Ex Libris 
 C. K. OGDEX 
 
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 PRACTICAL TREATISE 
 
 ON THB 
 
 PAUTUlilTION OF THE COW, 
 
 OR 
 
 THE EXTRACnON OF THE CALF, 
 
 Sic, &c.
 
 A 
 
 PRACTICAL TREATISE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 BREEDING COW, 
 
 AND 
 
 EXTRACTION OF THE CALF, 
 
 BEFORE AND AT THE TIME OF CALVIXG; 
 
 IN WHICH THR QUESTION OF 
 
 IBifRcult IJarturition 
 
 IS CONSIDERED IN ALL ITS BEARINGS, WITH REFERENCE TO FACTS AND EXPERIKXCK , 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 OBSERVATIONS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DISEASES OE NEAT CATTLE GENERALLY ; 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 PROFITABLE INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 TO THE 
 
 BREEDING FARMER, COWKEEPER, AND GRAZIER, 
 
 FOR ATTENDING TO THEIR OWN CATTLE DURING ILLNESS, 
 
 ACCORDING TO THE MOST APPROVED MODERN METHODS OF TREATMENT, AND TIJE APPLICATION 
 OF LONG KNOWN AND SKILFUL 
 
 ^Prescriptions anti IRemeBics 
 
 FOR EVERY DISORDER INCIDENT TO HORNED CATTLE. 
 
 THE WHOLE ADAPTED TO THE PRESENT IMPROVED STATE OF VETERINARY PRACTICli. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH THIRTEEN HIGHLY-FINISHED ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 BY EDWARD SKELLETT, 
 
 PROFESSOR OF THAT PART OF THE VETERINARY ART. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR SHERWOOD, GILBERT, and PIPER, 
 
 PATERNOSTER-ROW.
 
 TO HIS GRACE 
 
 The Duke of Bedford. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Xhe attention shown by the 
 late Duke of Bedford and your Grace to 
 the improvement of that part of the Domes- 
 tic Stock which is the subject of the present 
 Work, has emboldened me humbly to request 
 your Grace's permission to address it to you, 
 and the other Noblemen and Gentlemen who 
 have associated for such a patriotic purpose. 
 In doing this, I shall have the happiness of 
 submitting it to those who are able judges. 
 
 a 
 
 2000698
 
 6 
 
 It is the result of much experience in my 
 professional pursuits, and solely calculated to 
 convey practical information. I flatter myself 
 it will not be deemed unworthy your Grace's 
 patronage. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 My Lord, 
 
 With the highest respect. 
 
 Your Graces most obedient. 
 
 And very humble servant, 
 
 E. SKELLETT.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 J HOUGH many publications have appeared of late on the Dis- 
 eases of Neat Cattle, yet the subject is not treated by any of 
 them in that regular and systematic manner, which can be useful 
 to readers who are not themselves bred to the business. The 
 practice also in these works is not one founded on experience, 
 but is chiefly drawn from medical opinions, and the analogy of 
 diseases in the human body. The following Work contains a 
 detail of what the author has seen and done in practice himself; 
 he does not borrow from others, because he found the opinions 
 of others on the subject not to coincide with his own. 
 
 In the first part of the Work, which embraces the Parturition 
 of the Cow, he has given a minute detail of all that respects the 
 operation; and he has introduced rules of practice unknown to 
 any other author who has published on this part of the business. 
 The second part, which is employed in treating the Diseases of 
 Neat Cattle in general, he has endeavoured to arrange in such 
 a manner, as to render the view of them clear and distinct. In 
 all the works on the diseases of cattle, it has been the great fault 
 of other authors to bring together diseases of an opposite na 
 ture, which have no connection; on the contrary, in the present 
 work, the diseases are so arranged, that all those of a similar 
 nature are placed in the same class or division. One particular 
 advantage attends this, by understanding the treatment of one 
 the reader understands, with some slight variation, the treat- 
 ment of the whole division. This is simplifying the matter in
 
 Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 a great degree ; for on once knowing the division or class to 
 which a disease belongs, the treatment will be immediately un- 
 derstood. In perusing the prescriptions in the following Work, 
 practitioners will perhaps be struck with the fondness the author 
 has shown for the warm aromatic seeds ; the fact is, the cow 
 being an animal confined entirely to vegetable food, remedies of 
 this kind best agree with her ; and where others are employed, 
 or found necessary, they serve as the best correctors, to prevent 
 their action on the stomach and bowels being too powerful. 
 Another circumstance which the author must also notice here is, 
 the largeness of his doses, compared with those of other writers : 
 in the first place, he must observe, that the cows which he has 
 latterly practised on are those of the dairies in the neighbourhood 
 of the metroDohs, and they are all of a large size ; secondly, 
 their mode of feeding, which is generally on grains, renders 
 larger doses of medicine necessary. This being the case, the 
 judgment of the practitioner must determine the exact dose 
 suited to the strength, age, and condition of the animal, taking 
 the dose inserted in the Work as the medium rule to go by. 
 On the whole, the author flatters himself the present publication 
 will be found useful, in addition to what has been written on 
 the subject, and it will enable the cowkeeper, on most occasions, 
 to direct the treatment of his own cattle, where he has leisure 
 to attend to it, or where he has not an opportunity of other 
 assistance. 
 
 EDWARD SKELLETT. 
 
 Wesfmorelantl Sh-eet, Mary-le-bone, 
 London, March, 1807,
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction i 
 
 PART I. 
 
 Chap. 
 
 I. Symptoms of Venereal Appetite in the Cow 11 
 
 II. Gestation 1.5 
 
 III. Conception 17 
 
 IV. Circulation of the Bh)od from the Mother to the Foetus 23 
 
 V. Of the Liquor Amnios 32 
 
 VI. Of the Meconium 2>1 
 
 VII. Description of tlie fourth, or Glutinous Membrane 39 
 
 VIII. Treatment of Gestation 41 
 
 IX. Diseases of Gestation 50 
 
 X. Strangury, or Retention of Urine 36 
 
 XI. Of Casting, Slipping, or Slinking the Calf 62 
 
 XII. Prevention of Slinking 72 
 
 XIII. Affections of the Udder 75 
 
 XIV. Of the Gravid, or Impregnated Womb 79 
 
 Explanation of Table or Plate 1 92 
 
 II dS 
 
 HI 98 
 
 IV 102 
 
 XV. The Extraction of the Calf 104 
 
 Explanation of Table or 1' late V 108 
 
 Treatment of Natural Calving Ill 
 
 Explanation of Table or Plate VI 1 16 
 
 VII 123 
 
 VIII 127 
 
 IX 131 
 
 X 137 
 
 XI 142 
 
 XII 148 
 
 General Observations on Preternatural Cases l62 
 
 XVI. Consequences of Calving 172 
 
 Flooding, or Loss of Blood 173 
 
 Explanation cf Table or Plate XIII 17^
 
 X CONTENTS. 
 
 Paw 
 
 Inversion of the Womb • 177 
 
 Falling down of the Vagina, or First Passage 1 84 
 
 Inflammation of the Womb 186 
 
 Shape, &c. 193 
 
 Milk Fever, or Dropping after Calving 194 
 
 PART 11. 
 
 Introduction 207 
 
 Circulation of the Blood • 210 
 
 I. GENERAL DISEASES. 
 
 Claes 
 
 I. Fevers 217 
 
 Inflammations 219 
 
 Frenzy 220 
 
 Inflammation of the Lungs 222 
 
 External Chest, or Anticor 226 
 
 Stomachs 228 
 
 First Ditto 229 
 
 Third Ditto 232 
 
 Bowels 238 
 
 Liver 242 
 
 Kidnies and Bladder 244 
 
 Red Water, or Staling of Blood 249 
 
 Garget of the Linibs, or Constitutional Rheumatic Lameness 253 
 
 Rheumatism of the Loins, or Lumbago 257 
 
 Garget, or Inflammation in the Udder 260 
 
 Blain 270 
 
 II. Bleeding from the Nostrils 278 
 
 Colds 281 
 
 Dysenter}-, or Bloody Ray 282 
 
 III. Staggers, or Dizziness of the Head 286 
 
 Lock Jaw, or Dead Palsy 289 
 
 Fits, or Falling Down 294 
 
 Asthma, or Short Breathing 296 
 
 Cough of long standing 297 
 
 Stomach Complaints 298 
 
 1 . Grain Sick ib. 
 
 2. Flatulence 301 
 
 3. Running of Water from the Mouth 304 
 
 Looseness, or Scowering 305 
 
 Hydrophobia, or Madness 309
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 Class Page 
 
 IV. Consumption, or Wasting 311 
 
 Black Leg, or Quarter • 313 
 
 Yellows, or Jaundice 3l6 
 
 Dropsy 319 
 
 II. LOCAL DISEASES. 
 
 Introduction 322 
 
 Directions for Bleeding ib. 
 
 Pegging 323 
 
 Tapping 324 
 
 • Blistering 325 
 
 Blindness 327 
 
 Strains, or Sprains 328 
 
 Costiveness • • • 332 
 
 Strangury 333 
 
 Tumours, or Swellings of various kinds ih. 
 
 Snarled Bag, or Swelled Udder 334 
 
 Schirrus, or hard Swellings of the Fleshy Paris 335 
 
 Cancers 336 
 
 Warts, or Horny Excrescences ib. 
 
 Swellings on the Joints and Bones 33/ 
 
 Soft Swellings 341 
 
 Loss of Joint Oil, or Synovia 343 
 
 Wounds 345 
 
 Pokes, Goring, or Wounds in Fleshy Parts 346 
 
 Feet Foul 347 
 
 Joint Foul 349 
 
 Canker ib. 
 
 Wounds in the Soles of the Feet 351 
 
 Ulcers 352 
 
 Constitutional Diseases of the Feet 353 
 
 1 . Common Ulcer ib. 
 
 2. Ulcer, with rapid growth of Proud Flesh 355 
 
 3. Ulcer, with Callus 356 
 
 4. Ulcer of the Teats 357 
 
 PART III. 
 
 Diseases of the Bullock and Calf 359 
 
 Mange 362 
 
 Conclusion ••• ♦.•.•..••••..»♦» •••« 364
 
 Directions for placing the Plates. 
 
 Table or Plate I to face page 92 
 
 11 95 
 
 HI 98 
 
 IV 102 
 
 V 108 
 
 VI 116 
 
 VII 1 23 
 
 VIII 127 
 
 IX 131 
 
 X 137 
 
 XI 14 
 
 XII 148 
 
 XIII IJf-
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 This Work is divided by the Author into 
 two parts : The first contains the various cir- 
 cumstances that attend the state of gestation, 
 or pregnancy, and the parturition, or deli- 
 very, of the animal. The second part com- 
 prehends the various diseases incident to this 
 species of cattle. 
 
 The first of these subjects is one of the ut- 
 most importance both to the farmer and gra- 
 zier, w^hose interest is so materially concerned 
 in it; therefore, in order that it may be fully 
 understood, the author has entered minutely 
 into its consideration, and brought forward 
 such practical facts as every one concerned 
 ought to be acquainted with. He accord- 
 ingly treats, first, of the symptoms shewn 
 
 B
 
 by the cow when she is inclmed to coition, 
 a point to be particularly attended to by 
 every breeder, for on this the success of con- 
 ception depends; the period when the animal 
 is in season, or desirous of this indulgence, 
 being very short, may be often missed, if the 
 symptoms are not well known. 
 
 The next subject is that of conception, the 
 manner of which is fully explained; the im- 
 portant subject of the circulation of the blood, 
 between the mother and the embryo or foetus, 
 is next taken up, and the mode of procuring 
 its nourishment ascertained. In doing this, 
 the author has occasion to state the origin of 
 the membrane or amnios, and also of the wa- 
 ter contained within it, in which the embryo 
 or foetus floats. In describing these parts, he 
 has taken the liberty of diftering from other 
 writers, and to maintain an opinion founded 
 on his own experience and observation; this 
 opinion is, that the embryo or foetus receives
 
 3 
 
 the whole of its nourishment from the mother, 
 by means of the umbilical cords or blood ves- 
 sels of the navel string alone ; that no part of 
 the fluid thus received ever returns, (an obser- 
 vation he has often made,) for the foetus im- 
 mediately dies on the umbilical cords being 
 accidentally broken from any exertion made 
 by it in the womb. Hence the fluid of the am- 
 nios is thus proved to be an ex^rementitious 
 liquor, discharged from the body of the foetus, 
 and highly unfit for it nourishment ; besides, 
 this fluid, so far from decreasing, is gene- 
 rally found in the greatest quantity in the 
 latter months, bearing always a proportion 
 to the size of the embryo or foetus, as will 
 appear by the delineation^in Plate III. To 
 render the author's opinion more distinct on 
 this part of the subject, plates are given, 
 shewing the anatomy of the placentae, the am- 
 nios or membrane, and the contiguous parts. 
 
 After elucidating this part, the symptoms
 
 of gestation are then entered upon, and full 
 instructions given for the management of the 
 cow, while in a state of breeding. 
 
 The diseases which arise during this period 
 are the next objects of the author's attention, 
 and their treatment explained in such a man- 
 ner, that every one may understand the ma- 
 nao^ement of his own stock. To render this 
 explanation still more complete, the anatomy 
 of the womb, with its contiguous parts, is 
 exhibited in plates, particularly in order to 
 shew the inner surface of the womb, which 
 becomes often inverted, or turned inside out, 
 from the last efforts of the cow in calving: 
 for the replacement of this accident, full in- 
 structions are given, to prevent the fatal 
 consequences which are apt to arise from it 
 when improperly treated or misunderstood. 
 
 With these preliminary instructions the 
 reader becomes prepared for entering upon
 
 the principal business, viz. the subject of 
 the cow calving. Here it is to be observed, 
 that a greater variety prevails in the position 
 of the foetus in the womb with neat cattle, 
 than with other domestic animals, except 
 sheep, and hence calving is often as dan- 
 gerous a situation as any in the human sub- 
 ject ; the cause of this will be afterwards ex- 
 plained, while, to assist the directions given 
 for calving in preternatural cases, plates are 
 exhibited of the various positions of the calf 
 in the womb. That the means of extracting 
 the calf in such unfavourable situations may 
 be rendered also still easier, these plates shew 
 the application of the peculiar mode employed 
 by the author, and which he has found emi- 
 nently successful in a period of no less than 
 twenty-five years. During that time he has 
 met with a number of the most difficult and 
 dangerous cases that can occur in practice, 
 and he is enabled, from an extensive expe- 
 rience, to afford the best instructions to the
 
 6 
 
 operator how he may avoid injuring the deli- 
 cate structure of the parts, on which his ex- 
 ertions are employed. This an unskilful prac- 
 titioner is too apt to do in the business of ex- 
 tracting; and though he may succeed in the 
 operation, the consequences are too often 
 fatal, from his rude and unscientific attempts, 
 to the poor animal. 
 
 Such is the view that the author has given 
 of this first division of his work : his chief 
 object is to offer practical instruction, and to 
 convey that knowledge to others which he 
 himself has acquired by long and patient ob- 
 servation in his professional pursuits. 
 
 The second division is confined exclusively 
 to the various diseases of neat cattle ; and here 
 his experience enables him to speak with much 
 decision and confidence on the nature and 
 treatment of their different maladies, and 
 even to propose new methods of cure, which
 
 his success leads him to recommend ; these 
 diseases he has also attempted to illustrate by 
 plates. 
 
 The maladies of neat cattle, like those of 
 the human subject, may be properly divided 
 into the accidental and constitutional ; one 
 part of the latter he has minutely consi- 
 dered, viz. the constitutional diseases of the 
 foet, a subject entirely new, and of the first 
 consequence. This part is often connected 
 with manual operation, and forms a principal 
 division of the surgery of neat cattle, on which 
 full instructions are given. 
 
 Having thus exhausted all that is necessary 
 to be known in regard to the mother, or the 
 cow, this work would have been left incom- 
 plete, had he not bestowed an equal atten- 
 tion on the management and diseases of the 
 calf ; these are treated with the same minute- 
 ness as those of the mother in the preceding
 
 8 
 
 part, and their causes, symptoms, and cure 
 investigated, so far as he has been enabled, 
 by his own observation, to understand them. 
 
 From the nature of this w^ork, the author 
 has been led to pay particular regard to a 
 subject which has claimed, of late, the fullest 
 notice from medical men of every description, 
 both in Britain and throughout all Europe ; 
 the origin and nature of the cow-pock. The 
 progress of this disease will be delineated in 
 an appendix to the work; the difference be- 
 tween the real and spurious matter accurately 
 pointed out, and such tests given as may pre- 
 vent any mistakes being made by medical 
 men on this head. The author will also, in 
 this part, lay before the public the result of 
 a set of experiments made with the real small- 
 pox matter, in order to ascertain its peculiar 
 effect on the cow, compared with the effects 
 of the cow-pox, and thus to determine the 
 proximity or connection of the two diseases
 
 9 
 
 with each other, a point of a curious nature, 
 and which has never before been thought of. 
 
 Having thus offered a general outline of 
 the work, the first subject that occurs to be 
 treated of, is the symptoms that indicate the 
 animal being inclined to coition.
 
 PRACTICAL TREATISE, ^t. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 ON THE PARTURITION OF THE COW, OR THE 
 EXTRACTION OF THE CALF. 
 
 Chap. I. — Syynptoms of Venereal Appetite in 
 
 the Cow. 
 
 \t HEN a cow is inclined for coition, the fol- 
 lowing symptoms will appear : she will sud- 
 denly abate of her milk, and be very restless; 
 when in the field with other cows, she will 
 be frequently riding on them, and if in the 
 cow-house, she will be constantly shifting 
 about the stall; her tail will be in constant 
 motion; she will be frequently dunging, stal-
 
 12 
 
 ing and blaring; will lose her appetite; her 
 shape, or external parts, will appear red and 
 inflamed, and a transparent liquor will be dis- 
 charged from the vagina. In old cows these 
 symptoms are known to continue four or five 
 days, but, in general, not more than twenty- 
 four hours, and at other times, not more than 
 five or six, — ^therefore, if a cow is intended 
 for procreation, the earliest opportunity 
 should be taken to let her have the bull; for, 
 if it be neglected then, it will often be a fort- 
 night or three weeks before the above symp- 
 toms return. These instructions are neces- 
 sary to be given only to the proprietors of a 
 small number of cows, where a bull is not 
 always kept with them. 
 
 A heifer should never have access to 
 the bull before she is at least two years 
 old, at which period nature is ripe for pro- 
 pagation ; and when the time arrives for 
 her calving, her parts will be strong and
 
 13 
 
 open, so as to enable her to calve with 
 strength and vigour. Sometimes yearlings 
 «hew a disposition for coition, but they should 
 not, w^hen so young, be suffered to have the 
 bull; as it not only prevents their growth, 
 but their calving is frequently attended with 
 great difficulty and danger, even when the 
 calf lies in a natural position, for the passage 
 to the womb being so extremely narrow, does 
 not admit of room for the extraction of the 
 calf without violence. In consequence of 
 this, those delicate parts are often injured, 
 and frequently torn, from which cause pro- 
 ceeds inflammation, a mortification of the 
 womb, and the surrounding parts, and, fi- 
 nally, the death of the animal. The author, 
 in numerous cases of this description, has 
 frequently found the vagina and the os uteri 
 actually torn asunder, as well as the arteries 
 and veins which supply the womb with blood, 
 from which cause the animal has bled to death 
 inwardly.
 
 14 
 
 If a cow, after calving, shews symptoms 
 of coition sooner than four or five weeks, 
 (which is sometimes the case,) she should 
 not be permitted to have the bull sooner than 
 four or five weeks from that period, for the 
 womb before that time is, in general, in so 
 relaxed a state, as not to be capable of re- 
 taining the seed, consequently she seldom 
 proves with calf, if she is suffered to take 
 him sooner. 
 
 A cow, in general, goes only nine months, 
 or two hundred and sixty-three days, with 
 calf, although some instances occur when she 
 goes a fortnight or three weeks over that time.' 
 Where it so happens, it is most commonly 
 a bull calf; and it may be remarked, the 
 cow generally goes longer with a bull than 
 with a cow calf.
 
 15 
 
 Chap. II. — Gestation. 
 
 As soon as conception has taken place, the 
 cow becomes perfectly calm, eats her food 
 with a good appetite, milks well, and gene- 
 rally thrives in flesh ; and at the expiration 
 of six weeks, if she shews no symptoms in- 
 dicating a desire of coition, she may be con- 
 sidered as generally being with calf. These 
 are the only marks which can be discovered 
 of the cow having conceived for the first 
 three months ; after which, she appears full 
 in the flank on the milking side, and of course 
 keeps daily increasing. It does not appear 
 that the womb goes through any particular 
 change, except the daily distending of it, in 
 proportion as the foetus and the fluid in which 
 it floats increase ; nor does conception appa- 
 rently incommode the animal, or cause any 
 disagreeable change in the constitution, till 
 the expiration of four or five months, at 
 which time the calf quickens. From this pe- 
 riod the mother is subject to several diseases.
 
 16 
 
 Between five and six months the calf may 
 be distinctly felt on the milking side, by 
 gently thrusting the fist against the flank of 
 the cow, by which means a hard lump will 
 come in contact with the abdomen and fist ; 
 or, if a pail or two of cold water be given to 
 the animal, it generally causes the calf to 
 kick, which may be seen or felt by laying 
 the open hand on the abdomen, betwixt the 
 flank and udder ; but when a bull calf, it is 
 not so soon felt or seen as when a cow calf, 
 for the female generally lies in the horn of the 
 near side of the womb, (called the milking 
 side,) and the male in the opposite horn, in 
 consequence of which it cannot be so easily 
 felt. 
 
 Some instances have occurred, where the 
 author could not feel the calf till the seventh 
 or eighth month, particularly when in a na- 
 tural position, (see Plate V.) but he fre- 
 quently has when on the opposite side.
 
 17 
 
 Chap. III. — Conception. 
 
 \t HEN nature is satisfied, or the symptoms 
 of coition disappear in the animal, conception 
 has taken place. The neck of the womh be- 
 comes then completely closed by a glutinous 
 substance, which nature has provided for 
 that purpose, being perfectly transparent, 
 and with difficulty separated from the parts. 
 
 This matter is for the purpose of excluding 
 all external air from the os uteri, or uterine 
 orifice, during gestation, which, if admitted 
 to the embryo or foetus, would corrupt the 
 membranes, and the pellucid liquor in which 
 the embryo or foetus floats, and would un- 
 doubtedly cause the cow to slink, or slip, her 
 calf. This glutinous substance also prevents 
 the lips of the os uteri from growing toge- 
 ther; and when the cow is inclined to coition, 
 it becomes fluid — In the act of copulation, 
 
 C
 
 18 
 
 serving to lubricate the parts, and prevent 
 inflammation. This, in all probability, would 
 be the case from the repeated friction of the 
 bull, whose operations are generally repeated 
 five or six times within the hour, for the first 
 two hours, if he is suffered to remain with 
 the cow. It also becomes fluid at the time 
 of calving, and serves for the above purpose. 
 This o'lutinous substance beins: found not 
 only at the above period, but also in young 
 calves, it evidently appears, that it is as highly 
 necessary at one time as another, and conse- 
 quently the uterus requires to be at all times 
 kept free from external air. 
 
 In the act of copulation the male and fe- 
 male seed mix together, and with the assist- 
 ance of the pellucid liquor, which always ac- 
 companies the seed when emitted, the whole 
 of these form into a pellucid or globular ap- 
 pearance, inclosed with a fine membrane, 
 called amnion, which will be minutely de-
 
 19 
 
 scribed hereafter ; in this state it is called 
 the ovum, or embryo ; but when the foetus 
 is distinctly formed, it has the appearance of 
 a calf, and then assumes the proper name of 
 the foetus. The liquor contained within the 
 membrane is perfectly transparent, in the 
 centre of which floats the seed, and in the 
 space of eight days the seed forms into a sub- 
 stance, which is not then larger than a small 
 pea. From its centre springs the umbilical 
 cords, or blood vessels; they adhere to the 
 internal part of the membrane, or amnion, 
 which surrounds it. These umbilical cords, 
 or blood vessels, by degrees send off, round 
 the external surface of the amnion, two more 
 membranes ; the centre one, which adheres 
 to the amnion, the author calls the arterial 
 membrane, for to it the arteries take their 
 adherence ; the external, or third membrane, 
 is called the chorion. 
 
 While nature has been thus employed in
 
 20 
 
 forming these membranes, the ends of the 
 umbilical veins and arteries which unite to 
 the amnion issue forth, into various directions, 
 and compose those small veins and arteries 
 which surrounds the two last mentioned 
 membranes, — the arteries take their adhe- 
 rence to the centre membrane, and the 
 veins to the internal part of the chorion. 
 When nature has completely finished all the 
 blood vessels which surround the membranes, 
 the chorion then sends off around its external 
 surface a great number of those spongy sub- 
 stances, called the placentae, (see Plate III.) 
 which is accomplished in about fourteen days 
 after conception. 
 
 During the above period, the embryo 
 and its contiguous parts are entirely nou- 
 rished by the moisture and warmth of the 
 womb, as the embryo has no adherence 
 to the womb daring the above period. At 
 the time the spongy substances of the pla-
 
 21 
 
 centae issue out on the chorion, the glands of 
 the womb begin to bud out, in order to meet 
 in union with them, and they come in com- 
 plete contact with each other, for the pur 
 pose of absorbing a sufRcient quantity of ar- 
 terial blood from the mother, for the support 
 of the embryo. At this period it only takes 
 its adherence in the widest part of the womb, 
 (see Plate I.) which is between the os uteri 
 and the beginning of the cornua, or horny 
 parts of the womb. From this period the 
 membranes begin to shoot out progressively, 
 till they arrive at the very extremities of the 
 horns of the womb, which are both com- 
 pletely invested by them in the course of 
 gestation. 
 
 The placentae and membranes arrive 
 at their extremities in about six weeks, at 
 which time the membranes are remarkably 
 thin and fine, and in the widest part of them 
 the embryo or fcetus floats. The internal
 
 22 
 
 part of the membrane, or amnion, is lined 
 with a glutinous mucilaginous substance, the 
 appearance of which is like jelly, and is firmly 
 united to the membrane. The use of this is, 
 no doubt, for the purpose of preventing the 
 embryo or foetus injuring the membranes, 
 whenever it floats or moves. The greatest 
 part of this glutinous substance, at the expi- 
 ration of six or seven months, becomes fluid, 
 and takes its adherence to the foetus ; this is 
 of the greatest use at the time of calving, and 
 serves to lubricate those tender parts in the 
 progress of delivery, and consequently makes 
 the calf pass easily.
 
 23 
 
 Chap. IV. — Circulation of the Bloody from 
 the Mother to the Foetus. 
 
 It will be proper to give a short description 
 of the circulation of the blood from the mo- 
 ther to the foetus, but it will be more mi- 
 nutely explained in the description of the 
 anatomy of the womb, placentae, and its con- 
 tiguous parts. There are four uterine ar- 
 teries, which spring from the great aorta, two 
 take their course to the uterus, the other 
 two take their direction to the bladder and 
 vagina, to which they unite, and are for the 
 purpose of nourishing these parts. The two 
 uterine arteries unite to the uterus, and 
 branch into different divisions, which have 
 their communication with the internal "lands 
 of the womb. There are also two uterine 
 veins which unite to the uterus. These two 
 veins are for the purpose of returning the
 
 24 
 
 blood to the mother after the womb is sup- 
 plied, which is their only office, and not to 
 bring back the superfluous blood from the 
 embryo or foetus to the mother^ as anato- 
 mists have in general supposed. This the 
 author will more fully explain hereafter. The 
 two arteries which unite to the uterus and 
 glands of the womb, send out small branches 
 that emit arterial blood into the cellular glands 
 of the womb, wherein the placentas unite ; 
 nor do they emit any more blood than what 
 is absolutely necessary for the support of the 
 embryo or foetus; and when so received by 
 the embryo or foetus, not any part of it is 
 ever again returned to the mother; for the 
 author has frequently dissected the glands of 
 the womb and the placentae, and could never 
 discover any blood-vessels between the pla- 
 centae and the glands of the womb, nor could 
 he force any injection from the uterus into 
 the anterior parts of the placentae, or those 
 next the womb, nor from the umbilical ves-
 
 25 
 
 sels of the foetus into the cellular parts of 
 the glands of the womb. 
 
 The use of the glands of llie womb is for 
 the purpose of receiving arterial blood from 
 the uterine arteries, which they emit into 
 the cells of the glands ; and from some secret 
 and wonderful change of nature it is con- 
 verted into chyle, and when so prepared, is 
 absorbed by the placentae, and immediately 
 becomes blood, being conveyed to the em- 
 bryo or foetus in the regular course of cir- 
 culation. Is it possible that the glands of 
 the womb, and the spongy parts of the pla- 
 centae, can absorb at one and the same time, 
 which must be the case, if it ever returns to 
 the mother? The author's opinion is, it can- 
 not, as they certainly act upon two different 
 principles ; the one emits, and the other re- 
 ceives ; nor are the glands of the womb any 
 ways adapted for that purpose, being of a 
 more solid texture than the former, and of
 
 20 
 
 course not so well suited for absorption : but, 
 on the contrary, the spongy parts of the pla- 
 centae are well adapted for absorption : the 
 arteries of the mother emit arterial blood 
 into the deep cavities of the glands of the 
 womb, wherein the processes of the placentas 
 unite, which act like suckers to the glands. 
 As soon as the blood is emitted from the 
 uterine arteries of the mother into the cells 
 of the glands of the womb, it immediately 
 becomes chyle, (as before noticed,) which 
 tnay be perceived by squeezing the glands of 
 the womb after they are separated from the 
 placentae, when it appears like milk ; this 
 chyle is absorbed by the placentae, and while 
 in the act of absorption, is, from some secret 
 and wonderful act of nature, which the au- 
 thor believes is out of the power of any hu- 
 man being to account for, converted into 
 blood. This blood is taken up by the veins 
 of the placentae, and after circulating all 
 around the membranes, it empties itself
 
 27 
 
 into the umbilical veins, and from thence is 
 transmitted to the embryo or foetus, by them 
 passing into tlie vena portarum, and thence 
 through the liver into the vena cava, which 
 empties the blood into the heart. From the 
 heart, the blood is forced into the arteries, 
 whence it is conveyed to all, even the most 
 minutest parts of the body of the foetus, for 
 its nourishment, and thence the remaining 
 part is brought back by the veins. The pla- 
 centae, and the membranes which adhere 
 to them, are nourished by the arterial blood, 
 conveyed from the great aorta into the two 
 umbilical arteries, (see Plate III.) and then 
 it takes its direction into the slnall arteries, 
 which are numerously spread all over the 
 membranes; and after circulating round, and 
 nourishing those parts, it passes to the pla- 
 centae, and is taken up by their small veins, as 
 before described, thus mixing with the arte- 
 rial blood absorbed by the placentae from the
 
 28 
 
 mother, and with it is again returned to the 
 foetus, by the umbilical veins, &c. 
 
 After describing minutely the manner in 
 which conception takes place, the author 
 thinks it may not be unentertaining to his 
 readers, to give a description of the progress 
 of the membrane amnion, and its contiguous 
 membranes, and the liquor amnios, in which 
 the embryo or foetus floats. 
 
 Nine days after conception, the embryo 
 iind pellucid liquor, and the membrane am- 
 nion which incloses the whole, is the size of 
 a pigeon's egg ; its appearance is globular. 
 At the expiration of fourteen days after con- 
 ception, it is about the size of a small pullet's 
 egg : at this period the spongy substance on 
 the chorion begins to unite to the glands of 
 the womb. At the expiration of three weeks 
 after conception, the whole forms an oval, 
 and is then not larger than a duck's egg; at
 
 29 
 
 the narrowest part of which the membranes 
 begm to shoot out into two divisions, (see 
 Plate III.) the one taking its course down- 
 wards into the right horn of the womb, and 
 the other to the left ; and as these membranes 
 advance in their growth into the horns of the 
 womb, there issue out, on the external sur- 
 face of the chorion, those spongy substances, 
 called the placentae, which take their ad- 
 herence to the glands in the horny parts of 
 the womb, and bud out as the membranes 
 advance. The upper and widest part of the 
 membranes resembles a globe, and forms 
 what is called the water-bladder, which is the 
 thinest part of the membranes, being the 
 part that first presents itself in a natural calv- 
 ing, and is first broke, when there issues 
 from it a large quantity of water. 
 
 These membranes, which form the water- 
 bladder, at the expiration of eight months, 
 become remarkably thin and fine, and the
 
 30 
 
 blood-vessels which surround them are very 
 small. At the expn-ation of nine months 
 they are totally divested of blood-vessels, 
 or they are become so small, that they are 
 not visible to the naked eye ; nor are there at 
 this period on the membranes any of those 
 spongy substances, the placentae, which at 
 the early period of conception surround them. 
 
 Thus nature has wonderfully contrived so 
 as to deprive these membranes of their blood- 
 vessels, &c. at the time of calving, which is 
 no doubt for the purpose of preventing any 
 hemorrhage of blood from the umbilical ar- 
 teries of the calf, when the water-bladder 
 breaks ; for was the water-bladder to be 
 surrounded with blood-vessels at the time of 
 calving, and when it presents and breaks, 
 which is generally one hour before the cow 
 calves, and sometimes two or three, and were 
 these blood-vessels to be bleeding during the
 
 31 
 
 above period, the calf must inevitably l)lee(l 
 to death. 
 
 The horny ends of the membranes appear 
 like two tails, (see Plate III.) and are in- 
 vested with blood-vessels, and also with pla- 
 centae. As soon as the membranes arrive at 
 the extremities of the horns of the womb, 
 the placentaes are strongly united to them 
 (as before described): and after the extrac- 
 tion of the calf, and the umbilical cords are 
 broken, the spongy parts of the placentaes, 
 and glands of the Avomb, are disunited from 
 each other. In consequence of this, the 
 glands of the womb immediately collapse 
 and shut those caviti; s, to prevent any he- 
 morrhage of blood from the uterine arteries, 
 which before circulated into the cells for 
 the absorption of the placentaes, and the nou- 
 rishment of the embryo or foetus.
 
 32 
 
 Chap. V. — Of the Liquor Amnios. 
 
 As soon as the umbilical cords or blood-ves- 
 sels, and the contiguous membranes and pla- 
 centaes, are completely formed, and the pla- 
 centae have taken their adherence to the 
 glands of the womb, for the purpose of ab- 
 sorbing the arterial blood from the mother, 
 and conveying it to the embryo or foetus, (see 
 Circulation of the Blood,) the serum, or the 
 superfluous part of this blood, after circulat- 
 ing around, and traversing the body of the 
 embryo or foetus, and its contiguous mem- 
 branes, is secreted into the kidnies, (the 
 manner in v^hich this w^ater is secreted into 
 the kidnies will hereafter be described, when 
 the author treats on the circulation of the 
 blood in the adult.) From the kidnies this 
 serum passes into the ureters, or tubes, of 
 the kidnies, (see Plate I.) and is gradually 
 discharged into the bladder, being conveyed
 
 33 
 
 between the two umbilical arteries through 
 a fine membranous tube, which opens from 
 the fundus, or bottom part of the bladder 
 (see Plate III.) by which means this liquor 
 is emptied within the membrane amnion; and 
 as the embryo or foetus increases in size, so 
 in proportion does the liquor keep pace with 
 it during gestation. 
 
 This liquor is, in its appearance and smell, 
 similar to that of cows' urine, and is of the 
 greatest importance in assisting nature during 
 gestation, which will appear from the follow- 
 ing observations : From the embryo or fcetus 
 being surrounded with it soon after concep- 
 tion, it is kept daily increasing till the time 
 of delivery ; and was not this to be the case, 
 when the foetus increases in size, and takes 
 its station in the horn of the womb, as be- 
 fore noticed, the foetus must undoubtedly ad- 
 here to the membranes and uterus ; and 
 whenever it attempts to move or kick, it 
 
 D
 
 34 
 
 must inevitably destroy the membranes, and 
 wound the uterus, from which cause inflam- 
 mation in the parts would ensue, and per- 
 haps the death of the animal be the conse- 
 quence. The want of this liquor would also 
 prevent a free circulation of the blood from 
 the mother to the foetus. This liquor amnios 
 is not only for the above purpose, being of 
 a mucilaginous nature, and serves, as it were, 
 to moisten the membranes, and greatly assist 
 in extending the womb during gestation ; 
 but is also of the greatest utility to the ope- 
 rator at the time of extracting the calf when 
 in a preternatural position, and likewise in 
 a natural calving, when the animal wants no 
 assistance but nature, for it serves to lubricate 
 those tender and delicate parts, the os uteri 
 and vagina, as the calf advances, and conse- 
 quently prevents inflammation. 
 
 On this subject of the waters, even some 
 of the first anatomists have delivered opinions
 
 35 
 
 highly erroneous. In his Comparative Ana- 
 tomy, the late Dr. Monro observes, in p. 70, 
 that the amnios liquor at first is in a small 
 quantity, afterw^ards increases for some 
 months, then again decreases ; and in a cow 
 near her time, the quantity of this liquor is 
 not above a pound. This assertion is di- 
 rectly contrary to what the author has ad- 
 vanced, and to what every one conversant 
 with the management of cows well knows, 
 viz. that so abundant is this liquor at the 
 time of calving, that not less than two or 
 three pails full generally come away in the 
 whole : he has been led, therefore, from very 
 accurate observations, to state, that the quan- 
 tity of this liquor bears always a proportion 
 to the size of the foetus, and is in the great- 
 est quantity, instead of being least, in the 
 latter months. 
 
 Another remark may be made on Dr. Mon- 
 ro's assertion, that the amnion membrane
 
 36 
 
 does not extend into the horns of the womb ; 
 the author has made innumerable dissections 
 bf those parts, and has uniformly found this 
 membrane pervade every part of the horns, 
 as well as the womb; and it is only for want 
 of sufficient opportunity to know the real 
 fact, that such mistakes are made by authors, 
 and continued to be copied by others that 
 follow them.
 
 37 
 
 Chap. VI. — Of the Meconium. 
 
 In describing the membranes and foetus, one 
 part belonging to the latter has been hitherto 
 omitted, or that particular substance known 
 by the name of meconium : this substance is 
 properly the excrement of the foetus; and 
 though perhaps it is secreted from a very 
 early period of conception, yet it is not dis- 
 tinguished in its natural form till the period 
 of quickening arrives. From the strength of 
 the foetus at this time, the peristaltic motion 
 of the intestines is vigorous, and part of it 
 comes to be discharged into the amnios li- 
 quor, w^hich gives it a yellow tinge. The 
 greatest part of tliis meconium is found in 
 the horn of the womb, wlien tlie foetus lays 
 in a natural position, and is of a dark yellow 
 colour, and of a glutinous nature. The meco- 
 nium in the intestines of the foetus is of the 
 same substance and colour as that found in
 
 38 
 
 the horn of the womb. From the fact of this 
 excrement being mixed with the amnion li- 
 quor, it is perfectly clear that the latter can 
 never be intended for the nourishment of the 
 foetus, and that the umbilical vessels form 
 the medium by which sustenance is conveyed 
 from the mother to the young : the arguments 
 supporting this latter opinion will be recited 
 at full length, when treating on the anatomy 
 of the womb. It is only necessary to notice 
 here this circumstance, as being so very strik- 
 ing and apposite from the excrementitious 
 nature of the liquor, which contains such me- 
 conial matter in it.
 
