286 USEFUL MEDICINES. 



A two year old will require one-half of the ounce. 



A three year old will require three-fourths of the 

 ounce. 



The same proportion may be observed in cattle, from 

 one year old and upwards. But a calf, a week or two 

 old, will require another division of dose, but still fol- 

 lowing the same rule. 



The dose for a one year old being one-third of the 

 dose for an adult, or full grown ox. Then the dose for 

 a calf of four weeks will be one-twelfth of that given to 

 a one year old, and a two months' old calf or colt, will 

 require one-sixth of that of a one year old animal. For 

 a one week old animal, the dose will be one-fourth of 

 that of the animal aged four weeks. The rule and the 

 dose are merely approximate, but it is the best and only 

 plan we can offer, as a rule or guide for a posological 

 table. Some persons have advocated a decrease in the 

 dose for old animals. This I cannot favor, as but few 

 horses live to be so old that a full dose of medicine 

 would be an injury to them. The great trouble with 

 aged horses, is not from a failure of the constitution 

 and the general system, but from defect in the teeth, 

 whereby, in winter, old horses are nearly starved, as 

 they cannot masticate their feed. If their food could be 

 prepared, as is done for the old man, his life and useful- 

 ness would be prolonged; then it would be time enough 

 to speak of diminishing the dose for old horses. 



