THERAPEUTIC NOTES. 
63 
ably occurs when fowls must jump from high perches on hard 
ground. Lowering the perches stopped the trouble. 
Not much has been written on the subject of alteratives in 
veterinary practice., and yet each of us feel the need and value 
highly those good alteratives with which we have come in con¬ 
tact. Potassium iodide is with many so widely used as an alter¬ 
ative that the two words are synonymous. With all due credit to 
potassium iodide as an alterative, especially in those specific in¬ 
stances with which you are all quite familiar, like actinomycosis, 
etc., it is not so valuable as some of the vegetable alteratives in 
many other instances. 
One of the most valuable of the vegetable alteratives which 
is available to correct perverted metabolism, especially when ac¬ 
companied by rise of temperature, or, in other words, we might 
say, as a corrective in acute conditions, is Echinacea augusti- 
folia. This plant grows in central and southern United States 
and is obtainable in either the powder or as the fluid extract. 
The most convenient form is the latter, to my notion, as it is 
standardized and the dose easily regulated. 
My earliest acquaintance with the drug was when a fellow 
practitioner of human medicine prescribed it in a case of typhoid 
fever wherein the symptoms, to him, indicated grave danger of 
infective peritonitis. Too many of my cases of peritonitis, acute 
lymphangitis and infection of serious cavities, as open joints, 
etc., had been tardy in response to my usual procedure, hence I 
decided to give echinacea a trial. Its action as an eliminant is 
manifest only as a diaphoretic. Appetite seems to increase, and 
digestion surely improves. 
In cases of infected joints, infected peritoneum and acute or 
chronic infections of serous cavities give echinacea a trial. Give 
it a chance. Use it as early as your ability will permit you to 
see impending symptoms of peritonitis, etc., coming, and you 
will be pleased. It will lower temperature, increase appetite and 
nutrition and increase elimination. For an average-sized animal 
io to 15 c.c. three times daily for two or three days are usually 
sufficient, but it can be given over a longer period and no danger 
