_Treatment._--In the early stages of joint murrain and its kindred maladies, if inflammatory fever is present, the first and most important step is to relax the external surface, as directed in article _Pneumonia_, p. 107. Should the animal be in a situation where it is not convenient to do so, give the following anti-spasmodic:--
Thoroughwort, 1 ounce.
Lemon balm, 2 ounces.
Garlic, bruised, a few kernels.
Boiling water, 3 quarts.
Allow the infusion to stand until cool; then strain, and give it a dose.
If the bowels are constipated, inject the following:--
Soft soap, half a pint.
Warm water, 2 quarts.
Rub the joints with the following embrocation:--
Oil of cedar, } equal parts.
Fir balsam, }
Keep the animal on warm, bland teas, such as catnip, pennyroyal, lemon balm, and a light diet of powdered slippery elm gruel.
BLACK QUARTER.
_Symptoms._--Rapid decomposition, known by the pain which the slightest pressure gives the animal. Carbonic acid gas is evolved from the semi-putrid state of the system, which finds its way into the cellular tissue, beneath the skin. A crackling noise can then be heard and felt by pressing the finger on the hide.
_Causes._--Among the chief causes are the blood-letting and scouring systems recommended by writers on cattle doctoring. In the inflammatory stage, we are told, "The first and most important step is copious bleeding. As much blood must be taken as the animal will bear to lose; and the stream must flow on until the beast staggers or threatens to fall. Here, more than in any other disease, there must be no foolish directions about quant.i.ties. [_The heroic practice!_] As much blood must be taken away as can be got; for it is only by the bold and persevering use of the lancet that a malady can be subdued that runs its course so rapidly." (See Youatt, p. 359.) From these directions we are led to suppose that there are some hopes of bleeding the animal to life; for the author above quoted seems to entertain no apprehension of bleeding the animal to death. Mr. Percival and other veterinary writers inform us, that "an animal will lose about one fifteenth part of its weight of blood before it dies; though a less quant.i.ty may so far debilitate the vital powers, as to be, though less suddenly, equally fatal." The latter portion of the sentence means simply this; that if the bleeding does not give the animal its quietus on the spot, it will produce black quarter, gangrene, &c., which will be "equally fatal." In the latter stages of the disease now under consideration, and, indeed, in dry gangrene, there is a tendency to the complete destruction of life to the parts involved: hence our remedies should be in harmony with the vital operations. We should relax, stimulate, and cleanse the whole system, and arouse every part to healthy action, by the aid of vapor, injections, stimulating applications, poultices of charcoal and capsic.u.m, to parts where there is danger of rapid mortification; lastly, stimulating drinks to vitalize the blood, which only requires distribution, instead of abstraction.
In reference to the scouring system, (purging,) as a cause of mortification, we leave the reader to form his own views, after reading the following: "After abstracting as much blood as can be got away, purging must immediately follow. A pound and a half of Epsom salts dissolved in water or gruel, and poured down the throat as gently as possible, should be our first dose. If this does not operate in the course of six hours, another pound should be given; and after that, half pound doses every six hours until the effect is produced"!!--_Youatt_, p. 359.
_Treatment._--As the natural tendency of these different maladies is the complete destruction of life to all parts of the organization, efforts must be made to depurate the whole animal, and arouse every part to healthy action in the manner recommended under article _Joint Murrain_.
Antiseptics may be freely used in the following form:--
Powdered bayberry bark, 2 ounces.
" charcoal, 6 ounces.
" cayenne, 1 tea-spoonful.
" slippery elm, 1 ounce.
Add boiling water sufficient to make it of the consistence of thin gruel.
All sores and foul ulcers may be washed with
Pyroligneous acid, 1 ounce.
Water, 1 gill.
_Another._
Chloride of lime, 1 ounce.
Water, 1 pint.
_Another._
Chloride of soda, 1 ounce.
Water, 6 ounces.
The affected parts should be often bathed with one of these washes. If the disease is not arrested by these means, repeat them, and put the animal on a diet of flour gruel.
OPEN JOINT.
Joints are liable to external injury from wounds or bruises, and, although a joint may not be open in the first instance, subsequent sloughing may expose its cavity. The ordinary effects of disease in membranes covering joints are, a profuse discharge of joint oil, (_synovia_,) and a thickening of the synovial membrane. Sometimes the joint is cemented together; it is then termed anchylosis.
_Treatment._--The first object is, to promote adhesion, by bringing the edges of the wound together, and confining them in contact by st.i.tches.
A pledget of lint or linen, previously moistened with tincture of myrrh, should then be bound on with a bandage forming a figure 8 around the joint. If the parts feel hot and appear inflamed, apply a bandage, which may be kept constantly wet with cold water. If adhesion of the parts does not take place, apply the following:--
Powdered bayberry bark, 1 ounce.
Fir balsam, sufficient to form a thick, tenacious ma.s.s, which may be spread thickly over the wound; lastly, a bandage. Should a fetid discharge take place, poultice with
Powdered charcoal, } equal parts.
" bayberry, }
In cases where the nature of the injury will not admit of the wounded edges being kept in contact, and a large surface is exposed, we must promote granulation by keeping the parts clean, and by the daily application of fir balsam. Unhealthy granulations may be kept down by touching them with burnt alum, or sprinkling on their surface powdered bloodroot. The author has treated several cases, in which there was no hope of healing by the first intention, by the daily use of tincture of capsic.u.m, together with tonic, stimulating, astringent, antiseptic poultices and fomentations, as the case seemed to require, and they always terminated favorably. In all cases of injury to joints, rest and a light diet are indispensable.
SWELLINGS OF JOINTS.
Swellings frequently arise from bruises and strains; they are sometimes, however, connected with a rheumatic affection, caused by cold, exposure to rain, or turning an animal into wet pasture lands after active exercise. In the acute stage, known by tenderness, unnatural heat, and lameness, the animal should be put on a light diet of scalded shorts, &c.; the parts to be frequently bathed with cold water; and, if practicable, a bandage may be pa.s.sed around the limb, and kept moist with the same. If the part still continues painful, take four ounces of arnica flowers, moisten them with boiling water, when cool, bind them around the part, and let them remain twenty-four hours. This seldom fails. On the other hand, should the parts be in a chronic state, which may be recognized by inactivity, coldness, &c., then the following embrocation will restore the lost tone:--
Oil of wormwood, 1 ounce.
" " cedar, 1 ounce.
Hot drops, 4 ounces.
Vinegar, 1 pint.
Mix, and rub the part faithfully night and morning. Friction with the hand or a brush will materially a.s.sist to cure. In all cases where suppuration has commenced, and matter can be distinctly felt, the sooner the following poultice shall be applied, the better:--
Powdered slippery elm, } equal parts.
" linseed, }
Boiling water sufficient to moisten; then add a wine-gla.s.s of vinegar.