BLAIN.
Some veterinary writers describe this disease as "a watery tumor, growing at the root of the tongue, and threatening suffocation. The first symptoms are foaming at the mouth, gaping, and lolling out of the tongue."
The disease first originates in the mucous surfaces, which enter into the mouth, throat, and stomach. It partakes somewhat of the character of thrush, and requires nearly the same treatment.
Make an infusion of raspberry leaves, to which add a small quantity of borax or alum. Wash the mouth and tongue with the same by means of a sponge. If there are any large pustules, open them with the point of a penknife. After cleansing them, sprinkle with powdered bayberry bark, or bloodroot. Rid the system of morbid matter by injection and physic, (which see, in Appendix.) The following antiseptic drink will then complete the cure:—
Make a tea of raspberry leaves by steeping two ounces in a quart of boiling water; when cool, strain; then add
| Powdered charcoal, | 2 ounces. |
| Powdered bayberry bark, | 1 ounce. |
| Honey, | 2 table-spoonfuls. |
Give a pint every four hours.
The diet should consist of scalded meal, boiled turnips, carrots, &c., to which a small portion of salt may be added. If the glands under the ears and around the throat are sympathetically affected, and swollen, they must be rubbed twice a day with the stimulating liniment. (See Appendix.)
The disease is supposed, by some veterinarians, to originate in the tongue, but post mortem examinations lead us to determine otherwise. Mr. Youatt informs us that "post mortem examination shows intense inflammation, or even gangrene, of the tongue, œsophagus, paunch, and fourth stomach. The food in the paunch has a most offensive smell, and that in the manyplus is hard and dry. Inflammation reaches to the small intestines, which are covered with red and black patches in the cœcum, colon, and rectum."