\^^ 
 
 ^^\x s^'^T 
 
 i LIBRARY J 
 
 W.R. JENKINS. 
 
CORNELL UNIVERSITY. 
 
 THE 
 THE GIFT OF 
 
 ROSWELL P. FLOWER 
 
 FOR THE USE OF 
 
 THE N. Y. STATE VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
 
 1897 
 
Cornell University Library 
 SF 915.H44 
 
 Practical veterinary remedies; a useful hi 
 
 3 1924 003 332 362 
 
The original of tliis bool< is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003332362 
 
PEACTICAL 
 
 VETEKINAKY EEMEDIES^ 
 
 A 
 
 . USEFUL HAND-BOOK ON MEDICINE. 
 
 Describing its Properties, Action, Uses, and Doses, together with 
 
 Instructions Eoto to Administer it to the Horse, 
 
 Ox, Cow, Sheep, Pig, and Dog. 
 
 G. S. HEATLEY, M.K.C.V.S., 
 
 AUTHOR OF "THE HOKSE OWHEK'S SAFEGUAKD," "THE STOCK 
 
 OWNER'S GUIDE," "SHEEP FAKMING," " ODK DOGS 
 
 AND THEIK DISEASES," ETC. ETC. 
 
 EDINBUEGH: 
 MACLACHLAN & STEWAIIT, 
 
 {Booksellers to the University.) 
 
 LONDON ; BAILLIERB, TINDALL, & CO. 
 
 NEW YORK : WILLIAM R. JENKINS. 
 
 18 85. 
 
5r 
 
PREFACE.V- 
 
 The ostensible object of the present treatise is 
 to present to all those interested in the welfare 
 'and management of the domestic animals herein 
 mentioned a reliable guide concerning " Practi- 
 cal Veterinary Remedies." 
 
 It is therefore anticipated that the work 
 will be found useful and important to the 
 numerous constituency to which it appeals, and 
 that the truisms it contains may be the means 
 of mitigating much suffering, besides tending 
 to keep down inordinate expense. 
 
 The Author also wishes to express his heart- 
 felt gratitude to the Press for the very favour- 
 able consideration he has already received for 
 former efforts in this class of literature. 
 
 March 1885. 
 
PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 INTEODUCTOEY. 
 
 Encoueagbd by the success attending my former efforts in 
 the scientific literary arena, and yielding to the earnest 
 entreaties of numerous friends throughout the country, 
 I have at length produced, with the assistance of the 
 publishers, a cheap book, containing a number of pertinent 
 facts relating to Practical Veterinary Eemedies. 
 
 In doing so, we wish not to usurp the place of others 
 who have faithfully chronicled their views ; but as many a 
 valuable sermon can be preached from the same text, yet 
 clothed in more attractive language, so many a work may 
 be written even upon the same foundation. Not that we 
 entertain egotistical ideas regarding our own productions, 
 but because we conscientiously aim at placing before the 
 reader a few truisms that are of everyday importance in the 
 administration of medicines to the lower animals. 
 
 How often have we witnessed the career of a valuable 
 animal abruptly terminated by an injudicious dose of 
 medicine ! 
 
 I well remember being requested to visit a horse said 
 to be suffering from colic. On my arrival I foim.d the 
 symptoms of colic accurate enough, with the complication 
 
2 PEACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 of congestion of the lungs. Now I was rather at a loss 
 to account for both maladies being present at one and the 
 same time, so I proceeded to interrogate the attendant as 
 follows : — ■ 
 
 " What has this horse been doing, John ?" 
 
 " Oh, naething but plooing, sir." 
 
 " Has he been feeding all right 1" 
 
 " Yes, up to this morning." 
 
 " Did you observe him blowing or lifting at the flanks 
 yesterday ?" 
 
 " No ; he was a' richt last nioht when we left the stable, 
 but this morning he wud neither eat nor drink ; and as he 
 looked as if he was griped, we gave him a bottle o' linseed 
 oil, and a tablespoonful o' ginger in it." 
 
 " You did no harm in that, John ; but turn him round to 
 the light, so that I may see his face." 
 
 This being done, I lifted the flap of his nostril to see if 
 there was any indication of inflammation or redness, when 
 I discovered traces of linseed oil within the nose. 
 
 My next query seemed to stagger the worthy John, as 
 I inquired if the animal had vomited after receiving the oil 
 (for be it known that a horse only vomits through his nose). 
 
 " Vomit," replied John, "what put that in your head, sir V 
 
 " The oil inside the nostrils, John ! " 
 
 " Oh ! I see," returned John ; " but we held up his head, 
 and poored the oU doon his <nose." 
 
 Here, then, was the explanation of the congestion. They 
 had choked the poor animal, a portion of the mixture finding 
 its way into the lungs, which ultimately terminated in the 
 death of a good five-year old horse. Very many, then, are 
 the obsolete remedies stiU practised. As proof of this, I 
 was in confidence told only the other day by a horse dealer 
 that cow manure and sweet milk used to be administered to 
 roarers, and was a perfect success for the time being. 
 
INTRODUCTORY. 3 
 
 T have also known cows receiving tar and egg shells; 
 while ground glass blown into the eye is often employed to 
 remove a foreign body from that organ. 
 
 Many quack mixtures are stiU compounded and admiais- 
 tered, which are diametrically opposed to ordinary reason, 
 and agents that are antagonistic in character are thrown 
 together and given to avert certain complaints. External 
 remedies are also often indiscrimiaately applied, the 
 ulterior consequences frequently ending in death, or 
 perpetual blemishment. 
 
 Proceeding then to discuss the true remedies that are 
 applicable to domestic animals, we shaU. notice, in the first 
 place, that pre-eminent agent. 
 
 ACID CAEBOLIC : 
 Its Peopeeties, Action, and Uses. 
 
 There are few mediciues ia the British Pharmacopoeia 
 which demand greater attention than carbolic acid. To 
 the agriculturist a knowledge of this drug is of the greatest 
 importance, nor should this knowledge be confined to the, 
 farmer. It ought to be disseminated widely, because it 
 stands prominently forward as the best disinfectant agent 
 that the world has yet seen; and were it for no other 
 property than this it cannot be too highly extoUed. 
 
 It was discovered in. the year 1843, as an ordinary con- 
 stituent of the urine of herbivora, and one of the numerous 
 interesting products obtained from coal tar, — the commercial 
 supply being got from the black and heavier coal tar oUs. 
 
 Carbolic acid is a narcotic irritant poison. It is used in 
 medicine as an antiseptic and stimulant, and possesses 
 inestimable qualifications as a disinfectant. 
 
 A strong solution applied to the skin or mucous surfaces 
 
4 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 acts as a topical irritant, coagulates albumen, and leaves a 
 white, dry roughened surface, more or less deprived of sensa- 
 tion, from whioh the shrivelled outer skin subsequently peels 
 off. "When it is swallowed, besides excitiag this local action, 
 and also usually causing vomiting, it is readily absorbed in 
 all probability as a carbolate, and produces inebriant effects 
 which are in every way analogous to those of alcohol. 
 
 Like alcohol and oil of turpentine, it exercises its influ- 
 ence over the great nerve centres, notably the spinal chord, 
 stimulating, deranging, and paralysing its functions, thereby 
 destroying life by respiratory arrest. 
 
 Poisoning is accomplished by whatever channel the acid 
 is introduced into the system. Dressings employed in 
 human surgery sometimes produce nausea, vomiting, giddi- 
 ness, &c. Again, sheep that are suffering from scab, if too 
 freely dressed, wiU often have an attack of congested or 
 inflamed lungs, which will in all likelihood terminate life 
 at the end of a few weeks. Dogs are also extremely sus- 
 ceptible to its influence, and one incautious appKcation will 
 produce dulness, depression, trembling, and disinclination for 
 food of the most tempting nature for several days. Stronger 
 dressings, if too freely used, will within a few minutes cause 
 excitement, panting, unsteady gait, and frequently even 
 fatal coma. 
 
 The urine of animals receiving carbolic acid, or to whose 
 skins it has been freely 'applied, gives off a tar sort of odour 
 when treated with a drop or two of sulphuric acid, while a 
 blue colour is developed on adding to it a little iron per- 
 •chloride solution. 
 
 Animals dying from the administration of carbolic acid 
 present the following noteworthy post-mortem appearances. 
 There is whitening of the mouth and gullet, and frequently 
 the stomach presents the same sign. Strong solutions leave 
 j)atches of redness, and inflammation in the stomach and small 
 
ACID CARBOLIC. 5 
 
 intestines, while a smoky sort of creasote odour pervades tlie 
 body. The internal organs are congested, and the vessels 
 of the brain are full of fluid blood. 
 
 Now it must be remembered that the great vakie and 
 manifold application of carbolic acid depends upon its anti- 
 septic and disinfectant power. It arrests as well as prevents 
 fermentation. Yeast treated with it fails entirely to exert 
 its familiar effects. In its presence mould and fungi cannot 
 grow, and if already in existence they are effectually and 
 speedily killed. Nor does it require large doses to effect 
 this, as 1 1^ per cent, can destroy aU organised life in putrefy- 
 ing solutions, putrefactive taint, and fimgi as weU. Meat 
 steeped for one hour in a solution of 1 per cent, is effect- 
 ually preserved ; and again, not only does carbolic destroy the 
 lowly cells or germs, which excite fermentation and decay, 
 but oats, barley, and beans, when soaked in a 1 per cent, 
 solution, do not germinate, whUe plants watered with it die. 
 The vapour or solution promptly poisons not only simple 
 animalcules, but also creatures higher in the scale of life, 
 such as fleas, moths, ticks, earth worms, ascarides, and 
 lumbrici ; in fact, all the lower forms of life are quickly 
 destroyed by solutions containing one part of carbolic acid 
 to one hundred of water. 
 
 Again, experiments have proved that the virus of cattle 
 plague loses its reproductive powers when exposed to 
 carbolic vapours. The subtle actively reproducing germs 
 which are given off during the progress of other catching 
 diseases, are doubtless also destroyed when brought into 
 contact with this agent. In short, no substance proves so 
 generally serviceable as a disinfectant as carbolic acid. 
 
 We pass on now to the consideration of its medicinal 
 merits. Now, the administration of carboKc acid is clearly 
 indicated in those diseases where tissue change is unduly 
 violent. It has proved of immense value in cattle plague. 
 
6 PJiACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 as it possesses tlie power of lowering advancing temperature, 
 and prolonging where it did not actually save Ufe. In the 
 Texas cattle fever the remedy most relied on was 12 
 ounces of carbolic acid, 12 ounces of sodium bicarbonate 
 mixed with 4 ounces of glycerine, — the dose being from 
 one to two tablespoonfuls three times a day in a quart 
 of water. It also mitigates the severity of foot-and-mouth 
 disease, and when given in this and other contagious 
 affections it probably checks the reproduction of the 
 specific virus, and thus prevents, or at all events greatly 
 reduces, its risk of spreading. As an antiseptic in surgery, 
 it has saved both man and the lower animals an enormous 
 amount of sufferiag. It has prevented blemishing, con- 
 served useful members, and expedited cure. For general 
 purposes no antiseptic is so convenient and so eminently 
 effectual as carbolic acid. "Wounds, whether inflicted by 
 accident or the operator's knife, when at once freely satu- 
 rated with the carbolic solution, and kept covered with 
 lint or other appliances well soaked with the antiseptic, heal 
 rapidly vrith the best results. All exudates from serious 
 wounds immediately irrigated with carbolic acid solutions, 
 and protected from the air, have no tendency to putrefy or 
 develop foul discharges, which are ever common in wounds. 
 Therefore not only is the health and comfort promoted, but 
 annoyance and injury to other animals in the immediate 
 vicinity is also prevented. Few remedies more rapidly 
 remove the irritating itching pain and swelling occasioned 
 by the stings of wasps, bees, &c. ; while inhalation either 
 with air or steam is of great service in malignant sore 
 throat and unhealthy strangles, abscesses, &c. Considerable 
 care, however, must be exercised either by inhalation, 
 iajection, or even as an external dressing, as it is liable to 
 become absorbed, and in this way it develops its narcotic 
 irritant properties. 
 
ACID CAKBOLIC. 7 
 
 As an antiseptic and disinfectant, notMng better can be 
 employed for the purification of stables, cow houses, 
 piggeries, kennels, and poultry pens, or for railway trucks, 
 horse boxes, &c. 
 
 To ensure thorough purification of infected places, the 
 antiseptic must be often and freely employed, either in the 
 condition of vapour, spray, fluid, or powder, or in several 
 of these forms. The vapour is easily procured by sprinkling 
 the acid on red hot coals, or upon a hot metal plate. In 
 large buildings, besides smearing the walls and woodwork, 
 sheets saturated with it should be hung up here and there, 
 as these catch the floating particles of contagion. The 
 daily use of this agent internally and externally will prevent 
 with tolerable certainty healthy animals from becoming 
 affected, although they are in close proximity to the 
 diseased ones ; and no antiseptic is so effectual in preserving 
 hides, skins, or wool. 
 
 Doses. — Horses and cattle take from 15 to 40 drops; 
 sheep and pigs from 5 to 8 drops ; dogs, 1 to 2 drops. 
 
 The crystaUised acid dissolved is by far the best for 
 internal use. It is often administered in the form of a 
 baU, but it is better given with glycerine, and is not likely 
 then to produce local irritation. For external purposes, it 
 is of ten mixed with soap, the preparation being from 1 to 12 
 or 16 as an application for ticks, lice, mange, ringworm, &c., 
 and for wounds with oil in the same proportion. 
 
 / 
 
 The next disinfectant on the list we must assign second 
 place to, is known as 
 
 CHLOEIDE OF LIME ob BLEACHIZSTG POWDEE. 
 
 This agent was first introduced and prepared by Messrs 
 Tennant & Mackintosh of Glasgow, in the year 1798, and 
 
8 PEACTICAL VETERINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 is a valuable bleaching agent. In fact, most of tbe 
 laundries now-a-days resort to it in order to save labour 
 and whiten the calico. It is a soft grey white powder, 
 with an odour of chlorine, or to be more accurate in the 
 description, of hypochlorous acid. It possesses an acrid bitter 
 taste, and deliquesces when exposed to the air. It is to a 
 certain degree soluble in water, a portion of the Hme remain- 
 ing insoluble. 
 
 It is all irritant, stimulant, alterative, astringent, 
 desiccant, a feeble antiseptic, a particularly good deodoriser, 
 and a disinfectant. 
 
 It has been recorumended for tympanitis in the horse, 
 and hoven or distention of the stomach in cattle. But 
 repeated trials have now convinced the veterinarian that 
 for these complaints it is of little use. It is used, however, 
 externally with more favourable results, and acts as a stimu- 
 lant and deodoriser for the following unhealthy wounds, 
 such as canker, thrush, and fistula. Now, although it does 
 not possess the power to arrest putrefaction or prevent 
 fungus growths, it nevertheless attacks and successfully 
 breaks up the products of putrefaction, therefore it is an 
 efficient deodoriser, and a tolerable disinfectant. It is often 
 spread at gateways, cowsheds, and other premises where 
 contagious disease exists. It has a sickly smell, and is as a 
 rule disliked by man and beast. It diminishes the value 
 of manure, and if scattered about a stable or cowshed, it 
 wiU banish flies; while neither rats nor mice wiU seek a 
 habitation where it is sprinkled, more especially if it is 
 mixed with sulphur. 
 
 Doses. — Horses can take from 1 to 2 drachms, cattle 
 2 to 4 drachms, sheep about 1 drachm, dogs 2 to 5 
 grains, to be administered either in cold gruel or milk, or 
 given in a ball. 
 
CAMPHOR. 
 
 CAMPHOR 
 
 Is obtained from a tall, handsome evergreen, wMch grows 
 in Chiaa and Japan. From experiments made by Sir 
 Robert Christison of Edinburgh, it yields about l-500th of 
 its -weight of camphor, which is sometimes extracted by 
 exposing the wood to dry distillation. In Formosa, from 
 which most of the camphor imported into this country 
 comes, the branches are steeped in. water and boiled, the 
 fluid is strained and allowed to stand until it concretes, the 
 crude camphor with alternate layers of dry earth, is placed 
 on copper vessels, over which domes are inverted, into 
 which, on the application of heat, the camphor sublimes. 
 Excessive doses are irritant and narcotic. The medicinal 
 properties — anodyne, stimulant, diaphoretic, and slightly 
 diuretic. Externally it is stimulant, irritant, and feebly 
 antiseptic. 
 
 , The poisonous doses, two drachms of camphor injected 
 into the jugular vein, or two ounces introduced into the 
 stomach, will kill a horse. Hertwig considers the deadly 
 dose for a dog to be from a quarter to half an ounce. 
 
 Symptoms of poisoning hy this agent. — General excitement, 
 affection j^of the mucous membranes, muscular twitohings, 
 vertigo, profuse sweating. The odour of camphor can be 
 detected in the breath and the secretions of the body. The 
 animal falls to the ground with outspread nostrils and 
 dilated pupils, and foaming at the mouth. Smaller animals 
 are frequently affected with partial paralysis and loss of 
 sensibility, often apoplexy, with loss of motion and sensa- 
 tion, and death ensues without convulsions. 
 
 Post-mxyrt&m appearances. — Although classed with narcotic 
 poisons, it nevertheless produces irritation of the alimentary 
 canal. The blood is dark, and coagulated in the heart and 
 
10 PEAOTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 larger vessels. The tody exhales a strong odour of camphor, 
 which is quite perceptible even after the flesh has been boiled. 
 
 Treatment. — Acidulated draughts and purgatives. If the 
 dose does not prove fatal, diuretics assist in expelling the 
 drug by the kidneys. In small animals emetics must be 
 given. 
 
 Doses for horses 1 drachm, cattle 2 to 4 drachms, sheep 
 and pigs 22 to 40 grains, and for dogs 5 to 10 grains. 
 When given internally, it is best made into an emulsion 
 with eggs, or dissolved in milk or oil. For external use, it 
 ought to be dissolved in six or eight parts of alcohol, dilute 
 acetic acid, oU of turpentine, or linseed oil. 
 
 CANTHAEIDES or BLISTEEING FLY. 
 
 These flies are found in Southern Europe, Germany, and 
 Russia, and sometimes along the south coast of England. 
 They generally take up their habitation upon such trees as 
 the olive, lilac, ash, alder, honeysuckle, and rose. During 
 May and Jime, after nightfall or before dawn, the collectors, 
 with their faces and hands protected, shake or beat the 
 insects from the trees on which they feed, and kUl them by 
 exposure to the fumes of the oil of turpentine, or by 
 immersion in boiling vinegar, and quickly dry them either 
 in the sun or by artificial heat. Most of the flies used ia 
 this country were formerly brought from Spain, hence the 
 name Spanish fly. 
 
 The poisonous doses of this insect are half an ounce and 
 upwards for horse or ox ; a drachm for a sheep, and half 
 a drachm for a dog. 
 
 Symptoms of Poisoning. — The mouth and fauces, and 
 indeed the whole of the alimentary canal, is excessively 
 irritated or inflamed, the membrane of the mouth is red, 
 
CANTHARIDES OK BLISTEKING ELY. 11 
 
 and there is considerable difficulty ia swallowiag. Dogs 
 vomit, and efforts of a similiar nature are made by tbe horse 
 and ox. The urinary organs are very much affected. In 
 all animals there appears to be a certain degree of sexual 
 excitement. The urine is voided with difficulty and pain, 
 as it is irritating and burning ; it is highly albuminous ; the 
 faeces are covered with mucus, and mixed with blood. At 
 first the animal appears sexcited, but very soon prostration of 
 strength supervenes, cold sweats bedew the body, there are 
 muscular twitchings, paralysis of the hind quarters, and 
 finally death. 
 
 Post-Mortem Appearances. — The intestinal canal and 
 urinary organs are congested or inflamed. The kidneys may 
 appear healthy, but the lining membrane of the bladder is 
 always reddened. There are black patches and even spots 
 of ulceration in the intestines. 
 
 Treatment. — Mucilaginous and albuminous drinks, for 
 example linseed tea, a strong emulsion of gum arable, and 
 the white of eggs. Oil is to be avoided, as it dissolves 
 the cantharidine, and favours its absorption. 
 
 Canthaiides is chiefly used in the form of powder, oint- 
 ment, tincture, liniment, and blisters, and as such possesses 
 great value. Given internally, the dose for a horse is from 
 4 to 20 grains, for cattle 10 to 20 grains, for sheep and 
 swine 2 to 8 grains, for dogs half a grain to 2 repeated once 
 or twice a day, usually administered with aromatics and 
 bitters, and should any untoward effects occur it must be 
 suspended at once. The tincture of cantharides is vulgarly 
 termed a sweating blister. 
 
 AMMONIA OB SPIEITS OF HAETSHOKN 
 
 Exists in the air, in dew and rain, in some mineral springs, 
 and in the juices of most plants furnishing their nitrogen. 
 
12 PKACTICAL VETEHINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 It is also freely evolved from the putrefaction and destruc- 
 tive distillation of organic matters, and from the bodies of 
 living animals. Eut the coal beds are the great commercial 
 source of ammonia and its compounds. Ammonia in its 
 gaseous state is irritant ; if respired it inflames the throat 
 and bronchial tubes in a violent manner ; in concentrated 
 solution it is an irritant caustic poison ; in medicinal doses 
 it is stimulant, antispasmodic, antacid, antiseptic, diaphoretic, 
 and diuretic ; applied externally, it is irritant and vesicant. 
 
 Hertwig discovered that half an ounce of the strong 
 solution had no bad effect on horses, but one ounce proved 
 fatal in sixteen hours, and three ounces in fifty minutes, 
 the latter quantity causing violent cramps and difficulty in 
 breathing. Half a drachm introduced into the stomach and 
 secured by tying the gullet, destroyed a dog in twenty-four 
 hours, producing much uneasiness, agitation, and stupor, 
 and leaving after death slight redness of the villous coat of 
 the stomach. When injected into the veins, it causes 
 spasms, convulsions, and death, which as a rule occurs in a 
 few minutes, and depends upon the sudden arrestation of 
 the heart's action. The most effectual antidotes are vinegar 
 and other diluted acids, with diluents and demulcents. 
 
 Its Medicinal Properties. — ^Ammonia is beneficial in 
 influenza, scarlatina, purpura, chronic bronchitis, and pneu- 
 monia — wherever indeed there is failure of the heart's action, 
 cold extremities, or sudden depression of the vital powers. 
 It relieves congestion of the lungs brought on by over- 
 exertion or exposure. For aU. such. purposes it may be both 
 inhaled and swallowed. When given by the mouth it is 
 usually combined with alcoholic stimulants. In chronic 
 bronchitis, particularly in horses, ammonia inhalations, 
 besides acting as general stimulants, lessen ovet-abundant 
 secretion, but great care must be taken that the pungent gas 
 is not used too freely or too concentrated. 
 
AMMONIA OR SPIRITS OF HARTSHORN. 13 
 
 In indigestion, hoven, and tympanitis, its twofold action 
 as a stimtdant and antacid render it especially useful. 
 Controlling irregular or inordinate nervous force, it counter- 
 acts the spasm of colic and epilepsy, and in the latter 
 disease may be given by the mouth as well as cautiously 
 inhaled. It is a valuable antidote in poisoning by prussic 
 acid, opium, tobacco, and other sedatives. A few drops 
 are sometimes added to emetics to increase their activity 
 and lessen their depressing influence. It is used both 
 internally and externally in the treatment of snake bites, 
 Taut its success is uncertain. Diluted solutions abate the 
 irritation induced by stings of wasps. Mixed with oil or 
 other bland fluid, it is applied as a counter-irritant in 
 sore throat, bronchitis, rheumatism, and chronic disease of 
 the joints in cattle. As an external stimulant, it acts very 
 rapidly, has no tendency to irritate the urinary organs, and 
 is used either alone or in conjunction with cantharides, 
 mustard, or turpentine. It is an effective antiseptic. 
 
 Doses. — As a difiusible stimulant, horses can take from 
 2 to 6 drachms, cattle 2 to 10 drachms, sheep and 
 pigs 1 drachm, dogs from 5 to 12 drops. The medicinal 
 solution being half the strength, is given in double the 
 above quantities. They require to be repeated every two 
 or three hours. A useful stimidating draught, either for 
 horses or cattle consists of the following : — Half an ounce of 
 medicinal ammonia, half an ounce of sweet spirits of nitre, 
 half an ounce of the tincture of gentian, to be given in a 
 ■quart of ale. 
 
 CAKBONATE OF AMMONIA. 
 
 The carbonate resembles closely the ammonia hydrate, 
 but is less irritant. It is sufficiently active, however, to 
 produce in small animals the same irritant poisoning. Two 
 
14 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 and a half draclims given to a dog caused gastric inflamma- 
 tion, tetanic convulsions, and death. Notwithstanding, for 
 all classes of patients, it is the most convenient ammoniacal 
 compound, and is employed, often advantageously conjoined 
 with alcohol, in influenza, scarlatina, erysipelas, also in the 
 second stages of inflammatory complaints and in convales- 
 cence from debilitating diseases. To maintain the flagging 
 vital powers, it is recommended in the puerperal apoplexy 
 of cows, while it frequently averts epUeptic fits in weakly 
 dogs. 
 
