CHAPTER X

Diseases of Farm Animals

=ABORTION.=--The expulsion of the fetus at a period too young to live

exterior of its mother is known as abortion. This ailment may afflict

cows, mares, sows, and ewes, but is most common among cows.

Abortion may be divided into two classes, namely, accidental and

contagious. If we had nothing but the accidental form of abortion to

contend with we would hear very little about this disease, owing to the

fact that it is perfectly natural for animals to carry their young full

time, regardless of how much they may be punished or abused while in

this condition if their system be free from the germs of contagious

abortion. On the other hand, contagious abortion is a very destructive

disease, causing heavy losses to the stockmen of the United States as

well as to other countries. Contagious abortion is divided into two

classes, namely, acute and chronic. Cows afflicted with the acute form

of abortion may lose from one to three calves. Cows, after passing from

the acute to the chronic form of abortion, may carry their calves full

time, but are as badly affected with the germs of contagious abortion as

they were in the acute form, when they were losing their calves.

[Illustration: DISEASES OF THE HORSE

1 Poll Evil, 2 Swelling by Bridle Pressure, 3 Inflamed Parotid Gland,

4 Inflamed Jugular Vein, 5 Caries of the Lower Jaw, 6 Fistula of Parotid

Duct, 7 Bony Excrescence, 8 Fistula of Withers, 9 Saddle Gall, 10 Tumor

Caused by Collar, 11 Splint, 12 Malanders, 13 A Tread on the Coronet,

14 Sand Crack, 15 Quittor, 16 Knee Bunch, 17 Clap on Back Sinews,

18 Ring Bone, 19 Foundered Foot, 20 Ventral Hernia, 21 Rat Tail,

22 Spavin, 23 Curb, 24 Quarter Crack, 25 Thick Leg, 26 Malanders,

27 Capped Hock, 28 Swelled Sinews, 29 Grease, 30 Sand Crack, 31 Tumor of

Elbow.]

Perhaps the greatest damage brought about with cattle afflicted with the

chronic form of abortion is the shortage of milk. Animals afflicted with

accidental abortion show very few marked symptoms before they abort.

Animals afflicted with contagious abortion have a number of marked

symptoms, namely, little red patches of infection on the lining of the

vulva, and there may also be present a catarrhal discharge. The sheath

of the herd bull in the acute form of the disease has a catarrhal

discharge, while the symptoms of calves is a swelling of the glands of

the throat from ear to ear. These last named symptoms do not appear in

accidental abortion.

Owing to the fact that the germs of contagious abortion are found in the

mothers’ blood, in the genital organs of the cow and the bull, and in

the stables wherein they are housed, it has been positively decided that

the only reliable and effectual treatment for contagious abortion is the

hypodermic treatment, which destroys the germ in the mother’s blood. The

genital organs of the cow and bull should be washed out with the

antiseptic solution made of 1 pint of corrosive sublimate to 1,000 parts

of water, and the germs contained in the stables wherein afflicted

animals are housed should be destroyed by disinfectants. In this way the

disease is met at every turn, and it is impossible for the disease of

contagious abortion to exist when thus handled.

=ABSCESS.=--A collection of pus in a new-formed cavity in the body. It

has a well-defined wall surrounding it. An abscess is the result of

entrance of micro-organisms into the body. They may have entered through

wounds or into the hair follicles, or abscesses may result from

infectious diseases, as strangles or distemper in the horse. At the seat

of the abscess formation swelling occurs, the part feels warmer than the

surrounding tissue, is painful to touch, and hard. These conditions are

due to the inflammation of the part. Later it becomes soft, less

sensitive, and fluctuates, which shows that it is coming to a head, or

that the pus is collecting. If the skin is white it will show a yellow

color in the center, which is usually raised above the surface, and the

hair falls out. This soon breaks and discharges pus.

It is advisable to hasten the ripening of the abscess by hot

applications in form of poultices, or a large pack of cotton saturated

with hot bichloride of mercury 1 part to 1,000 parts of water, or use

some one of the coal tar dips 1 part to 50 parts of water. The

application of a light blister will often hasten ripening. When the pus

has collected or the abscess has come to a head, it should be opened at

the lowest part in order to give free drainage to the pus contained

within.

Great care should be used in opening abscesses--not to cut blood vessels

which might be in the vicinity. In case the abscess breaks of its own

accord, it is often necessary to enlarge the opening, in order to give

free drainage for the pus. If the abscess is large or deep-seated it

should be washed out each day with bichloride of mercury 1 part to water

1,000 parts, or with a 2 per cent solution of some one of the coal tar

dips. After it is opened do not apply bandages, as they prevent the free

escape of pus. Do not allow the opening to close until it heals from the

bottom; or, in other words, as long as it secretes pus, for there is

danger of its breaking out again. If the opening is too high up, or not

large enough, it may result in a running sore or fistula.

=ACTINOMYCOSIS.=--Called lumpy jaw, because of the frequency of the

swelling located on the jaw. It is due to the entrance of a specific

organism, a fungus, into the tissues. This causes an inflammation, with

an increase in the amount of tissue, as shown by the enlargement and in

which an abscess is formed. Adult cattle are the only animals commonly

affected with this disease, but occasionally nearly all classes of

domestic animals may be affected. A number of cases have also been

reported in man, but the disease in cattle, being localized to a small

region of body, usually the head, there is little danger of transmission

from animal to man in eating beef.

[Illustration: LUMPY JAW

An exterior view showing location of lumpy jaw.]

The symptoms are recognized by the characteristic tumor, usually

observed on the jaw, either of the bone or of the soft tissues in that

vicinity. It may, however, affect the tongue, or, in fact, nearly any of

the organs of the body. Its development is more or less of a slow,

constant growth, beginning with a very small nodule, but, when allowed

to run its course, may reach the size of a cocoanut, or larger. On

reaching some size, it usually ruptures and from it discharges a thick,

yellowish pus. It is to be distinguished very largely by its commonly

affecting cattle, its location, its slow growth and its firm, hard

consistency, and finally a discharge of pus from it.

Treatment consists, if of small size in the soft tissues, of complete

excision by the knife. But, if of larger size, or when the bone or large

blood vessels are involved, recourse should be had to the internal

administration of iodide of potash from one to two teaspoonfuls in a

drench of a quart of water, or, in some instances, it may be given in

the drinking water once daily. This should be continued for a week or

ten days, when the treatment should be discontinued for a like time,

and, if necessary, repeated several times.

=AFTERBIRTH, RETENTION OF.=--This is a condition resulting from the

failure of the mother to pass the membranes after the birth of her

young. It happens most frequently in cases of abortion, or when birth

occurs before time. There is usually more or less of a mass of the

membranes hanging from the opening, which occasionally reaches to below

the hock, or even to the ground. When fresh it looks somewhat like the

intestines, but if exposed to the air for some time it is grayish in

color, especially when it begins to decompose. The odor is very

offensive, and the discharge soils all the hind parts of the animal. In

these cases the health of the animal suffers, and fever frequently

results, with a loss of appetite and flow of milk. The fever and

inflammation of the parts may go so far as to cause the death of the

animal.

The afterbirth should never be allowed to remain over three days in the

cow, nor over twenty-four hours in the mare. In the mare, sow, or bitch

gently pulling on the membranes, at the same time twisting them easily,

will often bring them out without injury to the animal. With the cow it

is different. Here the membranes are “buttoned” on in tufts, and the

pulling, and especially the twisting, usually makes matters worse and

injures the uterus.

After removing the membranes there always remains in the uterus a

quantity of fluid, which should be washed out with water a little cooler

than the blood of the animal, adding about a teaspoonful of carbolic

acid or other good antiseptic to each gallon of water and mixing well.

The hands and arms of the operator should be absolutely clean, and

during the operation should be kept covered with carbolized oil or

carbolized soap and water. In mares, especially, care should be taken

not to injure the parts, as inflammation sets in very much quicker than

in the cow. Several gallons of the above solution should be injected as

soon as the condition is noticed, and a warm bran mash fed to the animal

occasionally will help her general health.

=ANEMIA.=--A deficiency of red blood corpuscles. The animal is scanty of

flesh, hide bound and in a general run-down and debilitated condition.

The disease is sometimes called hollow horn. Treatment consists of

better food and care. The feed should be of a nature such as will enrich

the blood and build up the system. Food of a succulent nature, like

roots, green grass, or ensilage, will help out. A tonic, made as

follows, will be helpful: Two teaspoonfuls of sulphate of iron, 1

teaspoonful of powdered nux vomica, and 4 tablespoonfuls of ground

gentian root. Add this to the food each day for a week or ten days.

=ANTHRAX, OR CHARBON.=--An acute, infectious disease of plant-eating

animals, which, under favorable conditions, attacks flesh-eating animals

as well. It is caused by a microbe which enters the circulating blood

and by multiplication therein causes its rapid destruction, and the

death of the animal. The disease is as old as human history. It exists

in all countries and in all latitudes. It was formerly very destructive

to human life, as well as to animals. There is no disease which attacks

more different kinds of animals than anthrax, nor one which is more

deadly. Also, there is no disease which is harder to deal with from the

sanitary point of view; nor harder to stamp out. The reasons for this

will be shown later on.

Soil is the prime factor in preserving and propagating the microbe, when

it is naturally wet, impermeable, and rich in decomposing animal and

vegetable matter. The microbe of anthrax may enter the body by several

channels. It may be taken in with the food or drink. It may be breathed

into the lungs. It may enter through abraded surfaces on the skin. It

may be inoculated into the body by biting insects.

There are several forms of the disease and these are determined by the

modes of entrance of the virus. One form, which occurs especially in

sheep and cattle, at the commencement of an outbreak, and which is

characterized by the suddenness of its onset and its high degree of

fatality, is known as the apoplectic, or fulminant form. Without showing

any previous symptoms, an animal will suddenly be seized with loss of

appetite, trembling, uneasiness, irregularity of movements, difficult

breathing, blueness of the nostrils, bellowing, convulsions and

hemorrhages from the natural openings. Death may occur in a few minutes

or in four or five hours.

Another type is known as anthrax fever, or internal anthrax. Here we

have distinct symptoms, the most important being high fever of from

three to four degrees, excitability and restlessness. Blood may ooze in

drops from the nose, eyes, or ears, and from inside of the forearm or

thigh, in sheep. There will be trembling, prostration, numbness of the

loins, thirst, grinding of the teeth, colicky pains, bloating, bloody

discharges, palpitation of the heart, difficult breathing, blueness of

the visible mucous membranes, jerking of the muscles of the back and

neck, and rolling of the eyes. The animal will die in comatose state, or

in convulsions, and death will occur in sheep in about a day. Cattle

will live from two to five days, and horses from one to six days.

