Part 7

MEDICAL TREATMENT.—When once Contagious Abortion makes its appearance, separate infected from non-infected animals, remove all litter, manure, etc., from barns, corrals, and burn or bury deeply. The conveyances used should be tight so as to prevent scattering. Scrub and disinfect floors, fences, walls and barns and rubbing posts with a solution made from three pounds of Copper Sulphate to ten gallons of water, permitting it to thoroughly dissolve before using. Use an ordinary barrel and cover so as to prevent any cattle drinking same, as it is very poisonous. When a cow aborts, remove the calf and afterbirth in a tight receptacle that will prevent any portion from being scattered, and burn or bury deeply; disinfect the floor and walls of stall where the abortion took place as long as the cow is discharging any fluids from the womb. A gallon of distilled or boiled water containing about one per cent Carbolic Acid should be injected into the womb with an ordinary hose and funnel. This should be repeated once a day for a week. Use a solution of the same strength for washing the tail and parts around the outer part of the womb, or in fact any part that the discharge of an aborting cow may come in contact with.

Internally, give Methylen Blue in thirty grain doses, every other day for two weeks. This is an exceptionally disagreeable drug to administer as it stains everything it comes in contact with. Place it in a gelatin capsule or have your druggist prepare six or seven capsules containing thirty grains each. Then administer with capsule gun. Insist on pure Methylen Blue, accept no substitute. This treatment has proven very effective in many localities where strict aseptic precautions were carried out, as washing out the womb or any parts that the discharge of an aborting cow may come in contact with and proper cleanliness and disinfection of stables, etc. Cows should not be bred for several weeks following abortion or as long as there is a discharge present. Bulls should be treated in much the same way, as administering Methylen Blue in same size doses for the same length of time as that of the cow. But in addition to this, use a one per cent solution of Carbolic Acid for injecting into the bull’s sheath, holding the end of the sheath while the solution is being injected, until it is well distended; holding the opening of the sheath allowing the solution to remain as long as convenient. Also, wash belly, muzzle, etc., with a solution of the same strength.

COUGH.

(Acute and Chronic)

As a cough is a symptom of various diseases, these in addition to the cough should be treated.

KINDS OF COUGH.—Many writers give several different varieties, but for the sake of convenience I will divide them into two forms, namely: Acute and Chronic.

CAUSE.—Acute coughs are generally due to sudden exposure of cold, drafts and are the forerunning symptom of a disease of the organs of breathing.

Chronic Coughs are associated with, and are a result of sore throat, lung fever, pleurisy, bronchitis, catarrh and tuberculosis.

TREATMENT.—Under each disease, of which a cough is a symptom, I have also prescribed to include its supprice, yet very effective in all forms of cough: Tannic pression. The following prescription is reasonable in Acid, one ounce; Potassi Chlorate, four ounces; Potassi Nitrate, four ounces. Powder well and mix with Black Strap Molasses, one pint, placing container with contents in hot water, which assists in dissolving. When this is thoroughly mixed, add Pine Tar, one pint, and place one tablespoonful well back on the tongue with a wooden paddle every three or four hours, according to the severity of the cough.

Sometimes a liniment applied to the throat and windpipe has a good effect, and I would recommend the following on account of its penetrating qualities: Aqua Ammonia Fort., two ounces; Turpentine, two ounces; Raw Linseed Oil, four ounces. Mix and apply twice daily, shaking the contents of the bottle well before using.

COWPOX.

(Variola)

CAUSE.—Investigations lead us to believe that it is due to protozoa. So far, the true micro-organism has not been discovered. This disease is very contagious and is transmitted by direct communication but not through the air. Perhaps the most common way of transmitting the disease is by the hands of the milker.

SYMPTOMS.—A slight rise in the temperature, especially that of the udder and teats. They are red, swollen and tender and after three or four days small pimples or pustules will appear on the teats, about the size of a pea. The pimples or pustules become larger and within a few days may attain the size of one-half inch in diameter. At the end of the second week the pimples or pustules burst and discharge an amber colored fluid leaving raw sores, which cause the animal to suffer intensely when being milked. The supply of milk is also markedly decreased in this condition.