 Doses. — Horses require 2 to 4 drachms, cattle 3 to 6 
 drachms, sheep and pigs 15 to 40 grains, dogs 3 to 8 
 grains. It is given either in a ball with linseed meal, or 
 better stUl dissolved in gruel, which ought to be cold. 
 Where prompt stimulating effects are required, it is fre- 
 quently conjoined with alcohol, ether, or sweet spirits of 
 nitre ; whUst in chronic aUments it is advantageously 
 united with gentian, ginger, oak bark, and other tonics. 
 The best smelling salts are made by adding to the sesqui- 
 carbonate half its weight of strong ammonia solution, 
 adding some aromatic oil, such as bergamot or lavender. 
 
 ALCOHOL. 
 
 Alcohol is represented in the British Pharmacopoeia in 
 several distinct forms, such as absolute alcohol, rectified 
 spirit, proof spirit, and methylated spirit, and is also 
 extensively used in several forms of wine and spirits. 
 
 The various alcoholic fluids are obtained either directly 
 or indirectly from the fermentation of saccharine solutions. 
 
 Eectified spirit, or spirits of wine, are the usual terms 
 applied to alcohol obtained from the distillation of fermented 
 saccharine fluids, containing 16 per cent, by weight, or 11 
 
ALCOHOL. 15 
 
 per cent, by measure of 'water, with the specific gravity of 
 "838. To absolute alcohol it bears a general resemblance, 
 but; tas less pungency and volatility, and a higher boUiag 
 point. It is used for making aU spirits and many of the 
 tinctures and extracts that are sold. 
 
 The following alcoholic fluids, employed both dieteticaUy 
 and medicinally for man, are also frequently prescribed for 
 the lower animals. 
 
 Wiue, the fermented juice of the grape, contains from 5 
 to 1 7 per cent, of excise alcohol. Brandy, prepared by the 
 distillation of the weaker wines, contains about 53 per cent, 
 of excise alcohol. Eum, a fluid about the same strength, is 
 made by the distillation of a fermented solution of molasses. 
 "Whisky is of similar strength, and is obtained by distUling 
 a thoroughly fermented solution of malt, or of malt and raw 
 grain. Whilst Hollands, Geneva, and gin, a little weaker 
 than the foregoing, are prepared from fermented malt, and 
 a small quantity of juniper berries. Ales and porter, 
 convenient stimulants in almost every-day use, are made by 
 infusing malt in water, at about 180°, allowing it to stand for 
 a few hours, until the starch is in great part converted into 
 dextrine and sugar, boiling the solution with the requisite hops, 
 adding yeast to cause fermentation, which must be carefully 
 watched lest it should go too far. The dark colour of the 
 porter is due to a portion of the malt being roasted. Porter 
 and ales contain between 4 and 8 per cent, of excise alcohol. 
 
 The Action and Application of Alcohol. — It is a narcotic 
 poison, and belongs to the inebriant class. It first stimu- 
 lates, then deranges, and ultimately depresses the functions 
 of the brain and spinal chord. It kUls as a rule, by paralysis 
 of respiration. Medicinally it is a very valuable difiiisible 
 stimulant, antispasmodic, cardiac tonic, and antiseptic. 
 During their excretions from the body, they act as 
 diuretics and diaphoretics. Carefully used in small doses, 
 
16 PEACTIOAL VETERINAEY EBMEDIES. 
 
 alcohol is a readily assimilable article of food; locally, it 
 an irritant and refrigerant. 
 
 Strong spirit applied to the skin or to a mucous surface 
 produces increased vascularity, accompanied by heat, redness, 
 and irritability; these, however, are soon superseded by 
 diminished vascularity and sensibility. Similar character- 
 istic signs occur when alcohol is taken in full doses 
 internally. The general excitement first observed is followed 
 by deranged and depressed action. It coagulates albumen, 
 and destroys those organic germs which excite fermentation 
 and putrefaction. It exerts similar effects by whatever 
 channel it enters the body, whether injected into the veins, 
 inhaled, or swallowed. Moderate doses given by the mouth 
 increase the gastric secretions and aid digestion, but large 
 doses and strong solutions destroy the pepsin, arrest secretion, 
 irritate and inflame the mucous coat, and thus interfere with 
 absorption. 
 
 There has been much controversy, and I suppose will be, 
 as to the dietetic value of alcohol. It contains no nitrogen, 
 and hence it is not available for the building up of the 
 albuminous structures. But like sugar, starch, or fat, it 
 undergoes oxidation or combustion. It supplies force and 
 heat; it maintains or increases the weight of the body, and 
 when used in excess frequently causes an accumulation of 
 fat or fatty degeneration. Men and the lower animals kept 
 on somewhat deficient diet, on which weight would be lost, 
 maintain their weight when receiving in addition daily 
 smaU. doses of alcohol. In health alcohol can easily be 
 dispensed with, and there can be no doubt whatever that 
 those systems are the most robust (and better able to with- 
 stand disease) that never taste it. But in fever the retard- 
 ation of oxidation adds greatly to its value, because it 
 checks undue tissue waste, it lowers the temperature, while 
 it is more readily digested and assimilated than ordinary 
 
ALCOHOL. 17 
 
 food. In short, it is a valuable servant, but a despotic 
 tyrant when it becomes master, because its commandment is 
 " Thou shalt have no other God but me." 
 
 Its Medicinal Properties. — I do not know of another 
 drug that is more extensively used than alcohol. It 
 possesses the most extraordiaary power that the mind is 
 capable of conceiving. It wUl rouse and regulate weak and 
 disturbed nervous power; therefore it is useful in. indiges- 
 tion, it is useful in spasmodic colic, it is useful in arresting . 
 chills, it is useful in cases of poisoning by either aconite or 
 tobacco. It strengthens the action of the heart, dilates the 
 capillaries, and by doing so it diminishes the arterial 
 tfension, and in conjunction with heat it increases animal 
 temperature. For these properties it deserves a word of 
 commendation. It is valuable in influenza, in debilitating 
 disorders, and in convalescence from acute attacks. Under 
 its powerful sway the appetite improves, the temperature 
 becomes normal, and the hurried pulse becomes firm and 
 steady. Where a horse is hard wrought, with a pulse 
 quick and weak, with the breathing hurried and embar- 
 rassed, no treatment in the world is better or more success- 
 ful than a couple of ounces of spirits every two hours, and 
 mustard to the throat and sides. Therefore, I must again 
 repeat that it is dangerous to condemn an agent with such 
 valuable inherent properties. 
 
 Doses. — The rectified spirit, to horses 1 ounce, to cattle 
 1 to 3 ounces, sheep half an ounce, and dogs 1 drachm. 
 
 Whisky, ale, brandy, gin, wine, &c., according to the 
 patient's condition ; but smaR doses, oft repeated, are best in 
 all circumstances. 
 
18 PEACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 BELLADONNA or DEADLY NIGHTSHADE , 
 
 Grows wild in most parts of Great Britain, more especially 
 about old waUs, the edges of plantations, and shady ruinous 
 places. But the demand having increased, it is now carefully 
 cultivated. It is an annual stem, and grows from three to five 
 feet high; the leaves are four or five inches long; the flowers 
 are pendulous and beU-shaped, and of a dark purple tint. 
 
 Its Medicinal Properties. — It is decidedly useful in in- 
 fluenza, tetanus, scarlatina, and purpura in the horse; also 
 in sore throat, inflammation of the lungs, bronchitis, and 
 diseases of the heart. It wUl arrest congestion; it soothes 
 and pacifies the nervous system; while to an animal suffering 
 from inflammation of any of the organs of the throat, no other 
 remedy gives such quick and prompt relief. Given with a 
 stimulant, such as the carbonate of ammonia, it will relieve 
 without delay the painful cough which so often occurs in dis- 
 temper in dogs. In inflammation of the bowels, in rheuma- 
 tism, in epilepsy, and chorea, its services are very desirable. 
 
 Applied externally, it relieves irritable and painful wounds, 
 and the raw surface of frost-bite, cracked heels, and mud 
 fever; given in the form of an injection, it allays irritation 
 of the bladder and rectum, and counteracts spasmodic 
 contraction of the womb. 
 
 Inflammation of almost any part of the eye is allayed by 
 the application of belladonna. 
 
 Doses of the Extract. — Horses 1 to 2 drachms, cattle 2 to 
 3 drachms, sheep 20 to 30 grains, dogs 2 to 5 grains. 
 
 OPIUM 
 
 Is obtained from the poppy species. Its narcotic properties 
 are due to the morphia, with many other alkaloids, in very 
 
OPIUM. 19 
 
 variable quantities, combined with sulphuric acid and a 
 peculiar organic acid, the meconic. 
 
 Its Action and Uses. — Containing as it does so many 
 different constituents, its action of course must necessarily 
 be diversified; it acts on the spinal and brain systems, and 
 also upon the sympathetic. A full dose has the same effect 
 as alcohol — stimulant first and a depressor afterwards. In 
 horses the excitant action predominates, in dogs the two 
 antagonising actions are more evenly balanced; there is as a 
 rule, usually delirium with stupor. Poisonous doses prove 
 fatal by arresting the respiration; applied externally, it first 
 stimulates, then soothes and paralyses both sets of nerves. 
 Therefore, whether employed internally or externally, it is 
 one of the most effectual antidotes for pain, nervous 
 irritability, and spasms that we possess. 
 
 ITow horses like men display considerable difference in 
 their susceptibility to the action of this medicine; excitable 
 well bred animals are brought under its excitant effects far 
 more readily than a coarse bred one; therefore to this fact 
 must be ascribed the nj.any contradictory reports regarding 
 its action. 
 
 The ox and cow are not very susceptible to the influence 
 of opium; a cow wUl take ^n ounce, and a sheep 4 drachms, 
 without any other effect than dryness of the mouth. 
 Swine after they get 1 or 2 drachms become lively, then 
 dull and sleepy, their bowels get constipated, and their skin 
 hot. 
 
 Dogs manifest the same symptoms as man under its 
 influence. With moderate doses most people become stupid 
 and drowsy, but other individuals are rendered delirious. 
 In animals poisoned by opium, the blood is fluid and dark 
 colomed, from imperfect decarbonisation. There is general 
 venous engorgement. There is no medicine more frequently 
 prescribed. As a stimulant and restorative, it acts almost like 
 
20 PEAOTICAL VETERINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 food or alcohol. The Cutchie horsemen share their opium 
 with their jaded steeds, and increased activity and endurance 
 are the effects both in man and beast. 
 
 It is of great value in colic, in inflammation of the 
 bowels, in peritonitis, and all inflammatory affections situated 
 ■within the abdomen, because it combats spasms, irritation, 
 and pain. 
 
 Opium is best administered in the form of the tincture 
 or laudanum. The immediate effects are more apparent. 
 The dose of the fluid being for horses and cattle from 1 
 to 3 ounces, for sheep and pigs 2 to 4 drachms, for dogs 1 5 
 to 40 drops. In diarrhoea and dysenteyy, there are very few 
 remedies more effectual than injections of the tincture of 
 opium or laudanum, mixed with warm starch gruel. 
 
 ACONITE OE MONKSHOOD. 
 
 Botanists have counted twenty-two species and upwards 
 of one hundred varieties of aconite. Some of these species 
 are, however, inert or very nearly so. According to authority, 
 the root is six times as active as the other parts, and is 
 consequently most valued. The leaves are less active than 
 the root, but more' so than the flowers, fruit, or stem. 
 
 Its Action arid Uses. — It paralyses both sets of nerves, 
 that is, the sensory and motor. It causes spasm of the 
 muscles of the chest, arrests respiration, when death 
 ensues from suffocation. As a sedative, it is safer and easier 
 managed than bleeding; it is more certain and effectual than 
 either calomel, opium, or tartar emetic. When chewed or 
 rubbed on the mucous surfaces or skin, it produces a 
 peculiar tingling sensation with numbness; there is no 
 alteration of structure, there is no irritation or excitement 
 produced, the sensory nerves appear to have lost all feeling. 
 
ACONITE OR MONKSHOOD. 21 
 
 and seem paralysed. This agent seems to possess a 
 uniform effect upon all animals, even from the earthworm 
 to man. Horses receiving an overdose tremble violently; 
 they lose the power of supporting themselves, become 
 slightly convulsed, froth at the mouth, perspire freely, 
 appear much nauseated, and attempt to vomit, the breathing 
 becomes slower and feebler, the pulse is reduced in strength 
 and in number, and it will require six or eight hours before 
 the breathing and pulse regain their normal standard; 
 impared appetite and sickness will remain for a couple of 
 days. 
 
 Its Medicinal Pcoper^jes.— Aconite is a prompt and 
 effectual sedative for aU domestic animals. In a quarter of 
 an hour after a dose is administered, the number of pulse 
 beats is reduced one-fourth, their force is weakened, vascular 
 excitement is thus abated, the high temperature is lowered, 
 and the pain is relieved. No sedative is so certain and 
 successful in the early stages of inflammation of the lungs, 
 pleurisy, bronchitis, enteritis, peritonitis, laminitis, or 
 rheumatism. Indeed, it is certainly the most effectual and 
 valuable agent that the veterinary surgeon possesses for 
 controlling at the commencement attacks of acute inflamma- 
 tion or fever, either in horses or cattle. If a horse has 
 been hard- worked and exposed to a chill, accompanied with 
 acute sore throat, a little mustard externally, and a couple 
 of doses of aconite is generally all that is required. Shepherds 
 employ it with great success during the lambing season 
 upon the ewes. 
 
 Fleming's tincture is the ingredient most employed upon 
 our patients, as it is about four times the strength of the 
 B. P. 
 
 Dose.— 'For a horse 10 drops, for cattle 10 to 20, for sheep 
 2 to 3 drops, and for dogs 1 to 2, given in water or gruel, 
 and repeated every two hours. 
 
22 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 CHLOEOEOEM. 
 
 This medicine was discovered in 1832 by Soubeiran and 
 Liebig. Its effect' upon the lower animals was described 
 by Dr Glover in 1842; while its valuable anaesthetic 
 action was first discovered and applied by the late Sir 
 James Y. Simpson of Edinburgh, in November 1847. 
 Since that period it has been extensively employed for the 
 mitigation of human suffering during surgical operations, 
 parturition, and numerous diseases. It has also crept into 
 our practice for similar purposes. The British Pharmacopoeia 
 gives the following explicit directions for making and 
 purifying : — 
 
 "Mix 30 fluid ounces of rectified spirit with 3 gallons of 
 distilled water in a capacious still. Add 10 pounds 
 chlorinated lime, thoroughly mixed with 5 pounds of slaked 
 lime. Let the condenser terminate in a narrow-necked 
 receiver, and apply heat so as to cause distillation, taking 
 care to withdraw the fire the moment the process is well 
 established. When the distilled product measures 50 
 ounces, remove the receiver, and pour its contents into a 
 gallon bottle half filled with water, shake weU together, and 
 set at rest for a few minutes, when the chloroform will 
 subside; pour off the water, and thrice wash the chloroform 
 in a smaller vessel with successive portions of 3 ounces of 
 water. Agitate the washed chloroform for five minutes 
 with an equal volume of sulphuric acid, then, after sub- 
 sidence of the latter, transfer the cliloroform to a flask 
 containing 2 ounces of chloride of calcium in small frag- 
 ments, mixed with half an ounce of perfectly slaked lime. 
 Mix well by agitation. After the lapse of an hour, con- 
 nect the flask with a Liebig's condenser, and distil the pure 
 chloroform by means of a water bath. Preserve the product 
 
CHLOROFORM. 23 
 
 in a cool place, in a well-stoppered bottle. The lighter 
 liquid which floats on the crude chloroform after its 
 agitation with water, and the washings with distilled water, 
 should be preserved and employed in a subsequent opera- 
 tion." 
 
 Chloroform is a transparent, colourless, neutral, oily- 
 looking, mobile fluid, with a sweet taste, and a fragrant, 
 ethereal, and apple-Hke odour. 
 
 Its Actions and Uses. — Full doses paralyse and narcotise 
 the brain and spinal systems, by whatever channel it enters 
 the body. Death results from respiratory arrest and sufibca- 
 tion. The vapour inhaled speedily induces anaesthesia. 
 Taken internally, it is stimulant, antispasmodic, and anodyne. 
 Undiluted, it is a topical irritant. It is applied externally 
 as a rubefacient, anodyne, and local anaesthetic. 
 
 An ounce rapidly swallowed by a dog 15 lbs. weight, or 
 half an ounce injected into the chest, causes a sudden cry, 
 gasping respiration, a run of feeble pulsation, and death in 
 70 or 80 seconds. Similar rapid and fatal eifects result 
 when small animals are introduced into a large glass 
 ^ jar containing 7 per cent, of vapour ; it rapidly enters the 
 blood, but the changes it produces there are unknown at 
 present. It is removed from the body mostly by the 
 lungs, but in smaller amount by the skin and kidneys. It 
 acts directly on the brain and nerve centres, paralysing and 
 totally extinguishing their functions. The action of the 
 heart at first is quickened then depressed. The pulse 
 eventually becomes rapid and weak, the respiration at first 
 retarded, now becomes quicker; but as narcosis increases, it 
 gets more slow, shallow, and irregular. 
 
 The pupils are at first contracted, they then gradually 
 dilate. In dogs, cats, and rabbits, as in the human subject, 
 apparently from paralysis of the sympathetic nerves, the 
 functions of the liver are deranged, and sugar is found in 
 
24 PKACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 the urine. In these and other effects of chloroform 
 functional activity is succeeded by functional paralysis. 
 Sir James Y. Simpson considered that chloroform saves the 
 lives of six persons in every hundred subjected to surgical 
 operations; therefore, with proper precaution, it is a safe 
 remedy. It has been administered many thousand times in 
 Scotland and in England too. During the Crimean war 
 30,000 French soldiers inhaled it without a single accident ; 
 while on our side, with 50,000 men under its influence, 
 there were only two deaths. In the American war it was 
 given 22,000 times without accident; therefore the 
 various deaths do not average more than 1 in 17,000. I 
 have employed it successfully on both the horse and cow. 
 In the case of a cow she never could be induced to retain 
 the seminal fluid after being served by the buU. Many and 
 frequent were the attempts made by rubbing het back, 
 douching her with cold water, &c. ; still she always succeeded 
 in voiding it. I was requested to call one morning when 
 she was to be served. I took with me four ounces of 
 chloroform, and as soon as the process was complete I 
 placed the nose-bag over her mouth, tied it over the head, 
 and allowed it to remain until she was completely under 
 its influence. She rested in a comatosed state for half 
 a day, and pregnancy was the result. In the horse case his 
 disorder consisted in his extraordinary viciousness when 
 taken to the forge; he did not only damage himself, but men 
 were in danger of their lives. He was a valuable hunter, so 
 we did not want him blemished. We had no stocks, there- 
 fore I had to resort to chloroform, and I may here say 
 with the most satisfactory results; when he recovered suffi- 
 ciently so as to be able to stand, he was quietly shod all round, 
 with the docility of a good-natured old one. I have also 
 administered it with success during parturition in the mare, 
 at Charles Gow's, Esq. of Melvine Hall, Ormiston, N.B. 
 
CHLOROFOEM. 25 
 
 Doses. — For horses and cattle from 2 to 4 ounces, 1 to 
 2 ovmces for sheep and pigs, and 2 to 4 drachms for the 
 dog. The inhalation is the most simple and advisable way 
 of giving it. Place a sponge saturated vcith it in a nose- 
 bag, which must be perforated with holes in order to allow 
 the air to enter. If undue effects be produced, the inhala- 
 tion must be stopped at once, free access to fresh air allowed, 
 throw water over the head and neck, which of course must 
 be cold, and apply artificial respiration. 
 
 Chlorodyne. — Now a popular anodyne in human medi- 
 cine is made from different formulae. That of Dr Collis 
 Browne's is said to contain ten parts each of chloroform, 
 ether, Indian hemp and morphine, two parts capsicum 
 tincture and prussic acid, three parts aconite and hyoscy- 
 amus tinctures, one part oil of peppermint, five parts of 
 hydrochloric acid, and fifty of simple syrup. 
 
 CEOTON OIL AND CEOTOlSr SEEDS. 
 
 The tree grows from 15 to 20 feet in height on the 
 •Indian continent, in Ceylon, and in many islands. Its nuts 
 are larger than a hazel, of an oval-triangular form, and 
 contains three seeds about the size of French beans, each 
 one weighing about three grains. 
 
 They are brown, with no odour, and taste at first mUd 
 and mucilaginous, but very soon they become hot and acrid. 
 The seed contains from 50 to 60 per cent, of a fixed oil, 
 which when separated constitutes the croton oil. 
 
 The acrid oil thus expressed from croton seeds is an 
 energetic poison. One drachm of the bruised seed will 
 sometimes kill a horse in from five to six days. Two 
 drachms give rise to great fever, colic, general debility, and 
 in from six to fifteen hours superpurgation sets in. The 
 
26 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 pulse cannot "be felt at the jaw, cold sweats bedew tlie body, 
 and death takes place in about twenty hours, and if the 
 animal is weak its life will terminate in ten hours. 
 
 From 10 to 20 grains excite violent purgation in the 
 dog ; and if the gullet be tied the smaller dose wiU. induce 
 efforts to vomit, paralysis, and death in four hours. Both 
 in the horse and dog, after death the stomach and intestines 
 are found inflamed ; frequently there are erosions of the 
 mucous membrane and effusions of blood in the intestines, 
 and in some cases the lungs are inflamed. 
 
 A drachm of croton introduced into the cellular tissue of 
 a dog's limb, brought about complete loss of sensation, and 
 arrested the power to move in twenty-eight hours, and after 
 thirty hours produced death. 
 
 Hertwig states that eight drops injected into the jugular 
 vein killed a horse, while two drops applied in the same 
 manner killed a dog. 
 
 Its Medicinal Action and Uses. — It is employed as an active 
 purge — for cattle suffering from impaction, fardel-bound, and 
 constipation from torpidity of the bowels and parturient 
 apoplexy, milk fever, &c. It is servicable where you can- 
 not give bulky medicines, when animals are unmanageable 
 or where there is difficulty in swallowing. The bad effects 
 of overdoses is combated by demulcents, and opium given 
 by the mouth and rectum, hot fomentations to the belly, 
 and afterwards stimulants to counteract depression. 
 
 Doses. — Horses take 36 grains of the seed, therefore, if 
 you allow 3 grains to each seed, you wiU require 12 seeds. 
 20 seeds are given to cattle, 4 for sheep, 3 for pigs, and 1 
 or 2 for dogs. The dose of the oil is, for the horse 15 
 to 25 drops, for cattle | to 2 drachms, for sheep and 
 swine 5 to 10 drops, and for the dog 2 to 3 drops. 
 
 If you add the oil to any blistering composition it greatly 
 increases its irritable properties. 
 
DIGITALIS OR FOXGLOVE. 27 
 
 DIGITALIS OE FOXGLOVE 
 
 Grows wild in this climate, and in numerous parts of tlie 
 Continent, in young plantations, by the hedge sides, and 
 hUIy pastures. As a medicine, this agent has been Iiighly 
 praised, owing to its decided and marked influence upon 
 the heart. It is, however, capable of irritating the alimentary 
 canal, is sedative to the nerve centres, and through them 
 affects the heart. 
 
 According to Delafond, the poisonous dose for the horse 
 is from IJ to 2 ounces; and Hertwig says that 6 drachms 
 are sufficient to produce symptons of poisoning ; half an 
 ounce may induce inflammation of the stomach and bowels. 
 Cattle suffer from large doses, and dogs die from the effects 
 of from 2 to 3 ounces, after it has been administered — say 
 from six to eight hours ; providing it is a poisonous dose, 
 there will be general dulness, loss of appetite, staring coat, 
 inflamed mucous membranes, staring prominent eyes, dilated 
 nostrUs, breathing and pulse hurried. In the course of twelve 
 hours intestinal irritation, with sickness, colicky pains, purg- 
 ing, and in some animals vomiting. But the characteristic 
 symptom of poisoning' by this digitalis is, the violent and 
 intermittent action of the heart, the pulse feeble and 
 indistinct, respiration fast, then becoming slow, irregular, 
 and interrupted, rapid emaciation of the body, at first 
 deficient urinary secretion, spasmodic efforts of the bladder, 
 and lastly, copious and profuse flow of urine. 
 
 The Post-mortem Appearances reveal inflammation of 
 the stomach and bowels, black uncoagulable blood, the 
 ventricles of the heart contracted, and the auricles dilated. 
 Digitalis is one of those agents that accumulate in the 
 system, and for some time without any apparent effect ; but 
 it may begin abruptly to act with great energy, as if with 
 
28 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 the accumulated power of all that has been administered, 
 and symptoms of poisoning are manifested. 
 