A third form is external anthrax, which manifests itself in swelling of

the tongue, throat, rectum, and skin in cattle; and of the tongue,

throat, neck, shoulders, withers, flank, or thigh in horses. These

swellings have a firm, doughy feeling, are not painful generally, and

show a marked tendency to gangrene. They never suppurate. If cut (this

should never be done), they discharge a pale, straw-colored liquid. In

this may be found the microbe.

The rapidity with which putrefaction occurs in an anthrax carcass is

very marked. Another characteristic is, the blood loses its property of

clotting, is dark and tarry, and does not become light in color by

contact with air, like normal blood. In fulminant cases, however, these

characters are not so well marked. Other signs of the disease, if a

farmer should be so unfortunate as to open an anthrax carcass and

thereby spread the infection on his farm, will be great enlargement of

the spleen, or milt, and also of the liver. Bloody patches in the

tongue, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines, caul, skin, and muscles,

or in fact in almost any part of the body, will be plainly visible.

=The Management of the Sick Animal= and disposal of the carcass are the

most important procedures in an outbreak of anthrax, from a sanitary

standpoint. Medicinal treatment is of little value. A vaccine has been

discovered that is very effective in preventing the disease. This has

been used very successfully in both this and European countries. If a

case of anthrax is suspected, call your veterinarian at once. The

disease will not pass through the air from a sick animal to a healthy

one, but the discharges which invariably occur during the progress of

the disease all contain the microbe, and everything soiled by them is

infectious material and capable of spreading the disease.

When an animal is infected, remove at once to the burial lot and tie it

near the place it is to be buried, to save handling and scattering the

infection. When it dies, dig the grave. Then saturate the animal with

kerosene or coal oil and set it afire. By means of ropes tied around the

fetlocks turn the animal, saturate the other side and fire that, and

also the soles of the feet. When every hair has been burned off,

dissolve a one-pound carton of chlorinated lime (freshly opened) in

sufficient water to make a fluid that will just pour from the cup. Fill

the nostrils with this, also the mouth and eyes, which should be pried

open with a stick dipped in solution. Saturate some cotton or rags with

the lime, and plug up the nostrils or mouth. Treat the rectum likewise.

Turn the animal into its grave, sprinkle the ground on which it has

stood and laid with a strong solution of chlorinated lime, and shovel

the top layers of this soil into the grave. Follow this with the grave

soil, banking it up, as in human graves. In cases where the animal is

found dead, the same method is to be pursued, except that the animal is

hauled to the grave on a sled (never dragged over the ground). In these

cases, also, the place where it died must be disinfected by the same

means, after hauling out all loose material and burning the same, as

near as possible to the place where the animal died. It would also be

necessary to disinfect the sled and all tools which came in contact with

the carcass.

=APOPLEXY.=--A ruptured blood vessel in the brain; usually causes

unconsciousness, at least for a time. The control of certain muscles is

lost and a general dullness prevails over the animal. In case the

apoplectic attack runs a favorable course, the muscles come more or less

under control again and the patient in time may recover. It is in rare

cases only, however, that animals recover to an extent to be worth much

after being affected with apoplexy. Fortunately the disease in animals

is rare.

=AZOTURIA, OR MONDAY MORNING DISEASE.=--This is a very peculiar

affection of the horse, in which the animal shows a special form of

lameness upon exercise, after having remained idle for a day or two. The

cause is not definitely known, and yet the circumstances under which the

disease develops are rather constant, such, for instance, as an animal

in vigorous condition, fed liberally upon nitrogenous feed, remaining

idle over Sunday, a holiday or at other times. Upon being taken out the

following morning the animal usually shows an excess of energy, but

before going far begins to go lame in one or both hind limbs until, if

urged further, becomes completely paralyzed behind, going down and

unable to rise. He also shows considerable pain, as though he might be

suffering from some form of colic, with a profuse sweating. On reaching

this point the animal usually ceases to void the urine, which, when

drawn, appears a very dark brown or coffee color. The pulse and

breathing are somewhat accelerated, and frequently there is considerable

nervous excitement. The muscles of the loin and thigh are tense and

rigid.

The treatment should begin as soon as the lameness shows itself. After a

few hours of rest, the distress will be over. The more exercise given

the animal after the lameness begins, the more severe the trouble, and

the more energetic means of treatment required. In a case showing signs

of nervous excitement, it should receive 2 tablespoonfuls of bromide of

potassium every three or four hours until becoming quiet. Sweating

should be induced by blanketing the animal well, preferably using

blankets wrung out of hot water and covered with a dry one. Allow all

the water the animal will drink and give it 4 tablespoonfuls sweet

spirits of niter three times a day if bladder is not paralyzed. If

unable to void the urine, the bladder must be emptied three times daily.

A laxative or purgative should be given early in the disease. If the

animal remains somewhat stiff, give a teaspoonful in the feed twice a

day of the following: Powdered nux vomica, 4 teaspoonfuls; powdered

sulphate of iron, 6 teaspoonfuls; powdered gentian root, 6

teaspoonfuls.

=BARRENNESS.=--Failure to breed is usually due to an acid secretion of

the genital organs, to the germs of contagious abortion, retention of

the afterbirth, or to an abnormal condition of the sexual organs of

either the male or female. The acid secretion of the genital organs

prevents conception by destroying the semen of the male; the germs of

contagious abortion set up a catarrhal inflammation and discharge, which

also prevents conception; retention of the afterbirth, whether it be

removed by force or permitted to slough away, usually leaves the womb in

a diseased and catarrhal condition, effecting a discharge; impotency may

be due to excessive use of the male, or to advancing age in both male

and female.

Any unnatural discharge irritates and scalds the mouth of the womb so

that when the discharge ceases the mouth of the womb heals, and it is

impossible to make a cow or mare breed without mechanical interference.

This kind of treatment is conducive to fertility by increasing the blood

supply to the part. Mechanical contrivances are now on the market for

the purpose of dilating the mouth of the womb. These increase the

probability of pregnancy. If the womb be opened just before service,

many troublesome cases can be corrected. This is done by inserting the

oiled hand and arm into the vagina, finding the opening into the womb,

and gradually dilating it by inserting one or more fingers until the

passage is open and free.

=BIG HEAD.=--Just why bones become soft and frequently are absorbed in

normal animals is not known, unless it is due to an absence of some

essential bone constituent in the food or water. The disease shows that

the bone is absorbed and its structure softened. As a consequence, the

bone enlarges, becomes spongy and light.

The disease usually starts as a swelling in the head, hence the name.

Often the lower jaws are enlarged, and, as the disease progresses, the

legs become affected. At the same time the animal loses weight. The

treatment consists of nourishing foods, rich in the mineral

constituents. Better consult a veterinarian when the disease is first

noticed.

=BIG JAW OF CATTLE.=--See Actinomycosis.

=BIG KNEE.=--Often cattle show large bunches over the knees. These may

be soft or hard. In cattle these big knees are caused by hard floors, in

lying down and getting up. Big knee in horses is a little different,

being more in the nature of spavin or ringbone, and in this case

occurring at the knee joints. In cattle the bunch may be localized in

the flesh and skin. With horses, it is an attack on the bony structure.

When first noticed a blister may be used.

=BIG LEG.=--See Lymphangitis.

=BITTER MILK.=--Frequently germs get into the udder, and, as a result,

bitter milk or blue milk or bad milk results. Sometimes the bad taste of

milk is due to the odor in the stable or to the food that the cows get

while pasturing. Turnips give a bad taste to the milk, as does garlic or

wild onions. If the bitter taste or the blue milk is due to disease

germs, then the remedy lies in the destruction of these germs. Just

after milking, and each quarter thoroughly emptied, inject a warm

solution of boric acid.

=BLACKHEAD.=--A germ disease affecting turkeys and chickens. It is

characterized by a dark purple appearance in the comb and wattles. Fowls

attacked by the disease show dullness and laziness; at the same time

indigestion disturbances and diarrhœa is observed. The best treatment is

to kill the fowls affected just as soon as they become affected. This

will prevent the disease from spreading. It is advisable to burn the

bodies of the dead so as to prevent the spreading of the germs. Thorough

disinfection is necessary.

=BLACKLEG.=--An infectious disease produced by the blackleg bacillus, a

parasite which lives and propagates in the soil of infected districts

and in the bodies of diseased animals. Certain kinds of soil are very

favorable to the existence of the parasite, and such, when once

infected, easily remain so permanently and thus constitute the source of

the disease. Years ago blackleg was regarded as a form of anthrax. This

has been proved erroneous, however, for blackleg and anthrax are two

distinct and independent diseases, each being caused by a specific germ.

One diseased animal does not transmit the disease directly to a healthy

one. When caused, it is the result of self-inoculation, that is, by the

germ entering a wound in the skin or mucous membrane of the body,

produced on the legs while the animals are roaming over the fields, or

at the mouth while grazing; these are the places by which the blackleg

germs get into the system.

An animal dying of blackleg is fairly alive with germs, which remain in

virulent condition for a long time. It behooves the farmer, therefore,

to completely destroy this kind of dead; not by burying, for then the

germs remain in the soil. The best way is to burn the animal right on

the spot where it died. If the animal is moved to another place, the

infection is spread, thereby, and not only the death place, but the

grass over which the animal has been moved, should be thoroughly

disinfected that no germs may survive. The disease is characterized in

the appearance of large swellings on various parts of the body, usually

on one of the upper portions of the legs, and never below the hock or

knee joints. Swellings vary in size, and are always formed by the

presence of gas that has collected in the tissue just beneath the skin.

This gas is a product of the germ. You will notice a peculiar crackling

sound when you pass your hand over these swellings. When punctured with

a knife these swellings emit a bloody fluid possessing a disagreeable

and sickening odor.

Associated with the disease are loss of appetite, high fever and

lameness. Death follows just a few days from the time of attack. So far

no medicinal treatment for cure has been discovered. Stock should not be

admitted to infected regions. The only safe practice in regions where

blackleg is prevalent is in the use of protective inoculation or

vaccination. Such vaccination renders the animals immune, and even if

attacked, there is almost no appearance of the disease at all.

=Using Blackleg Vaccine.=--The blackleg vaccine now so well known is

made from diseased flesh taken from a calf that has died from blackleg.

