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the animal: 6 P. M. the same; gave gruel. On 16th blisters taken, dressed; breathing easier but
grunting; bowels well opened but not much purged; a quantity of gas passing off from
intestine; gave assafœtida two drachms, powder Capsicum one drachm, camphor one drachm :
1 P. M. easier ; gave gruel; looking about; left off grunting : 6 P. M. gave beer gruel. On 17th
dressed blisters; bullock looking better; coat smoothed, eyes brighter and fuller, breathing
easier, beginning for first time to pick Australian hay. This bullock had no relapse from
this time, and with nursing and good feeding completely recovered."
These two cases exemplify the mode of treatment which in Mr. Greenhill's hands has been
most successful, and under which he has saved about 50 per cent. Mr. Rutherford has kindly
furnished the following summary of his treatment. " Many of the cases, in fact all that I
admitted into hospital, were put into cool, airy, and thoroughly healthy boxes. My earliest cases
were treated, if purging was present, with brandy and tincture opii (laudanum), and on
relief being given, this was followed by frequent doses of quinine, brandy, and ammonia,
in different forms, invariably the purging returned and as invariably sinking and death At
one gentleman's request, and on consideration of his theory of the disease, I opened the skin,
made wounds and injected and inserted on sponge, infusion, of Quassia; the result was death
in the two or three cases experimented on. Different mixtures were applied to the head to
keep the flies off; such as those of camphor, turpentine, creasote, and tar water. One case,
that of a very fine young Devon Bull, recently imported, and in which the symptoms were
peculiarly violent, I had removed to a large airy box, and at once gave a mixture containing
the liquor ammonia acetas, and sulphate of magnesia (epsom salts), inserted a seton on each
side of the throat and fixed his spine, and twice a day applied a strong solution of the nitrate
of silver to the base of the tongue and pharynx ; he had large quantities of gruel poured down
his throat, and stimulants of every description; and also Donovan's solution of arsenic was
administered ; this medicine was also given in several other cases, and with no satisfactory
results. This animal, like all treated at this period, died. In March the disease became mote
amenable to treatment, as it was also becoming lessened in intensity and in numbers of animals
attacked, and from this period cases did recover. One case especially is deserving of notice. A
cow, the property of Mr. Cockerell, of Allipore, which had the disease in a well marked form,
and from the precautions I adopted for the protection of the other cattle in his homestead, the
disease did not extend. The treatment adopted in this case, stimulating the throat both
internally and externally daily; administration of large and repeated doses of camphor, sweet
spirit of nitre, nitrate of potass or nitre and bhang, and a sufficient quantity of whey to
form a drench, and the diet such as she would herself select. I experienced great difficulty in
many cases from the total suspension of rumination, and from the affected condition of the
third stomach, preventing the free and absolute passage of medicines administered into the
system, I had to puncture the rumen in many instances to allow of the escape of gas
generated in the decomposition of undigested food; in some cases I passed a tube into the
stomach, which allowed the escape of gas as fast as it formed, and by means of which I could
pour in stimulants with the view of rousing the rumen into action. I am satisfied, from the
results of my latter cases, that the most effectual treatment consists in mild laxatives, combined
with powerful diffusible stimulants, and particularly counter-irritation by setoning and blistering
over the right side, especially towards the false ribs. Setons to the region of the throat I also
recommend, and supporting the strength with the best and most nutritious diet in a liquid
form. There are many things which will suggest themselves in special cases to the observer."
"In many cases I noticed great relief obtained from sponging the body frequently with
vinegar and water. I think there is great difficulty in pointing out a remedy within the
means of the poor class of Native cattle owners, unless they confine themselves to preventive
measures and to the use of Native purging medicines, combined aromatics and stimulants."
Mr. Floyd has advocated the employment of turpentine and linseed, and towards the
end of the Calcutta Epizootic this treatment was most efficacious where it was tried. It is one
that we believe might be more extensively and with much confidence again carried out;
it is certainly well worthy of trial, being within the reach of all.
We may give the following as the general indications of treatment to be followed.
I.—Placing the patient in a well ventilated open place, with plenty of clean straw,
a dry flooring and scrupulous cleanliness.
II.—Aperients and diffiusible stimulants, such as ammonia, ether, camphor, the
nitrate of potass and sedatives of which the Cannabis Indica, Indian hemp, or Bhang, is perhaps
the most valuable, and in this country the most readily commanded.
III.—Counter-irritants,
such as turpentine and croton oil embrocations, setons
smeared with some stimulants, especially croton oil, as being quick in its action, and these may
be applied to the throat and sides of the chest, and especially over the right side and region
of the liver.
IV.—Nutritious
and even stimulating drenches, gruel made with beer, arrowroot,
linseed, and even alcohol or ether, may be mixed occasionally with these drenches, and fresh
green fodder or any fresh wholesome food, whenever the animal shews a disposition to
pick any.