 In treating cases of poisoning by this agent, substances 
 should be given that contain tannin, as this renders the 
 poison inert and insoluble. If the system is much prostrated, 
 then stimulants must be given in order to support life until 
 the poison is expelled. 
 
 Doses. — Horses take of the powdered leaves 10 to 30 
 grains, cattle |- to 1 drachm, sheep 8 to 15 grains, pigs 
 2 to 10 grains, dogs 1 to 2 grains. Owing to its effects 
 being prolonged, it should only be given once in twenty- 
 four hours; but half doses may be given night and morning. 
 Stonehenge advises for a medium-sized dog half a grain of 
 digitalis, nitre .5 gra,ins, ginger 3 grains, made into a pill 
 with syrup, or linseed flour and water. 
 
 ERGOT OF EYE. 
 
 This is a disease found in aU grasses, but principally in 
 rye. Hence the appellation, ergot of rye. It abounds in 
 many countries. Ergot of rye is highly valued as a uterine 
 excitant; but, if eaten regularly, is one of the most horrible 
 poisons known, and causes mortification of the limbs. The 
 ergot of maize is, according to Eoulin, very common in 
 Columbia, and the use of it is' attended with a shedding of 
 the hair, and even the teeth of both man and beast. " Mules 
 fed on it lose their hoofs, and fowls lay eggs without a shell. 
 
 The condition induced when an animal partakes of ergot 
 for some time is called ergotism. One large dose produces 
 in man and animals dryness and irritation of the throat, 
 salivation, thirst, burning pain in the stomach, vomiting, 
 colic, and sometimes diarrhoea, brain symptoms, such as 
 giddiness, headache, and stupor. 
 
ERGOT OF EYE. 29 
 
 The chronic effects have been observed on birds, and pigs, 
 and dogs. The first effect is to produce loss Of appetite and 
 stupefaction. When it begins to act dogs howl in a fright- 
 ful manner until they are completely under its influence, 
 they then lie down and groan. 
 
 Symptoms. — ^DuU stupid expression, staring look, dilated 
 pupils, vertigo, signs of inebriation, coma, tremors, convulsive 
 twitchings, tetanic spasms especially of the hind legs, which 
 soon become feeble and paralysed; the animal can scarcely 
 stand, moves slowly, and with great difficulty. There ia 
 general debility and loss of flesh, pulse slow and weak, 
 skin cold, coat staring. The extremities, ears, horns, tail, 
 and legs have lost their natural temperature; there is a 
 sero-mucus or sometimes bloody discharge from the nose, 
 the limbs are swollen, black spots and livid patches break 
 out on the surface of the body, dry gangrene of the beak 
 and tongue of birds, of the ears, tail, and the joints of the 
 limbs ; these parts separate slowly without pain, the dead 
 from the living tissue adjoining; 
 
 Post-mortem Appearances, in cases- of poisoning by 
 ergot, are more or less irritation of the alunentary canal, 
 the viscera are flaccid and softened, the muscles semi- 
 gelatinous, the blood fluid, and the interior of the heart 
 and blood vessels ecchymosed and red, as in putrid disorders. 
 
 Action and Uses in Medicine. — As an agent to excite par- 
 turition, it is not often employed in the lower animals ; and 
 when it is required, it is in cases where the throes are 
 languid and a long interval between them, where the 
 animal has been in labour for a considerable time, where no 
 obstruction is present, and where the entrance to the • womb 
 is considerably dilated.' It is unsuitable when there is a 
 malformation either of the mother or the foetus. It is some- 
 times prescribed to get rid of cysts, and hasten the expulsion 
 of the placental membrane, or, as it is commonly called, the 
 
30 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 cleansing. In conjunction with ice-bags or other cold and 
 styptic applications, it is administered to constringe bleeding 
 vessels in uterine and other haemorrhage. 
 
 Doses. — The mare and cow take from | to 1 ounce ; for 
 sheep, swine, and bitches about 1 drachm. These doses are 
 repeated every half hour or hour, and ought to be given in 
 the state of a watery infusion, tincture, or liquid. 
 
 HEMLOCK. 
 
 This is the product of Gonium maculatum, but several 
 plants are popularly included under the name. 
 
 The extract of the leaves and roots of the common or 
 spotted hemlock have been found by Dr Christison of 
 Edinburgh to produce paralysis of the voluntary muscles, 
 with occasional slight convulsions, then paralysis of the 
 muscles of respiration, and lastly death from apnoea ; the 
 heart continuing to contract long after respiration had 
 ceased, sensation did not seem to have been impaired at all. 
 
 Now, opposed to these results, are the observations of 
 another authority, who found that ia cats, doses, even not 
 large enough to be poisonous, caused great languor and 
 drowsiness, and often profound sleep for two or three hours, 
 the muscular excitability being reduced, and the circulation 
 and general temperature lessened. After death the appear- 
 ances are general venovis congestion, a fluid state of the 
 blood, and a softening of the brain. 
 
 Ducks have been seen stuiDcfied and paralysed from 
 eating the seeds of the plant. MUk and oU will save seven 
 out of nine affected by the poison. 
 
 In cattle, the treatment consists in emptying the stomach ; 
 this holds good with sheep also ; in the dog he must be 
 induced to vomit, and in all animals the strength must be 
 
HEMLOCK, 31 
 
 supported by stimulants, and artificial respiration resorted 
 to should the breathing have ceased. 
 
 Analysis. — Hemlock yields a volatile oil upon distillation 
 with water, which appears destitute of noxious properties. 
 The active principle is a peculiar volatile alkaloid, conia, 
 which exists in the plant, combined with an acid, probably 
 the coneic, by which it becomes fixed, so that it is not given 
 over with water in distillation. Conia is a yellowish liquid 
 of oleaginous aspect, strong, penetrating, mice-like odour, and 
 very acrid, benumbing taste. This mouse-like odour can 
 easily be perceived, when the leaves of hemlock are tritu- 
 rated with a solution of caustic potash in a mortar, and 
 affords a splendid test. Conia is an energetic poison, its 
 effects being analogous to those of hemlock. It is obtained 
 by distilling the plant with caustic potash. 
 
 There are very few more soothing or pain-relieving 
 mixtures than hemlock, opium, and chloral hydrate. Of 
 the tincture of hemlock the dose in use is for horses and 
 cattle 2 to 3 ounces, for dogs 2 to 3 drachms. Should the 
 extract be employed, the dose is for the larger animals 1 to 
 a drachms, and for the smaller animals 1 to 5 grains. 
 
 lODmE 
 
 Is principally found in sea water. It is extensively pre- 
 pared in Glasgow by breaking kelp (the semi-vitrified ashes 
 of sear-weeds) into small pieces, and dissolving in water, 
 when sodium chloride, carbonate and suljahate, with 
 potassium chloride, crystallise out. It is also obtained from 
 the mother waters of the Peruvian saltpetre mines in large 
 (:[uantities and perfectly pure. 
 
 Its Action and Uses. — Given in large doses, it is irritant 
 ■and corrosive. Inhalation of the vapour causes irritation. 
 
32 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 cough, and spasm of the throat. Medicinally, it stimulates 
 the secreting glands and vessels ; it is an alterative, and 
 will arrest thirst and excessive secretion of urine. If con- 
 tinued for a lengthened period, it produces much waste of 
 the tissues, causing intense debility, with a depraved state, 
 termed iodism. Externally, it is used as a stimulant and 
 antiseptic' and counter irritant. It is an effectual deodoriser 
 and disinfectant. Applied to the skin or mucous surfaces, 
 it produces an orange-yellow stain, with redness and irrita- 
 tion ; placed in the areolar textures, it induces inflammation 
 and abscesses ; inhaled as a vapour, it excites cough and 
 bronchial irritation. It is prescribed as an ailterative and 
 resolvent in the second stages of inflammation, after the acute 
 symptoms are subdued. It assists in the removal of water 
 in the chest and dropsy, of recent exudations on mucous 
 membranes and of glandular enlargements. Among the 
 lower animals it is given in enlargements of the liver and 
 udder, in rheumatism, more especially of a chronic nature ; 
 and amongst cattle in mesenteric disease, in pujmonary con- 
 sumption, enlarged joints, and other scrofulous affections; 
 and in diabetes and polyuria it is of inestimable value in 
 the horse. It is occasionally appKed in sore throat ; and 
 rubbed into the chest in pleurisy, it arrests the formation of 
 the exudate, and hastens the removal of what may have 
 been poured out. It is useful in skin diseases, such as scab,- 
 mange, and ringworm, often being mixed with sulphur or 
 mercurial preparations. 
 
 Doses. — Horses take 20 grains to 1 drachm, cattle | 
 to 1| drachm, sheep 15 to 40 grains, pigs 10 to 20 grains, - 
 dogs 3 to 8 grains. Such doses may be given once or 
 twice daily, continued for a week, then witliheld for a 
 couple of days and resumed again. 
 
BROMINE. 33 
 
 BEOMINE. 
 
 This ingredient's properties are analogous in every way to 
 those of iodine. It is a red liquid, and is identified by its 
 colour and odour. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and 
 ether. If it exists as a hydrobromic acid or a bromide, 
 chlorine should be passed through the suspected liqmd. A 
 red colour results from the bromine being set free, which 
 may afterwards be separated by ether. 
 
 IRON. 
 
 "We need not occupy space by giving a detailed account 
 of the manufacture of iron, for most people are familiar 
 with the process. We will, therefore, confine ourselves to 
 its action and uses. It appears, then, from chronicles 
 handed down to us that it was one of the first mineral 
 substances employed as a medicine, and some of its com- 
 pounds have been administered for 3000 years. As 
 filings, it is occasionally given in poisoning by the soluble 
 mercurial salts and copper. Iron salts are astringent, 
 styptic, and tonic. Although they exert little influence on 
 the skin, the solution applied to mucous or abraded 
 surfaces combine with albumen coagulating the blood, and 
 are powerful astringents. The metal in a finely divided 
 state and the salts, when swallowed, are dissolved by the 
 gastric fluids in the stomach. But, besides restoratives, iron 
 salts are general tonics and astringents; any excess not 
 required for nutrition, reduced in great part to the condition 
 of sulphide, is eliminated in the bUe, with the iutestinal 
 mucus and the urine, often communicating its dark colour 
 
34 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 several weeks, the blood and tissues gradually become 
 saturated, and excretion with scarcely any loss occurs in the 
 urine. 
 
 Like other irritant poisons, iron acts on the alimentary 
 canal. It induces pain and purging, with coldness of the 
 limbs and surface of the body generally. 
 
 Doses. — For horses 1 to 3 drachms, for cattle 2 to 4 
 drachms, sheep 20 to 30 grains, pigs 10 to 20 grains, dogs 5 
 to 1 grains. You can either give these doses in the form of 
 a ball mixed with linseed meal and treacle, or you can mix it 
 with soft food, and repeat two or three times a day. This 
 medicine is often given in conjunction with other ingre- 
 dients. It is valuable for removing worms in horses,' when 
 administered along with 2 drachms of aloes. The same 
 ingredients are, along with a quart of ale, a good tonic for 
 cattle. Thirty graias, with 1 drachm each of common salt 
 and nitre, are recommended to be given in sheep-rot. Care 
 should always be taken, during its use, to keep the Rowels 
 open by the occasional employment of a laxative, which is 
 especially necessary in the horse and dog, on account of 
 their liability to suffer from the astringent effects and 
 constipating action of the iron salts. 
 
 JALAP. 
 
 This medicine derives its name from a town in Mexico, 
 where it was first obtained, and from the neighbourhood of 
 which it is still imported. In this country the plant thrives 
 well, flowers, and comes to maturity in the open air. 
 
 Jalap is irritant, cathartic, and feebly vermifuge. A full 
 dose given either to dogs or cats causes sickness and vomit- 
 ing as well as catharsis. When rubbed into the skin it 
 ■excites inflammation, and when apDlied to mucous surfaces 
 
JALAP. 35 
 
 it is the same. For dogs its action is tolerably certain, and 
 produces full watery discharges, and is especially effective 
 when combined with a grain or two of calomel, It is 
 identical in its effects with scammony ; it is more active 
 than: senna; but as a purgative for horses it is neither so 
 certain or effective as aloes, and as a purgative for cattle 
 it is superseded by salines and oil. 
 
 Doses. — Dogs require 1 to 2 drachms, cats J drachm, 
 pigs 1 to 4 drachms. If a dog fasts for six hours, he will be 
 properly purged in two or three hours with |^ to 1 drachm, 
 along with 2 or 3 grains of calomel, made into a pill. 
 
 NITEE, SALTPETEE, or NITEATE OF POTASH, 
 
 Occurs in the East Indies, Persia, Egypt, Spain, and other 
 warm climates. 
 
 A brown incrustation of nitre covers considerable tracts 
 of country. In France and other continental countries, 
 nitre for gunpowder and other purposes is prepared arti- 
 ficially by collecting into large heaps animal and vegetable 
 refuse, with old plaster and other calcareous matter. These 
 heaps are sheltered from rain, but freely exposed to the air; 
 they are frequently watered with urine, and occasionally 
 turned. In about two years the whole is lixiviated and 
 purified by a process similar to that followed with the 
 natural nitre. 
 
 Its Action and Uses. — Large doses are irritant- and 
 cathartic; medicinal doses are diuretic, alterative, antiseptic, 
 febrifuge, and refrigerant; externally, it is stimulant and 
 refrigerant. 
 
 An ounce has proved fatal in the human subject, but very 
 large doses are required to cause serious effects either in 
 horses or cattle. 
 
36 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEy EEMEDIES. 
 
 Nitre possesses a very high, diflfusive power; it rapidly 
 enters the blood, rendering the venous blood scarlet; it 
 counteracts adhesion of the red globules, favours the solu- 
 tion of fibrine, oxidises products of tissue metamorphosis, 
 and hastens their removal, especially by the kidneys, and 
 neutralises acidity. To one or more of these actions are due 
 its several curative effects. In febrile, inflammatoiy, and 
 rheumatic complaints it allays fever, lowers excessive tem- 
 perature, and removes by the kidneys both fluid and solid 
 matters. In the early and acute stages it is combined 
 with other salines and sedatives; in the second stage, with 
 alterative stimulants and tonics. Along with diuretics, it 
 is given in scantiness and turbidity of the urine; and ia 
 swelled legs and dropsical affections, small and oft-repeated 
 doses are valuable in arresting purpura in horses, even when 
 iron and turpentine have failed. Most farmers in. Scotland 
 give their horses one ounce of nitre in a mash every Saturday 
 night; thus the bowels, kidneys, and skin are kept in good 
 order, and attacks of swelled legs and weeds, so common 
 among hard-worked animals, are prevented or warded off. 
 
 Nitre dissolved in water abstracts heat, and is therefore 
 a useful refrigerant. 
 
 Doses. — For horses as a diuretic, ^ to 1 ounce, cattle 
 1 to 2 ounces, sheep 1 to 2 drachms, pigs | to 1 drachm, 
 dogs 10 to 30 graias dissolved in water and administered. 
 
 CHLOEIDE OF SODIUM or COMMON SALT. 
 
 Salt is found in Cheshire and Worcestershire, in Poland, 
 Spain, and other European parts. It exists in variable 
 amount in every soil, and therefore in every water. It is 
 the largest saline constituent of the sea, and abounds in the 
 tissues of plants and animals. It is obtained for medicinal 
 
CHLOEIDE OF SODIUM OK COMMON SALT. 37 
 
 and economical purposes by quarrying the solid beds of 
 rock salt, or by evaporating brine springs or sea water. It 
 is soluble in 2 J parts of water, and is rather more than 
 twice as heavy as water. 
 
 Action and Uses. — Salt is an essential article of food. 
 Small doses are restorative, stomachic, alterative, and anti- 
 septic; large doses are irritant, cathartic, and emetic. It is 
 used externally as a stimulant, antiseptic, and refrigerant. So 
 essential is the regular and frequent use of salt for the 
 maintenance of health, that animals in a state of nature 
 instinctively travel many miles to saline springs, the sea 
 shore, or beds of salt. The following experiment was tried 
 with half a dozen cattle; these six were selected, and accurate 
 judges were unaminous that their weight was about equal. 
 "Well, three of these animals had salt given along with their 
 food, and three had none. In six months' time the three 
 that were deprived of salt presented an extraordinary and 
 striking appearance — the skin and hair became rough and 
 dry and staring; while the other three that received salt 
 presented a decided contrast — their coats were smooth and 
 oily, and although not much superior in weight, they 
 nevertheless brought far better prices when the six were 
 exposed to sale. Those cattle that received the salt 
 exhibited throughout a much better appetite, were more 
 lively; they seemed to relish their food, and consumed it in 
 a shorter time, and also drank large quantities of water. 
 Salt is especially indicated when animals are receiving 
 boiled grains or roots, for the salt naturally present in such 
 prepared food is as a rule ia small amount. 
 
 During convalescence from acute disease most animals 
 are especially fond of salt. Besides being in itself a 
 restorative, it favours absorption of nutritive matters; 
 therefore animals should have access to salt at aU times. A 
 piece of rock salt should always lie in the horse's manger, 
 
38 PKACTICAX VETEEINAEY EEMBDIES. 
 
 the ox's crib, and the sheep's trough. The condiment not 
 only gratifies the taste, but in all probability serves other 
 useful purposes. It appears to be the natural stimulant of 
 the digestive organs; it furnishes hydrochloric acid for the 
 gastric juice, and soda salts for the bUe; it preserves the 
 fluidity of the blood, and assists in nutrition, for it always 
 abounds where active reparative or formative changes are 
 taking place. It is excreted by the mucous membranes and 
 kidneys. 
 
 On horses the laxative action of salt is uncertain, often 
 violent, and usually accompanied by considerable irritation 
 of the kidneys; on dogs it usually operates as an emetic and 
 laxative, and is used to clear out the stomach and intestines, 
 and to induce that soothing action which accompanies the 
 operation of most emetics. Doses insufficient to act on the 
 stomach or bowels are determined to the kidneys, increasing 
 the secretion of urine. On pigs it acts as a purgative, but 
 is scarcely so safe or certain as oil, jalap, and calomel, or 
 aloes. 
 
 For vigorous adult cattle and sheep common salt is a 
 decidedly useful and effective purgative; in fact, it is as 
 prompt and powerful as Epsom or Glauber salts. By pro- 
 ducing thirst, it compels the animal to drink largely of 
 water, which in torpidity of the bowels, and constipation 
 among cattle, softens and carries onward the hard dry 
 impacted matters, so apt to accumulate ia the first stomach 
 and in the manyplies, and resisting the action of ordinary 
 purgatives. Therefore, among cattle and sheep it is ad- 
 ministered successfully to evacuate the rumen, to clear the 
 bowels in distention, and in diarrhoea depending on over- 
 feeding, or kept up by the presence of irritating matters in the 
 canal. It is given to relieve irritation and inflammation of 
 the eyes, brain, respiratory organs, and limbs, and insuch cases 
 
CHLOEIDE OF SODIUM OR COMMON SALT. 39 
 
 bowels, freeing the blood from peccant matter, and exciting 
 counter irritation. It is the best antidote for silver salts. 
 Small and repeated doses are stomachic, and are prescribed 
 with gentian, ginger, or spirits and water, for aU animals 
 suffering from indigestion. Salt given regularly lessens the 
 liabiUty to intestinal worms, and an injection of half an 
 ounce ia a pint of warm water will destroy those ascarides 
 that lodge in the rectum. It obviates in a great measure 
 the evil effects of damp and badly kept fodder, and prevents 
 or retards the progress of liver-rot in sheep. From its action 
 as a stimulant, as weU as from the cold it produces during 
 solution, it is of great benefit in many diseases of the feet 
 and joints, particularly among cattle and sheep. "When 
 a freezing mixture is required, one part of salt is mixed 
 with two parts of pounded ice. However these must be 
 used with great caution, for if applied for many minutes at 
 a time, they are apt to lower the vitality to a dangerous 
 extent. 
 
 Medicinal Doses. — For a purge the ox and cow take 
 from f to 1 lb., sheep 1 to 3 ounces. It is, however, 
 better given along with Epsom salt in half the quantity 
 each, adding 2 ounces of powdered ginger and 1 lb. of 
 treacle. Should the dose fail to act in twelve hours, it 
 can be repeated, adding a pint of linseed oil. As an 
 alterative for horses and cattle, 1 or 2 ounces are given; as 
 an emetic for the dog, 1 to 4 drachms. But a still more 
 effective vomit for the dog is a tablespoonful of salt, and a 
 teaspoonful of mustard dissolved in 3 or 4 ounces of water. 
 
 SUGAK 
 
 Is present in many plants. It is manufactured in France 
 from beetroot, and in America from sugar maple. But the 
 
40 . PKACTIOAL VETEEINAKY REMEDIES. 
 
 sugar employed in this coTintry is obtained from tlie sugar 
 cane which, is cultivated largely in the West Indies. The 
 lower parts of the cane are richest in saccharine matter. 
 These canes are crushed between heavy rollers, and the 
 juice is thus expressed, which contains nearly 20 per cent, 
 of sugar; it is mixed with a little slaked lime to neutralise 
 acids and precipitate albuminoids, and concentrated in 
 shallow vacuum pans, at a temperature not exceeding 140°; 
 the coagulating albumen which entangles impurities is then 
 skimmed off, the, syrup is cooled down in wooden vats, and 
 dried in the sun, when yeUow dark brown raw sugar is 
 formed: 1 cwt. of raw sugar gives about 80 lbs. of refined 
 sugar and about 16 lbs. of treacle. 
 
 Its Actions and Uses. — Sugar is readily absorbed, and 
 acts as a respiratory fuel, or it is converted into and stored 
 away in the system as fat: 1 or .2 lbs. given to a horse, 
 8 to 12 ounces to dogs, increase the amount of fluidity of 
 the faeces and augment the secretion of the urine. Treacle 
 is often substituted for sugar. It is palatable, digestible, 
 Jaxative, and well adapted for sick animals. .It is a con- 
 venient purgative, and covers the disagreeable flavour of 
 salts and other laxatives. When full doses of physic 
 have been given, and their repetition is dangerous, repeated 
 doses of treacle can be had recourse to with safety, especially 
 in cattle and sheep. As a gargle for horses with sore throat, 
 A ounces of treacle and 1 of nitre, dissolved in a pint of 
 water, and slowly given every hour or two, is of inestimable 
 value; it is simple, and is found in almost every home where 
 stock are kept. 
 
 Doses of Sugar and Treacle as a Purge. — Horses and 
 cattle require 1 to 2 lbs., sheep 3 to 4 ounces, pigs 2 to 3 
 ounces, dogs 1 to 2 drachms, given in water, ale, or gruel. 
 
SULPHUR. 41 
 
 SULPHUK 
 
 Is one of the old-established remedies that used to cure 
 everything in former times. It is known and recognised 
 by its characteristic pale yellow colour. When heated it 
 easily inflames, and in burning evolves the highly irritating 
 fumes of sulphurous acid, thereby asserting its disinfectant 
 , properties. In cases of fevers of an infectious nature, the 
 authorities in London close up the houses, exclude all air 
 from entering either by doors or windows, and then set fire 
 to a large quantity of brimstone or sulphur, and allow it to 
 burn for twenty-four hours; at the expiration of that time, the 
 occupant receives the key of his house. During the interval 
 they care not what becomes of the tenant; they have this 
 duty to perform, and they carry it out most religiously to 
 the very letter of the Act. I am speaking from experience 
 upon the subject, although it is a painful reminder. 
 
 The Action and Uses of Sulphur. — In large doses it is an 
 irritant poison; in medicinal quantities it is a laxative, 
 alterative, and stimulates the mucous surfaces; applied 
 externally, it is an efficient antiparasitic and stimulant to 
 the skin, and is fatal to insect life. 
 
 It is administered to several domestic animals, to open 
 the bowels gently in pregnancy or in pUes, where la more 
 powerful and active purgative would cause irritation. It is 
 also given in chronic chest disorders, in convalescence from 
 acute diseases, and sometimes in rheumatism and skin 
 affections. 
 
 Doses as a Purge. — Horse require from 3 to 4 ounces, 
 cattle 4 to 6, sheep and pigs 1 to 2 ounces, dogs 2 to 4 
 drachms. 
 
42 PKAOTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 SWEET SPIEIT OF NITKE. 
 
 For all animals this is indeed a valuable and serviceable 
 stimulant ; it is a ready rouser of the heart's action, an 
 inestimable carminative and antispasmodic in indigestion, 
 tympanitis, and colic ; and further, it is of inherent import- 
 ance in typhoid fever, and in convalescence from debilitating 
 diseases: It is an effectual excitant to the skin and- 
 kidneys in cold, rheumatism, and local congestion. Like 
 alcohol and ether, properly regulated doses lower the exces- 
 sive animal temperature, and antagonise blood-poisoning. 
 It is principally thrown off by the lungs. 
 
 Large doses are narcotic, producing delirium and coma, 
 with a variable amount of preliminary excitement. In 
 medicinal doses it is a stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, 
 diuretic, and antiseptic. 
 