This flesh, after being dried and powdered, is then properly prepared

and injected into the animal. There are two kinds--a weak and a strong

vaccine and single and double vaccine. The single vaccine requires but

one inoculation. The latter is believed to be superior and gives better

protection. The vaccine is usually available from the state experiment

stations, or can be obtained through your veterinarian. About the only

skill required in doing the work is in having the instruments

thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. A hypodermic syringe is used and the

injection made on the underside of the tail, a few inches from the tip,

or just beneath the skin of the neck or shoulder. The point of the

syringe should not puncture the muscle at all; simply pick up the skin

and draw it away from the muscle and admit the fluid in the loose space

between the two.

When vaccinated, the treatment is supposed to last about a year. If

calves are vaccinated the operation should be repeated at about the age

of yearling. Two periods of vaccination are suggested: when turned to

pasture in the spring or when turned to dry food in the fall. Full

directions as to the use of vaccines always accompany the preparations

and further detail is unnecessary here.

Preventive medicines cannot be relied upon, although a common one is

used throughout the West, made as follows: 4 ounces of sulphur, 1 ounce

of saltpeter, 2 pounds of sulphate of iron, and 1 pound of air-slaked

lime. After being thoroughly pulverized and mixed, this is added to

one-third of a gallon of common salt and used in the place of salt.

=BLADDER, STONE IN.=--See Concretions or Calculi in Urinary Organs.

=BLIND STAGGERS.=--See Staggers.

=BLOATING IN CATTLE.=--This disease, sometimes called hoven, is

characterized by the distention of the paunch or rumen, and is due to

the accumulation of gas. It most frequently occurs when cattle or sheep

are pastured on clover or alfalfa, especially if it is moist just after

a rain, or when dew is on the ground, and when not accustomed to fresh

green food. I have known of many cases where cattle have bloated from

eating alfalfa hay during the winter season.

There is no mistaking the disease. The animal shows pain, goes off to

itself, and breathes with difficulty. Colic is often associated with

bloating. The most characteristic symptom, however, is the excessive

swelling due to the gas. The bloating is noticed even over the back of

the animal, the gas continues to form, and, unless relief is secured,

the animal will choke and die as the result. Or some suppression of the

vital processes will occur, even rupturing, with the same fatal ending.

[Illustration: WHERE TO TAP IN BLOATING

Insert the trocar and canula, or if these are not available a knife may

be used. Make the puncture downward and forward and plunge the

instrument into the rumen.]

Bloating may take one or two forms; a mild case in which recovery

gradually follows, and a very severe form, where the only salvation is

in tapping to release the gas. If it is an ordinary case of bloating,

not very severe, ordinary remedies will give relief. Turpentine in doses

of 8 or 10 tablespoonfuls is good. Some use 4 tablespoonfuls of

hyposulphide of soda dissolved in water, with excellent results. Some

veterinarians give doses consisting of 4 tablespoonfuls of aromatic

spirits of ammonia in water as a drench. Ginger is frequently given, as

much as 4 tablespoonfuls diluted in warm water as a drench. To keep the

animal moving about is excellent.

In severe cases it is advisable to tap with the trocar and canula.

Indeed, tapping is the last resort if you would save the animal. These

are inserted on the left side of the skin and pushed into the rumen or

paunch, the incision being made about half way between the point of the

hip and the last rib. In introducing the trocar push in and down.

After the insertion is made, the trocar is withdrawn and the canula is

left in to furnish an opening through which the gas can escape. In case

the canula gets clogged with partially digested feed, insert the trocar

so as to push away the material and withdraw it again. If the trocar and

canula are not available, then use a pocket knife. Of course, be careful

that the incision is not made too large.

Just a few simple precautions are suggested here as a prevention of this

trouble. There is always danger from bloating when cattle or sheep are

turned into green pastures, especially when not accustomed to such feed

and especially when wet. It is advisable, therefore, to keep stock from

the pasture until later in the day when the dew has disappeared. Stock

should have their regular morning feed just as usual before being turned

on the pasture. They will have less greedy appetites, will not like to

gorge themselves, and hence the trouble will not be brought on.

=BLOOD POISONING.=--When blood poisoning results from the entrance of

bacteria into the circulation, it is termed septic infection. This means

that the disease may be communicated to a healthy animal by inoculation.

Thus, an operator in making a post portem examination may bring on blood

poisoning because of an accidental prick of the skin. An animal may step

on a nail or get a splinter in a muscle or under the skin, and become

self-inoculated, in time becoming affected with septic infection.

Consequently bacteria are the direct inducing factors. The chemical

poisons produced as a result of the work of these bacteria, as those of

putrefaction, may induce what is known as septicæmia. On the other hand

where pus is produced, as in the abscesses which follow upon neglected

wounds in joints, a form of blood poisoning is produced known as pyæmia.

In either case blood poisoning may result, become very serious and may

cause the death of the victim.

At first chills may be noticed, then a rise of temperature, quick

respiration, rapid but weak pulse, and much prostration. All the time

the appetite is disappearing, until it becomes lost. The mucous

membranes of the eyes and nose take on a yellowish, red tint often

showing spots or blotches of blood and the tongue becomes coated and

clammy.

Quick treatment is necessary in every case of blood poisoning. As soon

as noticed, the source should be treated with disinfectants, thereby

arresting the supply of morbid matter. A strict employment of

antiseptics, so as to destroy the bacteria, is the first essential. We

look upon the prick from a rusty nail, or wound from a wire fence, or a

dirty stable splinter, as matters of frequent occurrence, yet a great

deal of danger lurks among these. They should be avoided as much as

possible and in all cases immediately treated. As soon as the poison is

admitted to the blood or tissue, the disease germs multiply and soon are

present in great numbers. Had the wound been cleansed with an antiseptic

like carbolic acid in the beginning, it would have been a simple matter

and the poison would have been neutralized, and the ingress of the

invaders made unattractive, if not altogether impossible.

In all cases of blood poisoning, look to a systematic and constant

application of suitable lotions to the injured parts, to careful

nursing, and to nourishing food. If the appetite has completely

departed, it is often advisable to force food like eggs and milk into

the stomach, so that the strength of the patient may never be dissipated

or weakened. With this treatment should go pure fresh air, cleanliness

and much sunshine. It usually is advisable to call a veterinarian as

early as possible.

[Illustration: BOG SPAVIN

The bulging outward of the soft tissues of the hock joint is due to the

secretion of joint oil or lubricating liquid in abnormal amounts.]

=BLOODY MILK.=--Sometimes, just after calving, bloody milk is observed.

The cause is generally due to a rupture of the small blood vessels in

the vicinity of the cells that secrete the milk. It may be due to a tiny

accident of some kind or it may be the result of disease, localized in

the udder. Bathing the udder with hot water will prove helpful and,

until the milk is normal, frequent milkings are desirable. If the

condition prevails for any length of time and the cow is not a very good

one, it is just as well to fatten her and send her to the butcher.

=BLOODY URINE.=--A condition of the urine peculiar to certain diseases

like Texas fever in cattle and azoturia in horses. In the latter disease

the urine is quite turbid and dark in color, sometimes almost black.

=BOG SPAVIN.=--A round, smooth tumor at the front and on the inside of

the hock. It is the result of sprains, bruises, or other injuries. When

these injuries occur, too much joint oil is secreted, causing a bulging

of the ligament. Lameness seldom accompanies a bog spavin. If lameness

be present other structures are certain to be affected, and some pain

and heat will be noticed, together with a stiffness of the joint.

Treatment consists of applications of cold water to the affected parts

and a lotion made of 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead in a quart of

water. A blister made of 1 teaspoonful biniodide of mercury and 4

tablespoonfuls of lard rubbed in a little with the fingers and repeated

in ten days or two weeks and continued for some months will correct the

trouble. Wash the part having received the blister twenty-four hours

after application. It is also advisable to tie the horse’s head while

the blister is on, so that he cannot bite the part.

=BONE SPAVIN.=--See Spavin.

=BOT FLIES OR BREEZE FLIES.=--The larvæ or grub of all common bot flies

are thick, fleshy grubs and pass their life in some portion of the body.

When they are fully developed they leave the body by some route and bore

into the ground, where they go through another stage of their

development known as the pupa stage. When this stage is completed they

crawl out of the ground as a fly ready to deposit eggs.

=Horse Bot Fly.=--Everyone is familiar with the common nit fly and the

yellow nit that is attached to the hair on almost all parts of the

horse, but especially on the chest and legs. The young larvæ or even the

egg may be transferred from these regions of the body into the mouth by

the horse biting these parts. The grub passes into the stomach where it

attaches itself to the mucous lining and continues its development. The

bot is not so dangerous as it is popularly supposed to be. They may,

when attached in large numbers to the right side of the stomach,

interfere with digestion and be responsible for some of the digestive

disorders and colics. They are uniformly present in the stomach of all

horses that are kept in the open where flies can get at them. A

carefully groomed animal may be free from them. The eggs may be

destroyed by rubbing the body with a rag wet with kerosene. One of the

most common remedies for bots, and at the same time the most useless, is

a mixture of molasses and milk. Bots are hard to dislodge from the

stomach until they have completed their development there and pass out

of their own accord. Half-ounce doses of turpentine three hours apart

until three doses are given, followed by an ounce of powdered aloes as

a physic, is a good remedy and easily administered. Mix the turpentine

with half a pint of milk or gruel and give on an empty stomach. Carbon

bisulphide is a good remedy. Take two drachms or one-fourth of an ounce

of this and shake with a pint of cold water and drench. Repeat this

every two hours until an ounce of bisulphide is given, then give a

physic of aloes. These remedies should be given on an empty stomach.

[Illustration: HORSE BOTS IN STOMACH

The bot fly lays its eggs on the hair of the horse. These, taken into

the stomach, hatch out and give rise to horse bots or young maggots that

attach themselves to the walls of the stomach. After becoming grown they

loosen themselves and pass out with the feces.]

=Bot-Fly of Cattle or Warbles.=--It is now believed that eggs are

deposited near the feet and that the grub is taken into the mouth and

becomes partially developed in the digestive tract. It then burrows

through the tissue until it reaches the region of the back. The only

treatment that will amount to much is to destroy the grub as it is

developing under the skin. If farmers and stockmen will systematically

do this they can soon lessen the damage done. The heel fly annoys

cattle, and the grub, when it escapes from the back, leaves a hole in

the best part of the hide, causing loss in this way. After the grubs are

in the back no treatment helps the animal very much; but the grub can be

killed, thus preventing their developing into flies that would annoy

other cattle. The grubs may be squeezed out and destroyed. Mercurial

ointment may be rubbed through the hole and kill the grub, or

chloroform, or creoline, may be injected into the grub with a hypodermic

syringe. It does not require very much time to look after the number of

cattle usually found on a farm.

