, ‘‘ A dry place renders plants sapid ; a succu- lent place, insipid; and a watery place, corrosive.” __ One farmer, in the vicinity of Sherburne, (England,) had, during the space of a few weeks, lost nearly nine hundred sheep by the rot. The fear of purchasing diseased mutton is so prevalent in families, that the demand for mutton has be- come extremely limited. In the December number of the London Veterinarian we find an interesting communicatiou from the pen of Mr. Tavis- tock, V. S., which will throw some light on the causes of disease in sheep. ‘The substance of these remarks is as fol- lows: ‘On a large farm, situated in the fertile valley of the Tavey, is kept a large flock of sheep, choice and well bred. It is deemed an excellent sheep farm, and for some years no sheep could be healthier than were his flock. About eighteen months ago, however, some ewes were now and then found dead. 'This was attributed to some of the many maladies sheep-flesh is ‘heir to,’ and thought no more about. Still it-did not cease ; another and another died, from time to time, until at length, it becoming a question of serious consequence, my attention was called to them. I made, as opportunities occurred, minute post mortem examinations. 'The sheep did 216 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. not die rapidly, but one a week, and sometimes one a fort- night, or even three weeks. No previous illness whatever was manifested. 'They were always found dead in the atti- tude of sleep; the countenance being tranquil and composed, not a blade of grass disturbed by struggling ; nor did any cir- cumstance evidence that pain or suffermg was endured. It was evident that the death was sudden. We fancied the ewes must obtain something poisonous from the herbage, and the only place they could get any thing different from the other sheep was in the orchards, since there the ewes went at the lambing time, and occasionally through the summer. But so they had done for years before, and yet contracted no disease. Well, then, the orchards were the suspected spots, and it was deemed expedient to request Mr. Bartlett, a botanist, to make a careful examination of the orchards, and give us his opinion thereon. The following is the substance of his report : — “The part of the estate to which the sheep unfortunately had access, where the predisposing causes of disease prevailed, was an orchard, having a gradual slope of about three quarters of a mile in extent, from the high ground to the bed of the river, ranging about east and west; the hills on each side be- ing constituted of argillaceous strata of laminated slate, which, although having an angle of inclination favoring drainage on the slopes, yet in the valleys often became flat or horizontal, and on which also accumulated the clays, and masses of rock, in detached blocks, often to the depth of twenty feet —a state of things which gives the valley surface and soil a very rug- ged and unequal outline; the whole, at the same time, offer- ing the greatest obstruction to regular drainage. : ‘‘'These are spots selected for orchard draining in England ; the truth being lost sight of, that surfaces and soil for apple- tree growth require the most perfect admixture with atmos- pheric elements, and the freest outlet for the otherwise accu- mulating moisture, to prevent dampness and acidity, the result of the shade of the tree itself, produced by the fall of the leaf. ‘‘On this estate these things had never been dreamt of be- fore planting the orchards. 'The apple-tree, in short, as soon SHEEP. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 217 as its branches and leaves spread with the morbid growth of a dozen years, aids itself in the destructive process; the soil becomes yearly more poisonous, the roots soon decay, and the tree falls to one side, as we witness daily, while the herb- age beneath and around becomes daily more unfit to sustain animal life. Numerous forms of poisonous fungi, microscopic and otherwise, are here at home, and nourished by the car- buretted and other forms of hydrogen gas hourly engendered and saturating the soil; while on the dampest spots the less noxious portions of such hydrates are assimilated by the mint plant in the shape of oil; and which disputes with sour, poi- sonous, and blossomless grasses for the occupancy of the sur- face, mingled with the still more noxious straggling forms of the ethusa, occasionally the angelica, vison, conium, &c. “This state of things, brought into existence by this wretched and barbarous mode of planting orchard valleys, usually reaches its consummation in about thirty years, and sometimes much less, as in the valley under notice. ‘Thus it is that such spots, often the richest in capabilities on the es- tate, (the deep soil being the waste and spoil of the higher ground and slopes,) become a bane to every form of useful vegetation ; and, at the same time, are a hotbed of luxuriance to every thing that is poisonous, destructive, and deleterious to almost every form of animal life. And such an animal as the sheep, while feeding among such herbage, would inhale a sufficiency of noxious gases, especially in summer, through the nostrils alone, to produce disease even in a few hours, though the herbage devoured should lie harmless in the stom- ach. But with regard to the sheep in the present case, we fear they had no choice in the matter, and were driven by hunger to feed, being shut into these orchards; and thus not only ate the poisoned grasses, but with every mouthful swal- lowed a portion of the water-engendering mint, the acrid crowfoot, ranunculus leaves, é&c., surrounding every blade of grass; while the other essential elements of vegetable poison, the most virulent forms of agarici and their spawn, with other destructive fungi, were swallowed as a sauce to the whole. 28 218 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. This fearful state of things, to which sheep had access, soon manifested its results; for although a hog or a badger might here fatten, yet to an animal so susceptible to atmospheric in- fluences, unwholesome, undrained land, &c., as the sheep, the organization forbids the assimilation of such food; and al- though a process of digestion goes on, yet its hydrous results (if we may use such a term) not only overcharge the blood with serum, but, through unnatural channels, cause effusion into the chest, heart, veins, &c., when its effects are soon manifested in sudden and quick dissolution, being found dead in the attitude of sleep.” It is probable that the gases which arose from this imper- fectly drained estate played their part in the work of destruc- tion; not only by coming in immediate contact with the blood through the medium of the air-cells in the lungs, but by mixing with the food in the process of digestion. ‘This may appear a new idea to those who have never given the subject a thought; yet it is no less true. During the masti- cation of food, the saliva possesses the remarkable property of enclosing air within its globules. Professor Liebig tells us that ‘the saliva encloses air in the shape of froth, in a far higher degree than even soap-suds. ‘This air, by means of the saliva, reaches the stomach with the food, and there its oxygen enters into combination, while its nitrogen is given out through the skin and lungs.” ‘This applies to pure air. Now, suppose the sheep are feeding in pastures notorious for giving out noxious gases, and at the same time the function of the skin or lungs is impaired; instead of the “nitrogen” or noxious gases being set free, they will accumulate in the alimentary canal and cellular tissues, to the certain destruc- tion of the living integrity. Prof. L. further informs us that ‘“‘the longer digestion continues, — that is, the greater resist- ance offered to the solvent action by the food,—the more saliva, and consequently the more air, enter the stomach.” SHEEP. — STAGGERS. 