The American Reformed Cattle Doctor Part 36

"In the county of Kent, when pork is to be cured as bacon, it is the practice to singe off the hairs by making a straw fire round the carca.s.s--an operation which is termed _swaling_. The skin, in this process, should be kept perfectly free from dirt of all sorts. When the flitches are cut out, they should be rubbed effectually with a mixture of common salt and saltpetre, and afterwards laid in a trough, where they are to continue three weeks or a month, according to their size, keeping them frequently turned; and then, being taken out of the trough, are to be dried by a slack fire, which will take up an equal portion of time with the former; after which, they are to be hung up, or thrown upon a rack, there to remain until wanted. But in curing bacon on the continent, it is mostly the custom to have closets contrived in the chimneys, for the purpose of drying and smoking by wood fires, which is said to be more proper for the purpose. And a more usual mode of curing this sort of meat is that of salting it down for pickled pork, which is far more profitable than bacon.

"In the county of Westmoreland, where the curing of hams has long been practised with much success, the usual method is for them to be at first rubbed very hard with bay salt; by some they are covered close up; by others they are left on a stone bench, to allow the brine and blood to run off. At the end of five days, they are again rubbed, as hard as they were at first, with salt of the same sort, mixed with an ounce of saltpetre to a ham. Having lain about a week, either on a stone bench or in hogsheads amongst the brine, they are hung up, by some in the chimney, amidst the smoke, whether of peat or coals; by others in places where the smoke never reaches them. If not sold sooner, they are suffered to remain there till the weather becomes warm. They are then packed in hogsheads with straw or oatmeal husks, and sent to the place of sale."

A small portion of pyroligneous acid may be added to the brine. It is a good antiseptic, and improves the flavor of ham and bacon. (See _Acid, Pyroligneous_, in the _Materia Medica_.)

APPENDIX.

ON THE ACTION OF MEDICINES.

In reference to the action of medicines and external agents on the animal body, we would observe, that warmth and moisture always expand it, and bayberry bark, tannin, and gum catechu always contract it; and that these agents have these effects at all times (provided, however, there be sufficient vitality in the part to manifest these peculiar changes) and under all circ.u.mstances. If a blister be applied to the external surface of an animal, and it produces irritation, it always has a tendency to produce that effect, whatever part of the living organism it may be applied to. So alcohol always has a tendency to stimulate; whether given by the mouth, or rubbed on the external surface, it will produce an excitement of nerves, heart, and arteries, and of course the muscles partake of the influence. Again, marshmallows, gum acacia, slippery elm, &c., always lubricate the mucous surfaces, quiet irritation, and relieve inflammatory symptoms.

It follows, of course, 1st. That when any other effects than those just named are seen to follow the administration of these articles, they must be attributed to the morbid state of the parts to which they are applied; 2d. That a medicine which is good to promote a given effect in one form of disease, will be equally good for the same purpose in another form of disease in the same tissue. Thus, if an infusion of mallows is good for inflammation of the stomach, and will lubricate the surface, and allay irritation in that organ, then it is equally good for the same purpose in inflammation of the bowels and bladder. What we wish the reader to understand is this: that a medicine used for any particular symptom in one form of disease, if it be a sanative agent, is equally good for the same symptom in every form. Medical men range their various remedies under different heads. Thus opium is called narcotic, aloes purgative or cathartic, pota.s.s diuretic, &c. And because the same results do not always follow the administration of these articles, they are perplexed, and are compelled to try every new remedy, in hopes to find a specific; not knowing that many of their _"best medicines"_ (opium, for example) war against the vital principle, and as soon as they get into the system, nature sets up a strong action to counteract their effects; in short, to get them out of the system in the quickest possible manner: sometimes they pa.s.s through the kidneys; at other times, the intestinal ca.n.a.l, the lungs, or surface, afford them egress.

And because a certain agent does not always act in their hands with unerring certainty, they seem to suppose that the same uncertainty attends the administration of every article in the _materia medica_. The medicines we recommend owe their diuretic, astringent, diaph.o.r.etic, and cathartic powers to their aromatic, relaxing, antispasmodic, lubricating, and irritating properties; and if we give them with a view of producing a certain result, and they do not act just as we wish, it is no proof that they have not done good. The fact is, all our medicines act on the parts where nature is making the greatest efforts to restore equilibrium; hence they relieve the const.i.tution, whatever may be the nature of their results.

Many of the remedies recommended in this work are denounced by the United States Dispensatory a "useless, inert," &c.; yet many of our most celebrated physicians are in the daily habit of using them. Mr. Bracy Clark, V. S., recommends tincture of allspice for gripes. And Mr.

Causer, an experienced veterinarian, says, "I ordered a dessert spoonful (about two drachms) of tincture of gentian and bark to be given twice a day in a case of gripes. Scarcely an hour after the animal had taken the first dose, he began to eat some hay, and on the next day he ate every thing that was offered him. After this, I ordered a quart of cold boiled milk to be given him every morning and evening. By these means, together with the good care of the coachman, he recovered his strength." Mr.

