252 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



cut in spring-time and grated to powder, taken for epilepsy. 

 Attempts were made to cure the same malady by internal doses 

 of the horn and hoof of the Ox, the parts of which were believed 

 to possess virtue as curatives. The bones, particularly the 

 bones of the legs, were introduced into plasters. The stomach 

 of the Ox sometimes contains a ball formed by the accumulation 

 of hairs which have been swallowed through a course of years, 

 and this was both used as we use a sponge and was given as an 

 internal medicine to arrest bleeding. The service rendered in 

 medicine by the Cow was similar to that exacted from the Ox, 

 and in addition the udders were considered a good pectoral 

 remedy when made into broth. The Pig and the Ass also con- 

 tributed to the curious remedies of our forefathers, but sufficient 

 ha3 been written to show how absurdity reigned, and to secure 

 appreciation of the progress made since the days when medicine 

 scarcely deserved to rank among the sciences. 



