EMBRACING A LIST OF THE VARIOUS REMEDIES USED BY THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK
IN THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE ON CATTLE, SHEEP, AND SWINE.
ACACIA, CATECHU, or JAPAN EARTH. It is a
powerful astringent and tonic, and given, in half tea-spoonful doses, in
mucilage of slippery elm or mallows, is a valuable remedy in
diarrhoea, or excessive discharges of urine.
ACACIA GUM makes a good mucilage, and is highly recommended in
diseases of the mucous surfaces and urinary organs. It is highly
nutritious, and consequently can be given with advantage in locked-jaw.
ACETUM, (vinegar.) This is cooling, and a small portion of it,
with an equal quantity of honey, administered in thin gruel, makes an
excellent drink in fevers. Diluted with an equal quantity of water, it
is employed externally in bruises and sprains. It neutralizes
pestilential effluvia, and, combined with capsicum, makes a good
application for sore throat.
ACID, PYROLIGNEOUS. This is one of the most valuable articles
in the whole _materia medica_. Diluted with equal parts of water, it is
applied to ill-conditioned sores and ulcers; it acts as an antiseptic
and stimulant. It is obtained from wood by destructive distillation in
close vessels. This acid is advantageously applicable to the
preservation of animal food. Mr. William Ramsay (_Edinburgh
Philosophical Journal_, iii. 21) has made some interesting experiments
on its use for this purpose. Herrings and other fish, simply dipped in
the acid and afterwards dried in the shade, were effectually preserved,
and, when eaten, were found very agreeable to the taste. Herrings
slightly cured with salt, by being sprinkled with it for six hours, then
drained, next immersed in pyroligneous acid for a few seconds, and
afterwards dried in the shade for two months, were found by Mr. Ramsay
to be of fine quality and flavor. Fresh beef, dipped in the acid, in
the summer season, for the short space of a minute, was perfectly sweet
in the following spring. Professor Silliman states, that one quart of
the acid added to the common pickle for a barrel of hams, at the time
they are laid down, will impart to them the smoked flavor as perfectly
as if they had undergone the common process of smoking.
ALDER BARK, BLACK, (_prinos verticillatus_.) A strong decoction
makes an excellent wash for diseases of the skin, in all classes of
domestic animals.
ALLIUM, (garlic.) This is used chiefly as an antispasmodic. It
improves all the secretions, and promotes the function of the skin and
kidneys. It is useful also to expel wind and worms. A few kernels may be
chopped fine and mixed with the food. When used for the purpose of
expelling worms, an ounce of the root should be boiled in a pint of
milk, and given in the morning, about an hour before feeding.
ALOES. The best kind is brought from the Island of Socotra, and
is supposed to be more safe in its operation than the other kinds. In
consequence of the irritative properties of aloes, they are ill adapted
to cattle practice; and as a safer article has been recommended, (see
_Physic for Cattle_,) we have entirely dispensed with them.
ALTHEA, (marshmallows.) See _Remarks on Poultices_.
ALUM. It possesses powerful astringent properties, and, when
burnt and pulverized, is useful to remove proud flesh.
AMMONIACUM. Gum ammoniacum is useful for chronic coughs. The
dose is two drachms daily, in a quart of gruel.
ANISEED. A good carminative in flatulent colic. The dose is
about one ounce, infused in a quart of boiling water.
ANTHEMIS, (camomile.) It is used as a tonic in derangement of
the digestive organs, &c. An ounce of the flowers may be infused in a
quart of water, and given when cool. It is useful also as an external
application in bruises and sprains.
ASH BARK, WHITE. This is a useful remedy in loss of cud,
caused by disease of the liver. Dose, one ounce of the bark, infused in
boiling water. When cool, pour off the clear liquor.
ASSAFOETIDA. This article is used as an antispasmodic. The
dose is from one to two drachms, administered in thin gruel.
BALM, LEMON. See _Fever Drink_.
