Daily Republican., 1884-01-11
Con ssgious PleuP0. 0.Pneumsnia

Of the most malignant diseases to which
cattle are heir.
Should it eventually reach our west
ern plains, where millions Of cattl.
range, 1t will hardly find limit
History traces this disease as far bach
as Aristotle, who says '"The cattle
which live In herds are subject to u
malady, during which the breathing
becomes hot and frequent; the ears
drO0p and they cannot eat. They die
rapidly and the lungs are found
spoiled."
| Unfortunately for the vast interes,
Involved in cattle 10 efieCtuai remed J
has been found.
will endeavor TO give brief out
line Of symptoms and treatment, and q,
there is somewhat of q variety In both
l will avoid AZ much as possible the
use OF technical terms.
SYMPTOMS.
In some districts 1t may run a rapid
course and destroy life In . very few
days. In other instances 1t may las
several days or weeks. This diseas.
has an incubation or Matching stage; fol
example: Animals exported from al
infected country have developed thu
disease after trip of three weeks on a
sailing vessel. This Matching stage
may last from few days TO three or fouI
months, and at the end Of this time
break out in all its violence, snd affeci
q whole herd before the disease Ii
suspected.
The afflicted animal may be first no
ticed to cease feeding or chewing its
end, it may have chill with q staring
suddenly diminish.
In aggravated Cases the animal may
knuckle over on the hind pastern, then
an occasional cough is heard, which
Is dry and hard. The bowels are al
first somewhat costive, and but little
urine is voided, and that of dark color
There Is some fever, but not high dur,
ing the first stages, but as the disease
progresses the fever increases. When
there is great fever there may te seen a
slight weeping Of the eyes or the lining
mem brane Of the eye and nose will be
found of q reddish hue. The pulse
| (found best on the under side Of the
tail) is feeble and varies in number OF
pulsations, usually from 60 to IS. OF
even 100.
At first there may be no labore.l
breathing, but this always follows az
the disease advances. A moderate pres
sure of the thumb bet the ribs on
the affected side (most frequently the
right) will cause the patient to moan
or groan, indicating soreness. At this
stage some cases may apparently recov-
er. They are dangerous, inasmuch az
they are capable of transmitting the
dsease to their neighbors, and at no
time are they safe to mingle with other
cattle.
Should the animal become worse at
the above time the cough becomes more
frequent and difficult. The breathin <
is exceedingly painful and accelerated
The elbows are turned outward to allow
a efree expansion Of the chest, the
limbs drawn under the body. Frequent
moans or grunta are heard. The eyes
are wild and anxious-looking, with di-
lated nostrils.
But these signs are not always pres
ent. Many animals where the lungs
are extensively involved ami are indu-
rated or hardened, will stand quiet and
will eat with apparent relish, butif NOV
ed for a short distance will gasp for
breath. The limbs and horns may be
cold, or one cold and the rest warm,
and vice versa The muzzle is subject
to these changes also. Following con-
stipation we may meet with diarrhoea,
which will eventually end the animals .
suffering in death. To close observer,
listening at the chest will give harsh
and cracking sounds at first, and as
the disease advances there will be
loss Of all sounds over the diseased
part. In the majority of cases 1t at
tacks but one lung and does not even
then involve the whole lung. Percns
sion or tapping with the ends of the
fngers over the diseased section will
give a dull, dead.ned sound, which
can be readily distinguished when com
pared to healthy lung. In many cases
the breath may become foul indicating
gangrene of the lungs. have endea-
vored to give only those symptoms that
can be noticed by a casual observer, and
will now give few of the post mortem
appearances.
If the animal has died after rapid |
illness, the lungs are found to be red or
inhamed and more or less hardened. |
This may or may not be In patches. If
the disease has been of some duration |
the diseased lung will be hardened or
liver-like, and usually OF two cOlors or
even three, red Oh the first stage and
grey or the last stag, giving the lungs
when washed somewhat the appearance
Of marble. The lungs may be blaCken-
ed in advanced cases.
Animals never entirely recover from
this disease, as the lung always bears
traces of the malady, viz: the hardened
may fatten or yield an abundance of
milk, but when slaughtered the dis
eased condition is evident Space will
not permit me to dwell long on its
'reatment. The determination Of all
affected animals is certainly the Lcest as
a preventative. Many cases recover
themselves with good nursing.
In the early stages of fever, aconite,
n 10 drop doses in water every hours. !
3 beneficial. 1t cOnstipated, give one
lalf pound Of EPSON salts with 9TH |
ounce Of ground ginger.
The liberal use of saltpetre in the
- "bpSi
swollen with gas, give ono ounce of car.
,onate of ammonia, dissolved, in four
loses during the first Is hours. Allow
,lenty of water, pure air and clean bed
ling. Avoid draughts. Give sloppy |
ood, bran mashes, etc. If much g.
,ilitated, ard will not eat, give ling .ed
ca, or Cruel in liberal quantity To
his may be added ginger in table
poonful doses, and y pint Of whisky
This may be given three timer A day,
When they have comr Fenced to
chew the cud," give soiif food very
paringly, Carrots, app .es, ETC., are
,ood If not frozen. If . xhanstive diar-
lea should sst in, 1t r ,ust not he check
ID suddenly. Opiup in 60 grain doses,
hree times daily II useful, or continue |
t with chalk and four or five eggs.
Some animals will take milk, and, if
uch is the ca' e, give il literally. |
Space Will not permit me to dwell !
IN the prev cntative treatment and sani- |
aIy me9 s;-res Int | will dwell on that