The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-01-02
Mi1k-sickness.

M1lk.S1CEneSSs
This is a disease affecting both dairy
cattle and men. It formerly prevailed
extensively in some parts Of what was
then called the West-Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois-but more particularly In
the northern part of Ohio-the Western
Reserve The disease disappeared with
the growth of the country, and in later
years doubt arose whether there ever
was such a malady. Recently, however,
an affection, presenting the very symp-
toms described by the older medical
writer's as those Of milk-sickness, has
appeared in New Mexico.
In cattle the disease is called the
Slows" or the "trembles," the latter
name being given because of peculiar
muscular tremor which is a conspicr-
GUS symptom. The animal appears list
less and refuses to, Craze, but drinks
eagerly if water is offered, and keeps
by itself away from the rest Of the
herd. Soon the trembling comes on,
the animal is no longer able to stand,
it's breathing becomes slower and slow
err, it's eyes are dull and glazed, its
legs cold and death follows in two
or three days. Constipation is usual
ly marked throughout the entire course
of the disease.
The malady prevails especially In
marshy districts and along the borders
of rivers with low banks. Post-mortem
examination Of animals dead Of the
"trembles'' shows condition of the
liver, kidneys, heart and muscles sim
liar to that caused by certain pOisons,
namely, fatty degeneration and pecul-
lar cellular changes. 1t is believed to
be due to the action of a special bacil-
lus-that is, to be specific infectious
disease.
In man the affection is believed to
arise from drinking the milk or eat
ing the insufficiently cooked flesh Of
diseased animals. The symptoms in
the human being are loss Of appetite,
nausea and vomiting, intolerable thirst,
extreme muscular weakness, and some
times trembling, obstinate constipation,
a peculiar sweetish Odor of the breath,
and dull pain in the abdomen. There
is little or no fever, and often the tenn
perature is below normal, the body,
and especially the extremities, feeling
cold to the touch.
The disease is more fatal in cattle
than in man, yet in man 1t is very
serious. and death is not uncommon.
The cause Of the trouble in cattle is un-
known, although, as before mentioned.
it is believed to be an infectious dis
ease, somewhat similar to tetanus.
There is no special treatment, and
cases have to be managed by meet
ing the symptoms as they arise, and
trying to maintain the strength of the
patient and to increase the natural pow
ers Of resistance.-Youth's Companion.
Felon Salve.
Mix one-third balsam Of fir, one-third
mutton tallOw, one-third fresh hen oil
and simmer slowly. Do not have the
finger cut off, even if it is burst open
and swelled as large as three fingers
ought to be, until this salve Is tried.
|
all kinds of stubborn ulcers. Balsam of
fir can be purchased at any drug store.
1t is a sticky substance and cannot be
cleansed with water, but is easily re-
moved with oil or grease Of any kind.
The stopper of bottle used for balsam
become so cemented by the balsam as
to be impossible to remove the cork.
HiccOugh and It's Relief.
Hiccough is a spasmodic or con-
vulsive affection of the stomach and
midriff arising from any cause that ir-
ritates their nervous fbers. 1t may
proceed from excess in eating or drink
ing, from a slight hurt of the stom-
ach or from Inflammation. A little
sweetened spirits Of camphor will re-
move this difficulty. Often a drink Of
cold water slipped slowly and holding
the breath the while will cure hic-
cough. It may also be relieved by any
sudden application of cold.
Tape Worm.
Scald one pint Of pumpkin seed; peel
off the outside shell and pound up the
kernels with enough sugar to make
them palatable. This should be taken
in three doses; the first in the morn
ing, the second at noon and the third
just before going to bed. Nothing else
should be eaten through the day.. After
each dose Of the seed take a large
tablespoonful of castor OIL.
GOOD THINGS TO EAT.
Baked Elephant, Roast Alligator or
Candied ViOlets q Splendid Meal.
A correspondent to the Times recent
~ mentioned that sparrow pudding was
an excellent dish, and that only igno-
rance or prejudice prevented us from
eating It. Perhaps so. In any case,