=The Bot-Fly of Sheep= is a very troublesome pest at times, and always

causes trouble and annoyance to the flock when present, and occasionally

causes considerable financial loss. The fly attacks sheep during the

warm months, July and August generally being the worst. The presence of

fly in the flock is easily told by the behavior of the sheep. The fly

looks much like a house fly, only it is longer and it always attempts to

lay its eggs just inside of the opening of the nose. As soon as the fly

begins to get near the nostril the sheep will begin to run, will hold

their noses close to the ground, and frequently huddle together as

closely as possible for protection. When the fly does succeed in

depositing the larvæ it begins immediately to work its way up the cavity

of the nose and finally gets into the small cavities in the head, where

development goes on. It is during this period of development in the head

that most of the damage is done. As the grubs grow larger a discharge

from the nostril is noticed, which may soon become very thick and

sticky, gumming up the nostrils and making breathing difficult. The

sheep will often carry their heads low, but will frequently raise their

heads and point their noses straight up.

The treatment may be either preventive or surgical. The first is within

the reach of everyone owning sheep. Where only a few sheep are owned

each individual should be caught and a mixture of tar and lard, or oil

of tar and lard, applied to the nostril with a brush. This can be done

in a short time and should be repeated every ten days or two weeks

during the warm months. Narrow salt troughs may be made and the edges

smeared with tar so that the sheep will get tar on their noses when they

take salt. Turpentine may be applied high up in the nostril by means of

a feather. Begin the preventive treatment early in the spring or

whenever you know by the action of the sheep that the fly is bothering

them, and you will have better success than to wait until the sheep are

affected and undertake to cure them.

=BOTS.=--See Bot Flies.

=BROKEN WIND.=--See Heaves.

=BRONCHITIS.=--A common disease of domestic animals attacking the

bronchial tubes. It may be chronic, but is usually acute, and may affect

one side or both. The most frequent causes of bronchial catarrh are

colds. A sudden cooling of a heated body by drenching, by the breathing

of cold damp air, may all bring on the disorder. Dust, smoke or gas,

when inhaled, often produces the same trouble. Acute bronchitis usually

sets in with a sudden rise of the temperature of the body, and the

animal seems to have a chill. This may be quite violent at times. The

cough is noticed very much as with people, being short, dry, and husky.

Later on, as the disease progresses, a frothy mucus follows the cough.

Associated with the disease is a loss of appetite, constipation, and

pains in the chest and rattling in the chest and throat. A favorite

position of the horse is standing and of other stock that of lying down.

Good care is essential in the treatment. That means, with good

treatment, dust, smoke, and bad air are to be severely avoided. Plenty

of good ventilation, but no draft; and warm, well-lighted quarters are

very desirable. The animal should be blanketed to be kept warm in the

early stages and a compress placed over the chest, with blankets over

the compress. Frequent changing of this compress is desirable, say a

change every hour or two. When the animal is suffering from a chill,

stimulants are excellent. A tablespoonful of whiskey in a pint of water

and given as a drench every half hour or hour will be helpful.

After the chill period is passed, small doses of tincture of aconite,

say 10 to 15 drops, in a little water as a drench will assist in

discharging the mucus. When the animal has become at ease, a mustard

plaster applied to the lungs will help you somewhat. From now on the

treatment should be good nursing and good food. Boiled flaxseed and

gruel will be very helpful. A very helpful preparation may be made of

the following: Nitrate of potash or saltpeter, tartar emetic, ground

gentian root, equal parts. A half pound or pound in all should be mixed

thoroughly, and then a teaspoonful given three times each day. When all

danger is passed, continue the careful handling and allow two or three

weeks’ complete rest.

=BUNCHES.=--Bunches are most generally enlargements of the bone. They

are most serious in the region of a joint. They are caused, as a rule,

by some injury, bruise, or wound. When first noticed they should be

treated with a blister to insure a hasty absorption of the enlarged

parts.

=BURNS.=--Occasionally animals are burned or scalded so badly as to

subject them to considerable pain. This may be relieved by the use of a

strong solution of common baking soda. Following the use of this, apply

an ointment made of one part of carbolic acid to 50 parts of vaseline.

If vaseline is not available, then use in its place linseed oil.

=CAKED BAG.=--See Mammitis.

=CAKED UDDER.=--A diseased condition of the udder, with the secretion of

milk altered, the udder hot, dry, and caked, and the glands inflamed.

The trouble may be due to external injury, to germs entering the teats

or to the milk being kept for too long a time in the udder. As soon as

noticed the udder should be bathed in hot water and massaged for several

minutes. After being dried with a cloth rub on a salve made of 2

tablespoonfuls of gum camphor dissolved in 12 tablespoonfuls of lard. At

the same time give 4 tablespoonfuls of saltpeter morning and night for

two or three days. See also Mammitis.

=CALF CHOLERA.=--When a new-born calf comes into the world weak, puny,

and listless, and dies in a few hours after scouring, bawling, and

blatting and has sunken eyes and bloated belly soon after death, the

disease by stockmen is called “calf cholera.” Many calves so affected

are really “living abortions.” They have just enough life at birth to

exist a few hours and show the symptoms described, and such calves are

usually the offspring of cows that, during pregnancy, have been

incompletely nourished upon timothy or swale hay, or coarse fodder,

without an adequate supply of other foods to balance the ration; or

similar calves may come from fat, flabby, corn-stuffed, beef-bred cows.

The trouble may be prevented by proper feeding of the pregnant cow, but

there is no cure. A majority of such cases, however, are due to germ

infection. Cows affected with contagious abortion may produce affected

calves; the afterbirth and navel cord are invaded by the germs in such

cases and the calf is improperly nourished in the womb. In other

instances, calf cholera is due to filth germs entering the calf’s system

by way of the raw navel cord stump at birth, or the mouth when the calf

nurses from a manure-contaminated udder.

Prevent infective cases by providing a clean, fresh-bedded, disinfected,

whitewashed, sunlighted, ventilated pen for the new-born calf, and

immediately wet its navel with a 1/500 solution of corrosive sublimate

and repeat the application twice daily until the cord dries up, drops

off and no raw spot remains. Also wash the hind parts of the cow and her

udder with a two per cent solution of coal tar disinfectant before the

calf is allowed to suck for the first time and repeat the washing twice

daily for at least a week. Isolate affected calves. Bury or burn the

dead.

=CALF SCOURS.=--See White Scours.

=CANCER.=--Malignant growths, the cause or causes of which are not

known; nor can it be said the disease is infectious. While a very

serious disease among human beings, it is, fortunately, however, more

rare among farm animals. The only treatment worth while is in surgical

removal of the growths. If this be done when the tumors are first

noticed and when they are small, their further appearance may not

result. It is a good plan, if the growths persist in presenting

themselves, to eliminate the affected animal from the herd. With cattle,

it is possible to prepare them for market long before any cancer growths

may reappear, and in this way the full market value may be secured with

no danger when consumed.

=CAPPED ELBOW.=--Frequently horses, in lying down, press the foot or the

shoe against the elbow. This, in time, causes inflammation and ends in a

tumor or shoe boil. The diseased condition is difficult to repair, as

there is little flesh or muscle at the joint of the elbow where the

trouble starts. Treatment consists of opening the boil and allowing the

fluid to escape. In case the swelling is hot and painful, an application

of lead acetate will prove comforting and helpful. In preparing the

lotion, use 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead to a quart of water.

There is no objection to injecting a little of this into the opening. An

injection of a little tincture of iodine once a day into the opening is

desirable also. In treating cases of this kind, it is a good practice to

wrap about the horse’s foot a pad of straw or hay for cushioning the

foot. This prevents the wound from being further bruised, otherwise the

cure may be greatly delayed, if not indefinitely postponed.

[Illustration: A VICTIM OF TUBERCULOSIS

This cow, reacting to the tubercular test, was killed. The bottom

picture shows the extent to which tuberculosis had affected her lungs.

At least ten per cent of the cattle in the United States have this

dreaded and destructive disease.]

=CAPPED HOCK.=--An inflammation resulting in a separation of the cap

from the point of the bone of the hock. Cases of this kind are the

results of kicks or bruises. In the early stage, use 2 tablespoonfuls

of lead acetate in a quart of water and bathe the injured part. When

there is no longer any temperature, apply a blister composed of 1

teaspoonful of biniodide of mercury and 6 tablespoonfuls of lard. Apply

this every week or ten days for several months.

[Illustration: EXTERIOR POINTS OF THE HORSE

1 Lip, 2 Nostril, 3 Forehead, 4 Poll, 5 Cheek, 6 Ear, 7 Mane, 8 Neck,

9 Shoulder, 10 Point or Shoulder, 11 Breast, 12 Forearm, 13 Arm,

14 Knee, 15 Cannon, 16 Fetlock, 17 Pastern, 18 Foot, 19 Withers,

20 Back, 21 Side, 22 Underline, 23 Flank, 24 Croup, 25 Tail, 26 Haunch,

27 Thigh, 28 Stifle, 29 Hock, 30 Point of Hock, 31 Cannon, 32 Foot,

33 Coronet, 34 Fetlock, 35 Pastern]

[Illustration: CASTRATION]

=CAPPED KNEE.=--An enlarged condition of the knee most commonly found in

cattle. It is caused by cattle getting up and down on hard floors. It is

usually seen in stables where stanchions are used. A baggy tumor forms

at the front and just below the knee. In some instances this tumor

becomes very large and the cow walks about or moves with great

difficulty. Where hard floors are covered with bedding, no trouble of

this kind results. Applications of hot water are excellent. Liniment is

also very good. Where the tumor has long existed and is stubborn an

opening should be made at the bottom so that the fluid may be

discharged. A little tincture of iodine injected into the opening once a

day is good and at the same time an application of iodine rubbed over

the outside will assist in reducing the trouble. Use one part of iodine

to eight parts of lard and continue this treatment for a month or two.

=CASTRATION.=--The removal of the testicles from male animals.

Castration is practiced upon all the domestic animals. Only those male

animals possessing desirable characteristics are retained entire. The

operations are generally performed when the male animals become

troublesome. In horses the time is usually at one to three years old; in

cattle one to three months old; sheep at one to four months and pigs two

to four months old. Dogs, as a rule, become worthless if castrated.