219 STAGGERS. Tis disease is known to have its origin in functional de- rangement of the stomach; and owing to the sympathy that exists between the brain and the latter, derangements are often overlooked, until they manifest themselves by the ani- mal’s appearing dull and stupid, and separating itself from the rest of the flock. An animal attacked with staggers is observed to go round in a giddy manner; the optic nerve becomes paralyzed, and the animal often appears blind. It sometimes continues to feed well until it dies. Indications of Cure. — First, to remove the cause. If it exist in a too generous supply of food, reduce the quantity. If, on the other hand, the animal be in poor condition, a gen- erous supply of nutritious food must be allowed. Secondly, to impart healthy action to the digestive organs, and lubricate their surfaces. Having removed the cause, take Powdered snakeroot, . . . . Il ounce. «6 slippery elm, .°.... 2 ounces cs fennel seed,. . . . half an ounce. Mix. Half a table-spoonful may be given daily in warm water, or it may be mixed in the food. Another. Powdered gentian, ... . . . I ounce. of poplar bark,.. . . . 2 ounces. ti aniseed, . . . . .. half an ounce. Mix, and give as above. If the bowels are inactive, give a wine-glass of linseed oil. The animal should be kept free from all annoyance by dogs, &c.; for fear indirectly influences the stomach through the pneumogastric nerves, by which the secretion of the gas- tric juice is arrested, and an immediate check is thus given 220 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. to the process of digestion. For the same reason, medicine should always be given in the food, if possible. In cases of great prostration, accompanied with loss of appetite, much valuable time would be lost. In such cases, we must have recourse to the bottle. Progr nod. WueEn a sheep is observed to be lame, and, upon examina~ tion, matter can be discovered, then pare away the hoof, and make a slight puncture, so that the matter may escape; then wash the foot with the following antiseptic lotion : — : Pyrolisneous acid, « ».s.... .» ».. » 2, OUNCES, WAR Tg ate i ieee oo oe MR Suppose that, on examination, the feet have a fetid odor ; then apply the following : — WAN CGN) isis stig hs Rane hus eees ulate aimee Conrrmen’ salt, +... (00 .t 1:2? etal he=e oma Wer ht athe hus RA lial eget 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. rs flaxseed, .. sind 2ypoundss Hf sulphur,... .+, 2 ,talgal ounce: i charcoal, .> 9... sagnidaounce? fe sassafras, ... ...,,lounce. Mix. A handful to be given in the food twice a day. Remarks. — Foot rot is generally considered a local dis- ease; yet should it be neglected, or maltreated, the general system will share in the local derangement. SHEEP, — ROT. 221 ROT. Tue progress of this disease is generally very slow, and a person unaccustomed to the management of sheep would find some difficulty in recognizing it. ..447 1 ounvez Marshall osv,.(teot,).s4< mj) paey 2, OUnee Powdered elecampane, (root,) . half an ounce. 2 hcorice, ‘6 ogee half an ounee: Powdered cayenne, . . . ._ half a tea-spoonful. Molasses, . . . . . . .» 2 table-spoonfuls. Vinegars. ts. ogy ierly 4 2 Potablecspoonbules Mix, pour on the whole one quart of boiling water, set it aside for two hours, then strain through cotton cloth, and give a table-spoonful night and morning.* If the bowels are constipated, a dose of linseed oil should precede the mix- ture. No water should be allowed during the treatment. The following injection may be used : — Powdered bayberry bark, . . 1 ounce. é gum arabic, . . . half an ounce. Boiling water, HHelvedy 2b - sage ute Stir occasionally while cooling, and strain as above. The legs and ears should be briskly rubbed with tincture of capsicum; this latter acts as a counter-irritant, equalizes the circulation, and, entering into the system, gives tone and vigor to the whole animal economy. CASTRATING LAMBS. Tne lambs are first driven into a small enclosure. Select the ewe from the ram lambs, and let the former go. 'T'wo assistants are necessary. One catches the lambs; the other is seated on a low bench for the purpose of taking the lamb on his lap, where he holds it by the four legs. The operator, * This preparation undergoes a process of fermentation in the course of forty-eight hours, and should therefore only be made in sufficient quantities for present use. NATURE OF SHEEP. 237 having previously supplied himself with a piece of waxed silk and the necessary implements, grasps the scrotum in his left hand. He then makes an incision over the most prominent part of the testicle, through the skin, 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 away at one stroke of the knife. As soon as‘the operation is completed, the animal is released. The evening is the best time for performing the operation, for then the animal remains quiet during the night, and the wound heals kindly. NATURE OF SHEEP. “THe sheep, though in most countries under the protec- tion and control of man, is not that stupid and contemptible 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 the aggressor advances to within a few yards of the line, the rams dart upon 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 REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. THE RAM. Mr. Lawson says, “It may be observed that the rams of different breeds of sheep vary greatly in their forms, wools, and fleeces, and other properties; but the following descrip- 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 ; his 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, hairy 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 hollow between the shoulders, that part by some called the fore flank should be quite full; the back and loins broad, flat, and straight, from which the ribs must rise with a fine circular 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 his legs open and upright; the whole body covered with a thin pelt, and that with fine, bright, soft wool. ‘It is to be observed that the nearer any breed of sheep come up to the above description, the nearer they approach towards excellence of form.” SHEEP, — ARGYLESHIRE BREEDERS. 239 LEAPING. “THE 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 fora ram. [Overtaxing the male gives rise to weak and worthless offspring. | “he 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 well 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 lightly, which will mend the size of the sheep, with the quantity and quality of the wool, and also render them less subject to dis- eases ; (in all these respects it is allowed, by good judges, that 240 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. five hundred sheep, kept well, will return more profit than six hundred kept indifferently ;) to select the best lambs, and such as have the finest, closest, and whitest wool, for tups and breeding ewes, and to cut and spay the worst; to get a change of rams frequently, and of breeding ewes occasion- 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 espécially, would render the lambs produced by them of little value, as the lambs would not have a sufficiency of milk; and would 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, for 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. 