DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



49 



minatives, are all kinds of ardent spirits ; though some 

 may be moditied, or have other qualities from the addi- 

 tion of other substances ; as gin is made a sedative by 

 the addition of juniper berries ; and brandy is a power- 

 ful astringent as v/ell as stimulant, from the addition of 

 the extract of oak to alcohol. 



Ginger is a stimulant as well as aromatic. 



A Warm Stimulant Drink. Powdered ginger, half 

 an ounce ; caraway seeds, six drachms ; allspice, half 

 an ounce ; in a quart of warm water-gruel, or ale. 



Cayenne Pepper alone, or m compositions, is a pow- 

 erful and highly valuable stimulant in the human 

 patient. It is excellent m colds, clearing the pipes and 

 'ungs of phlegm ; and in low condition it warms and 

 revives ; when the stomach is dormant, it rouses it to 

 action, creates an appetite, and promotes digestion, and 

 has many other favorable effects, when judiciously ad- 

 ministered. It is equally valuable for animals. 



It has been but little used in animal practice, there- 

 fore we cannot give precise directions for its use ; but 

 as it is powerful, it should be used m moderation. We 

 have reports on fev/ cases. A horse was drooping, and 

 had no appetite ; as his pulse was reg-ular, he evidently 

 had no fever. Two table spoonfuls of Cayenne pepper, 

 anil a small portion of ginger and lobelia, were given to 

 him in warm water ; and he soon revived and recovered. 

 In another case, a horse had been driven nearly all day, 

 -ind he failed, and refused to go, from disease, fatigue, 

 or 1 117 ger ; and, a physician being in the carriage with 

 his medicine chest, he gave him a pint of hot drops, (a 

 Thctmpsonian preparation in which there is Cayenne,) 

 and he immediately revived, started off with spirit, and 

 chajrfuUy performed the rest of the journey, of about 

 sevi>n miles. In both of these cases, we think the dose 

 was very large, — large enough for two, 



Hot Drops are considerably used, of late, for horses. 

 They are good for colic, for cold shivering fits, for a 

 dull, low state, as they warm into action the dormant 

 bowels, promote digestion, and thus create a heaUhy 

 appetite. They are one of the best medicines. 