Cats grow to an enormous size when castrated.

=Suggestions About the Operation.=--In the castration of all the

domestic animals some general suggestions will be beneficial. (1) Secure

the animal so he cannot injure himself or the attendants. (2) Do the

castration during the early spring. (3) Give the animal exercise after

castration. (4) Boil the instruments before operating, using warm water

and any good hand soap. (5) Disinfect the skin over the scrotum before

operating with corrosive sublimate 1/1000. (6) Wash the hands of the

operator with soap and water, then disinfect with corrosive sublimate.

(7) Great care should be exercised that no corrosive sublimate be left

that stock may drink, as it is a deadly poison.

When the instruments have been boiled (sharp castrating knife and

emasculator), cast (throw) the animal as carefully as possible. Secure

the hind legs so they will not hinder the operator. The operator having

his hands clean and the scrotum washed and both his hands disinfected,

and also the region to be operated upon, the animal is ready for the

operation. The lower testicle is grasped with the left hand and with the

right hand an incision is made over the testicle, down to the testicle.

The testicle is pulled upon until the cord is seen. Then the emasculator

is used to crush the cord. This emasculator should be placed on the cord

as high up as possible. Some like their horses castrated proud. This

consists in leaving part of the testicle. This last method is not safe,

as it allows the testicle to become infected and form what is commonly

known as water seeds. A tumor grows on the cord and may become the size

of a man’s head.

After the testicle is removed, then enlarge the first incision (cut)

that was made through the skin so as to give plenty drainage. This

incision should be about eight inches long for horses. By having a large

incision the upper part can heal first, and there will be good drainage

until the scrotum entirely heals. If possible turn the castrated horse

out to pasture after the operation, and it will exercise sufficiently to

keep the parts from swelling. Do not keep the animal in a dirty stable

after it is castrated, as there is so much danger from infection in the

dirty horse stable. If the horse is broken it can be put to light work a

week after the castration.

Bulls do not need to be thrown to be castrated. The incision is made

over each testicle, and the operation carried out in the same way as

with the horse. Bulls are not so susceptible to infection as the horse.

=CATARRH.=--Commonly known as a cold, catarrh is recognized as an

inflamed state of the upper portions of the air passages, with more or

less discharge from the mucous membranes. The eyes often sympathize with

this deranged condition, with a watery state as the result. The causes

of catarrh or colds in animals are very much the same as those causing

the same disturbance in human beings; as with people, so with animals,

the malady should be remedied as quickly as possible. Bad air is one of

the most frequently observed causes; consequently pure cold air with

proper blankets to keep the body warm is considered the best treatment

for simple catarrh when unaccompanied with other troubles.

One of the common symptoms is dullness and loss of appetite. The hair

stands out and looks rough, a slight cough may be noticed and sometimes

a rattling is heard in the head. For cattle a mild dose of physic,

consisting of one-half pound Epsom salts and 4 tablespoonfuls of sweet

spirits of niter mixed in a pint of lukewarm water and given as a

drench, is about all that is necessary. If the cold hangs on, mix

together one-half pound of nitrate of potash or saltpeter and one-half

pound of gentian root and give a teaspoonful of this three times a day

until the animal is better. Of course good food should go along with

this treatment. The horse should be fed soft food like bran mashes and

be kept quiet in a well-ventilated stable. If the cold hangs on with

him, mix one-half pound of saltpeter or nitrate of potash, one-half

pound of sulphur, and one-half pound of ground gentian root and give a

teaspoonful morning, noon and night.

=CATTLE SCAB.=--See Scab in Cattle.

=CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS.=--A disease fatal in violent attacks and not

well understood as to cause. It is believed to be non-contagious,

although frequently extensive outbreaks occur, suggesting that it may be

contagious. The symptoms are not well defined, due, perhaps, to the fact

that other diseases are included under the general name. Horses of all

ages of both sexes are affected, and temperament and physical condition

have nothing to do with susceptibility to the disease. Likewise mules

are affected and the mortality among them is equally as great as among

horses. The most acceptable belief as to cause centers around a

bacterial organism that works in the membranes of the brain. However,

some writers attribute the disease to ergot, smuts and molds supposed to

be taken with the food. Moldy corn and moldy hay are believed to be

associated with the disease. The symptoms are staggering gait, partial

or total inability to swallow, various muscular contractions and

delirium.

Treatment is seldom effected, especially in violent cases. Mild forms

frequently respond to cathartics, blisters on the neck, spine and

throat. These give some relief. Small doses of aconite are also believed

to be helpful. Some writers place choking, distemper, grass staggers,

and blind staggers along with this brain disorder.

=CHARBON.=--See Anthrax.

=CHEST FOUNDER.=--See Navicular Disease.

=CHICKEN CHOLERA.=--Chicken or fowl cholera is a germ disease, and

contagious. It attacks poultry of all kinds. Diarrhœa is a prominent

symptom of the disease. Bad food or improper food may aggravate the

trouble, but the germ introduced into the system either in food or

drink, is at the bottom of it. At first the droppings will take on a

whitish color. Diarrhœa will then result. The discharges will then

become thin and watery, to be at times frothy and greenish in

appearance. Fowls thus attacked soon lose their appetites and become

stupid and take on a sickly appearance. The head drops toward the body,

the eyelids fall, and the fowls stand around as if doped. Some recover,

but, unless checked, the flock will be materially injured.

Of course dead fowls must be burned at once and lime and other

disinfectants used to keep the disease from spreading. The well birds

must be kept apart from the infected quarters. Care must be exercised

that infection be not carried either by visitors or attendants from the

sick to the healthy quarters. A common remedy consists of 1 part of

sulphate of iron to 50 parts of water for drinking purposes. Another

common remedy is to mix a tablespoonful of sulphate of iron, 2

tablespoonfuls of dried blood, and 2 tablespoonfuls of tincture of opium

with a pint of water. This is given in the food in doses of 1 or 2

tablespoonfuls of this mixture three or four times a day to each sick

bird.

=CHOKING.=--Horses frequently choke from too rapid eating of oats, and

cattle are very commonly troubled on attempting to swallow apples,

turnips, or small pieces of ear corn. In either of these cases much

distress is occasioned and serious danger. In treating the horse, the

best treatment is to give it a little oil, after which rub the hand up

and down the gullet to scatter the accumulated oats. Sometimes it is

necessary to make an incision in the gullet through which the material

is removed. Better have a veterinarian do this. When food lodges in the

gullet of cattle, suffocation soon follows if it is serious and in the

upper part of the gullet. When such objects have lodged near the stomach

end there is less immediate danger. Of course the first treatment is to

try to force the object down by using the hand, if at all possible. If

this cannot be done a probang should be used. The probang should be very

limber, so as to bend easily, and it should be used with great caution.

Cattle often are killed by the accidental puncture of the gullet as the

probang is pressed down toward the mouth of the stomach. Consequently no

unyielding article like a broom handle or even a buggy whip should be

used. If a regular probang is not available, a rope a little less than

one inch in diameter can be inserted and gently worked down the gullet.

Before using the rope, grease it well and make a knob at the end to be

inserted. This knob can be made of cotton strings or muslin cloth.

=COFFIN JOINT LAMENESS.=--See Navicular Disease.

=COLDS.=--See Catarrh.

=COLIC.=--Colic is an inflammation of the bowels characterized by a

spasmodic contraction of the intestinal walls. It is a very common

disease in horses, and occasionally cattle and lambs are affected with

it. Both the small and large intestines may be afflicted or only one of

them. There are many causes, but feed and water are the controlling

factors. An animal just stopped from hard work and given a large

quantity of cold water, especially after eating, may be quickly

troubled. And the animal hot from work, on drinking very cold water,

often gets colic. Then, too, a change of food, or a change from dry feed

to green food or eating some root crop when the animal is not used to

it, may bring on the disease.

Then, again, some horses and cattle are more given to colic than others.

Some individuals are never troubled, and others are almost constantly

under its influence. If much inflammation sets in, a very serious case

is on your hands. Two kinds of colic are known--the spasmodic, a

contraction, commonly known as cramps of the bowels; and wind or

flatulent colic or bloating. Some authorities add a third, and call it

worm colic.

=Spasmodic Colic.=--This kind of colic is first noticed when the horse

begins to paw with his forefeet, cringes, bends his head around as if

looking at his side, lays on the ground and rolls as if in pain; then he

stands quietly for a while and repeats these performances again. During

the time between the spasms the animal is more at ease and frequently

eats a little. When the spasms come on again the shifting about and the

rolling are repeated. If the cramps are severe the animal breaks out

with sweat. The pulse is accelerated when the spasms are on, ranging

from 60 to 65 beats a minute. If inflammation has set in, the pulse

instead of rising and falling remains more constant and is high all the

time.

[Illustration: COLIC PAINS

A common attitude with colic. When seized with pains the horse paws,

scrapes the ground with his front feet, stamps and strikes the belly

with the hind ones, lays back his ears and looks around to his flank.]

When the spasms are on, pressing the bowels seems to relieve the pain

and please the animal, but if inflammation is present the pressure seems

to increase the pain. The best treatment is to relieve the pain with an

opiate, and next to obtain a free action of the bowels by a purge. Many

prescriptions have been suggested, among which is the following: 4

tablespoonfuls of sweet spirits of niter, 4 tablespoonfuls of laudanum,

1 tablespoonful of ginger and 1 tablespoonful of common soda. These are

added to a pint of warm water and given as a drench.

=Flatulent Colic.=--This form of colic, though not so acute, is much

more constant than the preceding form. The body is swollen in the region

of the bowels, the gas extending quite generally through the region.

There is also a tendency to inflammation. The pulse will be noticed as

more rapid, and at the same time more feeble, the breathing will be more

pronounced, and the animal less steady on its feet. In treating the

patient it is advisable to unload the rectum with greased hand and arm,

and the admission of warm water with soap in it, is also likely to be

beneficial. A little turpentine mixed with the soap and water is good.

The intestine is to be cleaned out as far as the arm will reach, but a

violent purge is unwise, as that only intensifies the inflammation.

Naturally the first thing is to mildly open the bowels. For this give 15

or 20 tablespoonfuls of linseed oil and 5 or 10 tablespoonfuls of spirit

of turpentine. If the case continues, it is advisable to call a

veterinarian, and it may be necessary to use the trocar and canula. If

the instrument is sterilized, no great risk attaches to the operation,

while immediate relief is secured as the gas passes out through the

tube, and the distention is visibly reduced. An excellent mixture for

this kind of colic consists of 6 tablespoonfuls of chloral hydrate, 6

tablespoonfuls of laudanum, 3 tablespoonfuls of sulphuric ether, 2

tablespoonfuls of turpentine, and 10 tablespoonfuls of ginger. Of this

give 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls in a half pint of warm water and repeat every

half hour for 3 or 4 doses and then place the doses an hour apart until

all danger has passed.