 Doses as a Stimulant and Antispasmodic. — Give to a 
 horse 1 to 2 ounces, to cattle 1 to 4 ounces, to sheep 2 
 to 4 drachms, to pigs 1 to 2 drachms, and to dogs 15 drops 
 to 1 drachm. It should never be mixed with anything 
 until it is to be administered. It is usually given in water, 
 ale, or linseed tea. A horse suffering from colic requires 
 2 ounces with 1 ounce of laudanum, and with 5 or 6 
 drachms of aloes in Scotland added, but in England 2 or 3 
 drachms of aloes will suffice. It is difficult to reconcile the 
 diversity of these doses in the north and south; nevertheless, 
 such is the case. We can give an 8 and even a 9 drachm 
 ball to a Scotch horse, when the same dose would kill an 
 English one. Sweet spirit of nitre 2 ounces and the same 
 quantity of laudanum is of especial value to cows after 
 calving, as it counteracts and arrests the spasms which 
 usually follow the birth. For influenza and typhoid fever 
 in horses, 2 ounces each of sweet spirit of nitre, acetate of 
 
SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA OE EPSOM SALT. 43 
 
 ammonia, and a drachm of belladonna extract, form a 
 splendid anodyne draught, given in gruel or water. 
 
 SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA or EPSOM SALT. 
 
 This highly important salt is found in various rocks and 
 soils in the ocean, in the proportion of 15 to 20 grains in a 
 pint, and in some mineral springs. Owing to its presence in 
 the streams at Epsom, it derives its name. 
 
 It possesses a cooling, saline, nauseous, bitter taste ; is 
 insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in its own weight of tem- 
 perate water. It is a purgative, alterative, febrifuge, and 
 antiphlogistic J it closely resembles common and Glauber salts, 
 and is a more active purgative than potassium bitartrate or 
 phosphate of sodium. It has a low diffusive power, passes 
 tardily through animal membranes, retards absorption of 
 fluid from the canal, and is itself chiefly absorbed from the 
 stomach aind smaU. intestines. 
 
 Whilst in the blood it is believed to diminish the 
 cohesive tendency of the red corpuscles, to remove fibrin, 
 and retard the coagulation'; it is shortly excreted through 
 the glands of the bowels and vessels into the large intestines, 
 along with a considerable amount of serum and fibrin in 
 solution. It counteracts biliousness alike in man and 
 animals, by sweeping away the unabsorbed bile generally 
 present in the intestines, and which, unless removed, becomes 
 reabsorbed. Like other salines it is uncertain, and at other 
 times too violent for horses ; it often acts unexpectedly on 
 the kidneys, but in repeated doses of 2 or 3 ounces, it 
 proves a valuable alterative and febrifuge. On dogs its 
 purgative effects are irregular, and frequently accompaiiied 
 with nausea and vomiting ; but for cattle and sheep it is 
 a most excellent and convenient purge, equalled only by 
 
44 PKACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 common salt in rapidity and fulness of action. When ad- ■ 
 ministered, to cattle full doses generally take effect in twelve 
 or fifteen hours, and cause very fluid evacuations. Besides 
 producing purgation, it diminishes blood pressure, and 
 abates fever and plethora ; while moderate and repeated 
 doses in all animals also augment the secretions of the skia 
 and kidneys. 
 
 Medicinally, it is given to all animals that chew the 
 cud for the ordinary purposes of a purgative, to evacuate the 
 bowels in indigestion, constipation, and diarrhoea ; to remove 
 noxious matters from the blood, as in febrile and inflammar 
 tory affections ; and to induce extensive counter irritation, as 
 in inflammation of the brain, eye, and most other organs, 
 the intestines excepted. Although not a desirable purge for 
 horses, it is a good febrifuge : 1 to 3 ounces given in 
 pneumonia influenza, and in most inflammatory disorders 
 improve the appetite, remove the clamminess of the mouth, 
 lessen fever, lower blood pressure and excessive tempera- 
 ture, and help to establish and maintain a healthy and 
 regular action of the bowels. For such purposes it is given 
 twice a day, whether for horses or cattle, but it must he 
 withheld or diminished in quantity when the. bowels 
 become relaxed, or where flatulence or spasm foUows its 
 administration. It is often combined with nitre and other 
 salines, and given in convalescence from acute diseases, with 
 powdered gentian and other carminatives. Epsom salt is 
 one of the best antidotes for lead poisoning ; it converts it 
 into an insoluble sulphate, and further evokes the action of 
 the bowels, which in lead poisoning is liable to be impaired 
 and tardy. 
 
 Doses as a Purge. — Cattle require 1 to 2 lbs., calves 
 three months old 3 to 4 ounces, sheep and pigs 4 to 6 
 ounces, dogs 2 to 4 drachms, dissolved in ten or fifteen 
 parts of water. It is always better to add treacle to it, as 
 
ALOES. 45 
 
 this conceals its Mtter taste. In olDstinate constipation in 
 cattle, it is often necessary to add croton beans, say 12 or 15. 
 
 ALOES. 
 
 This is the most valuable purgative that can be 
 administered to the horse; and although there are numerous 
 varieties of this medicine, I shall only speak of the true 
 Barbadoes, as it is the only one which you can place 
 implicit reliance upon, and the one most extensively in use. 
 
 Barbadoes aloes has a dark or liver brown colour; a 
 brown, opaque, earthy fracture; a disagreeable, bitter, 
 persistent, and a strong and unpleasant odour, especially 
 when you breathe upon it. It is tough, hard, and very 
 difficult to powder; small fragments are translucent, and of 
 an orange-brown hue; its powder is olive green, and darker 
 than that of the other commercial varieties. The dark 
 colour, dulness, and opacity of Barbadoes aloes are 
 generally stated to depend upon the presence of water, but 
 may also be owing to the condition of the aloin. When 
 dissolved in weak spirits, it leaves an abundant flooculent 
 residue. 
 
 Its Action and CTses.— Considerable doses are purgative; 
 repeated small doses, insufficient to increase the action of 
 the bowels, are tonic; applied externally, it is stimulant and 
 desiccant. Aloes, when given in the solid form by the 
 mouth is emulsified and saponified chiefiy by the bile and 
 pancreatic fluids, and then in great part absorbed. The 
 rapidity with which a properly compounded ball dissolves 
 in the horse's stomach is astonishing; experiments have 
 proved that a ball will be entirely dissolved within an 
 hour after administration. Aloes has not as yet been 
 found in the blood, but it has been found in the milk and 
 
46 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 other secretions; and its frequent action on the kidneys is 
 almost certain evidence that it enters the circulation also. 
 Being, however, a foreign body, it is quickly excreted or 
 thrown oif. Insoluble in air, it is not removed by the skin 
 or lungs. In full medicinal doses, it is not easily separable 
 by the kidneys, but is specially attracted to the glandular 
 apparatus covering the intestinal mucous membrane; it 
 induces there irritation, and a copious secretion which is 
 poured into the canal. Compared with some of the other 
 purgatives, aloes is tardy in its action, and liable to be 
 uncertain when the bowels are irregular or loaded with hard, 
 indigestible dry food; but it is a safe, certain, and sure 
 purgative for horses. Unlike many other cathartics, and 
 excepting in inflammation of the alimentary mucous 
 membrane, it is not in large amount an irritant poison unless 
 it is given in very large doses; it does not render the 
 evacuations so fluid as saline purges, but it appears to 
 increase in degree the movements of the bowels. 
 
 In the horse, a purgative dose of aloes produces in a few 
 hours dryness and increased warmth of the mouth, the 
 temperature is increased, the pulse is quickened, and 
 occasionally sickness with colic, and profuse staling. This 
 diuretic effect occurs with the best Barbadoes aloes, more 
 especially if the bowels have been in a state of constipation 
 previously, or otherwise out of order. "When the drug is 
 combined with ginger or other aromatics it helps to ward 
 off and prevent these effects. Now the time required for the 
 operation of aloes differs materially in different horses, and is 
 modified by various circumstances, more especially by the sort 
 of diet that the animal has been previously kept on, there- 
 fore in some cases the medicine will produce purgation in 
 sixteen hours, and in others it will require twenty-four or 
 twenty-six. Again, in some horses the purging is over in 
 two or three hours, and in others it will extend to twenty-four. 
 
ALOES. 47 
 
 In cattle it is neither prompt certain, nor powerful, even 
 when given in the fluid state, and in doses of several ounces. 
 Six ounces have ere now been given to a cow without pro- 
 ducing any effect — in fact, the bowels remained unmoved; 
 ajid as a purge for the dog it is neither safe nor speedy. It 
 is, however, a tolerably good purge for swine, although it 
 takes from twelve to fifteen hours to operate. 
 
 It is administered to the horse in colic, constipation, and 
 indigestion, and for the expulsion of worms and foreign 
 substances from the intestines. For colic, the late Professor 
 Dick of Edinburgh recommended 5 drachms of aloes dis- 
 solved in a quart of hot water, and given with an ounce 
 each of oil of turpentine and laudanum. 
 
 It is a valuable remedy in treating inflammation of the 
 brain, eye, absorbents, and joints, and owes its efiicacy to 
 one or other of the following causes. It clears the stomach 
 fl.nd intestines of indigestible food, it removes from the 
 blood noxious matters, it establishes counter irritation, and 
 by reflex action promotes a healthier state of diseased parts. 
 It is also effectual in removing enlargements and dropsies 
 when they do not depend on debility or disease of important 
 internal organs. Repeated doses will reduce superfluous 
 blood and fat, but this object can be more judiciously 
 accomplished by careful feeding and well regulated exercise. 
 
 Doses. — Horses can take from 2 to 9 drachms, or even 
 10 in the north j cattle take from 1 to 2 ounces, sheep J 
 to 1 ounce, dogs 30 grains to 1|^ drachms, swine 2 to 5 
 ■drachms. 
 
 ACETIC ACID. 
 
 Concentrated acetic acid is an active irritant poison in 
 -any animal ^ A drachm is sufficient to kill a rabbit in four 
 
48- PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 hours, and 1 ounce in seven minutes: 6 drachms of vinegar 
 killed a rabbit in eight hours. In the animals experimented 
 on by different observers, the effects of acetic acid or vinegar 
 in poisonous doses have been great abdominal pain, vomit- 
 ing, prostration, feeble respiration, and a small frequent 
 pulse. In the cow the following symptoms were developed — 
 a disposition to lie, great difficulty in standing, hesitating 
 gait, laboured and sonorous breathing, small and frequent 
 pulse (136 per minute), temperature of the body variable, 
 soft excrement, and milk arrested, the appetite entirely lost, 
 abdominal pains very severe, great listlessness, convulsions, 
 and death. 
 
 Post-mortem Appearances. — On opening the stomachs and 
 intestines, the odour of vinegar indicates the nature of the 
 irritant that has produced the foregoing symptoms during 
 life. The mucous membrane is soft, and of a dark red or 
 coffee colour. Strong acetic acid induces solution of the 
 tissues and haemorrhage. 
 
 Eubbed into the skin, acetic acid speedily causes red- 
 ness, and the eruption of large blisters, resembling those 
 produced by boiling water; but, as a blistering agent, mus- 
 tard or Spanish fly is far more desirable. Vinegar, along 
 with either hot or cold water is a convenient stimulant 
 for superficial inflammation, sprains, and bruises, and a 
 refreshing antiseptic for sponging the body in fever. It 
 removes warts as well as corns in the human subject, it 
 softens scurf, destroys parasites and acari, and is successfully 
 employed in ringworm, scab, and mange. 
 
 tjiven as a medicine, the dose is 1 to 2 drachms of 
 acetic acid diluted well with water for horses and cattle, 10 
 to 20 drops for sheep and pigs, and 2 to 5 drops for the 
 doR. 
 
ALUM. 49 
 
 ALUM 
 
 Is slightly irritant and astringent, and is principally em- 
 ployed externally as a styptic, desiccant, and astringent: 1 
 or 2 ounces given to dogs causes vomiting, and wlien the 
 gullet is tied, it produces death. 
 
 Post-mortem Appearances. — Internal inflammation of the 
 mucous membrane of the intestines. 
 
 Treatment. — Calcined magnesia in water. 
 
 NTJX Y0MIGA—STE7CHN0S. 
 
 A plant of the order Loganiacece, the seed of which is 
 the deadly Nux-vomica. The tree is of moderate size, and 
 grows in Ceylon and several districts in India. It has a 
 short crooked stem, ribbed leaves, small greenish white 
 flowers, and a beautiful round orange-coloured fruit the 
 size of a smaU. apple, having a brittle shell, and a white 
 gelatinous pulp. The wood is intensely bitter, particularly 
 that of the root, which is used to cure intermittent fevers 
 and the bites of venomous snakes. The seeds are employed 
 in the distillation of country spirits, to render them more 
 intoxicating. The pulp of the fruit seems to be perfectly 
 innocent, as it is greatly eaten by many sorts of birds. 
 The seeds are circular, not quite an inch in. diameter and 
 two lines in thickness, concave on one side and convex on 
 the other ; they are very tough and horny, covered with a, 
 velvety down consisting of fine hairs, ash-coloured, and 
 silky. Internally, the seeds are whitish and translucid; they 
 are very difficult to reduce to powder, possessing no odour, 
 but are extremely bitter. The Germans fancy they can 
 discern a resemblance in them to grey eyes, therefore they 
 
 D 
 
50 PEACTICAL VETEBINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 call them crows' eyes. Dog killer and fish scale are two 
 Arabic names for the vomic nut. 
 
 For practical purposes, strychnia may be regarded as the 
 active principle of Nux-Domica. 
 
 Whether the Nux-vomica, or its alkaloid strychnia, is 
 used, the effects are the same, the only difference is in the 
 dose. A horse has taken from 1 to 3 ounces of Nvayiiomisa 
 with impunity. But Vallon, on the other hand, asserts 
 that from 6 to 7^ drachms invariably prove destructive; 
 while 10 grains of strychnia are sometimes more than 
 sufficient to kiU a horse. From 3 to 4 grains introduced 
 into the cellular tissue, and any dose above half a grain 
 injected into a vein, will prove fatal. Cattle wUl support 
 much larger doses of the Nux-vomica than the horse. 
 According to authority, 4 grains of strychnia introduced 
 beneath the cellular tissue destroyed a cow in twenty 
 minutes; and with regard to the smaller ruminants, Hertwig 
 says that a goat two years old partook of upwards of four 
 ounces of Nux-vomica in the course of eleven days, without 
 manifesting any signs of suffering. Dr Christison of Edin- 
 burgh has seen a wild boar killed in ten minutes with the 
 third of a grain, injected in the form of an alkaline solution 
 into the chest, Dogs, if very robust and large, can be 
 destroyed with half an ounce of Nux-vomica, and of 
 strychnia half a grain blown into the mouth of a dog 
 produced death in five minutes. Again, Dr Christison 
 says he has killed a dog with the sixth part of a grain, 
 injected in the form of an alkaline solution into the 
 chest. 
 
 The Symptoms are as follow :— A few minutes after the 
 introduction of the poison the animal becomes agitated, 
 and trembles; in a short time it is seized with stiffness and 
 starting of the limbs, which increase until a violent general 
 tpasm ensues, in which the head is bent back, the limbs are 
 
NUX VOMICA — STEYCHNOS. 51 
 
 extended and rigid, the spine stiffened, and respiration 
 checked, the chest being fixed. The slightest noise and 
 touching the animal exites fits; during the latter, there is 
 occasionally involuntary emission of urine. Intervals of 
 rest occur, but the mucous membranes acquire a red colour, 
 the pulse is quick and hard, paroxysm follows paroxysm 
 until the animal perishes, sujGfocated or exhausted totally. 
 
 The Post-mortem Appearances. — The left auricle of the 
 heart and also the intestines have been known to contract 
 for an hour after death. The lesions are those met with 
 in cases of death by suffocation. The viscera have been 
 found perfectly healthy. The brain and spinal chord 
 injected, and fiiud accumulated in the spinal canal. 
 
 Treatment when the Poison is in the Stomach. — ^Vomiting 
 must be excited in those amimals that can thus evacuate 
 the stomach. Oleaginous draughts and purgatives must be 
 given; alcohol, ammonia, sulphuric ether, and camphor 
 have all proved useful. Morphia and opiates likewise act 
 beneficially, and chlorinated water has been recommended 
 as an infallible remedy. Artificial respiration ought to 
 be persevered with, and infusions of gaU and green tea, on 
 account of the tannin they contain, are said to be valuable 
 antidotes. 
 
 The Tests for Strychnine. — Dr Stevenson Macadam, 
 Professor of Chemistry, Edinburgh, has made some very 
 interesting experiments on stryclinine poisoning and the 
 tests for strychnia. The tests are many, and some quite 
 characteristic, as will be noticed by the following table : — 
 
 " The Strychnine Tests. 
 
 A. Potass, a white precipitate, insoluble in excess. 
 
 B. Bicarbonate of soda (in acid solution), no precipitate. 
 G, Sulphooyanide of potassium, a white precipitate. 
 
 D. Perchloride of mercury, a white precipitate. 
 
52 PRACTICAL YETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 E. Perchloride of gold, a lemon yellow precipitate. 
 
 F. CKLoririe water, a white precipitate, which dissolves 
 
 in ammonia to a colourless liquid. 
 
 G. Nitric acid (cold), colourless solution (heat), a yellow 
 
 solution. 
 H. Sulphuric acid (with trace of nitric acid), and 
 
 binoxide of lead, a violet changing to a red colour. 
 I. Sulphuric acid and binoxide of manganese, a violet 
 
 changing to a red colour. 
 J. Sulphuric acid and bichromate of potash, a violet 
 
 changing to a red colour. 
 
 " The tests A to O cannot be applied, excepting when the 
 quantity of strychnine at the command of the operator is 
 considerable, so that in dilute solutions they fail to act. 
 The remaining tests, H to I, are however much more 
 delicate, and will indicate a most minute amount of 
 strychnine." 
 
 To detect the substance, digest a part of the stomach or 
 other substances supposed to contain strychnine in a dilute 
 solution of oxalic acid for some hours, thereafter warm and 
 strain through muslin. The filtrate is rendered slightly 
 alkaline by stirring with a rod of caustic potash. It is then 
 placed in a stoppered narrow-necked bottle, several ounces 
 of ether are added, and the whole is well shaken. The 
 liquid is allowed to settle, when the ether will rise to the 
 surface with strychnine in solution (that is to say if any be 
 present). The ether is then drawn off into a porcelain 
 evaporating basin, or even in a common porcelain plate ; it 
 is allowed to evaporate spontaneously. When nearly dry, 
 heat is applied to remove any traces of remaining ether, and 
 the residue is tested for strychnine in the following manner : 
 — A little of the residuum is tasted; if the taste be strong 
 and bitter, strychnine is very likely present. A few drops 
 
NUX VOMICA — STEYCHNOS. 53 
 
 of the strongest stilpliuric acid are placed upon the plate, 
 and a drop of solution of bichromate of potash is added ; 
 the two substances are then allowed to run together, when, 
 if strychnine be present, beautiful violet streaks will be per- 
 ceived, which soon change to red. Therefore this test is 
 quite sufficient to identify strychnine. 
 
 Dr Macadam says — "So far as my experience goes, I prefer 
 the sulphuric acid and bichromate of potash test, as it is 
 much more certain in its action and is more delicate than 
 any or all of the other tests. The colour indications are 
 best seen in a pure solution of strychnine ; the presence of 
 organic matter impedes the action of the test, and alcohol, 
 acetic acid, and other bodies, entirely destroy the character- 
 istic colour. In order to steer clear of these sources of 
 error, Dr Letheby has lately suggested that the substance 
 to be tested should be treated with sulphuric acid, and 
 placed on a piece of platinum foil connected with the 
 positive pole of a galvanic battery, and thereafter, on touch- 
 ing the liquid with the negative pole of the battery, which 
 terminates in a platinum wire, the characteristic violet tint 
 is at once perceived and produced. In this way ypJo-gthof 
 strychnine in pure water has been detected. I have 
 repeatedly tried this process, and can bear witness to the 
 accuracy of the test; but in practice I have found the 
 sulphuric acid and bichromate of potash to be a more 
 delicate test, though it is much more difficult to manage. 
 Lately a good deal has been said in disparagement of the 
 colour tests for strychnine, and considerable doubt has been 
 thrown upon the trustworthiness of colour tests in general. 
 Precipitate tests are certainly more satisfactory than colour 
 tests, because they signify the presence of a larger amount 
 of the particular substance under examination, but in general 
 colour tests are far more delicate in their action than preci- 
 pitate tests." 
 
54 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY EBMEDIES. 
 
 " A very good example of this occurs in testing for iodides. 
 Wlien these are abundant, precipitate tests with soluble 
 salts of lead and mercury may be readily obtained ; but by 
 dilution, a point is at last reached, when lead or mercury 
 solutions cease to be precipitated by the liquid containing 
 the iodide. At this point, the starch test comes into play, 
 which in a very dilute solution of an iodide is essentially a 
 colour test; and long after the precipitate tests fail to indicate 
 an iodide, the colour test shows unmistakable evidence of 
 its presence. The same remark applies to testing for solu- 
 tions of persalts of iron and copper, by means of ferro- 
 cyanide of potassium. In strong solutions, a blue precipitate 
 is indicative of iron, and a ruddy brown precipitate speaks 
 of copper; but when dilute solutions are examined, blue 
 and ruddy brown colorisations are alone obtained. Colour 
 tests, therefore, are the most delicate of all tests; they 
 indicate the presence of a body, when precipitate tests 
 cannot do so, and, for my own part, I see no reason why 
 I should distrust my sense of colour, whilst manipulating 
 in my laboratory, and confide in it at other times." 
 
 Doses of Nux-vomica. — Horses take 1 drachm, cattle 2 
 to 3 drachms, sheep 20 to 40 grains, pigs 10 to 20 grains, 
 dogs 2 to 8 grains, repeated twice daily for a week or ten 
 days. 
 
 Doses of Strychnine. — It must be remembered that this 
 agent is about ten times more active than Nwo-vomica, and 
 more than thirty times as active as the powdered nux. The 
 horse takes 2 to 3 grains, cattle 4 to 6 grains, sheep one- 
 third of a grain to 1 grain, and for dogs one-third to one- 
 tenth part of a grain. I have administered it in paralysis in 
 the cow with the best possible results, in dogs after dis- 
 temper, and in all animals after lead-poisoning. 
 
TAETEATE OF ANTIMONY — TAETAR EMETIC, 55 
 
 TARTEATE OF ANTIMONY— TARTAR EMETIC. 
 
 Administered to dogs and other camivora, it is an irritant 
 poison. It is stiU given by coachmen and grooms as an 
 alterative for horses, and many fatal results have arisen 
 from its lise in this -way, although large doses can be sus- 
 tained by the horse. H'ertwig asserts that 2 ounces are 
 sufficient to destroy life. Experiments instituted at Alfott 
 show that 4 ounces produced death only on the third day. 
 Mr Barlow, along with Mr Dun, performed some very 
 interesting experiments with this poison. " A brown mare 
 died from the effects of 86 drachms of tartar emetic, taken 
 in six days. Another mare, 16 hands high, took 83 drachm^ 
 in eighteen days, but without exhibiting any physiological 
 effect. A black mare of sound healthy constitution, took 
 84 drachms in doses of 4 drachms, repeated twice a day, 
 during the ten days from the 16th to the 26th September 
 1852, and she improved in condition, and was in no way 
 affected by it. A healthy well bred horse received 10 
 ounces of tartar emetic in solution, and after showing a good 
 deal of nausea, uneasiness, and paia, died in about six hours. 
 The only notable appearances on post-mortem examination 
 were softness and vascularity of the intestines, analogous to 
 what is seen in patients that have died while affected by 
 diarrhoea. Neither in this nor in any other of the cases 
 Were the lungs congested or inflamed, as is said to have 
 occurred in Magendie's experiments." 
 
 Mr Balfour of Kirkcaldy says, that he has given half a 
 pound in solution to cattle without any very obvious effects. 
 Hertwig says, a quarter of an ounce was sufficient to destroy 
 an old pig, and 40 grains given in two days killed a pig 
 iive months old. 
 
 If the dog's gullet be tied, from 4 to 6 grains will kill 5 
 
56 PEACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 but if he is allowed to vomit, 8 scruples can be given, and 
 deatb not follow. 
 
 Syrnptoms of Poisoning. — Vomiting, diarrhoea, vertigo, 
 thirst, salivation, dulness, depression, cold and clammy skin, 
 colic, spasmodic contraction of the muscles, convulsions, 
 sometimes paralysis of the hind quarters, and death. 
 
 Post-mortem Appearances. — General inflammation of the 
 alimentary canal, sometimes ulceration. If the tartar emetic 
 has been given in a solid state, occasionally an eruption on 
 the mucous membrane is observed, similar to that of variola 
 ovina or small-pox, lungs congested, blood dark and fluid, 
 ecchymosis in the heart, &c. 
 