White, V. S., says, "I have been a.s.sured by a veterinary surgeon, that he once cured a horse of gripes by a dose of hot water; and it is by no means unlikely that a warm infusion of some of our medicinal herbs, such as peppermint, pennyroyal, rosemary, &c., would be found effectual."

Mr. Gibson says, "It is a fact that cannot be too generally known, that an infusion of garlic has, to my certain knowledge, cured several cases of epilepsy--a dreadful disease, that seems to have baffled, in most instances, every effort of medical skill."

An intelligent farmer a.s.sures Dr. White that he has had forty sheep at a time hoven or blasted from feeding on vetches, and so swollen that he hardly knew which would drop first. His usual remedy was a quart of water for each sheep; and that generally had the desired effect, though many died before it could be given. We might give our own experience in favor of numberless simple agents, which we are in the constant habit of using, were it necessary; suffice it to say, that at the present time we use nothing else than simple means.

CLYSTERS.

_Remarks._--As the more general use of clysters is recommended by the author, especially in acute diseases, he has thought proper to introduce, in this part of the work, a few remarks on them, with examples of their different forms. They serve not only to evacuate the r.e.c.t.u.m of its contents, but a.s.sist to evacuate the intestines, and serve also to convey nourishment into the system; as in cases of locked-jaw, and great prostration. They soften the hardened excrement in the r.e.c.t.u.m, and cause it to be expelled; besides, by their warm and relaxing powers, they act as fomentations. A stimulating clyster in congestion of the brain, or lungs, will relieve those parts by counter-irritation. An animal that is unable to swallow may be supported by nourishing clysters; for the lacteals, which open into the inner cavity of the intestines, absorb, or take up, the nourishment, and convey it into the thoracic duct, as already described. Some persons deny the utility of injections. We are satisfied on that point, and are able to convince any one, beyond a reasonable doubt, that fluids are absorbed in the r.e.c.t.u.m, notwithstanding the opinion of some men to the contrary.

In administering clysters, it ought always to be observed that the fluids should be neither too hot nor too cold: they should be about the temperature of the blood. The common sixteen-ounce metal syringe, with a wooden pipe about six inches in length, and gradually tapering from base to point, is to be preferred. It is, after being oiled, much more easily introduced into the fundament than one that is considerably smaller; and, having a blunt point, there is no danger of hurting the animal, or wounding the r.e.c.t.u.m.

The following injections are suitable for all kinds of animals. The quant.i.ty, however, should be regulated according to the size of the patient. Thus a quart will suffice for a sheep or pig, while three or four quarts are generally necessary in the case of horses and cattle. If clysters are intended to have a nutritive effect, they must be introduced in the most gentle manner, and not more than one pint should be given at any one time, for fear of exciting the expulsive action of the r.e.c.t.u.m. In constriction and intussusception of the intestines, and when relaxing clysters are indicated, they should not be too long persevered in, for falling of the r.e.c.t.u.m has been known, in many instances, to arise from repeated injections. Efforts should be made to relax the whole animal by warmth and moisture externally, and in the use of antispasmodic teas, rather than to place too much dependence on clysters.

FORMS OF CLYSTERS.

_Laxative Clyster._

Warm water, 3 or 4 quarts.

Linseed oil, 8 ounces.

Common salt, (fine,) 1 table-spoonful.

_Another._

Warm water, 4 quarts.

Soft soap, 1 gill.

Fine salt, half a table-spoonful.

_Use._--Either of the above clysters is useful in obstinate constipation, "stoppage," or whenever the excrement is hard and dark colored.

_Emollient Clyster_.

Slippery elm bark, 2 ounces.

Boiling water, 2 quarts.

Let them simmer over the fire for a few minutes, then strain through a fine sieve, and inject. The following articles may be subst.i.tuted for elm: flaxseed, lily roots, gum arabic, poplar bark, Iceland moss.

_Use._--In all cases of irritation and inflammation of the intestines and bladder.

_Stimulating Clyster._

Thin mucilage of slippery elm or linseed tea, 3 quarts.

African cayenne,[25] 1 tea-spoonful.

_Another._

Powdered ginger, half a table-spoonful.

Boiling water, 3 quarts.

When cool, inject.

_Use._--In all cases, when the r.e.c.t.u.m and small intestines are inactive, and loaded with excrement, or gas.

_Anodyne Clyster._

Lady's slipper, (_cypripedium_,) 1 ounce.

Camomile flowers, 1 ounce.

Boiling water, 3 quarts.

Let the mixture stand a short time, then strain through a fine sieve, when it will be fit for use.

_Use._--To relieve pain and relax spasms.

_Diuretic Clyster._

Linseed tea, 3 quarts.

Oil of juniper, 1 table-spoonful.

Or, subst.i.tute for the latter, cream of tartar, half an ounce.

_Use._--This form of clyster may be used with decided advantage in all acute diseases of the urinary organs. This injection is useful in cases of red water, both in cattle and sheep; and when the malady is supposed to result from general or local debility, the addition of tonics (golden seal or gentian[26]) will be indicated.

_Astringent Clyster_.