TREATMENT. Cattle plague is proved to be an eruptive fever. When the specific virus has entered the body of a susceptible subject, no medicinal treatment has yet been discovered which can destroy it or materially shorten or mitigate its effects. Until such an antidote is found, there can be no hope of certain cure. The liritish cattle-plague commissioners collect ed information regarding the four following methods of treatment—namely, the antiphlogis tic, the tonic and stimulant, the antiseptic. and the special. Diverse as are these systems, the percentages of recoveries—varying from 25.83 to 27.45—were so nearly alike that it is fair to conclude that no one of the systems tried exer cised any notable influence in checking the mor tality. Partly, perhaps. from the varying viru lence of the plague, partly from the differences in the nursing and care bestowed on the animals, the proportion of recoveries has varied greatly in different localities. Rational treatment is limited to warding off untoward symptoms, to careful nursing. and husbanding the failing strength. It must, however, he remembered that throughout the progress of the disease there is constant spreading of the infection to healthy cattle. Hence, plague subjects should be imme diately destroyed. Except, therefore• for purely scientific purposes, and with careful precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, it is un wise to attempt remedial treatment. Where, however, a beast is to have a chance of recov ery. sn soon as the elevated temperature indi
cates the accession of the disease solid, indi gestible food should be withheld, and the patient restricted to mashes, gruel, boiled linseed, malt, and other food which can be digested without the necessity for rumination. Where the bowels at the outset are costive, a dose of oil or a very small quantity of some saline purgative may IN' required. Cold water, gruel, mashes, or stale bread soaked either in water or beer should he offered at short interval: throughout the at tack. The animal, kept in an atmosphere of alNnit 60', should be comfortably clothed and have its legs bandaged. The hot-air bath and Avet packing have liven repeatedly tried; lint al though probably useful in the- earlier stages, appear, when the disease is fully established, to harass and weaken the patient. Small and re peated doses of sulphite of soda have in some eases proved useful. and may be conjoined with carefully regulated, moderate doses of such stimulants as ale, whisky and water, sweet spirit of nitre, spirit, of ammonia, or strong eollee. It is most important, however, that these and other such medicines should be drunk by the animal of its own accord in the gruel, water, or mashes, as forcible drenching always disturbs the patient. The inhalation of chloro form, although temporarily relieving the dis tressed breathing, does not appear to exert any permanent benefit.