When there is a good deal of gas with considerable swelling an excellent

drench is made of 2 tablespoonfuls of powdered aloes, 4 tablespoonfuls

of spirits of ammonia and 4 tablespoonfuls of sulphuric ether. This

should be mixed with a pint of water and given promptly. In case of

considerable pain use this: 4 to 6 tablespoonfuls of hydrate of chloral

and eight tablespoonfuls of sugar mixed in a pint of water and give as a

drench.

=CONCRETIONS OR CALCULI OF URINARY ORGANS.=--The collection of solid

mineral matter in the urine may become lodged in the kidney, the ureter

(duct leading from the kidney), the bladder or urethra (the duct leading

from the bladder). All animals are more or less subject to these

conditions, and yet are not so affected as they are sometimes thought to

be. Many a case of so-called kidney colic is in reality an affection of

the digestive system. The cause for these mineral accumulations perhaps

varies under different conditions, yet the most common circumstance

under which they occur is during the time when animals are fed

exclusively or largely upon dry feed such as exists in the winter time

where silage is not fed. Wheat bran has been attributed as one of the

most sourceful means of bringing on this trouble. When it is fed with

succulent feeds and an abundance of water allowed these disorders do not

occur.

The symptoms do not differ a great deal from some forms of colic, due to

stomach or intestinal disturbances, especially in the frequent attempts

to empty the bladder. The animal usually shows more or less pain from

the restless condition, looks around at the flank, dribbles his urine

frequently, which is occasionally blood stained. There may be a complete

obstruction of the passages, in which case no urine is voided.

[Illustration: RETENTION OF THE URINE

By means of a catheter the greater portion of the urine can be drawn

off. The operation is shown in the picture.]

=Treatment varies= with the location of the trouble, in which little

can be accomplished when the gravel or stone is located in front of the

bladder. If within the bladder, not obstructing its outlet, it is not

likely to make its presence known. Agents should be given, however, to

overcome the pain and to relieve the frequently existing spasm at point

of obstruction, as far as possible, which may allow passage of stone.

Give 4 tablespoonfuls of laudanum or chloral to a dose and repeat in two

or three hours if any pain or trouble is still indicated. In inducing

the animal to drink liberal quantities of water the condition may be

somewhat relieved by making the urine more watery in character and

possibly dissolving a portion, allowing the remainder to pass along its

course. When the obstruction occurs within the urethra the removal

should be made by incising through the tissues on to or near the

obstruction, removing by forceps and suturing up the wound. A skilled

operator is required for this, hence the veterinarian should be called.

=CONSTIPATION.=--An infrequent movement of the bowels with the dung hard

and dry. The animal is said to be bound up or costive. Bad food,

improper feeding, lack of exercise, all contribute to the trouble.

Treatment is in the line of laxative and succulent food, such as wheat

bran, green grass, silage and linseed oil meal. If the case is one

requiring immediate action give any of the usual purgatives, but do not

continue their use as a regular thing. If green grass is not possible,

nor silage available, give one or two teaspoonfuls of the following

mixture in the food three times a day: Equal parts of ground gentian

root, powdered nux vomica, powdered ginger and sulphur.

=CORNS.=--Small swellings or tumors on the sensitive heel in the

triangular space between the bars and the wall of the heel. These are

found in the fore feet only, and almost always on the inside heel. They

are caused most frequently by bad shoeing or from wearing the shoe for

too long a time. These growths do not always cause lameness, although,

as a rule, they do. They are, however, always sensitive to pressure and

usually appear as tumors of a hard, corny character. Neglected corns are

liable to fester and must then be laid bare by the knife and be

poulticed. Neglect of this treatment results in the matter or pus

finding its way up through the coronet. Thus quittor may result.

Give the foot a careful dressing by paring the heel, and bathe the corn

with a weak carbolic acid solution. After doing this, place a fold of

muslin over the corn and then over all a bran and linseed poultice. A

complete rest from work, hard roads and shoes should now be given the

animal until the corn has entirely disappeared. When the feet are again

shod, leather should be used as a protection. Many corn salves are

recommended, but unless the corn be removed and the pressure taken from

the wound, there can be no cure, even though the tumor is pared away.

=CORNSTALK DISEASE.=--When cattle are allowed to run in stalk fields it

frequently happens that a large per cent die from various causes. All

these troubles are classed under the one term--cornstalk disease. In

some western fields where there is a second growth of cane stalk late in

the fall an early frost will at times develop in the stalk a deadly

poison (hydrocyanic acid), which kills the animal in a very few minutes

after eating it. This poison has not been found in the cornstalk.

In the last year or two some of our state experiment stations have been

investigating several molds which seem to affect not only cattle but

horses as well. These molds grow quite abundantly upon cornstalks,

alfalfa, and other forage crops. The death of a great number of animals

has been traced directly to the feeding of such affected fodder, hay, or

corn. These molds, however, must have a certain amount of moisture for

their growth, and it has been shown that when the feeds have been

properly harvested and sheltered no trouble has resulted. Only in

materials exposed to the weather, allowing the development of these

lower forms of plant life, has serious trouble been found.

In the treatment of these troubles nothing reliable can be given, as the

disease usually comes on without any warning and the animal dies

suddenly. Much of the trouble can be avoided by allowing the animals

only a limited amount of the feed or in the stalk field a few hours only

each day. It is necessary that plenty of pure water should be given

frequently and enough of other roughage to keep the animals from gorging

themselves on the fodder.

=COW POX.=--An infectious disease passed from one cow to another. It

affects herds in all parts of the world and is similar to smallpox in

the human being, only it is not so fatal. When first affected the cow is

feverish, slacks somewhat in the milk flow, and presents little red

pimple-like spots around the teats. In a day or two these become

enlarged and become blisters, containing within a watery fluid, which,

if not broken, dry up themselves and form scabs, leaving the teat in

time perfectly natural. Ordinarily, special treatment is not given.

There is no objection, however, to providing a simple tonic composed of

one-quarter pound saltpeter, one-quarter pound sulphur, and one-quarter

pound ground gentian root. Give a teaspoonful of this night and morning

in a mash. The teats should be bathed, just before milking, with any

common disinfecting solution. If the sores are slow in healing, sweet

oil, to which is added a little carbolic acid, will soon correct the

trouble.

=CRACKED HOOFS.=--See Sand Cracks.

=CRIBBING.=--A habit of biting the manger or other objects, often

sucking in the air at the same time. This bad habit is frequently called

wind sucking. It is the result of a habit formed when young. There is

really no cure when the habit is once formed, but different measures may

be employed to lessen the fault. A broad strap firmly placed around the

neck brings the desired effect with some individuals.

=CRIB SUCKERS.=--This bad habit usually begins in colt days. It may

arise from a sore tooth. The colt, to relieve the feeling, bites the

manger, and in so doing acquires the habit. When hanging on to the

manger, air is sucked in and this frequently brings on colic. The best

treatment is to break up the habit. Examine the mouth first to see if

anything is wrong with the teeth. Muzzle while standing in the stable.

The old cribbers never give up the habit.

=CRAMP COLIC.=--See Colic.

[Illustration: CURB

While common to all varieties of the horse, curbs are most frequently

seen in the lighter breeds and especially in roadsters and trotting

horses.]

=CURB.=--A sprain or injury to the ligament situated on the back part of

the hock joint. Anything that puts too much stress on this part, such as

holding back heavy loads going down hill, or backing up too heavy loads,

or the hind legs slipping too far under the horse’s body, may cause curb

disease. It is also caused by kicks or by the whiffletree striking

against the back of the hock joint.

There will be swelling and heat in the part and lameness. In some cases

there will be swelling, but no lameness. If the swelling is hot and

tender to the touch, mix half an ounce acetate of lead and two ounces

tincture of arnica with one quart of water. Shake up and apply a little

to the swollen part three times a day and continue until the heat and

swelling disappear. If there should be any swelling after the heat and

lameness have disappeared, mix 1 teaspoonful of biniodide of mercury

with 4 tablespoonfuls of lard. Rub on a little with the fingers, let it

remain on for 24 hours, then wash off with warm water and soap and

repeat the blister in three weeks if needed. In cases where there is

swelling, but no heat or lameness, the lotion would be of no use, but

the above blister should be used as directed. In old or long standing

cases of curb, if the animal is not lame, it is best to let it alone, as

medicines would be of no service.

=DIABETES; PROFUSE STALING.=--In man there are two forms of this trouble

seen rather frequently, but among domestic animals only the insipid form

is common. It is often simply a sign of some other disease, but not

infrequently occurs under similar circumstances; such as certain forms

of indigestion, the result of eating musty or damaged feed. The most

characteristic symptom, of course, is the frequent urination of liberal

quantities of urine. Associated with this is usually an unabating

thirst. The animal loses flesh rapidly, the flanks are tucked up, the

coat is dull, languid and staring, and great weakness is shown. If not

relieved, the animal may die from exhaustion. In the second form of

diabetes, the distinguishing feature is the presence of sugar in the

urine.

If in a working animal it should be laid off from work. Search should be

made for the cause of trouble. If any of the food appears suspicious it

should be substituted with wholesome food. To relieve the ardent thirst

and assist recovery, a teaspoonful of the crystals of iodine should be

given in a ball of linseed or other pasty material. It may be desirable

to repeat this in three or four days. Also give in the drinking water 4

tablespoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda three times daily.

=DIARRHOEA.=--See Dysentery.

=DIFFICULT PARTURITION.=--See Obstetrics.

=DIPPING LIVE STOCK.=--There are only two satisfactory methods of

treating animals with a dip. The first is hand treating, where the

number of animals are few and easy to handle. In hand treating the

animal the dip is applied with scrubbing brushes, sponges, etc., and all

parts of the body liable to infection should then be thoroughly and

vigorously rubbed. If hand treating is properly performed it is an

excellent method. The second method consists of immersing the diseased

animals in the dipping solution. There are two forms of vats in use for

this purpose. The cage vat is designed for comparatively few cattle. As

its name implies, it consists of a cage in which the animal is placed

and then lowered into a vat containing the dip. Where a large number of

animals are to be dipped, the swimming vat is very popular. The animals

are forced to pass through the vat, which contains sufficient dip to

completely immerse them when they plunge into the solution.

