Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

CHAPTER XX.
A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN THE TREAT-
MENT OF THE DISEASES OF CATTLE.
Alcohol.—There are two circumstances which not only render the
practice of giving stimulants to cattle far more excusable than in the
horse, but absolutely necessary ; the first is, the disposition which all
the inflammatory diseases of cattle have to take on a typhoid form,
and assume a malignant character ; and the second is, the construction
of the stomachs of these animals, in consequence of which a
considerable portion of the medicine falls into the comparatively
insensible paunch. Hence, inflammation having been subdued, the
practitioner is always anxious to support the strength of the consti-
tution ; and even while he is combating inflammation, he cautiously
adds a stimulant to the purgative, in order that he may dispose the
tissues with which that purgative may come into contact to be affected
by it. Hence ginger forms an indispensable ingredient in every
aperient drink ; hence the recourse to wine in many cases of low
fever ; and hence also the foundation of, and the excuse for, the
custom of adding the sound home-brewed ale to almost every purgative,
and especially for young and weakly cattle, when evident
inflammatory action does not forbid it. The fiery spices and the
almost undiluted spirit administered by the cow-leech can never be
justified ; yet, in cattle-practice, the beneficial effect of the aperient
often depends fully as much on the carminative by which it is accompanied,
as on the purgative power of the drug itself.
Aloes.—It holds a secondary rank, or might be almost dismissed
from the list of cattle aperients. It is always uncertain in its effect,
and sometimes appears to be absolutely inert. Six ounces have been
given without producing any appreciable effect. Still, however, as
there is no case on record in which it has destroyed the ox by superpurgation,
and as occasionally it does seem to exert some purgative
effect, it may be admitted in combination with or alternating with
other purgatives, when constipation is obstinate ; few, however, would,
think of resorting to it in the first instance.
The Barbadoes aloes should be selected ; and on account of the
construction of the stomachs, it must be always administered in solu-
tion, for a ball would break through the floor of the cesophagean canal.