Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF CATTLE. 449
mouth, and as a useful wash after the tongue has been lanced in
blain ; and unless in the form just mentioned, the less it is used internally
the better.
Ammonia is not frequently used. In the form of hartshorn, it
enters into the composition of some stimulating liniments, as in cases
of palsy. The carbonate of ammonia has been extolled as a specific
for hoove. The author always doubted this ; he put it to the test,
and it failed. It was administered as a chemical principle, it being
supposed that the alkali would neutralize the acid gas that was extricated
from the fermenting- food ; but it has been proved that this gas
consists chiefly either of carburetted or sulphuretted hydrogen;
besides which there is, another consideration, that, except administered
by means of Reed's pump, not one drop of the ammonia would
find its way into the paunch.
Anodynes.—The one commonly used in cattle-practice is opium.
The doses in which it may be employed have already been pointed
out when treating of the diseases in which it is ilidicated.
Antimony.—There are but three preparations of it can be useful
to the practitioner on cattle. The first is
Emetic Tartar, which, in doses from half' a drachm to a drachm,
and combined with nitre and digitalis, has great efficacy in lowering
the circulation of the blood in inflammation of the lungs and
every catarrhal affection, and particularly in that species of pleurisy
to which cattle are so subject. Emetic tartar, rubbed down with
lard, constitutes a powerful and very useful stimulant when applied
to the skin.
Antimonial Powder—the powder of oxide of antimony with
phosphate of lime. It is frequently sold in the shopsunder the name
of James's Powder, and possesses all the properties of that more
expensive drug. It is a useful febrifuge, in cases where it may not be
advisable to nauseate the beast to too great a degree.
Chloride (Butyr) op Antimony.—Where it is wished that a caustic
shall act only superficially, this is the most useful one that can be
employed. It has a strong affinity for water, and therefore readily
combines with the fluids belonging to the part to which it is applied,
and so becomes diluted and comparatively powerless, and incapable
of producing any deep and corroding mischief. It has also the
advantage, that, by the change of color which it produces, it accurately
marks the extent of its action, and therefore forms an unerring
guide to the surgeon. For warts, foul in the foot, cankered foot, and
for some indolent and unhealthy wounds, it is a valuable caustic and
stimulant.
Antispasmodics.—Opium, for its general power, and particularly
for its efficacy in locked-jaw, stands unrivalled. The spirits of "turpentine
and nitrous ether are useful in cases of colic.
Astringents.—These are few in number, but they are powerful
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