 39 
 
 Chap. VII. — Description of the fourth, or 
 Glutinous Membrane, 
 
 1 HE author has here to observe, that since 
 giving the description of the three mem- 
 branes, namely, the amnion, arterial mem- 
 brane, and chorion, w^hich has already been 
 described, (see Conception,) he has, from a 
 more minute investigation, in dissecting those 
 membranes, discovered a fourth one ; this is 
 of a more delicate texture than any of the 
 others, and is very easily broken. Each side 
 of this membrane is lined w^ith a alutinous 
 substance, for w^liich reason, he thinks it 
 will not be improper to give it the name of 
 Glutinous Membrane. The use of this glu- 
 tinous substance, there cannot be a shadow 
 of doubt, is intended for the purpose of pre- 
 venting the arterial membrane and arteries 
 which adhere to it being injured whenever 
 the foetus moves or kicks. This membrane,
 
 40 
 
 or glutinous substance, is not found at the 
 early period of conception, at least the au- 
 thor has not discovered it, though he has 
 very minutely dissected the parts ; nor does 
 he conceive this glutinous membrane can be 
 of any utility till the embryo becomes a 
 foetus ; for before that time it is generally 
 supposed the embryo never moves, except by 
 the exertions of the mother; but, on the con- 
 trary, when the embryo quickens, which is 
 then called the foetus, from this period it 
 frequently kicks and moves, which clearly 
 proves the utility of this glutinous substance 
 in the latter months of gestation, which na- 
 ture has so wisely prepared.
 
 41 
 
 Chap. VIII. — Treatment of Gestation. 
 
 Having in the preceding part of the work 
 given a full description of the anatomy and 
 use of the different parts of the animal con 
 nected with conception, the author comes 
 now to consider the consequences which 
 arise from that process, and which consti- 
 tutes what is termed the diseases of gestation. 
 Every domestic animal like the cow is to be 
 considered as by no means living in a state 
 of nature. Like man himself, she partakes 
 of civilized life, and of course is subjected to 
 similar infirmities with the human race. The 
 time of gestation is with her a state of indis- 
 position, and every manager of cattle should 
 be aware of this, and treat her with everv 
 attention and care during this time. The 
 actual diseases of gestation are not indeed 
 numerous, but they are frequently very se- 
 vere, and they occasion always a tendency
 
 42 
 
 to slinking, or the cow slipping her calf: as 
 every means should be employed to prevent 
 this accident, we shall therefore direct, first, 
 the management during gestation, and then 
 the diseases to which it gives rise. 
 
 Management. 
 
 When a cow has once conceived, which 
 will be known by the symptoms given in a 
 former part of this work, little alteration 
 will be necessary for some time in the or- 
 dinary course to which she has been accus- 
 tomed; but as the weight of the calf begins 
 to increase, it will then be necessary to take 
 some precautions ; and these precautions will 
 consist in an attention to her diet, air, and 
 exercise. 
 
 Diet, 
 
 The diet of the cow should be of a mild, 
 lenitive, emollient nature, and, along with her 
 ordinary food, a mixture should take place
 
 43 
 
 of articles of a relaxing kind, such as pota- 
 toes or turnips, and any other vegetables 
 which have a similar effect: if these should 
 not prove sufficient to keep her bowels re- 
 gularly open (the great point to be always 
 aimed at), then medicines must be given that 
 will answer this intention : the best the au- 
 thor has experienced in these cases are the 
 following ; and they may be repeated as oc- 
 casion may require. 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 Cream of Tartar, one ounce. 
 Anise and Coriander seeds, of each one ounce, 
 Fennigreek, one ounce. — Mix well together. 
 
 This medicine is to be given to the cow 
 in two quarts of whey, or water gruel, 
 with a pint of mild ale, and half a pound of 
 treacle: should this not open the body suf- 
 ficiently in twenty-four hours, it may be re- 
 peated. During the operation of these me- 
 dicines, the animal is to have warm water, 
 or thin gruel. If the cow should show any
 
 44 
 
 symptoms of fever, bleeding will be proper 
 before the drink is given her. 
 
 Treatment in the eio-litli and ninth months. 
 
 These being the two last months of gesta- 
 tion, and the most critical time with the ani- 
 mal, consequently she requires, during it, the 
 greatest attention. From the w^eight and bulk 
 of the foetus at this period, it causes a number 
 of disagreeable sensations to the cow, and 
 frequently produces feverish symptoms ; in 
 consequence of which, the body becomes 
 very costive. Whenever these symptoms ap- 
 pear, bleeding must immediately take place, 
 and that in proportion to the strength and 
 size of the animal, or the violence of the dis- 
 ease; then give the before-mentioned laxative 
 drink, to be repeated^ if necessary, as be- 
 fore directed. Bleeding and purging are 
 absolutely necessary to be performed once oi 
 twice while in a state of gestation, particularly 
 with those cows which are fat and in high
 
 45 
 
 condition ; and it should be adopted in the 
 latter months, except circumstances should 
 occur to forbid it, such as violent purging, 
 or any other diseases which may require 
 a different mode of treatment : nor does the 
 author recommend it to cows which are very 
 weak, low in flesh, and empoverished in 
 blood, from poor feeding, &c. ; should this 
 be the case, the cow should have good and 
 nourishing food ; a mash may now and then 
 be given her made of malt, bran, or pollard, 
 mixed with some oats, which will be of great 
 service to the animal, in giving strength and 
 vigour, so highly necessary at the time of 
 calving. For at this period, a cow should not 
 be too fat or too lean, either of Avhich states is 
 attended with danger; a medium, undoubted- 
 ly, is the best. These instructions are chiefly 
 adapted for the cowkeepers in the metropolis, 
 or in large cities, from the difterent mode of 
 feeding which they have : the country farm- 
 ers or graziers are particular in their feeding
 
 40 
 
 ill the latter months of gestation, and gene- 
 rally give such food as is most suitable to 
 prevent disease during the time they are in 
 calf. If these instructions are duly attended 
 to, the author has no doubt the cowkeeper 
 or farmer will soon be convinced of the be- 
 nefit arising from them, which would gene- 
 rally prevent that dreadful disease, called 
 dropping after calving, or the milk fever, 
 which is so prevalent in and about the metro- 
 polis. 
 
 Ai?^ and Exercise. 
 
 Having thus regulated the diet during ges- 
 tation, the air and exercise are the next points 
 to be considered. Air and exercise are ab- 
 solutely necessary during gestation, and are, 
 indeed, of such importance to the animal, 
 that no cow can continue long in a state of 
 perfect health without fully enjoying them ; 
 they wonderfully assist nature in its opera- 
 tions, by promoting the necessary secretions 
 and evacuations, which are always useful to
 
 47 
 
 the preservation of health; they convert the 
 food into good and w^holesome nourishment, 
 assist the circulation of the blood, promote in- 
 sensible perspiration, and increase the action 
 of the stomach, by w^hich means they help 
 digestion; they make w^ay for a fresh supply 
 of aliment, and of course create appetite ; 
 in short, they invigorate the w^hole system. 
 
 What the author means by the cow hav- 
 ing air and exercise, is to turn her into the 
 layer, or fold yard, daily, for three or four 
 hours, when the weather will permit; for he 
 does not conceive it prudent to turn a cow 
 out in a hail storm, as no animal could feel 
 any pleasure in being in it, nor would it be 
 of any service to the constitution. The morn- 
 ing being the most healthful part of the day, 
 is of course the most proper time for it. 
 During the time they are in the layer, they 
 lick and rub themselves against the posts 
 (which are put there for that purpose); in
 
 48 
 
 this they feel a pleasure, and this operation 
 is besides highly conducive to their health, 
 from the cleanliness it promotes. 
 
 But when they are far advanced with 
 young, viz. five or six months in calf, they 
 should be turned out into the layer, or fold 
 yard, by themselves, for fear they should 
 ride any of the other cows that may be a 
 bulling, which they are very apt to do; in 
 consequence of this, the calf may be turned 
 to a preternatural position, from the violent 
 exertion of the cow, and also the cow may 
 be liable at the same time to be poked or 
 gored by the other beasts, from which cause 
 the calf may be killed ; and this would un- 
 doubtedly cause the cow to slink, or slip, ber 
 calf; nay, the author can farther say, that 
 he has known several instances wherein this 
 conduct has been the death of both the cow 
 and calf.
 
 49 
 
 The most proper time to turn cows in calf, 
 or pregnant cows, into the layer, will be 
 when the milking cows are taken up into the 
 cow-house to be fed and milked, which is 
 generally between eleven and twelve o'clock 
 in and about the metropolis. — These instruc- 
 tions, respecting air and exercise, are merely 
 for the information of the cowkeepers in the 
 vicinity of the metropolis, as the farmers and 
 graziers in the country generally give their 
 cows in calf plenty of air and exercise, by 
 allowing them to remain in the field, or in c 
 straw-yard, till they calve, or they see symp 
 toms of calving.
 
 50 
 
 Chap. IX. — Diseases of Gestation. 
 
 1 HE Diseases of Gestation are confined 
 mostly to the advanced period, as formerly 
 observed ; they are not numerous, and may 
 be considered under the head of colds, affec 
 tions of the bladder, or strangury, and mis- 
 carriage, or slinking. 
 
 Cold 
 
 Is a disease to w^hich cow^s are subject dur- 
 ing gestation ; and proceeds from obstructed 
 perspiration. This disease is most prevalent 
 in north-east w^inds: those cows w^hich are 
 stall fed, and kept up for tw^enty-four hours 
 at a time in the cow^-house, are more liable 
 to colds than those cow^s that continually lay 
 in straws-yards, from the different mode oi 
 feeding the cow^keepers have in and aboui 
 the vicinity of London ; for their food con
 
 51 
 
 sists chiefly (in winter) of hot grains, which, 
 from their warmth, promote perspiration, 
 and, in a short period afterwards, the cows 
 being turned into a cold layer, there to drink 
 as much water as nature dictates them to do, 
 and perhaps exposed at the same time to a 
 north-east wind, their whole system must 
 immediately be chilled, from which cause a 
 violent cold is frequently produced. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The most predominant symptoms of this 
 complaint are, a violent shivering, or shaking, 
 of the extremities, similar to an ague fit, the 
 hair of the animal standing of an end, a sudden 
 loss, or deficiency of milk ensues, with want 
 of appetite, and a purging immediately takes 
 place, which soon stops. In a short period 
 afterwards the animal generally becomes 
 very costive ; the ears, horns, and extremi- 
 ties are cold, the pulse feels feeble, and ilie
 
 52 
 
 cow appears low and languid, not having 
 any inclination to move or stir; but as the 
 disease advances (if not checked) the pulse 
 will beat quick and strong, and the body- 
 becomes hotter than usual, the mouth is 
 frothy and clammy, attended with thirst, and 
 there is an inclination frequently to drink. 
 A heaving, or quick motion in the flank, and, 
 if the lungs are affected, a cough is often the 
 consequence. 
 
 Method of Cure. 
 
 On the appearance of the first symptoms, 
 or in the early part of the disease, if the cow 
 is in good conditon, three pints or two quarts 
 of blood may be taken from her ; but if she 
 is low, and lean in flesh, one quart will be 
 sufficient: should the disease be far advanced, 
 and the pulse beats quick and strong, three 
 or four quarts of blood will not be too much, 
 from strong large cows, but in smaller cows 
 the quantity of blood must of course be in
 
 53 
 
 proportion. After bleeding, give the follow- 
 ing medicine: 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 Nitre, one ounce, 
 Cream of Tartar, one ounce, 
 Salt of Tartar, one ounce. 
 Powdered Ginger> one ounce. 
 
 Mix together, for one dose, in two quarts of 
 water gruel, to which add half a pound of 
 treacle, and one pint of warm ale ; then give 
 it to the cow, new milk warm. This drink 
 is diuretic and cooling, it acts as a gentle 
 stimulus, and causes the bowels to be laxative, 
 which is highly necessary in this case, to 
 prevent costiveness and fever, or, if fever has 
 taken place, it will be a means of stopping 
 the progress thereof. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The diet should consist of diluting li- 
 quors, such as warm water, and water gruel, 
 which ever they seem to like the best; a mash 
 made of malt and bran will also be very ser- 
 viceable. Six or eight hours after the above
 
 54 
 
 laxative medicine has been given to the cow, 
 give the follov^^ing povrclers, viz. 
 
 Take of Nitre, half an ounce, 
 
 Salt of Tartar, one ounce, 
 
 Camphor, two drachms, 
 
 Valerian, in powder, one ounce. 
 
 Liquorice powder, and Anise seed, each one ounce. 
 
 Turmeric powder, one ounce. 
 
 Juniper Berries, pounded, one ounce, 
 
 Mustard, two ounces. 
 
 The camphor is first to be rubbed to pow^der 
 in a mortar, with a little spirits of wine, then 
 add the other ingredients. These powders 
 are to be mixed in a quart of water gruel, 
 with one pint of ale, for a dose, and they may 
 be repeated once or twice a-day, if necessary, 
 till the disease is removed. 
 
 If after the expiration of twenty-four hours 
 the cow should be costive, her dung ap- 
 pears black and dry, and the animal is very 
 feverish, the laxative drink may be repeated, 
 and the following medicine given her as a 
 glyster : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, two ounces, 
 
 Thin Water Gruel, three pnits, 
 Sweet Oil, half a pint, 
 Common Salt, a handful.
 
 55 
 
 Mix them together, and when new milk warm, 
 give them to the cow by way of a gly ster. Tliis 
 glyster acts as a gentle stimulus, and removes 
 the obstruction in the rectum, and its con- 
 tiguous parts, by discharging the contents 
 thereof; by which means it gives room for 
 the faeces to advance, and also assists the 
 peristaltic motion. If the animal, after the 
 disease is removed, becomes extremely re- 
 laxed, or appears low, with little appetite, 
 which sometimes is the case, a dose of the 
 restorative mixture should be given once or 
 twice a-day, (see Formula of Medicine in 
 the latter part of this work,) which will soon 
 restore the relaxed system to its former 
 strength and vigour, if joined with proper 
 attention to good feeding, air, and exercise. 
 But this subject will be resumed in the 
 second part of this work.
 
 56 
 
 Chap. X. — Strangury, or Retention of Urine » 
 
 1 HIS is a disease which sometimes occurs, 
 and proceeds from several causes; the animal 
 is more subject to this disease when she is 
 seven or eight months gone with calf, from 
 the pressure of the womb on the neck of the 
 bladder, (see Plate V.) in consequence of 
 the bulk and weight of the calf, which fre- 
 quently produces spasm and inflammation in 
 these parts, &c. A retention of hardened 
 faeces, or dung, lying in the rectum, will also 
 cause the same disease, but is not so violent. 
 When a cow is heavy in calf, particularly in 
 the latter months, some of the cowkeepers in 
 and about the vicinity of the metropolis are 
 very apt to keep her up in the cowhouse 
 day after day, and some for weeks together, 
 which is a very bad practice, and generally 
 produces costiveness, and the above com- 
 plaint is too frequently the consequence of it.
 
 ^7 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The cow will more frequently get up and 
 lay down than usual, and when up, her tail 
 will be elevated, which she keeps continually 
 in motion, with a frequent inclination to make 
 water, but without being able, or, if she 
 passes any, it is in a very small quantity, and 
 that with visible pain, as she groans very 
 much at the time; is very costive, the excre- 
 ments appearing black and dry ; and, if the 
 disease is far advanced, the pulse will beat 
 quick and strong; a white froth in the mouth 
 may be perceived, which indicates fever 
 with loss of appetite, &c. 
 
 Treatment, 
 
 In all these cases bleeding is absolutely 
 necessary; from three to four quarts may be 
 taken, more or less, according to the violence 
 of the disease, or strength of the animal ; 
 then give the following medicine, viz.
 
 58 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 
 Anise and Parsley seeds, of each one ounce, 
 Juniper berries, one ounce, all in powder. 
 Then add. Tincture of Opium, two drachms. 
 
 This medicine is to be given as soon as pos- 
 sible, in two quarts of smooth oatmeal gruel, 
 wherein one ounce of common soap has been 
 previously dissolved, with a quarter of a pint 
 of double distilled anise seed. This drink 
 wonderfully assists nature, by unloading the 
 intestinal channel; it gradually relaxes the 
 body, acts as a gentle diuretic, and allays 
 the impetuosity of the blood, by which 
 means it gives ease to the obstructed parts, 
 and by degrees eradicates the disease. This 
 drink may be repeated in eight hours, should 
 the first dose not succeed. The hard excre- 
 ments are to be taken out of the rectum, by 
 introducing a small hand into the fundament, 
 being first well supplied with hog's lard or 
 sweet oil, and the nails of the fingers close 
 pared, to prevent injuring the parts during 
 the operation (this is what is commonly call-
 
 59 
 
 ed raking) ; then give the following emol- 
 lient glyster : 
 
 Take of Water Gruel, three pints, 
 Sweet Oil, half a pint, 
 Common Soap, one ounce, 
 Tincture of Opium, half au ounce. 
 
 The soap is to be boiled in the gruel ; then 
 add the sweet oil and opium, and inject it 
 into the rectum, by means of a glyster-pipe 
 and bladder, new milk warm. As soon as 
 the glyster is given to the cow, a wisp of hay 
 is immediately to be applied under the tail, 
 and the hand instantly to be put on the back 
 part of the tail, so as to cause the tail and 
 fundament to come in complete contact with 
 the wisp, (which should be held there for 
 ten minutes or a quarter of an hour, at least,) 
 which will prevent the glyster being too soon 
 returned, before the medicine has the de- 
 sired effect. This emollient glyster has also 
 its peculiar effect, by softening and relax- 
 ing those delicate parts, acting similar to a 
 fomentation, and assists the operation of the
 
 6o 
 
 laxative drink. The glyster may be repeated 
 in eight hours, if necessary. 
 
 Regimen, 
 
 The cow should have plenty of diluting 
 liquors, such as warm water, gruel, &c. and 
 mashes made of bran, or pollard, with a little 
 malt. In two or three hours after she has 
 had the drink and glyster, it will be neces- 
 sary to drive her gently about for a quarter 
 of an hour, as it greatly assists the operation 
 of the medicines, and generally causes an 
 evacuation of both urine and dung, and con- 
 sequently removes the disease. This treat- 
 ment the author has never known to fail ; 
 nor has he ever found it necessary to repeat 
 the drink and glyster more than twice. 
 
 To prevent this disease, the animal ought 
 to have air and exercise daily, and such food 
 given her as is of a laxative nature, in order 
 to keep the body gently open, which is of
 
 61 
 
 the greatest utility in her latter months of 
 gestation (see observations on diet, air, and 
 exercise). 
 
 Strangury, or retention of urine, pro- 
 ceeds from a number of causes ; inflamma- 
 tion in the womb, from the violence of ex- 
 tracting of the calf, ulcers in the neck of 
 the bladder, &c. which will be treated of in 
 the second part of this work, under their 
 proper heads.
 
 62 
 
 Chap. XI. — Of Casting, Slipping, o? Slinking 
 
 the Calf. 
 
 1 HOUGH the cow and other animals are not 
 so subject as the human species to casting, 
 slipping, slinking, or miscarriage, yet it is an 
 accident to which cows are very liable, and 
 it requires great care in those which have the 
 management of them to prevent its repetition 
 in the same animal, when it once takes place. 
 
 The general causes of this accident may 
 originate from violent exercise, as already 
 observed, when cows are turned out into the 
 layer ; or it may be the effect of frights, 
 knocks, or bruises which they may receive in 
 divers ways : but a more common cause of 
 slinking than any of these, and which is pe- 
 culiar in its influence on this animal, is a dis- 
 agreeable nauseous smell : the cow is re-
 
 63 
 
 marked to prepossess a very nice and delicate 
 sense of smelling, to that degree, that the 
 slinking of one cow is apt, from this circum- 
 stance, to be communicated to a great num- 
 ber of the same herd : it has been often 
 known to spread like an infectious disease, 
 and great losses have been suffered by the 
 cowkeepers from the same. 
 
 Whenever a cow shows any symptoms of 
 slinking, the first step should be to separate 
 her from the rest of the herd, and to cut off 
 all communication that may endanger this 
 accident spreading. 
 
 The first symptoms of slinking are known 
 by the udder suddenly filling, giving a flush 
 of milk, by the shape showing a red appear- 
 ance, and turning loose and flabby, and 
 the ligaments or cupples on each side the 
 rump giving way to a certain extent. When 
 these appearances take place, the cow, after
 
 64 
 
 removing her to a place by herself, should 
 be narrowly watched, in order to give every 
 assistance, as well as to prevent the accident, 
 if possible. 
 
 One of the chief means in the way of pre- 
 vention is blood-letting ; and as it is per- 
 fectly clear that a fulness of blood takes 
 place in all animals during gestation, and 
 that this fulness occasions the circulation to 
 be easily hurried, no time should be lost in 
 performing it, though the symptoms of slink- 
 ing have advanced some way. This opera- 
 tion should be followed by the same laxative 
 medicine mentioned under the head of diet 
 during gestation. This plan may be even 
 repeated two or three times, if circumstances 
 should require ; and it will be found in the 
 whole the most successful method to prevent 
 this accident ensuing. 
 
 But where the cow either suddenly drop
 
 65 
 
 ped her calf, or the symptoms of slinking 
 have made too rapid progress for allowing 
 the above treatment being effectual, then the 
 management of the placentae, or cleansing, 
 requires particular attention. As the parts 
 concerned in the nourishment of the young 
 w^ant, at this period, their proper maturity, 
 and are not disposed to separate from each 
 other in the same ready manner as at the 
 full time of calving, so the cleansing is apt to 
 be retained for some time after the slinking 
 has taken place, or the other parts of the birth 
 are come aw^ay : this circumstance is both dan- 
 gerous to the animal herself, and is also at- 
 tended with disagreeable effects to the other 
 cows that may be near her. With respect to 
 the first, there is always a risk of the same ac- 
 cident being repeated ; for a cow being once 
 in the habit of slinking her calf, will continue 
 to do so in every future gestation, unless 
 great care is taken. In regard to the second, 
 or its effects on the other cows, from the 
 
 F
 
 66 
 
 retention of the cleansing, a certain degree 
 of corruption is apt to take place, which ex- 
 rites that nauseous smell, which, we have al- 
 ready observed, is so very ready to cause this 
 accident of slinking extend to a whole herd. 
 On this account, too great a nicety cannot 
 be observed in what regards the cleanness 
 of a cow while in this situation; and both the 
 fodder and housing should have every atten- 
 tion in this respect. 
 
 In cases where the cleansing does not 
 readily come away, it is proper to assist the 
 efforts of nature by medicine; by this means 
 both its discharge will be forwarded, and 
 also the system of tlie animal will be freed 
 from any impurities or extraneous matter 
 which may be connected with the accident, 
 or have been the cause of the slinking taking 
 place. 
 
 One of the best forms of medicine for
 
 Q7 
 
 assistino^ the cleansino', the author has found 
 
 to be the following : 
 
 Take of Juniper Berries, three ounces, 
 Bay Berries, two ounces. 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 Anise seed, one ounce, 
 Gentian, half an ounce, 
 Gum Myrrh, half an ounce, 
 Asafoetida, half an ounce. 
 
 These are to be well pound eel together into 
 powder, which is for one dose, to be given 
 in a quart of mild ale, nuide warm, or one 
 quart of pennyroyal tea. This drink should 
 be given fasting, and may be repeated once 
 every day till the cleansing is evacuated. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The cow should have plenty of warm di- 
 luent liquors, such as warm water, or thin 
 gruel, and mashes made of malt, with bran 
 or pollard, so as the body may be kept gently 
 open, which is of great importance to the 
 animal, and should at all times be attended
 
 68 
 
 to. If this regimen is not sufficient to keep 
 the body open, and feverish symptoms ap- 
 pear, recourse must be had to remedies for 
 this purpose ; one of the best of which is the 
 following, viz. 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Anise seed, in powder, one ounce, 
 Cumin seeds, in powder, one ounce, 
 Ginger, half an ounce. 
 
 Mix together for one dose, which is to be 
 given in two quarts of water-gruel, with half 
 a pound of treacle. This drink may be re- 
 peated, if the first dose should not have the 
 desired effect in ten or twelve hours. 
 
 In all cases where the cleansing is retain- 
 ed beyond a proper time, it is to be laid 
 down as a general rule, that it is a circum- 
 stance attended with much danger ; and the 
 unavoidable consequence will be to produce 
 irritation and inflammation of the womb. 
 In some rare instances, the cleansings have
 
 69 
 
 been entirely shut np in the womb, and, in 
 spite of all the remedies above enumerated, 
 it has been found necessary to have recourse 
 to manual assistance. This consists in intro- 
 ducing the hand, w^ell lubricated with hog's 
 lard or goose grease, in a conical form, 
 through the passage or vagina, to the mouth 
 of the womb, which must be gently opened, 
 by insinuating the fingers gradually into it 
 till part of the cleansing is reached. An at- 
 tempt is then to be made to grasp part of it 
 in the hand, particularly the umbilical cords, 
 if they can be found, and to bring them 
 down into the vagina or passage. If, when 
 thus brought down, and you endeavour to 
 pull, the cleansing does not readily give way, 
 it would be improper and dangerous to use 
 much force. Instead of this, a ligature must 
 be passed and fixed on that part (which is 
 brought down) in the passage or vagina. 
 When this is done, the hand is to be removed, 
 and a weight tied or suspended to the end of
 
 70 
 
 the ligature or cord, of a sufficient power 
 (generally two pounds) to occasion a gradual 
 separation and exclusion of the whole cleans- 
 ing. The time when this is completed varies 
 in different cases; in some it takes place in a 
 few hours, though it luost commonly extends 
 to days, and the author has known it fre- 
 quently happen so late as six or seven. Dur- 
 ing this period, the cow must be attended 
 to, as the womb continues very much in ac- 
 tion, and violent strainings, or efforts to ex- 
 clude its burthen, occur, which may bring on 
 inflammation, and all the bad consequences 
 that arise from it: but this subject will be 
 treated of more at large under the article 
 Inflammation in the Womb. 
 
 It is proper that every cowkeeper should 
 know the great danger that attends the re- 
 tention of the cleansing. By the removal of 
 the calf, the placentae and other parts con- 
 nected with it become lifeless, and are there-
 
 71 
 
 fore a mass in the womb, which soon be- 
 comes putrid, from heat and stagnation, and 
 thus irritates and inflames all the surface of 
 the organ. This gives rise to an acrid dis- 
 charge, which even excoriates the passage 
 as it flows away. If continuing, it occasions 
 acute fever, the inflammation extends to 
 every part of the womb, and mortification 
 will be the unavoidable consequence, pro- 
 vided relief is not afforded to the animal.
 
 72 
 
 Chap. XII. — Prevention of Slinking, 
 
 As slinking, we have observed, is often at- 
 tended with severe loss to the cowkeeper, it 
 is of much importance that this accident 
 should be prevented ; and the means of do- 
 ing it will depend much on knowing the 
 cause from which it arises : but whatever 
 the cause may be, it will be of much conse- 
 quence to regulate the treatment so as to 
 prevent a fullness of blood, on the one hand, 
 and too slow an action of the bowels, on the 
 other. When a cow has therefore slipped 
 her calf, in the next gestation she should be 
 very early bled, her body should be kept 
 open by cooling physic, she should not be 
 forced to take any more exercise than what 
 is absolutely necessary for her health, and 
 her interfering with other cattle guarded 
 against, by keeping her very much by her-
 
 73 
 
 self. At the same time, it must be observed, 
 that though it is necessary to preserve a free 
 state of the bowels, a laxity of them will of- 
 ten produce this accident : thus cows fed 
 very much upon potatoes, molasses, and such 
 other watery food, are very apt to slink, from 
 their laxative effects. In the food of the cow 
 at this period, a proper medium should be 
 observed, and it should consist of a dae 
 proportion of other vegetable matter mixed 
 with the fodder, so as the bowels may be 
 kept regularly open and no more. 
 
 Many writers have recommended certain 
 remedies for preventing this accident ; the 
 author does not see where they can be very 
 useful. If, indeed, the cow is low in condi- 
 tion, strengthening medicines will be of ser- 
 vice; and where, also, this accident is the ef- 
 fect of any peculiar nauseous smell, this may 
 be counteracted by producing a stronger and 
 opposite smell to that which gives offence.
 
 74 
 
 One of the best means of doing this is con- 
 tained in the following recipe, which was 
 used by the author's father with uncommon 
 success for a number of years : 
 
 Take of Barbadoes Tar, three ounces, 
 
 Balsam of Sulphur, three ounces, 
 Rectified Oil of Amber, one ounce. 
 Fine Oil of Tiiyme, one ounce 
 Animal Oil, half an ounce. 
 
 To be well mixed together, and, in using it, 
 a little is to be rubbed upon the parts where 
 the cows commonly smell each other ; to be 
 repeated occasionally as it wears off the parts. 
 
 It was formerly observed, that this deli- 
 cate sense of smell is peculiar to the cow. 
 Of what nature that odour is which gives 
 offence, we cannot altogether be certain ; 
 but the author has remarked that its effects 
 occur at one season more than at another, and 
 particularly when the weather has been wet, 
 and the cows have long been kept at grass. 
 From this fact it will appear, that the smell 
 is of a vegetable nature, and connected with 
 their feeding at that time.
 
 75 
 
 Chap. XIII. — Affections of the Udder. 
 
 During the last months of gestation, from 
 the sympathy that is known to exist between 
 the womb and the udder, a greater quantity 
 of fluids are directed to this organ, which 
 nature has wisely intended should serve for 
 the future nourishment of the young when 
 it is separated from the mother. Thongli the 
 udder begins to swell in the hist months of 
 gestation, it is not till towards the period of 
 calving that a great accumulation of fluid, or 
 milk, is in it. Sometimes it becomes trouble- 
 some, and this accumulation is a proof that 
 nature has finished her business in the womb, 
 and that the growth of the calf is nearly 
 completed. This accumuhition of milk in the 
 udder often proceeds to such a length, that 
 the vessels become ruptured, a circumstance 
 which is also favoured by the depending si-
 
 76 
 
 taation of the part, which gives to the circu- 
 lation, when increased by any cause, a great- 
 er force and fuUness. It is of material im- 
 portance that this accumulation be prevented 
 from going to excess, both as occasioning 
 very uneasy sensations to the animal, and 
 also where it proceeds so far as to produce a 
 rupture of the vessels, by its injuring the 
 future secretion of the milk. 
 
 Though this accumulation does not in 
 general proceed so far as now stated, yet it 
 is proper that every cowkeeper or farmer 
 should be aware of the consecpiences to which 
 it may lead ; and the first step, therefore, as 
 soon as the udder appears tense, full, and 
 highly extended, and the vessels under the 
 belly, or the milk veins, ready, as it were, to 
 burst, is to lessen the general fulhiess of the 
 system by bleeding and purging. The quan- 
 tity of blood to be taken at a time should 
 not be less than three or four quarts ; but
 
 77 
 
 this must be regulated by the appearance 
 and condition of the cow. The purge the 
 author generally prefers on these occasions 
 is the Epsom salts, in the following form : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, from one to two pounds, 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 Turmeric Powder, half an ounce, 
 Ginger Powder, one ounce. 
 
 Mix the whole together, to be given to the 
 cow in two quarts of oatmeal gruel, with 
 half a pound of treacle ; and to be repeated 
 as circumstances may require. 
 
 Though this accumulation is troublesome, 
 it is a favourable sign, both of the health of 
 the animal, and that she promises to be a 
 good milker : but to prevent this inconveni- 
 ence altogether, the diet of the animal should 
 be restricted in the latter months, and she 
 should be confined solely to an inferior feed- 
 ing. This will be more necessary to be ob- 
 served where a cow has suffered from this
 
 78 
 
 inconvenience in her former gestation ; for 
 the same circumstance may always be ex- 
 pected to happen in a similar situation, and 
 accordingly should be guarded against. 
 
 The rupture of the smaller milk-vessels, 
 w^hich takes place in violent distentions of 
 this kind, can only be known after calving; 
 for the milk, when first drawn, will appear 
 bloody, containing that portion of blood 
 which filled the small vessels at the time of 
 the accident, and which is retained in the 
 udder, along with the secreted fluid, till the 
 latter begins to flow, or is drawn ofi* by the 
 hand of the milker.
 
 79 
 
 Chap. XIV. — Of the Gravid^ or Impregnated 
 
 Womb, 
 
 Having now finished with the diseases of 
 gestation, what may be termed the prelimin- 
 ary subjects of this work, before proceeding 
 to the operation of calving, according to the 
 plan laid down, it will be useful to give a 
 view of the anatomy of the gravid womb, or 
 the structure of tliat organ where this opera- 
 tion of calving takes place, and the contents 
 of which have been already described. It 
 is by understanding this structure that the 
 operator is enabled to save the life of the ani- 
 mal under those unfavourable circumstances 
 of calving which too often occur ; and for 
 want of this knowledge the cowkeeper is 
 subjected to the loss of many animals which 
 might otherwise be readily saved. This the 
 author has witnessed innumerable times in
 
 80 
 
 his own practice ; and though it may seem 
 like a reJBiection on many of his professional 
 brethren, yet he will maintain, that in the 
 exercise of no business is science more neces- 
 sary, or an accurate knowledge of the parts 
 required, than in that which regards the ex- 
 traction of the calf, or the delivery of the cow. 
 
 General Structure of the Womb. 
 
 The womb of the cow is particular in its 
 structure. It forms a large oval, having two 
 extensive cornua, or horns, appended to it. 
 It consists almost entirely of muscular fibres, 
 with a large proportion of blood-vessels, and 
 a corresponding quantity of cellular matter, 
 which allows its more ready increase or ex- 
 tension. The internal part of its surface is 
 every where beset with a number of spongy 
 bodies of a glandular texture, to which the 
 placentae of the calf are fixed, and from which 
 a mucilaginous or milky liquor can be press-
 
 81 
 
 ed, which, as described in a former chapter, 
 serves for the nourishment of the calf, and is 
 conveyed to it through the medium of the 
 umbilical cords. These spongy bodies every 
 w^here surround the inside of the cornua, or 
 horns, as well as the womb itself; and thus 
 nature has provided that the calf should derive 
 its nourishment from an extended surface, 
 proportioned to what its wants require. 
 
 Extent of the Womb. 
 
 The length of the womb in the natural 
 state generally measures, from the shape, or 
 entrance into the vagina, to the end of the 
 horns, two feet eight inches : in the latter 
 months of gestation its leno-th is extended 
 from two feet eight inches to six feet and a 
 half, or seven feet. The horns are subject 
 to the same changes as the other parts of the 
 womb; and, at the time of extracting the 
 calf, the one where it lies will often measure 
 no less than six feet. 
 
 G
 
 82 
 Observations on the Gravid Womb, 
 
 No subject is perhaps more wonderful 
 than this of the changes produced by im- 
 pregnation. That a body originally so small 
 should acquire so extensive a size, and should 
 return again to its former state, without much 
 inconvenience or derangement of the animal, 
 and without any part of its structure being 
 weakened, is what must excite surprise. On 
 the contrary, with its enlargement its powers 
 are increased, and it is capable of the strong- 
 est resistance, as is known to every operator, 
 when he is obliged to employ manual assist- 
 ance in attempting to extract the calf. 
 
 Muscular Structure of the Womb, 
 
 The muscidar fibres of the uterus, or 
 womb, run in different directions in the se- 
 veral divisions of it ; towards the bottom they 
 take a spiral direction, by which means, when 
 they act, the bottom of the womb is drawn 
 towards the mouth, and thus its contents are
 
 83 
 
 thrown forwards in order to be expelled. 
 At the neck the fibres, on the contrary, ob- 
 serve a circular course, and thus they prevent 
 the escape of the contents of the womb, unless 
 the action of the bottom is so great as to 
 overcome their resistance, which nature has 
 provided shall not take place, without some 
 extraordinary cause, till the time of delivery, 
 when they are so much weakened by exten- 
 sion as to be easily overcome by the action 
 of the other parts. 
 
 General Thickness of the Womb. 
 
 In its natural state, the thickness of the 
 womb is not more than half an inch ; but 
 when pregnant, it acquires, along with its 
 increased vascularity, an apposition of new 
 matter, which gives it additional thickness 
 and strength. Hence its rupture is a rare 
 circumstance, either during gestation or in 
 the time of delivery; though it is often known 
 to take place at the latter period, from the
 
 84 
 
 rude attempts of ignorant operators. A re- 
 markable case of this kind lately came to the 
 author's knowledge, where an eminent ve- 
 terinary surgeon was concerned, and where 
 the poor animal fell a victim to this accident, 
 in consequence of improper management. 
 
 In thus describing the anatomy of the 
 womb, we must attend to those parts more 
 immediately connected with the extraction 
 of the calf. In this view, its neck and mouth 
 are the parts that require principal attention, 
 and from the state of which an opinion is 
 formed of the disposition to delivery, and of 
 the progress of this operation. 
 
 Mouth of the Womb. 
 
 In its natural state, before impregnation, 
 the mouth of the womb, when touched by 
 the finger introduced into the vagina, or 
 sheath, resembles the mouth of a tench, or 
 young puppy, being divided into two lips.
 
 85 
 
 between which the opening of the womb is 
 placed. This opening, in the natural state, 
 is not larger than a goose quill, but it receives 
 some degree of expansion at the time of co- 
 pulation, a proof of its muscular nature; and 
 at the time of delivery, this expansion be- 
 comes so great as to admit the passage of the 
 calf and its containing membranes. It is in 
 the resistance given at this part to the efforts 
 of the operator, in preternatural cases, that 
 the chief danger arises to the animal, from 
 the womb being frequently lacerated, which 
 show s the necessity for a proper acquaintance 
 with the parts on which such exertions are 
 to be made. 
 
 Neck of the Womb. 
 
 The neck of the womb is generally in 
 length about two inches, and is occupied by 
 the bull in copulation, the success of which 
 process will be much influenced by the penis 
 reaching this part. The neck is also the di- 
 vision of the womb which becomes last ex-
 
 86 
 
 tended in gestation ; and, indeed, no change 
 is perceptible on it till towards the end of the 
 seventh or eighth month. Towards the end 
 of gestation these parts acquire a soft slippery 
 state, from an increased discharge of the 
 mucous glands, which lubricate their sur- 
 face, and that of the vagina, being intended 
 by nature as a means of preparing them for 
 yielding to the efforts of the calf in forcing 
 its way to delivery ; and this means which 
 nature employs should in all cases be imi- 
 tated, by the use of lard, milk and water, or 
 other emollient substances, where the usual 
 mucus is deficient. 
 
 The chief extension of the womb arises 
 from its fundus, or bottom; and in the cow, 
 as already noticed, it possesses a strong mus- 
 cular texture ; and these muscles, by having 
 no fixed points, and not being tied down, 
 can be brought to contract, by their own 
 powers, to any degree or extent, which is
 
 87 
 
 necessary to expel the contents of the womb, 
 where the latter are placed in a direction fit 
 for delivery. In this view, the larger the 
 Avomb of the animal, the more extensive 
 will be the power of its muscles : and the 
 size of the womb, it is to be observed, is not 
 always in proportion to the size of the cow. 
 It is chiefly round this part of the cavity of 
 the womb that the cotilydons, or papillae, 
 forming the placentae which nourish the 
 calf, are placed. These cotilydons are in 
 very great number, often to the extent of 
 fifty or sixty : they are easily separated from 
 the womb without laceration, but it requires 
 to be done in a particular manner; and when 
 this separation is properly made, there im- 
 mediately issues a milky liquor from the pa- 
 pillae, or glands of the womb ; and this part 
 of the surface of the womb may be compared, 
 when deprived of the cotilydons, in appear- 
 ance to a honey-comb. (See Plate IV. 
 Fig. 2.)
 
