MEADOW CABBAGE ROOT, (_ictodes foetida_.) This plant is used
as an antispasmodic in asthma and chronic cough. Dose, a tea-spoonful of
the powder, night and morning; to be given in mucilage of slippery elm.
MOTHERWORT, (_leonurus cardiaca_.) A tea of this herb is
valuable in protracted labor.
MULLEIN, (_verbascum_.) The leaves steeped in vinegar make a
good application for sore throat.
MYRRH. The only use we make of this article, in cattle
practice, is to prepare a tincture for wounds, as follows:--
Powdered myrrh, 2 ounces.
Proof spirit, 1 pint.
Set it aside in a close-covered vessel for two weeks, then strain
through a fine sieve, and it is fit for use.
OAK BARK, (_quercus alba_.) A decoction of oak bark is a good
astringent, and may be given internally, and also applied externally in
falling of the womb or fundament.
OINTMENTS. We have long since discontinued the use of
ointments, from a conviction that they do not agree with the flesh of
cattle. Marshmallows, or tincture of myrrh, will heal a wound much
quicker than any greasy preparation. We have, however, often applied
fresh marshmallow ointment to chapped teats, and chafed udder, with
decided advantage. It is made as follows: Take of white wax, mutton
tallow, and linseed oil, each a pound; marshmallow leaves, two ounces.
First melt the wax and tallow, then add the oil, lastly a handful of
mallows. Simmer over a slow fire until the leaves are crisp, then strain
through a piece of flannel, and stir the mixture until cool.
OLEUM LINI, (flaxseed oil.) This is a useful aperient and
laxative in cattle practice, and may be given in all cases of
constipation, provided, however, it is not accompanied with chronic
indigestion: if such be the case, a diffusible stimulant, combined with
a bitter tonic, (golden seal,) aided by an injection, will probably do
more good, as they will arouse the digestive function. The above
aperient may then be ventured on with safety. The dose for a cow is one
pint.
OLIVE OIL. This is a useful aperient for sheep. The dose is
from half a gill to a gill.
OPODELDOC. The different preparations of this article are used
for strains and bruises, after the inflammatory action has somewhat
subsided.
_Liquid Opodeldoc._
Soft soap, 6 ounces.
New England rum, 1 pint and a half.
Vinegar, half a pint.
Oil of lavender, 2 ounces.
The oil of lavender should first be dissolved in an equal quantity of
alcohol, and then added to the mixture.
PENNYROYAL, (_hedeoma_.) This plant, administered in warm
infusion, promotes perspiration, and is good in flatulent colic.
PEPPERMINT, (_mentha piperita_.) An ounce of the herb infused
in a quart of boiling water relieved spasmodic pains of the stomach and
bowels, and is a good carminative, (to expel wind,) provided the
alimentary canal is free from obstruction.
PLANTAIN LEAVES, (_plantago major_.) This article is held in
high repute for the cure of hydrophobia and bites from poisonous
reptiles. The bruised leaves are applied to the parts; the powdered herb
and roots to be given internally at discretion.
PLEURISY ROOT, (_asclepias tuberosa_.) We have given this
article a fair trial in cattle practice, and find it to be invaluable in
the treatment of catarrh, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, and
consumption. The form in which we generally prescribe it is,--
Powdered pleurisy root, half a table-spoonful.
" marshmallow roots, 1 ounce.
Boiling water sufficient to make a thin mucilage. The addition of a
small quantity of honey increases its diaphoretic properties.
POMEGRANATE, (_punica granatum_.) The rind of this article is a
powerful astringent, and is occasionally used to expel worms. A strong
decoction makes a useful wash for falling of the womb, or fundament.
Given as an infusion, in the proportion of half an ounce of the rind to
a quart of water, it will arrest diarrhoea.
POPLAR, (_populus tremuloides_.) It possesses tonic, demulcent,
and alterative properties. It is often employed, in our practice, as a
local application, in the form of poultice. The infusion is a valuable
remedy in general debility, and in cases of diseased urinary organs.
PRINCE'S PINE, (_chimaphila_.) This plant is a valuable remedy
in dropsy. It possesses diuretic and tonic properties. It does not
produce the same prostration that usually attends the administration of
diuretics, for its tonic property invigorates the kidneys, while, at the
same time, it increases the secretion of urine. The best way of
administering it is by decoction. It is made by boiling four ounces of
the fresh-bruised leaves in two quarts of water. After straining, a
table-spoonful of powdered marshmallows may be added, to be given in
pint doses, night and morning.
