DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
196 
ANTISPASMODICS. — The great antispasmodic, the great allayer of pain, 
and of irritation of the alimentary canal, whether in cases of diarrhoea 
or dysentery, is opium. 
Opium. — The dose of this all-potent medicine (when judiciously ad- 
ministered) is two or three grains. Combined with oil, it has been given 
in dysentery with the best effects. Mr. D. Sayer found in certain cases 
of dysentery the following prescription of great service : — linseed oil, 
two ounces ; powdered opium, two grains. Mix in an infusion of linseed. 
On the following day, he gave twice in the twenty-four hours this 
mixture : — -powdered opium, two grains ; powdered ginger, and powdered 
gentian, of each, half a drachm. Mix in linseed tea. 
Afterward this draught was repeated once a day, with the addition 
of half an ounce of linseed oil. This was continued for four days, when 
the sheep recovered. In cordial and astringent medicines, opium is an 
essential ingredient, and it may also be combined with aperients. 
Laudanum, or Tincture of Opium. — Tincture of opium possesses the 
same properties as the powder of opium, but is perhaps quicker in its 
effects. The dose for sheep is from twenty to sixty drops. 
TONICS. — It is often necessary in cases of debility, when acute diseases 
have been subdued, to restore or invigorate the system by tonics. Of 
these, gentian is the best, and, indeed, will supersede every other. 
Gentian. — Powdered gentian root may be given as a tonic in doses of 
from half a drachm to two drachms, in combination with a scruple or 
half a drachm of powdered ginger in gruel or water, or in a little ale. 
Cordials. — Cordials, or stimulating drenches, are not so often given to 
sheep as to horned cattle. The best of these cordials are ginger, cara- 
way-seeds, essence of peppermint, and carbonate of ammonia. 
Ginger. — The dose of this root in powder is from a scruple to a drachm. 
It is generally mixed with aperient medicines, and aids their operation. 
Caraway-seeds, — Bruised caraway-seeds are useful as a cordial, though 
inferior to ginger. Dose, half a drachm or a drachm. 
Oil or Essence of Peppermint, — Peppermint water — that is, water in 
which the oil of peppermint is diffused — is a good vehicle for tonic and 
astringent medicines. It is never given alone. 
Carbonate (Subcarbonate) of Ammonia.— In cases of repletion of the 
stomach by a mass of undigested curd (to which lambs are subject), car- 
bonate of ammonia may prove very useful, both from its stimulating 
and its antacid properties. A drench, composed of a scruple of carbo- 
nate of ammonia, two drachms of carbonate (sesqui-carbonate) of soda, 
half an ounce of Epsom salts, and a scruple of ginger, in warm water, 
may be given every six hours. A solution of potash in lime-water is 
recommended in these cases. We here give the directions for making 
and administering this solution : — take a lump of quick-lime, of the size 
of an egg, and pour on it, in a convenient vessel, as much water as will 
slake it. This being done, then pour upon it one pint of boiling water ; 
stir the whole up, and cover close. While this is allowed to stand for 
some time, take an eight-ounce bottle, and put into it two ounces of 
subcarbonate of potass, and fill up the bottle with the lime-water already 
made : pouring it off rather turbid than in a state of purity. Cork this 
up, and label it, “Solution of potass in lime-water.” Of this “solution,” 