The coal-tar dips are made from some of the products of the distillation

of coal tar. When mixed with water they form a milky emulsion, having a

strong odor of coal tar. The coal-tar preparations, in addition to

being used as parasiticides, have become very popular disinfectants in

hospitals. These preparations are used with good success on all open

wounds, where a disinfectant is required. In poll evil and fistulous

withers they are extremely valuable, owing to the fact that in addition

to their power as a germicide they have been perfectly safe to place in

the hands of persons not accustomed to handling drugs, because of their

non-poisonous nature. They have been found quite efficient when used in

three per cent solution.

=DISHORNING.=--Some cattle breeds are hornless. Most, however, are not.

Removing the horns is done quickly and is more humane than to permit

them to remain, by which death frequently follows to stock and even to

people. The dishorning machine is intended for animals whose horns are

not removed when young. The simplest method of dishorning is to use a

stick of caustic potash. Apply it to the small horn button when a calf

is a few days old. Moistening this and rubbing the potash over the skin

will permanently destroy the horn tissue and no horns will result.

=DISTEMPER.=--See Strangles.

=DROPSY.=--A condition in which the fluid portion of the blood escapes

from the blood vessels and collects in the body cavities or under the

skin. Any sluggish condition of the blood occasioned by disease or

faulty nutrition may induce this collection in various parts of the

body. Dropsy is, therefore, not a disease, but a symptom of some other

disease. This being the case, treatment depends upon the original

disease, upon the nature of which depends in turn the possibility of

permanent or temporary cure.

A mild attack of dropsy is indicated when the legs of a horse swell up,

due to lack of exercise and poor circulation as occasioned by standing

in the stable. The first thing, of course, is to start better blood

circulation. Hand rubbing is good; bathing with hot water acts

similarly. Any medicine that stimulates the action of the kidneys will

prove helpful. Saltpeter is excellent for this. Use once a day for three

or four days in succession, and give 4 tablespoonfuls at a dose. In

connection with this treatment supply the animal with succulent or

laxative food, that the bowels may be kept free and open. Any of the

tonic condition powders will help.

=DYSTOKIA.=--See Obstetrics.

=ECZEMA.=--An inflammatory, non-contagious disease of the skin in which

eruptions may occur in the form of vesicles, pustules, crusts, scales,

or simple redness. Its principal victims are animals fed rich food, the

penalty being associated with some gastric or intestinal disturbance.

Treatment is both external and internal. The former should be in the

nature of washes for cleanliness and healing. Tar soap is recommended. A

wash made of 4 tablespoonfuls of carbonate of potassium dissolved in a

quart of water is also excellent. After a good rub with this, wash off

with warm water.

If itching causes any distress, prepare a wash consisting of 2

tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead, 8 tablespoonfuls of tincture of opium

and a quart of water. Where scales have formed and the skin is thick and

scurvy, rub in a little with the fingers some biniodide of mercury and

vaseline. Use 2 teaspoonfuls of the mercury and 8 tablespoonfuls of the

vaseline. One application will do the work. If the case is bad, several

parts being affected, treat only one part at a time with the mercury

salve. Be certain to have the animal tied so that he cannot get his

mouth to the treated region.

For internal treatment let the physic come first. For horses, mix 4

tablespoonfuls of aloes, 4 tablespoonfuls of ginger and 4 tablespoonfuls

of soda carbonate dissolved in a pint of boiling water. Let cool to

proper temperature and give as a drench. For cattle, give a pound of

Epsom salts and 4 tablespoonfuls of ginger in water as a drench.

Following the physic should come a good blood tonic. To prepare this,

mix 16 tablespoonfuls each of nitrate of potassium and sulphate of iron.

Give in doses of 1½ tablespoonfuls daily in a bran mash until all is

used.

=DYSENTERY.=--An inflammation of the lining membrane of the large

intestine near the rectum, accompanied with straining, discharge of

blood, and fever. Poisonous and irritating food causes it, stagnant and

foul water favors its development, but any exposure to cold or excessive

heat or overwork may bring it on. In cattle the acute form is attended

with shivering, arching of the back and tenderness about the loins. The

animal grunts, yawns, grinds its teeth, and, at short intervals,

discharges from its bowels a thin, ill-smelling dung mixed with blood

and pus. The thirst is excessive, the animal is dull and stupid, and

loses flesh rapidly. After the disease has gone on a few days, the hide

becomes rough and unhealthy, the teeth loose, the dung bloody and fetid,

the eyes sink in the head and dropsical swellings appear about the lower

jaws and legs, and usually the creature dies exhausted. For acute

dysentery, when seen early, give horses a drench consisting of 15

tablespoonfuls of castor oil, 8 tablespoonfuls of laudanum, and 1 pint

of linseed oil. The rectum and lower bowel should be washed out with

large injections of simple warm water. For chronic forms 10 grains of

calomel, a teaspoonful of opium, and 4 tablespoons each of gentian and

chalk are advised. These are to be mixed and given either as a ball or

as a drench once a day. Six tablespoonfuls of laudanum in a pint of

boiled starch every two hours until the straining ceases, is also very

good. When cattle are affected, remove from grass or other succulent

food, put on a dry diet and give a pint of linseed oil every day until

recovery. If the action of the bowels does not cease promptly, give 2

tablespoonfuls of powdered alum and 2 tablespoonfuls of powdered ginger

in a quart of milk once or twice a day until the discharge moderates. An

excellent medicine is 10 tablespoonfuls of castor oil and 4

tablespoonfuls of laudanum mixed with linseed gruel and given as a

drench.

=ENTERITIS.=--See Inflammation of the Bowels.

=EPILEPSY.=--See Fits.

=EPIZOOTIC.=--See Influenza.

=ERGOTISM.=--A parasitic fungus that grows on different species of grass

and produces in one stage of its development black or purple enlarged

spurs causes ergotism. The disastrous effect of ergot seems to appear in

the late fall and winter, when hay or straw infected with ergot are

continuously fed. The animals will be troubled with irritation of the

bowels and a sloughing off of the extremities. Frequently the animals

lose parts of their tails or ears or hoofs. In others, gangrenous sores

appear. In the early stages of the poisoning the symptoms are not

clearly marked. The best treatment is secured by an entire change of

food, so as to remove the cause, and then to follow with good laxative

food. Of course, medicinal treatment will not be satisfactory if an

important part of the animal like the hoof were to be destroyed. So much

expense would be connected with keeping the animal until a new hoof had

been formed that it is better at the beginning to destroy the animal

unless very valuable. Where sores only manifest themselves such

treatment as given an ordinary wound will be efficacious, provided food

absolutely free of ergot is supplied.

=ERYSIPELAS.=--An inflammation of the skin and tissues beneath. Owing to

a blood poison, it is characterized by a swelling and hardness of the

affected parts which has a tendency to spread and form abscesses. In

horses and cattle, erysipelas is nearly always the result of wounds and

generally of those in the legs of animals weakened by hard work and poor

food, or else in young animals whose blood is vitiated by the poison of

glanders or some other animal contamination. The disturbance is noticed

on the third or fourth day after the injury in the immediate

neighborhood of the wound. The skin is swollen, smooth, hot, tender, and

painful. The swelling gradually extends around it, sometimes deep into

the muscles. The surface is hard and tense, but often when the finger is

firmly pressed upon it and withdrawn a depression is left. In severe

cases chills occur, the pulse is weak and quick, the breathing hurried,

the bowels constipated and the urine scanty and highly colored. There is

considerable thirst, but no appetite. A brisk purge is the first step in

treating. Follow the purge with tincture of chloride of iron, 4

teaspoonfuls in a pint of water. Give this every three or four hours. At

the same time give internally 4 tablespoonfuls of hyposulphite of soda

in a pint of water three times a day. Externally bathe the wound with

the following mixture: Tincture of chloride of iron, 4 tablespoonfuls,

and alcohol one pint. Another good ointment is sugar of lead 4

tablespoonfuls in a pint of water. This should be applied with a wet

cloth to the diseased parts.

=FARCY.=--See Glanders.

=FEVER.=--Any rise in temperature above the normal. It is, as a rule, a

symptom of the body’s reaction to some form of infection. It is,

therefore, not a disease in itself, but an indication of some disorder

occasioned by infection or poison. To treat fever is not so necessary as

to remove the cause that brought about the disturbance in the first

place. It follows from this that fever is not a cause, but a result.

Germs come first, and fever is only a sign that tells of their presence.

Another thing brought to light in reference to fever is this: Germs are

less active, their vital energy is weakened and their power lessened

when the heat in the body is increased. Consequently they are less

active in their destructive tendencies as the temperature rises. Fever

is, therefore, a provision of self-defense, and the body’s plan of

bringing its forces together to battle against the germ foes that have

invaded it.

Just what degree of temperature is to be considered is difficult to

establish. Many things enter into the problem, like exercise, age, food,

and mode of living. In general, however, any special rise above the

normal, whatever that may be, is the signal of danger and infection. A

rise of a degree or two indicates a mild disturbance, hence a mild

fever; an elevation of two or three degrees indicates a slight fever; of

four or five, of considerable fever; and if six or seven, of high fever.

When the elevation reaches 108 degrees, the limit of life has just

about been reached. In some diseases there is a regular alternative

between morning and evening temperatures. In others, the course is

continuous, with slight variations, while in others the course is

intermittent. In this last named it varies at different portions of the

day, but reaches a normal at a certain time each day.

The pulse-rate usually bears a certain relation to the height of the

disease. Consequently the pulse should be taken in connection with the

fever height indicated by the thermometer. A fast pulse and a high fever

in general is more serious than a high fever with a pulse only slightly

above the normal number of beats. There are exceptions to this however,

as, for instance, in cerebro-spinal meningitis. In the early stages of

fever, the development cannot at the moment always be decided. In many

cases little treatment, if any, will be necessary. The caution should be

observed, nevertheless, of ascertaining the cause of the disturbance, if

possible. In any case, simple cathartics can be given, good air

provided, nourishing feed supplied, and time allowed for careful

observation of the system and of the actions and movements of the

animal.

