28 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



the whole system. Nux yomica acts as a nerve tonic thereby bet- 

 tering the general condition of the system. Iron acts as a blood 

 tonic, while cinchona acts as a general tonic. Tonics are indicated 

 in feeble digestion, debilitated conditions of the nerves and after all 

 debilitating diseases. 



Antipyretics lower the temperature of the body in fever. Ex- 

 amples, quinine and antifebrin. 



Antidotes are agents which counteract the effects of poison. 

 They act mechanically and chemically. Such agents as charcoal 

 act mechanically by absorbing the poison and preventing its being 

 taken into the system. In lead poisoning sulphuric acid and the 

 sulphates combine with the lead forming the insoluble (therefore 

 non-poisonous,) sulphate of lead. The dose or quantity of the drug 

 administered affects the degree of its action. Sometimes the nature 

 of the action is also affected. For example, small doses of potas- 

 sium, sodium and magnesium salts and aloes act as tonics, while 

 large doses act as purgatives. The size of the dose required of any 

 drug will depend upon the size and age of the animal. Owing to 

 the difference in the size of the stomach, the cow will require a much 

 larger dose than the horse. The stomach of the cow being large and 

 constantly filled with a large quantity of food the drug is more 

 tardily absorbed, hence, the dose must be larger to produce the de- 

 sired effect. When continued effects of a drug are required better 

 results are gotten by giving the drug in small and repeated doses 

 than by single large doses. The doses mentioned are for adult ani- 

 mals. The dose for young animals will necessarily have to be gov- 

 erned by the size and age of the animal. 



Medicines are administered in four ways, but as it is not con- 

 venient for most stock owners to use all of the methods, only two will 

 be described, viz., by the mouth and by inhalation. Medicines when 

 given by the mouth should usually be given in the fluid state to 

 insure more rapid absorption. When small quantities are to be 

 given the best method is to throw the fluid well back in the mouth 

 by means of a syringe. Larger quantities may be given in the form 

 of a drench through the mouth. The practice of drenching through 

 the nostrils can not be too strongly condemned. Serious results fol- 

 low this cruel method of drenching. In drenching, the head should 

 be elevated only sufficiently high to prevent the fluid from running 

 out of the mouth. If medicines are to be given in a solid form they 

 are best administered in the form of a bolus, which may be made 

 by mixing with the drug a little flaxseed meal or liquorice root, 

 using just water enough to make a stiff mass. The whole is wrapped 

 in tissue paper and placed well back on the roots of the tongue. 

 Medicines may also be mixed with the animal's food. If the animal 

 refuses to eat his food containing the drug a little pinch of the drug 

 placed in his mouth before he has tasted the food so prepared, will 

 give to the animal the taste of the drug and deceive him to such an 

 extent ^that he will not notice anything wrong with his food. The 

 administration of drugs by inhalation will be spoken of in connec- 

 tion with the drugs that are used in that manner. 



