Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

450 CATTLE
i , __——_^_—————____
alum, catechu, opium (an astringent because it is an anodyne), and
blue vitriol, comprise the list ; the first used both externally and
internally ; the two next internally ; and the last internally, but
chiefly powerful as arresting nasal discharge.
Blisters.—The thickness of the skin of cattle renders it somewhat
difficult to produce any great degree of vesication. The part should
be previously fomented with hot water, then thoroughly dried, and
the blistering application well rubbed in. With these precautions, the
common blister ointment will act very fairly ; the turpentine tincture '
of cantharides still better ; while an ointment composed by triturating
one drachm of emetic tar with six of lard, will produce more powerful
and deeper irritation, but not so much actual blistering. Sometimes
boiling water, and in a few cases, and especially in bony enlargements
about the legs attended by much lameness, the hot iron will be resorted
to.
Calamine.—See Zinc.
Colombo.—A very useful tonic, and especially in those cases of
debility which accompany or follow dysentery. It should be given
in doses of from one to three drachms, combined with ginger.
Calomel.—See Mercury.
Camphor.—Used externally alone in cattle-practice. It is a component
part in the liniments for palsy and garget.
Cantharides—the principal ingredient in all blistering ointments,
and to which* they owe their power. Corrosive sublimate, sulphuric
acid, and euphorbium, may increase the torture of the animal, but
they will generally blemish, and often lay the foundation for deep
and corroding ulcers. The best blister ointment for cattle is com-
posed of one part of cantharides (Spanish flies) finely powdered,
three of lard, and one of yellow resin ; the lard and the resin should
be melted together and the, flies added when these ingredients begin
to cool.
Cakrawats.—The powder of these seeds may be used as an occa-
sional change for ginger ; yet it is not so stomachic as the ginger,
and is decidedly inferior to it, except in cases of flatulent colic. It
may be given in doses, from half an ounce to two ounces.
Castor Oil.—An effectual and safe purgative for cattle, in doses
from twelve ounces to a pint, and that will be properly employed
when Epsom salts or other aperient drugs have not produced their
desired effect. It is usually made into a kind of emulsion with the
yolk of an egg. It is, however, to be doubted whether it is much
superior to a less expensive purgative, the linseed oil.
Catechu is an extract from the wood of one of the acacia trees.
It is much less expensive than the Gum Kino, and it is, when unadul-
terated, more effectual than that gum in subduing the diarrhoea of
calves or adult cattle. The quantity, and the drugs with which it
should be combined, have beei: stated in p. 338.