360 HORSE AND CATTLE MEDICINES. 



Emetics. — Medicines which produce vomiting. Horses, 

 cattle, and sheep cannot vomit, whilst the stomach remains 

 entire. In cases of rupture of that viscus, however, vomit- 

 ing is occasionally seen. Emetics are useful in diseases of 

 the dog, and swine. Tartar emetic, or sulphate of zinc, 

 given in from two to five grain doses, will cause dogs and 

 swine to vomit. 



Epsom Salts. — Sulphate of Magnesia. This is a valua- 

 ble medicine, in diseases of cattle and sheep. No other 

 purgative should ever be thought of, or given to either 

 cattle or sheep. Even supposing other purgatives to be as 

 good, none, certainly, can be so cheap, as epsom and 

 glauber salts, or the sulphate of soda. For all purgative 

 purposes, the one is as good as the other. Salts should be 

 largely diluted with water; for the quantity of fluid given 

 with them, facilitates their operation. In domestic prac- 

 tice, half an ounce of salts, in one tumbler full of water, 

 will operate as strongly as one ounce, in half the quantity 

 of water. 



Doses. For ordinary sized cows, one to two pounds is 

 the dose, mixed with four quarts of cold water ; one ounce 

 of ginger in powder, and the whole sweetened with molas- 

 ses, or coarse sugar. For average sized calves, two to four 

 ounces; for sheep, four to six ounces. A few drops of 

 commercial sulphuric acid — say twenty to sixty drops, will 

 greatly remove the nauseous taste. 



Ergot. — Diseased Rye. This is a curious, as well as a 

 valuable medicine. 



Use. In the calving, lambing, and foaling season, it is 

 sometimes of great service, but should be carefully handled; 

 as, for instance, if given to any animal about to deliver her 

 young, and when the mouth of the womb containing the 



