_Causes._--The cause of this complaint appears to be, generally, exposure. Dr. White says, "Almost all the diseases of cattle arise either from exposure to wet or cold weather, from their food being of a bad quality, or deficient in quantity, or from the animal being changed too suddenly from poor, unwholesome keep to rich pasture. It is necessary to observe, also, that the animal is more liable to be injured by exposure to wet and cold, when previously enfeebled by bad keep, old age, or any other cause; and particularly when brought from a mild into a cold situation. I have scarcely met with a disease that is not attributable to a chill." _Treatment._--This must be much the same as in diarrhoea--sheathing the mucous membrane, and inviting action to the surface. The animal must be warmly housed, well littered, and the extremities clothed with flannel bandages. The diet must consist of flour gruel, scalded meal. Raspberry tea will be the most suitable drink. Much can be done by good nursing. Mr. Ellman says, "If any of my cattle get into a low, weak state, I generally recommend nursing, which, in most cases, is much better than a doctor; [meaning some of the poor specimens always to be found in large cities;] having often seen the beast much weakened, and the stomach relaxed, by throwing in a quantity of medicine injudiciously, and the animal lost; when, with good nursing, in all probability, it might have been otherwise." SCOURING ROT. _Cause._--Any thing that can reduce the vital energies. _Symptoms._--A gradual loss of flesh, although the animal often feeds well and ruminates. The excrements are of a dark color, frothy, and fetid, and, in the latter stages, appear to be only half digested. There are many symptoms and different degrees of intensity, during the progress of this disease, indicate the amount of destruction going on; yet the author considers them unimportant in a practical point of view, at least as far as the treatment is concerned; for the disease is so analogous to dysentery, that the same indications are to be fulfilled in both; more care, however, should be taken to prevent and subdue mortification. In addition to the treatment recommended in article _Malignant Epidemic_, the following injection may be substituted for the one prescribed under that head:-- Powdered charcoal, a tea-cupful. Common salt, 2 ounces. Pyroligneous acid,[11] half a wine-glass. Warm water, 2 quarts. Throw one quart of the above into the rectum, and the remainder six hours after the first. FOOTNOTE: [11] Vinegar obtained from wood. DISEASE OF THE EAR Diseases of the ear are very rare in cattle; yet, as simple inflammatory action does now and then occur, it is well that the farmer should be able to recognize and treat it. _Symptoms._--An unnatural heat and tenderness about the base of the ear, and the animal carries the head on one side.