Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

456 CATTLE.
cow-leech and the farrier should never disgrace the regular
tioner.practi-
An excellent mash in cases of catarrh or sore-throat, and as an
emollient in any intestinal affection, is made by adding bran to an
infusion of linseed.
Linseed Oil.—This is little inferior to castor oil as a purgative ;
it is much cheaper, and it is equally safe. Where the case seems to
indicate an oily purgative, and the first dose of castor oil fails, it may
be followed up by smaller doses of linseed oil, until the desired effect
is produced.
Magnesia, Sulphate of. Epsom Salts.—This may be regarded
as the staple purgative of cattle. It is as safe as Glauber's salts ; it
is more certain, and it will dissolve in one-third of the quantity of
water. The first dose of physic should always consist of the Epsom
salts, quickened in its action, in extreme cases, by the farina of the
Croton-nut ; the purgative effect may be kept up by means of sulphur
or Epsom salts, in doses of six ounces of the former, or eight
of the latter, as the state of the animal may appear to require. The
medium dose is about a pound, with a quarter of an ounce of ginger,
but a pound and a half may be given to a large beast without the
slightest danger.
Mashes are very useful in cattle-practice, not so much to prepare for
physic, or to get into condition, as to form a soothing and cooling
substitute, when the case requires a temporary abstinence from dry
and stimulating food. They may be composed, like those of the
horse, of bran only, with hot or cold water ; or of bran with a decoction
of linseed. In cases of debility, steeped or ground oats may be
mixed with the bran, or malt may be used as a substitute for the
bran and oats.
Mercury. Mercurial Ointment.—The practitioner should be
very cautious in his use of this on cattle. Indeed, it is scarcely
allowable except in a very diluted state, and with the common sulphur
ointment, in bad cases of mange ; or a small quantity of it may
be mixed with lard for the destruction of vermin.
Sulphate of Mercury. jEthiop's Mineral.—A very useful alterative
combined with sulphur and nitre, where there is any cutaneous
affection. The circumstances under which it may be administered,
and the doses, will be found in various parts of this work.
Proto-chloride of Mercury. Calomel.—This should rarely be
given to cattle, and never as a purgative. In chronic inflammation
of the liver, it often has a decidedly injurious effect : in jaundice,
caused by a gall-stone obstructing the biliary ducts, or in that of a
more chronic nature accompanied by debility and declining condition,
the experience of the writer will not warrant him in recommending
the administration of calomel : he would, on the contrary, be disposed
to confine its use to dysentery, in which, combined with and guarded