Powdered mandrake, 1 ounce.
" lobelia, 1 ounce.
Poplar bark, 2 ounces.
Lemon balm, 4 ounces.
Boiling water, 3 quarts.
Let the whole stand in a covered vessel for an hour; then strain, and
add a gill of honey. Give half a pint every third hour. If the animal be
in poor condition, the diet must be nourishing and easy of digestion.
Flour gruel and scalded meal will be the most appropriate. A drink made
by steeping cleavers, or hyssop, in boiling water may be given at
discretion.
If there is not sufficient vitality in the system to equalize the
circulation, (which may be known by the surface and extremities still
continuing cold,) the following drink will be found efficacious:--
Hyssop tea, 2 quarts.
Powdered cayenne, (African,) 1 tea-spoonful.
" licorice, 1 ounce.
Mix. To be given at a dose, and repeated if necessary. Should
inflammatory symptoms make their appearance, omit the cayenne, and
substitute the same quantity of cream of tartar.
The treatment of all the different forms of dropsy is upon the plan here
laid down. They are one and the same disease, only located in different
parts; and from predisposing causes the fluid is sometimes found in the
thorax, at others in the abdomen. Whenever costiveness occurs in dropsy,
the following laxative may be given:--
Wormwood, 2 ounces.
Boiling water, 2 quarts.
Set them over the fire, and let them boil for a few moments; then add
two ounces of castile soap and a gill of molasses or honey. The whole to
be given at one dose.
The operation of tapping has been performed, but with very little
success; for, unless the function of the skin be restored, the water
will again accumulate. If, however, the disease shall be treated
according to the principles here laid down, there is no good reason why
the operation should not prove successful. It may be performed for
dropsy of the belly in the following manner: Take a common trocar and
canula, and after pinching upwards a fold of the skin, about three
inches from the line, (_linea alba_,) or centre of the belly, and about
seven from the udder, push the trocar through the skin, muscles, &c.,
into the abdominal cavity; withdraw the trocar, and the water will flow.
The operation is usually performed on the right side, taking care,
however, not to wound the milk vein, or artery.