476 Hygiene and Medicines, 



The wisest of all systems of fattening is by keeping the 

 animals in what the English call hammels, that is, small 

 pens to accommodate two oxen, one-half of which is roofed 

 and walled, so as to afford entire protection from inclement 

 weather, while the other half is open. The animals are 

 tlius in a measure isolated from contagion ; they have abun- 

 dance of fresh and pm^e air; and while they have just enough 

 room to obtain this, they are sufficiently confined to j^revent 

 them wasting their fat in running. 



When, through stall feeding, an animal becomes plethoric? 

 loses his appetite, and the food taken does not increase the 

 weight as it should, it is well to change the character of the 

 food to a plainer kind, for two or three days, and give an 

 alterative powder, as — 



No. 472. Nitrate of potash, 



Sulphur, in powder, 



Gintrer, of each, 2 oz. 



Mix. Give in molasses and water. For a steer, 



"When the appetite improves, small quantities of food, at 

 regular intervals, should be offered, and if any is left in the 

 manger, it should at once be removed. 



CATTLE POWDERS AND CONDIMENTAL FOOD. 



Various "cattle powders^' and "fattening powders" are 

 sold throughout the country, claiming to increase the deposit 

 of fat in animals, and thus economize the food supply. 



They are always composed of much the same materials, 

 variously disguised, to wit : of some of the stomachic and car- 

 minative seeds — aniseed, carraway seed, fennel seed, coriander 

 seed, ginger or mustard seed ; of some vegetable tonic — as 

 gentian, Virginia snake root, willow bark, cascarilla, etc.; of 

 one or more of the alteratives — sulphur, nitrate of j^otash, com- 

 mon salt, etc. ; and perhaps of a mineral tonic, as copperas ; the 

 whole colored with turmeric and mixed with meal. As the fla- 



