30 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



usually prescribed for cattle in impaction of the rumen and other 

 parts of the stomach; also in obstinate cases of constipation con- 

 joined with Epsom or Glauber salts, which increases the activity of 

 the purgative mixture. Cattle take one-half to one ounce of the 

 powdered drug. 



Epsom and Glauber Salts act as mild purgatives and are useful 

 in the same class of cases in which the foregoing purgatives are rec- 

 ommended, with the addition that they may be used in febrile dis- 

 eases, having a tendency in such cases to lower the fever. Conjoined 

 with other purgatives they increase their activity. Salts are used 

 more than any other drug as a purgative for ruminants. In small 

 doses they act as a tonic. The purgative dose for cattle is one to one 

 and one-half pounds. 



Castor, linseed, cottonseed, and olive oil act as laxatives. They 

 soothe and ensheathe the mucous membranes with which they come 

 in contact and are valuable in spasmodic and flatulent colic. One- 

 half pint of oil with one and one-half ounce of tincture of opium 

 and one-half ounce cannabis indica is often sufficient to relieve mild 

 attacks of colic in the horse. The dose of the oils for the horse is 

 one-half to one pint; cattle, one to two pints. 



Spirits of Nitrous ether (Sweet Spirits of Nitre) acts as a stimu- 

 lating diuretic. It is indicated in torpidity of the kidneys and to 

 hasten excretion of waste matter from the system. In azoturea it 

 hastens the excretion of urea. In gravel of the kidneys, by increas- 

 ing the flow of urine, it is said to act beneficially by washing the 

 small gravel from the pelvis of the kidney. It should not be given 

 in inflammation of the kidneys, since it belongs to the class of stim- 

 ulating diuretics and hence increases the blood supply of those or- 

 gans. Horses take one to two ounces ; cattle, one to four ounces. 



Mtrate and Acetate of Potassium act as refrigerating diuretics 

 and are used in most febrile diseases. They lower the body tem- 

 perature in fevers and relieve congestion of the kidneys. Potassium 

 Nitrate placed in the drinking water of fever patients cools the mouth 

 and, to some extent, allays thirst. Horses take one-half to one ounce ; 

 cattle, one to three ounces. 



STIMULANTS. 



Ammonium is a diffusible stimulant and antacid. Owing to 

 its antacid properties it is of value in indigestion and tympanitis, 

 especially in ruminants. Being a stimulant it is also of value in 

 spasmodic colic. Ammonium, and its preparations, promotes bron- 

 chial secretions and assists in its expulsion, and is, therefore, a stim- 

 ulating expectorant. Externally, ammonia is used as a counter- 

 irritant. A stimulating liniment is made by mixing one ounce each 

 of aqua ammonia and oil of turpentine with six ounces of linseed 

 oil. Horses take of the aqua ammonia one to three drachms ; cattle 

 three to six drachms. The carbonate and chloride of ammonia are 

 given in about the same doses. Both the aqua and carbonate, being 

 very irritating, must be largely diluted for internal use. 



Aconite is a heart sedative and decreases the frequency and 

 force of the heart's action. It reduces abnormal temperature and 



