232 HORSE AND CATTLE MEDICINES. 



Elecampane. — Inula Helenium. — The root of this 

 plant is highly thought of, and much used, by horsemen, 

 in coughs and colds. Some make a tea of it, or decoc- 

 tion, and give it to the horse to drink. It is certainly a 

 warm and grateful aromatic, and a good expectorant. 

 The plant should be gathered when the seed is ripening. 



Elm Bark. — Slippery. This bark, when scalded with 

 hot water, makes a useful poultice, to irritable wounds, 

 ulcers, and sores. A decoction of the bark will answer 

 every purpose for which flaxseed, or linseed is used, or 

 recommended, as in diseases of the kidneys, and bladder, 

 produced by the use of Spanish fly, and from over-dosing 

 with rosin, and other diuretics. In diarrhoja, in all ani- 

 mals, slippery elm tea, or decoction, will serve a good 

 purpose, by sheathing the covering of the bowels, which 

 are so apt to become irritated, and inflamed, in violent 

 superpurgation. 



Emetics.— Medicines which produce vomiting. Horses, 

 cattle, and sheep cannot vomit, whilst the stomach re- 

 mains entire. In cases of rupture of that viscus, how- 

 ever, vomiting is occasionally seen. Emetics are useful 

 in diseases of the dog, and swine. Tartar emetic, or sul- 

 phate of zinc, given in from two to five grain doses, will 

 cause dogs and swine to vomit. 



Epsom Salts. — Sulphate of Magnesia. — This is a val- 

 uable medicine, in diseases of cattle and sheep. No 

 other purgative should ever be thought of, or given to 

 either cattle or sheep. Even supposing other purgatives 

 to be as good, none, certainly, can be so cheap, as ep- 

 som, and glaubcr salts, or the sulphate of soda. For all 

 purgative purposes, the one is as good as the other. 

 Salts should be largely diluted with water ; for the quan- 