 Treatment. — ^Vegetable astringents combine with the 
 oxide of antimony to form insoluble compounds, so that 
 tannin, galls, oak bark, Peruvian bark, catechu, and even 
 strong tea, may prove efiicacious ; if vomiting and purg- 
 ing continue, an injection containing opium should be 
 given, 
 
 Doses, as an alterative and sedative, for horses or cattle 
 1 to 4 drachms three times a day, either in a ball or solu- 
 tion. As an emetic, for dogs or cats 1 to 4 grains, and for 
 pigs 4 to 10 grains. 
 
 ARSENIC. 
 
 Most people are now cognizant of the deadly efifects of 
 arsenic, which makes one the more surprised that extra 
 precautions should be neglected when occasion requires its 
 employment. Only a short time ago, a farmer in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Lauder, N.B., lost several valuable cows by the 
 .external application of arsenic and sulphur to the animals, 
 which were affected with lice. Nor is this an isolated instance, 
 ior numerous cases here and there are ever cropping up, aU 
 
AESENIC. 57 
 
 of which testify that due regard to its poisonous character 
 is either imperfectly known or contemptibly ignored. 
 
 Arsenic acts on all animals as a destructive, irritant, 
 corrosive poison. It produces irritation, inflammation, and 
 sloughing of any mucous or abraded skin surface with which 
 it comes in contact ; it is quickly absorbed, and produces, 
 whUe it remains ia the system, loss of appetite, emaciation, 
 various nervous disorders, and depression of the circulation; 
 it is evacuated by the stomach, intestines, also by the liver, 
 and to a large extent by the kidneys, causing extensive 
 irritation to these channels as it passes through them. It 
 exerts its poisonous influence with equal certainty by what- 
 ever medium it enters the body. All its compounds are 
 poisonous, and as usual with other poisons, the most soluble 
 are the most deadly. It has been proved that doses from 
 40 to 70 grains destroyed dogs in from two to six days, with 
 much the same effects, whether they were swallowed or 
 applied to a wound. Metallic arsenic, although itself inno- 
 cuous, unites readily with hydrogen, oxygen, and other 
 bases, speedily acquiring poisonous activity. White arsenic, 
 like other poisons, has often been administered with impunity 
 in considerable doses to horses. An animal suffering from 
 inveterate mange has had 3 drachms without any percep- 
 tible injury. A horse affected with glanders began with 1 
 drachm daily, made into a baU with linseed meal and treacle ; 
 this dose was increased by 20 grains per day ; at this period 
 the animal got in one dose 380 grains, and then had taken 
 upwards of half a pound of arsenic. Yet, notwithstanding 
 this extraordinary quantity, no effect was obvious ; there was 
 no uneasiness, no pain, and no alteration of the pulse or 
 breathing. 
 
 But, although such large doses have sometimes little 
 effect, much smaller ones occasionally exert greater violence. 
 For example, 5 grains administered daily to a horse in the 
 
o8 PKACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 form of a ball produced shivering, loss of appetite, purging, and 
 other symptoms of abdominal irritation, imperceptible pulse, 
 prostration of strength, and finally death on the niiith day. 
 
 These very different effects, however, depend greatly upon 
 the varying susceptibUity and on the amount of food present 
 in the stomach and intestines, and on the fact that animals 
 acquire a tolerance of it when they receive it regularly. 
 To substantiate these remarks, it must be remembered that 
 arsenic administered in solution (as it ought to be), when 
 given internally, is more certain, active, and regular than 
 when supplied in the solid state. 
 
 Dippmg mixtures which contain arsenic often produce 
 serious and fatal consequences by inattention to instructions, 
 neglect, or carelessness. In 1858 a case occurred in Nor- 
 thumberland during the summer which excited intense 
 interest amongst chemists, agriculturists, and veterinary 
 surgeons. The particulars are as follows: — Mr EUiot, 
 chemist, Berwick-on-Tweed, sold to Mr Black of Burton 
 fifteen packets of sheep-dipping mixture : one of these 
 packets contained 20 ounces each of arsenic and soda ash, 
 with 2 ounces of sulphur. This was directed to be dissolved 
 with 4 lbs. of soft soap in 3 or 4 gallons of boiling 
 water, adding after this 45 gallons of cold water, which 
 made enough of the dip for fifty sheep. About the middle 
 of August Mr Black dipped 869 sheep in the usual 
 manner. The whole appliances and arrangements were 
 good, while every care was taken with the dipping. In 
 two days, however, the sheep began to die, and within a 
 month 850 had succumbed. The usual symptoms of 
 poisoning by arsenic were exhibited, namely, frothing at 
 the mouth, blood-shot eyes, pain in the bowels, black and 
 bloody urine, laboured breathing, blackening of the skin, 
 wool falling off in patches ; and on analysis of the stomachs 
 and bowelSj &c., arsenic was found. 
 
ARSENIC. 59 
 
 Mr Elliot, on the other hand, proved that thousands of 
 sheep had heen dipped in mixtures of the same strength 
 as that supplied to Mr Black with impunity; and in support 
 of this statement, another gentleman in the vicinity 
 employed eight packages of the very same mixture, made in 
 the same way, and at the same time; and a professional 
 sheep-dipper from the sou.th of England, who annually 
 passes through his hands thousands of sheep without losing 
 one, has been in the habit of employing 2^ lbs. of arsenic 
 for every fifty sheep, exactly double the strength of Mr 
 Elliot's mixture. Yet with such evidence the jury found a 
 verdict for Mr Black, and assessed the damages at £1400. 
 
 Now the conclusions to be drawn from the aforemen- 
 tioned case is, that arsenical sheep-dipping mixtures are not 
 liable to be absorbed through a healthy skin. The risk in 
 using such dips depends, not on their being taken into the 
 system by .absorption, but on a quantity of the poisonous 
 iiuid being retained in the fleece, so that the first shower of 
 rain washes the fluid from the wool on to the grass or other 
 food over which the animal strays. This undoubtedly 
 explains the great mortality which occurred at Mr Black's. 
 Therefore due precaution is absolutely necessary when 
 arsenical dressings are employed either as ointments or 
 lotions. 
 
 Doses. — Horses and cattle take from 5 to 10 grains, 
 sheep 1, to 2 grains, dogs one-fifteenth to one-tenth of a 
 grain. 
 
 SULPHATE OF COPPER or BLUE STONE. 
 
 All the salts of copper are poisonous. They may destroy 
 life if used as caustics, or when large doses are introduced 
 into the stomach. Medicinally, however, it is an astringent. 
 
60 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 tonic, and antiseptic ; and for carnivora it is a prompt emetic. 
 Externally, it is used as a stimtdant, astringent, and caustic; 
 while it is an eflfectual antiseptic. 
 
 As a tonic, horses take from 1 to 2 drachms, cattle 1 to 
 4 drachms, sheep 20 to 30 grains, pigs 5 to 10 grains, dogs 
 ^ to 2 grains. These doses can be repeated twice a day. 
 It is a useful ointment in foot-rot in sheep. Take equal 
 weights of powdered blue stone, gunpowder, and lard, mix 
 and apply; or the following is a more adhesive application, 
 mix over a slow fire one part of powdered blue stone 
 with three parts of tar, and apply to the feet when cool. 
 
 CEEASOTE. 
 
 A mixture of volatile oils obtained by the distUlation of 
 wood tar, B.P. It is present in wood and peat smoke. 
 Tar of good quality contains from 20 to 25 per cent, of 
 creasote. It has been employed of late years in the treat- 
 ment of the diseases affecting cattle. It is an active caustic 
 or corrosive, and, in virtue of these properties, has been 
 strongly recommended for canker in the foot. One to 2 
 drachms of creasote given internally to a dog induces 
 great anxiety, staring look, debility, and even paralysis of 
 the extremities, vertigo, vomiting of a white coagulated 
 substance, bloody foam at the mouth, loud breathing, and 
 symptoms of suffocation, ending in death. On opening the 
 body, a strong odour of creasote, like that of smoked meat, 
 is detected in all viscera, the mucous membranes of the 
 stoinach and intestines are of a dull red colour and inflamed, 
 and in some parts corroded, while the blood is thick and 
 black. The same symptoms have been observed to super- 
 vene, the above mentioned dose of creasote being mixed 
 with an equal weight of water. 
 
CREASOTE. 61 
 
 Its Medicinal Action. — Small repeated doses arrest undue 
 fermentation in the stomach, and hence it is useful in some 
 forms of indigestion, and in dogs in chronic vomiting. 
 
 A few drops inhaled with steam proves soothing in 
 bronchitis and chronic lung complaints, especially when 
 accompanied with excessive foetid discharges. 
 
 At Dick's Royal Veterinary College, Edinburgh, some 
 years ago, creasote was used in many cases of contagious, 
 pleuro-pneumonia among cattle, and in doses varying from 
 20 to 80 drops, dissolved in volatile oil or acetic acid, and 
 with some temporary advantage in relieving the distressed 
 breathing and irritable bowels. It has also been tried in 
 glanders, and like all other articles has been fotmd wanting. 
 As an antiseptic it stands next in order to carbolic acid, and 
 it is believed to have been the essential agent used in 
 embalming the Egyptian mummies. 
 
 Doses. — Horses take 20 to 40 drops, cattle J to 2- 
 drachms, sheep 10 to 20 drops, pigs 5 to 10, and dogs 1 
 to 3 drops. 
 
 It is given with syrup or alcohol, &c. 
 
 MUSTY HAY. 
 
 When a wet season interferes with the proper making 
 and drying of hay, it is a sure precursor of many diseases 
 of the digestive organs, and especially of stomach staggers 
 and colic. In Scotland, about the end of 1856, there was. 
 great mortality amongst horses from stomach staggers, 
 induced by bad hay. 
 
 Symptoms. — They move along with hanging head, sunken 
 eye, depressed lip, and tottering gait, suffering from pain 
 in the bowels, with considerable swelling, partial sweats 
 bedew the body, the visible mucous membranes are highly 
 
62 PRACTICAL VETERINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 injected, and the urine of dark colour. The muscles twitch, 
 the animal writhes in pain, and dashes itself about in fits of 
 delirium. In Scotland, when the great outbreak occurred, the 
 disease was followed by partial paralysis of the hind legs. 
 
 Treatment. — There is no use lingering about the bush ; 
 give at once an active dose of physic, for tipon this course 
 of action does the life of the patient depend. It is all 
 humbug to think that bleeding will effect a cure in this 
 complaint. It never has done so yet, and never will. 
 Because you have a large quantity of indigestible material 
 lodging in the stomach and bowels, which is the direct 
 cause of the ailment, therefore, to be successful, remove 
 the cause and the efiect will cease; the cause is the mtlsty 
 hay. A good dose of physic then clears out this effete 
 material, and when that is accomplished your horse is on 
 the royal road to recovery. Bad straw has also the same 
 pernicious effects, because one cannot help a horse from 
 eating it at night. However, these disea-ses are prevent- 
 able; so prevention being better than cure, such feeding 
 stuffs ought to be avoided. Should this ensilage process 
 prove effectual, it will be a valuable boon to the owners of 
 stock in more ways than one. 
 
 LINSEED. 
 
 Linseed Oil. — The oil expressed without . heat from 
 linseed. 
 
 Linseed Meal. — The cake of linseed from which the oil 
 has been pressed and reduced to powder, B. P. 
 
 Linseed and linseed cakes are extensively used and highly 
 valued, owing to their nutritive qualities as feeding stuffs; 
 They are capital fat-producers, are palatable and digestible, 
 and are more effective than either sugar or starch. When 
 
LINSEED. 63 
 
 well boiled it is a most excellent food for horses, cattle, and 
 sheep, not only in health, but in disease also. It is both 
 a nutritive food and medicine. ' A daily mash of linseed 
 gruel, or a smaU quantity of cake given to lambs and calves, 
 as soon as they can eat it, not only favours their growth 
 and development, but is successful in preventing attacks of 
 diarrhoea, dysentery, black leg or black quarter. In the 
 shape of gruel, it is simply invaluable in irritable conditions 
 of the throat, bowels, kidneys, and bladder, also in poison- 
 ing by irritants and corrosives. It is a convenient vehicle 
 for the administration of nauseous or acrid medicines. 
 Ground linseed makes the best poultices ; it is iu common 
 use for making up balls with treacle. Linseed oil has been 
 deservedly praised, but it does not answer very well for 
 cattle or sheep. The cake possesses the advantage as a 
 feeding stuff. As a restorative, however, in the horse, 2 
 ounces daily of the oil is often beneficial in sore throat, 
 bronchitis, &c. In fact, I know plenty of farmers who are 
 in the habit of giving a wine glassful every night in the 
 horses' feed, and so accustomed have those animals become 
 to it that they absolutely refuse their food if the oil is 
 awanting, 
 
 One of the colic draughts of the Edinburgh Veterinary 
 College is, linseed oil 1 pint, with 1 or 2 ounces each lauda- 
 num, and oO. of turpentine. It often relieves choking in 
 cattle, and as aii injection it allays irritation in the rectum. 
 As a soothing dressing, it is applied to hard, dry irritable 
 surfaces. 
 
 Doses as a, Purgative. — Horses take 1 pint, cattle 1 to 2 
 pints, sheep and pigs 6 to 8 ounces, dogs 1 to 2 ounces, 
 cats 1 drachm, given in mUk or spirits and water, and well 
 shaken up before administration. 
 
64 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 CASTOK OIL. 
 
 The oil expressed from tiie seed of Ricinus communis, 
 imported chiefly from Calcutta, B.P. This plant is generally- 
 considered to be Jonah's gourd. It is cultivated in the 
 colder parts of Europe. It is an annual shrub from 4 to 5 
 feet high ; but in Spain and Sicily it reaches the height of 
 20 feet, and in North and South America it becomes a large 
 tree. 
 
 Castor oil seeds are irritant and purgative, and have fre- 
 quently caused fatal inflammation of the stomach and bowels 
 in man. They appear to be more powerfully irritant than 
 the oil extracted from them ; when crushed they form an 
 Indian cure for mange. 
 
 The oil is a mild purgative, closely resembling Hnseed and 
 the other fixed oils. It very rarely causes griping, and 
 increases the motions as well as the secretions of the 
 intestines. "When injected into the veins of man, it causes 
 laxative effects, and produces in the mouth the same disagree- 
 able oily taste as when swallowed. In the horse, castor oO. 
 is not very certain or prompt in its effects, and is seldom tO' 
 be recommended where a speedy and full purgative effect is 
 desired. In cattle and sheep its action is more reliable ; but 
 in these animals it is superseded by linseed oU, which is 
 similar in its action, and a good deal cheaper. In the dog, 
 however, it is more active than in man; and for deUcate 
 subjects, a mixture of equal quantities of castor oil and 
 olive oil is preferable to castor oil alone. Its nauseous oUy 
 taste is obviated by beating it up with an egg, or a little- 
 spirits, or some aromatic. Acting as it does without irritar 
 tion or griping, it is useful in young animals in irritation 
 and inflammation of the digestive organs, as in diarrhoea^ 
 dysentery, inflammation of the bowels and their covering, in 
 
OIL OF TUEPENTINE. 65 
 
 advanced pregnancy, in affections of the kidneys and bladder, 
 iind wherever more drastic purgatives might unduly irritate ; 
 united with Epsom salts in doses of half or three quarters of 
 a pound each, its action is prompt and certain in cattle, and 
 for young calves it is the best of purgatives ; it is a safe and 
 easy purge for dogs and pigs. 
 
 Doses of the seeds to the dog or pig 6 or 8 ; of the oil 
 for horses and cattle about a pint, for sheep and pigs 2 to 4 
 ounces, for dogs 1 to 2 ounces, and for cats 1 ounce. 
 
 OIL OF TUEPENTINE. 
 
 The oil of turpentine, regarded by some as a sovereign 
 remedy, is a most dangerous drug, and frequently aggravates 
 the very disease it is intended to cure. The writer having 
 seen several cases in which it produced death, he cannot 
 recommend its internal employment to the uniaitiated. 
 
 Eor external purposes it is often usefully applied with 
 linseed oil, soap liniment, ammonia, &c. 
 
 TAB. 
 
 Tar is a stimulant, diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and 
 vermicide. It is not much employed internally. Externally 
 it is, however, a capital agent in many complaints ; for 
 example, it is a good dressing for thrush and canker of the 
 horse's foot, being used either alone or along with blue stone, 
 sulphuric or nitric acids ; mixed with fatty matters in equal 
 parts, it is a splendid stopping for the foot, and keeps the 
 hoof moist and soft, and also stimulates the horn. It is also 
 of special service in foot-rot in sheep, and has the advantage 
 of stimulating and deodorising noisome textures, and pre- 
 
,66 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 venting attacks of flies. It dries up grease in horses, and 
 checks ringworm in calves. It is used for securing wounds, 
 liinding up broken horns, and making adhesive plasters. 
 
 Oil of tar is sometimes iised instead of oil of turpentine. 
 It is an admirable antiseptic, cures mange and scab, and 
 destroys other parasites. It is often added to sheep dips, 
 but has the disadvantage of discolouring the wool. 
 
 Pitch is also used in veterinary practice as a mUd stimu- 
 lant in such diseases of the horse's foot as thrush, canker, 
 sandcrack, also in foot-rot in sheep, and for giving adhesive- 
 ness to plasters ; whilst its fumes are occasionally liberated 
 by inserting a red hot poker into an iron pot containing the 
 pitch, for the purpose of disinfecting surrounding premises. 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 The dried leaves of Virginian tobacco, Nicotiana 
 Tdbacum. Cultivated in America, B.P. Tobacco derives 
 its name from the instrument used by the American 
 aborigines for smoking the leaf, from the island of Tobago, 
 or from the town of Tobasco in New Spain. It appears to 
 have been cultivated from time immemorial by the natives 
 of America, and is stiU. largely grown about the great Eiver 
 Orinoco, in the United States, and in many parts of the 
 world. It was unknown in the Old "World, at all events in 
 Europe, until after the discoveries of Columbus, and was 
 first introduced into England by Sir Erancis Drake in 1586. 
 
 Like alcohol, it has its admirers and inveterate opponents. 
 A good deal can be said by both sides upon the question, but 
 we have no desire to enter the controversy, further than 
 stating its actual properties, actions, and uses. Of course, 
 like every other article of consumption, it can be, and often 
 is, abused by continued over-doses. 
 
TOBACCO. 67 
 
 The Nicotiana Tahacum, which yields the Virginian and 
 several important commercial tobaccos, is an herbaceous plant, 
 with a branching fibrous root, a tall annual stem, funnel- 
 shaped rose-coloured flowers, and large, moist, clammy, brown 
 leaves mottled with yeUow spots, covered with glandiilar 
 hairs, and distinguished by a strong peculiar narcotic odour, 
 and a nauseous, bitter, acrid taste. The leaves readily com- 
 mxmicate their properties to hot water and alcohol. 
 
 The plant is cut down in August, and the leaves dried, 
 twisted, and carefully packed with great compression in 
 hogsheads. For many purposes the leaf is fermented, so as 
 to destroy resinous and albuminous matters, which, when 
 smoked, give rise to oils and unpleasant products. Sugar 
 and liquorice are added to give mellowness and pliability. 
 The several tobaccos of the shops owe their peculiarities 
 chiefly to the manner in which they are prepared for sale; 
 the manufactured Virginian, being the strongest, is generally 
 prepared for medicinal purposes. 
 
 Snuff is prepared by cutting tobacco into small pieces, 
 pUing it into heaps, and pouring water over it to encourage 
 fermentation. These heaps heat and evolve ammonia; the 
 process continues during one to three months, according to 
 the sort of snuff required, the fermented product is then 
 ground and sifted. 
 
 Commercial tobacco contains about 12 per cent, of 
 moisture, 20 to 25 of lignin, and nearly the same amount 
 of inorganic matters, chiefly salts of potash and lime. The 
 active principle is nicotine or nicotia, a colourless volatile, 
 inflammable, oily alkaloid, with an acrid odour and taste. 
 It is present in all parts of the plant, and constitutes from 
 6 to 7 per cent, of the dried leaf, and is soluble in water, 
 alcohol, ether, and the fixed and volatile oils. It is an 
 energetic poison, almost as potent as prussic acid. 
 
 Hertwig carefuUy investigated the action of tobacco on 
 
68 PKA.CTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 the lower animals. He gave to horses | to 1 ounce of the 
 powered leaves, and found that the pulse was lowered three 
 to ten beats per minute, and became irregular and 
 intermittent, whilst a repetition of such doses increased the 
 evacuation of excreta and urine. Large doses injected into 
 the veins accelerated the pulse, increased the action of the 
 bowels and kidneys, and made the animal generally irritable 
 and restless. Two ounces of powdered tobacco, in 1 J lb. 
 of water, given in divided doses, but within two and a half 
 hours, to a healthy middle aged cow, heightened the skin 
 temperature, raised the pulse from 65 to 70, caused 
 quickened, .but somewhat oppressed breathing, coldness 
 of the horns, ears, and extremities, dilatation of the pupil, 
 copious perspiration continuing aU night. Next day the 
 animal remained duU; but by the third day she was all 
 right. 
 
 An ox consumed about 4 lbs. of tobacco leaves, and 
 speedily became very restless, ground his teeth, and groaned; 
 lay with outstretched limbs and distended stomach, passed 
 quantities of thin foetid excreta, and died in eleven hours in 
 convulsions. 
 
 Its Medicinal Properties. — As a muscle relaxer, tobacco 
 acts very beneficially in colic, contraction of the neck of the 
 bladder, and occasionally in strangulated hernia. Impacted 
 colon and obstinate torpidity of the bowels, whether from 
 lead poisoning or other conditions, are usually relieved by 
 tobacco, given in the form of smoke clysters. One or two 
 drops of nicotine (equivalent to about 1 drachm of Virginian 
 tobacco) are given at intervals of two hours ; it allays 
 the spasm of locked jaw in man, and a decoction applied 
 directly to the muscles has also afforded great relief. But, 
 as with other remedies in this disease, it is unfortunately 
 only temporarily removed. However, when administered, 
 it poisons intestinal worms; and diluted solutions, thrown 
 
TOBACCO. 69 
 
 into the rectum as an injection, proves fatal to ascarides 
 lodging there; but for any such purposes it must be used 
 with extreme caution. 
 
 . Externally, it is employed to kiU the insect of mange in 
 horses and dogs, and of scab in sheep; while it is fatal to 
 lice, fleas, and ticks. Strong solutions liberally applied 
 are liable to produce nausea, fainting, and even death; but 
 1 part to 30 of water can be used with perfect safety. 
 
 A useful dip for sheep, which is effectual in destroying 
 ticks, warding off flies, and not injurious to the colour of the 
 fleece, is made as follows : — 1 lb. each of tobacco, sulphur, 
 potashes, and soft soap, dissolved in 30 gallons of water. 
 For such purposes the tobacco is previously boiled for ten 
 or fifteen minutes in 2 quarts of water, and the decoction 
 mixed with the other ingredients. These quantities are 
 sufiicient to dip thirty lambs, or a score of big sheep. For 
 the destruction of scab, double the amount of tobacco may 
 be cautiously employed. 
 
 Doses. — The large animals take from 1 to 2 drachms, 
 sheep 10 to 20 grains, dogs 5 to 10 grains, dissolved in hot 
 water. 
 
 As an antispasmodic laxative injection the smoke is pre- 
 ferable to the infusion, and is commonly given by filling a 
 syringe with smoke drawn from an ordinary clay pipe. 
 Three or four syringefuls are repeated at intervals of an 
 hour as required. 
 
 For external applications, or for enema, the infusion is 
 made by boiling or digesting 1 or 2 drachms of tobacco with 
 a pint of hot water; stronger solutions require to be used 
 with great caution, more especially if swallowed, injected 
 into the rectum, or placed in contact with, a broken and 
 abraded skin surface. A single drop of nicotine destroys 
 rabbits and small dogs in five minutes. 
 
70 PRACTICAL VETEEINAKY EEMEDIES. 
 
 LIME. 
 
 "When limestone, chalk, or marble, or any form of calcium 
 carbonate, is mixed with coal, and thorouglily burned, its 
 carbonic acid is driven off, and the metallic oxide or quick- 
 lime is left. 
 
 It occurs in greyish white irregular masses or lumps, has 
 an alkaline-caustic taste, and a great affinity for water. It 
 combines with 24 per cent, of water, giving off much heat, 
 and forming the hydrate or slaked lime. The presence of 
 sugar increases fuUy twelve times the solubility of lime in 
 water. 
 
 Lime water is prepared by slaking a small quantity of 
 freshly burned lime, agitating it briskly with a large quantity 
 of water, allowing the undissolved matter to subside, and 
 pouring off the clear solution. It is colourless, has an 
 alkaline taste and reaction, and unites with oils to form 
 soaps. As it readily absorbs carbonic acid, it should be 
 kept in closely stoppered bottles. 
 