BALM OF GILEAD BUDS. One ounce of the buds, after being infused
in boiling water and strained, makes a good drink for chronic coughs.
BALMONY. A good tonic and vermifuge.
BALSAM, CANADA, is a diuretic, and may be given in slippery
elm, in doses of one table-spoonful for diseases of the kidneys.
BALSAM OF COPAIBA, or CAPIVI, is useful in all
diseases of the urinary organs, and, combined with powdered marshmallows
and water, makes a good cough drink. Dose, half an ounce.
BALEAM OF TOLU. Used for the same purpose as the preceding.
BARLEY. Barley water, sweetened with honey, is a useful drink
in fevers.
BAYBERRY BARK. We have frequently prescribed this article in the
preceding pages as an antiseptic and astringent for scouring and
dysentery.
BEARBERRY, (_uva ursi_.) This is a popular diuretic, and is
useful when combined with marshmallows. When the urine is thick and
deficient in quantity, or voided with difficulty, it may be given in the
following form:--
Powdered bearberry, 1 ounce.
" marshmallows, 2 ounces.
Indian meal, 2 pounds.
Mix. Dose, half a pound daily, in the cow's feed.
BITTER ROOT, (_apocynum androsaemifolium_.) Given in doses of
half an ounce of the powdered bark, it acts as an aperient, and is good
wherever an aperient is indicated.
BLACKBERRY ROOT, (_rubus trivialis_.) A valuable remedy for
scours in sheep.
BLACK ROOT, (_leptandra virginica_.) The extract is used as
physic, instead of aloes. (See _Physic for Cattle_.) A strong decoction
of the fresh roots will generally act as a cathartic on all classes of
animals.
BLOODROOT, (_sanguinaria canadensis_.) It is used in our
practice as an escharotic. It acts on fungous excrescences, and is a
good substitute for nitrate of silver in the dispersion of all morbid
growth. One ounce of the powder, infused in boiling vinegar, is a
valuable application for rot and mange.
BLUE FLAG, (_iris versicolor_.) The powdered root is a good
vermifuge.
BONESET, (_eupatorium perfoliatum_.) This is a valuable
domestic remedy. Its properties are too well known to the farming
community to need any description.
BORAX. This is a valuable remedy for eruptive diseases of the
tongue and mouth. Powdered and dissolved in water, it forms an
astringent, antiseptic wash. The usual form of prescription, in
veterinary practice, is,--
Powdered borax, half an ounce.
Honey, 2 ounces.
Mix.
BUCKTHORN, (_rhamnus catharticus_.) A sirup made from this
plant is a valuable aperient in cattle practice. The dose is from half
an ounce to two ounces.
BURDOCK, (_arctium lappa_.) The leaves, steeped in vinegar,
make a good application for sore throat and enlarged glands. The seeds
are good to purify the blood, and may be given in the fodder.
BUTTERNUT BARK, (_juglans cinerea_.) Extract of butternut makes
a good cathartic, in doses of half an ounce. It is much safer than any
known cathartic, and, given in doses of two drachms, in hot water,
combined with a small quantity of ginger, it forms a useful aperient and
alterative. In a constipated habit, attended with loss of cud, it is
invaluable. During the American revolution, when medicines were scarce,
this article was brought into use by the physicians, and was esteemed by
them an excellent substitute for the ordinary cathartics.
CALAMUS, (_acorus calamus_.) A valuable remedy for loss of cud.
CAMOMILE. See _Anthemis_.
CANELLA BARK is an aromatic stimulant, and forms a good
stomachic.
CAPSICUM. A pure stimulant. Useful in impaired digestion.
CARAWAY SEED, (_carum carui_.) A pleasant carminative for
colic.
CARDAMOM SEEDS. Used for the same purpose as the preceding.
CASSIA BARK, (_laurus cinnamomum_.) Used as a diffusible
stimulant in flatulency.