PREVENTION.—A person should not milk both healthy and diseased cows unless the hands are thoroughly washed in a Carbolated Solution; the clothes that are likely to come in contact with the udder, coat sleeves, etc., changed.

TREATMENT.—It is advisable to give a physic as it has a very good effect on the blood, such as Aloin, two drams, and Ginger, two drams, which is easily prepared and administered by placing in capsule and giving with capsule gun.

Also, the application of Zinc Ointment two or three times a day affords immediate relief and causes the sores to heal rapidly. Good results are also obtained by feeding food that is easily digested, as bran mashes, steamed rolled oats and vegetables.

DIARRHOEA.

CAUSE.—Giving rich succulent foods after being fed on stimulating diets for some time, and such a case may be a benefit to the animal instead of an injury. Turnips, carrots, etc., especially if frozen slightly, are apt to produce it. Also impure and stagnant water which acts as a poison or some irritant in the food, as sand, clay, etc., or it may result from excitement, as driving cattle or shipping cattle in cars when not accustomed to it. Or, it may be the result of an overdose of irritating medicines. Diarrhoea as a rule is not fatal. It is often an effort of nature to relieve the system of some disease, as poison in the blood. The easiest way to get rid of it is by way of the bowels.

SYMPTOMS.—It is easily detected. An animal has frequent passages which are of a liquid nature. At first the pulse is but little affected, but after a day or two it becomes weak and slightly increased. If it continues for a few days the pulse increases, the ears and legs get colder than normal, there are slight gripping pains in some cases due to slight irritation or perhaps to slight spasm of the intestines. These pains may increase and result in inflammation of the bowels, especially if the cause is due to stagnant water or irritating drugs.

TREATMENT.—In many cases all you have to do is to change the food and clothe the body according to the temperature. Do not let the animal drink large quantities of water at one time. Give pure water in small quantities, but often, and it may be necessary to give medicines. Endeavor to find out the cause and if due to some irritant in the intestines, prepare Flaxseed tea by pouring a quart of boiling water on a half pint of pure Flaxseed, allowing it to cool. Compel the animal to drink it. This is very soothing to the bowels when irritated and also beneficial in removing the irritant; in cases where the Diarrhoea continues for some time, it is necessary to stop it by administering Gum Catechu, two ounces; Protan, two ounces; Zinc Sulphocarbolates, eight grains. Mix and make into eight capsules and give one capsule every four hours with capsule gun. Keep the animal as quiet as possible and feed non-irritating food that is easily digested, as steamed barley or oats.

DEHORNING.

Dehorning is not considered a cruelty as some people hold it, as horns on cattle not only add discomfort to themselves but add to the owner’s risk. It is much better, safer and I think more humane to prevent the growth of horns on calves after they are three or four days old by rubbing the elevations where the horns make their appearance with a pencil of Caustic Potash after being moistened with cold water. Repeat this application two or three times, which is generally sufficient.

When dehorning cattle with clippers or saw, it is well to remove about one-half inch of the flesh with the horn. This gives their head a much better appearance after the horns are removed and wounds healed. When a horn is freshly amputated, apply Oil of Tar occasionally, as it is an antiseptic and prevents infection and the annoyance of flies. However, this should be performed during the season when the flies are less numerous.

DROPSY.

(Ascities)

CAUSE.—Usually seen in aged cattle fed on poor food where the blood becomes so poor, so to speak, that Dropsy follows. The presence of worms frequently stimulates excessive secretions of fluid, producing Dropsy.

SYMPTOMS.—The abdomen is abnormally increased in size, flanks are gaunt, paleness of the membranes of the mouth and eyes and a general weakness. Pressure with the hand on the abdominal walls will produce a splashing, watery sound.