 Its Action and Uses. — Lime is irritant, corrosive, desiecant, 
 and antacid. It is a natural constituent of the animal 
 textures, in which it probably occurs mainly- in combination 
 with phosphoric and carbonic acids. Being present in most 
 articles of diet, extra supplies are seldom required. "When 
 swallowed there is probably deposited on the gastric mucous 
 membrane a film of carbonate, which is dissolved by hydro- 
 chloric acid, slowly absorbed as chloride, reconverted in the 
 blood into carbonate, held in solution by the free carbonic 
 acid, and ultimately excreted by the kidneys. Its effects 
 are chiefly local. 
 
 Lime, especially when unslaked, and in contact with the 
 mucous and abraded skin surfaces, attracts water, forms a coat- 
 ing of carbonate, and in large amounts irritates and corrodes. 
 
LIME. 71 
 
 Slaked lime and water are used as antacids in indigestion, 
 hoven, and diarrhoea, especially among cattle. One-fourth 
 or one-sixth of lime water given with their milk often pre- 
 vents indigestion, flatulence, and diarrhoea amongst young 
 calves, probably by counteracting undue acidity and the 
 coagulation of the milk in large tough lumps. Wben 
 acidity occurs with constipation, the bicarbonate of soda is 
 substituted for the lime in the proportion of a drachm to the 
 pint of milk ; and even where there is no indigestion, lime 
 water is often serviceable in ill-thriving calves and lambs. 
 It is occasionally given as an antidote in poisoning by the 
 mineral acids. By itself, and when turpentine is conjoined 
 with it, it destroys bronchial filaria, often so troublesome in 
 calves and lambs; and as an injection brings away the 
 worms that inhabit the lower bowels. Mixed with oil or 
 glycerin, it checks the discharge and abates the itching of 
 eczema. But in such cases zinc preparations are as a rule 
 more efficient. Scalds and burns are successfully treated 
 with carron oil, which is simply lime water mixed with an 
 equal quantity of linseed oil. 
 
 In powder 'and solution it is used for cleansing and deo- 
 dorising foul stables, cow-sheds, and piggeries. 
 
 Doses. — Horses and cattle take 1 to 2 drachms of the 
 quicklime, sheep 20 to 30 grains, dogs 5 to 10 grains. Of 
 lime water, the larger animals require 4 to 5 ounces, and 
 the smaller 2 drachms to 1 ounce, given with glycerine, oil, 
 or, better stiU, milk. Two ounces each of lime water and 
 gentian infusion, repeated twice or thrice daily, checks 
 diarrhoea when it attacks feeble calves, and half the above 
 quantity answers for sheep. For calves and dogs a useful 
 antacid and stomachic is as follows : — 2 ounces of slaked 
 lime, 2 ounces of sugar rubbed down, then put into a bottle 
 containing a pint of water, shaking the ingredients well 
 together, and separating the clear solution, when the sedi- 
 
72 PKACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 ment has settled to the bottom. This is given diluted 
 according to convenience. 
 
 CAEBONATE OF LIME or CHALK. 
 
 This occurs in various forms of calcareous spar, limestone, 
 marble, and chalk. Chalk is of especial medicinal import- 
 ance, and abounds in the south of England. Prepared 
 chalk is a dull, white, earthy, crystalline powder, tasteless, 
 but adheres to the tongue, owing to its porosity and its 
 affinity for water. It is a constituent of the bones of 
 animals, of shells, and of coral. It is the common source of 
 hardness in drinking waters, which when pure hold about 
 2 grains dissolved in the gallon. Sixteen grains are some- 
 times found in very hard waters, and when heated, the 
 deposit corrodes the kettles and boilers. 
 
 Chalk is the cheapest and most convenient of antacids, 
 and is much employed for all the domesticated animals in 
 the treatment of indigestion, chronic diarrhoea and dj-sentery. 
 It resembles lime, but is far less local in its effects. Its 
 action extends throughout the whole length of the alimentary 
 canal, neutralising acidity, absorbing irritants, and, during 
 its absorption, leaving a film of lime salt which protects the 
 intestinal surfaces. Thus excessive and faulty secretion is 
 diminished. In a dry and finely divided state, it is used as 
 a desiccant for external wounds and skin irritation, absorb- 
 ing irritating discharges, and protecting from the air the host 
 of ferments suspended in it. 
 
 Doses. — Horses take 1 to 2 ounces, cattle 2 to 4 ounces, 
 sheep 2 to 4 drachms, pigs 1 to 2 drachms, dogs 8 to 12 
 grains, given in milk or gruel. When given often, care 
 should be taken to keep the bowels open, in order to: 
 prevent it accumulating in the intestines. 
 
MUSTAED. 73 
 
 MUSTAED. 
 
 The seeds of the Sinapis nigra and Sinapis alba; also 
 the mixed seeds reduced to powder, B.P. 
 
 The mustard flour of the shops, according to information 
 given to Sir Kobert Christison by an English manufacturer, 
 is made in the following manner : — " Two bushels of black 
 and three of white seed yield, when ground, 145 lbs. of 
 flour, which, to diminish the pungency and improve the 
 colour, is mixed with 56 lbs. of wheat flour and 2 lbs. of 
 turmeric, and the acrimony is restored without the pungency 
 by the addition of 1 lb. of Chili pods and ^ lb. of ginger. 
 Black seed alone, it is added, would be too pungent for use 
 at table. "Wild mustard seed is sometimes substituted for 
 the black species, if the latter be scarce. Some manu- 
 facturers remove the fixed oil from both the white and black 
 seed, by means of expression, before making them into 
 mvistard flour with the other ingredients, and the acrimony 
 of the product is thus increased." 
 
 . The Action and Uses of Mustard. — Unbruised mustard 
 seeds have little effect when swallowed, probably because 
 they are only partially and gradually digested. The flour, 
 however, in large doses, is an irritant; in medicinal doses, 
 it is a stomachic, carminative, and stimulant. A dessert 
 spoonful dissolved in several ounces of water, and given to 
 the dog or cat, causes vomiting. It is slightly laxative and 
 diuretic, allied to horse radish and peppers, but is rarely 
 given internally. 
 . As an external irritant, it is in everyday use as a rube- 
 facient, vesicant, or suppurant. A paste made with water 
 and rubbed into the skin, within fifteen minutes causes red- 
 ness, heat, and tenderness. Applied in larger quantity, or 
 with smarter friction, the epidermis, after three or four 
 
74 PKACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 hours, is separated from the true skin by effusion of serum, 
 the vesicles run into globes of water, which subsequently- 
 burst and suppurate, the surrounding parts being swollen. 
 The skin, however, generally heals in a week's time. 
 Occasionally it may occur from repeated, prolonged, or 
 injudicious use, as in irritable states of the skin there ensue 
 active inflammation, sloughing, and destruction of the hair 
 roots. Compared with cantharides, mustard is more prompt, 
 but less permanent. It is used to control functional dis- 
 turbance rather than to repair structural damage ; it causes 
 less exudation of serum, but more swelling of surrounding: 
 parts. Applied repeatedly, especially to the extremities of 
 the horse, it is more liable to effect the skin deeply, and 
 hence produce sloughing ; and, unlike cantharides, it has no 
 tendency to act upon the kidneys. It is almost as prompt, 
 and is more manageable than boiling water. For horses it 
 is less irritating and burning than oil of turpentine. It is not 
 so severe or so apt to produce suppuration as euphorbium or 
 croton oU. For cattle, mustard is an excellent blister, often 
 acting promptly on their thick and insensible hides, when 
 other agents have slight or tardy effects, and seldom causing 
 injury or blemishing. For sheep and dogs it is ever useful, 
 especially when applied, as it should always be, in moderate: 
 quantities, and for a short period. 
 
 For all the domestic animals suffering from colds, sore 
 throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy, mustard in the 
 early stages very seldom fails to lessen pain, and relieve the 
 difficult breathing. It is most effectual when rubbed in 
 over a considerable area, immediately external to the con- 
 gested, painful, or inflamed parts, and in about twenty 
 minutes washed off, and in an hour or two, if required, again 
 reapplied. In acute indigestion, in colic, and typhoid fever,, 
 especially among horses, repeated dressings of mustard often 
 afford relief. In phlebitis a smart blister reduces inflain- 
 
MUSTARD. 75' 
 
 mation, and hastens absorption of exudate. It is of service 
 in chronic rheumatism, particularly among cattle in the 
 second stages of inflammation of joints and tendons, in en- 
 largement of glands, and as a stimulant in chronic skin 
 diseases. 
 
 Blisters applied over the chest or belly, or below the 
 knees and hocks, especially when the limbs are cold, arouse 
 vitality and overcome congestion in the latter stages of 
 pneumonia and typhoid fever, in parturient apoplexy of 
 cattle, and in poisoning by narcotics. Conjoined with 
 stimulants, it is rubbed over the region of the heart to 
 counteract syncope. Applied over the kidneys, it promotes 
 diuresis. It is sometimes used to determine the secretion 
 of pus, for maintaining or increasing the effects of can- 
 tharides or mercury biniodide ointment. In horses, however, 
 considerable caution is necessary in applying one irritant 
 after another. Neither mustard nor any other blister should 
 be applied where the part is deeply inflamed, owing to the 
 danger of sloughing. 
 
 Doses. — As a mild stimulant, to the horse 4 to 6 drachms, 
 cattle 1^ to 1 ounce, sheep and pigs 1 to 2 drachms, dogs 10 
 to 20 grains. The best mustard should always be selected, 
 and made into a paste with water, and well rubbed into the 
 paits affected, or over the region of the affected parts. If 
 great activity is required, it is better to mix with spirits or 
 vinegar. The volatile oil, prepared by distilling with water 
 the seeds of black mustard after the expression of the fixed 
 oil, is a prompt and powerful vesicant. Two drachms rubbed 
 into the skin of a dog caused immediate irritation, with the 
 speedy formation of large vesicles, surrounded by inflam- 
 matory swelling. 
 
76 PJIACTICAL VETEKINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 MYKKH. 
 
 Gum resinous exudation from the stem of Balsamodendron 
 myrrlia, collected in Arabia Felix and Abyssinia, B.P. 
 
 Myrrh is imported from the coasts of the Eed Sea, chiefly 
 by way of Bombay. It has been used from the earliest 
 times in making incense, perfumes, holy oUs, and unguents 
 for embalming. It is at first of an oily consistency and a 
 yeUow white colour, but gradually becomes solid like gum, 
 and of a brown-red hue. The best sorts, generally termed 
 Turkey myrrh, are met with in irregular-shaped semitrans- 
 lucent red-brown tears, which deepen in colour when 
 breathed on. They are of variable size, brittle, and easy 
 powdered; their fracture is irregular, shining, oily, and 
 occasionally dotted with opaque white markings. Myrrh 
 has a slightly bitter acrid taste, but an agreeable aromatic 
 odour. 
 
 Administered internally, it is a bitter stomachic, feeble 
 tonic and stimulant; externally it is a stimulant and astrin- 
 gent. It gently stimulates the digestive mucous membrane, 
 and thereby excites secretion, bearing in this respect some 
 resemblance to copaiva. It differs from the turpentines and 
 balsams in possessing tonic properties; it is less stimulant 
 and antispasmodic than the foetid gum resins. It is some- 
 times given in indigestion, in chronic cough, and other 
 mucous discharges; but its principal value in the Veterinary 
 science is that it is a stimulant and antiseptic for wounds, 
 applied in the form of tincture of myrrh. 
 
 Doses. — Horses and cattle take 2 drachms, sheep and pigs 
 ^ to 1 drachm, dogs 10 to 20 grains, repeated several times 
 during the day. 
 
NITRIC ACID. 7Y 
 
 NITEIC ACID. 
 
 The strongest acid of commerce contains 85 per cent, of 
 real nitric acid. The strongest acid of the Pharmacopoeia 
 contains 60 per cent, of anhydrous acid. On the large scale 
 the commercial acid is prepared in iron retorts, from seven 
 parts of sodium nitrate and four of sulphuric acid. 
 
 Nitric acid in tolerably concentrated solution is colourless ; 
 it emits pungent, corrosive suffocating fumes; possesses an 
 intensely sour taste ; oxidises, corrodes, and dissolves many 
 organic substances; dropped on the skin, it prodjices a 
 yellow stain, deepened in colour by alkalies, and removed 
 only by the wearing down of the part. It has great 
 affinity for water. In imperfectly stoppered bottles it soon 
 increases in quantity and diminishes in strength; diluted 
 with water, it evolves great heat. Medicinally, it is a 
 stimulant, and exerts antiseptic effects on relaxed and ulcer- 
 ated conditions of the mouth and fauces. It diminishes the 
 alkalinity of the blood, favours the flow of saliva and other 
 alkaline secretions, and thus abates thirst and proves re- 
 frigerant. But large doses interfere with secretion of the 
 gastric juice. It is sometimes prescribed in atonic dyspepsia, 
 and where there is excessive fermentation, but in such cases 
 it is not so suitable as hydrochloric acid. It is administered 
 to cattle and sheep in chronic enlargements and fatty de- 
 generation of the liver, in typhoid fever in horses, and 
 alternated with arsenic in inveterate mange, eczema, and 
 farcy. As a caustic, nitric acid is used for the removal of 
 warts, fungous, and malignant growths, which cannot be 
 removed with the knife, and for dissolving the hardened 
 scurf which accumidates in neglected cases of scab and 
 mange. It destroys the virus lodged in poisoned wounds, 
 excites. a healthy action, and removes the disagreeable odour 
 
■.78 PRACTICAL VETERINARY EEMEDIES. 
 
 from caries, foul and foot rot, and arrests spreading sloughing 
 sores. When it is necessary to apply it to a sore, wrap a 
 piece of tow round a splinter of wood, and well oil the parts 
 surrounding the sore before you use the caustic. It is 
 serviceable in abating the itching of nettlerash. 
 
 Excessive sweating in horses diwing exertion or sickness 
 is often checked by sponging the skin with a dilute solution 
 of the acid. Dissolved in 80 or 100 parts of water, it 
 greatly relieves the tenderness and tension of pUes in 
 dogs. 
 
 Doses of the Diluted Medicinal Acid. — Horses or cattle 
 take 1 to 2 drachms, sheep and pigs 10 to 20 drops, dogs 2 
 to 1 drops. It must be very largely diluted with water or 
 other bland fluids, and is often combined with- bitters. 
 
 For external application, a drachm of strong acid to the 
 pint of water sufiices for aU purposes, escharotic excluded. 
 A paste made with sulphur and lard is also in use for 
 removing warts, destroying acari, and stimulating the skin in 
 scab and mange. 
 
 WATEE. 
 
 Two volumes of hydrogen and one of oxygen in the 
 presence of a light, or an electric spark, unite with explosive 
 force, yielding two volumes of gaseous water or steam. It 
 exists in the solid, liquid, and gaseous forms. A cubic inch 
 of water becomes a cubic foot of steam. When solid ice 
 melts, heat is absorbed or becomes latent. When the liquid 
 water boils or gives off gas stiU more heat is absorbed. 
 
 Organic matters when present, especially in river and marsh 
 waters, cause them to spoil rapidly, and occasionally produce 
 diarrhoea and dysentery. In suspension also occur such 
 dangerous impurities as the germs of various catching 
 
WATER. 79 
 
 ■ diseases, and the ova of parasites. The solid constituents of 
 drinking waters vary greatly. 
 
 Glasgow has from Loch Katrine the purest water supply 
 of any large city in the world, containing only f grain of 
 organic matter, and 1-^ grain of inorganic matters to the 
 gallon. 
 
 The London water contains 3 grains of organic, and 16 
 grains of inorganic matters to the gallon. 
 
 Various plans are adopted for the purifying of water. 
 Subsidence and decantation get rid of grosser mechanical 
 particles. FUtration through sand, charcoal, or gravel 
 removes organic and organised impurities. Oxidation gradu- 
 ally destroys disagreeable or dangerous defilements, hence a 
 running stream contaminated even by sewage, a few hundred 
 yards lower down may again become clear and wholesome. 
 Boiling kills vegetable and animal matters, drives off 
 carbonic anhydride, and thus throws down calcium carbonate, 
 the cause of temporary hardness. 
 
 The Action and Uses of Water. — It is nutrient, diluent, 
 evacuant, and detergent. Hot water is an auxiliary emetic, 
 cathartic, and diaphoretic ; topically, it is emollient and 
 anodyne, and at stUl higher temperature is an active ener- 
 getic irritant. 
 
 Cold water is refrigerant and tonic. It is applied to 
 wounds and burns in the form of the familiar water dressing, 
 and at low temperature it abstracts heat, and antagonises 
 local congestion and haemorrhage. 
 
 Water is an unfailing constituent of all living tissues, and 
 is essential to the support of animal life. It constitutes a 
 large proportion of every kind of food, rendering it more 
 easily digested and assimulated. It supplies the loss of fluid 
 constantly taking place by the skin, lungs, and kidneys. It 
 promotes tissue change of form, and increases excretion. 
 Insufficient and excessive supplies of water are alike in- 
 
80 PKACTICAL VETERINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 jurious; but animals in health and in constant free access to 
 water, rarely take more than nature demands. Excepting 
 for a few hours previous to any great exertion, and when 
 much over-heated and prostrated, it is unnecessary to restrict 
 the water supplied to horses. In fact, in all weU-con- 
 structed modern stables, water is always present at the 
 horse's head, and when this plan is adopted he actually 
 drinks less in the twenty-four hours than when he is 
 allowed to slake his thirst three or four times a day. A 
 moderate amount of water is essential for digestion; an 
 excessive quantity injuriously dilutes the gastric juice. 
 Horses when tired and hungry should have a few swallows 
 of water, or, better still, a bucket of gruel, before feeding. 
 A copious draught of water taken immediately after a 
 rapidly eaten meal, hurries the imperfectly digested food 
 too rapidly into the large intestines, and the result is too 
 often colic, inflammation, &c. In febrile and inflammatory 
 diseases water in moderation is a valuable medicine, and is 
 .perfectly safe, and a good deal more palatable and satisfying 
 when given cold. Horses disposed to be greedy drinkers, 
 and especially those that are damaged in the wuid, should 
 be supplied with small quantities and often, whilst further 
 to relieve the thirst the food should be dam23ed. 
 
 After a cathartic dose, and until the physic has ceased to 
 operate, even moderate draughts of cold water in many cases 
 cause griping. Calves and lambs feverish and purging, 
 soon kiU themselves if they have free access to water. 
 
 As a diluent, water mechanically relieves choking and 
 coughing, dUutes corrosives and irritant poisons, assists the 
 action of diaphoretics, diuretics, and purgatives; is mainly 
 got rid of by the kidneys, lessening acridity of the urine, 
 and augmenting its watery and solid parts. Tepid water is 
 a convenient emetic for dogs and pigs; injected into the 
 rectum, warm water allays irritability of the bowels and 
 
WATER. 81 
 
 genital organs, and promotes the action of the bowels. 
 Injections of cold water checks bleeding, produces general 
 reaction, and occasionally expels worms. A good scrubbing 
 with water and soap is the first course of treatment of 
 mange or scab. It removes the scales, thereby allowing the 
 dressing to go straight to its work. 
 
 Water is the important constituent of most emollients. 
 Hot fomentations relieve tension, tenderness, and pain, 
 and moisten, soften, and relax dry and irritable surfaces. 
 Applied early, they control or prevent inflammatory con- 
 gestion of bruises, strains, and severely contused wounds. 
 Mainly by reflex action their application externally is 
 simply invaluable, and soothes internal parts which have 
 been irritated or inflamed. Thus fomentations allay the 
 pain of coUc, inflammation of the bowels, and all inflam- 
 matory affections situated within the chest. Steaming the 
 head and throat in like manner, relieves strangles, colds, and 
 sore throats. Such soothing vapours, medicated if need be 
 by laudanum, belladonna, ether, vinegar, sulphurous acid, 
 or alkaline hypochlorites, are readily evolved, from a well- 
 made bran mash, placed in a roomy nose bag, or by holding 
 the head over a bucketful of water, from which steam is 
 driven off by plunging a hot iron into it at short intervals. 
 Several folds of lint or tow saturated with hot water and 
 covered with oiled silk, or gutta-percha cloth to retard 
 evaporation, or a sheet of well-soaked spongia piline, are 
 frequently substituted for fomentations and poultices, on 
 account of lightness, cleanliness, and less tendency to sodden 
 and injure adjacent parts. 
 
 Water nearly boiling is a prompt and powerful counter- 
 irritant, and especially useful in cattle practice. It is laved 
 over the affected part with a sponge or piece of flannel or 
 soft rag. When applied to the chest or abdomen of cattle 
 or horses, several folds of thick horse rugs or blankets are 
 
 F 
 
82 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 often placed roimd the patient, and nearly boiling water 
 poured amongst the folds of cloth from time to time. Thus 
 the extensive counter-irritation, thus rapidly developed in 
 careful hands, does not blemish, and frequently proves of 
 great and permanent service in the first stages of pneumonia, 
 pleurisy, colic, enteritis, peritonitis, and obstinate constipa- 
 tion both of horses and cattle. Cold water is a useful re- 
 frigerant. When the acute congestion, heat, and tenderness 
 of bruises, strains, and other such injuries have been so far 
 abated by hot fomentations, cold exerts wholesome, re- 
 frigerant, tonic, and constringing effects. Calico bandages, 
 constantly kept wet, relieve chronic strains, jarfs, and wind 
 galls in the legs of horses. The cold water treatment is also 
 serviceable in broken knees, open joints, and circumscribed 
 burns and scalds. Such wounds should not, however, be 
 directly wetted, but kept scrupulously covered by folds of 
 antiseptic wadding constantly wetted. Such continuous 
 irrigation is readily affected through a small vulcanised india- 
 rubber tube, brought from a supply tank on a higher level. 
 Cold water similarly applied also keeps at low temperature 
 the swabs around the coronets and feet of horses suffering 
 from lamiaitis. Cold water dashed over the head and neck 
 is a powerful stimulant, serviceable in megrims, sunstroke, 
 phrenitis, convulsions, syncope, and the latter stages of 
 puerperal apoplexy in cattle, as well as in poisoning with 
 alcohol, chloroform, opium, and prussio acid, and for en- 
 couraging respiration in young animals that breathe tardily 
 at birth. The shock is increased when very cold water is 
 used, and when it falls on the patient from a height of 
 everal feet. Ice in small fragments in a bag or bladder 
 exerts more intense effects, and is valuable in inflamed and 
 prolapsed uterus and rectum, and in those violent bleedings 
 which occur at the time, or shortly after parturition. But 
 care must be taken that vascular parts are not kept too long 
 
WATEl!. 83 
 
 at such, a reduced temperature as to interfere with their 
 nutrition. Two parts of ice mixed with one of salt form a 
 powerful freezing mixture of the temperature 4°, and are 
 applied to prevent too sudden rise of temperature and 
 gangrene in frost bite, to arrest circumscribed congestion 
 and inflammation, to check bleeding, and to stop convulsions. 
 Four or five minutes contact with the skin removes sensation, 
 so that opening of abscesses, nerving, and such operations, 
 can all be performed without pain; but for inducing local 
 anaesthesia ether spray is preferable. Dr Chapman has 
 taught that the ice bag applied along the back and the loins 
 " not only exerts a sedative effect on the spinal cord, but 
 also on those nerve centres which preside over the blood- 
 vessels in all parts of the body it partially paralyses them." 
 It appears to diminish muscular tension, sensibility, and 
 secretion, and hence has been used in tetanus, chorea 
 epilepsy, cramps, in neuralgic pain, and in inordinate dis- 
 charges from the bowels and kidneys. 
 
 Baths, therefore, are important alike for the preservation 
 of health and the cure of disease. Tepid baths cleanse the 
 skin, promote perspiration, allay thirst, and are grateful to 
 tired and heated horses. Hot baths stimulate the skin, 
 incite perspiration, raise temperature, and, where long con- 
 tinued, quicken and enfeeble the pulse, retard oxidation, and 
 impede electric currents through the nerves. They soothe 
 animals subjected to severe muscular exertion, relieve colic 
 and cramps, benefit chronic skin disorder, arrest colds and 
 attacks of weed, promote the excretion of noxious matters, 
 and thus prevent or alleviate rheumatism and various 
 forms of blood poisoning. 
 
 Cold baths abstract heat or prevent its excessive formation, 
 are tonic and stimulant; under proper control, they are use- 
 ful in febrile cases, chorea, and convalescence from acute 
 disease. As curative agents, they should rarely be continued 
 
84 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 for more than three or four minutes; whilst healthful 
 reaction is encouraged, by carefully drying, hand rubbing, 
 clothing, and, if need be, stimulants. Vapour, Eoman, or 
 Turkish baths, when followed as they should be by cold 
 effusion, combine most of the advantages of hot and cold 
 baths. They are less depressing than the hot, and produce 
 less nervous shock than the cold. They should not exceed 
 the temperature of 120°. They promptly cleanse the skin, 
 evoke perspiration, stimulate circulation, and increase both 
 the destruction and construction of tissue. They are 
 specially useful in chronic cough, dyspepsia, want of appetite, 
 rheumatism, laminitis, in the shivering cold stage of fever, 
 and in disorders depending upon blood contamination. 
 
