MEBICINES.] 



SHEEP, 



[iTEDTCIXEg. 



MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES IN SHEEP. 



Aloes. Used as a tincture to stimulate wounds. 

 It should not be given internally to the sheep, 

 because of the danger uhich attends it. 

 Alum. Used externally, in the form of a lotion ; ap- 

 plied to several diseases of the mouth ; and, mixed 

 -with chalk, it makes an excellent external appli- 

 cation to sores. As an astringent, it is inferior 

 to other medicines used as such ; but when given, 

 the dose is half a drachm, with gruel. 

 Antibiony, Butyr, or Chloride of. This is an 

 admirable caustic for foot-rot and other diseases, 

 and should be applied with a feather. 

 Arsenic. This is sometimes employed as an in- 

 fusion, in Avhich the sheep are dipped, for the 

 purpose of destroying ticks and other insects. 

 Great caution, however, should be used with it ; 

 and all vessels into which it has been put, should 

 be immediately cleaned after using them. 

 Camphor. Used with oil or spirits of wine, cam- 

 phor is employed as an external stimulant. When 

 used internally it acts as a narcotic, sedative, 

 and anti-spasmodic. The dose is from one 

 scruple to a drachm. 

 Cantharides, or Spanish Flies. This is rarely 

 employed in the diseases of the sheep, except in 

 the form of blisters, in which it makes the chief 

 ingredient. 

 Caraway-seeds. A stomachic, in which the dose 



is from two to four drachms. 

 Catechu. Given with opium and chalk in case of 

 diarrhoea. The dose is from half a drachm to a 

 drachm. 

 Chalk, Prepared. Used as an external applica- 

 tion to wounds and sores ; also as a mild astrin- 

 gent in diarrhoea. In such case the dose is from 

 half an ounce to an ounce. 

 Copper, Sulphate of, or Blue Vitriol. Ex- 

 ternally, this acts as a mild caustic; internally, 

 as a tonic. The dose is half a drachm. 

 Corrosive Sublimate, or Bichloride of Mer- 

 cury. This requires to be very cautiously used. 

 It is employed as a strong caustic and poison in 

 cases of scale, and to kill vermin. 

 Castor Seeds, or Oil. A powerful purgative, 

 useful in cases of severe costiveness. The dose is 

 from five to fifteen drops of the oil. 

 Digitalis, or Foxglove. Used as a sedative 

 to diminish the rapidity of action in the heart. 

 The dose is one scru])le. 

 Epsom Salts, or Sulphate of Magnesia. An 

 excellent i)nrgative, given in doses of from one 

 to two ounces, or more, dissolved in warm-water 



gruel. 



750 



Gentian. A vegetable tonic of great usefulness, 

 administered in doses of from one to three 

 drachms. 

 Ginger. Used as a cordial and stomachic, usually 

 with aperient medicine. Dose, from half a drachm 

 to three drachms. 



Hartshorn, Spirits of. Used as a stimulant and 

 anti-spasmodic in cases of hoove. The dose is 

 two drachms, in six ounces of water or gruel. 



Iodine. A powerful stimulant to the absorbent 

 vessels. It is used both internally and externally, 

 and exercises great influence over glandular 

 swellings. As an external application, it is 

 generally used in the form of iodide of mercury, 

 mixed with eight parts of lard. In the form of 

 iodide of potassium, it is used internally, in doses 

 of from four to six grains. 



Laudanum, or Opium. A sedative and anti- 

 spasmodic, used either in the form of a powder or 

 a gum: the dose is ten grains. When given in 

 the form of tincture of opium, or laudanum, the 

 dose is from one to two drachms. 



Le.\d — Acetate of Sugar of Lead. A common 

 ingredient in cooling lotions. Used in the form 

 of Goulard's extract. 



Lead, White. A useful application for the pre. 

 vention of the fly. 



Lime, Chloride of. Useful as a preventive of 

 infection, and also an excellent application to 

 foul wounds and ulcers. 



Linseed Oil. A useful and safe purgative. Dose, 

 two ounces. 



Muriatic Acid, or Spirit of Salt. Useful in 

 foot-rot, as a powerful caustic. 



Nitrate of Potash, Nitre, or Saltpetre. A 

 diuretic. Dose, two drachms. 



Olive, or Sv^eet Oil. A laxative, but less valu- 

 able than linseed oil. As an external applica- 

 tion, it is useful in cases of burns and bites from 

 venomous insects. 



Pimento, or Allspice. A cordial and stomachic. 

 Dose, from one to two drachms. 



Rye, Spurred, or Ergot of Rye. A strong 

 stimulus to the uterus, given in cases of pro- 

 tracted lambing. The dose is a scruple, infused 

 in hot water; to be repeated, if necessary, in the 

 course of one or two hours. 



Salt, or Muriate of Soda. In small doses, a 

 stomachic and tonic. In large, a purgative. 

 When given in moderate quantities it is useful 

 to the health of sheep. For counteracting and 

 curing the rot it is very efl'ective. As a pur- 

 gative, the dose is about an ounce. 



