Indian hemp or milkweed, (herb,) 1 ounce.
Powdered mandrake, 1 table-spoonful.
Powdered lobelia seeds, 1 tea-spoonful.
" poplar bark, (very fine,) 1 ounce.
Make a tea, in the usual manner--about one gallon. After straining it
through a cloth, add the other ingredients, and give a quart every two
hours.
A long-necked bottle is the most suitable vehicle in which to
administer; but it must be poured down in the most gradual manner. The
head should not be elevated too high.
A liberal allowance of camomile tea may be resorted to, during the whole
stage of the disease.
Next stimulate the external surface, by warmth and moisture, in the
following manner: Take about two quarts of vinegar, into which stir a
handful of lobelia; have a hot brick ready, (_the animal having a large
cloth, or blanket, thrown around him_;) pour the mixture gradually on
the brick, which is held over a bucket to prevent waste; the steam
arising will relax the surface. After repeating the operation, apply the
following mixture around the jaws, back, and extremities: take of
cayenne, skunk cabbage, and cypripedium, (lady's slipper,) powdered,
each two ounces, boiling vinegar two quarts; stir the mixture until
sufficiently cool, rub it well in with a coarse sponge; this will relax
the jaws a trifle, so that the animal can manage to suck up thin gruel,
which may be given warm, in any quantity. This process must be
persevered in; although it may not succeed in every case, yet it will be
more satisfactory than the blood-letting and poisoning system. No
medicine is necessary; the gruel will soften the faeces sufficiently; if
the rectum is loaded with faeces, give injections of an infusion of
lobelia.