 88 
 
 The womb is, perhaps, more than any 
 other part of the animal, supplied with blood- 
 vessels; and this is absolutely necessary, in 
 order to the extension it receives from gesta- 
 tion, which can only be produced by an in- 
 crease of circulation to it, and by no other 
 means. This the author has made apparent, 
 by delineating a part of the vessels of the 
 womb, (as in Plate III.) ; but though the 
 vessels of the womb are' considerably enlarged 
 during gestation, cows are not subject to 
 floodings at this period, and that arises from 
 the different structure of the placentae, com- 
 pared to that of the human subject, and also 
 from the different posture of the animal. 
 
 Horns of the Womb. 
 
 The last part of the womb is the cornua, 
 or horns, which, in their shape, when in- 
 flated, resemble entirely the horns of the 
 I'am (see Plate I.) Like the other parts of 
 the womb, they become expanded by gesta- 
 tion ; and they would seem as intended by
 
 89 
 
 nature for appendages to the womb, that 
 as the calf mereases it may be more easily 
 stowed, and prove, by its position, less cum- 
 bersome to the mother. This conclusion is 
 rendered farther probable by their surface 
 being covered with placentae as well as the 
 womb, and consequently supplying nourish- 
 ment to the calf in the same manner. 
 
 * 
 
 The extremities of the horns, or cornua, 
 terminate in the Fallopian tubes, which are a 
 passage in each horn, leading to the ovaria, 
 or what are termed the female testicles, (see 
 Plate III.) The size of this passage is very 
 small, and the length very considerable : 
 the extremity of each passage at the ovaria 
 has a particular fringed appearance, which, 
 in the time of copulation, becomes erected, 
 and embraces the ovaria, from which a some- 
 thing is derived, that is carried through this 
 passage into the womb. This something is 
 clearly proved by the appearance of the
 
 90 
 
 ovaria when a cow has once calved ; for on 
 opening the ovaria, there is found a cicatrix, 
 or scar, from which a yellow liquor can be 
 pressed ; and this appearance takes place af- 
 ter every impregnation, and is never visible 
 where a cow has not conceived. Indeed, so 
 regular is this appearance, that the number 
 of calves can be traced that the cow has had : 
 the only matter that admits of dispute is, 
 whether impregnation actually takes place in 
 the ovaria, or Fallopian tubes, or whether it 
 is not completed till it reaches the womb ? 
 The latter is the opinion of the author; and 
 he judges of it from the first appearance of 
 impregnation being discovered in the womb, 
 and from it also being doubtfid whether the 
 male semen reaches the ovaria : indeed, he 
 is confident that the matter^ or that something 
 necessary from the female to conception, de- 
 scends from the Fallopian tubes into the 
 womb, as before explained, and meets with 
 the male seed in the middle of the womb.
 
 9i 
 
 where impregnation immediately takes place. 
 The process being finished, the semen, by its 
 continuance, proves a necessary stimulus, and 
 thus induces all the changes that afterwards 
 occur in the formation of the calf, and the 
 enlargement of the organ. From this view, 
 the author is farther of opinion, in order to 
 copulation being prolific, it is absolutely ne- 
 cessary that the semen should be retained, 
 and that the penis of the bull should be 
 within the uterus at the time of emission. 
 
 In concluding this subject, the author 
 will here give an explanation of the Plates 
 of the Gravid Womb.
 
 92 
 
 Explanation of the Plates of the Gravid Womb. 
 
 TABLE or PLATE L 
 
 This Table or Plate represents a side view 
 of the womb, and bladder inflated, with the 
 muscular parts cut ofl;, in order to show the 
 numerous quantity of veins and arteries with 
 which it is invested. The regularity of the 
 figure is very striking, and the size of the 
 cornua, or horns, is very conspicuous, show- 
 ing them to be proper appendages of the 
 womb, for the purpose of allowing room, that 
 the calf may lay conveniently for the cow as 
 it increases in size. The womb represented 
 in this Plate was dissected by the author in 
 twenty-four hours after the extraction of the 
 calf. 
 
 A The shape, or entrance into the vagina. 
 
 B The vagina. 
 
 c The OS uteri, or mouth of the womb.
 
 >;■, T„f,f,' I 
 
 I'hirr I. 
 
 
 r.trk „:-„Jf,
 
 ■,.U ,...y 
 
 //„ //,■//./ ,„//,i/,,/ -s,, r„i.h I 
 
 1
 
 93 
 
 DD The arteries which convey the arterial 
 blood to the womb, bladder, and va- 
 gina, for the nourishment of the calf, 
 &c. 
 
 E The arteries which unite to the great 
 
 aorta. 
 
 FF The body of the uterus, or widest part 
 of the womb, where conception first 
 takes place. 
 
 G G G The horn of the womb. 
 
 H The ovarium, or female testicle. 
 
 II The large vein which brings back the 
 superfluous part of the blood from 
 the vagina, bladder, &c. 
 
 J The great vein which conveys the blood 
 
 back after the womb is supplied. 
 
 K The ureter, or tube which unites to the 
 kidney and bladder, for the purpose 
 of conveying the water from the kid- 
 ney into the bladder. 
 
 L The bladder. 
 
 M The beginning of the horn of the womb.
 
 94 
 
 N Part of the muscular fibres, left in or- 
 der to show the contraction of the os 
 uteri after the extraction of the calf. 
 
 o o The small veins which bring back the 
 blood after the glands of the womb 
 are supplied. 
 
 p p The veins which convey back the su- 
 perfluous blood from the bladder. 
 
 Q The artery which supplies the bladder. 
 
 R The small arteries which nourish and 
 supply the internal glands of the 
 womb, for the nourishment of the 
 calf. 
 
 s The large artery which conveys the 
 
 blood to the vagina for its nourish- 
 ment, and is at times ruptured by an 
 unskilful operator in extracting the 
 calf, in consequence of wliich the 
 animal bleeds to death inwardly.
 
 J
 
 95 
 
 TABLE or PLATE IL 
 
 Represents the vascular structure of the 
 womb ; the internal part of the womb is cut 
 open, and its integuments removed, in order 
 to show its vessels every where ramifying or 
 branching out over its surface. The vessels 
 of the womb are derived from two sources, 
 and consist of branches of the spermatic and 
 hypogastric arteries. 
 
 A A Shows the vagina, with its internal ru- 
 gose structure. The size of this part 
 is larger in proportion to the rest of 
 the genital system, and this is neces- 
 sary, as it is particularly acted upon 
 both by the bladder and rectum in 
 their different operations. The size 
 of this part, in the natural state, is 
 about a foot and a half, and therefore 
 exceeds even the size of the uterus. 
 
 B B The mouth of the womb, or uterus, in
 
 96 
 
 order to show its thickened and tench- 
 like appearance before impregnation. 
 
 c The center of the uterus, where con- 
 ception first takes place, and where 
 there appears less vascularity than in 
 the other parts of its surface. 
 
 DD The commencement of the cornua, or 
 horns of the womb, where they sepa- 
 rate and branch off in two divisions; 
 the size of which is different after im- 
 pregnation, according as the foetus oc- 
 cupies one division or the other. 
 
 £ E The Fallopian tubes, proceeding from the 
 cornua, or horns of the womb ; and 
 advancing in a waving direction till 
 their extremities reach the ovaria, the 
 fringed ends of which are spread upon 
 the ovaria, and in copulation are said 
 to carry down the female germe to 
 the womb. 
 
 FF The ovaria, or female testicles, where 
 the rudiments of the calf are said 
 originally to exist.
 
 97 
 
 GG The branches of the spermatic arteries, 
 which principally go to the ovaria and 
 parts adjacent. 
 
 HH The vermilion appearance of the small 
 branches of the spermatic arteries, 
 which are woven together like a bun- 
 dle, as they proceed to the ovaria. 
 
 1 1 The corresponding veins of the sper- 
 matic vessels, which are distributed 
 in the same irregular manner. 
 
 J J The hypogastric arteries, which convey 
 the principal supply of blood to the 
 womb, and of course contribute most 
 to the nourishment of the foetus. 
 
 KK The corresponding veins, by which the 
 blood is returned from the womb, as 
 well as by the spermatic veins, into 
 the general circulation, or vena cava. 
 
 11
 
 98 
 
 TABLE or PLATE IIL 
 
 Fig. 1. 
 
 Represents the foetus floating in the liquor 
 amnios, surrounded with the membranes, 
 placentae, and blood-vessels, as it appears at 
 the expiration of four months after concep- 
 tion, 
 
 AAA A The upper and widest part of the mem- 
 branes, which resembles a globe; for 
 the explanation of these parts, see 
 Conception, Chap. III. 
 
 B The part of the membranes which unites 
 to the unimpregnatecl horn of the 
 womb. The placentae here appear 
 very faint, nor is it much extended 
 with the liquor amnios, on account 
 of the foetus not taking its station in 
 this horn of the womb. 
 
 c The part of the membranes which unites 
 to the horn of the womb wherein the 
 foetus takes its station, in the latter
 
 ,//■. 
 
 Srr T,ll'l, :i.
 
 J7„.:n/.. .„.,/ //.„„/..///.■ %■„,'/■ . 
 
 c
 
 99 
 
 months of gestation, and is much ex- 
 tended with the liquor amnios. 
 
 D The foetus floating in the liquor amnios. 
 
 E The spongy parts of the placentae which 
 
 unite to the glands of the womb. 
 
 FF The arteries which convey the arterial 
 blood from the foetus to the mem- 
 branes for their nourishment, after 
 which the superfluous part is taken 
 up by the veins, and conveyed back 
 to the foetus. 
 
 G The veins which convey the arterial 
 
 blood to the foetus, after beins* ab- 
 sorbed by the placentae from the 
 glands of the womb ; see Circulation 
 of the Blood, Chap. IV. 
 
 H The artery which unites to the two 
 
 great arteries that convey the blood 
 from the foetus for the nourishment 
 of the membranes. 
 
 I The passage or tube which conveys the 
 
 liquor amnios through the bottom of 
 the bladder.
 
 100 
 
 K K K The end of the membranes which 
 unites at the very extremities of the 
 horns of the womb, and which ap- 
 pears as if a ligature was coiled round 
 it in five places. This nature has 
 formed, for the purpose, no doubt, of 
 preventing any of the liquor amnios 
 getting betwixt the chorion mem- 
 brane and the uterus, which would 
 be attended with very dangerous 
 consequences; for was this liquor 
 amnios to get betwixt the chorion 
 and uterus, the membranes would 
 immediately come in contact with 
 the foetus, and when the foetus at- 
 tempted to move or kick, in all pro- 
 bability it would destroy the mem- 
 branes and blood-vessels, from which 
 accident it would cause the cow to 
 slink.
 
 101 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
 Represents one of the glands of the womb, 
 and one of the spongy substances of the pla- 
 centae, half separated from each other, so as 
 to show the honeycomb appearance of the 
 former. 
 
 A The glands of the womb. 
 
 B The placentae. 
 
 c The pointed processes which unite in the 
 cavities of the glands of the womb, for 
 the purpose of absorbing the arterial 
 blood from the mother for the nourish- 
 ing of the foetus. 
 
 D The cavity of the glands of the womb, 
 wherein the pointed processes of the 
 placentae unite. 
 
 E The blood-vessels which surround the 
 glands of the womb for its nourishment.
 
 102 
 
 TABLE or PLATE IV. 
 
 Represents the womb laid open, in order 
 to show its internal structure and appearance 
 after the extraction of the calf; and also to 
 point out to the operator the parts which are 
 liable to be injured during the operation of 
 extracting the calf; with a representation of 
 the urethra, or water-passage, into the blad- 
 der. 
 
 A The shape, or first entrance to the va- 
 gina. 
 B The vaofina. 
 c The mouth of the womb. 
 p The OS uteri, or passage into the womb. 
 EE The internal projecting parts round the 
 OS uteri, which are most liable to be 
 injured during the operation of ex- 
 tracting the calf by unskilful opera- 
 tors. 
 FF The internal surface of the uterus, or 
 womb.
 
 Ihjt. IV. 
 
 Smimr jnjp
 
 . ^,/.,..., „/,./,..„ Y //,^ „.„„/./«, 
 
 C
 
 103 
 
 G G The glands of the womb, with which the 
 processes of the placentae unite. 
 
 H H The extremities of the horns of the womb. 
 
 I The body of the horns of the womb, 
 with its glands, the same as. the sur- 
 face of the uterus. 
 ■T J J The cut edofes of the uterus. 
 
 K The passage to the orifice of the urethra. 
 
 L The bottom of the passage. 
 
 M The orifice of the urethra. 
 
 N The urethra. 
 
 o The ureter. 
 
 p The bladder.
 
 104 
 
 Chap. XV. — The Extraction of the Calf. 
 
 1 HE Extraction of the Calf is the next sub- 
 ject to which the author will direct the at- 
 tention of the reader. At the end of nine 
 months, or two hundred and seventy-three 
 days, as formerly noticed, the period of ges- 
 tation is complete, and symptoms of calving 
 begin then to appear ; previous to this about 
 a fortnight or three weeks, what is termed 
 springing takes place. Thus the space be- 
 tween the shape and udder becomes redder 
 and more florid than usual; the udder, as for- 
 merly observed, is gradually distending, and 
 the ligaments, or joinings of the bones, termed 
 the couples, on each side the rump, are by 
 degrees giving way, till an yielding, or 
 something like a separation of them, is felt. 
 When these appearances all show themselves, 
 the cow is at her full time, and should be 
 narrowly watched, as she may hourly be ex-
 
 105 
 
 pected to calve. In some cases, the period of 
 these appearances approaches nearer to the 
 actual time of calving; and in other instances 
 they begin much earlier, even at the distance 
 of several weeks, particularly with young 
 cows in their first calf. 
 
 Symptoms of Calving. 
 
 When the operation of calving actually 
 begins, then signs of uneasiness and pain ap- 
 pear ; a little elevation of the tail is the first 
 mark ; the animal shifts about from place to 
 place, frequently getting up and laying- 
 down, not knowing what to do with herself. 
 She continues some time in this state, till the 
 natural throes or pains come on; and as these 
 succeed each other in regular progress, the 
 neck of the womb, or os uteri, gives way to 
 the action of its bottom, and of its other parts. 
 By this action the contents of the womb are 
 pushed forward at every throe, the water- 
 bladder begins to show itself beyond the
 
 106 
 
 shape, and to extend till it becomes the size 
 of a large bladder, containing several gal- 
 lons ; it then bursts, and its contents are dis- 
 charged, consisting of the liquor amnios, in 
 which, during gestation, the calf floats, and 
 which now serves to lubricate the parts, and 
 render the passage of the calf easier. After 
 the discharge of the water, the body of the 
 womb contracts rapidly upon the calf; in 
 a few succeeding throes, or pains, the head 
 and feet of it, the presenting parts, are pro- 
 truded externally beyond the shape. (See 
 Natural Position, Plate V.) The body next 
 descends, and in a few pains the delivery of 
 the calf is complete. 
 
 This finishes the most important part of 
 the operation; and in a little time afterwards 
 some trifling pains occur, which separate the 
 placentae, or cleansings, and thus the whole 
 business becomes finished. Such is the usual 
 course of what may be termed a natural
 
 107 
 
 calving ; and the time of it seldom exceeds 
 two hours in the whole, though at times it is 
 protracted to five or six ; and the author 
 has even known it so long as twelve hours, 
 particularly when the water has been early 
 evacuated, or the water-bladder has broken 
 before being protruded beyond the external 
 shape.
 
 108 
 
 TABLE or PLATE V. 
 
 This Plate represents the calf advancing 
 in its natural position, with a complete view 
 of the placentae and blood-vessels which sur- 
 round it ; the water-bladder is also seen ad- 
 vancing, the bladder of urine turned a little 
 to a side, and the unimpregnated horn of the 
 womb. 
 
 A The vagina. 
 
 B The water-bladder. 
 
 cc The feet of the calf. 
 
 D The head of the calf. 
 
 EE The placentae. 
 
 FF The arteries which convey the blood to 
 the membranes for their nourishment. 
 
 G G The veins which convey the blood from 
 the mother for the nourishment of the 
 foetus. 
 
 HH The arteries which convey the arterial 
 blood to the womb for the nourish- 
 ment of the foetus.
 
 Pht,- :. 
 
 Pi,l .././/
 
 ■^"' '-■■'/ ■■■ > "''■ 
 
 • 
 
 c
 
 109 
 
 II The veins which bring back the super- 
 fluous blood after the womb is supplied. 
 
 J J The uterus. 
 
 KK The cut edges of the uterus. 
 
 L The umbilical artery which conveys the 
 arterial blood from the foetus to the 
 membranes for their nourishment in 
 the unimpregnated horn of the womb. 
 
 M The umbilical vein which conveys the 
 blood from the glands of the unimpreg- 
 nated horn of the womb for the nou- 
 rishment of the foetus. 
 
 N The unimpregnated horn of the womb 
 laid open, to show its internal surface, 
 &c. 
 
 o The external appearance of the blood- 
 vessels. 
 
 p The artery which supplies the unimpreg- 
 nated horn with arterial blood for its 
 nourishment, &c. 
 
 Q The vein which conveys back the super- 
 fluous blood.
 
 110 
 
 R The artery which supplies the bladder, &c. 
 
 s The bladder. 
 
 T The vein which conveys back the super- 
 fluous blood. 
 
 u The ureter, which conveys the urine from 
 the kidnies into the bladder. 
 
 V The udder. 
 
 w The cut edges of the thigh, or fat-like 
 appearance, which joins to the udder. 
 
 X The kidney, as it appears before the fat 
 is taken off*. 
 
 Y Y The intestines. 
 
 a The internal appearance of the rump- 
 bone, 
 b The haunch-bone, 
 c The great aorta, or artery, cut open.
 
 Ill 
 
 , Treatment of Natural Calving. 
 
 The treatment of natural calving is very 
 simple, and requires only that the natural 
 throes or pains should be allowed to go on 
 without any interruption on the part of the 
 operator, till the expulsion of the calf takes 
 place. By a natural calving is understood, 
 that position of the calf delineated in Plate V. 
 where the head and fore feet are the first 
 presenting parts on the breaking of the wa- 
 ter-bladder; previous to which, the operator, 
 in order to satisfy himself, may examine or 
 search the cow, in the manner formerly re- 
 commended in Chap. XL page 69, that the 
 position, whether natural or not, may be fully 
 ascertained, and the business left to the re- 
 gular efforts accordingly. 
 
 Where the water-bladder breaks early in 
 calving, and before the mouth of the womb 
 is sufficiently expanded, the process is often 
 slow, and it is a considerable time before any
 
 11-2 
 
 part of the calf makes its appearance. In that 
 situation, it will be necessary to give some 
 assistance, which consists in introducing the 
 arm into the womb, and laying hold of the 
 fore legs till they are brought into the pas- 
 sage, gradually assisting at every pain or 
 throe: this being accomplished, the rest of 
 the business is brought easily to a conclusion 
 This assistance of the operator is rendered 
 the more requisite, as in such slow cases the 
 couples are found so extremely narrow, that 
 the cow is unable, by her own efforts, to ex- 
 pel the calf ; this circumstance is most apt to 
 happen with her first calf. 
 
 Though the operation of calving has been 
 mentioned as quick or rapid on the whole, 
 yet the exact time when it will be finished, 
 after the breaking of the water-bladder, can- 
 not be so readily determined, and the cow 
 should never be left till the operation of 
 calving is finished.
 
 113 
 
 This operation is certainly a natural pro- 
 cess ; and the author particularly wisnes to 
 caution against any interference where it can 
 be avoided ; nature points out to the animal 
 herself what is fittest to be done ; for when 
 the pains commence, she moves about for 
 some time, and occasionally, in the intervals, 
 lays down. As the business proceeds, and 
 the pains increase in strength and rapidity, 
 she confines herself to a lying posture, and in 
 this posture she is delivered of the calf. 
 
 When we reflect on this conduct of the ani- 
 mal left to herself, we cannot too much re- 
 probate the advice of those who recommend 
 the driving her while in the act of calving, or 
 immediately before it takes place. This pro- 
 ceeds from an erroneous idea that she will 
 calve much easier, and with less danger; but 
 so far from this being the case, the author 
 has known a great many instances where the 
 driving has proved the death of the animal, 
 by overheating her, and thus producing in- 
 
 I
 
 114 
 
 flammation, and all its bad consequences. 
 Indeed, so far has this cruel practice been 
 carried, that the author has seen several cows 
 driven from Islington to various parts of the 
 tovs^n, with the fore feet, or other parts pre- 
 senting, out of the cow, while every ten or 
 twenty yards she would make motions for 
 calving, which were only interrupted by the 
 driver beating her and hurrying her on. In 
 one instance, the author saw a cow, coming 
 along the New Road towards Paddington, 
 which, in spite of all the cruel attempts to 
 get her forward, lay down, and would not 
 get up again till she had actually calved, 
 which happened in ten minutes. In this case, 
 it must appear perfectly clear, that if the po- 
 sition of the calf had not been a natural one, 
 it might have been the death of the animal ; 
 or, if the weather had been unfavourable, 
 she might have suffered so much as to have 
 prevented her recovery. Every rational man 
 will agree in opinion with the author, that 
 the above practice is both cruel and incon-
 
 115 
 
 sistent in the extreme; and this is confirmed 
 by what he has already noticed, that the ani- 
 mal herself, as soon as the pains of calving 
 come on, immediately leaves the rest of the 
 flock, and retires to some corner of the field, 
 or under a hedge, in order to prevent the other 
 cows, or any thing else, coming near that may 
 disturb her in bringing forward her young. 
 
 This plan, which nature herself dictates, 
 should be allowed on all occasions to take 
 place, and no interference ever made, unless 
 absolutely necessary, from certain unfavour- 
 able circumstances occurring, for the preser- 
 vation of the animal. The above directions 
 will perhaps be sufficient in what regards na- 
 tural calving; the chief object that the author 
 has in view, is to guard against any attempts 
 of giving assistance where none are necessary; 
 for by leaving every thing to the natural ef- 
 forts, the calving will be successful, and the 
 recovery of the animal much speedier, than 
 where any undue interference has taken place.
 
 116 
 
 TABLE or PLATE VL 
 
 This Plate represents the womb cut open, 
 in order to show the calf in a preternatural 
 position. In this position the head is only 
 advanced through the os uteri into the va- 
 gina, its fore feet under its brisket; with a 
 view of the cords, and the parts to which 
 they are to be fixed, in case of necessity. 
 
 A The cord which is fastened to the under 
 jaw. 
 
 BB The cords which are fixed to the fore 
 legs. 
 
 c The under jaw. 
 
 D The vagina. 
 
 E The part where the cords are to be fixed 
 to the fore legs. 
 
 F The part where the skin is to be cut, in 
 order to skin the head, for the pur- 
 pose of taking it ofl'in desperate cases. 
 
 G The knee of the calf, where a cord may 
 be put round and fastened in cases
 
 J'Lif.
 
 c 
 
 i/{J-v/ , ."-.v r,,/. 
 
 m
 
 117 
 
 where the feet are too far under its 
 belly to be reached by the operator, 
 by which means the leg may be 
 brought forwards so as to enable the 
 operator to move the cord down to 
 letter e. 
 
 H The extremities of the horn of the 
 womb. 
 
 I The haunch-bone. 
 
 J The rump-bone. 
 
 KK The cut edges of the uterus. 
 
 LL The vertebrae of the back and loins. 
 
 M The horn of the womb. 
 
 N The great aorta, or artery, laid open. 
 
 oo The external parts of the uterus. 
 
 p p The contractile part of the os uteri. 
 
 Q The rectum, or last gut. 
 
 R The back bones. 
 
 s The cut edges of the thigh, &c. 
 
 T The udder. 
 
 u The thigh of the cow. 
 
 V The cut edges of the abdomen. 
 
 WW The hoofs of the fore le«'s, which are lo
 
 118 
 
 be inclosed in the operator's hand till 
 they are brought up into the vagina. 
 
 X The kidnies. 
 
 Y Y The intestines. 
 
 PRETERNATURAL POSITIONS. 
 
 All positions different from the natural one 
 already described in Plate V. are named pre- 
 ternatural, and the latter positions are of 
 considerable variety. 
 
 Position I. (See Plate or Table VI.) 
 
 This position is when the head of the calf 
 presents itself without the fore legs making 
 their appearance, and its legs under its 
 brisket, with its knees pressing down on the 
 uterus under the haunch-bone (See Plate VI.) 
 In this situation it is impossible to draw it 
 away without endangering the animal's life.
 
 119 
 
 consequently it should never be attempted. 
 To put the calf in a proper position here, a 
 cord must be put on its under jaw, (See 
 Plate VI.) which will assist the operator in 
 bringing back the head into the vagina : the 
 head is then to be gently pushed back into 
 the womb, by putting the hand against tlie 
 head or brisket ; when so done, search for 
 the knees, or knee, and from thence gradu- 
 ally slip the hand to the hoofs of one of the 
 fore legs ; grasp it tight, when it must l)e 
 4. carefully brought up into the vagina. The 
 other fore leg is to be adjusted in the same 
 manner ; the head is also to be brought up 
 into the vagina with the legs, as represented 
 in Plate V. When all this is completed, the 
 operation of calving will soon be finished, by 
 gradually pulling at the feet of the calf, 
 whenever the throes or pains of the cow come 
 on, which should at all times be particularly 
 attended to, as it is the most proper moment 
 to assist the efforts of nature.
 
 120 
 
 But if the passage to the calf is narrow, 
 and the pains or throes of the cow are violent, 
 from which cause the operator's arm, while 
 endeavouring to get up the feet, frequently 
 becomes cramped, and makes the process of 
 delivery tedious and unpleasant, the author 
 has always made it his practice in such cases 
 to fasten a cord on each fore leg, (See 
 Plate VI.) and by gently pulling the cord 
 with the left hand, while the right has hold 
 of the hoofs, to prevent them injuring the 
 uterus as they pass into the vagina, the ex- 
 traction may be executed with ease and 
 safety to the animal. 
 
 It frequently happens, when the head of 
 the calf only presents itself, and has perhaps 
 been in that situation for some hours before 
 any assistance has been procured, during 
 which time the pains or throes have been very 
 violent, that the calf has been strangled. 
 From this accident the head becomes amaz-
 
 121 
 
 ingly swelled, as well as the vagina and os 
 uteri, from the irritation produced by the si- 
 tuation of the calf, and violent throes of the 
 animal, by which means the passage becomes 
 contracted. Thus situated, it would be very 
 improper, as well as difficult, to put the head 
 back into the womb to get up the feet, as it 
 would certainly cause an increase of inflam- 
 mation and swelling in the parts, and most 
 likely be the death of the animal. In this 
 case, the head of the calf is to be skinned 
 and cut off with a sharp knife (the form of 
 which will be hereafter explained). The 
 skin is to be cut from the poll of the head 
 right down the front part, till opposite the 
 eye (see letter e) ; then cut across on each 
 side the head till it is cut all round. The 
 upper part of the head is to be skinned and 
 forced back over the neck ; the head is then 
 to be cut off; after which, the skin is to be 
 pulled over the naked bones of the neck, and 
 a cord is to be tied round it to prevent the
 
 122 
 
 bones injuring the cow, and also lo assist in 
 extracting the calf. After this operation is 
 performed, there will be found sufficient room 
 to o-et the hand to the brisket, in order to 
 push back the calf, and thus to get at the 
 feet, which must be raised up and brought 
 into the vagina, with the assistance of cords, 
 &c. as before described. After all is com- 
 pleted in putting the calf in a proper position 
 for extraction, the operator and assistants are 
 to pull at the cords which are fastened to the 
 fore legs, whenever the throes or pains of the 
 cow are upon her ; the operator is at the 
 same time to keep steadily and gently pull- 
 ing at the cord which is fastened to the skin 
 that covers the neck bone, in order to pre- 
 vent it injuring the os uteri, or obstructing 
 the delivery of the calf, as well as to assist 
 in the operation. 
 
 During the extraction of the calf, the va- 
 gina and OS uteri are to be well lubricated
 
 w 
 
 //,. r,,// ,„ „ /,„/,,„„/„ 
 
 "^/"' "/'
 
 123 
 
 with hogs' lard and milk and water, and a 
 little hogs' lard is to be used to the external 
 parts on each side the rump, called the 
 cuples, which will be of great service in re- 
 laxing those parts, and prevent them getting 
 dry, and consequently will make the calf pass 
 much easier. 
 
 TABLE or PLATE VIL 
 
 This Plate is a representation of the calf 
 in the uterus, with its. head under its brisket, 
 pressing hard on the uterus, and its fore legs 
 over its neck, the feet of which are passed 
 through the os uteri into the vagina. 
 
 A The two cords which are fastened to the 
 
 fore feet. 
 B The cord which is fixed to the under- 
 
 jaw. 
 c The vagina.
 
 124 
 
 D D The OS uteri. 
 
 E The situation of the head in the uterus. 
 
 F The part of the uterus to which the 
 fore feet are to be put back, so as to 
 enable the operator to raise up the 
 head into a proper position for ex- 
 traction. 
 
 G The fat-like appearance of the thigh of 
 the cow. 
 
 H The kidnies. 
 
 I The horn of the womb. 
 
 J The udder. 
 
 KK The intestines. 
 
 L The situation of the bladder. 
 
 M The haunch-bone. 
 
 N The great aorta or artery. 
 
 o The back-bones. 
 
 p The rump-bone. 
 
 Q The rectum. 
 
 R R The cut edges of the uterus.
 
 125 
 
 Position II. (See Plate or Table VII.) 
 
 This position is when the fore feet have 
 advanced through the os uteri, with the head 
 under its brisket, as represented in Plate VII. 
 This is a dangerous situation for the calf; and 
 if it remains long in that posture before any 
 assistance is procured, its death is generally 
 the consequence. In this case, therefore, as- 
 sistance should be given as early as possible 
 to adjust the situation of the head, which 
 may be done in the following manner : Take 
 two cords, which are to be fastened to the 
 fore feet, (represented in Plate VII.): when 
 this is done, the feet are to be put back into 
 the uterus, as far as letter f. A cord, with 
 a runnuig noose, is then to be put over the 
 fingers, held in a conical form, so as to be 
 able to slip it off with the thumb at pleasure, 
 (the form of which will be hereafter repre- 
 sented) ; the hand is then to be introduced 
 into the uterus with the cord, which is to be
 
 U6 
 
 slipped on the under-jaw, and is there to be 
 firmly fastened on. The operator's assistant 
 is to hold the cord tight, while the operator 
 himself pushes back the calf farther into the 
 uterus, by placing the hand against its neck : 
 when so done, the head will be easily raised 
 up into a proper position, by grasping with 
 the hand the upper-jaw, and at the same time 
 pulling at the cord. When the head is ad- 
 justed, the fore feet are then to be brought 
 up, by pulling at the cords fastened to them; 
 during which time the hoofs are to be held 
 in the hand, to prevent them injuring the 
 uterus, as before noticed. When the calf is 
 put into a proper position, the extraction may 
 then be attempted.
 
 D 
 
 "^ 
 
 . ■//,. r,,//;,, „ /, ■,rA;„„/„,„/ /„«, 
 
 /ii>n. .f.. r...
 
 m 
 
 TABLE or PLATE VIIL 
 
 This Tal)le or Plate represents a view of 
 the calf in the womb, with its hincl legs under 
 its belly, the head and fore feet down in the 
 horn of the womb, laying in a complete re- 
 verse position to that of the natural one. 
 
 A The tail of the calf, the only part which 
 has presented and passed through the 
 vagina to the external surface of the 
 shape. 
 
 B The vagina. 
 
 c The OS uteri. 
 
 D The cords which are fastened above the 
 hock, for the purpose of assisting the 
 operator in extracting the calf. 
 
 E The hock of the hind leg. 
 
 F The hoofs of the hind feet. 
 
 G The thigh cutofF,showingitscutedges, &c. 
 
 HH The cut edges of the uterus. 
 
 II The horn of the womb.
 
 1^28 
 
 J The cut edges and fat-like appearance of 
 the thigh. 
 
 K The haunch-bone. 
 
 L The udder. 
 
 M The kidnies. 
 
 N The intestines. 
 
 o The thigh. 
 
 pp The rump-bone, &c. 
 
 Q The rectum, or last gut. 
 
 R The parts to which the cord is to be 
 slipped down : this can be easily done 
 after the calf is pushed forwards, and 
 the houghs, or hocks, are brought up 
 towards the os uteri. 
 
 Position III. (See Plate or Table VIII.) 
 
 This position is when the tail of the calf 
 is the only part which presents itself beyond 
 the external shape of the cow, with its hind 
 feet under its belly, its hocks pressing down 
 on the uterus, and its head and fore feet in
 
 129 
 
 the horn of the womb, as represented in 
 Plate VIII. When the calf is thus situated 
 in the uterus, all the efforts of the cow her- 
 self to calve will be fruitless; in consequence 
 of which, the animal must have assistance as 
 soon as possible. To put the calf in that po- 
 sition which is most eligible for its extraction, 
 and least dangerous to the cow, the operator 
 is to introduce a cord with a running noose, 
 to be put on a little above the hock; the 
 hand is then to be gently drawn out of the 
 uterus, with the noose, in order to enable 
 the operator to put the end of the cord 
 through it, which must be slipped down to 
 the hock, (as in Plate VIII.) When so fixed, 
 the hand is to be put against the breech of 
 the calf, in order to enable the operator to 
 push it forwards. During this time, the cord 
 is to be gently pulled, and by so doing, the 
 hock will be brought up to the os uteri ; the 
 cord is then to be slipped over the hock to 
 letter r. and there to be tightly fixed. 
 
 K
 
 130 
 
 When this is accomplished, the operator 
 is to hold the hoofs in his hand, (see letter f) 
 to prevent them injuring the uterus as they 
 pass ; the cord is then to be pulled, which 
 will soon enable the operator to get up the 
 feet into the vagina. The other hind leg is 
 to be brought up with another cord, &c. as 
 before described : when both the hind feet 
 are brought up into the vagina, the calf will 
 be soon extracted, by pulling at both the 
 cords, whenever the pains or throes come 
 on ; the vagina, &c. being first lubricated 
 with hogs' lard, as before noticed. 
 
 Caution. 
 
 Whenever the calf is found in the situation 
 above described, the operator should never 
 attempt to turn it into a natural position, but 
 always extract it in the manner already re- 
 commended. This may be done with ease 
 and safety to the animal, if proper attention 
 is paid to the instructions laid down; for, was
 
 o 
 
 //, r. ,//,;, „./,Wr>, ,.,/„.;„/ /«.„/,.„.
 
 131 
 
 the operator to attempt, and even succeed, in 
 turning the calf in the uterus, which is seldom 
 the case, it is a hundred to one but the death 
 of the animal would he the immediate con- 
 sequence, from the bruises and irritation pro- 
 duced during the operation. The author has 
 known a number of cases wherein it has fa- 
 tally terminated, from the above rude attempts. 
 
 TABLE or PLATE IX. 
 
 This Table or Plate gives a view of the 
 calf with its head inclined to the side of the 
 abdomen, or belly, and its fore feet advanced 
 into the vagina. It also represents the parts 
 to which the cords are to be fixed for its ex- 
 traction, in cases of necessity. 
 
 A The two cords which are fastened to the 
 
 fore legs. 
 B The cord which is fixed to the under-jaw.
 
 132 
 
 c A cord round the calf s neck, which is 
 only to be used in desperate cases. 
 
 D The under-jaw. 
 
 E The front part of the neck where the hand 
 is to be put to push back the calf, in 
 order to get up the head. 
 
 F The eye, into which a hook is to be put 
 in case of necessity. 
 
 G The part of the uterus to which the fore 
 feet are to be put back, before the 
 head is attempted to be brought out. 
 
 n The rump-bone. 
 
 1 The haunch-bone. 
 
 J J The cut edges of the uterus. 
 
 Position IV. (See Plate or Table IX.) 
 
 This position represents the calf in the 
 uterus, with its fore feet advanced into the 
 vagina, and its head inclined to its side (see 
 Plate IX.) Whenever it is found in this si-
 
 133 
 
 tuation, it is generally dead, from some ac- 
 cident or other, such as the umbilical cords, 
 or blood-vessels, being broken, or the cow 
 accidentally receiving a blow^, &c. either of 
 which will cause its death. When this ac- 
 cident happens, its head of course becomes 
 useless ; and when the pains or throes of 
 the cow come on, as it meets with obstruc- 
 tion in advancing through tlie os uteri, it 
 will be gradually forced back to its side, 
 as represented in Plate IX. On examina- 
 tion, if the calf is found in the situation 
 above described, and discovered as soon 
 as the water has been evacuated from the 
 cow, and the passage is wide and open, there 
 will be very little difficulty in extracting it; 
 and this may be done in the following man- 
 ner; viz. A cord is to be fixed to each fore 
 leg ; the feet are then to be put back into 
 the uterus, to letter g, so as to give room 
 to the operator to search for the head, and to 
 convey a cord to the under-jaw, which is to
 
 134 
 
 be fixed on it, as before described. The 
 operator's assistants are to lay hold of the 
 cord, and pull gently and steadily, while the 
 operator puts his hand against its neck (see 
 letter e.) in order to push back the calf. If 
 this should not succeed to bring up the head 
 to the OS uteri, the hand must be conveyed 
 to the head itself, and the fore finger put into 
 the socket of the eye which lays next to its 
 side, grasping the under-jaw at the same time 
 with the other three fingers. While the ope- 
 rator is thus endeavouring to raise up the 
 head, the assistants are to pull at the cords ; 
 by this means, if persevered in, the posture 
 of the head will be soon adjusted ; after 
 which, the fore feet are to be put into a pro- 
 per position for extraction. When all is thus 
 completed, nothing more is required than 
 the regular efforts to deliver the calf. 
 
 But where the cow has been long in the 
 above situation, with the water evacuated.
 
 135 
 
 while the throes or pains have been violent, 
 or an unscientific operator has been attempt- 
 ing to extract the calf, so that the parts be- 
 come highly inflamed, and the passage very 
 much swelled and contracted ; in these cir- 
 cumstances, the greatest skill and steadiness 
 is requisite to procure the extraction. It 
 must be done by proceeding regularly in the 
 following manner : first, endeavour to lubri- 
 cate the vagina and os uteri with hogs' lard, 
 to cool and relax the passage ; it is also ne- 
 cessary to apply the same to the external 
 parts, the cuples, &c. and it should be fre- 
 quently repeated during the operation of ex- 
 tracting ; nor is the hand to be introduced at 
 . any time into the cow without being pre- 
 viously anointed with hogs' lard, or dipped 
 in warm milk and water. After this prepa- 
 ration, the fore feet are to be put back into 
 the uterus : a cord is then to be put round 
 the neck of the calf, which may be accom- 
 plished in the way as directed in patting it
 
 136 
 
 on above the hock, in Position III. page 129. 
 A cord is next to be fixed to the iinder-jaw, 
 and a hook placed in the socket of the eye, 
 (see letter f). When all this is done, the 
 cords fixed to the head and neck may be 
 pulled, and, with the assistance of the ope- 
 rator adjusting any part that may require it, 
 the head may be brought into a proper po- 
 sition. This being done, the feet are next to 
 be adjusted, and the extraction of the calf 
 will be soon completed, by using the exer- 
 tion already described. 
 