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 not only been developed by science, but proved by actual practice. The manner in which these agents operate is simple, and easily explained. FATTENING SHEEP. 2A Motion increases respiration, and the excess of oxygen, thus taken, requires an increased quantity of carbon, which would otherwise be expended in producing fat. So, likewise, cold robs the system of animal heat; to supply which, more oxy- gen and more carbon must be employed in extra combustion, 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 Ducie : — ‘“‘Qne 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; plainly 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 21st of November and the Ist of December. They con- sumed ninety pounds of food per day, the temperature being A4°. 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 eighty-two pounds, then seventy pounds, and increased in weight twenty-three pounds. ‘No. 3. Five sheep were placed in the same shed, but not allowed any exercise. They ate at first sixty-four pounds, then fifty-eight pounds, and increased in 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, a) 242 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. On putting them in a shed, they were immediately 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. “Fyrom these experiments, it appears that the least quan- tity of food, which is required for fattening, is when ani- mals are kept closely confined in warm shelters; and the greatest quantity when running at large, exposed to all 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 large, and the meat is not so palatable and healthy as when they are allowed moderate exercise, in yards or small fields. ‘‘ As to the 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 cases, to use the produce of the farm. Sheep prefer beans to almost any other grain; but neither beans nor peas are so fattening as 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 has- ten the fattening process. A variety of food, says Mr. Spooner, 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 in ascertaining how much they can bear. Mr. Childers states that sheep (New Leicester) fed with the addition of half a pint of bar- ley per sheep, per day, half a pound of linseed oil cake, with hay, and a constant supply of salt, became ready for the FATTENING 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 experiment 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 of 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 diseases of the head or intestines, and never feeding so much as to scour them. ‘Sheep, when fattening, should not be fed oftener than 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 become alternately very fat and lean is injurious to all stock. Therefore, if animals are too strongly inclined to 244 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. fatten at an age when wanted for breeding, their condition as to flesh should be regulated by the quantity and quality of their food or pasture.” IMPROVEMENT IN SHEEP. No country in the world is better calculated for raising sheep than the United States. The diversity of climate, together with the abundance and variety of the products of the soil, united with the industry and perseverance of the agriculturist, renders this country highly favorable for breeding, maturing, and improving the different kinds of sheep. ‘The American people, taken as a whole, are intellectually stronger than any other nation with the ike amount of population, on the face of the globe; consequently they are all-powerful, ‘for the mind is mightier than the sword.” All that we aim at, in these pages, is to turn the current of the American mind to the important subject of improvement in the animal kingdom ; to show them the great benefits they will derive from prac- tical experience in the management of all classes of live stock ; and, lastly, to show them the value and importance of the veterinary profession, when flourishing under the genial influ- ence of a liberal community. If we can only succeed in ar- resting the attention of American stock raisers, and they, on the other hand, direct their whole attention to the matter, then, in a few years, America will outshine her more favored European rivals, and feel proud of her improved stock. What the American people have done during the last half century in the improvement of the soil, manufactures, arts, and sci- ences, is an earnest of what they can do in ameliorating the condition of all classes of live stock, provided they take hold of the subject in good earnest. Let any one who is acquainted with the subject of degeneration, its causes and fatal results, not only in reference to the stock itself, but as regards the pocket of the breeder, and the health of the whole commu- IMPROVEMENT IN SHEEP. QA5 nity, —let such a one go into our slaughter-houses and mar- kets, and if he does not see a wide field for improvement, then we will agree to let the subject sink into oblivion. In order to show what a whole community can accomplish when their efforts are directed to one object, let us look on what a single individual, by his own industry and perseverance, has accomplished simply in improving the breed of sheep. The person referred to is Mr. Bakewell. His breeding animals were, in the first place, selected from different breeds. ‘These he crossed with the best to be had. After the cross had been carried to the desired point, he confined his selections to his own herds or flocks. He formed in his mind a standard of perfection for each kind of animals, and to this he constantly endeavored to bring them. That he was eminently success- ful in the attainment of his object, cannot be denied. He began his farming operations about 1750. In 1760, his rams did not sell for more than two or three guineas per head. From this time he gradually advanced in terms, and in 1770 he let some for twenty-five guineas a head for the season. Marshall states that, in 1786, Bakewell let two thirds of a ram (reserving a third for himself ) to two breeders, for a hundred guineas each, the entire services of the ram being rated at three hundred guineas the season. It is also stated that he made that year, by letting rams, more than one thousand pounds. ‘In 1789, he made twelve hundred guineas by three ‘ram brothers,’ and two thousand guineas from seven, and, from his whole letting, full three thousand guineas. Six or seven other breeders made from five hundred to a thousand guineas each by the same operation. The whole amount of ram-letting of Bakewell’s breed is said to have been not less, that year, than ten thousand pounds, [forty-eight thousand dollars. ] “Tt is true that still more extraordinary prices were ob- tained for the use of rams of this breed after Mr. Bakewell’s death. Pitt, in his ‘Survey of Leicestershire,’ mentions that, in 1795, Mr. Astley gave three hundred guineas for the use of a ram of this breed, engaging, at the same time, that he 246 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. should serve gratis twenty ewes owned by the man of whom the ram was hired; making for the entire use of the ram, that season, four hundred and twenty guineas. In 1796, Mr. Astley gave for the use of the same ram three hundred guineas, and took forty ewes to be served gratis. At the price charged for the service of the ram to each ewe, the whole value for the season was five hundred guineas. He served one hundred ewes. In 1797, the same ram was let to another person at three hundred guineas, and twenty ewes sent with him ; the serving of which was reckoned at a hundred guineas, and the ram was restricted to sixty more, which brought his value for the season to four hundred guineas. 