SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 577 



sheep which have become unable to stand from having been too long cast 

 — especially if they have laid on the snow, or on damp cold ground. It 

 is sometimes given in addition to other medicine, in the place of the ordi- 

 nary stimulants. 



Aloes — Are occasionally used as a purgative in sheep medicine by 

 farmers, but their use is justly condemned by all veterinarians. 



Alum — Used as an astringent, but is inferior to many others. 



Antimony (The cido-ide or hutyr of) — the best caustic to remove fun- 

 gous granulations, dead muscular structures, etc., in the last and worst 

 stage of hoof-ail — applied with a swab or feather. 



Arsenic — Employed in the proportion of half a pound to twelve gal- 

 lons of water, to cure scab. An infusion of itLs also used to kill ticks, &c. 

 From its liability to adhere to vessels, or to come in contact with sub- 

 stances which may be subsequently eaten, it is a dangerous . remedy, and 

 one which I would never have employed on my farm. 



Blue-Vitriol (Sulphate of Copper) — Used internally as a strong tonic, 

 but inferior to others. Dissolved in hot water, and applied to morbid 

 sores, an astringent, alterative, and mild caustic, of the most admirable 

 character. It is superior to all other applications in ordinary cases of 

 hoof-ail. 



Camphor — Used with oil as an external stimulant on swellings, &c. 



Carraway-Seeps — Given favorably in doses of two or three drachms, 

 as a stomachic with other medicines. 



Catechu — A valuable astringent, in doses of half a drachm. It is one 

 of the ingredients of the celebrated " sheep's cordial," spoken of under 

 the head of " diarrhea. " 



Chalk, Prepared, by its alkaline properties, neutralizes the acidity of 

 the stomach, and thus checks diarrhea. It is a very valuable remedy in 

 doses from half an ounce to an ounce, exhibited as directed under the 

 head of " diarrhea. " 



Corrosive Sublimate (Bi-cMoride of Mercurjj) — The most convenient 

 form in which mercury can be exhibited internally. The proto-chloride, or 

 calomel, from its great gravity, could not, with any certainty, be made to 

 reach the fourth stomach. It would seem that mercury should be a use- 

 ful remedy in several of the diseases of sheep. I have administered it 

 only in the cases specified under the head of " malignant epizootic 

 catarrh," and then apparently with some benefit. It would be well if a 

 series of careful experiments could be instituted of its value in the appro- 

 priate ovine diseases. It is very little used by veterinarians, in this coun- 

 try or Europe. A solution of corrosive sublimate is used for the destruc- 

 tion of ticks, &c., and sometimes as a wash in the scab, but its use for 

 these purposes is liable to the same objections with that of arsenic. 



Digitalis (Foxglove) — A sedative employed in most of the fever 

 medicines of the English veterinarians. Dose, one scruple. 



Epsom Salts (Sulphate of Magnesia) — In doses from half an ounce 

 to one, and in some few cases two ounces, the best purgative which can 

 in almost every disease, be administered to sheep. 



Gentian — Decidedly the best vegetable tonic in use. Dose, from one 

 to two drachms. 



Ginger — A stomachic and tonic, given with almost every aperient, in 

 doses of from half a draclun to a drachm. It prevents gripinor. 



Iodine. — The hydriodate of potash in the proportion of one part to 



(1057J 37 ^ 