PYROLIGNEOUS ACID. See _Acid_.
RASPBERRY LEAVES, (_rubus strigosus_.) An infusion of this
plant may be employed with great advantage in cases of diarrhoea.
ROMAN WORMWOOD, (_ambrosia artemisifolia_.) This plant is a
very bitter tonic, and vermifuge. An infusion may be advantageously
given in cases of general debility and loss of cud. A strong decoction
may be given to sheep and pigs that are infested with worms. If given
early in the morning, and before the animals are fed, it will generally
have the desired effect.
ROSE, RED, (_rosa gallica_.) We have occasionally used the
infusion, and find it of great value as a wash for chronic ophthalmia.
The infusion is made by pouring a pint of boiling water on a quarter of
an ounce of the flowers. It is then strained through fine linen, when it
is fit for use.
SASSAFRAS, (_laurus sassafras_.) The bark of sassafras root is
stimulant, and possesses alterative properties. We have used it
extensively, in connection with sulphur, for eruptive diseases, and for
measles in swine, in the following proportions:--
Powdered sassafras, 1 ounce.
" sulphur, half a table-spoonful.
Mix, and divide into four parts, one of which may be given, night and
morning, in a hot mash.
The pith of sassafras makes a valuable soothing and mucilaginous wash
for inflamed eyes.
SENNA A safe and efficient aperient for cattle may be made by
infusing an ounce of senna in a quart of boiling water. When cool,
strain, then add, manna one ounce, powdered golden seal one
tea-spoonful. The whole to be given at a dose.
SKULLCAP, (_scutellaria lateriflora_.) This is an excellent
nervine and antispasmodic. It is admirably adapted to the treatment of
locked-jaw, and derangement of the nervous system. An ounce of the
leaves may be infused in two quarts of boiling water. After straining, a
little honey may be added, and then administered, in pint doses, every
four hours.
SNAKEROOT, VIRGINIA, (_aristolochia serpentaria_.) This
article, given by infusion in the proportion of half an ounce of the
root to a pint of water, acts as a stimulant and alterative. It is
admirably adapted to the treatment of chronic indigestion.
SOAP. This article acts on all classes of animals, as a
laxative and antacid. It is useful in obstinate constipation of the
bowels, in diseases of the liver, and for softening hardened excrement
in the rectum. By combining castile soap with butternut, blackroot,
golden seal, or balmony, a good aperient is produced, which will
generally operate on the bowels in a few hours.
SQUILL, (_scilla maritima_.) A tea-spoonful of the dried root,
given in a thin mucilage of marshmallows, is an excellent remedy for
cough, depending on an irritability of the lungs and mucous surfaces.
SULPHUR. This is one of the most valuable articles in the
veterinary _materia medica_. It possesses laxative, diaphoretic and
alterative properties, and is extensively employed, both internally and
externally, for diseases of the skin. The dose for a cow is a
tea-spoonful daily. Its alterative effect may be increased by combining
it with sassafras, (which see.)
SUNFLOWER, WILD, (_helianthus divaricatus_.) The seeds of this
plant, when bruised and given it any bland fluid, act as a diuretic and
antispasmodic. Half a table-spoonful of the seeds may be given at a
dose, and repeated as occasion requires.
TOLU, BALSAM OF. This balsam is procured by making incisions
into the trunk of a tree which flourishes in Tolu and Peru. It has a
peculiar tendency to the mucous surfaces, and therefore is very properly
prescribed for epizooetic diseases of catarrhal nature. The dose is half
a table-spoonful every night, to be administered in a mucilage of
marshmallows. One half the quantity is sufficient for a sheep.
VINEGAR. See _Acetum_.
WITCH HAZEL BARK, (_hamamelis virginica_.) A decoction of this
bark is a valuable application for falling of the fundament, or womb.
Being a good astringent, an infusion of the leaves is good for scouring
in sheep.
WORMSEED, (_chenopodium anthelminticum_.) A tea-spoonful of the
powdered seeds, given in a tea of snakeroot, is a good vermifuge: it
will, however, require repeated doses, and they should be given at least
an hour before the morning meal.