DISEASES OF CATTLE 29 



TONICS. 



Agents that act as tonics are derived from both the vegetable 

 and mineral kingdom. Vegetable tonics that will be described are, 

 gentian, nux vomica and ginger. Mineral tonics, iron and its prep- 

 arations. 



Gentian is the dried root of Gentiana lutea; obtained from 

 druggists in the form of powder and fluid extract. Its color is yel- 

 low, shading to brown; bitter in taste which it readily imparts to 

 water, alcohol and ether. Gentian acts as a pure tonic and exerts 

 its influence mainly upon the stomach. It improves the appetite 

 and general tone, and relieves indigestion in young animals, for 

 which purpose it is conjoined with ginger and. sodium bicarbonate. 

 In young animals suffering with indigestion and diarrhoea the writer 

 has often gotten excellent effects by the use of gentian and hydro- 

 chloric acid. In influenza, distemper and most debilitating diseases 

 gentian improves the appetite and tone of the animal when con- 

 joined with iron and ginger. It exerts its influence on all animals 

 alike and is, therefore, a safe and valuable tonic for the smaller as 

 well as the larger animals. Horses take of the powdered gentian 

 one-half ounce to one ounce; cattle one to two ounces; sheep one 

 to three drachms ; pigs one-half to one drachm ; dogs five to twenty 

 grains. The fluid extract is given in the same doses. Best results 

 are gotten when the above doses are repeated two or three times 

 daily. 



Ginger acts as a .mild tonic and is usually conjoined with other 

 tonics for the purpose of increasing their action. It is also con- 

 joined with purgatives for the same purpose, and to relieve the 

 griping. 



Nux Vomica is used in the form of powder, fluid extract and 

 tincture. It owes its activity to two alkaloids; strychnine and bru- 

 cine. Nux vomica and its alkaloids act as stimulants to the motor 

 centers of the spinal cord and other nerves. Medicinal doses act as 

 nerve tonics and aid digestion, overcome paralysis and improve the 

 general tone. The digestive glands are stimulated, whereby dys- 

 pepsia and other forms of indigestion are relieved. In torpidity of 

 the bowels nux vomica acts beneficially by toning up the nerves and 

 increasing the perastaltic action of the bowels. In paralysis follow- 

 ing milk fever, canine distemper and other debilitating diseases nux 

 vomica is indicated. Combined with gentian and iron it acts bene- 

 ficially as a general tonic. Horses take of the powdered drug one- 

 half to one drachm ; cattle one to two drachms ; sheep ten to thirty 

 grains ; pigs ten to twenty grains ; dogs one-half to two grains. 



Iron and its preparations act as astringents and tonics. They 

 improve the condition of the blood. The sulphate of iron is most 

 commonly used in veterinary practice as a tonic, and is indicated in 

 much the same class of patients as other tonics. The tincture of the 

 chloride of iron is largely used to arrest hemorrhage; also the sub- 

 sulphate, both in powder and solution. 



Gamboge is used almost entirely as a purgative for cattle. It is 

 a powerful irritant, and produces copious watery discharges. It is 



