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V.—Sponging the body, especially the head, nares and around the eyes, with cooling
washes, such as vinegar and water, which will give a feeling of relief and coolness, and
tar water or kerosine may be employed with the view of keeping off the flies which swarm
about the diseased animal.
VI.—Supporting the strength in every possible way during convalescence.
To those conversant with the treatment of cattle the above record of cases and indications
for treatment of the disease are ample; but to many who have no opportunity of consulting a
professional man, or even of obtaining the remedies we have mentioned at once, a few plain
directions may be of value, and the ingredients we select are to be procured in almost every
bazaar in the country.
In the first stage the following may he given as an aperient drench.
Epsom salts eight ounces, common salt eight ounces, powdered ginger, or pepper, or any aro-
matic stimulant one to three ounces, mixed up in conjee water, or plain water, and given as a
drench. At the same time employ hot water fomentations to the throat, or stronger counter-irri-
tants. If the premonitory symptoms are severe, turpentine six ounces, croton oil one ounce, is a
sharp and effectual counter-irritant, and, if procurable, ammonia, the strong liquid may be
added, and this rubbed in over the fauces, the chest, the right side over the liver, and along
the spine.
The bowels having been acted upon, the next object is to sustain the vital powers and
stamina, and sedatives combined with direct stimulants should be given with an unsparing
hand. The following will be found useful:—Camphor one ounce bhang four ounce (any pre-
paration of cannibis Indica, but that met with and sold in the bazaar answers very well),
carbonate of ammonia four drachms, brandy one pint, given in a quart of water or
when procurable whey.
When the dysenteric symptoms supervene, we can only recommend a steady exhibition of
gruel and mucilaginous drinks and stimulants, the so-called astringents kino chalk, &c.,
have not been found sufficiently successful in their action to warrant our recommending them
for trial.
A strong solution of nitrate of silver, a scruple to the ounce, should be applied to the
swollen tongue, and as far down the fauces as practicable; if this is not obtainable, sponging
the tongue and fauces with a solution of common salt will be of service.
Where expense is not an object, we would suggest a trial of large doses of quinine and
ipecacuanha: the treatment has not been so far as we are aware tried; but the wonderful
influence the latter drug exercises in the human subject in cases of dysentery with hepatic
complication, and having here before us a disease which rapidly runs into a deadly dysentery,
induces us to suggest a trial of this remedy; it should be resorted to on the first appearance
of dysenteric purging, at the same time we would perseveringly administer stimulants, nutri-
tious drenches, and counter-irritants.
The above comprises all we have to suggest as regards the therapeutic or remedial
measures which are likely to be of service; and admitting a loss of even 90 per cent. of cattle
treated, and which is certainly taking the highest possible ratio, and bearing in mind that
towards the decline of the Epizootic the cases which came under review were milder and
more amenable to treatment, until we find Mr. Greenhill returning a ratio of at least fifty
cures per 11)0 treated we are justified, we consider, in urging a full trial of the remedial
measures we have above given, and in encouraging all who may unfortunately be visited by
this disease to patiently and perseveringly carry out the measures we have recommended, and
not to be disheartened at even repeated failures. We cannot hold out prospects of great
success ; but we believe that many valuable cattle will be saved by attention to the rules we
have laid down We would most certainly not recommend the wholesale slaughtering of
cattle which our countrymen in England appear to have so universally, and, as we think,
unadvisedly, recommended on the first outbreak of the disease; but which we are glad to
find has received a check. We cannot refrain from quoting an extract from one of the
many able and practical articles which have appeared in the London Times ; it gives encourage-
ment and is replete with practical common sense. " What strikes us most is the
facility with which farmers and veterinary surgeons abandon themselves to despair so far as
regards all hope of successful" treatment, and resort to the extreme measure of prohibition
and destruction. We could do this, of course, if we were the merest savages, ready to
believe a demon had passed over our cattle, and glad to fall back on our yams and plantains :
but we are rather better than savages, and we profess to have some power over the diseases
of man and beast. It is a very humbling confession that is made by our medical authorities
when they tell us to kill at once, for there is nothing else to be done." " All our epidemics
from Cholera and Small-pox down to Scarlatina Measles and the common influenza do much
less mischief under some treatments than others."—(See Evening Mail of August 21st). Such
opinions backed by the knowledge that experience has proved their truth, and value, incites
us to-be up and doing, to use our skill and observation and experience to our utmost ability
to combat the dire, but by no means universally fatal disease, which is apparently extend-
ing itself over every country of the world.