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CHAPTER YII. 



THE BOVINE FORMULARY. 



The following index of diseases and prescriptions appropriate 

 for them is written for oxen, and oxen only However, in 

 several cases different doses of the same remedies would be 

 applicable in the case of sheep. As a rule, the differences in the 

 actions of medicine on the two classes of animals, sheep and 

 oxen respectively, is rather a question of relative quantity than 

 of any other material point. Especially is this true, as is well 

 known, in regard to medicines which act upon the circulatory, 

 respiratory, and urinary systems. For example, the three drugs, 

 aconite, digitalis, and nitre, bring about very similar effects in 

 men, horses, dogs, and cattle. 



As we have before pointed out, the special characteristics of 

 the action of medicines in the case of cattle are mainly due to 

 the peculiar construction of their digestive canal, and to their 

 general phlegmatic constitution. In ruminants the stomach is 

 divided into four cavities, is extensively lined with cuticular 

 mucous membrane, and its first three compartments are less 

 vascular and have a more mechanical function than has the 

 corresponding part of the alimentary canal of men, dogs, or 

 horses. Moreover, the rumen, and the manyplies always contain 

 food, and frequently a large quantity of it. Consequently cattle 

 require rather large doses of nearly all medicines, and especially 

 of aperient medicines and of stimulants and tonics, in order to 

 produce a due effect. Again, the kidneys and skin of cattle are 