 The author has had several cases in which 
 he has been under the necessity of cutting 
 the calf away ; the manner of performing 
 this operation will be hereafter described.
 
 137 
 
 TABLE or PLATE X. 
 
 This Table or Plate shows the calf laying 
 in the uterus on its back, with its feet to- 
 wards the cow's back, and the back part of 
 the head pressing on the uterus and bladder; 
 with a representation of the cords fastened to 
 its under-jaw and fore feet, in order to en- 
 able the operator to turn its back upwards. 
 
 A The two cords fixed to its fore feet, 
 
 B The cord which is fastened to its under- 
 jaw. 
 
 c The vagina. 
 
 D The OS uteri. 
 
 E The situation of the head of the calf. 
 
 FF The fore legs. 
 
 GG The hind legs. 
 
 H The situation of the hand, with the cord 
 in it, in order to raise up the calf's 
 back into a proper position. 
 
 I The horn of the womb.
 
 138 
 
 J J The cut edges of the uterus. 
 
 K The rump-bone. 
 
 L The haunch-bone. 
 
 M The bottom of the uterus, where the fore 
 
 feet are to be brought down to. 
 N The cord fastened to the fore leg, for the 
 
 purpose of turning the calf. 
 
 Position V. (See Plate X.) 
 
 This position represents the calf in the 
 uterus, on its back, with its fore feet against 
 the top of the uterus, &c. In this position it 
 is impossible to extract it without endanger- 
 ing the cow's life, as well as the calf; there- 
 fore our first object must be directed to the 
 adjusting the calf, which should be done as 
 soon as possible after the expulsion of the 
 water, at which time the parts are generally 
 open, and free from inflammation. In per- 
 forming this operation, a cord is to be fas- 
 tened to each fore leg, and one to the under- 
 jaw, (as represented in Plate X.) When the
 
 139 
 
 cords are fixed on, the first endeavour must 
 be to turn the nose and feet downwards as 
 much as possible ; the operator is then to 
 take hold of the cord fixed to the leg (see 
 letter n), which is to be brought under its 
 brisket and back, to letter m, at which situa- 
 tion the cord is to be grasped and pulled 
 tight, so as to bring the foot in contact with 
 its brisket : then move the hand which has 
 hold of the cord to letter h ; when so done, 
 an endeavour must be made to raise up the 
 back, which will bring the calf on its belly. 
 When this is accomplished, the feet and head 
 are to be put into a proper position for ex- 
 traction : this may be done in the usual way, 
 as before described. When all is completely 
 adjusted, the extraction may be attempted, 
 by using the precautions before noticed. 
 
 Obse?vatiofis. 
 
 There are other methods of extracting the 
 calf when in this situation, which the author 
 has made use of during his practice^ and sue-
 
 140 
 
 ceeded in, though he gives the preference to 
 that already recommended ; but as he wishes 
 to give every information that lies in his 
 power on the subject, he will relate them. 
 They are as follow : Cords are to be put to 
 the fore legs and under-jaw, as before de- 
 scribed ; the fore feet are to be gently put 
 down to the bottom of the uterus, as far as 
 the case will admit of; the assistants are to 
 gently pull at the cord fastened to the under- 
 jaw, while the operator endeavours to adjust 
 the head, so as to bring it up into the os 
 uteri : when this is completed, the hand is 
 to be slipped down to the under-shoulder of 
 the calf, and by gently raising it up, while the 
 assistants are gradually pulling at the cords, 
 it will bring: it on its knees: the fore feet are 
 then to be brought up into the vagina, by 
 pulling at the cords which are fastened to 
 them. The extraction may then be attempt- 
 ed in the usual way. 
 
 It sometimes happens when it lies on its
 
 141 
 
 back, that the fore feet are advanced into 
 the OS uteri, and the ball of its head at the 
 mouth of it ; when this is the case, it has 
 always been the author's practice first to 
 fasten a cord to each fore foot, betwixt the 
 dew claws and hoofs, and another cord to 
 the under-jaw ; when this is done, pull the 
 nose of the calf into the os uteri. The hand 
 is then to be conveyed to the under-shoulder, 
 in order to raise it up into a proper position. 
 During this time the cords are to be kept 
 tight by the operator's assistants, by which 
 means the calf will be adjusted, and the ex- 
 traction of it will be soon accomplished, by 
 assisting the regular efforts of nature. 
 
 Though this position may appear a very 
 difficult operation to adjust, yet if the instruc- 
 tions laid down are properly attended to, the 
 operator may succeed in every instance ; as 
 the author has not had one case of this kind 
 come under his hands (and there have been
 
 142 
 
 some hundreds) in which he has not been 
 successful, even though the parts have been 
 amazingly swelled, and highly inflamed, from 
 the rude attempts of unskilful operators. 
 
 TABLE or PLATE XL 
 
 This Table or Plate represents a view of 
 twin calves as they lay in the uterus. In this 
 case, the one in the right horn is placed in a 
 natural position, the head and feet of which 
 are advanced into the vagina ; the other, in 
 the left horn, is placed in a preternatural 
 position, with its head downwards (see Plate 
 XL) 
 
 A The vagina. 
 
 B The fore feet of the calf in the vagina. 
 The head of the one in a natural position. 
 D The breech of the calf in a preternatural 
 position.
 
 143 
 
 E The situation of the head of the calf in a 
 
 preternatural position. 
 FF The cut edges of the uterus wherein the 
 
 calf lies in a preternatural position. 
 G G The cut edges of the uterus where the calf 
 
 lies in the natural position. 
 H The beginning of the horn of the womb. 
 I The situation of the bladder of the cow. 
 
 Position of Twins. (See Plate XL) 
 
 This Position shows two calves, one in 
 each horn of the uterus, &c.; the one in a 
 natural situation, and the other in a preter- 
 natural, as before noticed. When thus si- 
 tuated, the cow seldom or ever wants any 
 assistance. Though the one may come back- 
 wards, it may be calved as easy as that in the 
 natural position, provided the hind feet pass 
 through the os uteri into the vagina: but, on 
 the contrary, should tlie passage be narrow, 
 and the calves very large, it will be necessary
 
 144 
 
 to give some assistance. Thus, if the hind 
 feet should be any ways obstructed at the 
 entrance into the os uteri, or be pushed 
 under its belly, and the tail only presents it- 
 self through the vagina to the external shape 
 of the cow, as represented in Plate VIII. , 
 then the same plan is to be pursued to ex- 
 tract it as directed in Position III. ; but 
 should either of them be in a preternatural 
 position, such as represented in the foregoing 
 Plates, the operator must pursue the same 
 plan as there recommended, which will soon 
 enable him to accomplish his object. 
 
 Caution, 
 
 In twin cases, it will sometimes happen 
 that the fore feet of one calf will present 
 themselves into the vagina, with its head un- 
 der its brisket, and the head of the other will 
 advance with the feet of the former; and at 
 other times the head of one, and the hind feet 
 of the other, or the head and feet of one, and
 
 145 
 
 the fore feet of the other. In either, or all 
 of these cases, the operator should be very 
 particular and careful to find out the real si- 
 tuation of the calves; for was he to attempt 
 to extract them in the above posture, he 
 vrould not only find it impossible, but it would 
 be a means of destroying the calves as well 
 as the cow. Whenever these circumstances 
 occur, our first attempt must be to adjust the 
 calves, before any attempt is made to extract 
 either the one or the other ; which is to be 
 done in the following: manner : 
 
 If the fore feet of one and the head of 
 the other presents, the head is to be put back 
 into the uterus, so as to enable the operator 
 to get up the head of the other from under 
 its brisket, which must be done in the same 
 way as described in Position II. After which, 
 the extraction of the one calf may be soon 
 completed, and will give room for the other 
 
 L
 
 146 
 
 to advance, which, if not in a proper position 
 for calving, must be adjusted. 
 
 If the hind feet of one and the head of 
 another appear, w^ithout its fore feet present- 
 ing, the hind feet of the one are to be put 
 back, and the fore feet of the other got up, 
 as directed in Position I. 
 
 If the head and fore feet of one, and the 
 fore feet of the other, should advance, the 
 latter must be pushed back, and the one in 
 the natural position be extracted. After 
 which the other may be adjusted, if required. 
 
 If the calf should be found in the uterus 
 with its fore feet under its brisket and its 
 head inclined to its side, which is sometimes 
 the case, the head is the first part which is 
 to be put into a proper posture, and then the 
 feet, as directed in Positions I. and IV. This 
 being done, the extraction will not be at-
 
 147 
 
 tended with any difficulty. — If one hind leg 
 or fore leg should only present^ the other 
 must be adjusted. 
 
 If the calf should lay in a cross position 
 in the uterus, that is, with its head and fore 
 feet in one horn of the womb, and its hind 
 feet in the other, in this posture the side or 
 back of the calf can only be felt. In this case, 
 the operator is to rectify and extract it back- 
 wards or forwards, which ever can be ac- 
 complished with the least trouble or danger 
 to the cow and calf. When it is thus situa- 
 ted, a search should be made in order to as- 
 certain which will be the best method to 
 rectify it, either by bringing forwards the 
 fore feet and head, or hind feet, into the os 
 uteri ; in doing which, cords may be fastened 
 to the fore or hind feet, which ever is found 
 most convenient to the operator. 
 
 These preliminary instructions which the
 
 148 
 
 author has given are all that is necessary for 
 the extraction of the calf in every unfavour- 
 able situation that may occur, excepting in 
 a few monstrous and dropsical cases, w^hich 
 are here subjoined. 
 
 TABLE or PLATE XIL 
 
 This Plate represents a view of a mon- 
 strous calf, in which the integuments or co- 
 verings of the belly are wanting, with its 
 hind legs turned over on each side its neck, 
 which brings all its four feet in contact with 
 each other, as well as its rump to its shoul- 
 ders : also a view of its bladder, kidnies, sto- 
 mach, liver, intestines, and internal appear- 
 ance of the ribs; which was extracted by the 
 author in the year 1801. 
 
 A The head. 
 BB The fore feet.
 
 ^ me /h//f/ (t'/r /r<//t/n/n. .t,v 'Dihir XfJ. 
 
 nn. sj, 
 
 ' '■^"Sfe;;"*- 
 
 ^on^iK. 
 
 CSi.- 
 
 
 
 
 A 
 
 ■:-^-.-'\ 
 
 
 vv.,: 
 
 
 
 '^■^A% 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 "^:: 
 
 •.vSr^'^ 
 
 V 
 
 *g..^ 
 
 
 m^C'"
 
 / .A./..,/,../ /„//',., „/.///:' /„/..,„.„.„/.,. 
 
 (ifi4l^W\ 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 c 
 
 ,///,' /.:,//„,,„ ,,,,„/,„., ... r.M, XII
 
 149 
 
 cc The hind feet. 
 
 DD The hind hocks. 
 
 E The tail. 
 
 F The testicles. 
 
 G The penis. 
 
 H The internal surface of the ribs. 
 
 I The situation of the bladder. 
 
 J J The kidnies. 
 
 K The first or large stomach, called the 
 tripe, or paunch. 
 
 L The second stomach, called the honey- 
 comb, bonnet, or kings-hood. 
 
 M The third stomach, called the feck, or 
 manyplies. 
 
 N The fourth, or last stomach, called the red, 
 which is formed like a Scotch bag-pipe. 
 
 o The end of the last stomach, which unites 
 to the small intestines. 
 
 pp The small intestines. 
 
 Q The rectum, or last gut. 
 
 R The liver. 
 
 ss The parts which had presented through 
 the OS uteri into the vagina.
 
 150 
 
 TT The small intestines, which had passed 
 through the vagina to the external 
 shape of the cow, which were cut off. 
 
 u u The cords which are fastened to each 
 hind leg. 
 
 Case I. 
 
 Plate XII. contains a representation of a 
 monstrous calf, in which the integuments or 
 coverings of the belly are wanting, (as before 
 explained,) being one of the extraordinary 
 cases. On January the 25th, 1801, the au- 
 thor was sent for to calve a little Welsh cow 
 of Mr. Austin's, Kentish Town. The first 
 thing which presented to his view was the 
 small intestines of the calf; and, on examina- 
 tion, he found the stomach, liver, &c. ad- 
 vanced through the os uteri into the vagina. 
 On examining farther, by passing his hand 
 through the os uteri, the first thing that he 
 felt was the ribs (see letter h.) In advanc- 
 ing still farther, he felt the four legs in con-
 
 151 
 
 tact with the head, particuUirly the hhul 
 hocks, which pressed against its ears. Thus 
 it presented the most singular case that he 
 ever met with. Thoucfh the author had ascer- 
 tained the real situation of the calf in the 
 uterus, it took him some time to reflect on 
 the best method of extracting it, and the one 
 which would be the least dangerous to the 
 cow. He proceeded accordingly in the fol- 
 lowing manner, viz. The small intestines were 
 cut off" from t to t, the passage being very 
 wide and open to the uterus, and he being 
 desirous to preserve as much of the calf as 
 possible, for its curiosity. The liver, stomach, 
 &c. were put back into the uterus : a cord 
 was then conveyed and put round the hocks 
 of each hind leg, in the manner described in 
 Position III. (see Plate VIII.) which was af- 
 terwards slipped down to letter u ; the cords 
 were then pulled by the assistants, while the 
 operator was pushing his hand against the 
 back part of the neck of the calf, for the pur-
 
 152 
 
 pose of dislocating the vertebrae of the loins, 
 as it was impossible to extract it in that form, 
 with its head and its fore and hind feet to- 
 gether. This experiment the author tried for 
 a number of times without success, and he 
 had a great mind to have given it up; but by 
 the persuasion of Mr. Austin to make another 
 trial, he was then determined to attempt a 
 different method; which was, to fix a cord to 
 each fore leg, and one to the under-jaw, in or- 
 der to turn the calf. This was at last accom- 
 plished, after a laborious and tedious process, 
 when the head and feet were brought to the 
 mouth of the os uteri. An iron hook was then 
 fixed in the socket of one of the eyes. He next 
 ordered the assistants to pull at the cords and 
 hook ; daring which time the operator, with 
 his hand, grasped both the hind legs, and 
 pushed them back with all his force : this had 
 the desired effect ; it dislocated the loins, and 
 by continuing to pull at the cords, the head 
 and fore feet were soon brought into the os
 
 153 
 
 uteri ; after which, the calf was soon extract- 
 ed. The operation took no less than four 
 hours. Though the time was tedious and la- 
 borious, as well as the operation a very diffi- 
 cult one, from which it was natural to sup- 
 pose the womb must be very much lacerated, 
 yet on examination he did not find any por- 
 tion of it torn, which he was surprised at, 
 notwithstanding the parts in general were 
 very much swelled, and highly inflamed ; but 
 with proper attention the cow soon recover- 
 ed : For the treatment of which, see Inflam- 
 mation of the Womb. 
 
 Case II. 
 
 March 8, 1797- The author was called on 
 at three o'clock in the morning to attend a cow 
 of Mr. Lowndes's, Pond Street, Hampstead, 
 which had been calvino^ all the ni^ht and 
 day before. On inquiry, he was informed 
 that they had been attempting to calve her
 
 154 
 
 from six in the evening Lo twelve that night; 
 but all their efforts to extract the calf proved 
 fruitless. In the course of this time there had 
 been called in an eminent cow doctor in the 
 neighbourhood, who, after trying for some 
 hours, declared it was an impossibility to ex- 
 tract the calf. On examination, the author 
 found the fore feet had passed through the 
 vagina to the external shape of the cow : by 
 examining farther, he found its head inclined 
 to its side (as represented in Plate IX.) In 
 this situation various attempts had been made 
 to extract it. In consequence of the bruises 
 which the cow had received by these rude 
 efforts, the parts were become very much 
 swelled and highly inflamed; and the animal 
 was so much exhausted that she could not get 
 up. Before any efforts were made to adjust 
 the calf, the cow was placed in the most fa- 
 vourable situation for its extraction, so as to 
 raise up the hind parts, which were laid upon 
 a truss or two of straw; by which means it 
 prevented the animal having the power of
 
 155 
 
 straining so violently against the operator, 
 while endeavouring to replace the calf. The 
 vagina, &c. w^as then w^ell relaxed with hogs' 
 lard; after which, the fore feet were put back 
 into the uterus. An attempt was then made 
 to bring up the head into the vagina, which 
 was at last accomplished, with the assistance 
 of the hook and cords, by proceeding in the' 
 same regular manner as directed in Position 
 IV. (see Plate IX.) From the tedious time it 
 had taken to bring up the head into the va- 
 gina, and the friction it had occasioned in 
 doing it, the parts were so much swelled, 
 and the passage had become so extremely 
 narrow, that there was not room for the feet 
 and head to advance together; in consequence 
 of which, the head was skinned and cut off. 
 The calf was then pushed back, so as to en- 
 able the operator to bring up the fore feet. 
 In performing these last operations, the same 
 precautions were necessary as given in Pre- 
 ternatural Position I. When all was adjust-
 
 156 
 
 ed, the calf was extracted with the greatest 
 difficulty, from the narrowness of the pas- 
 sage, and for want of the regular efforts of 
 the cow, by her being so much exhausted 
 that she was not capable of giving them. 
 This operation took between four and five 
 hours. Though this animal Avas so bruised 
 with the operation of calving, she completely 
 recovered in four or five weeks : For the 
 treatment of which, see Inflammation of the 
 Womb. 
 
 Case III. 
 
 September 27, 1805. The author was call- 
 ed in to calve a cow of Mr. Kendall's, New 
 Road, Mary-le-bonne. On examination, he 
 found its fore feet under its brisket, with its 
 head inclined to its side. The parts being 
 wide and open, the head and feet were soon 
 brought up into a proper position for calving, 
 which was performed in the usual way.
 
 157 
 
 When the calf was thus situated, he had no 
 doubt but it would have been extracted with 
 ease; but when the fore parts had advanced 
 through the os uteri into the vagina, it stop- 
 ped advancing all of a sudden. Three or four 
 more efforts were used to bring it forwards, 
 but without effect. He now was well con- 
 vinced in his own mind the calf was dropsi- 
 cal, and the difHculty of the extraction pro- 
 ceeded entirely from that cause. He then 
 endeavoured to put back the calf, in order to 
 perform an operation, and let out the water; 
 but the calf was so completely fixed in the 
 passage, that all his strength to put it back 
 into the uterus proved fruitless. Being thus 
 situated, he was then determined to procure 
 more assistance, to extract it in the way he 
 had first proceeded in, which had the desired 
 effect ; for when the calf began to advance a 
 little, the water came out of its mouth and 
 nostrils in full stream : after which, the ex- 
 traction was soon accomplished.
 
 158 
 
 The cause of its death was a collection of 
 water. On opening the calf, all the internal 
 parts of the abdomen were nearly full of wa- 
 ter, as well as the intestines and stomach, 
 which was of a bloody appearance. On ex- 
 amining farther, he found the back-bone op- 
 posite the kidnies dislocated, in consequence 
 of which the kidnies were mortified, and be- 
 come a, mere mummy. This accident the 
 author has not the least doubt proceeded 
 from the poke or thrust of another cow, with 
 its horn coming in contact with the abdomen 
 ''and calf's back, which was the cause of its 
 death, and the collection of the water, &c. 
 
 Dropsical cases are not very numerous, as 
 the author has not met with more than five or 
 six during an extensive practice of between 
 twenty and thirty years. Whenever those 
 circumstances occurred, his method was to 
 convey a short-bladed knife, with a sharp 
 point, and thrust it into the belly of the calf.
 
 159 
 
 so as to make a large orifice, which will let 
 out the water ; after which, the extraction 
 may then be accomplished 
 
 Case IV. 
 
 April 4th, 1805. The author was sent for 
 to calve a cow of Mr. Bonner's, cow-keeper, 
 Westminster. On examining the situation of 
 the calf, he found it lay in a natural position, 
 with its fore feet advanced through the va- 
 gina and shape of the cow ; but the shape 
 was so much contracted that it would not 
 admit of the head to pass, though there had 
 been the strength of five or six men pulling 
 at the head and feet. In such cases as these, 
 it requires nothing more than to take a sharp 
 knife, and cut up to the fundament, or as far 
 as is necessary to give room for the calFs 
 head to pass with ease.
 
 160 
 
 Case V. 
 
 The author has met with some cases 
 wherein the fore feet, and even the hocks, 
 had advanced through the os uteri, by pull- 
 ing violently at the fore feet by unskilful ope 
 rators, though the head of the calf has been 
 at the same time inclined to its side, with an 
 idea of extracting it in that position ; in con- 
 sequence of this, the passage has been highly 
 inflamed and contracted. The fore legs being 
 so far advanced, he has thought it most pru- 
 dent to take them off*, which was performed in 
 the following manner : Take a sharp knife, 
 and cut from the point of each shoulder of 
 the calf to the muscular or thick part of the 
 fore leg; then cut round it so as to enable the 
 operator to skin the upper part of the shoul- 
 der. A knife is then to be conveyed between 
 the shoulder and brisket, so as to cut the 
 muscles which unite them. When so done, 
 the leg and shoulder may be easily pulled off"
 
 161 
 
 from its body. The other fore leg, &c. is to 
 be taken off in the same way. When these 
 operations are completed, a cord is then to be 
 conveyed and put round the neck, and one 
 to the under-jaw, and a hook put into the 
 socket of one of the eyes, if found necessary. 
 By these means the head will be got up into 
 a proper position, by adhering to the rules 
 laid down in Position IV. ; after which, the 
 extraction will be soon accomplished. 
 
 To relate every difficult case which has 
 occurred during the author's extensive prac- 
 tice, would be too numerous to be inserted 
 in this work, as well as occasion a repetition. 
 These being some of the most diflScult cases 
 which has occurred in his practice, will give 
 the reader sufficient information to proceed 
 in every case that may happen with success. 
 
 The author does not pretend to say that 
 
 INI
 
 162 
 
 he has preserved the life of every animal in 
 these desperate extractions ; though he has 
 been very successful, and generally saved 
 eight animals out of ten. 
 
 General Observations on Preternatural Cases. 
 
 It may seem to some who have not had 
 much practice in the operation of calving/ 
 that the cords are used oftener than what is 
 necessary, as it will appear the author has 
 used them in every preternatural case. It is 
 true, there are some of the preternatural po- 
 sitions where the calf might be extracted 
 without the use of them ; but on considera- 
 tion of the time it takes in adjusting and ex- 
 tracting it, to what it does with the use of 
 the cords, the latter is preferable ; and the 
 author could always perform it in half the 
 time, compared with the former method, and 
 with less danger to the cow: nor will it any 
 ways injure the calf, except in desperate
 
 163 
 
 cases, where violence is obliged to be used. 
 The cords are not intended to be violently 
 pulled, but are merely to keep the head, or 
 any other part the operator has already ad- 
 justed, in a proper position, till the extrac- 
 tion can be accomplished. The cords which 
 are most proper to be used are those which 
 are flat made; they should not be too small; 
 they are not so apt to cut as a round one. It 
 sometimes happens that when the operator 
 has adjusted the head without the assistance 
 of a cord, and while attempting to place the 
 feet in a proper position, the head has slipped 
 back into its former situation; then of course 
 he has again to replace it, which makes it a 
 second process, and sometimes a third and 
 fourth one. By these repeated operations, 
 the internal surface of the womb becomes 
 bruised and highly inflamed ; but by the use 
 of the cords, those unpleasant accidents may 
 be avoided, which clearly points out the 
 utility of them.
 
 164 
 
 It was an old practice, which cannot be 
 too much reprobated, in desperate cases, 
 where a calf could not be extracted by the 
 usual methods, to fix a rope to the head, or 
 fore feet of the calf, which ever advanced 
 first, to which a horse has been hooked, and 
 the extraction accomplished by main force. 
 It has been the object of the author to cause 
 all such cruel modes of proceeding to be laid 
 aside; and he hopes, for the sake of hu- 
 manity, they will never again be resorted to, 
 particularly when the rules laid down will 
 be found to answer every case that may 
 occur ; and even this savage practice did 
 not always answer the purpose in completing 
 the extraction, though it never failed to be 
 the death of the animal. 
 
 In all preternatural cases, the calf will 
 be more easily and sooner adjusted while the 
 cow is in a standing posture ; but should cir- 
 cumstances occur wherein she is not capable
 
 165 
 
 of getting up, from a laborious calviiig, be- 
 fore any attempt is made to put the calf in a 
 proper position, her hind parts should be 
 raised up, by laying them on a truss of straw. 
 This will prevent her, in a great measure, 
 from straining, as well as give more room to 
 the operator in adjusting the calf; but when 
 it is put in a proper position for extrac- 
 tion, she must be taken off the straw, and 
 her hind parts laid a little on the descent, 
 which will give her power to exert herself in 
 order to get rid of her burthen. 
 
 Cleansing. 
 
 The author has known a number of in- 
 stances where three parts of the cleansing, 
 or the whole of it, have come away before the 
 calf has made its appearance. Whenever 
 this happens, the calf will be dead, and be 
 found in a preternatural position. This cir- 
 cumstance generally proceeds from neglect, 
 by not paying proper attention to examine
 
 166 
 
 the cow as soon as the water-bladder breaks. 
 Perhaps the cow has been straining for three 
 or four hours before any assistance is pro- 
 cured, in consequence of which, by the calf 
 struggling in the uterus, it has broken through 
 the cleansing, which has been the cause of its 
 being evacuated before the calf makes its ap- 
 pearance. From this circumstance, its death 
 must inevitably follow ; for as soon as the 
 placentae are disunited from the uterus, or, in 
 other words, the calf disjoined from the mo- 
 ther, in order to preserve its life, respiration 
 should immediately take place, to stimulate 
 Its lungs, in order to carry on a free circula- 
 tion of the blood. 
 
 When the pains or throes of calving are 
 defective, from the cow being too much ex- 
 hausted by a tedious and laborious calving, 
 in this case she should have now and then 
 given her two or three quarts of water-gruel, 
 with a pint of ale in each draught, which
 
 167 
 
 may be repeated two or three times, if found 
 necessary. This will give fresh strength and 
 vigour to the drooping spirits of the animal, 
 w^hich will cause her to make fresh efforts to 
 get rid of her calf, as well as to assist the 
 operation. 
 
 The author has already noticed, in treat- 
 ing of calving, that a cow, when left to her- 
 self, generally prefers laying down during 
 this operation. If she calves within doors, 
 it should be particularly attended to that the 
 place in which she lays down is not too much 
 on the descent; for if that is the case, from 
 the weight of the womb containing the calf 
 being brought forwards tot) soon, by this po- 
 sition she is forced to strain, from the pres- 
 sure and irritation it occasions, before the 
 parts are sufficiently opened by the waler- 
 bladder to allow the passage of the calf. 
 This is a cause of tedious calving, or, at least, 
 the cow is forced to exhaust her strength be-
 
 168 
 
 fore the parts are in a state fit for allowing 
 the passage of the contents of the womb. For 
 want of attention to this circumstance, many 
 ignorant pretenders have recourse to manual 
 assistance, where it is not necessary. On 
 introducing the arm, the os uteri will be 
 found tight and contracted, but there will 
 appear no other cause to account for the de- 
 lay of the calving: in this case, all that is ne- 
 cessary is to change the place where the cow 
 lies, and by taking off the weight or pressure 
 of the calf from the parts, the irritation will 
 cease, and the process be regularly and 
 speedily completed. 
 
 Another cause of difficult calving, as men- 
 tioned by some writers, is what is called a 
 horning of the eye, or os uteri, when the 
 passage is contracted into a very small cir- 
 cumference, in so much that at the full time 
 of calving it will not admit the smallest hand, 
 and is, at the same time, so sinewy or horned.
 
 169 
 
 as to render it impossible for the calf to pass 
 without assistance. This cause the author 
 did not wish to introduce before, as it is dif- 
 ficult to know when it really exists; and pre- 
 suming upon it being a frequent cause oi 
 difficult calving, ignorant operators may con- 
 ceive it takes place when no such circumstance 
 exists. The author must say, he has very 
 rarely met with a case of it ; and in his whole 
 practice they do not exceed more than three 
 or four. The cause of this state of the os 
 uteri must have arisen from some injury it 
 had received in a former calving, on the heal- 
 ing of which the part had become thus con- 
 tracted. When once the operator has fully 
 established, to his own conviction, that this 
 cause prevents the calving, then an attempt 
 must be made to remove this contraction of 
 the part by an operation. This operation 
 consists in endeavouring to force the end of 
 the fore finger within the os uteri ; if admitted, 
 an effort should be made to force in another
 
 170 
 
 and so on successively, till an opening is at- 
 tained : but if this cannot be procured, and 
 the resistance is too great to admit more 
 than one finger, then a small knife must be 
 introduced upon it, the blade of which should 
 not be above an inch and a half in length, 
 and very sharp, with a hollow on the back 
 part of the point, for the end of the fore 
 finger to guide it when cutting, and to cover 
 the point and edge when introduced ; its 
 handle ought to be short, and the foremost 
 finger of the operator should always be kept 
 on the knife, to prevent any danger from the 
 edge of the instrument. In doing this opera- 
 tion, the callous part of the os uteri should 
 be divided in a slow and cautious manner ; 
 and as the horny part generally extends round 
 the whole circle, that part is to be chosen 
 for making the division which is least dan- 
 gerous: the upper surface is the fittest place; 
 on that account, when the division is once 
 made, which should go no farther than to cut
 
 171 
 
 through the horny part, the obstruction is 
 then taken off, and the process of calving 
 will proceed without interruption, and the 
 parts be found to dilate or expand at every 
 throe. As the cow is generally exhausted 
 before the operation is performed, her efforts 
 should be assisted by endeavouring to relax 
 the passage as much as possible by the use of 
 hogs' lard, or other emollients, to hasten the 
 progress of the business.
 
 172 
 
 Chap. XVI. — Consequences of Calving. 
 
 Having now fully explained the various 
 methods of extracting the calf in every va- 
 riety of situation that can occur, and thus 
 enabled the cowkeeper, farmer, &c. to judge 
 of the propriety of conduct observed by any 
 operator they may employ, the next object 
 is to consider the consequences which arise 
 from calving ; and in many of the situations 
 described, cannot fail of being productive of 
 serious complaints. These the author will 
 next treat, under the heads of, Flooding, or 
 Loss of Blood; Inversion of the Womb; Re- 
 laxation of the Ligaments, or Falling down of 
 the Womb ; Inflammation of the Organ ; In- 
 flammation also of the External Shape or 
 Parts : to which may be added, the Milk 
 Fever, or Dropping after Calving.
 
 173 
 
 Flooding, or Loss of Blood, 
 
 Of which, after the extraction of the calf, 
 and the evacuation of the placentae, though 
 this seldom happens, the author has known 
 some instances. These proceed from labo- 
 rious calvings, when nature has been too much 
 exhausted ; thus the vessels of the womb are 
 prevented from collapsing as they would 
 otherwise do ; but the operator need not be 
 any ways alarmed at this circumstance, for 
 by using the following application, the in- 
 convenience and danger arising from it is 
 
 soon remove 
 
 d: 
 
 Take of Spring Water, one gallon, 
 Strong Vinegar, one quart. 
 
 Mix together, in which linen cloths are to 
 be dipped, and frequently applied to the 
 loins, rump, and shape of the cow. This 
 application will soon stop the hemorrhage of 
 blood. At the same time the animal may have
 
 174 
 
 given her a draught of two quarts of cold 
 spring water, to which one pint of ale has 
 been previously added ; this will very much 
 revive her, and assist the efforts of nature. 
 But should the flooding proceed from lacera- 
 tion of the womb, in consequence of extract- 
 ing the calf, which is sometimes the case, 
 vinegar itself must be applied to the loins, 
 &c. ; and if this should not immediately suc- 
 ceed in stopping it, an astringent liquid is to 
 be conveyed into the uterus or womb by 
 means of a glister-pipe, or a very large sy- 
 ringe, which must be repeated as often as 
 circumstances demand it. 
 
 Take of Alum, one ounce, 
 
 Spring Water, one pint. 
 Vinegar, a quarter of a pint. 
 
 Mix, and apply as above, not omitting, at the 
 same time, to embrocate the external parts 
 with the vinegar. The following medicine 
 may also be given internally : 
 
 Take of Crude Opium, half an ounce, 
 
 which is to be made into a ball with linseed
 
 ,175 
 
 meal and treacle. This medicine will com- 
 pose the cow, and take olF the irritation of 
 the womb, and prevent straining. If the 
 throes should continue, it may be repeated 
 in two hours. The cow should in this case 
 lay with her hind parts a little elevated, in 
 order to prevent straining, which is generally 
 the case if the cow lays too much on the de- 
 scent, as in this position it never fails to cause 
 a bearing down of the womb, as well as to 
 favour the discharge of blood ; but, on the 
 contrary, when the hind parts are elevated, 
 it gives the womb an opportunity of collaps- 
 ing, and consequently tends to stop the he- 
 morrhage of blood. If the large veins or 
 arteries are not divided, the above method 
 will soon succeed; but if the latter is the case, 
 the death of the animal will be the conse- 
 quence, as she will bleed internally; nor is 
 it possible to render her any assistance in this 
 dreadful situation.
 
 176 
 
 TABLE or PLATE XIIL 
 
 This Plate represents a side view of the 
 cow, with the uterus, or calf bag, turned 
 inside out, where may be observed the glands 
 of the womb, and also the os uteri. 
 
 A The shape of the cow. 
 
 B The OS uteri. 
 
 c The womb, or uterus. 
 
 DnThe glands of the womb, to which the 
 placentae unite during gestation. 
 
 EE The bottom part of the uterus, which is 
 to be supported with a linen cloth dur- 
 ing the operation of putting it up. 
 
 F F The part at which the operator is first to 
 beoin in turnino* it. 
 
 G The ligaments which confine the womb, 
 and where also the great veins and ar- 
 teries run. 
 
 H The top of the uterus, or upper surface, 
 where the chief attempt is to be made 
 in putting it up.
 
 .i;v y.i/'/r j/iT. 
 
 n,i
 
 V 
 
 , //, ./„,.,..,..„ ,.///,. //.;/./■ „//r,- / 
 
 hs 

 
 177 
 
 Inversion of the Womb. 
 
 This accident, represented in the above 
 plate, occurs sometimes immediately after 
 the extraction of the calf. It proceeds from 
 various causes, such as relaxation of the liga- 
 ments of the w^omb, and the violent pains or 
 throes of the cow in the progress of calving, 
 or from the parts being injured in desperate 
 cases ; it may also happen from the cleansing 
 remaining in the womb after delivery, which 
 generally causes her to lay down and strain, 
 in order to get rid of this troublesome burden. 
 An inversion is thus produced, particularly 
 when the cow lays too much on the descent; 
 therefore it is of the greatest consequence for 
 the cowkeeper to attend to the position of 
 the cow, in order to guard against this acci- 
 dent : for this purpose, as soon as the cow 
 shows symptoms of calving, if the cowhouse 
 where she is situated be placed too much on 
 
 the descent, she should be immediately re- 
 
 N
 
 178 
 
 moved into another, where, on laying down, 
 she comes as near as possible on the level. 
 An attention to this circumstance will be a 
 means of preserving the life of many of these 
 useful animals ; for the author has known a 
 number of cows which have been lost for 
 want of this timely caution. 
 
 When, from the above causes, an inver- 
 sion of the womb takes place, its appearance 
 is like that of a fleshy bag, having its surface 
 every where unequal, and beset with glan- 
 dular substances, which, as before described, 
 serve for the purpose of receiving and pre- 
 paring the arterial blood from the mother, 
 for the nourishment of the calf. 
 
 If the womb has been long reversed be- 
 fore assistance has been procured to replace 
 it, the parts, in consequence of their long 
 exposure to the external air, and from the 
 bruising and restlessness of the cow, become
 
 179 
 
 amazingly swelled ; where this is the case, no 
 time should be lost in attempting to reduce 
 the womb to its proper place, for the longer 
 it remains reversed, there will be more diflS- 
 culty and danger in the operation. 
 
 Manner of replacing the Womb, 
 
 Before any attempt is made to reduce the 
 calf-bag, if the cleansing is united to it, which 
 it frequently is, this part must be gently se- 
 parated from the womb; and it may be per- 
 formed in the following manner, without the 
 least danger to the animal, where proper at- 
 tention is paid to the instructions now given: 
 The operator is gently to grasp one of the 
 glands of the womb with one hand, while the 
 other separates the cleansing from it : this 
 operation is to be successively repeated tilJ 
 the whole mass is separated. When this pro- 
 cess is completed, the womb is then to be 
 fomented with warm milk and water, till a 
 general and kindly heat is produced in the
 
 180 
 
 parts. Daring these operations, a linen cloth 
 should be put under the womb, with a view 
 to prevent dirt or filth getting upon it; but 
 if it is already in that state, the filth must 
 be washed ofF before any attempt is made to 
 reduce the part : when this is accomplished, 
 in order to support the womb, two assistants 
 are to take hold of the linen cloth ; the cow 
 is then to be made to rise, if possible, a stand- 
 ing posture being undoubtedly best for the 
 operator, as well as the least dangerous to 
 the animal, for she has not then the power 
 of straining, which she posseses when lying. 
 When the womb is supported by these 
 two assistants, another person is to grasp 
 the cow on the back, a little behind the 
 shoulders, to prevent her straining. And 
 in replacing the womb, the operator is then 
 to proceed in the following manner : He is 
 to grasp the os uteri with both hands, from 
 F to F, which will enable him, by gently 
 pushing forwards, to force that part into the
 
 181 
 
 body of the cow; when so returned, one hand 
 is to be immediately withdrawn, while the 
 other remains in its position, in order to pre- 
 vent the OS uteri from returning ; the other 
 hand at liberty is then to be applied to grasp 
 another portion of the womb not yet return- 
 ed, beginning with that portion of the upper 
 part of the uterus near the shape; and this 
 portion is to be introduced into the body of 
 the cow in the same manner as the former ; 
 that is, as soon as it is pushed into the en- 
 trance of the shape, the other hand is to be 
 withdrawn gently from retaining the former 
 portion, and both hands to be applied at once 
 to push up the whole already brought up into 
 their proper situation ; and this mode of pro- 
 ceeding is to be continued successively till 
 the calf-bed is entirely replaced. In grasp- 
 ing these different portions of the uterus, it 
 is to be particularly observed, that it must be 
 done by its upper surface, or that lying next 
 the back or shape of the cow; for if grasped 
 at the under part, it would be impossible lo
 
 182 
 
 return it, and there would be danger of rup- 
 turing some large blood-vessels, which would 
 infallibly kill the animal. During the opera- 
 tion, the assistants must be particularly care- 
 ful to support the womb from hanging down, 
 which will give great ease to the operator, 
 and second his attempts in returning it. 
 