'Thus the ram made, in three seasons, the enormous sum of thirteen hundred guineas. ‘““We have nothing to do, at present, with the question whether the value of these animals was not exaggerated. The actual superiority of the breed over the stock of the country must have been obvious, and this point we wish kept in mind. ‘“‘'This breed of sheep is continued to the present day, and it has been remarked by a respected writer, that they will ‘remain a lasting monument of Bakewell’s skill.’ As to their origin, the testimony shows them to have been of mzzxed blood ; though no breed is more distinct in its characters, or transmits its qualities with more certainty ; and if we were without any other example of successful crossing, the advocates of the system might still point triumphantly to the Leicester or Bakewell sheep. ‘But what are the opinions of our best modern breeders in regard to the practicability of producing distinct breeds by crossing? Robert Smith, of Burley, Rutlandshire, an eminent sheep-breeder, in an essay on the ‘Breeding and Manage- ment of Sheep,’ for which he received a prize from the Royal Agricultural Society, (1847,) makes the following remarks: ‘The crossing of pure breeds has been a subject of great interest amongst every class of breeders. While all agree that the first cross may be attended with good results, there exists a diversity of opinion upon the future movements, or putting IMPROVEMENT IN SHEEP. QAT the crosses together. Having tried experiments (and I am now pursuing them for confirmation) in every way possible, I do not hesitate to express my opinion, that, by proper and judicious crossing through several generations, a most valua- ble breed of sheep may be raised and established ; in support of which I may mention the career of the celebrated Bake- well, who raised a new variety from other long-wooled breeds by dint of perseverance and propagation, and which have sub- sequently corrected all other long-wooled breeds.’ ”’ We have alluded to the low price of some of the mutton brought to the Boston market. We do not wish the reader to infer that there is none other to be had: on the contrary, we have occasionally seen as good mutton there as in any European market. ‘There are a number of practical and worthy men engaged in improving the different kinds of live stock, and preventing the degeneracy to which we refer. They have taken much interest in that class of stock, and they have been abundantly rewarded for their labor. But the great mass want more light on this subject, and for this reason we endeavor to show the causes of degeneracy, to enable them to avoid the errors of their forefathers. Mr. Roberts, of Pennsylvania, says, ‘‘ Early in my expe- rience, I witnessed the renovation of a flock of what we call country sheep, that had been too long propagated in the same blood. ‘This was about the year 1798. An imported ram from England, with heavy horns, very much resembling the most vigorous Spanish Merinoes, was obtained. The progeny were improved in the quality of fleece, and in the vigor of constitution. On running this stock in the same blood for some twelve years, a great deterioration became apparent. A male was then obtained of the large coarse-wooled Spanish stock: improvement in the vigor of the progeny was again most obvious. A Tunis mountain ram was then obtained, with a result equally favorable. In this process, fineness of fleece or weight was less the object than the carcass. In 1810, a male of not quite pure Merino blood was placed with the same stock of ewes; and a change of the male from year 248 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. to year, for some time, produced a superior Merino stock. Wool of a marketable quality for fine cloths was now the object; and it was not an unprofitable husbandry, when it would sell in the fleece, unwashed, from eighty-six cents to one dollar. ‘The Saxon stock then became the rage, and the introduction of a tup of that country diminished greatly the weight of the fleece, without adequately improving its fine- ness. A male of the Spanish stock would give sometimes nine pounds; and the marsh graziers say that they went as high as fifteen pounds. Saxon males scarcely exceed five pounds, and the ewes two and a half pounds. By running in the same blood, and poor keeping, the fleece may be made finer, but it will be hghtened in proportion, and of a weak and infirm texture. There are few stock-keepers who have mixed the Spanish with the Saxon breeds but what either do or will have cause to regret it. In this part of the country,a real Spanish Merino is not to be obtained. Sheep-raising has ceased to be a business of any profit nearer to the maritime coast than our extensive mountain ranges, whether for carcass or fleece. I sold, the last season, water-washed wool, of very fine quality, for thirty cents per pound. At such a price for wool, land near our seaports can be turned to better account, even in these dull times, than wool-growing. Stock sheep do best in stony and elevated locations, where they have to use diligence to pick the scanty blade. Sheep on the sea- board region should be kept more for carcass than fleece ; and feeding, more than breeding, ought to be the object for some one hundred miles from tide water. It is now a well-ascer- tained fact, that health and vigor can only be perpetuated by not running too long on the same blood. ‘The evils I have witnessed were due to a want of care on this head more than to any endemical quality in our climate. Sheep kept on smooth land and soft pasture are liable to the foot rot. The hoofs of the Merino require paring occasionally, for want of a stony mountain side to ascend. It is no longer a problem that this is to be a great wool-growing country, as well as a wool-consuming one. There is, in our wool-growing country, DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP. 249 land in abundance, held at a price that will enable the wool- grower to produce the finest qualities at thirty cents per pound, the cloths to 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 calculated 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, finer boned, and support a thicker and more firm and heavy car- 32 250 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 sheep 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 descrip- 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 of the Dishley, but in closeness and darkness of color 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 fiesh, 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 are indis- 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 chiefly 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 district 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 breed 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 long, nor 252 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. 