272 HORSE AND CATTLE MEDICINES. 



and hj this means the wax can be smoothed, so that or- 

 dinary observers can scarcely observe a deficiency in the 

 foot. The hole or crack must be perfectly dryland free 

 from moisture, or else the wax will not stick very long. 

 When dry, and the wax put properly in, it will last for a 

 month, or till the next shoeing time. 



Willow Bark. — A much neglected, valuable and 

 cheap medicine. This substance has within it a crystal- 

 line substance called salicine, which is an excellent sub- 

 stitute for the expensive quinine. Farmers and others 

 will do well to gather this ' bark in sufficient quantity, 

 and have it dried; and in the spring of the year, or 

 when any of the horses are weak, or out of sorts, take 

 of the willow bark one pound, and boil in four 

 quarts of water, till two quarts are left ; then strain for 

 use, and give a tumblerful mixed in cut feed, once or 

 twice in the day. This will be found much better than 

 the black snake root already spoken of under its proper 

 head. 



Yea^t. — Brewer's yeast is one of the best applications 

 which can be applied to an unhealthy sore or ulcer, as it 

 immediately changes its look and smell. A mixture of 

 yeast and charcoal is a domestic remedy not to be over- 

 looked in the treatment of sores, especially in the sum- 

 mer time. The yeast and the charcoal are to be mixed 

 in the form of a poultice, and used as such, occasionally 

 changing it, so that full benefit may be given to the sore 

 by its use. After the sore is cleansed and corrected, it 

 may be then healed as a simple, healthy sore, by other 

 remedies amply described through the book. 



Zinc. — There are several preparations of zinc, which 

 are used in the treatment of horse and cattle diseases, 

 but chiefly in the form of external applications. 



