ERGOT. 233 



tity of fluid given with them, facilitates their operation. 

 In domestic practice, half an ounce of salts, in one tum- 

 bler full of water, will operate as strongly as one ounce, 

 in half the quantity of water. 



Doses. — For ordinary sized cows, one to two pounds is 

 the dose, mixed with four quarts of cold water; one 

 ounce of ginger in powder, and the whole sweetened 

 with molasses, or coarse sugar. For average sized calves, 

 two to four ounces. For sheep, four to six ounces. A 

 few drops of commercial sulphuric acid, say twenty to 

 sixty drops, will greatly remove the naseous taste. 



Ergot. — Diseased Rye. This is a curious, as well as 

 a valuable medicine. 



Use. In the calving, lambing, and foaling season, it 

 is sometimes of great service, but should be carefully han- 

 dled; as, for instance, if given to any animal about to 

 deliver her young, and when the mouth of the womb con- 

 taining the young, should not be sufficiently opened, the 

 administration of this remedy would be attended with 

 extreme danger, as the womb, by the powerful contraction 

 set up, caused by the ergot, to expel its contents, the womb 

 would likely be ruptured, or torn, and the death of the 

 animal will follow. When the animal seems to have ex- 

 hausted its strength, and the passage is open, and the 

 young is coming in a natural way, then only should the 

 ergot be given. If there should be a malformation in the 

 young, or in the pelvis of the^mother, it would be equally 

 unwise to give ergot. 



Doses. — For a mare, or cow, half to one ounce of the 

 powder, is the dose. For sheep, swine, and large sized 

 bitches, one drachm is the dose. Small bitches, ten to thirty 

 grains. 