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 crocks. '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 of 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 good; 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 is 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, carrying a sood 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 kept, they frequently produce twin lambs, nearly in propor- DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP. 253 tion of one third of the whole, which are, when dropped, well wooled. THE HERDWICK BREED. “This is a breed which is characterized by Mr. Culley as 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 sup- 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- boned 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 obtained their name. It isa 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 hkely to answer well in such situations. THE MERINO BREED ‘In this breed of sheep, the males have horns, but the females are without them. They have white faces and legs; 254 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. the body not very perfect in shape ; rather long in the legs; 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 small 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 smallness and delicate flavor, is commonly well known, high- ly esteemed, and sold at a high price.” SWINE. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Swine have generally been considered “ unclean,’ creatures of 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 animals; 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 trash, 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 sensation of hunger, a longing for any 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 will not aman do to satisfy the crav- ings of hunger? Will he not eat his fellow, and drink of his blood? And all to satisfy the craving of an empty stomach. 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 much sagacity in the selection of their food as any other ani- mals; 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 such 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- berculous; their livers enlarge; calcerous deposits ot glan- dular disorganization sets in. -'T'ake 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 it induces a state of plethora. The cellular structures of such an animal SWINE. — PRELIMINARY REMARKS. 257 are distended to their utmost capacity, preventing the full and free play of the vital machinery, obstructing the natural out- lets (excrementitious vessels) on the external surface, and retaining 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 knowl- edge of physiology would immediately pronounce her to 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. Professor Liebig tells us that excess of carbon, in the form 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- ygen, the latter being deficient, — which must happen beneath stables and in ill-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 flesh and other organized tissues, while that of starch, sugar, é&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 we cannot say that the organized structure of the liver is thereby increased. The liver of a goose fed in the ordinary 33 258 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. way is firm and elastic; that of the imprisoned animal is soft and spongy. 'The difference 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 tons 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. A liver, taken from an apparently healthy sow, (yet abounding in fat, and weighing about two hundred pounds,) was prepared in the usual manner for dinner. We observed, however, previous to its being cooked, that it was unusually large; vet there was no appearance of disease about it; 1t was quite firm. Each one partook of it freely. ‘Towards night, and before partak- ing of any other kind of food, we were all seized with vio- lent pains in the head, sickness at the stomach, and delirium : this continued for several hours, when a diarrhea set in, through which process the offending matter was liberated, and each one rapidly recovered ; pretty well convinced, how- ever, that we had had a narrow escape, and that the liver was the sole cause of our misfortune. Hence the proper management of swine becomes a sub- ject of great importance ; for, if more attention were paid to it, there would be less disease in the human family. When we charge these animals with being “unclean creatures of gross habits,” let us consider whether we have not, in some measure, contributed to make them what they are. SWINE. — NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HOG. 259 Again: the hog has been termed “ insensible,’’ destitute of all those finer feelings that characterize brutes of a higher order. Yet we have “learned pigs,’”’? &c. —a proof that they can be taught something. A celebrated writer tells us that no animal has a greater sympathy for those of his own kind than the hog. ‘The moment one of them gives a signal, all within hearing rush to his assistance. ‘They have been known to gather round a dog that teased them and kill him on the spot; and if a male and female be enclosed in a sty when young, and be afterwards separated, the female will decline from the instant her companion is removed, and will probably die — perhaps of what would be termed, in the human family, a broken heart ! In the Island of Minorca, hogs are converted into beasts of draught ; a cow, a sow, and two young horses, have been seen yoked together, and of the four the sow drew the best. A gamekeeper of Sir H. Mildmay actually broke a sow to find game, and to back and stand. Swine are frequently troubled with cutaneous diseases, which produce an itching sensation; hence their desire to wallow and roll in the mire and dirt. The lying down in wet, damp places relieves the uritation of the external surface, and cools their bodies. ‘This mud and filth, however, in which they are often compelled to wallow, is by no means good or wholesome for them. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HOG. “Tue hog,” says Professor Low, “is subject to remarka- ble changes of form and characters, according to the situa- tions in which he is placed. When these characters assume a certain degree of permanence, a breed or variety is formed ; and there is none of the domestic animals which more easily receives the characters we desire to impress upon it. This 260 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. arises from its rapid powers of increase, and the constancy with which the characters of the parents are reproduced in the progeny. Thereis no kind of live stock that can be so easily improved by the breeder, and so quickly rendered suit- able for the purposes required. “The body is large in proportion to the lmbs, or, in other words, the hmbs are short in proportion to the body; the ex- tremities are free from coarseness; the chest is broad, and the trunk round. Possessing these characters, the hog never fails to arrive at early maturity, and with a smaller consump- tion of food than when he possesses a different conformation.. “The wild boar, which was undoubtedly the progenitor of all the European varieties, and of the Chinese breed, was for- merly a native of the British Islands, and very common in the forests until the time of the civil wars in that country.” We are told, that the wild hog ‘is now spread over the temperate and warmer parts of the old continent and its adja- cent islands. His color varies with age and clhmate, but is generally a dusky brown, with black spots and streaks. His skin is covered with coarse hairs and bristles, intersected with soft wool, and with coarser and longer bristles upon the neck and spine, which he erects when in anger. He is avery bold and powerful creature, and becomes more fierce and indocile with age. From the form of his teeth, he is chiefly herbivo- rous in his habits, and delights in roots, which his acute sense of smell and touch enables him to discover beneath the sur- face. He also feeds on animal substances, such as worms and larvee, which he grubs up from the earth, the eggs of birds, small reptiles, the young of animals, and