 Where proper baths cannot be obtained many of their 
 curative advantages are secured by rapidly sponging the 
 animal with tepid, hot, or cold water. Noxious and irritable 
 matters are removed from the skin, circulation is equalised, 
 excessive heat reduced, and spasm counteracted. In febrile 
 eases, either in horses or cattle, the temperature of the water 
 at first should not be more than 80° or 85°, the sponging 
 should not occupy more than three minutes ; the animal 
 should be dried and immediately clothed. Within, two or 
 three hours the process may be repeated, providing the tem- 
 perature rises again. 
 
 From the foregoing remarks it will, therefore, be ob- 
 served that water is a most invaluable curative and medicinal 
 agent, alike admissible to all patients, from the highest 
 scale down to the lowest of our domestic animals. 
 
 GENTIAN EOOT. 
 
 The dried root of Gentiana lutea, collected in the 
 m.ountainous districts of Central and Southern Europe, B.P. 
 
GENTIAN EOOT. 85 
 
 Gentian is the type of a pure and simple bitter, and is 
 prescribed as a tonic and stomachic, promoting salivary and 
 gastric secretions; and as a tonic it has been considered 
 inferior to cinchona, but it is devoid of astringency. It, 
 however, improves the appetite and general tone, and 
 imparts a healthier condition to the stomach. 
 
 Among horses suffering from febrile colds, no combina- 
 tion is more useful than an ounce of gentian (powdered), 
 2 drachms of nitre, with 2 ounces of Epsom salts, dissolved 
 in a pint of water, linseed tea, or ale, and repeated night and 
 morning, in most inflammatory complaints. Such a remedy 
 also proves serviceable after the first acute stage is passed. 
 When the bowels are constipated and irregular, or febrile 
 symptoms are insufficiently subdued, 2 drachms of aloes may 
 be given with advantage in the mixture ; and when a more 
 decided tonic effect is desired, iron sulphate is alternated 
 with the gentian and salts. One ounce of gentian with 1 
 ounce of ether, or sweet spirits of nitre, given three or four 
 times a day in a bottle of good ale, proves an excellent 
 tonic, stomachic, and stimulant in influenza, and many other 
 debilitating diseases ; and not only so, but it hastens the 
 recovery from exhausting complaints, and possesses an 
 almost magical effect in restoring jaded horses, or animals 
 that are over-worked or suffering from loss of appetite or 
 colds. In simple indigestion in young animals it is often 
 combined with aromatics aiid antacids, such as half an ounce 
 of gentian, ginger, and carbonate of soda, constitutes a very 
 useful carminative and stomachic for horses or cattle, and 
 may be made either into a ball with treacle, or into a drink 
 with gruel and ale, and thus administered. 
 
 In relaxed and irritable bowels, especially in young 
 animals, it is advantageously given with opium. By pro- 
 moting a healthier state of the digestive organs, it prevents 
 the development of worms, while its bitterness and slight 
 
86 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 laxative tendency often cause their expulsion. Its supposed 
 utility in jaundice is principally due to the laxatives with 
 which it is combined. For sheep, gentian is a most useful 
 stomachic and hitter tonic, and when prescribed with salt 
 arrests for a time the process of liver rot. Next after 
 quinine, it is the best vegetable tonic for dogs prostrated 
 by reducing disorders, such as distemper, &c. Like other 
 tonics, it is not admissible in irritation of the intestines and 
 in the early stages of acute inflammatory diseases. As an 
 infusion, it is sometimes applied externally as a mUd stimu- 
 lant and antiseptic. 
 
 GINGER. 
 
 Zingiber, the scraped and dried rhizome, or under- 
 ground stem, of Zingiber officinale, from plants cultivated 
 in India, in the West Indies, and other countries, B.P. 
 
 Ginger is slightly irritant, aromatic, and stomachic. It 
 stimulates the various mucous membranes with which it 
 comes in contact. Blown into the nostrils, it promotes nasal 
 discharge ; chewed, it increases the flow of saliva ; ad- 
 ministered internally in repeated doses, it increases the 
 gastric secretions, facilitates digestion, and checks the formar 
 tion of flatus. Owing to these stomachic and carminative 
 properties, as well as from its mUd tonic effect, it proves 
 serviceable during convalescence from debilitating diseases, 
 especially when accompanied by atony of the digestive 
 organs. It is, besides, a useful adjunct to many medicines, 
 and is prescribed with tonics and stimulants ; whilst, com- 
 bined with purgatives, it diminishes their liability to 
 nauseate and gripe, and also hastens their effect, therefore 
 it is used for all domesticated animals to fulfil those 
 purposes, and is especially adapted for cattle and sheep. 
 
GLYCERIN. 87 
 
 Doses. — Horses 4 drachms to 1 ounce, for cattle 1 to 3 
 ounces, sheep 1 to 2 drachms, pigs -^ to 1 drachm, and for 
 dogs 10 to 30 grains. It is given in halls made up with 
 treacle, &c., or in a draught, with ale, or hot water sweetened 
 with sugar or treacle. 
 
 glyceei:n^. 
 
 A sweet principle ohtained from fats and oils. It was 
 first discovered by Scheele, in 1879, as a product in the 
 manufacture of lead plaster. It occurs in , small amount 
 during the fermentation of sugar, and is obtained as a by- 
 product from soap and stearine candle-making. It is viscid, 
 colourless, and odourless ; has a sweet taste. Strongly heated 
 in a capsule, it should, if pure, leave no residue. It bums 
 with a luminous flame, evolving irritating vapours ; is freely 
 soluble in water and alcohol ; is in itself an excellent solvent 
 for vegetable acids and alkaloids; takes up one-third of its 
 weight of quinine sulphate, one-sixth of morphine muriate, 
 and one-fifth of arsenic. 
 
 Its Medicinal Properties and Uses. — Glycerin is nutrient, 
 demulcent, emoUient, feebly antiseptic, and a convenient 
 solvent for alkaloids, tannic and gallic acids. 
 
 It possesses some of the nutrient properties of cod-liver 
 oU and other fats, and 2 or 3 drachms repeated twice or 
 thrice daily have been administered to delicate dogs. It has 
 been stated. that 150 grains act like alcohol, and kill small 
 dogs. Small doses are thrown off by the kidneys, large 
 doses by the bowels, producing a laxative effect. It is a 
 splendid application for cracked heels, mud fever, blistered 
 or burned surfaces; in short, wherever the skin is irritable, 
 dry, rough, or scurfy, its use is attended with good results. 
 .For tender or abraded surfaces, when undiluted, it is too 
 
88 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY HEMEDIES. 
 
 heating and irritant, and is best used with oil, or water, or 
 any bland fluid. It is a cleanly and useful application for 
 many purposes, notably for sore mouths amongst lambs 
 and calves. Greater antiseptic and astringent effects are 
 secured, as is desirable, in bad cases of cracked heels, in 
 harness galls, or indolent wounds, by the application of 
 glycerin and carbolic acid; this is easily made by rubbing 
 together in a mortar four parts of glycerin to one of carbolic 
 acid. Another soothing and astringent dressing is made 
 with equal parts of glycerin and Goulard's extract, diluting 
 it as required with water. It is especially useful for pre- 
 serving balls and masses in a soft sound state, and is con- 
 venient and palatable for giving disagreeable medicines to 
 dogs, &c. 
 
 SODA AND ITS MEDICINAL COMPOUNDS. 
 
 The carbonate and bicarbonate of soda are antacids and 
 alteratives. They are constituents of the blood and bile 
 and serous fluids. Used as a medicine, they restore any 
 deficiency of the soda salts. During their absorption, their 
 continuance in the body, and their expulsion therefrom, 
 they exert antacid properties; or, in other words, combine 
 with lactic, uric, and other organic acids. They are also 
 antidotes for poisoning by mineral and other acids. Bene- 
 ficial efiects result from their use in moderation in febrile 
 attacks of rheiunatism and irritation of the kidneys; but 
 injurious and wasteful effects ensue from their continued 
 abuse. Small doses increase the secretion of the gastric 
 juice, and assist the emulsion and digestion of fats. Young 
 calves, too exclusively fed on skim milk, and suffering from 
 indigestion with constipation, are often relieved by dissolving 
 3 or 4 drachms of bicarbonate of soda in each meal of milk. 
 
SOAPS. 89 
 
 The carbonate and bicarbonate differ only in their degrees 
 of action. They closely resemble the corresponding salts of 
 potash, are, however, less penetrating and irritant, but con- 
 tain a greater percentage of alkali, and possess a stronger 
 neutralising power. 
 
 Doses. — Horses and cattle take 2 to 6 drachms, sheep and 
 pigs 20 to 40 grains, dogs 10 to 20 grains. The bicarbonate 
 is administered in exactly double these doses. It is best 
 given in solution. 
 
 SOAPS. 
 
 Soaps are laxative, emetic, antacid, and diuretic. They 
 are used externally as stimulants, lubricants, and detergents, 
 and iu pharmacy as excipients. They form convenient 
 adjuncts to more active laxatives or diuretics; and some 
 practitioners recommend their adoption in injections. But 
 to this I most emphatically take objection, and for the 
 following reasons : — In the first place, there are very few 
 individuals who have not suffered painful irritation by allow- 
 ing a small quantity of soap to enter the eyes while washing 
 the face. That being so, it soon manifests its irritant effects 
 upon the sensitive membrane of the eye. What must it be 
 then when a thick soapy injection is ushered into contact with 
 the mucous membranes of the bowels ? I leave you to reflect 
 upon the torture inflicted upon the helpless animal. But as a 
 stimulant for bruises and strains, and to produce counter-irrita- 
 tion in cold and sore throats, 6 ounces of hard soap, cut small, 
 and macerated with 6 ounces of dUute liquor ammonias, and 
 1 pint of proof spirit, and 1 pint of linseed oil, with 3 
 ounces of camphor added, is indeed valuable for the above 
 complaints, well rubbed in. Soap also prevents access of 
 air to burns or scalds, and by doing so greatly relieves irrita- 
 
90 PRACTICAL VETERINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 tion. It is also greatly employed for making up balls, lini- 
 ments, and oiatments. 
 
 SULPHATE OF ZINC 
 
 Is an irritant, sedative, emetic, antiseptic, astringent, and 
 nerve tonic. It is used externally as an astringent, stimu- 
 lant, antiseptic, and desiccant. As is often the case with 
 other metallic poisons, several ounces are given to horses 
 and cattle with impunity. Orfila discovered that 7^ drachms 
 were vomited by dogs ia a few seconds, but produced no 
 lasting effects. Christison says "that 30 grains in solution, 
 injected into the veins, depressed the action of the heart, 
 and destroyed life in a few seconds." As a tonic, it resembles 
 but is inferior to iron and the sulphate of copper; as an 
 astringent, it is given along with opium in dysentery and 
 diarrhoea, but is not so efficacious as sulphate of copper, 
 &c. 
 
 Externally, it is greatly employed as a stimulant and 
 astringent in oversecreting wounds, in foul ulcers, in inflam- 
 matory affections of the eyes, in chronic skin diseases, and 
 in inflammation between the digits of the sheep's foot. 
 
 As an emetic for dogs and pigs, 8 to 1 5 grains (according 
 to size) in 2 or 3 ounces of water. As an astringent, for 
 horses or cattle 1 to 3 drachms, for sheep 10 to 20 grains, 
 for dogs 2 to 5 grains are given, either in the solid or 
 fluid state. 
 
 Externally, it is used in powder or solution. An ounce 
 each of the sulphate of zinc and acetate of lead, dissolved 
 in a quart of water, forms the well-known white lotion used 
 in veterinary practice. 
 
AEECA NUT OR BETEL NUT. 91 
 
 OXIDE OF ZINC. 
 
 It is seldom that this agent is prescribed internally. 
 Externally, the oxide in powder is dusted as a desiccant, 
 stimulant, and astringent, over chafed and irritated skin 
 surfaces (fpr example, mud fever), and is also employed in 
 solution or ointment. The B.P. process is made by mixing 
 with gentle heat 80 grains of oxide of zinc and 1 ounce of lard. 
 
 AEECA NUT OR BETEL NUT. 
 
 This is a most effectual vermifuge, particularly in dogs; 
 and is alike fatal to both tape and round worms. Before 
 its administration the bowels should be thoroughly cleared 
 out by a purgative, and the areca nut given fasting. The 
 worms thus starved are eager for anything, and thus they 
 greedily swallow the poison prepared for them. 
 
 Half a nut, or about 60 grains of the powder, is sufficient 
 •for a pointer. The nut should always be given powdered 
 either in milk or soup, and in a few hours the worms will be 
 discharged. Sometimes it is advisable to follow up in a 
 day or two a mild dose of castor oil with a little turpentine, 
 so that worms that previously appeared immovable will 
 very often be entirely removed. 
 
 Doses. — The dogs wiU take from 15 grains to 2 drachms, 
 horses 4 to 6 drachms, given in milk, as worms are partial 
 to it. \ 
 
 CATECHU 
 
 Comes from Bengal and Burmah in great masses, which 
 weigh aJ)out 1 cwt., and made up of layers of small pieces 
 
92 PRACTICAL VETlSlilNARY EEMEDIES. 
 
 of 2 to 4 ounces, enveloped in husks of rice. It is bittei 
 and astringent, and dissolves in the mouth slowly. It owes 
 its value for tanning and its medicinal properties to the 
 presence of tannic acid, &c. 
 
 It is administered when the mucous discharges are ex- 
 cessive, and is conjoined with aromatics to remove flatulence, 
 with opium to remove irritability, and with chalk, magnesia, 
 or any alkali to counteract acidity. For diarrhoea the 
 following is convenient: — Three ounces each of catechu, 
 prepared chalk, and ginger, with 6 drachms of opium, made 
 into a mass with treacle and liaseed flour. This makes 6 
 doses for a horse, 4 for a cow, and 8 or 9 for a calf oi 
 sheep. 
 
 ENUMEEATION OF THE DISEASES APPEETAIN- 
 ING TO THE LOWEE ANIMALS. 
 
 Lameness. 
 
 Navicular Disease or Grogginess. — Inflammation of the 
 navicular bone of the foot. Treatment : — ^Eemove the shoes, 
 place the patient in a loose box laid with clay; apply cold 
 water continuously; failing that, blister smartly round the 
 coronets, and rest. Should this course prove iaefiectual, 
 resort to neurotomy or nerving. 
 
 Laminitis or Founder. — If due to irritation and inflam- 
 mation of the mucous membrane, the giving of purgatives 
 are dangerous. But if brought on by indigestion, ther 
 give a dose of physic. If fever is great, combat it wit! 
 aconite ; if pain is excessive, give opium; follow up witl 
 hot bran poultices when the shoes are removed. If tht 
 animal wUl not lie, throw him down; he will award yov 
 his best thanks by a sigh of relief. If there is aciditj 
 
LAMENESS. 93 
 
 of the stomach, he will lick the wall. Give carbonate of 
 soda, when acute symptoms svibside; put on. bar shoes, 
 and apply cold water constantly. Diet to consist of bran 
 mashes, with very little fodder. If after three weeks he 
 still goes lame, blister smartly round the coronet, and 
 rest. 
 
 Seedy Toe. — If due to the clip of the shoe, remove the 
 cause, separate the healthy from the unhealthy; failing that, 
 strip the part entirely, blister round the coronet, and rest. 
 
 Thrush. — Give a dose of physic, poultice for a day or 
 so, keep clean, and dress with sulphate of copper or calomel. 
 
 Canker. — Strip the sole and other portions of wall where 
 the cancer is situated, apply tincture of iron on tow, and 
 bandage up the foot. If there is fungus, it must be removed 
 by caustic ; but be cautious not to injure healthy parts. 
 When the parts become covered with horn, apply gentle 
 pressure. 
 
 Carbtmde. — Inflammatory process affecting coronary sub- 
 stance. The point of inflammation must be severed by a 
 crucial incision, then dress with astringents, inject strong 
 carbolic acid to alter the state of inflammation. Afterwards 
 poultice ; keep the bowels open ; if fevered, give aconite. 
 Dress with sulphate of copper, and blister should inflam- 
 mation involve whole substance. 
 
 Villitis. — Inflammation of the coronary band. Causes : 
 — Excessive work, bad shoeing, high caulking. Cold water 
 applications, thin heeled bar shoe, blister, rest. 
 
 Quitter. — Causes : — Treads, grease, pricks, festering corns. 
 
 Canker or Gathering Nails. — Eemove the shoe, search for 
 the cause, and remove it. Thin the horn with rasp and 
 knife, poultice thoroughly, and inject solution of corrosive 
 sublimate, setons, &c. 
 
 Ring Bone is of two kinds, true and false. Apply 
 soothing remedies, hot poultices; dose of physic. Secondary 
 
94 PEACTICAL TETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 treatment : — Put on bar shoe and should the disease con- 
 tinue, fire and blister, and rest three months. 
 
 Side Bone. — ^Analogous to ring bone, excepting seat. 
 Treatment the same as for ring bone. 
 
 Corns, S^e. — They are produced by careless shoeing or 
 tight shoes. Eemove the pressure, not by mutUating the 
 foot, but by springing the shoe. Pricks and other injuries 
 must be treated as follows : — Removal of the cause, and the 
 eifect win cease ; second, soothing remedies ; and lastly, if 
 obstinate, counter-irritation and rest. 
 
 Rachitis. — ^Due to deficiency of earthy matter in bones. 
 Give an excess of lime water, put splints on the limbs, and 
 bandage not too tight. 
 
 Splints. — Reduce inflammation by fomentations, give a 
 purgative, and blister; failing this, separate the exostosis 
 from the bone with the knife. If lameness continues, 
 counter-irritation and rest. 
 
 Spavin. — Bog and bone. Subdue inflammation ; if he 
 stands on toe, apply high-heeled shoe. Kre, blister, and 
 rest. 
 
 Sprains are violence inflicted upon soft structures. If of 
 the back, dose of physic; if restless and fighting and feverish, 
 opium, aconite, soothing applications, liberal nourishment, 
 and rest. 
 
 Shoulder Slip. — Hot fomentations for three or four days 
 and nights. Afterwards blister, and allow complete repose. 
 
 Gapped Elhow. — Cause: — Lying down on shoe. Preven- 
 tion : — Put on pads, dissect out tumour, and apply carbolic 
 oil. 
 
 Inflammation of Knee-Joint or Carpitis. — Treatment un- 
 satisfactory ; however, reduce the inflammatory process, 
 counter-irritation, and rest. 
 
 Broken Knees. — Cleanse thoroughly from all dirt, and 
 apply carbolic oil. 
 
LAMENESS. 95 
 
 Rupture or Sprain of the Suspensoi-y Ligament, or {in 
 racing parlance) BreaTc-doim. — Fill up the hollow of the 
 pastern with pads tightly wedged in. Bandage, and treat 
 with cold water. 
 
 Shivering String Halt. — Nervous disease. Very little 
 control over it ; in fact, incurable. 
 
 Hip-Joint Lameness. — One leg appears longer than the 
 other; whole limb stiff and straight. Eeduce inflammation, 
 afterwards fire and blister. 
 
 Disease of the Stifle Joint. — Absolute repose ; in^rt a 
 seton on each side, and allow them to remain in for three 
 weeks. 
 
 Capped Hock. — ^Difficult to get rid of ; soothing remedies 
 are the best. If the swelling is hard and hangs over, a 
 seton run through may have good results. 
 
 Thorough Pin. — Eailway horses used for shunting are 
 very liable to it. Treatment very unsatisfactory. 
 
 Gurh. — Treatment : — Counter-irritation and rest. 
 
 Chronic Grease. — Confined to hind extremities as a rule. 
 Causes: — Want of exercise, bad state of the body; constitu- 
 tional predisposing, intrinsic and extrinsic. Treatment : — 
 Eemove the grapes with hot fire-shovel (such as is used in 
 the forge), afterwards poultice, and dress with astringents, 
 or pure carbolic acid ; dose of physic, &c. 
 
 Diseases of the Organs op Eespibation. 
 
 Common Gold or Catarrh. — Treatment : — Arrest it at 
 once ; delays are ever dangerous. The most effectual means 
 are the soothing ones, hot cloths, steaming the head, and 
 giving a little nitre in the water to drink. 
 
 Laryngitis. — Treatment the same as common cold. 
 
 Roaring — It is a vain imposture to offer specifics for the 
 cure of this disease. All we can do is to avoid breeding 
 from animals predisposed to it. ' 
 
96 PBACTICAL VETEUINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 Bi-oncldtis. — Iriflaniniation of the bronchial tubes. 
 Treatment : — Place animal in a cool atmosphere, clothe the 
 body and keep legs warm. Do not give aloes on any account; 
 give nitre half an ounce, and tartar emetic 1 drachin in water. 
 If bowels are constipated, unload with injections, apply 
 plenty of hot water to chest and sides, and support the 
 patient's strength. When the iirst stage is passed, and 
 weakness ensues, give stimulants, and continue hot cloths. 
 When pulse runs up, give aconite. When these medicines 
 fail, give powdered camphor and extract of belladonna, of 
 each 1 drachm, every three hours. The disease may ter- 
 minate in several ways, such as recovery, or congestion, or 
 pneumonia, or in thick or broken wind. The latter every 
 one knows by its deep hollow cough. 
 
 Congestion. — Brought on by exposure, impure air, rapid 
 and over-work. Place in a comfortable box, give a stimu- 
 lant as early as possible — whisky, if it is handy, with aconite, 
 and the probability is he will be all right again iu a little 
 while. To be brief, the treatment is simply stimulants, 
 sedatives, comfort, and pure air. 
 
 Pneumo7iia or Inflammation of the Lungs. — In health the 
 lungs float in water; in disease things are the reverse. 
 This disease is ushered in by a shivering fit, cold skin, with 
 harsh staring coat. If patient gets over nine days, you may 
 expect recovery. Treatment : — Clothe the body, and keep 
 comfortable. Hot fomentations, aconite, nitre, sweet spirits 
 of nitre, and careful nursing, stimulants, &c. 
 
 Pleurisy is a very painful complaint. We have much 
 fever and colicky pains, breathing is quick and laboured. 
 Treatment in every way similar to pneumonia. 
 
 Influenza. 
 The term signifies influence, from the superstition that it 
 was influenced by the stars. It is a very vague name, as 
 
INFLUENZA. 97 
 
 it does not imply any particular pathological disease in the 
 lower animals ; but in man the term is restricted to certain 
 symptoms. 
 
 . Symptoms. — Well-marked dulness ; no shivering fit ; the 
 patient stands hanging his head in a corner. A cough is 
 present, which is sore and painful, and at times almost 
 choking. The breathing is accelerated, and in a day or two 
 we have an early discharge of mucous from the nostrils, 
 which is very distiactive of this disease. The mouth is hot 
 and dry, the surface of the body is irregular in temperature, 
 some parts being hot, others cold. We have a small, quick, 
 weak pulse, with general weakness and sinking. Such are 
 the symptoms when the surgeon is generally called in. 
 
 The next stage is, pulse running up to 80°, and small. 
 Cough increased, lifting of the flanks, and a ridge running 
 along the sides to the flank, the same as in pleurisy; extreme 
 weakness. If you turn the patient round he staggers ; the 
 mouth hot and dry. With these symptoms, we must come 
 to the conclusion that there is typhoid pleurisy and typhoid 
 bronchitis. 
 
 Treatment. — First a cool pleasant box, made comfortable; 
 plenty of sweet straw. Clothe the patient, envelop him in 
 hot blankets wrung out of boiling water, and give aconite 
 and sweet spirits of nitre, with chlorate of potash in a pint 
 of warm ale every six hours. But half of the cure lies in 
 careful nursing and attention. 
 
 Influenza or Distemper. 
 
 Symptoms. — When the animal is first seized, he is very- 
 stiff, the belly is tucked up, skin sticking to the ribs, or 
 hidebound, and he rarely moves. Next day legs are 
 swollen, also swelling under the abdomen, pulse quick and 
 unnaturally weak ; legs, ears, and surface of the body cold • 
 and all the openings of the body are swoUen. 
 
 Q 
 
98 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 Treatment.— Clothe the body, and make- the anim 
 comfortable. Allow him to eat any sort of good nourishii 
 food ; give mild diuretics followed up with mineral toni( 
 and, as a rule, recovery is the result. 
 
 Thick Wind 
 
 Often follows bronchitis, influenza, &c. 
 
 Treatment. — Sedatives may be given, but the best thii 
 that can be done is to endeavour to paUiate the diseai 
 which is done chiefly by the liberal use of the best food 
 small quantities, water given often, and little at a time. 
 
 Broken Wind 
 
 Eesembles asthma in the human being. The symptor 
 are well-defined, and therefore the disease is quite famili 
 to all those acquainted with horses. 
 
 Treatment. — Some assert it is curable. The writ 
 declares it is not. You can arrest the appearance of bio- 
 ing, and mitigate the aggravated syinptoms, but to cure ai 
 remove the cough you never can. 
 
