456 CATTLE. 



cow-leech and the farrier should never disgrace the regular practi- 

 tioner. 



An excellent mash in cases of catarrh or sore-throat, and as an 

 emollient in any intestinal affection, is made by adding bran to an 

 infusion of linseed. 



Linseed Oil. — This is little inferior to castor oil as a purgative ; 

 it is much cheaper, and it is equally safe. Where the case seems to 

 indicate an oily purgative, and the first dose of castor oil fails, it may 

 be followed up by smaller doses of linseed oil, until the desired effect 

 is produced. 



Magnesia, Sulphate of. Epsom Salts. — This may be regarded 

 as the staple purgative of cattle. It is as safe as Glauber's salts ; it 

 is more certain, and it will dissolve in one-third of the quantity of 

 water. The first dose of physic should always consist of the Epsom 

 salts, quickened in its action, in extreme cases, by the farina of the 

 Croton-nut ; the purgative effect may be kept up by means of sul- 

 phur or Epsom salts, in doses of six ounces of the former, or eight 

 of the latter, as the state of the animal may appear to require. The 

 medium dose is about a pound, with a quarter of an ounce of ginger, 

 but a pound and a half may be given to a large beast without the 

 slio^htest dangler. 



Mashes are very useful in cattle-practice, not so much to prepare for 

 physic, or to get into condition, as to form a soothing and cooling 

 substitute, when the case requires a temporary abstinence from dry 

 and stimulating food. They ma}' be composed, like those of the 

 horse, of bran only, with hot or cold water ; or of bran with a decoc- 

 tion of linseed. In cases of debility, steeped or ground oats may be 

 mixed with the bran, or malt may be used as a substitute for the 

 bran and oats. 



Mercury. Mercurial Ointment. — The practitioner should be 

 very cautious in his use of this on cattle. Indeed, it is scarcely 

 allowable except in a very diluted state, and with the common sul- 

 phur ointment, in bad cases of mange ; or a small quantity of it may 

 be mixed with lard for the destruction of vermin. 



Sulphate of Mercury, ^thiop's Mineral. — A very useful altera- 

 tive combined with sulphur and nitre, where there is any cutaneous 

 affection. The circumstances under which it may be administered, 

 and the doses, will be found in various parts of this work. 



Proto-chloride of Mercury. Calomel. — This should rarely be 

 given to cattle, and never as a purgative. In chronic inflammation 

 of the liver, it often has a decidedly injurious effect : in jaundice, 

 caused by a gall-stone obstructing the biliary ducts, or in that of a 

 more chronic nature accompanied by debility and decUning condition, 

 the experience of the writer will not warrant him in recommending 

 the administration of calomel : he would, on the contrary, be disposed 

 to confine its use to dysentery, in which, combined with and guarded 



