The American Reformed Cattle Doctor Part 27

RED WATER.

This is nothing more nor less than a symptom of deranged function. The cure consists in restoring healthy action to all parts of the animal organization. For example, high-colored urine shows that there is too much action on the internal surfaces, and too little on the external.

This at once points to the propriety of keeping the sheep in a warm situation, in order to invite action to the skin.

_Compound for Red Water._

Powdered slippery elm, } " pleurisy root, } of each, 1 ounce.

" poplar bark, } Indian meal, 1 pound.

Mix. To be divided into ten parts, one of which may be given every morning.

CACHEXY,[16] OR GENERAL DEBILITY.

_Indications of Cure._--First. To build up and promote the living integrity by a generous diet, one or more of the following articles may be scalded and given three times a day: carrots, parsnips, linseed, corn meal, &c.

Secondly. To remove morbific materials from the system, and restore the lost functions, one of the following powders may be given, night and morning, in the fodder:--

Powdered balmony, (snakehead,) 1 ounce.

" marshmallows, 1 ounce.

" common salt, 1 table-spoonful.

Linseed meal, 1 pound.

Mix. Divide into ten powders.

FOOTNOTE:

[16] It implies a vitiated state of the solids and fluids.

LOSS OF APPEt.i.tE.

This is generally owing to a morbid state of the digestive organs. All that is necessary in such case is, to restore the lost tone by the exhibition of bitter tonics. A bountiful supply of camomile tea will generally prove sufficient. If, however, the bowels are inactive, add to the above a small portion of extract of b.u.t.ternut. The food should be slightly salted.

FOUNDERING, (RHEUMATISM)

In this malady, the animal becomes slow in its movements; its walk is characterized by rigidity of the muscular system, and, when lying down, requires great efforts in order to rise.

_Causes._--Exposure to sudden changes in temperature, feeding on wet lands, &c.

_Indications of Cure._--To equalize the circulation, invite and maintain action to the external surface, and remove the cause. To fulfil the latter indication, remove the animal to a dry, warm situation.

The following antispasmodic and diaph.o.r.etic will complete the cure: Powdered lady's slipper, (_cypripedium_,) 1 tea-spoonful. To be given every morning in a pint of warm pennyroyal tea.

If the malady does not yield in a few days, take

Powdered sa.s.safras bark, 1 tea-spoonful.

Boiling water, 1 pint.

Honey, 1 tea-spoonful.

Mix, and repeat the dose every other morning.

TICKS.

Ticks, or, in short, any kind of insects, may be destroyed by dropping on them a few drops of an infusion or tincture of lobelia seeds.

SCAB, OR ITCH.

Scab, itch, erysipelas, &c., all come under the head of cutaneous diseases, and require nearly the same general treatment. The following compound may be depended on as a safe and efficient remedy in either of the above diseases:--

Sulphur, 2 ounces.

Powdered sa.s.safras, 1 ounce.

Honey, sufficient to amalgamate the above. Dose, a table-spoonful every morning. To prevent the sheep from rubbing themselves, apply

Pyroligneous acid, 1 gill.

Water, 1 quart.

Mix, and wet the parts with a sponge.

_Remarks._--In reference to the scab, Dr. Gunther says, "Of all the preservatives which have been proposed, inoculation is the best. It has two advantages: first, the disease so occasioned is much more mitigated, and very rarely proves fatal; in the next place, an entire flock may get well from it in the s.p.a.ce of fifteen days, whilst the natural form of the disorder requires care and attention for at least six months. It has been ascertained that the latter kills[17] more than one half of those attacked; whilst among the sheep that have been inoculated, the greatest proportion that die of it is one per cent."

Whenever the scab makes its appearance, the whole flock should be examined, and every one having the least abrasion eruption of the skin should be put under medical treatment.

In most cases, itch is the result of infection. A single sheep infected with it is sufficient to infect a whole flock. If a few applications of the pyroligneous wash, aided by the medicine, are not sufficient to remove the malady, then recourse must be had to the following:--