 Diseases of the Heart. 
 
 Common in the human being, but rare in the domest 
 animals. However, functional disease of the heart is oft< 
 witnessed where we have great debility, also in the disea 
 called stomach staggers, in which both brain and hea 
 frequently sympathise vri.th the stomach. 
 
 Dilatation of the Heart. 
 This also seldom occurs. 
 
 Tuberculosis and Consumption. 
 
 It is estimated that one-sixth of the population of tl 
 country dies from this disease alone. 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH, ETC. 99 
 
 Treatment — With regard to this, we cannot boast much, 
 although every paper is crowded with specifics. If in the 
 early stage we can lay on a little fat with good oil cake, &c., 
 by all means do so. Still the great trouble and expense is 
 not adequately rewarded. 
 
 Hiccough, Hicctjp, or Spasm of the Diaphragm, 
 
 Often caused by overloaded stomach. 
 
 Treatment. — A drink of cold water wiU often cure it, or 2 
 ounces of sweet spirits of nitre and 2 ounces of opium tincture. 
 
 Palpitation of the Heart. 
 
 The sound is often heard at some distance from the 
 patient. Treat with tincture of opium. 
 
 Diseases op the Stomach, &c. 
 
 Indigestion. — The term is often vaguely employed. It 
 is applied to an imperfect action in the stomach and intestines, 
 but, correctly, should be limited, as in man, to affections 
 appertaining to the stomach alone. Treatment : — Change 
 diet totally, give a dose of physic, and carbonate of soda 
 in the drinking water. 
 
 Vomiting — A horse can only vomit through his nose. It 
 is produced by irritation, &c. ; give tonics and sedatives. 
 
 Stomach or Sleepy Staggers. — It is called stomach staggers, 
 because it depends upon a fiUing of the stomach tight, and 
 sleepy staggers because the brain sympathises with it. 
 Treatment : — A good dose of physic, to be followed up 
 with stimulants if pulse is low. Give carbonate of soda to 
 neutralise the gas, hand wisp belly, &c. 
 
 Grass Staggers. — Symptoms similar to what are seen in 
 stomach staggers, only modified. Treatment: — Get rid of the 
 iinpacted food by a dose of physic at once ; and, as a rule, 
 there is recovery. 
 
100 PKACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 Gastritis, or Inflammation of the Stomach. — There cai 
 not be the least doubt but that this organ is liable to inflan 
 mation, although in the horse it is generally accompanie 
 by inflammation of the bowels. In man, dog, and pij 
 gastritis occurs as a distinct disease. 
 
 Inflammation of the Bowels ob Enteritis, 
 
 Destroys life in a few hours. Causes are various; th 
 same that produced stomach staggers, &c., will produc 
 enteritis. 
 
 Treatment. — Bleeding hastens death. Apply hot blanket 
 give opium, aconite, nitre, powdered aloes, belladonna, &c. 
 
 After Consequences. — Death is the most common issui 
 or it may terminate in acute founder. If so, keep feet coo 
 attend to patient's comfort, and disturb him as little i 
 possible. 
 
 Constipation. 
 
 Millers' and bakers' horses are the most subject to dui 
 balls, or animals fed on dry food. 
 
 Treatment. — You must employ all the remedies that ca 
 be resorted to; but eventually the ball causes death. 
 
 Colic 
 
 Is of two kinds — one flatulent, the other spasmodic. Tl 
 latter is the most common, and is easUy relieved. Its attac 
 is sudden and without fever. In the first form the abdome 
 becomes distended with gas; there is no cessation of tl 
 symptoms. 
 
 Treatment. — Give a dose of physic; this is the best saf 
 guard, and one that should never be neglected; foUow v 
 with opium and sweet spirits of nitre; and, as a rule, yc 
 have a favourable termination. 
 
PEIUTONITIS, ETC. 101 
 
 Peritonitis 
 Is inflammation of the peritoneal membrane which lines 
 the walls of the abdominal cavity, while it frequently ex- 
 tends to that which forms the external coat of the intestines. 
 It occurs frequently in the cow. 
 
 Symptoms. — ^Fever and restlessness, animal strikes his 
 abdomen with his feet, seldom lies down, being afraid; 
 quick strong pulse, breathing quick and short, straining and 
 stretching, and intense pain. 
 
 Treatment. — Hot fomentations applied without delay, and 
 continued without stoppage. Give a good dose of physic; 
 it relieves the loaded intestines. Follow up with opium, 
 aconite, and nitre. Injections should be given, and persist 
 with the hot water. 
 
 Liver Disease. 
 Common in sheep; give calomel 5 grains, powdered 
 opium 4 grains, in gruel once a day. 
 
 Strangles. 
 
 Symptoms. — Ushered in by a catarrhal affection, sore 
 throat, cough, and a discharge from the nose. In three or 
 four days great difficulty in swallowing. Swelling is seen 
 underneath the jaw. In true strangles the inflammation 
 affects the whole of the glands. 
 
 Treatment. — If season wUl allow, give green food; liberal 
 diet, which must be good; regulate the bowels by the food; 
 apply hot fomentations; give nitre in the water. After the 
 abscess has burst, should a cough remain, apply a smart 
 blister. 
 
 Glanders. 
 
 A dangerous and fatal disease, alike to horse and man. 
 
 Treatment. — There is none. 
 
102 PRACTICAL VETEKINARY REMEDIES. 
 
 PUEPUEA HjEMOHRHAGICA. 
 
 This name literally means purple blood. It foUow 
 diseases sucIl as strangles, bronchitis, diabetis, excessiv 
 purgation, &c.; or, in fact, any disease that tends to debili 
 tate the system. 
 
 Symptoms. — Swelling of some part of the body, legs first 
 as a rule, beginning below, and rapidly involving whol 
 limb. The head is also swollen, often blood trickling fron 
 the nose and eyes; blotches are seen inside the nostrUs 
 Wlien the disease advances the legs crack, and blood ooze 
 through — not true blood, however. 
 
 Treatment. — The great object is to keep patient comfort 
 able and supplied with cool air, while as much nourishmen 
 must be got into him as you possibly can get him to swallow 
 Give tonics, whether he is inclined to take them or not 
 especially iron. If the debility is great, give stimu 
 lants. Turpentine is recommended in this disease, but '. 
 eschew it. 
 
 Ebtsipelas 
 
 Is a disease of frequent occurrence in man; and a curioui 
 one it is. It has several names, such as the " Eose " an( 
 " St Anthony's Fire." It is more frequent in the cow thai 
 horse. 
 
 Symptoms. — Begins below and extends upwards, usuall; 
 the legs or head. The skin is thickened and raised tip, an( 
 feels brawny, like the skin of swine; that is, hard, rough 
 and rigid. 
 
 Treatment. — Open the bowels, which must be done b; 
 diet. Give diuretics and vegetable tonics; iron does no 
 seem so needful in this case. If the season permit, giv 
 green food. Local treatment : hot applications, and th 
 liberal use of oil or lard to the swollen parts. 
 
TETANUS OR LOCKED JAW. 103 
 
 SCAELATINA. 
 
 Many people are greatly alarmed at the existence of 
 scarlet fever, and watch its inroads with horror, while the 
 scarlatina creates no fear or anxiety. It may be a happy 
 delusion, but it would be interesting to many to know that 
 the distinction is in name only — the different terms signify 
 one and the same disease. 
 
 Treatment. — Get the bowels opened; and then with care- 
 ful nursing, and a little nitre in the drinking water, they 
 soon recover. 
 
 Diseases of the Nervous System. 
 
 The diseases affecting this system, in number if not in 
 nature, are much fewer than what is observed in man, 
 especially in the horse. 
 
 Tetanus or Locked Jav. 
 
 So called because it locks or fastens together the jaws. 
 It is a disease of the nervous system, inducing a continual 
 spasmodic contraction of aU the voluntary and most of the 
 involuntary muscles of the body. Sometimes the head and 
 neck is only affected; when so it is called trismus. 
 
 It occurs under two distinct forms — traumatic and idio- 
 pathic. 
 
 Causes. — Wounds or irritation of the spinal cord. 
 
 Treatment. — It is treated in all sorts of ways, but the 
 best is to support the system, keep the animal perfectly 
 quiet, and get the bowels open. 
 
 Megrims 
 Consist in temporary loss of voluntary power and motion. 
 
 Symptoms. — Animal shakes its head, then looks at its 
 flanks, and falls down. 
 
104 PRACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 Treatment. — Allow a roomy collar and food that will no' 
 constipate the bowels; give an occasional dose of medicine. 
 
 Chorea oh St Vitus's Dance. 
 
 More frequent in the dog than any other domestic 
 animal. 
 
 Men stagger although they are not drunk, and look idiotic 
 though they are not. 
 
 Treatment. — There is none. 
 
 Steinghait. 
 
 Involuntary twitching of one or both hind legs. 
 Treatment. — None. 
 
 Pheknitis oe Mad Staggbes. 
 
 This is inflammation of the brain and its coverings. 
 
 Treatment. — Give a large dose of purgative medicine, 
 shut the animal u.p in a dark place, apply cold water cloths 
 to head, and give injections to hasten the action of medicine 
 Get all out you can in the shape of food, and allow nothing 
 to be eaten untQ the symptoms have passed away. Ifevei 
 apply blisters; they excite, and do hot allay irritation. 
 
 TUMOUES 
 
 Are of two classes — non-malignant aind malignant. The 
 first are composed of materials already existing in the body, 
 They do not destroy, poison, or spread to surrounding tissues, 
 having no tendency to reproduction; and when thoroughlj 
 removed, the animal recovers. They may destroy life, bu1 
 this is not due to poisoning of the system, but fron 
 mechanical inconvenience. 
 
 Malignant tumours, on the other hand, such as cancer, dc 
 destroy, change, and alter the textures surrounding their 
 into their own textures, while they poison the whole system 
 
EINGWOEM, ETC. 105 
 
 They cause great pain and irritation, and when removed 
 there is no guarantee that they will not be reproduced in 
 same or another site. 
 
 Treatment. — For all tumours that can be removed with 
 the knife, do so, and afterwards apply carbolic dressings. 
 
 KlNOWOEM. 
 
 Treat with acetic acid or iodide 1 drachm, lard 1 ounce, 
 mix and apply; and in bad cases, the iodide of silver. 
 
 Wounds. 
 
 Treatment. — Wash well, and remove all irritants; arrest 
 the bleeding if any, and apply carbolic dressing. 
 
 BuENs AND Scalds. 
 Treatment. — Subdue the fever by giving a laxative and 
 aconite; apply lime water and linseed oil equal parts, and 
 protect from the atmosphere. 
 
 Tympanitis, Hoven, oe Distention op the EiEst Stomach. 
 
 It is produced in cattle by the fermentation of food in 
 this organ. 
 
 Syrnptoms. — Great distention of the stomach on the left 
 side. If struck, it produces a hollow drum-like sound; nose 
 poked out, breathing hurried as sweUing increases, &c. 
 
 Treatment. — When the distention is great, insert the 
 trocar at once, and liberate the gases; then gag the mouth. 
 Give a dose of physic first, and change diet. 
 
 Impaction op the Fiest Stomach. 
 
 Give an energetic purge, and repeat in twelve hours if 
 necessary. Failing that, the side must be opened, and the 
 impacted food removed with the hand; afterwards stitch up 
 stomach and side. Be cautious with the diet, attend to 
 
106 PEACTICAL VETEEINAEY REMEDIES. 
 
 comfort, and keep the patient as free from movement 
 possible. 
 
 White Scour in Calves — Diarehcea. 
 
 The cause is generally traceable to the food, which 
 course must be changed. Then give castor oil or Epso 
 salts and treacle, with stimulants. When the bowels a 
 cleaned out, give a switched egg and a little port wine ai 
 ginger mixed, and attend to the general comfort. 
 
 Inflammation op the Uterus or Womb. 
 
 Mostly seen after calving. 
 
 Symptoms. — Pulse quick and wiry, breathing hurrie 
 animal staggers, a blackened fluid is discharged, while tl 
 patient moans repeatedly. It is very fatal in cows. 
 
 Treatment. — Inject tepid water into the womb at interval 
 apply hot cloths wrung out of boiling water. Give digital: 
 opium, nitre, and as recovery advances, good food ai 
 tonics. 
 
 Parturient Fever. 
 
 Generally ushered iu two or three days after calving. Co 
 gets restless, no inclination to eat, rumination suspende 
 milk scarce, looks round to her flank, lies down, moar 
 stretches out her head, attempts to rise, kicks at her bell 
 great fever; ears, horns, and leg cold; pulse gets weakf 
 the breathing quicker. Finally, she lies with head ere( 
 retains senses to the last. Cows may labour for two 
 three days, but the duration is generally about forty-eig 
 hours, when death ends the scene. 
 
 Treatment. — An active purge at first, one that will \ 
 straight to its work. Give the croton beans, the Epsom sail 
 and the linseed oil, with 3 or 4 ounces of tincture of opiur 
 give also injections, apply hot fomentations to the spine, mi 
 
MAMMITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF THE UDDER. 107 
 
 often, and turn her often ; give powerful stimulants and 
 linseed tea, and during convalescence attend to her comfort. 
 
 Mammitis or Inflammation of the Uddbe, 
 
 Either produced by cold, wet, blows or kicks, or by 
 carrying an overloaded udder. 
 
 Treatment. — Hot fomentations ; apply a strong bandage, 
 make holes in it to fit the teats, then fasten the bandage 
 over the loins. This gives immense relief. Give a dose of 
 physic, and rub the udder with plenty of lard. If teats are 
 blocked, insert a siphon ; should abscesses exist, open them, 
 and dress with carbolic oil. 
 
 Black Quaetbr, Quarter III, Black Leg. 
 
 Cattle may appear all well at night, and in the morning 
 you may find one dead. It is a very fatal and rapid disease. 
 
 Treatment. — ^This is a matter of considerable difficulty, 
 owing to the rapidity of the disease. Purgatives at first, 
 and keep the patient walking about. Insert setons into the 
 dew-laps of all the stock, and allow these setons to remain 
 for three weeks, moving them daily. This with change of 
 food is the best prevention. 
 
 Aphtha ob Thrush. 
 
 I / , 
 This consists of roundish, pearl-colqured vesicles confined 
 
 to the lips, mouth, and intestinal canal, and genepally ter- 
 minates in curd-like sloughs. 
 
 Symptoms. — Swelling of the membrane that lines the 
 mouth ; the lips have an elevated appearance when the 
 mouth is shut. 
 
 Treatment. — Dose of physic, wash out the mouth with 
 astringent solutions, and give sloppy food. If weak and 
 low, give stimulants and tonics, also a little nitre in the 
 water to drink. 
 
108 PEACTICAL VETEKINAEY EEMEDIES. 
 
 FoOT-AND-MoUTH DiSKASB. 
 
 Symptoms. — The mouth, hot and tender, saliva drippin 
 therefrom, partially chewed food is dropped, fetlocks enlarge 
 and painful. Vesicles appear along the mouth, which buri 
 in about twenty-four hours after their formation ; and i 
 milk cows, swelling of the udder and tenderness. 
 
 Treatment. — Soft sloppy food, opening medicines : 
 required, but they must be cautiously given. Wash tl 
 mouth with a mild solution of alum, and bathe the feet, an 
 apply mild astringent dressing. Cleanliness must be strict! 
 enforced. Apply disinfectants, such as carbolic acid. 
 
 Eed Watbb. 
 
 In Scotland it occurs after calving : but in England an 
 Ireland it takes place at any time, and at any age. 
 
 Treatment. — Epsom salts 1 lb., sulphur \ lb., croton o 
 J drachm, treacle 1 lb.; follow this up with stimulan 
 four times a day, and add ginger or gentian, with we] 
 boiled gruel ; give chlorate of potash in water to drink. 
 
 EiNDBRPEST OR CaTTLB PlAGUE. 
 
 The home of this disease seems to be the southern pa 
 of the Eussian empire. It may be defined as an eruptii 
 fever of a very contagious nature, due to some poison in tl 
 blood, the exact nature of which is not known. 
 
 Sheep present much the same symptoms as cattle. 
 
 Treatment. — AU remedies have been exhausted for th 
 disease, but with little success; some recommend one thii 
 and some another. It is always a very unwelcome visitc 
 and one that requires preventive measures to be strict 
 enforced ; for in this course rests our security. 
 
INDEX 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Acetic acid, 
 
 
 47 
 
 Catechu, 
 
 
 91 
 
 Acid, carbolic, 
 
 
 3 
 
 Cattle plague. 
 
 
 108 
 
 Aconite or Monksliood, 
 
 
 20 
 
 Chalk, . 
 
 
 72 
 
 Alcohol, . 
 
 
 14 
 
 Chloride of sodium, . 
 
 
 36 
 
 Aloes, . 
 
 
 45 
 
 Chloroform, 
 
 
 22 
 
 Aluin, 
 
 
 49 
 
 Chorea or St Vitus's dance. 
 
 104 
 
 Ammonia or Spirits of 
 
 harts- 
 
 
 Chronic grease, 
 
 . 
 
 95 
 
 horn, . 
 
 
 11 
 
 Cloride of lime, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Ammonia, carbonate, 
 
 
 13 
 
 Colic, . 
 
 
 100 
 
 Antimony, tartrate, 
 
 
 55 
 
 Common cold, . 
 
 
 95 
 
 Aphtha or Thrash, . 
 
 
 107 
 
 Common salt, . 
 
 
 36 
 
 Areca nut or Betel nut, 
 
 
 91 
 
 Congestion, . . 
 
 
 96 
 
 Arsenic, . 
 
 
 56 
 
 Constipation, . 
 Consumption, 
 
 
 100 
 98 
 
 Belladonna or Deadly 
 
 night- 
 
 
 Copper sulphate. 
 
 
 59 
 
 shade, 
 
 
 18 
 
 Corns, 
 
 
 94 
 
 Black leg. 
 
 
 107 
 
 Creasote, 
 
 
 60 
 
 Black quarter. 
 
 
 107 
 
 Croton oil. 
 
 
 25 
 
 Bleaching powder or C! 
 
 iloride 
 
 
 Croton seeds, . 
 
 
 25 
 
 of lime, 
 
 
 7 
 
 Curb, . 
 
 
 95 
 
 Blistering fly or Cantharie 
 
 es, . 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 Blue stone or Sulpha 
 
 to of 
 
 
 Deadly nightshade, . 
 
 
 18 
 
 copper, 
 
 
 59 
 
 Diarrliaea, 
 
 
 106 
 
 Broken knees. 
 
 
 94 
 
 Digitalis, 
 
 , 
 
 27 
 
 Broken wind, . 
 
 
 98 
 
 Dilatation of the heart. 
 
 , 
 
 98 
 
 Bromine, 
 
 
 33 
 
 Diseases of the organs of 
 
 respiva- 
 
 
 Bronchitis, 
 
 
 96 
 
 tion, . 
 
 
 95 
 
 Burns and scalds. 
 
 
 105 
 
 Disease of stiple joint, 
 Diseases of the heart. 
 
 
 95 
 98 
 
 Camphor, 
 
 
 9 
 
 Diseases appertaining 
 
 to the 
 
 
 Canker, . 
 
 
 93 
 
 lower animals, 
 
 . 
 
 92 
 
 Cautharides, . 
 
 
 10 
 
 Diseases of the nervous 
 
 ystem, . 
 
 103 
 
 Capped hock, . 
 
 
 95 
 
 Diseases of the stomach. 
 
 . 
 
 99 
 
 Capped elbow. 
 
 
 94 
 
 Distemper, 
 
 
 97 
 
 Carbolic acid, . 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Carbonate of ammonia, 
 
 
 13 
 
 Enteritis, , 
 
 , 
 
 100 
 
 Carbonate of lime, . 
 
 
 72 
 
 Enumeration of the diseases, . 
 
 92 
 
 Carbuncle, 
 
 
 93 
 
 Epsom salt, . . 
 
 , 
 
 43 
 
 Castor oil, 
 
 
 64 
 
 Ergot of rye, . 
 
 . 
 
 28 
 
 Catarrh ^ 
 
 
 95 
 
 Erysipelas, 
 
 • 
 
 102 
 
110 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 of the towels, 
 ot the 'bronchial 
 
 Foot-and-mouth disease, 
 
 Founder, 
 
 Foxglove, 
 
 Gastritis, 
 Gentian root, 
 Ginger, . 
 Glanders, 
 Glycerin, 
 Grass staggers, 
 Grease, . 
 Grogginess, 
 
 Hay, . 
 Hemlock, 
 Hiccough, Hiccup, 
 Hip joint lameness, 
 Hoven, . 
 
 Impaction of the first stomach 
 
 Indigestion, 
 
 Inflammation 
 
 Inflammation 
 
 tuhes, 
 Inflammation 
 Inflammation 
 Inflammation 
 Inflammation 
 Inflammation 
 Influenza, 
 Introductory, . 
 Iodine, . 
 Iron, 
 
 Jalap, 
 
 Lameness, 
 
 Laminitis, 
 
 Laryngitis, 
 
 Lime, 
 
 Lime, carbonate, 
 
 Lime, chloride, 
 
 Linseed, . 
 
 Liver disease, . 
 
 Mad staggers, . 
 Magnesia sulphate, 
 Mammitis, 
 Megrims, . 
 Monkshood, . . 
 Mustard, . 
 
 PAOE 
 . 108 
 . 92 
 . 27 
 
 . 100 
 . 84 
 . 86 
 . 101 
 . 87 
 . 99 
 . 95 
 . 92 
 
 . 61 
 . 30 
 . 99 
 . 95 
 . 105 
 
 . 105 
 . 99 
 100 
 
 1 of knee joint, 
 I of the lungs, 
 I of the stomach, 
 I of the udder, 
 I of the womb. 
 
 96 
 . 94 
 . 96 
 . 100 
 . 107 
 . 106 
 96, 97 
 1 
 . 31 
 
 34 
 
 92 
 92 
 95 
 70 
 72 
 7 
 
 62 
 101 
 
 104 
 
 43 
 
 107 
 
 103 
 
 20 
 
 73 
 
 Musty hay. 
 Myrrh, . 
 
 Navicular disease. 
 
 Nightshade, 
 
 Nitrate of potash. 
 
 Nitre, 
 
 Nitre, sweet spirit of. 
 
 Nitric acid, 
 
 Nux vomica, 
 
 Oil, castor. 
 Oil, croton. 
 Oil, turpentine, 
 Opium, . 
 Oxide of zinc, 
 
 Palpitation, 
 
 Parturient fever, 
 
 Peritonitis, 
 
 Phrenitis, 
 
 Pneumonia, 
 
 Potash, . 
 
 Purpura hsemorrhagica, 
 
 Quitter, . 
 
 Rachitis, 
 Red water. 
 Rinderpest, 
 Ring bone. 
 Ringworm, > 
 Roaring, 
 Rupture, 
 Rye, ergot of. 
 
 Salt, 
 
 Saltpetre, 
 Scalds, . 
 Scarlatina, 
 Scour, 
 Seedy toe, 
 Shivering, 
 Shoulder slip. 
 Side bones. 
 Sleepy staggers. 
 
 Soda, 
 Spavin, . 
 Spirits of hartshorn, 
 Splints, . 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Ill 
 
 
 PAOE 
 
 
 Sprains, . . . . 
 
 . 94 
 
 Thick wind, 
 
 Staggers, mad. 
 
 . 104 
 
 Thorough pin, 
 
 Stifle joint disease, . 
 
 . 95 
 
 Thrush, 
 
 Stomach diseases, 
 
 . 99 
 
 Thrush or Aphtha, 
 
 Stomach staggers, . 
 
 . 99 
 
 Tohacco, 
 
 Strangles, 
 
 . 101 
 
 Tuberculosis, . 
 
 Stringhalt, 
 
 . 104 
 
 Tumours, 
 
 Strychnine tests, 
 
 . 51 
 
 Turpentine, 
 
 Strychnos, 
 
 . 49 
 
 Tympanitis, 
 
 Sugar, . 
 
 . 39 
 
 
 Sulphate of copper, . 
 
 . 59 
 
 Villitis, . 
 
 Sulphate of magnesia. 
 
 . 43 
 
 
 Snlphate of zinc. 
 
 . 90 
 
 
 Sulphur, 
 
 . 41 
 
 Water, . 
 
 Sweet spirit of nitre, 
 
 . 42 
 
 White scour, . 
 Wounds, 
 
 Tar, 
 
 . 65 
 
 
 Tartar emetic. 
 
 . 55 
 
 Zinc oxide, 
 
 Tetanus, 
 
 . 103 
 
 Zinc sulphate, 
 
 PAQi: 
 
 . 98 
 
 . 95 
 
 . 93 
 
 . 107 
 
 . 66 
 
 . 98 
 
 . 104 
 
 . 65 
 
 . 105 
 
 . 93 
 
 . 78 
 . 106 
 ..105 
 
 . 91 
 . 70 
 
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