Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

454 CATTLE.
passed through the dew-lap ;-it produces plenty of swelling and discharge,
and rarely or never runs on to gangrene.
Injections.—See Clysters.
Iodine.—The use of this mineral is limited to a few cases, but
there its effect is truly admirable. It will scarcely ever fail of dispersing
enlargements of the glands, or hardened tumors, whether
under or at the side of the jaw, or round the joints, pne part of
hydriodate of potash must be triturated with seven parts of lard,
and the ointment daily and well rubbed on and round the part. Indurations
of the udder seldom resist its power, unless the ulcerative
process has already commenced.
There is a still more important use to which this drug may be ap-
plied. It possesses some power to arrest the growth of tubercles in
the lungs, and even to disperse them when recently formed. It is
only since the former part of this work was written that the attention
of the author has been so strongly directed to this property of iodine,
and that he has had such extensive opportunities of putting it to the
test. . He will not say that he has discovered a specific for phthisis
or consumption in cattle, but he has saved some that would 'otherwise
have perished, and, for a while, prolonged the existence and
somewhat restored the condition of more. He would urge the proprietor
of cattle, and more especially his fellow-practitioners, to study
closely the symptoms of phthisis, as detailed in pages 272, 273 ; to
make themselves masters of the inward, feeble, painful, hoarse, gurg-
ling cough of consumption ; and a^ soon as they are assured that
this termination or consequence of catarrh, or pneumonia, or pleurisy,
begins to have existence—that tubercles have been formed, and, perhaps,
have begun to suppurate, let tEem have recourse to the iodine,
in the form of the hydriodate of potash, given in a small mash in
doses of three grains morning and evening at the'commencement of
the treatment, and gradually increased to six or eight grains. To
this should be added proper attention to comfort ; yet not too much
nursing ; and free access to succulent, but not stimulating, food
and the medicine should be continued not only until the general con-
dition of the beast begins to improve, but until the character of the
cough has been essentially changed.
Ipecacuanha.—This drug is used in the composition of the Dover's,
or compound ipecacuanha powder, which has been recommended
by some practitioners' in the treatment of dysentery. It is
thus made :— " Take ipecacuanha root powdered, and opium also in
powder, of each a drachm, and sulphate of potash an ounce. Rub
them together to a fine powder." The dose is from two to four
drachms. This, however, is not an efficient medicine for such a
disease.
Lard.—This is the principal basis, of all ointments.
Laudanum.—See Opium.
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