 Though the erect posture is the one most 
 favourable for the operation, yet if the cow 
 is incapable of standing, she must then be 
 placed in such a situation, as to allow the 
 operator to make his efforts properly: the 
 best situation for this purpose is to raise her 
 on trusses of straw, till her hind parts are 
 elevated at least one yard and a half, and her 
 head proportionably low. This position will 
 prevent her straining, and much assist the 
 operation. The first step in doing it is to 
 place a sack under her, which is to be held 
 by several assistants, and on this she is to be 
 raised till trusses of straw are introduced to 
 support her hind parts, and till she is elevat-
 
 18 
 
 O 
 
 ed to a sufficient height. In performing this 
 operation, it is sometimes necessary to fix 
 cords to the ends of the sack, and to draw 
 her up by means of these till she is of a pro- 
 per height for the trusses of straw to be placed 
 under her. When this is done, the operation 
 is then to be begun in the manner already 
 directed. 
 
 When the operation is finished, the hand 
 retained is to be thrusted gently up to the 
 bottom, or as far into the uterus as possible, 
 and there continued till the parts have com- 
 pletely regained their natural state, which 
 will be known by moving about the hand, 
 and the throes or motions occurring, but not 
 so dangerous as to produce any relapse. There 
 IS seldom much danger of the part returning 
 when properly replaced ; but to avoid the 
 smallest chance of this disagreeable circum- 
 stance occurring, we have it always in our 
 power, by making a few stitches, entirely to 
 prevent it : these stitches are to be made
 
 184 
 through the shape and the neighbouring skin; 
 three will be sufficient in the shape, and one 
 through the skin, on each side. 
 
 With respect to the rest of the treatment, 
 the bowels must be immediately opened by 
 a saline purge ; a dose of opium should also 
 be administered, in order to prevent straining 
 and allay the pain. The parts themselves 
 should be well fomented with a warm fo- 
 mentation, and every thing done as directed 
 under the head Inflammations of the Womb, 
 as requiring a similar treatment. 
 
 Falling down of the Vagina, or First Passage. 
 
 This is a complaint which, in cases of 
 weakness, both precedes and follows calving; 
 the womb and calf's head pressing upon the 
 passage, makes the latter fall down, which it 
 does to a certain extent. Before calving, little 
 can be done to remedy it ; but when it ap-
 
 185 
 
 pears after it, it admits of a certain method of 
 cure. When the parts are replaced, which is 
 easily done, in order to retain them in their 
 situation, a stitch or two should be passed 
 through the sides of the shape, by means of 
 a packing needle threaded with common tape. 
 The parts are to be embrocated with a de- 
 coction of bark, with alum, and every thing 
 done to strengthen the general habit of the 
 animal ; for as soon as the cow is in health 
 and vigour, this displacement wears off. 
 
 Before calving, the appearance of this 
 complaint generally alarms those who have 
 the management of cows, and they conceive 
 that the womb will be entirely protruded : it 
 is only necessary here to keep the animal in 
 a position least favourable for the descent, 
 and to give a stitch in the manner directed, 
 which will prevent the protrusion going far- 
 ther, till the operation of calving commence, 
 when the parts are generally retracted, or go 
 up of themselves.
 
 186 
 
 Inflammation of the Womb, 
 
 This is a disease to which cows are occa- 
 sionally subject after calving, and more espe- 
 cially if it has been attended with much diffi- 
 culty, and if any violence has taken place. 
 
 Symptoms, 
 This complaint generally comes on very 
 rapidly ; and the symptoms of it are, a con- 
 stant desire to strain on the part of the ani- 
 mal, accompanied with a disagreeable foetid 
 discharge from the parts ; along with this, 
 there prevails a high degree of fever, attended 
 with a deficiency in the secretion of milk ; 
 and in the progress of the disease, the cow 
 sometimes entirely loses the use of her limbs, 
 and not unfrequently it proves her death : 
 in other cases, matter forms, which checks 
 the disease, and produces a termination of 
 
 the malady. 
 
 Cause, 
 The cause of this inflammation proceeds 
 most frequently from injuries in calving : it
 
 187 
 
 may happen also from sudden exposure to a 
 draft of cold air, while the womb is in the 
 open state, unavoidable after calving. The 
 same effect will arise from giving a quantity 
 of cold water at this time. Retention of the 
 cleansing, where it acquires a degree of acri- 
 mony, will create the same complaint. — ^The 
 treatment of this aflPection must be the same 
 with that of other inflammations ; only here, 
 from the previous discharge weakening the 
 animal, it is seldom proper to bleed her: the 
 chief attention necessary in the commence- 
 ment of the disease is to the state of the 
 bowels ; and the use of saline purges will be 
 found the most eff'ectual means of relief, even 
 though some degree of looseness should at 
 the same time prevail. The form of purge 
 which the author prefers is as follows : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Camphor, half an ounce, 
 Coriander and Cumin Seeds, of each one ounce. 
 
 Mix the whole into a powder, to be given in 
 two quarts of water gruel, and half a pound
 
 188 
 
 of treacle. In the above prescripticn the 
 combination of camphor with the purge may, 
 by some, be thought improper ; but without 
 reasoning upon the matter, the author has 
 found it the most successful practice ; for the 
 action of the camphor seems to be indepen- 
 dent of the salts, and, after their operation, 
 seems to produce its full effect on the surface 
 or skin, as well as to lessen the general irri- 
 tation of the system. — After the bowels have 
 been thus cleared by the operation of the 
 salts, and there seems to exist much uneasi- 
 ness, pain, and irritation, by the straining of 
 the animal continuing, antispasmodics become 
 the proper remedies. The most successful 
 form of which is now subjoined : 
 
 Take of Crude Opium and Camphor, each half an ounce, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Asafoetida, two drachms, 
 Aniseed, two ounces. 
 
 Mix up the whole into a powder, which is to 
 be given in one quart of gruel, and one pint 
 of ale. In the above prescription the author 
 has introduced a proportion of nitre, on ac-
 
 189 
 
 count of the symptom of strangury whicli fre- 
 quently attends this complaint, from the 
 known power of diuretics in lessening this 
 symptom, as well as from the cooling qua- 
 lity of the nitre in abating the fever. 
 
 Besides the above medicine, the author 
 has often found the greatest benefit in the 
 same disorder from the use of oil of amber ; 
 and the following is his manner of employing 
 it: 
 
 Take of Oil of Amber, half an ounce, 
 Asaffletida, two drachras, 
 Aniseed, two ounces, 
 Bark, one ounce, 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 
 Mix, and give as above, which may be re- 
 peated once or twice a-day, if found neces- 
 sary. The above prescription he has chiefly 
 used in those cases where there appeared a 
 tendency to mortification ; and on that ac- 
 count he has introduced the bark as one ar- 
 ticle of it. These medicines must be repeated 
 according to the urgency of symptoms, 
 though it will rarely be necessary oftener
 
 190 
 
 than twice a-day ; and during their use it 
 will be necessary to pay attention to the 
 bowels in the first instance. 
 
 In this complaint, much assistance may be 
 given to the operation of the internal medi- 
 cines by external applications ; a fomenta- 
 tion, applied largely to the shape and rump, 
 will be of the greatest benefit. This fomen- 
 tation may be composed of the following in- 
 gredients : 
 
 Take of Camomile Flowers, a quarter of a pound, 
 Wormwood, a large handful. 
 Bay and Juniper Berries, of each four ounces, 
 Beer, or Ale Grounds, six quarts, 
 Vinegar, one quart. 
 
 The whole is to be boiled for a quarter of an 
 hour, and then to be applied, by dipping in 
 it large pieces of flannel, and fomenting the 
 animal with them. As the success of a fo- 
 mentation depends on the heat it contains, it 
 will be necessary to keep it hot by means of 
 a chaiEng-dish in the cowhouse, for this pur- 
 pose. When the fomenting is finished, the 
 cloth should be allowed to remain, and the
 
 191 
 
 animal covered up, so as to avoid catching 
 cold. This process may be repeated twice 
 a-day, so long as it is found necessary. When 
 the complaint is very severe, in addition to 
 the fomentation, the application of stimulant 
 oils will give great relief, and they should 
 immediately succeed it: the best form of 
 them, according to the author's experience, 
 is. 
 
 Take of Linseed Oil, eight ounces, 
 
 Oil of Turpentine, two ounces, 
 Oil of Vitriol, one ounce. 
 
 The last article is to be gradually mixed with 
 the two former. A little of this mixture is 
 to be rubbed on the shape, rump, and cup- 
 pies, once or twice a-day, particularly in 
 those cases where there appears a tendency 
 to mortification. 
 
 Of the number of cows seized with this 
 complaint, few die, where assistance is early 
 given, and where a proper method of treat- 
 ment is resorted to ; but from the severity 
 of the disease, though not mortal, the cow
 
 192 
 
 is often left in such a low languishing state, 
 that it requires every invigorating means, 
 both in diet and medicine, to reinstate her in 
 health. The strengthening medicine used by 
 the author for this purpose is as follovrs : 
 
 Take of Valerian, Gentian, and Bark, of each one ounce, 
 Long Pepper, half an ounce, 
 Coriander and Cumin Seeds, of each one ounce. 
 
 Let the w^hole be reduced to powder, which 
 is to be given in a pot of ale, wherein a hand- 
 ful of rue, chopped small, has been previously 
 boiled. This dose should be regularly re- 
 peated once a-day till the appetite is found 
 to mend, and other signs of the return of 
 health begin to appear. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 Durino- the above disease, while the in- 
 flammation continues, the drink of the cow 
 should consist chiefly of warm diluent liquids, 
 but when the disease departs, warm mashes, 
 and other diet of a nourishing kind, should be 
 thrown in to second the use of the strengthen- 
 ing medicines prescribed.
 
 193 
 
 One important observation the author 
 shall make here, and which applies to the 
 diseases of cattle in general, (derived from 
 much experience) That he never found any 
 difficulty in the cure, where, in any illness, 
 the animal could be brought to drink ; and 
 one chief aim in prescribing medicine should 
 be to combine them so as to produce this 
 effect. 
 
 Injlammation of the Shape, S^c. 
 
 This is connected with the former com- 
 plaint, and arises from injuries in calving : 
 It is easily discovered by inspecting the parts. 
 It is not so dangerous as the former com- 
 plaint, and the same remedies and the same 
 treatment applies to it, as detailed above. 
 
 o
 
 194 
 
 Milk Fever, or Dropping after Calving. 
 
 This is one of the most dangerous diseases 
 that can attack the animal, and unless timely 
 relieved, very soon proves fatal. The symp- 
 toms of it begin the first, second, or third day 
 after calving, but most frequently the first 
 day, and that so early as tw^o hours after the 
 operation. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The symptoms are known by the cow 
 shifting about from place to place ; she fre- 
 quently lifts up her legs and sets them down 
 again, discovering a wild appearance in her 
 eyes, and sometimes blaring, as if wanting 
 her calf: at this time she is very ready, on a 
 person going up to her, to attempt to poke 
 him. In the progress of the disease, there 
 ensues a quick motion in the flank, and if 
 confined in the stall, she begins to stagger 
 from side to side, with her mouth open, from 
 which there issues a clear water, and her 
 tongue is at the same time thrust out of her
 
 195 
 
 mouth. After staggering some little time, 
 she falls down, but recovers herself again, 
 and continues to do so for several times, till 
 she is no longer able to get up, and seems to 
 lose entirely the use of her limbs : she then 
 throw^s herself on her side, w^ith her head in- 
 clined to her fore ribs. The body at this pe- 
 riod sometimes begins to sw^ell; and when the 
 disease is still farther advanced, the extremi- 
 ties, and the roots of the horns and ears, feel 
 cold, and the latter are covered with a clam- 
 my moisture. What passes through the animal 
 is black and dry; she strikes frequently with 
 her fore and hind legs, her eyes appear dull 
 and heavy, and her breath emits a faint and 
 sickly smell. Her restlessness gradually in- 
 creases ; her extremities are seized with a 
 shivering, she is covered with cold sweats, the 
 pulse becomes irregular, and death terminates 
 
 the scene. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The cause of this disease is whatever ob- 
 structs perspiration, and accumulates the
 
 196 
 
 blood internally; hence it may be produced 
 by the application of cold air, by laying on 
 the cold ground, or by giving cold water 
 immediately after calving; and these causes 
 will naturally produce this effect, from the 
 open state of the pores at this time, and from 
 the external parts being so wide and relaxed 
 after the operation. Cows in high condition 
 are more subject than others to this com- 
 plaint, and especially if they have been kept 
 up for some weeks before calving. 
 
 Cure. 
 From this circumstance, evacuations are 
 clearly pointed out as the proper remedy : 
 the cow should be first bled, to the quantity 
 of three or four quarts, if she can bear it, 
 and then the following drink given as soon as 
 possible : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, two pounds, 
 
 Althea Oiutment, four ounces. 
 Nitre, one ounces. 
 Powder of Fennigreek, two ounces, 
 Powder of Mustard, two ounces. 
 
 Mix all for one dose. As soon as this medi- 
 cine is o:iven to the cow, she should be raked.
 
 197 
 
 or the dung taken from the rectum, and a 
 glyster is then to be given her. 
 
 Take of Water Gruel, two quarts. 
 Common Soap, one ounce, 
 Salt, one liaiullul. 
 Sweet Oil, half a pint. 
 
 The soap being first dissolved in the gruel, 
 mix the w^hole together, and inject w^ith a 
 common glyster-pipe and bag into the rectum. 
 As soon as the drink and glyster are given, 
 the animal, if she lays on her side, must be 
 turned on her belly, and vrell bolstered up 
 vs^ith straw, to prevent her getting into her 
 former situation ; for by laying in that pos- 
 ture the swelling of her body will increase, 
 nor will the medicine operate so soon as 
 when laid on her belly: nor even in this pos- 
 ture should she lay too long, but be turned 
 over occasionally, to prevent her limbs get- 
 ting cramped. This change of position will 
 also assist in expelling the wind, as well as 
 in promoting the operation of the medicine. 
 It will likewise be usefid to rub the limbs and 
 body of the animal two or three times a-day.
 
 198 
 
 Whatever is given to the animal in this 
 disease, should be administered vv^ith cau- 
 tion, for she swallows with some difficulty, 
 and is in danger of being choaked ; in 
 consequence of which, there should be a 
 proper interval betwixt each hornful of me- 
 dicine. In six or eight hours after the above 
 medicine is taken, the following may be 
 given, and repeated every six hours till she 
 is somewhat better : 
 
 Take of Gum Myrrh, one ounce. 
 
 Valerian Powder, one ounce, 
 Asafoetida, half an ounce, 
 Saffron, half an ounce, 
 Camphor, one drachm, 
 opium, one drachm. 
 Mustard, one ounce. 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 
 Mix for one dose ; to be given in a quart 
 or three pints of ale, with a little allspice. 
 When the disease is turned, and the cow be- 
 gins to eat and drink a little, which is always 
 a sure sign of her recovery, and generally 
 occurs in twenty-four hours after the attack, 
 (if she lives,) and sometimes sooner, for the 
 author has known several instances wherein
 
 i99 
 
 the cow has got up in the course of five or 
 six hours ; in that case, give the foUownig 
 medicine : 
 
 Take of Camphor, one drachm, 
 
 Saffron, half an ounce, ■ 
 Nitre, half an omice. 
 Gentian, one ounce, 
 Valerian, one ounce. 
 Bark, one ounce. 
 
 Mix for one dose, which is to be given in a 
 pot of mild ale, or a strong decoction of ca- 
 momile tea ; and it may be repeated once or 
 twice a-day, if found necessary, till the cow 
 is recovered. After two or three doses are 
 given, if she mends very fast in her appetite 
 and strength, one every other day may be 
 sufficient. If great debility should remain 
 after the fever has disappeared, which is 
 frequently the case, an ounce of isinglass, 
 boiled in skim-milk, may be given once or 
 twice a-day; and will be found extremely 
 useful in assisting to strengthen the relaxed 
 system. If, after forty-eight hours, the cow 
 should be still incapable of getting up, al- 
 though her appetite is good, and she appears
 
 200 
 
 lively, then the following charge should be 
 laid on her loins, as the weakness appears 
 more in that part than any other; for she can 
 generally raise her fore parts, though the 
 hind parts seem useless : 
 
 Take of Black and Burgundy Pitch, one pound, 
 
 Oxycroceum and Paracelsus, four ounces. 
 
 Bole Armenian and Dragon's Blood, two ounces. 
 
 Which is to be melted over the fire. This 
 should be spread while hot, but not so hot 
 as to scald, all over her loins and rump. 
 Some wool, or sadler's stuffing, should be 
 stuck on it, in order to keep it on. As soon 
 as this is completed, the cow must be got up, 
 and put in a sling, made of sacks and ropes, 
 so that the animal may feel her legs, which 
 are to be well rubbed two or three times a 
 day. She must remain in this situation till 
 she can stand of herself, and get up without 
 the assistance of the sling, which is generally 
 in the course of two or three days. 
 
 But if the cow should, on the first attack 
 of the disease, be in a laxative state in her
 
 201 
 
 bowels, half the quantity of the purghig me- 
 dicine will be sufficient, and it may be re- 
 peated occasionally, if the animal becomes 
 costive, from the continuance of the fever : 
 nay, the author has in some instances been 
 obliged to repeat the dose for two or three 
 days together, at proper intervals, before a 
 passage could be procured ; and as long as 
 the cow remains costive, the fever will con- 
 tinue ; therefore it is of importance to keep 
 the body in rather a laxative state, the ani- 
 mal being always in that way when in health. 
 
 Purgatives are of the greatest utility in 
 the first stage of this disease, particularly 
 those which are of the saline kind, such as 
 the prescription already inserted ; and the 
 author can farther say, he has seen the most 
 happy effects from their being given in the 
 early stage of the disease, by its progress 
 being totally stopped, and thus the cow pre- 
 vented dropping If the animal should have
 
 202 
 
 lost, in the act of calving, a great quantity of 
 blood, which is sometimes the case, she must 
 then be bled more sparingly. Bleeding and 
 purging, before calving, with proper regimen, 
 will generally prevent this disease. 
 
 It evidently appears, that it proceeds 
 from a fullness of the vessels, which impedes 
 the circulation of the blood ; and, by these 
 evacuations, nature being once relieved from 
 its burthen, the regular circulation is carried 
 on without obstruction. Though this disease 
 is attended with an incapability of standing 
 while its rage continues, it cannot be with 
 propriety supposed to proceed from debility 
 in the system, when the cow is high in con- 
 dition, and appears, a few hours before the 
 malady takes place, vigorous and in perfect 
 health ; but merely from a fullness of the 
 vessels, by which means a greater accumu- 
 lation of blood is directed towards the brain. 
 Hence that giddiness or staggering which
 
 203 
 
 appears in its first attack, and is the reason 
 of the animal falling down. 
 
 Regimen, 
 
 During the continuance of the fever, the 
 cow requires little or no food, but if any is 
 given her, it should consist of water-gruel or 
 warm water, a hornful of which may be 
 supplied her occasionally if she will not drink 
 it herself; and when she seems inclined to 
 eat, bran and malt mashes are most proper, 
 and now and then a little sweet hay, or clover, 
 in a small quantity at a time, which should be 
 gradually increased, till she can eat her usual 
 allowance, and the stomach is more capable 
 of bearing it ; for overloading the stomach 
 immediately after the disease has in a great 
 measure ceased, though she may be inclined 
 to take it, has frequently been attended with 
 disagreeable consequences. This practice 
 should, therefore, at all times be avoided. 
 Should an inflammation of the womb take
 
 204 
 
 place daring the progress of this disease, 
 which is sometimes the case, it must be 
 treated as before directed. (See Inflamma- 
 tion of the Womb.) 
 
 Aff'ections of the Udder, 
 
 The swelling of the udder before calving 
 was formerly treated, and the inflammation 
 of it after calving, as well as sore teats, will 
 fall to be properly noticed under the division 
 of Local Diseases, to which the reader is re- 
 ferred.
 
 PART II. 
 
 OF THE 
 
 DISEASES OF NEAT CATTLE, 
 
 I. OF THE GENERAL OR CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES. 
 XL OF THE LOCAL OR ACCIDENTAL DISEASES, 
 in. OF DISEASES OF THE BULLOCK. CALF, &c.
 
 PRACTICAL TREATISE, &c. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 ON THE DISEASES OF NEAT CATTLE. 
 
 INTRODUCTIO]^. 
 
 The former division of this work has been 
 occupied by the consideration of what re- 
 gards the cow in the state of gestation, and 
 also the extraction of the calf. In the re- 
 maining part of the treatise, it is intended to 
 give a detail of the diseases to which the ani- 
 mal is subject ; and this will be properly in- 
 troduced by an observation or two on the 
 structure and economy of the animal. 
 
 The cow is an animal of a slow and in- 
 active nature, and not formed for that power-
 
 208 
 
 • 
 
 ful exertion which distinguishes the horse. 
 She takes her food also in a different man- 
 ner, and both requires and takes in a greater 
 quantity of nourishment ; which is wisely de- 
 signed that she may give that supply of milk 
 which distinguishes her so much from other 
 animals, and renders her so useful to man. 
 
 In tracing the economy of the cow, the 
 stomach and bowels claim particular atten- 
 tion. The stomach is divided into four parts: 
 the first, or the paunch, is the general recep- 
 tacle of the food, and is therefore the largest 
 division, that a sufficient cjuantity may be 
 taken in, in a given time, and the animal not 
 fatigued by constantly eating. When this 
 receptacle is filled, the animal generally lays 
 down ; and she possesses the power of bring- 
 ing back the food in its crude state, as receiv- 
 ed into the mouth, where it undergoes a com- 
 plete mastication, by what is termed chewing 
 the cud. This being done, it is returned again 
 in a condition fit for nourishment, and is thus
 
 209 
 
 prepared for passing on to the second sto- 
 mach, or the honey-comb. In the second it 
 undergoes a little alteration, and still more 
 in the third, or many-plies ; and through 
 both these small stomachs it passes slowly, 
 and in small quantities at a time, into the 
 fourth, or red stomach, which, like the first, 
 is very large, and contains the food in a finish- 
 ed state, fit for all the purposes which the 
 body requires ; and from it the nourishing 
 part is taken up, as well as by the bowels, 
 into which it next passes, and through their 
 track it descends, in order that the useless 
 part may be carried away. 
 
 The bowels of the cow are also particular 
 in their structure; they consist of an immense 
 length, coiled up in a curious manner in dif- 
 ferent parts, by which nature intends that 
 the food should be long detained in them, 
 as the vegetable aliment she takes in requires 
 a long and tedious process to give out its full 
 
 proportion of nourishment. 
 
 P
 
 210 
 
 This complex structure of the stomach 
 and bowels renders the animal more subject 
 to diseases of these parts, from the facility 
 with which obstruction is apt to take place ; 
 and in all complaints of the cow, this cause 
 is always to be held in view, and our inqui- 
 ries directed accordingly. 
 
 Circulation of the Blood.- 
 
 Before dismissing this subject, as a de- 
 rangement in the circulation of the blood is 
 one of the chief marks of disease in all animals, 
 it may be useful to give some general view 
 of it here, for the information of the reader. 
 
 Opposite to the heart, the trunks of the 
 largest vein of the body, termed the vena 
 cava, unite and carry the blood into a cavity, 
 known by the name of the right ear, or auri- 
 cle of the heart; and at the place where they 
 open there is situated a small protuberance, 
 which allows the blood of each trunk to pass
 
 211 
 
 in without interfering with each other. The 
 blood thus received distends the ear or au- 
 ricle, and by its contraction (for every part 
 of the heart is of a highly-muscular or elastic 
 nature,) it is pushed forwards into another 
 division, which is named its belly, or ventri 
 cle: by the same action of the ventricle it is 
 next driven forwards into another vessel, con- 
 nected with the ventricle, consisting of two 
 branches, termed the pulmonary arteries, or 
 large vessels of the lungs, by means of which 
 it circulates through the lungs, and there re- 
 ceives a certain change, imparted to it by the 
 process of respiration, or breathing, which 
 fits it for the different purposes of animal life. 
 From the branches of the pulmonary arteries 
 it is received into the pulmonary veins, which, 
 uniting in two great divisions, carry it back 
 to the opposite side of the heart from which 
 it is transmitted, the end of the pulmonary 
 veins being connected for that purpose with 
 the left ear, or auricle of the heart. When
 
 212 
 
 received into this part, the structure of both 
 sides of the heart being the same, it is next 
 pushed in a similar manner, by the contrac- 
 tion of this auricle, into the left belly or ven- 
 tricle, w^hich, being connected in its turn with 
 the largest artery in the body, or the aorta, it 
 is then transmitted into this vessel, and by 
 means of it circulates through the rest of the 
 body, or passes into its various branches; and 
 after circulating through these, it is received 
 into the veins which correspond with them : 
 these veins all unite into one large trunk, 
 already described, named the cava, and it 
 is thus brought back to the heart in the 
 manner pointed out. 
 
 In this passage of the blood through the 
 heart described, the return of it is especially 
 prevented l)y the structure of the organ ; for 
 every division of the heart we find surround- 
 ed with a set of valves, which, similar to 
 flood-gates, prevent the blood, when it once 
 gets in, returning the same way. By the
 
 213 
 
 circulation of the blood nourishment is con- 
 veyed to every part of the body in a regular 
 and uniform manner ; for the stomach hav- 
 ing first received the food, prepares it, by 
 the process of digestion, to undergo certain 
 changes : these changes consist in the forma- 
 tion of part of it into a milky liquor, called 
 chyle, while the rest of it passes on through 
 the bowels, and is discharged as useless. 
 This chyle, or nourishing part, is every where 
 taken up or absorbed by a set of vessels, 
 termed the lacteals, which all unite into one 
 large branch, or trunk, named the thoracic 
 duct; and this trunk becomes in the end 
 connected with the vena cava, or larae 
 vessel, wh^<"h transmits the blood to the 
 heart. 
 
 Thus the heart may be considered as the 
 center of life and motion, and as giving a 
 supply of what is necessary to every part of 
 the system ; by means of it, the blood pass-
 
 214 
 
 ing through the kidnies is formed, by the 
 peculiar secretion of that organ, into a watery 
 fluid, termed urine: in the same manner, by 
 the blood circulating through the liver, goes 
 to a certain proportion to the formation of 
 bile ; and in the same way are all the several 
 secretions supplied, and the different and 
 wonderful purposes of the animal economy 
 carried on.
 
 n5 
 DISEASES OF NEAT CATTLE. 
 
 1 HE diseases of the cow, like those of every 
 animal in a domestic state, are numerous ; 
 and, for more clearly comprehending tlieir 
 nature, they may be treated under two divi- 
 sions, viz. the constitutional, or general mala- 
 dies, and those of a local or accidental nature. 
 
 ARRANGEMENT. 
 
 I. GENERAL DISEASES. 
 The General Diseases may be classed in the following order • 
 
 1. Diseases of increased action, as, 
 
 Fevers. 
 Inflaniniatioiis. 
 
 of the Brain, or Frenzy, vulgarly called Slough. 
 
 of the Luniks, termed Fog Fever. 
 
 of the External Chest, or Dewlap, termed Auticar. 
 
 of the Stomach. 
 
 of the third ditto, termed Lakebum. 
 
 ■ of the Bowels. 
 
 ■ of the Liver. 
 
 of the Kidnics and Bhulder. 
 
 of ditto, termed Rod water. 
 
 of the Joints and Limbs. 
 
 Rheumatism of the Loins, or Lumbago. 
 Inflammation of the Udder, or Elder. 
 of the Body in general, termed Blain. 
 
 2. Diseases attended with a discharge. 
 
 Bleeding from the Nostrils. 
 
 Colds. 
 
 Bloody Flux, or Ray,
 
 216 
 
 3. Nervous Diseases, in which the powers of feeling and motion are chiefly' 
 
 affected. 
 Staggers, or Dizziness of the Head. 
 Lethargy, or Dizziness, called Dropping after Calving. 
 Lock Jaw, or Dead Palsy. 
 Fits, or Falling Down. 
 Asthma, or Short Breathing. 
 Cough of long standing. 
 Water running from the Mouth, 
 Indigestion, or Grain Sick, 
 Looseness, or Scouring. 
 
 Madness, or Hydrophobia. ' 
 
 Fog Sickness. 
 
 4. Diseases from bad Habit of Body. 
 
 Consumption, or Wasting. 
 
 Black Leg, or Quarter, called also Hyan Striking, by some, Murrain. 
 
 Yellows, or Jaundice. 
 
 Dropsy in the Chest. 
 
 H. LOCAL DISEASES, or those in which only a part of the Body is affected- 
 Blindness. 
 Strains, or Sprains. 
 Costiveness. 
 
 Strangury, or Difficulty of making Water. 
 Tumours of various kinds. 
 Swelled Udder, or Elder. 
 Scirrhus, or Hard Swellings. 
 Cancers. 
 
 Warts, or Horny Excrescences. 
 SweUings on the Joints and Bones. 
 Wounds of various kinds, spontaneous and accidental, viz. Feet foul. 
 
 Joint foul. Pokes, or wounds from goring. 
 Ulcers of various kinds.
 
 217 
 
 FEVERS. 
 
 The first disease in the above arrangement 
 is fever, to which cattle are not so generally 
 subject as the human race. It arises in them 
 from similar causes, as extremes of heat and 
 cold, excess in feeding; and often the origin 
 of it cannot be accounted for. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The symptoms which distinguish fever 
 here are, the animal is seized with a trem- 
 bling over the whole body; she then becomes 
 hot and restless, and does not care for food, 
 but is continually desirous of drink; the eyes 
 look dull and heavy, the head hangs down, 
 and a foam, or froth, issues from the mouth; 
 the animal seems, at the same time, oppress- 
 ed, and utters, at times, a heavy and mourn- 
 ful groan. 
 
 Cure, 
 
 On examining the pulse at the neck, as
 
 ^18 
 
 the circulation of the blood will be found 
 very much hurried, the first step, in order 
 to lessen this, is to let blood of the animal, 
 in a quantity in proportion to the violence 
 of the fever, and this should not be less than 
 two quarts or five pints at first. If the symp- 
 toms do not appear relieved in the course 
 of twenty-four hours, but rather seem to in- 
 crease, it may be again repeated. After 
 bleeding, the animal should be placed in a 
 situation moderately warm ; and she should 
 not be tempted to eat till there appears a real 
 desire for food. In the mean time, she should 
 be allowed the use of w^arm diluent drinks, 
 such as gruel and warm water ; and, along 
 vrith these drinks, a dose of Epsom salts and 
 nitre may be given, to keep the body open, 
 according to the form prescribed under the 
 article Colds, in the preceding part of this 
 work. These means are to be followed up 
 by the use of medicines, which tend to open 
 the skin ; and the prescription which will 
 answer this purpose best, is a combination
 
 219 
 
 of nitre and camphor, in the form set down 
 in page 198. These means are to be regu- 
 larly continued, according to the judgment 
 of the practitioner, till a turn of the fever 
 takes place, which will be known by the ap- 
 petite of the animal returning. The diet 
 most suitable for her recovery should con- 
 sist of sweet hay, malt mashes, and every 
 thing else of a restorative nature, as pointed 
 out in the article of Dropping after Calving, 
 in page 203. 
 
 Fevers in cows are never to be accounted 
 fatal, and will always yield to the above 
 treatment, if timely attended to. 
 
 INFLAMMATIONS. 
 
 Inflammations, the next class of diseases, 
 are those that require the greatest attention 
 in their treatment ; they are generally vio-
 
 220 
 
 lent in their attack, rapid in their progress, 
 and must be opposed by the speediest and 
 most powerful means of relief. 
 
 The first disease of this class is Inflam- 
 mation of the Brain, or Frenzy. 
 
 FRENZY. 
 
 1 HIS disease, named also the Slough, is dis- 
 tinguished by the following symptoms: there 
 prevails a constant watching and raving, the 
 respiration is slow, the countenance appears 
 much disturbed, and all the marks of mad- 
 ness are conspicuous in the wild look and 
 fierceness of the animal. On examining the 
 pulse at the temporal artery, the pulsation is 
 felt strong and rapid, and sometimes irregu- 
 lar. Along with this may be observed a pe- 
 culiar redness of the eyes, the urine, when 
 examined, is always high coloured, and she 
 is occasionally seized with profuse perspi-
 
 221 
 
 rations and convulsed motions, when dis- 
 turbed or agitated. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The cause of this disease may proceed 
 from the suppression of natural evacuations, 
 from exposure to extreme cold or heat, in- 
 juries of the brain, &c. This disease, unless 
 taken at the commencement, is apt to ter- 
 minate in suppuration of the brain, and not 
 unfrequently in mortification. 
 
 Treatment. 
 
 In the treatment of the disease, bleeding 
 is the principal and only remedy to be de- 
 pended on. Large and repeated bleedings 
 should be immediately had recourse to, as 
 soon as the malady shows itself; the blood 
 should also be taken from a large orifice, if 
 a vein is preferred ; but the best situation 
 for bleeding here is the temporal artery.
 
 222 
 
 Next to bleeding, purging will be found 
 a useful remedy, in order to procure a re- 
 vulsion of the blood from the head ; and 
 the doses for this purpose should be strong 
 and speedy in their operation ; thus, 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, from two pounds to two pounds and a half, 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 
 Mix for one dose ; to be given in two quarts 
 of thin gruel, and half a pound of treacle. 
 When this has operated, and bleeding has 
 taken place to a sufficient extent, small doses 
 of nitre and camphor are then to be begun, 
 in the manner recommended in the former 
 disease ; and in general the same regimen 
 and after treatment apply here as direct- 
 ed in fever. 
 
 Irtflammation of the Lungs. 
 
 1 HIS disorder, known by the names of Fog 
 Sickness, and Rising of the Lights, is a dis- 
 ease to which cattle are very subject.
 
 223 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 It is known by great difHculty of breath- 
 ing, attended with a cough, or hoose ; the 
 animal opens her mouth wide, the tongue is 
 thrust out, the nose and mouth run out a 
 ropy slime, the eyes appear dull and heavy, 
 the pulse is hard, and the animal is unwil- 
 ling to lay down, feels uneasy when moved, 
 and in giving her drink seems as if she would 
 be choaked in attempting to take it : she is 
 generally also costive ; the external surface 
 or skin feels cold, particularly the legs, ears, 
 and roots of the horns ; and, as the disease 
 proceeds, the animal becomes very restless 
 and unmanageable. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The principal cause of this disease is 
 whatever occasions obstructed perspiration. 
 Hence it is brought on by dry cold winds; 
 it will also arise from drinkino- too much cold 
 water when overheated, or being kept too
 
 224 
 
 long from water. It is also occasioned fre- 
 quently by turning out cattle into a pasture 
 that contains much dew, or is covered with 
 
 hoar frost. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 Bleeding is here, as in the former disease, 
 the principal remedy. She should be bled 
 freely, and from a large orifice; and a timely 
 bleeding will often do much to check the 
 disease at its commencement. After this, the 
 best practice is to peg the cow in the dewlap 
 with the following : 
 
 Take of Bearsfoot leaves, green, well bruised, two drachms, or half an ounce. 
 Hogs' Lard and Salt, a small quantity. 
 
 Or, 
 
 Take of Corrosive Sublimate, one drachm, 
 Euphorbium, half a drachm, 
 Hogs' Lard, one ounce. 
 
 An incision is to be made in the dewlap; the 
 skin is then to be separated from the flesh, 
 sufficiently to admit of either of the above 
 quantities of medicine being introduced into 
 the wound. As soon as the swelling and in 
 flammation of the dewlap has taken place, 
 relief will be given to the lungs, and the in-
 
 225 
 
 flammation begin to lessen. In the mean 
 time, till this takes place, the bowels should 
 be opened, by a moderate dose of the Epsom 
 salts and nitre, as in page 43 ; and after that, 
 an attempt should be made to open the skin, 
 and to remove the general contraction of the 
 surface, by the following form : 
 
 Take of Tartar Emetic, two drachms, 
 Camphor, two drachms, 
 Calomel, eight grains, 
 Nitre, one ounr«. 
 Opium, one drachm. 
 
 To be made into a ball with treacle and fen- 
 nigreek powder. This medicine may be re- 
 peated twice a-day till the skin is rendered 
 free and perspirable, and the more alarming 
 symptoms of the disease depart. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The regimen, and other parts of the 
 treatment, correspond exactly with the other 
 inflammations already detailed. 
 
 Q
 
 226 
 
 Iiiflammation of the External Chesty 
 or Anticor. 
 
 1 HIS is a species of inflammation which 
 often attacks the dewlap. The symptoms of 
 it are, a sudden swelling of the part, which 
 gradually advances towards the head, and it 
 is attended with much heat and hardness. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The cause of this complaint is the same 
 as other inflammations ; but in the cow it is 
 particularly connected with improper feed- 
 ing, and the treatment must proceed on the 
 same principles as in other inflammations. 
 In directing the purge, the author has found 
 sulphur most serviceable here, and he gives 
 it in the following manner : 
 
 Take of Flour of Sulphur, twelve ounces, 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 
 Mix for one dose ; to be given in two quarts 
 of water-gruel, and half a pound of treacle.
 
 227 
 
 This complaint admits also of being much 
 relieved by external applications, in the form 
 of liniment, or embrocation ; as, 
 
 Take of Oil of Vitriol, one ounce, 
 Linseed Oil, eight ounces, 
 Spirit of Turpentine, two ounces. 
 
 Mix together, and anoint the dewlap with it 
 twice a-day, having first made two or three 
 incisions with a fleam on the most depending 
 part, which will produce a discharge, and 
 thus powerfully assist the other means of re- 
 lief. 
 
 After the operation of the medicines de- 
 tailed, the alterative plan is next to be adopt- 
 ed, consisting in the use of the following : 
 
 Take of Nitre, two ounces, 
 
 Camphor, one drachm, 
 Flour of Sulphur, four ouncet, 
 Long Pepper, one ounce, 
 Gentian, one ounce. 
 
 Mix the whole, and give it in three pints of 
 warm ale, for one dose ; and this is to be re- 
 peated once a-day, or once every other day, 
 according to circumstances.
 
 228 
 
 The above treatment will be found to 
 cure in most cases, if the disease is taken at 
 an early period ; but if neglected, it is then 
 apt to terminate in gangrene, or mortification 
 of the part. 
 
 A soft swelling sometimes appears in this 
 situation, which is of a different nature from 
 the anticor ; it will fall to be noticed under 
 the article Dropsy. 
 
 Injlammation of the Stomachs. 
 
 1 HIS is an affection of much importance; 
 and from the complex structure of this part 
 of the animal, formerly described, it cannot 
 fail to be frequently the subject of disease, 
 as the cow has no less than four stomachs for 
 the preparation of her food, and each of these 
 may be occasionally disordered ; but the first 
 and the third are more the seat of its attack 
 than the other two.
 
 229 
 Inflammation of the First Stomach. 
 
 1 HIS disorder is often difficult to ascertain ; 
 it is slow in its progress, and is there- 
 fore the more alarming, as the danger may 
 proceed too far before it is discovered. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 Its first symptoms are a swelling and heat; 
 
 the animal walks, or, indeed, moves with 
 
 uneasiness and fear; the breath is hurried, 
 
 and smells strong; the skin sits tight to the 
 
 ribs. To this may be added, that the animal 
 
 will feel much pain on pressing down, or 
 
 pinching the fore part of the back with the 
 
 hand. 
 
 Cause, 
 
 This disease generally proceeds from the 
 food not undergoing a proper rumination, 
 by which the process of digestion is inter- 
 rupted, and it does not pass on as it should. 
 By this means, too great a distension of the
 
 230 
 
 organ takes place, and the contents being 
 acted upon by heat and fermentation, inflam- 
 mation necessarily ensues. This disorder is 
 more common in winter than in summer, 
 when dry food is used, which is so apt to lay 
 long in the stomach. 
 