occasionally carrion ; he even attacks venomous snakes with impunity. In the nat- ural state, the female produces a litter but once a year; * and * Tn the domesticated state, the sow is often permitted to have two and even three litters in a year. This custom is very pernicious; it debilitates the mother, overworks all parts of the living machinery, and being in direct Opposition to the laws of their being, their progeny must degenerate. Then, again, let the reader take into consideration the fact that members of the same litter impregnate each other, in the same ratio, and he cannot but SWINE. — NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HOG. 261 in much smaller numbers than when domesticated. She usually carries her young about four months. ‘‘TIn the wild state, the hog has been known to live more than thirty years ; but when domesticated, he is usually slaugh- tered before he is two years old. When the wild hog is tamed, it undergoes the following amongst other changes in its “con- formation: The ears become less movable, not being re- quired to collect distant sounds; the formidable tusks of the male diminish, not being necessary for self-defence ; the mus- cles of the neck become less developed, from not being so much exercised as in the natural state; the head becomes more inclined, the back and loins are lengthened, the body rendered more capacious, the limbs shorter and less muscular ; and anatomy proves that the stomach and intestinal canals have also become proportionately extended along with the form of the body. ‘The habits and instincts of the animal change ; it becomes diurnal in its habits, not choosing the night for its search of food; 1s more insatiate in its appetite, and the tendency to obesity increases. “The male, forsaking its solitary habits, becomes gregari- ous, and the female produces her young more frequently, and in larger numbers. With its diminished strength, and its want of active motion, the animal loses its desire for liberty. “The true hog does not appear to be indigenous to America, but was taken over by the early voyagers from the old world, and it is now spread and multiplied throughout the continent. “The first settlers of North America and the United States carried with them the swine of the parent country, and a few of the breeds still retain traces of the old English char- acter. From its nature and habits, the hog was the most profitable and useful of all the animals bred by the early set- tlers in the distant clearings. It was his surest resource during the first years of toil and hardship.” Their widely-extended foreign commerce afforded the Amer- come to a conclusion that we have long since arrived at — that these prac- tices are among the chief causes of deterioration. 262 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. icans opportunity of procuring the varieties from China, Africa, and other countries. The large consumption of pork in the United States, and the facilities for disposing of it abroad, will probably cause more attention to be paid to the principles of breeding, rearing, feeding, &c. The American farmers are doing good service in this department, and any attempt on their part to improve the quality of pork ought to meet with a corresponding encouragement from the community. We have no doubt that many stock-raisers find their profits in- crease 1n proportion to the care bestowed in rearing. Here is an example: A Mr. Hallock, of the town of Coxsackie, has. a sow which raised forty pigs within a year, which sold for $275, —none of them being kept over nine months. Mr. Little, of Poland, Ohio, states, in the Cultivator, that he has ‘‘a barrow three years old, a full-blood Berkshire, which will now weigh nearly 1000 pounds, live weight. He was weighed on the 3d of October, and then brought down 880; since which he has improved rapidly, and will doubtless reach the above figures. I have had this breed for seven years pure, — descended from hogs brought from Albany and Buffalo, and a boar imported by Mr. Fahnestock, of Pittsburg, Pa., from England, (the latter a very large animal.) The stock have all been large and very profitable — weighing, at seven to ten months old, from 250 to 300 pounds. Several individuals have weighed over 400, and the sire of this present one reached 750. This is, however, much the largest I have yet raised.” GENERALITIES. Dr. GunTHER observes, that “the robust constitution of the pig causes it to be less liable to fall sick than oxen and sheep. It would be still less liable to disease, if persons man- ifested more judgment in the choice of the animals to be reared, and if more care were shown in the matter. With SWINE. — GENERAL DEBILITY, OR EMACIATION. 263 reference to the latter point, it is very true that the voracity of the pig urges it to eat every thing it meets; but to keep it in a state of health, it is, notwithstanding, necessary to re- strict its regimen to certain rules. ‘The animal which it is proposed to fatten should remain under the roof, and receive good food there, whilst the others may be sent out for the greater part of the year, care being taken to avoid fields that are damp and marshy, and that the pigs be preserved from the dew. It is also of importance that they should not be driven too hard during warm days. ‘There are two other points which deserve to be taken into consideration, if we wish swine to thrive: these are, daily exercise in the open air whenever the weather permits, and cleanliness in the sty. Constant confinement throws them into what may be called a morbid state, which renders their flesh less wholesome for man. ‘The manner in which the animal evinces its joy when set at liberty proves sufficiently how disagreeable confinement is to it. A very general preju- dice prevails, viz., that dung and filth do not injure swine; this opinion, however, is absurd.” = GENERAL DEBILITY, OR EMACTATION. Tue falling off in flesh, or wasting away, of swine is in most cases owing to derangement in the digestive organs. The cure consists in restoring the tone of these organs. We commence the treatment by putting the animal ona boiled diet, consisting of bran, meal, or any wholesome vegetable production. The following tonic and diffusible stimulant will complete the cure : — Powdered golden seal, view : equal parts. Dose, a tea-spoonful, repeated night and morning. 264 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. When loss in condition is accompanied with cough and difficulty of breathing, mix, in addition to the above, a few kernels of garlic with the food. The drink should consist of pure water. Should the cough prove troublesome, take a tea-spoonful of fir balsam, and the same quantity of honey; to be given night and morning, either in the usual manner, or it may be stirred into the food while hot. EPILEPSY, OR FITS. THE symptoms are too well known to need any descrip- tion. It is generally caused by plethora, yet it may exist in an hereditary form. Treatment. — Feed with due care, and put the animal in a well-ventilated and clean situation; give a bountiful supply of valerian tea, and sprinkle a small quantity of scraped horse- radish in the food; or give Powdered assafetida,,... . ... « ... Wenner: et capsicum,» .: .....9.. « ).tea-spomenmir Mablessalto iii eseeis a. oy yee! 2b tabless@ecminal: Mix. Give half a tea-spoonful daily. RHEUMATISM. Causes. — Exposure, wallowing in filth, &e. Symptoms. — It is recognized by a muscular rigidity of the whole system. The appetite is impaired, and the animal does not ieave its sty willingly. SWINE. — MEASLES. 265 Treatment.