Medicines for Cattle, 267 



The dose of medicines for cattle is nearly double the 

 amounts used for horses, the formation of the stomach and 

 the phlegmatic temperament of the ox rendering him not 

 readily affected by medicinal substances. Their kidneys and 

 skin are less easily acted on than the corresponding organs in 

 horses; and they resist the action both of stimulants and 

 tonics. 



Long experience has given the preference to certain drugs 

 for cattle, different from those administered to horses. Thus 

 aloes, which is the favorite purgative for the horse, acts ir- 

 regularly and feebly in the ox and cow. For them saline 

 cathartics are altogether preferable, either sulphate of mag- 

 nesia (epsom salt), sulphate of soda (glauber salt), or com- 

 mon salt; or, as many prefer, a mixture of the three in equal 

 parts. A pound of such a mixture in a quart or two of 

 water, with a teaspoonful or ^wo of essence of ginger, or a 

 dash of cayenne pepper, constitutes a most efficient and de- 

 pendable purge. Linseed and castor oils, either of which 

 tnay be strengthened by the addition of croton oil, are also 

 excellent purges. To exert a continued laxative effect, sul- 

 phur is a very useful means. 



Mercury in any form must be given to cattle with greater 

 caution than to horses, as, whether it be as calomel internally 

 or as mercurial ointment rubbed on the skin, it salivates and 

 mercurializes them easily. Especially we would advise not 

 using mercury iu any shape with milk cows. If pregnant, 

 they are more apt to abort; and the mercury passing into the 

 tissues is secreted with the milk, and is thus conveyed to the 

 human race. A French author states that he has witnessed 

 lambs die from mercurial poisoning, when the ewes had been 

 rubbed with mercurial ointment to destroy insects. 