 Cu7'e. 
 
 In curing this disease, the first object is 
 to clear the stomach of its contents ; and this 
 will be best done by Epsom salts and nitre, 
 as formerly recommended, in page 43 ; add- 
 ing to that prescription a pint of linseed oil, 
 with half an ounce of laudanum ; and before 
 this operates, in order to excite the action of 
 the bowels, a laxative glyster may be given, 
 as formerly directed, in page 54. In this in- 
 flammation, bleeding forms a principal means 
 of cure, and should be performed as soon 
 as the disease is discovered, in a quantity pro- 
 portioned to the urgency of the case, though 
 it should not be less than two or three quarts.
 
 231 
 
 When the more alarming symptoms are 
 thus abated by a repetition of the remedies, 
 as far as may seem proper, then the invigo- 
 rating plan must be had recourse to, though 
 it must be conducted with judgment and dis- 
 cretion, and medicines of a heating nature 
 not carried too far ; gentle stimulants are 
 therefore most proper, which will promote 
 digestion, and not too powerfully excite the 
 action of the organ : as, 
 
 Take of Nitre, one ounce, 
 
 Valerian, one ounce,^ 
 
 Epsom Salts, four ounces, 
 
 Ginger and Long Pepper, each half an ounce, 
 
 Gentian, one ounce. 
 
 To be given in a quart of camomile infusion, 
 and one pint of mild ale, and to be repeated 
 once a-day till the animal is recovered. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 Much attention should be paid to the re- 
 gimen in this disease ; nothing cold should 
 be allowed to be taken into the stomach, and 
 the diet should consist of warm mashes and
 
 232 
 
 the lightest food, which should be given, at the 
 same time, in sparing quantities ; even when 
 the recovery takes place, the same caution 
 should be observed both with respect to the 
 food and drink ; for when the appetite re- 
 turns, the animal will be very apt to overload 
 her stomach, which, being still weak, may 
 be unable to throw it off, if left to her 
 own will in taking it. 
 
 Inflammation in the Third Stomach. 
 
 1 HIS disease is equally frequent with the 
 former, and is known by the names of Maw, 
 Fardel bound, and Lakeburn ; it is attended 
 with great danger, if proper steps are not ta- 
 ken to remove it before it gains ground ; no 
 time, therefore, should be lost to give the 
 animal relief, and check its progress : it is 
 most prevalent in dry summers, and the lat- 
 ter part of the year.
 
 233 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The symptoms of this malady are, a loss 
 of milk, with little or no appetite; a fullness 
 of the body may be also perceived, and a 
 purging takes place, but only in small quan- 
 tities at a time, of a dark colour, and of a 
 disagreeable smell. When made to walk, or 
 to turn suddenly round, the animal will 
 groan, and betray much uneasiness ; a cough 
 sometimes ensues; the least exercise fatigues 
 and occasions a shaking of the flank ; the 
 extremities of the ears and legs feel cold; and 
 as the disease increases, there comes on a 
 difficulty of breathing, with a quick pulse, 
 and apparently much restlessness : when fa- 
 tal, this malady terminates in mortification. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 Several causes give origin to this com- 
 plaint, the most frequent of which is, the 
 cow not having a sufficient quantity of water
 
 234 
 
 to drink, as happens in dry summers, when 
 cattle are at grass, and the ponds, for want 
 of water, nearly empty : thus the food is im- 
 perfectly prepared for digestion; and, besides 
 this, the water drunk is of a bad quality, 
 from the custom cows have of standing in the 
 ponds to cool themselves, where they stale and 
 dung, and thus render it unwholesome ; their 
 food wanting yjroper dilution becomes so 
 very dry, tliat on entering the third stomach, 
 which is of a particular structure, divided 
 into folds, it clogs them up, and, by stagna- 
 tion, becoming hard and black, it forms into 
 a kind of cake betwixt each fold, which 
 never fails to produce inflammation. — Be- 
 sides this cause, the disease may also proceed 
 from poor forage, either from the produce of 
 the land being naturally so, or the animal 
 being too long on it at a late season of the 
 year, when it cannot afford a competent or 
 sufficiently digestible nourishment. The same 
 effect may also arise from the animal eating 
 astringent matter, such as oak leaves, &c.
 
 ^35 
 
 Cure. 
 With a view to stop the progress of this 
 disease, the first point will be to bleed as 
 early as possible, to the extent of a quart or 
 more, in proportion to the violence of the 
 symptoms, and the strength of the animal ; 
 and if in good condition, from three to four 
 quarts will not be too much : indeed, in cer- 
 tain cases of high inflammation, and much 
 quickness of the pulse, the author has bled 
 to the extent of six or seven quarts at a time, 
 with certain advantage in mitigating the dis- 
 ease. In all cases of active inflammation, it 
 is to be observed, that one la?^(re bleedinsr 
 will do more service, and check the disease 
 at once, than* a number of small ones. These 
 bleedings above recommended are to be re- 
 peated at the distance of twelve or fourteen 
 hours, if found necessary, and the necessity 
 for them will be judged of by the violent 
 symptoms of inflammation continuing unabat- 
 ed. The repetition, however, of the bleeding
 
 ^36 
 
 should never be to the same extent as at first. 
 This practice is to be succeeded by a proper 
 use of medicine; and the best form in this 
 disease the author has found as follows : 
 
 Take of Flour of Sulphur, twelve or sixteen ounces, 
 Camphor, two drachms, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Aniseed and Cumin Seeds, one ounce. 
 
 Mix for one dose ; Avhich is to be given to 
 the animal in two quarts of water-gruel, 
 with one pound of treacle. In two hours 
 after this drink is administered, the following 
 is to be given in one quart of strong decoc- 
 tion of camomile flowers, in which one ounce 
 of gum arabic has been dissolved. 
 
 Take of Linseed Oil, one pint. 
 
 This will more powerfully assist the opera- 
 tion of the other medicines, and will be a 
 means of dislodging the hard aliment from the 
 folds of the stomach. The operation of the 
 medicine is generally in twelve hours after it 
 is given ; sometimes it is so early as seven or 
 eight. 
 
 Of all medicines, purgatives are best
 
 237 
 
 suited to remove this disease, by their operat- 
 ing upon its cause, which is a retention of 
 dry food in the folds of the stomach ; and in 
 cases of dissection, the first stomach is always 
 found very full, from the circumstance of 
 there being no passage or digestion through 
 the other. 
 
 Glysters have here no effect, as the cause 
 is too distant for their operation. 
 
 The first marks of the medicine being- 
 successful is its bringing away pieces of black 
 caked matter ; their thickness is generally 
 equal to half-a-crown. This appearance in- 
 dicates certain recovery, if, at the same time, 
 the animal seems inclined to drink. After the 
 operation of the purgatives, the following 
 medicine may be administered : 
 
 Take of Valerian, Nitre, and Gentian, each one ounce, 
 Epsom Salts, four ounces. 
 Gum Myrrh, Ginger, and Long Pepper, each half an ounce. 
 
 To be given in a quart of cauiomile tea, and 
 a pint of ale, for one dose, which may be re-
 
 238 
 
 peated once a-day, or once every other day. 
 In the above prescription, the salts are used 
 in a small quantity, to keep the body lax- 
 ative ; and the other materials will give tone 
 to the stomach, and will enable it to throw 
 ofF the remaining part of the indigestible food 
 which overloads it. 
 
 R 
 
 egimen. 
 
 The regimen here should be the same as 
 in the preceding inflammation, viz. avoiding 
 giving any thing cold, and at the same time 
 making use of diluent drinks. 
 
 Injlammation of the Bowels. 
 
 1 HIS disease is marked by the following 
 
 Syynptoms. 
 
 The animal is taken with a cold shivering 
 at first, she loathes her food, and seems to be 
 full ; she is then seized with violent pains,
 
 239 
 
 resembling gripes, the eyes and inside of the 
 
 mouth are red and inflamed ; she often lies 
 
 down, and rises of a sudden ; a purging soon 
 
 comes on ; what is passed is of a blackish or 
 
 coffee colour, with a very offensive smell, 
 
 more so than that of a common scouering ; 
 
 the dung is also mixed with an appearance of 
 
 putrefied skin, consisting of mucus ; and also 
 
 the inner layer of the intestines, which seems 
 
 in the last stage of the disease to be separated 
 
 from the others; the pulse is here always low, 
 
 and the extremities of the animal feel very 
 
 cold. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease generally arises from the ani- 
 mal catching cold, particularly from being 
 over-driven immediately before calving; it is 
 also produced by costiveness ; and these dif- 
 ferent causes should be well ascertained be- 
 fore proceeding to the treatment. 
 
 Cure. 
 Where the disease is attended with loose-
 
 ness, and arises from cold, the treatment con- 
 sists, after first letting blood, in administer- 
 ing a dose of Epsom salts, in the following 
 form : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, from half a pound to a pound. 
 Crude Opium, one drachm, 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 
 Mix the whole, and let it be given in two 
 quarts of smooth gruel, in which an ounce of 
 common soap has been previously dissolved. 
 This dose will be generally sufficient to re- 
 move the violent symptoms of inflammation; 
 and that being done, the following medicine 
 will then be proper to restore the bowels to 
 their natural state : 
 
 Take of Kali, prepared, two ounces, 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 Camphor, two drachms, 
 Aniseed, tsvo ounces. 
 Laudanum, tAvo drachms. 
 
 Mix the whole, and give it in a quart of 
 gruel, wherein one ounce of isinglass has 
 been previously dissolved; the dose to be re- 
 peated twice or thrice a-day, if the symptoms 
 require it.
 
 241 
 
 If the disease is connected with costive- 
 ness, then the following form will be more 
 proper : 
 
 Take of Sulphur, from half a pound to a pound, 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 
 Aniseed and Coriander, of each one ounce. 
 Ginger Powder, one ounce. 
 
 Mix the whole in two quarts of gruel, in 
 which two ounces of castile soap have been 
 previously dissolved ; to which may be also 
 added, one pint of cold drawn linseed oil. 
 This medicine may be repeated in twenty- 
 four hours, with half the quantity, if the ob- 
 struction is not removed by the first dose. 
 When the violence of the disease is thus got 
 the better of, the sulphur may be continued 
 in small doses, joined with camphor and the 
 aromatics, as in page '236. 
 
 Regijnen. 
 
 During this disease, the cow should be 
 kept on a diluent regimen, and plenty of 
 gruel and other thin drinks given her, which 
 
 R
 
 242 
 
 should be made warm, in order to assist the 
 operation of the medicines. 
 
 hiflammation of the Liver. 
 
 Inflammation of the Liver is known by 
 
 the followino: 
 
 symptoms. 
 
 The breathing is difficult, a swelling is 
 sometimes felt about the short ribs, and an 
 uncommon fulness about the region of the 
 womb ; the pulse is intermitting ; symptoms 
 of fever attend, and the urine is of a yellow- 
 ish colour, such as it appears in the real Yel- 
 lows or Jaundice, and the animal appears as 
 
 if griped. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease arises especially from two 
 causes ; the first is, the animal being over- 
 driven when very fat ; it is more liable to 
 take place when the weather is very hot. The 
 second cause of the disease is some external 
 injury, as a knock or bruise, which occasions
 
 243 
 
 the organ to swell and inflame. The con- 
 sequence of this disease very often brings on 
 dropsy, or decay of the body ; and the more 
 the internal part of the liver is affected, the 
 more dangerous is the disease. 
 
 Cure. 
 The treatment of this disease is to be con- 
 ducted in the same manner as the other in- 
 flammations described ; but as costiveness is 
 here a leading symptom, the state of the 
 bowels requires a very marked attention. — 
 Immediately then after bleeding, which is 
 the first step, let the cooling purge first pre- 
 scribed in the preceding disease, p. 236, be 
 given, and repeated as often as the costive- 
 ness requires. These leading measures being 
 premised, the cure is to be finished by the 
 use of diuretics, of which the following form 
 is employed by the author : 
 
 Take of Castile Soap, one ounce, 
 
 Aniseed, in powder, one ounce. 
 
 Valerian, in powder, one ounce, 
 
 Camphor, two drachms, 
 
 Nitre, one ounce, 
 
 Fennigreek, one ounce. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre, ball an ounce.
 
 244 
 
 Mix, to be given in two quarts of water- 
 gruel. This medicine is to be repeated 
 once or twice a-day till the swelling of the 
 liver, and the other symptoms, depart. The 
 regimen here is to be the same as recom- 
 mended in former diseases ; and the animal 
 may be indulged in drinking warm water, 
 or gruel, as often as she is inclined to it. 
 
 Injlammation of the Kidnies and Bladder. 
 
 Inflammation of the kidnies is pointed out 
 by the urine being deficient, attended with a 
 shivering, and sign of pain in the region of the 
 kidnies, which the cow shows by turning her 
 head to her side, as if looking at the part af- 
 fected ; and if she is made to walk, moves with 
 some degree of stiffness with her hind parts, 
 and at times utters a deep moan ; the horns 
 and legs are generally cold, the pulse low, and 
 the animal feverish ; the urine is discharged 
 in small quantities, and of a high colour. 1
 
 245 
 
 The violence of the disease is to be judged 
 of from the appearance of the urine; when it 
 is of a coffee-colour, and of a moderate consist- 
 ence, the disease is favourable : when voided 
 in small quantities, and black and fcetid, it 
 forebodes a fatal termination. The disease 
 often ends in suppuration, when an ulcer of 
 the kidnies takes place, though it is often got 
 the better of. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease proceeds from diifferent 
 causes, such as from strains, by riding other 
 cows, from blows, or any external injury, 
 from gravel, or any thing which prevents a 
 free circulation in those parts. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 In the first stage of the disease, bleeding- 
 is here necessary, as in every other inflam- 
 mation ; the bowels are then to be opened by 
 the saline purge, consisting of Epsom salts, 
 nitre, and soap, as recommended in page 58.
 
 246 
 
 The remainder of the cure is then to be trust- 
 ed to mild diuretics ; and the author has 
 found the following to succeed the best : 
 
 Take of Nitre, in powder, two ounces, 
 
 Castile Soap, one ounce and a half, 
 Camphor, in powder, two drachms, 
 Oil of Juniper, half an ounce. 
 
 The soap is to be cut into shavings, which is 
 to be dissolved in two quarts of water-gruel : 
 the other ingredients may be added, and ad- 
 ministered to the cow when new-milk warm. 
 If the animal seems extremely restless, and 
 full of pain, two drachms, or half an ounce, 
 of liquid laudanum may be added to the 
 above dose. This medicine is to be re- 
 peated once a-day, or as often as the symp- 
 toms demand it, and continued till the 
 disease is removed. Besides this treatment, 
 the glyster, page 59, may be given once or 
 twice a-day, and continued as long as it is 
 found necessary. If the saline purge should 
 not open the body sufficiently, it may be re- 
 peated ; she may also have administered to
 
 247 
 
 her, once or twice a- day, a quart of the fol- 
 lowing decoction : 
 
 Take of Juniper Berries, bruised, four ounces, 
 Mashinallow Roots, dried, four ounces, 
 Camomile Flowers, four ounces. 
 Linseed, bruised, three ounces ; 
 
 to which add four quarts of water : these are 
 to be boiled for half an hour, then strain off, 
 and give as above. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 During the operation of these medicines, 
 the cow should have plenty of diluent liquors, 
 such as water-gruel, &c. and mashes made of 
 malt and bran. 
 
 In many cases, in spite of the most judi- 
 cious treatment, the disease, instead of being 
 checked, passes on, as already mentioned, to 
 suppuration, when a different mode becomes 
 necessary to be adopted: this consists in the 
 use of diuretics of a more powerful deter- 
 gent nature, which may be capable of healing 
 the ulceration that ensues. When this takes
 
 248 
 
 place, the following symptoms will occur : 
 At the time the animal stales, her urine is 
 voided with much pain, she groans at the 
 time of making it, and blood and matter 
 is mixed with her water ; after each time of 
 staling, she sets up her back and tail for a 
 considerable period afterwards ; the hairs 
 on her body stand an end, and the skin 
 soon becomes tight to her ribs, attended with 
 fever, and loss of appetite. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 When the disease has advanced to this 
 stage, the following medicine will be proper: 
 
 Take of Common Turpentine, half a pound, 
 Camphor, in powder, four drachms. 
 Gum Myrrh, two ounces, 
 Calomel, prepared, forty grains. 
 
 The turpentine is to be first boiled over a 
 slow fire, till it is of a sufficient hardness to 
 form into balls, then take it off the fire, and let 
 it stand till it becomes somewhat hotter than 
 new milk ; then add the other ingredients, 
 which must be well stirred together till the
 
 249 
 
 mess gets cold ; then divide it into four balls, 
 one of which may be given every day, or 
 every other day, till the disease is removed. 
 It w^ill also be proper to give, once a-day, one 
 quart of the before-mentioned decoction, to 
 which add half an ounce of nitre. The bow- 
 els are also to be paid attention to; for if the 
 animal becomes costive, one of the saline 
 drinks must be given, in order to open them, 
 and it may be repeated as often as it is found 
 
 necessary. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The food should consist of diluent liquors, 
 malt mashes, &c. as before mentioned. 
 
 Red Water, or Staling of Blood, 
 
 Is a pecvdiar species of the above disease, to 
 which cows are very subject, and it often 
 proves very fatal ; it is accordingly distin- 
 guished by the name of the Red Water, or 
 Bloody Urine.
 
 250 
 
 Symptoms, 
 The symptoms of it are, the urine tinged 
 with blood, which is generally voided after a 
 long attempt to make it. The cows under 
 this disease leave the rest of the herd, seem 
 to have little or no appetite, their hair stands 
 an end, their eyes are dull and heavy, and 
 appear, when the disease is far advanced, 
 sunk in their head. From the fever which 
 attends this disease, the state of the bowels, 
 generally at first loose, becomes in the end 
 the reverse, and the animal is very much ob- 
 structed. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 Though the appearance of this disease is 
 so formidable, the author knows it will rea- 
 dily yield to a large dose of salts; and he com- 
 monly gives them to the quantity of from one 
 to two pounds, according to the form of the 
 ball prescribed in p. 196, stated by mistake 
 as a drink, which is to be given in three quarts 
 of gruel, in which two ounces of soap have 
 been dissolved. But if the bowels are in a
 
 251 
 
 relaxed state, and no costiveness has come on, 
 then, instead of the former, a different prac- 
 tice must be adopted, and the use of strength- 
 ening and gently astringent medicines em- 
 ployed ; the form of these found most useful 
 by the author is as follows : 
 
 Take of Turpentine, three ounces, 
 Red Sanders, two ounces, 
 Bay Berries, two ounces, 
 Bole Armenian, two ounces, 
 iSitre, one ounce ; 
 
 which is to be made up for one dose, and 
 given in two quarts of water-gruel; to be re- 
 peated once a-day. By this medicine, the 
 relaxed state of the kidnies will be gradually 
 braced up, the water recover its natural 
 colour, and the disease thus brought to a 
 favourable termination. 
 
 One mode of practice which is not so com- 
 mon in this disease, and which the author 
 derived from the experience of his father, is 
 pegging the dewlap, in the manner formerly 
 mentioned in Inflammation of the Luno-s; the 
 effect of this is to give a sudden turn to the 
 appearance of the water, and thus it would
 
 25-2 
 
 seem as if a revulsion were made from the 
 seat of the disease. In all cases of moderate 
 looseness under this disorder, the practitioner 
 should never be afraid to employ the salts as 
 above recommended ; for as costiveness ge- 
 nerally takes place in the end of the disease, 
 this previous step prevents its occurrence, 
 and proves, w^hen properly administered, the 
 speediest method of cure. To render this 
 method of treatment still more effectual, it 
 may be conjoined with decoctions or drinks, 
 of the following vulnerary herbs: 
 
 Take of Shepherd's Purse, a handful, 
 
 Comfrey-root, washed, two pounds, 
 
 Plantain, Sage, and Nettles, of each a large handful ; 
 
 which may be boiled in four quarts of water 
 till it is reduced to three ; then strain off; 
 a quart of which may be given once a-day. 
 
 Regimen, 
 
 To co-operate with these means, the regi- 
 men of the animal must not be forgot ; the 
 diet should consist of the softest and most 
 succulent kinds of food, such as gruel, with 
 
 \
 
 253 
 
 currants, bran maslies, &c. In point of situa- 
 tion, the animal should be placed under co- 
 ver, and not exposed to the heat of the sun, 
 either by placing her under a shade, or tak- 
 ing her into the cow-house. 
 
 Gai^get in the Limbs, or Constitutional Rheur 
 matic Lameness. 
 
 This disease, termed also Hide-bound, and 
 Joint Yellows, seems but little understood by- 
 cow doctors in general, who, from being un- 
 acquainted with its real nature and cause, are 
 totally at a loss how to direct its cure : thus 
 many a fine cow is lost, from their ignorance, 
 and the improper application of medicines to 
 
 remove it. 
 
 Sy7nptoms. 
 
 The first symptoms of the disease are ex- 
 actly the same as those which appear on the 
 first attack of a common cold. These symp- 
 toms are succeeded by those peculiar to the 
 distemper ; the coat of the animal appears
 
 254 
 
 soon of a rusty colour ; the hair stands an 
 end ; the hide adheres to the body so tight, 
 that it is moved from the ribs with some dif- 
 ficulty, and will even crack ; when pinched 
 on the back, in order to raise her up, the at- 
 tempt gives the animal great pain, which she 
 shows by bending almost to the ground, and 
 moaning or grunting. At the same time, 
 motion is equally disliked ; and if forced to 
 walk, she performs it with great difiiculty, 
 from the stiffness of the limbs, and the exer- 
 tion even causes a violent heaving or working 
 of the flank. Where the disease has been of 
 long standing, the limbs, on attempting to 
 walk, seem to crack like the breaking of 
 sticks; and there not unfrequently prevails 
 a swelling of the joints, and also of the 
 udder. In this disease the appetite is much 
 impaired, and little or nothing is eat ; fever 
 comes on in its progress, marked by a strong 
 pulse, dryness of the nose, and frequent 
 grinding of the teeth. During the whole of 
 the malady, the body is in a costive state.
 
 ^55 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The most frequent cause of this disease is 
 heats and colds ; and the draught ox is more 
 subject to this disease than the cow. The 
 effect of this cause is to produce obstructed 
 perspiration, which, when not occasioning in- 
 flammation of the lungs, liver, or bowels, 
 induces a general stiffness of the skin or sur- 
 face, and particularly in the joints, where 
 motion takes place. This disease is more 
 ready to occur where the animal is in a bad 
 or morbid state of body, from improper 
 
 feeding, &c. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 The natural effect which attends the above 
 cause is to excite inflammation ; bleeding is 
 therefore absolutely necessary. In spite of 
 the appearance of the animal, seeming low 
 and lean in flesh, a circumstance always 
 conspicuous where the malady has continued 
 long, the bleeding should be from one quart 
 or three pints at a time ; and if the fever con-
 
 Q56 
 
 tinues, it may be occasionally repeated. 
 When the bleeding is over, the following 
 medicine may be given : 
 
 Take of Sulphur, from eight, twelve, or sixteen ounces, proportioning it lo tne 
 strength of the animal. 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Turmeric and Cummin Seeds, each one ounce. 
 
 Mix the w^hole together for one dose, to be 
 given in two quarts of water-gruel, to which 
 add half a pound of treacle. This drink 
 should be given milk warm. It generally 
 operates briskly, and will sometimes continue 
 for eight or twelve hours. After its opera- 
 tion, the following combination will be 
 proper : 
 
 Take of Flour of Sulphur, four ounces, 
 Nitre, t\vo ounces. 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 Valerian, Cummin, Aniseed, and Gentian, of each one ounce. 
 
 To be mixed together for a dose, and given 
 to the animal in three pints of good ale, with 
 the addition of a small handful of chopped 
 rue. This medicine may be repeated every 
 day till recovery takes place ; and it seldom 
 requires more than five or six doses.
 
 257 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The regimen must here be the same as in 
 other inflammations. 
 
 Rheumatism of the Loins, 01 Lumbago. 
 
 This disease seems not understood hy au- 
 thors, nor has it been treated by them. Every 
 affection of this part has been referred by 
 them to external accidents, as blows, strains, 
 or dislocations of the vertebrae of the loins. 
 This ignorance of the cause has given rise to 
 improper treatment. 
 
 Symptoms, 
 
 The first symptoms of the disease are a 
 loss of milk, attended with fever, costiveness 
 and loss of appetite. On motion in the stall 
 the animal reels from one side to the other 
 and sometimes falls down, as if ha\?ing no use
 
 258 
 
 of lier hind legs ; she then rises with the 
 greatest difficulty^ or cannot rise at all with- 
 out assistance. When turned loose, she walks 
 with great difiiculty with her hind limbs: and 
 joined to these symptoms, in the progress of 
 the disease her skin comes to adhere tight 
 
 to her body. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 Obstructed perspiration, brought on bj 
 cold, is the chief cause of this disorder; and 
 this cause will be the more active where the 
 body of the animal is already in a morbid 
 state. The seat of the malady is evidently in 
 the tendons and muscles of the loins, which 
 acquire a morbid rigidity and hardness. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 Bleeding is here, as in other inflam- 
 mations, the first remedy, proportioned in 
 its quantity to the violence of the symptoms, 
 and the strenoth of the animal. After it has 
 taken place from two to three quarts, then 
 the prescription first in order in the former
 
 259 
 
 disease, page 256, is to be given as there di- 
 rected ; and it may be next succeeded by 
 the form given in ulcerations of the kidnies, 
 m page 246 ; or the following : 
 
 Take of Nitre, two ounces, 
 
 Flour of Sulphur, two ounces, 
 Camphor, one drachm, 
 Juniper Berries, two ounces, 
 Long Pepjier, one ounce. 
 Oil of Turpentine, two ounces. 
 
 Mix the w^hole in three pints of mild ale, 
 with a handful of wormwood previously 
 boiled, which may be repeated as is neces- 
 sary, not more than once a-day. 
 
 Besides these internal medicines, local 
 applications will be found highly useful. 
 The form of a charge will be found most 
 effectual ; and the charge directed in p. 200, 
 is the one preferred by the author. The dis- 
 ease generally gives way to this practice in 
 the course of ten days or a fortnight. Many 
 of the symptoms of this disease may show 
 themselves from a violent strain of the loins, 
 by one cow riding another, as happens in
 
 2G0 
 
 the time of bulling ; but this accident is 
 generally perceived immediately, and the 
 symptoms come on instantaneously. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The regimen is here the same as directed 
 in the last disease. 
 
 Garget, or Lrflammation in the Cow's Bags, 
 or TJdder, ^c, 
 
 1 HIS is a very common disease, in Kent 
 called the Yellows, and its attack is gener- 
 ally sudden; milking cows are most subject 
 to it, but more particularly old ones ; and if 
 the complaint is not early checked, the loss 
 of one or more of the quarters is generally 
 the consequence ; therefore proper medicines 
 to stop its progress cannot be too soon ad- 
 ministered ; for if neglected in the first in- 
 stance, and the inflammatory symptoms should 
 increase rapidly, it may take its course into
 
 261 
 
 the body and attack some of the vital parts, 
 when the death of the animal is the result. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The first symptoms of this complaint are 
 a sudden swelling in the milk-bag, or udder, 
 in one or more of the quarters, attended with 
 costiveness, fever, and loss of appetite ; and, 
 previous to its attack, it is not unfrequently 
 preceded by a cold shivering, or shaking of 
 the extremities ; and when the teats are 
 drawn out, the milk is dregy, or becomes 
 coagulated. As the disease advances, the se- 
 rous part of the milk becomes bloody, and, 
 as the swelling increases, the bag becomes 
 more red and inflamed, which gives the cow 
 great pain when touched ; the hairs of the 
 animal stand an end, and the hide soon be- 
 comes tight to its ribs, &c. When the loss 
 of a quarter takes place, and the inflamma- 
 tory symptoms abate, the milk soon forms 
 into a complete corruption or matter.
 
 262 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The most predominant cause is from catch- 
 ing cold, or a bad habit of the body, but 
 more frequently the former : it may also pro- 
 ceed from other accidents, such as kicks, 
 blows, or a poke of another animal ; and 
 sometimes by laying on it herself, which is 
 not unfrequently the case ; but the latter 
 cases of the disease are more easily cured 
 than the former, which require some little 
 alteration in their treatment, and will be 
 hereafter explained. If the disease originates 
 from cold, or bad habit, the following treat- 
 ment will be proper. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 In this case bleeding is absolutely neces- 
 sary, and no time should be lost in perform- 
 ing the operation ; the quantity of blood to 
 be drawn must entirely depend on the ur- 
 gency of the disease, and strength of the 
 animal ; three or four quarts may be taken,
 
 263 
 
 if the inflammatory symptoms run high, and 
 the cow is in good condition; but if lean, or 
 low in flesh, three or four pints will be suffi- 
 cient : the best place to perform this opera- 
 tion is in the milking vein, which is distinct- 
 ly seen on each side the belly, and has its 
 communication with the udder. Bleeding 
 there has a better eff'ect in reducing the in- 
 flammation, than when drawn from any other 
 vein, and takes the load much sooner from 
 the oppressed vessels, and consequently gives 
 more room for circulation. When the opera- 
 tion of bleeding is finished, the following 
 drink may be given : 
 
 Take of Sulphur, from twelve to sixteen ounces, according to the strength of 
 the animal, 
 Grains of Paradise, or Long Pepper, half an ounce. 
 Cummin Seeds, one ounce, 
 Turmeric, one ounce, 
 Water-Gruel, two quarts. 
 Treacle, half a pound ; 
 
 to which add one pint of ale; which is to be 
 given new milk warm for one dose. This 
 drink will generally begin to operate in about 
 twelve hours from the time of being adini-
 
 264 
 
 nistered, if it does not meet with any parti- 
 cular obstruction in its passage ; if the latter 
 should be the case, it may be twenty-four 
 hours before it takes place ; if it should not 
 operate in that period, a pint of cold drawn 
 linseed oil may be given, with the same quan- 
 tity of water-gruel, wherein a handful of salt 
 has been previously dissolved, which will as- 
 sist the operation of the other medicine. 
 When this drink has done operating, the fol- 
 lowing medicine is to be given once every 
 other day, till the disease is removed, and 
 the appetite returned : 
 
 Take of Flour of Sulphur, four ounces. 
 Nitre, two ounces. 
 Madder, two ounces, 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce, 
 Valerian, one ounce, 
 Cummin and Coriander Seeds, each one ounce. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, in three pints of warm 
 ale, wherein a handful of rue, featherfew, or 
 wormwood, has been previously chopped and 
 boiled. The diseased quarter should be 
 drawn out three or four times a-day, not for- 
 getting, at the same time, to give friction to
 
 265 
 
 it with the hand ; it should also be rubbed 
 twice a-day with the following liniment : 
 
 Take of Lime Water, four ounces, 
 Linseed Oil, two ounces, 
 Spirits of Turpentine, two ounces. 
 
 The spirits of turpentine and linseed oil are 
 first to be mixed together, then add, by de- 
 grees, the lime water, which is to be well 
 shook, in order to make them unite. But if 
 the inflammation runs high, and there is 
 danger of a mortification taking place, the 
 following medicine may be used twice a-day : 
 
 BLACK OINTMENT. 
 
 Take of Hogs' Lard, four ounces. 
 
 Oil of Vitriol, half an ounce, 
 Spirits of Turpentine, one ounce. 
 
 Mix together for use , a little of this may be 
 well rubbed into the part affected as often as 
 above directed. The parts may also be fo- 
 mented once or twice a-day with the follow- 
 ing fomentation, with flannels dipped in it: 
 
 Take of Wormwood, a large handful, 
 
 Camomile Flowers, four ounces. 
 
 Bay and Juniper Berries, of each two ounces. 
 
 These are to be boiled in six quarts of beer
 
 ^66 
 
 grounds, or spring water; the former is the 
 best, if it can be procured. It will also be 
 adviseable to give, once or twice a-day, the 
 
 following medicine : 
 
 Take of Bark, one ounce, 
 
 Gentian Powder, one ounce, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Valerian, one ounce. 
 
 To be given in three pints of strong ale, 
 made warm, for one dose. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The regimen should consist of warm water 
 or thin gruel, sweet hay, and once or twice 
 a-day a mash made of malt and bran, which 
 is very proper food during this illness, as it 
 always tends to keep the body of the animal 
 in a regular state. 
 
 Sometimes in this disease the inflamma- 
 tory symptoms run so high, that a mortifica- 
 tion will take place in spite of every effbrt 
 used to prevent it, particularly when not 
 early attended to ; the author has had a
 
 267 
 
 number of cases of this kind under his care, 
 and the consequence has been, the loss of one 
 or more of the quarters, which have even 
 fallen off. Though the disease may have 
 advanced to such an alarming degree, if the 
 latter instructions are strictly adhered to, 
 they w^ill generally succeed in preserving the 
 life of the animal. 
 
 Whenever the mortification has proceeded 
 so far as to cause the quarter to fall off, some 
 alteration of treatment is required ; the fo- 
 mentations may be discontinued. The wound 
 from which the mortified parts have separat- 
 ed, if not stopped, will generally become 
 ulcerous ; to prevent which, it should be 
 washed twice a-day with the following cos- 
 metic wash, and continued till it is com- 
 pletely healed : 
 
 Take of Blue Vitriol, one ounce, 
 Spring Water, one pint. 
 
 The vitriol is first to be rubbed into fine
 
 -268 
 
 powder, wbicli should be put into ajar, then 
 add the water scalding hot, which will soon 
 dissolve it; the clear part is to be poured 
 into a bottle, to which add two ounces of 
 compound tincture of myrrh. The bark 
 drink must be continued till the appetite is 
 restored, and the strength of the animal re- 
 turned. 
 
 When this disease proceeds from external 
 accidents, such as pokes from other cows, 
 kicks, blows, or by lying on their udder, 
 or from the tread of another cow, the first 
 method of cure is to bleed to the quantity of 
 two or three quarts, if she is a strong cow, 
 and in good condition ; then give the follow- 
 ing medicine : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, from one to two pounds, 
 Valerian, one ounce. 
 
 Cummin and Anise Seeds, of each one ounce, 
 Turmeric, one ounce. 
 
 Mix together for one dose, which is to be 
 given in two quarts of water-gruel, new-milk 
 warm, with half a pound of treacle. After
 
 269 
 
 the operation of this medicine, the following 
 may be administered once a-day till the in- 
 flammation is removed : 
 
 Take of Nitre, four ounces, 
 
 Fennigreek, in powder, two ounces. 
 
 To be given in two quarts of water-gruel for 
 one dose. The liniment prescribed in p. ^65, 
 is to be used twice a-day to the swelled part. 
 The bag is also to have good hard rubbing, 
 as before recommended. If these rules are 
 strictly adhered to, the cure will be soon 
 completed. 
 
 This disease may also proceed from bad 
 milking, by not milking the udder clean out; 
 in consequence of which the bag will swell, 
 and the milk therein becomes ropy; and if 
 the above practice is continued, it will fre- 
 quently cause the loss of one or more quar- 
 ters; therefore, the bag should be clean milk- 
 ed out, otherwise all attempts to cure it will 
 be of no use. If this neglect has been of 
 any continuance, the udder becomes in-
 
 270 
 
 flamed, in which case bleeding is proper; and 
 the purging drink, page 268, is to be given 
 to the cow, as there directed. When its 
 operation has ceased, the nitre powders may 
 then be administered once a-day, as ordered 
 in page 269:, till the cure is completed. The 
 liniment, as prescribed in page 265, may also 
 be used to the aff'ected part of the udder 
 once or twice a-day, till the swelling has 
 disappeared, and the milk has returned to 
 its former state. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 The regimen should be of an emollient 
 kind, such as malt and bran mashes, warm 
 water, and gruel made of oatmeal. 
 
 Bl 
 
 am. 
 
 1 HIS is a disease which frequently attacks 
 cows, and is highly dangerous, if not timely 
 remedied. But though attended with much
 
 271 
 
 danger, the author, in his own practice, does 
 not know a disease which is more easily 
 cured, if timely discovered, and diligently 
 attended to. 
 
 This disease prevails most in the spring, 
 or during the months of March, April, and 
 May. Its attacks are most frequent with 
 those cows which, being bought in in lean and 
 low condition, have begun to thrive and get 
 into a better state. The disease also comes 
 on in those days when the sun shines bright- 
 est, and is alternated with showers of rain, 
 which renders the weather somewhat varia- 
 ble. It evidently proceeds from too great 
 a fullness of the vessels, by which too great 
 a quantity of blood is determined to the head, 
 and likewise to the whole of the external 
 parts ; hence the regular circulation of the 
 blood is altered, and a state of stagnation of 
 the body is produced : this opinion will be 
 confirmed, by considering next the symptoms 
 of the malady.
 
 272 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The first symptoms that show themselves 
 are, a swelling of the eyes and eye-lids of 
 the animal, which seems to extend through 
 every part, even to the fundament and shape, 
 on which last a number of purple spots make 
 their appearance. In the progress of the 
 disease, such seems the uneasy feeling of the 
 creature, that she opens her mouth wide, ex- 
 tending her tongue out of it to the utmost 
 stretch, from which issues a considerable 
 quantity of froth and water. On examining 
 the tongue, a large blister generally appears 
 on the under part of it. When the disease 
 advances to this height, the whole of the 
 skin, or external surface, assumes the same 
 state of swellinof as that described to affect 
 the tongue, from the rapid determination of 
 blood to the skin, to such a degree, that it is 
 found impossible to bleed with a common 
 fleam ; and the author has been under the
 
 273 
 
 necessity of employing a lancet, or a pen- 
 knife, for this purpose, though a lancet is 
 the best instrument. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 The first and most certain means of relief 
 is copious bleeding; and if performed on the 
 first attack, the cure will be rendered infalli- 
 ble. At this stage of the disease, a common 
 fleam will be sufficient for the operation, and 
 a quantity not less than three or four quarts 
 may be taken away. By this discharge, the 
 symptoms of the swelling will abate in every 
 part of the body ; but if the operation has 
 been delayed till the disease has gained 
 ground, the lancet must then be used, which 
 will require often to pass no less than two 
 inches and a half, from the thickness of the 
 skin, before the evacuation is procured. The 
 vein preferred on this occasion for bleed- 
 ing is the jugular one. Should the operator 
 be timid, and the animal shows symptoms ot
 
 274 
 
 imminent danger, the same relief may be pro- 
 cured by cutting a bit of the tail or ear, or 
 thrusting a penknife through the gristle of 
 the nose. When this first object is finished, 
 and some abatement of the disease obtained, 
 then the following medicine will be properly 
 administered: 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 
 Mustard, in powder, two ounces, 
 Aniseed, ditto, one ounce, 
 Juniper Berries, ditto, two ounces. 
 Nitre, one ounce ; 
 
 For one dose. This medicine must be varied 
 in its dose according to the apparent strength 
 of the animal ; as two pounds of Epsom salts 
 will be necessary for cows of a large size, 
 while one is a sufficient dose for small ones. 
 It should be given in two quarts of water- 
 gruel, made of oatmeal, in which half a pound 
 of treacle has been previously mixed. Where 
 this dose proves laxative, it will not be re- 
 quired again ; but should it not have any 
 effect in sixteen or eighteen hours, the same 
 dose may be repeated. These remedies may
 
 275 
 
 be assisted by a proper attention to regimen, 
 which should consist of water-gruel, warm 
 mashes made of malt and bran, and sweet 
 hay, a plan which should be continued for 
 some days before the animal is made to re- 
 turn to her usual feeding. The blisters under 
 the tongue require generally a particular ma- 
 nagement ; it consists in breaking them, and 
 rubbing the parts with vinegar and salt, 
 which will resist the effects of the inflamma- 
 tion, and effectually cure it. 
 