— Keep the animal on a boiled diet, which should be given to him warm. Remove the cause by avoid- ing exposure and filth, and give a dose of the following : — Powdered su!phur, : po SASSA LAS eennneiowe— 7 CQUal parts. os cinnamon, . 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. Tus 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. @f 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 34 266 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. of alcohol; then add half a pint of new rum and a tea- spoonful of sulphur. Almost all the diseases of the skin may be treated in the same manner. Cr or A tae Causes. — Sudden changes in temperature, unclean Bes, want of pure air, and imperfect light. 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 cure is effected. VERMIN. Some animals are covered with vermin, which even pierce the skin, and sometimes come out by the mouth, nose, and eyes. Symptoms. — The animal is continually rubbing and scratching itself, or burrowing in the dirt and mire. Treatment. — First wash the body with a strong lie of wood ashes or weak saleratus water, then with an infusion of lobelia. Mix a tea-spoonful of sulphur, and the same quan- tity of powdered charcoal, in the food daily. SWINE. — CATARRH. 267 RED ERUPTION. Tuts disease is somewhat analogous to scarlet fever. It makes its appearance in the form of red pustules on the back and belly, which gradually extend to the whole body. The external remedy is: — Powdered bloodroot, . . . . . half an ounce. Boiling vinegar, + 4@e6 Moo. °1 pint. 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. Treatment. — Give a liberal allowance of gruel made with powdered elm or marshmallows, and give a tea-spoonful of balsam copaiba, or fir balsam, every night. The animal must be kept comfortably warm. COLIC. Spasmopic and flatulent colic requires antispasmodics and carminatives, in the following form: — Powdered caraway seeds, . 1 tea-spoonful. ee assafeetida,. . . one third of a tea-spoonful. 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. FRENZY. Tuts 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, after which it suddenly becomes more tranquil. SWINE. — SORENESS OF THE FEET. 269 Treatment. —Give half an ounce of Rochelle salts, in a pint of thoroughwort tea. If the bowels are not moved in the course of twelve hours, repeat the dose. A light diet for a few days will generally complete the cure. JAUNDICE. Tis disease is recognized by the yellow tint of the con- junctiva, (white of the eye,) loss of appetite, &c. The remedy is, — Powdered golden seal, . . half an ounce. ie sulphur, . . . one fourth of an ounce. blue flag, . . . half an ounce. PSCC Os oc cta a syne and 2 sibel POU 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 :— EVGOMOMC CUSACK aie ke both adie, OLUUCES, il a Bs. ies ya ch ae al cos oe aI cilities sn ys ee OUUACLS: 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- 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, local or general disturbance is sure to supervene. SPAYING. Tuts 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 Turlington’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 nu- 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, than they were before the operation was performed. It may also have VARIOUS BREEDS OF SWINE. 2is 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 all cases be rendered a good deal more val- uable, or manageable, than they are at present.” VARIOUS BREEDS OF SWINE. BERKSHIRE BREED. Tuts 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 require 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 272 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. fattened. 'The goodness of the Hampshire hog is proverbial, and in England they are generally fattened for hams. SHROPSHIRE 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 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 very expeditiously on a small quantity of food, and might be reared in the United States to good advantage, especially for home consumption. ) BOARS AND SOWS FOR BREEDING. Mr. Lawson says, ‘“‘ The best stock may be expected from the boar at his full growth, but no more than from three to REARING PIGS. 2728 five years old.* No sows should be kept open for breeding unless they have large, capacious bellies. “It 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 large, but more in the smaller breeds. ‘In the 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 to 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 farmer a considerable profit and advantage in various views, it is of essential importance that he be provided with suitable kinds of food in abundance for their support. Upon this being properly and effectually 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 offspring give evidence of detericration. A sow should never be put to the boar until she be a year old. 5 (el) 274 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. peas, barley, buckwheat, Indian corn, potatoes, carrots, pars- nips, Swedish turnips, cabbages, &c. ‘The sows considerably advanced in pig, and those with 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-- nips, &c., in as large proportions as they will need to keep them in condition.” ! Pea-soup is an admirable article when given in this inten- tion; it is prepared by boiling six pecks of peas in about sixty 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 above writer advises oats, as being much better than any other sort of grain for young pigs, barley not answering nearly so 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 barley-meal, peas, or bran. Mr. Donaldson remarks, that in the usual 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- 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 FATTENING HOGS. 275 are sent thither to pick up the beech-nuts and acorns in the fall of the year; and when they have arrived at a proper age fer 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 corn meal and shorts. This, given lukewarm, twice a day, will quicken their growth, and give the meat a rich flavor. A few pars- nips * or carrots (boiled) may be made use of with much success. FATTENING HOGS. EF’. Dopner, 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 53 cents, . . ... . . $36 04 BOrt “ damaged, at 35 cents, .. . 10 50 BO yi 46 fet athGGnGeMts Mel ull cine jul ten tie OO Beg is rcalbval GanGOM tS 3! civ ais soipy say ses 3 20 $84 24 Add witsteost, Gfg pir. . 2. Se ee espero. Or, substitute for the latter, cream of tartar, half an ounce. Use. — This form of clyster may be used with decided 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 properties may be extracted by infusion. APPENDIX. — CLYSTERS. 285 Another. An infusion of witch hazel. Another. Powdered bayberry bark, . . . 1 table-spoonful. Baling water, s 0g oe ee wes 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, diarrhea, 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, before feeding. : Another for Worms. Powdered:lnbelta;) ii ew) ven. ss! ob ounce: Wood ashes, oN eriaaey sone neon ied fark: Bailing watery Oi) ob to de quarts: When cool, it is fit for use. 286 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. INFUSIONS. THESE are made by steeping herbs, roots, and other medici- 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 aromatic 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. As a 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 of 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 in colic, both flatulent and spasmodic, in all classes of ani- mals: caraways, peppermint, spearmint, fennel-seed, angelica, bergamot, snakeroot, aniseed, ginseng, &c. 