Powdered capsicum, 1 tea-spoonful.
" bloodroot, 1 ounce.
" cinnamon, half an ounce.
Thoroughwort or valerian, 2 ounces.
Boiling water, 1 gallon.
When cold, strain, and give a quart every two hours.
Remove the contents of the rectum by injections of a stimulating
character, and invite action to the extremities by rubbing them with
stimulating liniment, (which see.) A drink of camomile tea should be
freely allowed; if diarrhoea sets in, add half a tea-spoon of bayberry
bark to every two quarts of the tea.
These few examples of the treatment of fever will give the farmer an
idea of the author's manner of treating it, who can generally break up a
fever in a few hours, whereas the popular method of "smothering the
fire," as Mr. Youatt terms the blood-letting process, instead of curing,
will produce all forms of fever. Here is a specimen of the treatment, in
fever of a putrid type, recommended by Dr. Brocklesby. He says,
"Immediately upon refusing fodder, the beast should have three quarts of
blood taken away; and after twelve hours, two quarts more; after the
next twelve hours, about three pints may be let out; and after the
following twelve hours, diminish a pint of blood from the quantity taken
away at the preceding blood-letting; lastly, about a single pint should
be taken away in less than twelve hours after the former bleeding; so
that, when the beast has been blooded five times, in the manner here
proposed, the worst symptoms will, it is hoped, abate; but if the
difficulty and panting for breath continue very great, I see no reason
against repeated bleeding." (See Lawson's work on cattle, p. 312.) The
author has consulted several authorities on the treatment of typhus, and
finds that the use of the lancet is invariably recommended. We do not
expect to find, among our American farmers, any one so reckless, so lost
to the common feelings of humanity, and his own interest, as to follow
out the directions here given by Dr. B.; still blood-letting is
practised, to some extent, in every section of the Union, and will
continue to be the sheet-anchor of the cattle doctor just so long as the
influential and cattle-rearing community shall be kept in darkness to
its destructive tendency. Unfortunately for the poor dumb brute,
veterinary writers have from time immemorial been uncompromising
advocates for bleeding; and through the influence which their talents
and position confer, they have wielded the medical sceptre with a
despotism worthy of a better cause. It were a bootless task to attempt
to reform the disciples of allopathy; for, if you deprive them of the
lancet, and their _materia medica_ of poisons, they cannot practise.
They must be reformed through public opinion; and for this purpose we
publish our own experience, and that of others who have dared to assail
allopathy, with the moral certainty that they would expose themselves to
contempt, and be branded as "medical heretics."
No treatment is scientific, in the estimation of some, unless it
includes the lancet, firing-iron, setons, boring horns, cramming down
salts by the pound, and castor oil by the quart. The object of this work
is to correct this erroneous notion, and show the _farming community_
that a safer and more efficient system of medication has just sprung
into existence. When the principles of this reformed system of
medication are understood and practised, then the veterinary science
will be a very different thing from what it has heretofore been, and men
will hail it as a blessing instead of a "curse." They will then know the
power that really cures, and devise means of prevention. And here,
reader, permit us to introduce the opinions of an able advocate of
reform in human practice:[13] the same remarks apply to cattle; for they
are governed by the same universal laws that we are, and whether we
prescribe for a man or an ox, the laws of the animal economy are the
same, and require that the same indications shall be fulfilled.
"A little examination into the consequences of blood-letting will prove
that, so far from its being beneficial, it is productive of the most
serious effects.
"Nature has endowed the animal frame with the power of preparing, from
proper aliment, a certain quantity of blood. This vital fluid,
subservient to nutrition, is, by the amazing structure of the heart and
blood-vessels, circulated through the different parts of the system. A
certain natural balance between what is taken in and what passes off by
the several outlets of the body is, in a state of health, regularly
preserved. When this balance, so essential to health and life, is,
contrary to the laws of the animal constitution, interrupted, either a
deviation from a sound state is immediately perceived, or health from
that moment is rendered precarious. Blood-letting tends artificially to
destroy the natural balance in the constitution." (For more important
information on blood-letting, see the author's work on the Horse; also
page 58 of the present volume.)