196 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



ANTISPASIIODICS.— The great antispasmodic, the great allajer of pain, 

 and of irritation of the alimentary canal, whether in cases of diarrhoea 

 or dysentery, is opium. 



Opium. — The dose of this all-potent medicine (when judiciously ad- 

 ministered) is two or three grains. Combined with oil, it has been given 

 in dysentery w^th the best effects. Mr. D. Sayer found in certain cases 

 of dysentery the following prescription of great service: — linseed oil, 

 two ounces ; powdered opium, two grains. Mix in an infusion of linseed. 



On the following day, -le gave twice in the twenty-four hours this 

 mixture: — powdered opium, two grains ; powdered ginger, and powdered 

 gentian, of each, half a drachm. Mix in linseed tea. 



Afterward this draught was repeated once a day, with the addition 

 of half an ounce of linseed oil. This was continued for four days, when 

 the sheep recovered. In cordial and astringent medicines, opium is an 

 essential ingredient, and it may also be combined, w^ith aperients. 



Laudanum, or Tincture of Opium. — Tincture of opium possesses the 



same properties as the powder of opium, but is perhaps quicker in its 

 effects. The dose for sheep is froTn twenty to sixty drops. 



TONICS. — It is often necessary in cases of debility, when acute diseases 

 have been subdued, to restore or invigorate the system by tonics. Of 

 these, gentian is the best, and, indeed, will supersede every other. 



Gentian. — Powdered gentian root may be given as a tonic in doses of 

 from half a drachm to two drachms, in combination with a scruple or 

 half a drachm of powdered ginger in gruel or water, or in a little ale. 



Cordials. — Cordials, or stimulating drenches, are not so often given to 

 sheep as to horned cattle. The best of these cordials are ginger, cara- 

 way-seeds, essence of peppermint, and carbonate of ammonia. 



Ginger. — The dose of this root in powder is from a scruple to a drachm. 

 It is generally mixed with aperient medicines, and aids their operation. 



Caraway-seeds. — Bruised caraway-seeds are useful as a cordial, though 

 inferior to ginger. Dose, half a drachm or a drachm. 



Oil or Essence of Peppermint. — Peppermint water — that is, water in 

 which the oil of peppermint is diffused — is a good vehicle for tonic and 

 astringent medicines. It is never given alone. 



Carbonate (Subcarbonate) of Ammonia.— In cases of repletion of the 



stomach by a mass of undigested curd (to which lambs are subject), car- 

 bonate of ammonia may prove very useful, both from its stimulating 

 and its antacid properties. A drench, composed of a scruple of carbo- 

 nate of ammonia, two drachms of carbonate (sesqui-carbonate) of soda, 

 half an ounce of Epsom salts, and a scruple of ginger, in warm water, 

 may be given every six hours. A solution of potash in lime-water is 

 recommended in these cases. We here give the directions for making 

 and administering this solution : — take a lump of quick-lime, of the size 

 of an egg, and pour on it, in a convenient vessel, as much water as will 

 slake it. This being done, then pour upon it one pint of boiling water; 

 stir the whole up, and cover close. While this is allowed to stand for 

 some time, take an eight-ounce bottle, and put into it two ounces of 

 subcarbonate of potass, and fill up the bottle with the lime-water already 

 made : pouring it off rather turbid than in a state of purity. Cork this 

 up, and label it, "Solution of potass in lime-water." Of this "solution," 