=FISTULAE.=--A chronic discharge from some tubelike channel, with no

tendency to heal. Fistulæ are most common in horses. They may be located

on the withers (fistulous withers), on the side of the face (tooth

fistulæ), on the breast bone (sternal fistulæ), or on the lower jaw

(salivary fistulæ). Fistulous withers are caused from some external

injury (the animal rolling on a rock, ill-fitting collars, the saddle

pressing on the withers, or from being struck by a club). Tooth fistulæ

are caused by a decayed tooth. The pus in trying to get out of the body

takes the easiest course and eats through the bones of the face and

escapes, causing a chronic discharge. A sternal or breast fistula is

caused by some sharp object being run into the breast and striking the

breast bone, injuring it and causing decay and pus formation. A salivary

fistula is caused by an injury to the tube which carries the saliva from

the gland to the mouth.

=Symptoms of Fistulous Withers.=--At first a large swelling appears on

one or both sides of the withers. In about a week this enlargement

becomes soft, and the fluid contained in it can be distinctly felt. If

left to itself the swelling gets larger and softer, and in a month or so

breaks and discharges the contents. The fluid that comes from the

swelling is first thin and streaked with blood; later it contains

yellow-appearing masses. The last material is the pus. The sack that

formed at the time the fistula was caused is a hard, firm membrane. This

keeps the wound from healing. For this reason the discharge becomes

chronic. The wound may heal and there will be no pus discharged for a

month, then the old opening will be broken and the pus will flow out

again until the sack is emptied. This healing of the wound and then

breaking again may be kept up for years, unless the disease is properly

treated. As a general rule, the affected animal runs down in flesh.

[Illustration: FISTULOUS WITHERS

Sometimes only the skin and tissue immediately under it become affected.

In such cases little trouble need be anticipated; but if the cause is

not removed, the deeper structures, muscles and bones, may become

diseased.]

Treatment for fistulous withers consists of opening the swelling and

inserting muslin strips that have been dipped into terchloride of

antimony. Insert one and remove, inserting another and leave in the

opening for three or four hours. Repeat this operation every four or

five days for a month. In addition rub on the outside of the swelling

once every two weeks a mixture made of 2 teaspoonfuls of cantharides

and 4 tablespoonfuls of lard. The tooth fistula usually calls for the

removal of the tooth and thorough disinfection of the opening from the

face through to the mouth. With a sternal fistula the diseased bone may

need to be scraped and then antiseptic washes used daily. The salivary

fistula is more difficult to treat. Better have the veterinarian to

examine, and an operation may be necessary.

=FITS.=--Some horses are subject to fits, and with them it is incurable.

These should not be driven, because, when the attack comes on, injury

may result to the animal itself and to the occupants in the carriage.

The cause of the difficulty may be overfeeding, bad circulation or

indigestion. When an attack occurs the best treatment is to throw cold

water over the head. If this attack is repeated you had better consult a

veterinarian.

=FLATULENT COLIC.=--See Colic.

=FLEAS.=--Fleas are always a nuisance and always disagreeable. They live

in dry, filthy quarters and associate with dogs, hogs, and chickens. To

keep fleas away or to destroy them when at hand, clean the quarters

occupied by the animals, destroy the bedding and add lime and

disinfectants. Dogs may be washed in a creolin solution of, say, 2

tablespoonfuls of creolin to each pint of water. To disinfect chicken,

hog, and horse pens use in a hand spray any of the so-called sheep dips

or other preparations manufactured for lice, itch, mange, or insect

troubles.

=FLIES.=--These pests are a nuisance on every farm. While they do not

directly cause death they greatly worry and irritate farm stock,

especially in summer, and in this way greatly affect the results whether

along dairy or beef lines. It would be impossible to estimate the misery

these pests inflict on the stock of the country during a single year.

Aside from the pain that flies inflict on domestic animals, they are

carriers of disease, both to the human family and the beast family. A

great many common infectious diseases are spread by flies, including

such serious diseases as typhoid fever and tuberculosis. The only

treatment is in way of prevention. As the breeding places are in filth

and manure, it follows that if these be destroyed or removed, and not

permitted to accumulate, the floods of flies will disappear. The fly

remedies now on the market are excellent. When sprayed about the stable

premises and on the animals the flies stay away until the application

evaporates. Darkened stables are not attractive to flies, and by this

means the nuisance and annoyance is minimized.

=FLUKES, LIVER.=--See Liver Flukes.

=FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.=--This malady generally affects ruminants, but,

although found most often in cattle, sheep, and goats, it may be

transmitted to swine, and, in some instances, to horses, dogs, cats,

birds, or human beings. In most cases where proper disinfection is made

the animal recovers in about 15 days. The most dangerous thing about

foot and mouth disease is the fact that it spreads so rapidly. The virus

which transmits the disease may be carried by railroad cars, bedding,

feeds, dairy products, dogs, cats, birds, or persons. A dog running

through a pasture may be the means of infecting a whole herd.

The cause of the disease has not been satisfactorily determined, but it

is definitely known that the virus which reproduces the disease comes

from the ulcers and natural secretions and excretions of the body, such

as milk, saliva, perspiration, feces, urine, and exhalation. The

contagion is not harmful when dried. Infected animals lose the power of

transmitting the disease when the ulcers of the mouth, feet, and udder

have healed.

In from three to five days after infection the animal has a moderate

fever. The appetite is lost and the mouth is kept closed. There is a

dribbling of saliva, and in two or three days yellowish-white spots the

size of a hemp seed appear on the gums, the lower surface of the tongue,

lining of the mouth and on the lips. These eventually attain the size of

a silver dollar. They run together, burst and form painful,

foul-smelling ulcers. At this stage the saliva is more profuse and ropy

and the animal makes characteristic smacking noises with the mouth.

Infected animals lose flesh rapidly, in some cases as much as 100 pounds

in eight or ten days. The milk is thick, yellowish-white, has a bad

taste, and is with difficulty made into cheese or butter. The reduction

in milk yield during the sickness and for some time after recovery is 50

to 75 per cent.

Usually, a short time after an appearance of the disease in the mouth

parts, there is a redness, heat and swelling of the skin at its junction

with the hoof and especially between the toes and upon the soles of the

foot. Similar ulcers to those on the mouth appear on the feet and soon

burst. The animal becomes lame and moves stiffly and lies down a great

deal. These ulcers ordinarily heal up in one or two weeks.

In some cases the animal dies suddenly, in others lingers a few hours

with difficult breathing and discharge of blood from the nose, and

finally dies of paralysis of the heart and lungs. In still other cases

emaciation and reduction of milk flow is the only bad result. Sometimes

ulcers form at the root of the horn and cause the horn to drop off.

Owing to the nature of the disease, its contagion and danger, treatment

should be in line of prevention and in destruction of infected animals.

While the disease yields to treatment, our best suggestions when the

disease is suspected is in notification to the state officers and in

securing the services of a veterinarian who will be able to advise what

is best to do.

[Illustration: FOOT ROT

A disease usually associated with sheep. It is sometimes so serious that

the entire hoof rots away.]

=FOOT PUNCTURE.=--See Wounds and Their Treatment.

=FOOT ROT IN SHEEP.=--A chronic inflammation of the foot, marked by

ulceration, softening of the hoof, lameness, and the discharge of a

sticky material which has a very fetid odor. It is a contagious disease,

and is produced by a germ that lives in the soil and gains entrance to

the feet through wounds and surfaces chafed by barbed grasses and

stones, or by gritty clay, which becomes lodged between the toes and

hardens there.

The first symptom is a slight lameness. If the affected foot be

examined, that part just above the horny part of the cleft of the foot,

either in front or behind, will be found inflamed, feverish, and moist.

Erosions or ulcers soon appear, generally on the heel. These penetrate

the foot and burrow beneath the horny parts, causing fistulous tracts

from which exudes a foul-smelling pus possessing an odor sufficiently

characteristic to indicate the disease in a flock, even without a close

examination. In time, the foot becomes greatly overgrown and deformed,

the hoofs increasing in length and curling upward. In bad cases, the

suffering is so great the animal lies down most of the time, but when

only the front feet are diseased, it will crawl around on its knees.

That the disease is contagious is shown by the fact that it generally

starts in one foot and spreads to the others, and, at the same time, the

feet of other sheep in the same flock become diseased in the same way,

the outbreak covering a period of several months. In cases that recover

spontaneously the foot is deformed and the joint is stiffened. It is

only in virulent outbreaks where all the feet are diseased, or where

some complication, such as maggots, is present, that deaths occur.

Having as its cause a microbe, it is proper to take measures of

prevention as well as cure. In purchasing sheep, it is highly advisable

to keep them isolated for a week, as a test. All overgrown hoofs should

be trimmed. Sores or wounds, from any cause, should be carefully

disinfected daily. Low, boggy lands should not be used as pasture for

sheep, and dirty, unsanitary pens should be made sanitary, as these all

predispose to an outbreak of the disease.

As treatment, first isolate all affected animals. Mild cases are best

treated by making the sheep stand for several minutes daily in a trough

containing a disinfectant, or, better still, by arranging the trough of

suitable length with fenced-up sides and a widened entrance, so the

sheep can be easily started into the inclosure and made to wade through

the disinfectant.

In bad cases and where the hoof is underrun with pus, the horn and all

overgrowths must be cut away so as to expose the diseased parts to the

action of the disinfectant. The foot should then be dried, dusted with

finely powdered burnt alum, and bandaged to keep out the dirt. This

antiseptic treatment of the feet must be kept up daily as long as the

disease exists. Any of the following may be used: 1 pound chloride of

lime to 12 quarts of water; 1 pound of pure carbolic acid to 4 gallons

of water; a solution of creolin; a coal-tar disinfectant of the same

strength; or any good sheep dip containing these substances in the

proper amounts.

=FOUNDER.=--An inflammation of the sensitive or soft structures between

the hoof and bones of the foot. The popular belief that founder is to

any extent in the legs and chest is probably an error. The disease is in

the feet, and those symptoms which make it appear as a stiffness in the

legs and shoulder are but the natural results of soreness in the feet.

The same statement might be made regarding those cases which are

popularly described as “stove up in the shoulder.” Instead of the

soreness being in the shoulder in these cases, it is generally in the

feet, or at least below the knee.

It is somewhat difficult to explain how those influences or causes which

are known to produce founder bring about that condition, but observation

shows clearly that an irritation of the digestive tract, or in fact, any

extensive irritation of any mucous surface, may produce an inflammation

of the sensitive laminæ of the feet; that is, founder. Therefore founder

may be produced by a change of feed or excessive feeding, a change of

work or excessive work which results in exhaustion, large quantities of

feed or water when warm or fatigued, sudden changes of temperature such

as cooling too fast when sweating, and a long drive on hard roads,

especially without shoes. Excessive purging or diarrhœa may also produce

it. Founder also occasionally results from irritation of foaling, but

this is not common.