MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATME.^TT OF CATTLE. 451 



Caustics. — In the treatment of foul in the foot, these are indispen- 

 sable, and the chloride (butyr) of antimony has no rival in the cer- 

 tainty with which it destroys the fungus or otherwise unhealthy 

 surface to which it is applied, and the equal certainty of its destruc- 

 tive power being confined to the surface. For warts, angle-berries, 

 &c., externally situated, the nitrate of silver in substance, or in the 

 form of a strong solution, will be most effectual ; for canker in the 

 mouth, barbs, and paps, a strong solution of alum will be as useful 

 as anything; and in order to stimulate indolent and unhealthy ulcers, 

 nothing can compare with the diluted nitric acid. 



Chalk. — See Lime. 



Chamomile. — If it were necessary to add another tonic to the 

 gentian and Colombo, it would be the chamomile, and on the principle 

 of not being so powerful as either of the others, and therefore used 

 in somewhat doubtful cases, when, if the state of fever has not quite 

 passed over, a stronger stimulant might have been prejudicial. 



Charges. — These are thick adhesive plasters spread over parts 

 that have been strained or weakened, or that are affected with 

 rheumatism, and which, being applied warm, mingle so with the 

 hair, that they cannot be separated for a long time afterwards. They 

 give a permanent support to the part, and likewise exert a gentle 

 but constant stimulating power. Old cows, weakened and rendered 

 almost useless by a .rheumatic affection of the loins, which is de- 

 generating into palsy, often derive much benefit from the application 

 of a charge. It is also useful when the joints are the seat of rheuma- 

 tic lameness. 



Clysters. — The lower or larger intestines of cattle, which, al- 

 though long, are not capacious, and whose surface is not irregular 

 and cellated, but perfectly smooth, so that a fluid will readily pass 

 along them and to their full extent, will show the propriety of hav- 

 ing fi-equent recourse to this mode of administering medicine. A 

 soothing and emollient injection may be brought into contact with 

 the inflamed and irritable surface of these intestines ; or, on the 

 other hand, that surface may be extensively and beneficially stimu- 

 lated by the direct application of purgative medicine. The former 

 is a most important consideration in diarrhoea and dysentery ; and 

 the latter is not of less moment when the comparative insensibility 

 of the three first stomachs of cattle is regarded. Much may be 

 done by means of the bladder and pipe, but the newly-invented 

 stomach and enema-pump of Read enables the practitioner to derive 

 from injections all the advantages that can be connected with their 

 administration. 



Copper. — There are but two compounds of this metal that have 

 any value in cattle-practice, and they are the Blue Vitriol, or sul- 

 phate of copper, and Verdigris, or acetate of copper. The use of 

 the first is limited to the coryza, or inflammation of and defluxion 