 That the nature of this disease may be 
 better understood, the author will here sub- 
 join an extraordinary case of Blain, which oc- 
 curred some years back. The cow belonged 
 to Mr. North wood, steward to — Harcourt, 
 Esq. She was at grass about three miles from 
 the author's house, on an estate of Ladv Sa- 
 lisbury's, so that it was some time before any 
 assistance could be had for her, and he had 
 little doubt but she would be dead before he 
 arrived ; but, instead of this, to his great
 
 276 
 
 astonishment, on reaching Kilbnrn, he met 
 the cow in charo^e of a servant, who was 
 bringing her home. On inspecting the ani- 
 mal, he observed the shape, udder, teats, and 
 inside of the mouth, were of a purple appear- 
 ance ; the body of the cow, when touched, 
 felt quite moist, and the roots of the hair 
 were bloody. From this circumstance, a 
 strong proof is afforded of the determination 
 of the blood to the surface, which forces its 
 way through the small vessels, till the force 
 of it is restrained, and the disease is abated, 
 by the means already recommended. In three 
 or four days the hide of the animal became 
 extremely hard, and particularly on each 
 side of the fore ribs; this hardness increased, 
 so that part of the skin became lifeless and 
 destroyed. In the course of a fortnight it 
 began gradually to separate from the body, 
 bringing with it the hair and roots, in the 
 place of which a fresh skin formed, excepting 
 in a few points, which were somewhat more
 
 277 
 
 tedious before they healed up. In this case, 
 the practice of the author was to take from 
 her a quantity of blood, which he did, to 
 the extent of two quarts ; he then purged 
 her with Epsom salts, as in the foregoing pre- 
 scription, and afterwards treated her with 
 diaphoretic medicines, which tended to re- 
 store the regular state of the circulation to 
 the surface, or skin. By the continuance of 
 these, the cure was happily effected, with the 
 separation of ihe skin, as already noticed. 
 The form of the, diaphoretic medicine pre- 
 ferred by the author was, 
 
 Take of Sulphur, four ounces, 
 Nitre, one ounce, 
 Valerian, one ounce, 
 Caniplior, two draclinis, 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 
 Mix together for one dose, to be given in 
 three pints of mild ale; which may be repeat- 
 ed every day, or every other day, as circum- 
 stances may require it.
 
 278 
 
 Regimeii. 
 
 During the continuance of these medi- 
 cines, the animal must have warm water and 
 mashes, as before mentioned. 
 
 CLASS II. 
 
 DISEASES ATTENDED WITH INCREASED 
 DISCHARGES. 
 
 1 HIS class of diseases is not very numerous 
 with cows ; they are attended with fever at 
 Wieir commencement, which is generally 
 slight, and in their progress they are chiefly 
 marked by the increased discharge, which is 
 their leading symptom. 
 
 Bleeding Jrom the Nostrils. 
 
 1 HE first to be treated of is bleeding from 
 the nostrils, which takes place in greater or
 
 279 
 
 less quantities, according to the cause from 
 which it proceeds. It is a complaint which 
 the author has never seen dano:erous ; thous^h, 
 to manage it properly, it requires to be well 
 acquainted with its origin. When the com- 
 plaint is connected with a fullness and disten- 
 tion of the vessels of the head, it may be con^ 
 sidered as an effort of nature to relieve this 
 state, and it should not be stopped too rapid- 
 ly. When it proceeds even from hard exer- 
 cise, or over-driving the animal, the evacua- 
 tion will remove the fever produced by this 
 cause ; and unless the discharge is very pro- 
 fuse, it can do no harm. But when, on the 
 contrary, it occurs with a cow which is weak 
 and debilitated, and it appears evidently to 
 arise from the thin acrid state of her juices, 
 then a check must be put to it as quickly as 
 possible. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 The stopping of the blood is always in 
 our power by external applications ; and one
 
 280 
 
 of the best forms for this purpose is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Take of Sugar of Lead, two drachms. 
 White Vitriol, one drachm. 
 
 To be dissolved in a pint of vinegar : a cloth, 
 dipped in this solution, is to be applied cold 
 behind the ears and back of the horns ; to 
 be renewed as often as the cloth gets warm. 
 Or, in place of the above. 
 
 Take of BUie Vitriol, one ounce. 
 
 To be dissolved in a pint of vinegar, and ap- 
 plied in the same manner. 
 
 When the bleeding is stopped by these 
 means, which seldom fail, attention is to be 
 paid to the cause from whence it proceeded ; 
 and when it is connected with a fullness 
 either of the general habit, or of the head 
 in particular, or when it proceeds from any 
 suppressed evacuation of the skin or other 
 parts, then these external applications should 
 be accompanied with a general bleeding, and 
 medicines to open the bowels, in order to
 
 281 
 
 lessen the excess of fluids in the body. The 
 form of such medicine is as follows : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, from one to two pounds. 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Ginger, two ounces. 
 
 To be mixed, and given in two quarts of wa- 
 ter-gruel. With these precautions, the cure 
 of this complahit will be always found easy. 
 
 Colds. 
 
 1 HE second disease of this class is Colds, 
 which was already considered at large, as oc- 
 curring during the period of gestation : to 
 that part of the work, page 50, we now re- 
 fer, with this additional observation, that 
 where the fever runs high, the treatment may 
 be carried to a greater length than what has 
 been directed under the head of Gestation. 
 Where the cold has been of long standing, 
 and produces garget of the limbs, then the 
 use of sulphur will be found a most admira- 
 ble remedy ; and it may be given as directed
 
 282 
 
 under that particular disease, called Garget 
 of the Limbs, (see page ^56.) 
 
 Dysentery, or Bloody Ray, 
 
 1 HE most formidable disease of this class is 
 the Dysentery, Bloody Ray, or Flux. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 This complaint is distinguished by ihe ex- 
 crements being mixed or tinged with blood ; 
 there is also discharged, as formerly remark- 
 ed under Inflammations of the Bowels, a 
 kind of putrid skin towards the termination 
 of the malady. This disease is marked by 
 the suddenness of its attack, and the very 
 offensive smell the excrements possess : along 
 with these symptoms, there prevails a quick 
 prostration of strength, and all the other 
 marks in the dry state of the skin and cold- 
 ness of the body, which have been noticed in 
 several of the preceding diseases.
 
 283 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The most general cause of this complaint 
 is cold suddenly applied to the body over- 
 heated ; hence it follows over-driving, and 
 whatever^ by suddenly lowering the tempe- 
 rature of the animal, checks the circulation 
 to the surface, and determines it to the 
 bowels. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 In the cure, the first step, to check the 
 symptoms of inflammation, is to blunt the 
 acrimony of the discharge, and to open the 
 perspiration by the skin. To check the in- 
 flammation, bleeding is the great means, im- 
 mediately applied, and proportioned in quan- 
 tity to the strength and condition of the ani- 
 mal ; but it will not be proper to repeat it 
 more than once, from the rapid tendency of 
 the complaint to mortification. It will, there- 
 fore, be more useful to give a small dose of 
 Epsom salts, joined with a certain portion of
 
 284 
 
 opium, to allay the pain, which is here vio 
 lent, in the following form : 
 
 Take of Epsom Salts, one pound, 
 
 Crude Opium, two drachms, 
 Nitre, one ounce. 
 Camphor, two drachms. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, to be given in two quarts 
 of water-gruel ; the dose to be repeated. To 
 allay the irritation of the bowels, oils and mu- 
 cilages should be administered ; and the form 
 which is best adapted liere is. 
 
 Take of cold drawn Linseed Oil, half a pint, 
 Isinglass, half an ounce. 
 
 The isinglass to be first boiled in a pint of 
 skimmed milk, till it is dissolved, then add the 
 oil to it ; to be given once or twice a-day. By 
 these means the more violent symptoms will 
 abate. The obstruction of the surface is next 
 to be relieved, as a principal point towards 
 completing a cure ; the medicines most suc- 
 cessful for this purpose are, 
 
 Take of Nitre, one ounce. 
 
 Camphor, two drachms. 
 Opium, two drachms, 
 Tartar Emetic, one drachm. 
 
 To be mixed together and formed into a ball,
 
 285 
 
 for one dose, and repeated twice a-day ; assist- 
 ed by a decoction of comfrey, as in p. 252, 
 with the addition of one ounce of salt of tar- 
 tar. By this regular process, the disease will 
 be successfully cured, frequently without any 
 attention to the acrimony of the discharge. 
 The author has begun the above medicines 
 for removing the obstruction of the surface in 
 six or eight hours after having administered 
 the dose of Epsom salts, and under this ma- 
 nagement he has found the symptoms very 
 readily give way. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 In this, as in most other complaints of the 
 bowels attended with inflammation, it is of 
 much importance that the intestines should 
 have as little to do as possible; the quantity 
 of drink given should not be much, and the 
 diet should consist chiefly of gruel and warm 
 mashes, and these given sparingly.
 
 286 
 
 CLASS III. 
 
 NERVOUS DISEASES. 
 
 1 HE diseases of this class are numerous ; in 
 them the powers of feeling and motion are 
 the principal parts of the system affected. 
 We shall enumerate them in their order, be- 
 ginning with those whose seat is in the head, 
 or superior part of the body. 
 
 Staggers, or Dizziness of the Head. 
 
 1 HE first to be noticed is Staggers, or Diz- 
 ziness of the Head, which causes a wavering 
 and staggering motion of the body, by which 
 it is chiefly distinguished. 
 
 Ca 
 
 use. 
 
 The cause of this disorder is a general af- 
 fection of the brain, particularly showing it- 
 self in the state of the optic nerves.
 
 287 
 
 In its treatment, this general affection of 
 the brain is to be held in view, and bleeding 
 and antispasmodics form the certahi means 
 of cure. Bleeding should take place as soon 
 as the symptoms are perceived, to the extent 
 of two quarts, if the cow is in good condition; 
 and her bowels then being cleared out by a 
 saline purge, the antispasmodics are to be 
 begun, in the following form : 
 
 Take of Valerian, one ounce, 
 
 Asafcetida, one drachm, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Camphor, two drachms. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, to be given in one quart 
 of horse-radish tea : this medicine may be re- 
 peated every twenty-four hours, or accord- 
 ing to circumstances. 
 
 Regimen, 
 
 In attending to the regimen here, thin 
 diluent drinks are highly proper; and as the 
 cow recovers, great care should be taken not 
 to expose her to any extremes of weather.
 
 288 
 
 Lethargy, or Dizzmess. 
 
 The next disease is Lethargy, by some called 
 Sleeping Fever. The animal in this disease 
 is inclined constantly to doze, or sleep, and 
 that even in a standing posture, by resting 
 her nose on the manger or crib till she is 
 constantly in danger of falling. This evi- 
 dently show^s an oppression on the brain, and 
 a fullness of the head, the vessels of w^hich 
 are unable to expel their contents, or carry 
 on the circulation in a manner sufficiently ac- 
 tive. The chief point then is to remove the 
 present accumulation or oppression which 
 causes the disease, and then to give vigour to 
 the system, in order to prevent its recurrence. 
 Bleeding will remove the present accumula- 
 tion, which is to be followed, as in the last 
 disease, by the same attention to opening the 
 body. These steps being premised, anti- 
 spasmodics will then complete the cure. The 
 same forms will answer here as prescribed in 
 the last disease ; and the regimen may also 
 be similar.
 
 289 
 
 Lock Jaw, or Dead Palsy, 
 
 1 HE next disease that falls to be treated is 
 the Lock Jaw, or Dead Palsy. It properly 
 deserves this name, as it consists in a general 
 stoppage of the circulation, which shows it- 
 self by the pulse being slow and irregular, 
 and by a general numbness, or loss of feeling 
 in the whole external parts, but which is apt 
 to be more conspicuous in the jaws, by pre- 
 venting them performing their usual func- 
 tions. This disease is of a very dangerous 
 nature, and is often attended with the imme- 
 diate dissolution of the animal: in general, 
 the internal system does not seem so much 
 deranged, for the animal is desirous to eat, 
 if the state of the jaws would allow her. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease, like so many others, proceeds 
 evidently from the application of cold when 
 the body is over-heated, and the small vessels 
 
 U
 
 290 
 
 of the surface in an active itate; hence it 
 frequently follows over-driving; but that a 
 disease of this nature should arise, it must 
 be connected with a certain constitutional 
 irritability of the animal: it is not a frequent 
 disorder, and therefore it must depend on 
 this peculiar state of habit, modifying in a 
 particular manner the morbid cause. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 Before proceeding to any particular plan 
 of medicine, bleeding should be premised, 
 which should not be here in a great quantity. 
 As swallowing is prevented, from the con- 
 traction and stiffness of the jaws, external 
 applications form the first means of relief to 
 be employed. 
 
 Take of strong Spirits of Ammoniac, two ounces, 
 Spirits of Turpentine, one ounce, 
 Flour of Mustard, one ounce, 
 Mercurial Ointment, one ounce. 
 Opium, in powder, half an oimce, 
 Maslimallow Ointment, two ounces. 
 
 In preparing the above, the flour of mustard, 
 opium, and mashmallow ointment, are to be
 
 ^91 
 
 well mixed with the mercurial ointment, and 
 after that the spirits are to be added by de- 
 grees, and incorporated with the whole. 
 
 This application is to be made twice a-day 
 to the jaws of the animal, by rubbing in at 
 each time to the extent of two ounces or more, 
 all along the jaw and neck, wherever the con- 
 nection of the muscles of the affected parts 
 lies. When relief is obtained by these means, 
 and the jaw is somewhat relaxed, then inter- 
 nal medicines will strongly co-operate ; but 
 as this requires some time, immediate attempts 
 must be made, by glyster, to assist the action 
 of the liniment. The glyster most proper 
 at first should be of a purgative nature, as in 
 page 197 ; ^nd after its operation, the follow- 
 ing may be thrown in : 
 
 Take of Mutton Broth, two quarts, 
 
 Opium, in powder, half an ounce. 
 Valerian Powder, one ounce. 
 
 To be given as a glyster, and repeated twice 
 a-day.
 
 29^ 
 
 The best internal medicines are opium, 
 valerian, and mustard; and their use should 
 be preceded with the warm aromatic purge, 
 the first prescription in page 256. Then the 
 following form will be most useful: 
 
 Take of Opium, in powder, two drachms. 
 Camphor, three ditto. 
 Valerian, one ounce. 
 Mustard, two ounces. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, to be given in a quart of 
 strong camomile tea, and repeated every six 
 hours till relief is obtained. 
 
 Along with these means, friction and heat 
 to the surface will be essentially necessary ; 
 the body in general, as well as the parts af- 
 fected, should be well rubbed, and dry warm 
 blankets should be afterwards applied to 
 cover all the animal. 
 
 Regimen, 
 
 The animal should be allowed frequently 
 to suck in as much as she can of a strong in- 
 fusion of hay, well boiled, or water-gruel;
 
 ^93 
 
 and when the disease remits, mashes, as di- 
 rected in other diseases, will be proper. 
 
 It will be necessary here to mention, that 
 the same disease arises from external acci- 
 dents, as wounds, pricks in the tendons, &c. 
 and also from worms in the stomach ; the only 
 difference of treatment will be in this last case, 
 that evacuations by the bowels are the chief 
 remedy ; this may either be done by calomel, 
 to the extent of one or two drachms, or by 
 a strong decoction of savin; and when the 
 evacuations are once procured, so as to re- 
 move the cause of irritation, then the ner- 
 vous medicines recommended above will ef- 
 fect a cure. When the disease arises from 
 worms, it is in general visible by their crawl- 
 ing from the nostrils and mouth, and the 
 animal, besides, feels griped and uneasy in 
 her stomach and bowels.
 
 294 
 
 Fits, or Falling Down. 
 
 This is a disease not so very frequent, and 
 the author has not met with more than three 
 or four cases of it in his whole practice. In 
 this disease, the animal first staggers about, 
 and then falls down, with the loss of all sense 
 and motion, as commonly happens in a fit; 
 a froth issues from the mouth, the eyes seem 
 convulsed, and have a sort of tremulous mo- 
 tion, and there is also a working in the jaws. 
 This fit is not generally of long duration ; 
 the circulation gradually returns, and the 
 senses soon after acquire their natural state. 
 The repetition of this fit is not above once 
 a-day, but its continuance may be for several 
 
 days. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease evidently arises from obstruc- 
 tion of the stomach and bowels ; it is attend- 
 ed with costiveness, and along with the duug 
 there is always discharged a slimy matter ;
 
 295 
 
 afterwards, when a purging begins, an eva- 
 cuation of a very offensive smell takes place, 
 which shows a cure of the disease, and af- 
 fords a proof of its cause. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 To give immediate relief to the fit, bleed- 
 ing may be here performed ; but the chief 
 means of cure will lie in clearing out the sto- 
 mach and bowels ; for this purpose, the first 
 prescription in page 256 should be given, as 
 there directed ; and afterwards the alterative 
 medicines in the second prescription admi- 
 nistered, in order to complete the cure. 
 
 In country practice, the author never had 
 an opportunity of seeing this disease ; it has 
 only come under his care since his residence 
 in town, and must proceed from the differ- 
 ent mode of feeding.
 
 290 
 
 Asthma, or Short Breathing, 
 
 1 HIS is a disease peculiar to cows which are 
 fed on grains. Its symptoms are, a wheezing 
 and difficult respiration, when the stomach is 
 full, or when they are any way hurried. It 
 is a disease that seldom affects the general 
 health of the animal, as they will live for se- 
 veral years under it, and even get fat, though 
 they are apt to go off suddenly in the end, 
 particularly if a cold or inflammation attacks 
 the lungs. 
 
 Ca 
 
 use. 
 
 The cause of this disease, as shown by 
 dissection, consists in a preternatural growth 
 at the top of the wind-pipe, or lungs ; and 
 this growth often proceeds to a large size, 
 which the author has cut out from the dead 
 animal weighing a pound and upwards. 
 
 Cure. 
 From the cause of this disease, it is evident
 
 297 
 
 no cure can be expected, but relief may al- 
 ways be given, by occasional bleedings and 
 purging, whenever the animal gets into high 
 condition, or the stomach is overloaded, by 
 which the disease gets worse than usual. 
 
 Cough of long Standing, 
 
 1 HE symptoms of this disease are, a strong 
 disagreeable cough, and chiefly a sense of 
 fullness of the chest, which is much increased 
 on filling the stomach by food ; it is connect- 
 ed in some degree with this cause, for it is 
 removed by unloading the stomach and bow- 
 els of their contents. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 The plan of cure here is first to bleed, 
 which will relieve the oppressed vessels, and 
 then to have recourse to purging, in order to 
 remove the cause of the disorder pointed out;
 
 298 
 
 the alterative plan may then be begun, as in 
 page ^56, second prescription, which will 
 prevent any return of the malady. 
 
 STOMACH COMPLAINTS. 
 
 XROM the complex structure of the stomach 
 in the cow, its functions are very apt to be 
 disordered, and this morbid state of the or- 
 gan is attended with a variety of symptoms, 
 which deserve to be separately considered, 
 under the heads of. Grain Sick, Flatulence, 
 Water running from the Mouth, or Losing 
 their Cud. 
 
 1. Grain Sick. 
 
 I HE first symptoms of this state are a dull 
 heavy appearance of the eyes of the animal; 
 she frequently shifts about from one side to 
 the other, and when she is let loose, and 
 driven about, she grunts or complains much.
 
 299 
 
 On examining her, a fullness may be per- 
 ceived betwixt the hip and ribs, on the op- 
 posite side to the milking one, if pressed down 
 with the hand ; this fullness will be felt to 
 consist in the extension of the stomach. As 
 the disease advances, a loss of milk ensues, 
 and a total dislike to any food. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 Improper feeding is the cause of this, by 
 allowing the animal too great a quantity of 
 grains at one time, particularly the distiller's 
 grains. This, however, may happen without 
 any fault of the feeder; for when two cows 
 occupy the same stall, which is the case in 
 London and other large towns, should one of 
 them be sick, and the other have a ravenous 
 appetite, the latter will eat such an over-pro- 
 portion as to produce this effect. 
 
 Cure, 
 
 Bleeding and purging are the only reme- 
 dies here ; the first to relieve the urgent
 
 300 
 
 symptoms, the second to remove the cause of 
 the malady. The quantity of blood should 
 not be less than from two to three quarts; 
 after which, the purging drink is to be given, 
 as prescribed in page ^56. When it has fully 
 operated in unloading the stomach, then the 
 weakness of the organ, the loss of appetite 
 that ensues, and the deficiency of milk con- 
 nected with it, will be repaired by medicines 
 of an aromatic and bracing nature, as follows : 
 
 Take of Gentian, Cummin, Coriander, Valerian, and Aniseed, of each one ounce, 
 Grains of Paradise, one ounce, 
 Flour of Sulphur, two ounces. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, which is to be given in 
 three pints of mild ale, having previously 
 boiled in it a small handful of chopped rue. 
 This should be given of a proper heat, and 
 repeated once a-day, or every other day, till 
 recovery takes place, which generally happens 
 in a few days. 
 
 Regimen. 
 
 Diluent liquors and mashes form the pro- 
 per food for some days ; grains are entirely
 
 301 
 
 to be given up till the stomach gains its 
 former tone and strength ; they are then to 
 be given w^ith caution, that no relapse may 
 be endangered. 
 
 2. Flatulence. 
 
 1 HIS symptom arises from two causes; either 
 a loss of tone in the stomach, w^hen it is a 
 constant and permanent ailment, or from over- 
 distension of the organ, when it is sudden in 
 its appearance, and quickly removed. The 
 first of these generally occurs in old cows, par- 
 ticularly when they have been fed long on hot 
 grains, by which the powers of the stomach 
 are so much weakened, that the air extrica- 
 ted from the food in the process of digestion 
 is not easily thrown off, but continues to dis- 
 tend the stomach, and produces that uneasi- 
 ness and belching which marks the disease. 
 The relief afforded in this complaint is gene- 
 rally but temporary, and the cow frequently 
 dies of the disease at last, gradually wasting
 
 302 
 
 away ; and after death, on opening the sto- 
 mach, it is found that ulceration has taken 
 place in some parts of it. The treatment 
 here must be regulated entirely by endea- 
 vouring to restore the tone of the stomach ; 
 and this will be done by the bracing aro- 
 matic medicines prescribed in page 300 ; 
 before which, to clear the stomach, occa- 
 sional purging will be proper, by the me- 
 dicines recommended in page 196. Where 
 much over-distention prevails, the operation 
 about to be mentioned in the next article re- 
 quires to be performed. Whenever purging 
 medicines are given in this complaint, the 
 cow should be driven about, in order to pro- 
 mote their more speedy effect. 
 
 The second species of Flatulency, which 
 is sudden in its appearance, is a very violent 
 disorder ; it is termed by authors the Fog 
 Sickness. It is occasioned by turning cattle 
 into fresh clover, or other rich pasture, to 
 which they have been unaccustomed, where
 
 o 
 
 03 
 
 they eat so greedily as to overload the sto- 
 mach : in this state, the extrication of the 
 fixed air also taking place, produces such a 
 violent distension of the whole paunch, that 
 the upper part of the stomach becomes closed, 
 so that no vent can be given to the contained 
 matter, and the death of the animal is gene- 
 rally the consequence in a few hours. In 
 this situation, immediate relief must be given, 
 and it may be procured by opening the ca- 
 vity of the stomach, by pushing an instru- 
 ment down the throat, so as to open the 
 upper part of it, which, when it does, the 
 air suddenly rushes out, and the animal is 
 soon relieved from her distress. The author 
 has invented an instrument for this pur- 
 pose, which is easy in its introduction, and 
 which should be made to pass fully into the 
 stomach to render the operation complete ; 
 no cowkeeper should be without one of them 
 in his possession ; it is a much easier method 
 than the one commonly practised, of stabbing 
 01 paunching them, 'fhis operation is per-
 
 304 
 
 formed by thrusting a sharp knife in the 
 middle space between the hip and ribs, on 
 the side opposite to the milking one; as soon 
 as it enters the cavity of the stomach, the 
 same relief will be experienced as by the for- 
 mer method. After relief has been thus ob- 
 tained, and the violence of the disease has 
 abated, a purging medicine, as in page 196, 
 will be proper, to throw off the accumulation 
 of food in the stomach ; this is all that is ne- 
 cessary to the cure. Where stabbing takes 
 place, the orifice may be kept open some little 
 time, and then healed up by applying over it 
 a pitch plaster. 
 
 3. Running of Water from the Mouth. 
 
 1 HIS state of the stomach, also termed Losing 
 the Cud, is another symptom of indigestion, 
 arising from a relaxed state of the organ, 
 and the food accumulating there; by this 
 means, the latter not being returned into 
 the mouth, it does not undergo the second 
 process necessary for its passing to the bow-
 
 305 
 
 els. This symptom is easier cured than the 
 others described, and it readily yields to the 
 treatment recommended in Grain Sick, by first 
 purging, and then bracing up the stomach. 
 
 Looseness, or Scowering. 
 
 1 HIS disease is very frequent with cattle : it 
 consists in a frequent and liquid discharge of 
 the contents of the bowels, which vary in their 
 appearance during its progress, being some- 
 times slimy, at other times black and bilious, 
 and occasionally of a watery frothy consist- 
 ence. 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The symptoms which attend this disorder 
 are generally a bad appetite, the pulse low 
 and weak, the skin dry, and soon becoming- 
 tight to the ribs, the countenance appearing 
 dull, accompanied with a degree of slow fe- 
 ver, and much thirst. Under this disease 
 
 X
 
 306 
 
 cat+le are very sensible to the impression of 
 weather, and generally seek for shelter or 
 cover wherever they can get to. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The causes of this disease are various; it 
 may proceed from an acrid state of the bile, 
 which the appearance of the stools will show; 
 it may also proceed from over-heating, the 
 fluids beino' thus driven from the surface to- 
 ward the bowels; but it more frequently arises 
 from errors in diet than from any other cause. 
 Thus food given hotter than it ought to be 
 will occasion the complaint, and want of 
 proper nourishment will produce the same 
 effect : hence cows denied their proper sup- 
 port are generally cut off by this malady, 
 which has therefore received the name of 
 Rottenness. On opening the body of a cow 
 which has died of this illness, the gall-bladder 
 is found full of a thin acrimonious fluid, the 
 part of the bowels next it shows several putrid 
 spots, and the whole gut is highly inflamed.
 
 307 
 
 Besides this, the author has seen such exten- 
 sive ulcerations in them, that he has dissected 
 from them callous pieces equal to the size of 
 his fist, which state of the parts has occasioned 
 the disease to be termed the Garget in the 
 
 Guts. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 Whatever the cause of the disease may be, 
 the commencement of the cure should take 
 place by first clearing out the bowels, and dis- 
 charging any acrimony contained in them, 
 w^hich may prove a means of keeping up irri- 
 tation. A dose of Epsom salts, joined with 
 nitre and camphor, will answer this effect, as 
 recommended in p. 187- When this medicine 
 has operated, diaphoretics, or remedies open- 
 ing the skin, are to be began and continued ; 
 and the following form is preferred in this 
 disease by the author : 
 
 Take of Camphor, two drachms. 
 
 Salt of Tartar, four ounces, 
 Nitre, one ounce, 
 Mithridate, one ounce. 
 
 Mix, for one dose, to be given in two quarts
 
 308 
 
 of water-gruel, wherein one ounce of soap 
 has been previously dissolved. This dose 
 may be repeated once or twice a-day, if the 
 symptoms of the disease demand it. When 
 the stricture or dryness of the skin is removed 
 by the above medicines, and the disease is 
 only kept up by the weakness of the bowels, 
 the cure may then, but not till then, be trust- 
 ed to the use of astrins^ents. 
 
 o 
 
 Take of Diascordiuni, two ounces, 
 
 Dragon's Blood, three ounces, 
 Ginger Powder, two ounces. 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 
 Mix, for a dose, to be given in one quart 
 of the following decoction, which may be 
 repeated once a-day: 
 
 Take of Logwood Chips, six ounces, 
 
 Camomile Flowers, four ounces. 
 Valerian, one ounce ; 
 
 which must be boiled in four quarts of water 
 till one half is wasted. The above treatment 
 will always succeed, when the disease has not 
 advanced so far that the bowels have got into 
 a state of ulceration, in which case it com-
 
 309 
 
 monly proves fatal, and the animal lives till 
 she is reduced to skin and bone. 
 
 Refri?nen. 
 
 In this complaint the cow should be kept 
 particularly warm, and both her food and 
 drink should be given with ralher more than 
 the chill taken from it, till she is completely 
 recovered ; the food should also be of the 
 same nourishing kind so often recommended, 
 viz. warm mashes, &>ic. 
 
 Hf/d/ophobia, or Madness. 
 
 1 HIS disease arises from the bite of a dog, or 
 other animal infected by it; it is always in- 
 curable, but it is proper to know the symp- 
 toms of it in cows — these iiie a constant low- 
 ing and distress, a great flow of froth from the 
 throat and to none, and the breath i no- some- 
 what irreguiar ; the malady at last bieaks out 
 into an ungovernable madness.
 
 310 
 
 As soon as the first symptoms of it is dis- 
 covered, the place bit should be searched 
 for, and, when found out, an incision made, 
 so as to cut off all the injured part; a free 
 dischargfe of blood should be allowed to take 
 place from it, and then the sore dressed with 
 a digestive ointment, with a proportion of 
 Spanish flies in it, in order to keep up a 
 proper flow of matter. All internal remedies 
 are here of little avail ; but as mercury has 
 been known in some rare cases to succeed, it 
 may be used here, and so freely as to pro- 
 duce, if possible, a salivation. 
 
 CLASS IV. 
 
 DISEASES OF BAD HABIT OF BODY. 
 
 The last class of constitutional diseases are 
 those which arise from a fault in the state of 
 the fluids, and when the whole body suffers 
 of course from their vitiated state.
 
 311 
 
 Consumption, or Wasting, 
 
 The first disease of this division is Consump- 
 tion, or Wasting, where the body of the ani- 
 mal becomes gradually emaciated, or pines 
 away, attended with a cough and slow fever ; 
 but where the appetite is not much affected, 
 the progress of the disease is generally mark- 
 ed in the end by an attack of looseness, 
 which proves fatal. During the course of 
 this malady, there prevails a remarkable flow 
 of milk, which exhausts the strength of the 
 animal, and increases the symptoms of the 
 disease. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 Cold and improper food are generally the 
 causes of this complaint; the former exciting 
 inflammation, causes ulcerations of the lungs 
 to be formed ; the latter, by either conveying 
 deficient nourishment, or nourishment of an 
 improper kind, will produce the same effect. 
 In proof of this last circumstance, the author
 
 312 
 
 Legs here to introduce a remarkable fact, 
 
 which occurred in his practice some years 
 
 back, when doing business with Mr. Kendall, 
 
 a very eminent cowkeeper. This gentleman 
 
 had taken a predilection for feeding his cows 
 
 with potatoes, which he gave to a very great 
 
 excess, and continued for some time ; the 
 
 consequence of this was, that though the 
 
 cows yielded a great proportion of milk, 
 
 many fell into this disease, and were seized 
 
 with a cough and wasting, which cough was 
 
 so frequent amongst them, that the proprietor 
 
 at last gave it the name of the Potatoe Cough. 
 
 From losing a number of his cows, he was 
 
 obliged to discontinue this food, when the 
 
 malady stopped. Besides this, when food of 
 
 a forcing nature is given to the animal, for 
 
 the purpose of promoting too great a quantity 
 
 of milk, the consequence will be to produce 
 
 this disease. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 When the first symptoms of this complaint 
 appear, the object will be to prevent, as far
 
 313 
 
 as possible, the waste of the body from going 
 farther, to the injury of the animal. She 
 should be dried off immediately, or no longer 
 kept for the purpose of milking: this will 
 often be sufficient to effect a cure. Where 
 the disease is connected with inflammation of 
 the lungs, bleeding, and the same treatment 
 directed under that head (see page 2^4,) is 
 the only plan that can be adopted; but when 
 the disease is advanced far, this and every 
 other mode of treatment will be found ineffec- 
 tual. At the same time it is to be remarked, 
 that it seldom occurs in the country, but is 
 confined more to cows that are kept to the 
 stall in town, whose mode of feeding is dif- 
 ferent from those that are kept in a free and 
 open situation, and whose food is of a more 
 succulent nature. 
 
 Black Leg, or Quarter, 
 
 1 HIS is a disease both very dangerous and 
 sudden in its attack, which generally kills the 
 animal in tw^ri+- four hours, or less.
 
 314 
 
 Symptoms. 
 
 The attack begins in a joint of the leg or 
 thigh, and sometimes in the foot ; it is first 
 discovered by a lameness of the animal, and 
 the part, when examined, discovers a crack- 
 ling and swelling, showing that air has made 
 its way between the skin and flesh. Its pro- 
 gress is to rise upwards, and to spread over 
 that quarter which it first seized ; when it 
 rises to the back or kidnies, it then proves 
 
 quickly fatal. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The cause of this affection has been ascrib- 
 ed to too great a portion of rich food, while 
 the animal is, at the same time, only in a 
 growing state, as it very seldom attacks them 
 after two years old. Hence it will appear to 
 depend on too great an excitement of the sys- 
 tem, which produces violent inflammation of 
 a part, and this inflammation ends rapidly in 
 a mortification.
 
 315 
 
 Cure. 
 
 From this view of the disease, bleeding 
 is the principal remedy to be depended on, 
 which shoidd be immediately begun, and 
 carried to the same extent as in the active 
 inflammations, or first class of diseases ; in 
 doing this, the state of the part must not 
 be omitted, and scarification, or cutting 
 away, so as to unload the vessels, will be 
 of great service ; after this, the parts should 
 be dressed with equal parts of common salt 
 and nitre, finely powdered, by which means 
 suppuration will come to be induced, and 
 a check put to the disorder. Some far- 
 ther assistance may be procured by well 
 fomenting the part, by means of the pre- 
 scription recommended in page 190. In this 
 treatment, clearing the bowels should also be 
 attended to, and it will second the more ac- 
 tive remedies. From the dangerous nature 
 of this disease, it is of the highest conse- 
 quence to be able to prevent it; and to young
 
 316 
 
 cattle who are placed in rich pastures, tlie 
 following medicine may be given two or 
 three times in the course of the year : 
 
 Take of Flour of Siilpliur, from four to six ounces. 
 Nitre, one ounce, 
 Grains of Paradise, two draclinis. 
 
 Mix, for a dose, and give in three pints of 
 water-gruel, and a quarter of a pound of 
 treacle. This remedy should be succeeded 
 by bleeding each time. 
 
 mj^Astm 
 
 Yellows, or Jaundice. 
 
 1 HIS is a disease to which cattle are occasion- 
 ally subject; it is chiefly known by examin- 
 ing the whites of the eyes, the inside of the 
 ears, and roof of the mouth, which have all 
 a tinge of a yellow cclour. This disorder is 
 attended with a sense of itching, the urine is 
 high colored, and the dung is generally hard 
 and black, from the costiveness which always 
 attends the disease ; there prevails also a great 
 inactivity, or sluggishness, and the animal 
 does not care to be moved about : as the dis-
 
 317 
 
 ease advances, a considerable fever accom- 
 panies it. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 The cause of this disease is evidently an 
 obstruction of the regular passage of the bile 
 from the gall-bladder into the l)oweIs, and 
 this obstruction may proceed from various 
 circumstances ; one of the most frequent is, 
 the formation of stones in the gall-bladder, 
 v^hich stop up the passage. These stones 
 seem to be connected with I lie food of the 
 animal, and the cure of this species of the 
 complaint is effected chiefly by an alteration 
 of the food, or placing the cow from dry fod- 
 der upon green succulent pasture. The dis- 
 ease may also proceed from hard tumours or 
 swellings in the neiglibourhood of the gall- 
 bladder, as from an enlarged liver spleen, or 
 any of the other organs. In these cases, the 
 cows are generally old, and the disease is to 
 be considered as a mark of a worn-out consti- 
 tution, and is therefore only symptomatic of a 
 diseased state of one or more of its organs.
 
 318 
 
 ure. 
 
 In directing the cure of this complaint, 
 much attention is to be paid to the cause from 
 which it arises ; the first object is to promote 
 a discharge of the bile into the bowels, and 
 this is to be done by purging, which is the 
 more necessary, as costiveness is a leading 
 mark of the disease, and tends to increase 
 that heat, irritation, and fever, which accom- 
 panies it. The sulphur is here the best pur- 
 gative ; and the form of it has been already 
 specified in page 226. The operation of the 
 sulphur may be succeeded by diuretic and 
 opening medicines, as. 
 
 Take of Flour of Sulphur, four ounces, 
 Nitre, two ounces, 
 Grains of Paradise, half an ounce. 
 Valerian, one ounce, 
 Castile Soap, two ounces. 
 
 To be given in two quarts of gruel. Along 
 with these medicines, great attention should 
 be paid to the diet ; it should be of a soft suc- 
 culent nature, as warm mashes made of bran, 
 malt, and pollard; and this should be accom-
 
 319 
 
 panied with a good deal of dilution, or en- 
 ticing the animal to drink ; and in the drink 
 a handful of salt may be dissolved. As soon 
 as recovery takes place, if the season per- 
 mits it, the cov^ should be sent to grass ; and 
 if salt marshes are near at hand, these are 
 preferable to any other pasture, which will 
 carry off any remains of the disease. 
 
 Dropsy. 
 
 Dropsy is not a very common disease in 
 cows ; when it occurs, it is more frequently 
 met with in the chest. It is known by a swel- 
 ling in the dewlap, simihir to what takes place 
 in Anticor ; but here the swelling is of a 
 soft and puffy, not of a hard nature. It is 
 also accompanied by a diminished quantity 
 of urine, and the eyes show a white appear- 
 ance, with a weakness, and discharge ot a 
 watery fluid from them.
 
 320 
 
 Ca 
 
 use. 
 
 The cause of dropsy is either from an ob- 
 struction of some of the principal organs, 
 particularly the liver, and hence it appears 
 along with many other diseases, as Jaundice, 
 Yellows, &c. ; or it may proceed from a ge- 
 neral relaxation of constitution, or the powers 
 of life being as it were exhausted. 
 
 From this view, the cure of dropsy is 
 very uncertain ; it is chiefly attempted by 
 first giving vent to the collected water, and 
 afterwards, when this is done, endeavouring 
 to prevent its return, by bracing up the ha- 
 bit. The collected water may be removed 
 by general purging ; the sulphur will an- 
 swer here equally as well as in the former 
 disease ; and along with this, a fleam may be 
 struck into the dewlap, so as to make ten or 
 a dozen orifices, Avhich, as well as the dewlap 
 in general, are to be rubbed with the black 
 oils or ointment, as recommended in Inflam
 
 321 
 
 matlon of the Chesty or Anticor, as in p. 191. 
 In the interval of purging, the diuretic re- 
 medies noticed in page 243 are to be given. 
 These are the only means of cure in our 
 powder, and w^hen unsuccessful, little else can 
 be done. 
 