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 we 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 plantago 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, assafeetida, 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 the same. FOMENTATIONS. Tunis class of remedies is usually composed of relaxants, &c., of several kinds, combined with tonics, stimulants, and anodynes. ‘They are very useful to relieve pain, to remove rigidity, to restore tone, and to stimulate the parts to which they are applied. 288 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Common F'omentation. Wormwood, re toe A DENTS ee eS OCI fos parts. Hops, : s igbie 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. | 5 KC) aa ae Ree MME eMBRE STS I White poppy heads ooo.’ oc ok OUee. Water and vinegar, ..... ... » .equal parts, Simmer a few minutes. Use. —In all painful bruises. Relaxing Fomentation. Powdered lobelia, .’ . Sw. Bounces: Boiling, water, .. 0: :) +. ss so ee Simmer for a few minutes, and when sufliciently cool, bathe the parts with a soft sponge. Use. — In all cases of stiff joints, and rigidity of the mus- cles. Animals often lie down in wet pastures, from which rheumatism 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. Stemulating Fomentation. Cedar buds, or boughs, any quantity, to which add a APPENDIX. — WASHES. 289 small quantity of red pepper and ginger, boiling water sufficient. Use. — This will be found very efficacious in chronic lame- ness and paralysis, for putrid sore throat, and when the glands are enlarged from cold and catarrh. MUCILAGES. Mouciuaces are soft, bland substances, made by dissolving sum arabic in hot water; or by boiling marshmallows, slip- 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, diarrhea, inflammation of the kidneys, womb, bladder, and intestines. They shield the mucous membranes, and defend them from the action of poi- sons and drastic cathartics. WASHES. Wasues generally contain some medicinal agent, and are principally used externally. Wash for Diseases of the Feet. Pyroligneous\aeid)*.") F238) 4 ounces: Whideer & os 5 Ne ky eg, ROUNEES! Use. — This wash excels every other in point of efficacy, and removes rot and its kindred diseases sooner than any other. 37 290 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. Cooling Wash for the Eye. Rain water) 0004). (ee ae ee AGERE ACI), wun ye yomy Gyre hed 1 ikes: oS. Use. — In ophthalmia. Tonic and Antispasmodic Wash. Camomile flowers, . . . . . . _ half an ounce. Bowling waters oo.) a) ee When cool, strain through fine linen. Use. —In chronic diseases of the eye, and when a weeping remains after an acute attack. Wash for unhealthy (or ulcerated) Sores. A weak solution of sal soda or wood ashes. Wash for Diseases of the Skin. Take one ounce of finely-pulverized charcoal, pour on it 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. PHYSIC FOR CATTLE. Extract of butternut, (juglans cinerea,) . half an ounce. Creampah@arkdt, . .. «1+. « » «2 tea smoontul: Boiling water 7. a es 2 giants: Mix. When cool, administer. APPENDIX. — PHYSIC FOR CATTLE. 291 Another. Extract of blackroot, (leptandra ee half an ounce. rochelletsaltse’ “5. +. 4 Kyte hi hin 2 al Sounee. Powderetemczer «tc. tt. EOS? Sieauspoonful. Dissolve in two quarts of warm water. Another. Powdered mandrake, . . . ._ I table-spoonful. ream Ol tartar, .: .+.°*,.* .'.* l-tea-spedntnk Fvetrwater. 7. * acu ay? 28) ) cette Bleuares: 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. ‘Simp of ‘buckthorn, 9s: °°,’ 2 ounces. puipnur To ee halt @ table-spoontul, Siser ne... ee} MeL @ tea-spoontul. arevater i eG A quarts: Aperient. BUTSE COCO Ue ea cle a abo ea ck AI Yolks of two eggs. Mix. Another. REVEEH Olle i4 crorimienty Sey actsniee splat Powdered cayenne, . . . ._ half a tea-spoonful. Mix. A sheep will require about one half of the above. 292 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE. DOCTOR. Stimulating Tincture. Bowie VINESAT yn s sivaael-olnee. a Inatshmallawis.. o s\ceise: & ice eh ee OUNCES: PI EA... Wun inde tin oiianky ae ebimead @ ponds: Mix. Dose, half a pound daily, in the cow’s feed. Birrer Root, (apocynum androsemifoliunm.) Given in doses of half an ounce of the powdered bark, it acts as an aperient, and is good wherever an aperient is indicated. 302 AMERICAN REFORMED CATTLE DOCTOR. BuackBerry Root, (rubus trivialis.) A valuable remedy for scours in sheep. Buack Root, (leptandra virginica.) 'The extract is used as physic, instead of aloes. (See Physic for Cattle.) A strong decoction of the fresh roots will generally act as a cathartic on all classes of animals. Biooproot, (sanguinaria canadensis.) It is used in our practice as an escharotic. It acts on fungous 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. Buve Fuae, (iris versicolor.) The powdered root is a good vermifuge. Boneset, (eupatorium perfoliatum.) 'This is a valuable domestic remedy. Its properties are too well known to the farming community to need any description. 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, in veterinary practice, is, — Powdered borax; |...” .. .- *. «. Ball ameounmee: PEOWE VE oe ee ys ee ge a OMe Mix. Bucxtuorn, (rhamnus catharticus.) A sirup made from this plant is a valuable aperient in cattle practice. The dose is from half an ounce to two ounces. Burpock, (arctium lappa.) 'The leaves, steeped in vine- gar, make a good application for sore throat and enlarged glands. ‘Phe seeds are good to purify the blood, and may be given in the fodder. Buttrernvut Bark, (juglans cinerea.) Extract of butternut makes a good cathartic, in doses of half an ounce. Itis 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 aperient and alterative. In a consti- pated habit, attended with loss of cud, it is invaluable. During APPENDIX. — MATERIA MEDICA. 303 the American revolution, when medicines were scarce, this article was brought into use by the physicians, and was es- teemed by them an excellent substitute for the ordinary cathartics. _ Catamus, (acorus calamus.) A valuable remedy for loss of cud. CamomiLte. See Anthemis. CaneLLA Bark is an aromatic stimulant, and forms a good stomachic. Capsicum. A pure stimulant. Useful in impaired digestion. Caraway Seep, (carum carui.) Losses paid and settled in 30 days after proof of death, in currency of, and by laws of, States where Risks are taken. ‘Indemnity is what the community want: why not, then, with the same propriety, insure horses and cattle against fire, as a building? Both are liable. Against accidents on ferry boats, vessels, crossing bridges, &c., &c., as to insure a ship against its perils, or a steamboat against blowing up or sinking? Why not insure horses and cattle against disease or death, to which they are liable, for the benefit of the owner, as to insure a man’s life for the benefit of his family? None can, therefore, doubt the propriety of the enterprise, or its utility and benefit to the community. The capital is all held by highly re- sponsible men, and is wholly unimpaired; and the public may rest assured the business will be faithfully and honorably conducted.” Hon. JOSEPH G. BOWMAN, President. J. COOMBS REILEY, Secretary. WM. BURTCH, Treasurer, Merchant, and President Vincennes Branch of State Bank, Ind. The Subscriber is authorized to issue Policies for the above-named institution, on as favorable terms as any responsible company. MARSHALL P. WILDER, Jrz., 5 & 6 Scozztay'’s Burtprnc, Tremont Row, Boston, Mass., General Agent for Massachusetts and Vermont. Une 7M 2 Be =e O o | z ~ . Te = fe) a3 : > N see . * in O = .——$—I) ee eS 3 = ao eee : :