106 JOHN C. H. MINGAYE, ~ 
“ Ke the effects of Saline Waters on Stock. 
“For the information of the Chief Inspector of Watering 
Places, I have the honour to report having ascertained from some 
of the analyses of some of the wells in the Western District con- 
tained in the Departmental Reports, that the salts most frequently 
found are magnesia and soda, combined with sulphuric acid and. 
chlorine. 
‘‘ As these salines are used in veterinary medicine, their effects. 
are well known when administered in definite medicinal quantities. 
Magnesia salt in doses of about lib. acts as a purgative for cattle, — 
and a quarter of a pound asa purge for sheep or swine. It is. 
not suitable for horses, as it excites too much irritation of the 
bowels and causes inflammation. From two to four ounces 
repeated daily to cattle or a proportionate quantity to sheep, 
would set up indigestion, dissolve the semi-fluid feces, with excited 
action of the kidneys, gradually reducing the animal’s strength 
and vitality. Such water being nauseous and bitter to taste . 
would prevent stock from drinking it, unless they are pressed by 
thirst. Soda salts are used, but much less frequently in purgative 
doses for stock. Cattle will take about lib, and sheep about three 
or four ounces. They are too violent and uncertain in their action 
to be used for horses. Common salt (chloride of sodium) is an 
essential article of food aiding digestion, it assists in the formation 
of the gastric juices and bile, and generally assists nutrition in 
quantities of one to three ounces daily for cattle, half the quantity 
for horses and one or two drams for sheep. Large and repeated 
doses of salt in drinking water causes increased thirst, excites the 
action of the kidneys, which excrete an excessive quantity of pale 
urine, and impoverish the blood of its chemical constituents, lead- 
ing to loss of condition and general debility. There is no doubt 
that many animals located on a station can and do, accomodate 
themselves to saline waters, while others less robust in condition 
will waste away and die. It is easy. to understand that starving 
or even thirsty travelling stock may suffer disastrously from drink- 
ing at once a large quantity of water containing a high percentage 