 Ttegimen, 
 
 The regimen here should be every thing 
 nourishing, and rather of a dry nature; fric- 
 tion and w^armth mv'AX also be highly useful.
 
 3^.2 
 
 LOCAL OR ACCIDENTAL DISEASES 
 OF NEAT CATTLE. 
 
 r ROM the general or constitutional maladies, 
 we now fall to notice the various external 
 diseases or accidents, which form the surgical 
 part of the work. This is a part highly in- 
 teresting to every cowkeeper or farmer, and 
 as a proper introduction to it, we shall con- 
 sider a few simple operations, the method of 
 doing which it is highly necessary to know. 
 
 1 . BlcccliuGT. 
 Every person connected with cows should 
 be able to do this operation, as circumstances 
 will occur when the life of the animal may be 
 saved by a timely bleeding, where proper 
 assistance cannot be immediately procured. 
 
 The method of bleeding requires some 
 attention. In local diseases, or those affect-
 
 323 
 
 ing a parL of the body, the nearer it is per- 
 formed to the seat of the disease, the more 
 effectual it will prove. In the general or con- 
 stitutional diseases this is less necessary, and 
 the blood may be drawn from any part where 
 there is a good vein, particularly the neck. 
 The operation may be performed by a fleam 
 or lancet ; the fleam will be found the best 
 instrument to those who are not acquainted 
 with the operation, but the lancet will be 
 found preferable where the skin is very thick, 
 and much depth to go tlirough before reach- 
 ing a vein, as noticed in the disease termed 
 Blain. The instruments should always be 
 kept bright, and free from rust, and by this 
 attention the operation will be easier per- 
 formed, and there will be less danger of the 
 orifice or wound festering. 
 
 2. Pegging. 
 
 This is an operation confined to the dew- 
 lap ; it consists either in one large incision, or 
 in several small ones, through the skin, which
 
 324 
 
 is to be raised from the cellular substance on 
 each side. The wounded part, or parts, are 
 then to be filled with some irritating matter, 
 either in the form of powder, ointment, leaves, 
 or roots, which, exciting inflammation, will 
 form matter, and thus promote a discharge 
 externally, in order to relieve the internal af- 
 fection, or make the revulsion complete from 
 the seat of the disease. By this operation the 
 inflammation excited must be considerable, 
 and the extent of the incision should there- 
 fore correspond to the urgency of the case. 
 In all situations where this operation is em- 
 ployed, it should be continued open for a 
 length of time, both that the present symp- 
 toms may be relieved, and also that the dan- 
 ger of any relapse may be prevented. 
 
 3. Tapping. 
 
 This is an operation where a collection of 
 fluid is to be discharged from any cavity, and 
 this fluid may be either air, water, or purulent 
 matter. This operation is performed by a
 
 325 
 
 sharp-pointed knife, as mentioned in Fog 
 Sickness and some other diseases. The ope- 
 rator should know the striictiire of the part 
 through which he is to make his opening, that 
 no danger may ensue from cutting any large 
 vessel in his way. Tlie incision should be 
 made lengthways, in order to avoid cutting 
 the muscle across, or injuring its action after- 
 wards, which is a chief point to be attended 
 to in every operation. 
 
 4. Blistering. 
 
 Blistering is only performed in the cow by 
 liquid applications, either in the form of oils 
 or liniments; in order to have eflect, they re- 
 quire to be well rubbed in upon the part, and 
 this may be done either by a spatula or other 
 contrivance, to prevent the hands of the ope- 
 rator from being injured. The extent of the 
 blister must be determined by the nature of 
 the disease ; but in general it should be made 
 to extend somewhat beyond the part affected. 
 The application will seldom be found to act
 
 3^6 
 
 sufficiently, or influence the part much, till 
 after sixteen or twenty-four hours ; at that 
 time a discharge begins to flow from it, which 
 constantly keeps increasing till a full collec- 
 tion of matter is formed. The time this is 
 to be kept up must be regulated by the relief 
 it gives to the disease; but in general it has 
 been reckoned prudent to continue it some 
 time after the disappearance of the symp- 
 toms. The part is to be healed up by allow- 
 ing nature to take its course, without any par- 
 ticular applications : indeed, the scurf which 
 collects from this operation forms a kind of 
 charge to the relaxed vessels, particularly in 
 sprains and other local affections, where the 
 parts have been much weakened or injured. 
 In the process of blistering, it is to be re- 
 marked, that as the applications are of a li 
 quid nature, in order to continue their effects, 
 they require to be repeated occasionally, in 
 such a manner, that the full discharge neces- 
 sary may be kept up, to give relief to the 
 symptoms of the disease, as will more fully
 
 327 
 
 appear in the treatment of the different local 
 affections we are now to examine. 
 
 JBlindness . 
 
 In entering upon these, we shall first begin 
 with the consideration of blindness. In this 
 disease, the eye appears somewhat inflamed ; 
 no other alteration is conspicuous in the or- 
 gan by which the particidar afl'ection can be 
 known, except that the animal is deprived 
 of sight. Along with these symptoms there 
 prevails some degree of general fever, and 
 the cow at the same time appears dull and 
 stupid. Where the disease proceeds for any 
 length of time, a total blindness ensues. 
 
 The cause of this malady arises from over- 
 driving, and is therefore connected with in- 
 flammation, and a fullness of the vessels of 
 the head ; this is proved by its treatment; for 
 it yields readily to evacuations, particularly to
 
 328 
 
 bleeding and purging. Bleeding will be best 
 here from the jugular vein, as being nearest 
 the seat of the disease; and the first bleeding 
 may be taken to the extent of three or four 
 quarts, if the cow is in good condition. When 
 this is done, one of the saline purges may be 
 administered, as being the most proper ; the 
 form recommended in page 187 will answer 
 best. After this, alterative medicines may be 
 given, to complete the cure ; and the form of 
 these may be seen in page ^56. The regimen 
 here is the same as in other inflammations. 
 
 Strains, or Sprains. 
 
 Strains are known by swelling and lameness 
 of the extremities, the muscles, or the tendin- 
 ous parts of them being either over-stretched, 
 or ruptured in part. The cause of this com- 
 plaint proceeds always from external violence 
 or exertions, as bruises, &c. In the treat- 
 ment of this affection, much nicety is re-
 
 329 
 
 quired, and it must be regulated by the de- 
 gree of the injury, and the time it has conti- 
 nued. When the accident first happens, and 
 the injury is considerable, as the inflamma- 
 tion in this case runs high, bleeding from the 
 part must be immediately resorted to, if it 
 can be conveniently performed; if it cannot, 
 it must be done as near it as possible. After 
 bleeding, cooling solutions of an astringent 
 and bracing nature are to be applied, in 
 order that the injured and over-strained parts 
 may recover their tone. Tlie solution is 
 as follows : 
 
 Take of Strong Vinegar, or Verjuice, one pint, 
 Bole Armenian, three ounces, 
 Spirits of Wine, camphorated, two ounces. 
 Spirits of Ammonia, one ounce. 
 
 The bole armenian and vinegar are first to be 
 mixed together ; and when the fermentation 
 is over, then add the other ingredients, which 
 are to be well shaken together in a bottle pre- 
 vious to their being used ; and the applica- 
 tion of the solution is to be repeated once 
 a-day. After the parts are well rubbed with
 
 330 
 
 this solution, a poultice is next to be used, 
 composed of the following materials : 
 
 Take of Verjuice, or Strong Vinegar, half a pint, 
 Soft Soap, four ounces. 
 Strong Beer Grounds, or Ale, half a pint, 
 Strong Decoction of Camomile Flowers, half a pint. 
 
 The soap is to be dissolved over a slow fire 
 in the decoction, then add the other ingre- 
 dients, and a sufficient quantity of bran to 
 form them into the consistence of a poultice. 
 This poultice is to be renewed every twenty- 
 four hours. Where the injury does not seem 
 to yield to this treatment in the course of four 
 or five days, then blistering the part with the 
 following mixture will be necessary: 
 
 Take of Spanish Flies, in fine powder, two drachms. 
 Spirits of Ammonia, four ounces. 
 
 Mix together, and rub a little of this volatile 
 mixture into the part affected; after which, 
 a flannel roller is to be slightly put on. If a 
 plentiful discharge is not produced in twenty- 
 four hours, it may be repeated. The above 
 plan is particularly adapted to strains of the 
 tendons, in the course of the muscles or the
 
 331 
 
 lower extremities, where poultices can be 
 easily applied. In other situations, such as 
 the round bone, stifle, and shoulder, instead 
 of the above plan, oils and fomentations will 
 form more useful applications ; and they may 
 be prepared in the following manner : 
 
 Take of Aquafortis, two ounces, 
 
 Spirits of Wine, camphorated, two ounces, 
 Nitre, in powder, two ounces, 
 Oil of Turpentine, eight ounces, 
 White Lead, one ounce. 
 Vinegar, one pint. 
 
 Mix together ; to be well rubbed into the 
 part affected once or twice a-day. But where 
 there is much pain and inflammation, the fo- 
 mentation, prescribed in page 190, may be 
 used to the part with flannels, as hot as the 
 animal can bear it, previous to the applica- 
 tion of the above oils, which will wonder- 
 fully assist their operation. When these 
 means prove ineffectual, either a blister or a 
 charge must be resorted to; for the treatment 
 here must be entirely adapted to the struc- 
 ture of the part, fleshy parts being more 
 easily acted npon than those that consist of
 
 33^ 
 
 tendons, cartilage, and bone. The form of 
 charge and blister will be found in pages 200 
 and 330. Sprains are, in general, accidents 
 of a very obstinate and unconquerable na- 
 ture, especially when they have been of long 
 standing ; they require often to have the 
 treatment varied, for an application v/ill at 
 times succeed unexpectedly after the practi- 
 tioner has exhausted most of his skill to little 
 purpose. At the same time, the author may 
 be allowed to mention, without wishing to 
 arrogate too much to himself, that in these 
 complaints his practice has been attended 
 with much success. 
 
 Costiveness. 
 
 This disease is generally symptomatic of 
 others, and the author has occasionally treat- 
 ed of it in other parts of the work. When- 
 ever it arises to any height, it is accompanied 
 by fever, and it must be treated as directed
 
 333 
 
 under that head. Where the diet alone seems 
 to produce this complaint, consisting of dry 
 and indigestible food, then it should be al- 
 tered, first removing, by saline purges, the 
 present inconvenience. 
 
 Strangury. 
 
 L HIS complaint has already been treated of, 
 under the head of Gestation. It also attends 
 inflammation of the bladder; and when it 
 occurs under any other circumstances, the 
 treatment recommended in these parts of the 
 work will succeed. 
 
 Tumours, or Swellings of various Kinds, 
 
 1 HIS division includes every preternatural 
 enlargement of an external part ; and, ac- 
 cording to the structure of these parts, it 
 will be either of a soft or hard consistence. 
 All such tumours are attended with inflam- 
 mation, and this inflammation terminates
 
 334 
 
 either by resolution, when the part gains 
 nearly its natural size and shape, or by sup- 
 puration, when matter forms, and the skin 
 gives way, in order to discharge it. Where 
 swellings end in the first way, it is the easiest 
 and most favourable ; where suppuration 
 takes place, it is generally attended with fe- 
 ver, and a considerable time elapses before 
 the matter can be brought to a discharge. 
 But in order to understand the treatment of 
 tumours, it will be best to consider them in- 
 dividually, beginning with the 
 
 Snarled Bag, or Swelled Udder. 
 
 This complaint has already been noticed 
 in a former part of the work ; what is to be 
 mentioned here entirely regards the local 
 treatment. The part should be well rubbed 
 with elder ointment; and as the complaint is 
 merely temporary, from the extension of the 
 milk-vessels, and is, in fact, a proof of a 
 good milker, it will soon yield to this appli- 
 cation, without giving any farther trouble.
 
 335 
 
 Schirrus, or hard Swelling of the Fleshy Parts. 
 
 This is a disease wbich occurs to cows 
 chiefly in two situations ; the one is under the 
 jaw, where the glands of the throat enlarge, 
 and produce difficult breathing, as noticed 
 under the head of Asthma ; the other is when 
 a swelling of the same kind aff'ects the udder. 
 This swellins: is found connected w ith a simi- 
 lar diseased state of the liver; the affection of 
 the liver has generally preceded it for some 
 time. The swelling then suddenly begins in 
 one or more of the quarters of the udder, 
 where the secretion of the milk becomes di- 
 minished ; the swelling gradually increases, 
 becomes more hard and knotty, instead of 
 tending to suppuration. For this disease 
 there is generally no cure. The same medi- 
 cines are to be employed here as in the Yel- 
 lows, or Jaundice, the disease of the liver 
 being the primary object, which is found, on 
 dissection, in an ulcerated state, or, as the 
 cowkeepers term it, rotten. Tlie cow gene-
 
 336 
 
 rally pines under the disease for some months, 
 and then dies. 
 
 Cancers. 
 
 Cancers are not common in cows; the au- 
 thor has not met with more than one or two 
 instances of sores he could not cure, which 
 he considered falling under this description. 
 
 Warts, or Horny Excrescences. 
 
 These are affections of the skin, which in 
 cows do not go deep ; they destroy the roots 
 of the hair wherever they form ; they are of 
 a firm and horny texture, and readily give 
 way when pulled, or roughly handled, which 
 occasions them to bleed, and shows their 
 connection with the vessels of the skin. In 
 their treatment, they readily yield to the use 
 of emollients, particularly the goose-grease, 
 which should be frequently rubbed on them, 
 till the excrescences fall off.
 
 337 
 
 Swellings on the Joints and Bones, 
 
 Swellings on the joints and bones are gene- 
 rally very painful to the touch, attended with 
 inflammation and fever. If the sw^elling 
 comes on suddenly, and its increase is rapid, 
 it generally terminates in suppuration. If si- 
 tuated on the joint, a discharge of synovia is 
 the consequence, which is dangerous and trou- 
 blesome to cure : but, on the contrary, if the 
 swelling comes gradually, with little pain, 
 and a hard callous or ossified substance is 
 felt, then, if early attempts are not made to 
 stop its progress, it will end in a stiff' joint, 
 and all attempts to cure it will be in vain. 
 
 Cause. 
 
 This disease generally proceeds from kicks 
 or blows with stools, &c.; they may also be 
 occasioned by violent strains, &c. 
 
 Cure. 
 When the swelling comes on rapidly.
 
 338 
 
 with much pain and inflammation, bleeding 
 and purging should be immediately premised, 
 and they may be repeated according to cir- 
 cumstances. The best purge for this purpose 
 is the Epsom salts and nitre, as in page 281. 
 Fomentations should also be applied twice or 
 three times a-day. The following the author 
 has found most successful : 
 
 Take of Wormwood and Soulheniwood, of each two Iiandfuls, 
 Poppy Heads, four or five, 
 Elder Flowers, a handful, 
 Camomile Flowers, four ounces. 
 Bay and Juniper Berries, of each one ounce, 
 Crude Sal Ammoniac and Pot Asiies, of each two oimces ; 
 
 which may be boiled in four quarts of spring 
 water, till it is reduced to three ; then foment 
 the swelling with flannels, as hot as possible, 
 for a quarter of an hour or more ; after 
 which, the flannels are to be bound over 
 the part till the time of fomenting again. 
 This operation may be repeated for two or 
 three days, at which period the inflammation 
 is considerably on the decline, when the fol- 
 lowing method must be adopted : the vola- 
 tile blister, as in page 330, must be applied
 
 339 
 
 as there directed, till a profuse discharge or 
 blistering takes place, which will form into a 
 crust, and act as it were a charge to the part, 
 and therefore it should not be rubbed off. 
 This method the author has always found 
 succeed, and it has prevented suppuration 
 taking place ; but if suppuration has al- 
 ready begun, or the disease has advanced so 
 far that it cannot be avoided, it should be 
 brought to a head as soon as possible ; after 
 which, the wound must be treated under its 
 proper head, (see Wounds in the Joints, &c.) 
 When the scurf falls off, which the blistering 
 has produced, and there remains any lame- 
 ness, the charge may be laid on, as in p. 200, 
 which will complete the cure. 
 
 When this swelling comes on gradually, 
 with little pain, and is of a hard, callous, or 
 ossified nature, in this case fomentations will 
 be of no use ; but the following plan will be 
 found to succeed, if early applied. The hair 
 is to be first cut ofl* the part afl'ected, and
 
 3iO 
 
 some of the under-mentioned blister rubbed 
 well into the swelling with a knife or spatula; 
 and it may be repeated for two or three suc- 
 cessive mornings, or till a plentiful discharge 
 is produced : 
 
 Take of Quicksilver, oue ounce 
 
 Goose-grease, two or three drachms. 
 
 To be rubbed together in a mortar till the 
 quicksilver is completely killed ; tlien add 
 the following in fine powder : 
 
 Take of Cantharides, two drachms. 
 Sublimate, one drachm, 
 Oil of Origanum, two drachms, 
 Mashmallow Ointment, two ounces. 
 Goose-grease, one ounce and a half. 
 Tar, two ounces. 
 Oil of Vitriol, one drachm. 
 Spirits of Ammonia, one ounce. 
 
 Mix all well together. After this operation, 
 and the scurf has fallen off, if there should 
 remain any hardness, and the animal is still 
 lame, the blister may be repeated, which sel- 
 dom fails to produce a perfect cure. If the 
 cow seems weak in that part after the above 
 process, which is sometimes the case, the 
 charge before recommended will be proper, 
 in order to strengthen it.
 
 341 
 
 Soft Swellings. 
 
 From bruises and other accidental injuries 
 in getting up and laying down, cows are sub- 
 ject to soft or oedematous swellings of the 
 joints, which are without any pain, heat, or 
 inflammation ; they enlarge often to a consi- 
 derable size, and yield readily to the pressure 
 of the finger. Though this complaint is ne- 
 ver attended with danger, it is troublesome 
 to the animal from its size, and even difficult 
 to remove, if it has been of lonn; continuance. 
 Its management depends on making an open- 
 ing into the swelling in the first instance, 
 which may be done by running a hot iron 
 into the most depending part of it, making 
 two or three openings in this way where the 
 fewest blood-vessels are situated ; and this 
 operation requires particular caution, that 
 the discharge may gradually come away, and 
 that no vessels may be injured, from the dan- 
 ger of producing an internal hemorrhage, 
 which Avould occasion a new increase of 
 swelling and inflammation, instead of lessen-
 
 342 
 
 ing the disease. Where the openings into the 
 swelling are properly made, and a gradual 
 evacuation takes place, then the orifices are 
 to be plugged up, and that in twenty-four 
 hours, with a caustic composed of a small 
 quantity of corrosive sublimate, in powder, 
 placed on tow, which is to be first wetted, 
 that the powder may adhere to it. The effect 
 of this will be to cause a sloughing of the coats 
 of the swelling, when a core to a certain ex- 
 tent will be brought out, by which means a 
 suppuration will ensue, and the swelling be 
 gradually reduced during its progress. The 
 swelling is to be rubbed at the same time 
 with the black oils, as in p. 191. Though the 
 parts never regain entirely their natural size, 
 yet, by these operations, the animal will be 
 enabled to move the joint without any incon- 
 venience. After the wounds are healed, the 
 remaining callous or swelling should be blis- 
 tered two or three times, in order to make 
 the joint more pliable. The blister most pro- 
 per for this purpose is inserted in page 330.
 
 343 
 
 Loss of Joint Oil, or Synovia. 
 
 Wounds, or punctures of the joints, often 
 penetrate so deep as to pierce through the 
 tendons and ligaments, occasioning a loss or 
 dischar«:e of the natural secretion of the 
 joint, viz. its oil, or synovia ; the same acci- 
 dent may happen from any injury exciting 
 inflammation, and that inflammation passing 
 on till it produces an opening into the joint. 
 This disease is always an alarming one, and 
 the principle of cure is to produce the process 
 of healing as quickly as possible, by exciting- 
 active inflammation : this may be done after 
 the first eft'ects of the injury have subsided, 
 which will be effected by bleeding, purging, 
 and fomentation, in the usual manner, and 
 then ap|)lying the volatile blister to the joint, 
 as in p. 330; at the same time the orifice is to 
 be plugged with a tent, dipj^cd in the fol- 
 lowing composition : 
 
 Take of Sweet Spirits of Nitre, three drachms, 
 
 Bulter of Anlinioiiy and Extract of Lead, each two drachms. 
 
 The blisler and caustic mav be occasionally
 
 344 
 
 repeated ; the mixture every twenty-four 
 hours, till the joint oil is completely stopped; 
 then the following balsam may be applied 
 once or twice a-day, in order to heal up the 
 wound : 
 
 Take of Compound Tincture of Myrrh, two ounces, 
 Blue Vitriol Water, half an ounce. 
 
 The vitriol water may be made by dissolving 
 ten drachms of blue vitriol, in powder, in 
 a pint of hot water ; the balsam to be well 
 shaken together previous to using it. The 
 blister is to be well rubbed on the joint, till 
 a plentiful discharge takes place from the sur- 
 face, when it becomes no longer requisite. 
 By this treatment a cure is generally effected, 
 unless when the bones are materially injured, 
 along with the soft parts, and then any plan 
 of cure will prove ineffectual. When weak- 
 ness of the joint prevails after the synovia is 
 stopped, which is generally the case, a charge 
 is then the fittest application, as in page 200.
 
 345 
 
 WOUNDS. 
 
 Oows are very sul)ject to be wounded in dif- 
 ferent parts of the body, from a variety of 
 circumstances ; they are liable to be gored 
 by each other, when they get together in 
 the layer or elsewhere, especially if any of 
 them is wounded, and they see or smell the 
 blood ; this renders them furious, and they 
 fight and poke at each other with their horns. 
 The treatment of all such wounds is to be 
 conducted by first endeavouring to stop the 
 effusion of blood, either by styptics, by pres- 
 sure, or binding up, or else by sutures, or 
 stitching of the part. The styptics commonly 
 used for the cow are composed as follows : 
 
 Take of Oil of Vilriol and Brandy, of each one ounce. 
 
 Or, 
 
 Take of Salt and Nettles, a handful of each. 
 
 To be beat together in a mortar till it be- 
 comes a pulp. Where the styptics have not 
 a sufficient effect to restrain the blood, they 
 may be assisted by pressure or bandage ; and 
 should they still fail, and the situation admits
 
 346 
 
 of it, the lips of the wound, or the divided 
 skin, may be brought together with a crooked 
 needle, made for that purpose. When this is 
 done, every thing is to be left for the first 
 twenty hours, in order that the vessels may 
 collapse, and a farther effusion of blood may 
 be prevented ; at the end of that time, the 
 wound is to be dressed ; and the manner of 
 doing this will be best illustrated by consi- 
 dering the first species of wounds or pokes. 
 
 Pokes, Goring, or Wounds in Flesh?/ Parts, 
 
 The most troublesome of these wounds 
 is when they go deep, and the external 
 opening is confined ; in this case, a small 
 candle should be thinly wrapped round with 
 tow ; and after it has been well soaked in the 
 following balsam, and dipped in the diges- 
 tive ointment, it may be conveyed into the 
 wound, and there left; the swelling is then 
 to be rubbed once a-day with the black oils 
 recommended in page 191. This will prevent
 
 347 
 
 any tendency to mortification, and also pro- 
 duce a quick suppuration. These dressings 
 may be repeated every twenty-four hours. 
 If the parts are much swelled and inflamed, 
 a dose of Epsom salts may be given, and the 
 fomentation used once or twice a-day, as in 
 page 190 ; and should there appear any ten- 
 dency to mortification, the bark drink may 
 be administered, prescribed in page 266. 
 
 WOUND BALSAM. 
 
 Take of Compound Tincture of Myrrh, four ounces, 
 Cold drawn Linseed Oil, liall a pint, 
 Spirits of Turpentine, four ounces. 
 
 Mix well together. 
 
 DIGESTIVE OINTMENT. 
 
 Take of Common Turpentine, eiglit ounces, 
 Spirits of Turpentine, four ounces. 
 Linseed Oil, two ounces. 
 
 Mix over a slow fire. 
 
 Feet Foul. 
 
 This is a disease which frequently occurs, 
 and proceeds from two causes ; the one from 
 accidents, and the other from a morbid state 
 of the system. Its situation is betwixt the
 
 348 
 
 claws of the cow, either in the fore or hiud 
 feet, but more frequently in the former. 
 It is always attended with a swelling, the 
 discharge from which, when it breaks, or 
 cracks, is of a very offensive smell. 
 
 The accidental foul proceeds from gravel, 
 flints, bones, or any other hard substance 
 getting betwixt the claws, which produces 
 great pain and inflammation. The first step 
 to be taken for its cure is to remove the hard 
 substance from betwixt the claws, and clean 
 the wound out; then the following ointment 
 is to be applied to the part, spread on tow, 
 and bound on with cloth and string. 
 
 Take of Soft Soap and Common Turpentine, each one pound ; 
 
 which is to be melted over a slow fire till the 
 two articles are completely united. The 
 dressings may be repeated two or three 
 times, which never fails to complete a cure.
 
 349 
 
 Joint Foul. 
 
 This begins with great pain, attended 
 with inflammation and swelling betwixt the 
 claws, and even up to the fetlock joint. The 
 claws are extended outwards from the swel- 
 ling betwixt them, and the cow is very fe- 
 verish. The attack of the disease is very sud- 
 den. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 In this case bleeding will be proper; after 
 which, give a dose of Epsom salts, as in 
 page 281 ; tlien apply a plaster of soft soap 
 betwixt the claws. It must be repeated 
 every two days till a large core comes out, 
 which is always the case in this disease be- 
 fore a cure can be completed ; the wound 
 may then be dressed with the digestive oint- 
 ment, page S5^, in order to heal it. 
 
 Canker. 
 
 This is a disease in the back part of the 
 heel of the hind foot, though it sometimes
 
 350 
 
 comes ill the front. The wound is about the 
 size of a shilling, or half-a-crown ; its appear- 
 ance is of* a rusty colour : it makes the cow 
 go very lame, and gives the animal great pain 
 when touched ; the matter discharged is very 
 
 offensive. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 The first attempt to cure is to clean the 
 wound, then dress with the following oint- 
 ment : 
 
 Take of Blue Vitriol, in powder, Verdigris, and Honey, of each one ounce ; 
 
 which are to be put over a slow fire in a pip- 
 kin, and continually stirred till they come to 
 a red colour : some of this ointment is to be 
 well rubbed into the part affected with a 
 wooden spatula, then spread some of the 
 ointment on a pleget of tow, which is to be 
 bound on the wound with a cloth and string, 
 and to be repeated in three days ; two or 
 three times are generally sufficient to com- 
 plete the cure.
 
 351 
 
 Wounds in the Soles of the Feet. 
 
 Wounds in these parts are occasioned by 
 a number of accidents, such as being worn 
 througli by travelling ; also by treading on 
 nails, sharp flints, glass, or any other sub- 
 stance that may penetrate through the hoof 
 to the quick, either of which will cause lame- 
 ness, and the parts soon become festered ; 
 if neglected, the confined matter will make 
 its way up betwixt the hair and hoof, and 
 consequently make the cure more tedious. 
 
 Cure. 
 
 As soon as the lameness is perceived in 
 the foot from any of the above accidents, the 
 foot should be drawn out as soon as possible, 
 in order to search for the wound ; and the 
 hoof must be taken olF as far as it is hollow, 
 in order that a proper medicine may be ap- 
 plied to the part affected. When this is com- 
 pleted, the following ointment is to be spiead 
 on tow, which is to be closely confined upon
 
 352 
 
 the vvouiid with cloth and string. The dress- 
 ings may be repeated every other day till 
 well. 
 
 Take of Tar and common Turpennne, of eacu one pound. 
 
 To be put into a pipkin over a slow fire till 
 it is completely dissolved, then take it from 
 the fire, and add to it four ounces of spirits of 
 turpentine, which should be stirred well to- 
 gether till it is incorporated. The above 
 method will generally succeed in completing 
 a cure in recent cases ; but if it has been of 
 long standing, and the wound has become 
 ulcerous, then a different mode of treatment 
 must take place, for which see Ulcers, as it 
 properly comes under that head. 
 
 ULCERS. 
 
 1 HE last division of Local Diseases is Ulcers, 
 which are sores that arise either from wounds 
 not properly healed, or from a constitutional 
 fault, which breaks out into a sore in some 
 part of the body, the discharge from which
 
 353 
 
 is of a bad nature, and does not produce any 
 tendency to heal. Ulcers, like wounds, occur 
 in cows more frequently in the feet and hoofs 
 than elsewhere ; and the most common of 
 them is the constitutional ulceration of this 
 part. 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES OF THE FEET. 
 
 1. Common Ulce?\ 
 
 This is a disease to which cows and oxen 
 are very subject, particularly about the me- 
 tropolis ; though it is not exactly confined to 
 these alone, as the author has had an oppor- 
 tunity of attending several when in the coun- 
 try, even while at grass, which evidently 
 shows that the disease arises from a morbid 
 state of the body. The symptoms of this 
 disease are, a sudden lameness, the foot be- 
 gins to swell betwixt the hair and the hoof, 
 which soon extends all round the foot, and 
 sometimes up to the fetlock joint; and in a 
 few days it will break out betwixt the hair 
 
 Aa
 
 354 
 
 and the hoof, and will even force its way 
 downwards, betwixt the ligaments of the 
 coiEn joint to the bottom of the foot, so as to 
 form a complete ulcer, into which a probe 
 may be passed through the foot ; and there is 
 generally two or three of these ulcers in each 
 claw. When these are cured, if internal me- 
 dicines are not given, they will frequently 
 break out in some of the other feet. 
 
 C 
 
 lire. 
 
 As this is an inflammatory disease in its 
 first attack, attended w^ith violent pain to the 
 animal, so as to prevent her putting the foot 
 to the ground, bleeding and purging will be 
 proper ; the fittest purge is the sulphur, pre- 
 scribed in page 256. After the operation of 
 the purge, the alterative plan is to be begun, 
 as directed in page 256, and may be con- 
 tinued for a week or ten days, or as long as 
 it is found necessary. The foot is also to be 
 paid attention to : w^hen the disease first be- 
 gins, the fomentation prescribed in page 190
 
 355 
 
 should be used twice a-day till the inflamma 
 tion is somewhat abated; then apply a blister 
 all round the cornet, or top of the hoof, as 
 prescribed in page 340. The hoof is also to 
 be taken off wherever it presses against the 
 wound. The local treatment of this ulcer, 
 after these preliminary steps, is the next con- 
 sideration ; and the sore is to be dressed by 
 injecting into it the following solution : 
 
 Take of Blue Vitriol Water, one ounce, 
 
 Butter of Antimony, one drachm. 
 
 This application is to be injected every other 
 day; and after the injection, the digestive 
 ointment, as in page 352, is to be applied, 
 spread on tow, to the mouth of the ulcer. 
 To this treatment the disease will generally 
 yield in a short time. 
 
 2. Ulcer, with rapid Growth of Proud Flesh. 
 
 Another species of ulcer is that attended 
 with a rapid growth of flesh from the sore. 
 This often takes place betwixt the hair and 
 the hoof, and also between the claws ; it ge-
 
 356 
 
 nerally attacks the parts most thinly covered 
 with flesh. The treatment here differs from 
 the former only in this, that it is necessary 
 to rub in a small quantity of the following 
 caustic over the whole surface of the preter- 
 natural growth, with a spatula ; and after 
 remaining in this state, the whole may be 
 covered with the digestive ointment, p. 352 : 
 
 CAUSTIC. 
 
 Take of Soft Soap, one ounce, 
 Arsenic, half an ounce, 
 Oil of Vitriol, half an ounce, 
 Spirits of Lavender, half a draclun. 
 
 The soap and arsenic to be mixed first, and 
 then the vitriol added by degrees. By these 
 means, part of the growth w^ill become dead 
 in a few days, which may be cut or pared 
 off, and the same caustic application made 
 to the remaining part till the whole is de- 
 stroyed. 
 
 3. Ulcer, with callus. 
 
 In ulcers in fleshy parts there is often 
 met with a preternatural callus, or hardened 
 growth. This must be destroyed before a
 
 557 
 
 cure can be completed. Though the same 
 means will accomplish it as in the above spe- 
 cies, yet here the caustic requires to be ap- 
 plied with more caution. The hard part is 
 to be rubbed with it for half the extent of 
 the swelling, beginning at the orifice. The 
 dead parts are then to be cut away every 
 two or three days, and the application is to 
 be repeated till the cure is complete, as di- 
 rected in the last species of ulcers. 
 
 4. Ulcer of the Teats. 
 
 Ulcers on the cow's teats seldom occur, 
 except when the cow has got the cow-pox, 
 from the eruption which always attends this 
 disease, and, if neglected, they frequently 
 terminate in troublesome ulcers ; therefore 
 they require early attention. In the first in- 
 stance, the teats should be anointed after each 
 time of milking with the following lead oint- 
 ment : 
 
 Take of Goose-grease, one pound, 
 Hogs' Lard, two pounds, 
 Red Lead, lluee ounces 
 Roach Aliun, in powder, one pound.
 
 358 
 
 The goose-grease and hogs' lard are to be 
 melted over a slow fire ; the lead is then to 
 be added in fine powder, which is to be con- 
 stantly stirred till it becomes cold, in order 
 that it may be well incorporated. But when 
 these sores, from being neglected, become 
 ulcerous, the following medicine must be ap- 
 plied once or twice a-day. 
 
 Take of the above-mentioned Lead Ointment, two ounces, 
 Red Precipitate, in fine powder, half a drachm ; 
 
 which must be well rubbed with the oint- 
 ment till it is completely incorporated. These 
 ulcers are frequently the cause of the cow 
 losing a quarter, when any inflammation takes 
 place in them, which may be known by the 
 milk becoming bloody. The symptoms of 
 the complaint are given under the head of 
 Swelled Udder, and the treatment, as there 
 pointed out, will be proper.
 
 359 
 PART III. 
 
 DISEASES OF BULLOCKS AND CALVES. 
 
 JriiOM the diseases of the cow, which have 
 been treated at large in the preceding part 
 of the Work, it will be necessary to notice 
 those of the Bullock and Calf. With respect 
 to them, there is little room for observation. 
 
 The bullock being an animal of a stronger 
 constitution than the cow, will be more sub- 
 ject to inflammatory diseases, especially when 
 he is exposed to labour; and these diseases 
 Avill also rise to a greater height; the treat- 
 ment, therefore, must be regulated accord- 
 ingly. AH the remedies recommended must 
 be carried farther than with the cow; he must 
 be bled, purged, &c. to a third more, which 
 will be a proper general rule to be observed 
 in all his diseases; though it must, at the 
 same time, be modified, like every other ge- 
 neral rule, according to the circumstances of 
 ihe case, and the judgment of the practitioner.
 
 360 
 
 With respect to the bull, he is seldom subject 
 to any disease, except that arising from ex- 
 cess of venery. This consists in a discharge 
 of matter from his yard, similar to the clap, 
 termed, in common language, being burnt. 
 It is to be treated as a common inflammation, 
 and will yield to cooling saline purges, as in 
 page 187, ^lid afterwards to the use of diu- 
 retics, as in page 243 ; the yard may be also 
 washed with the cooling solution, as in page 
 174. The disease is generally cured in a fort- 
 night or three weeks, and during this time 
 he must be kept from the cows ; they are 
 also subject to the same disease, and the same 
 treatment applies as directed for him. — From 
 falls off the cow the bull is also liable to 
 strains of his back and loins. The treatment 
 of this complaint was considered in the for- 
 mer part of the work, and to that we refer 
 here. — Cows are also liable to the same acci- 
 dent from violent exertions, bruises, &c. Here 
 it is to be treated as in inflammatory diseases, 
 by bleeding and fomentations.
 
 361 
 
 The last part of the subject, or the dis- 
 eases of Calves, is one on which very little 
 occurs to be said, except what respects the 
 doses of medicines, which must be propor- 
 tioned to their age and strength. They are 
 subject to a great part of the diseases of the 
 cow; the treatment must therefore be the 
 same ; and perhaps the best general rule that 
 can be laid down is, that all the means of 
 cure employed, whether bleeding, purging, 
 &c. should not be carried to a greater length 
 than in the proportion of one third of what 
 has been directed for the cow : the judgment 
 of the practitioner will be more able to de- 
 cide in particular cases, whether he sliould 
 go farther lengths or not. But from the very 
 minute detail which has already been given 
 of the treatment of each disease, no one can 
 be at a loss to act under any circumstances 
 that may occur, making allowance for the 
 difference of age, size, and condition of the 
 animal in different cases.
 
 362 
 
 Mange, 
 
 1 HIS is a cutaneous disease, and, on that 
 account, from its affecting the external skin 
 or surface, it may be placed here. It is very 
 infectious, for so many cows as come in con- 
 tact with an infected one, will immediately 
 catch the disease. Its symptoms are, a scurf 
 on the external part of the body, which is al- 
 ways attended with an itching. This the ani- 
 mal shows, by having a continual inclination 
 to rub the affected part or parts against any 
 thing she can get at. The eruption generally 
 begins first on each side the tail or shape, 
 which will, if not stopped, spread all over 
 the body. Its origin is from an impoverished 
 state of the blood, for it generally attacks 
 those cows which are low and lean in flesh, 
 and have been fed on poor forage. 
 
 Cure, 
 
 The first step to be taken to cure this dis- 
 ease, is to take a curry-comb, and gently
 
 365 
 
 curry off all the scurf, in order that the me- 
 dicine may have a better effect ; after this, 
 the following application is to be rubbed on 
 the parts affected, which may be repeated 
 every three or four days till a cure is com- 
 pleted ; and it seldom requires more than two 
 or three applications : 
 
 Take of Sulphur Vivum, one pound, 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine, lialf a pint, 
 
 Train Oil, a sufficient quantity to make it into a thin liquid. 
 
 Before closing the diseases of the cow, it 
 will be improper to omit, that it is sometimes 
 necessary to induce her to take the bull ; and, 
 for this purpose, medicines of a stimulant na- 
 ture are used. Thev will seldom be neces- 
 sary if the animal is well fed, though there 
 are some constitutions so sluggish and torpid 
 as to require them. The provocative medi- 
 cine used by the author is as follows : 
 
 Take of Grains of Paradise, half an ounce, 
 
 Cantharides, from two drachms to half an ounce. 
 
 To be boiled in three pints of ale, and given 
 to the animal new milk warm. Tiic dose ot 
 this medicine should be given fasting, and
 
 364 
 
 the cow should have nothing given her for 
 four hours after taking it, that it may have 
 more influence ; if she takes the bull in four 
 or five days after taking this medicine, it 
 w^ill not require to be repeated. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The limits of this Work have extended far- 
 ther than, according to the original intention 
 of the author, he meant to have carried 
 them. He is confident, however, that his 
 readers will be satisfied no part of the im- 
 portant subjects of which he treats could be 
 dispensed with. He is even obliged to apo- 
 logize to them for not beinsfable to introduce 
 what he proposed, some observations on the 
 nature and effects of the cow-pox ; as this, 
 however, is a subject which does not so ma- 
 terially interest them, he is convinced that 
 they will be rather pleased that it has given 
 place to articles of more consequence to them 
 and their concerns.
 
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