SOME COMMON PRESCRIPTIONS
Colic Mixture.
—Laudanum, 16 tablespoonfuls; aromatic spirits of ammonia, 12 tablespoonfuls; sulphuric ether, 2 tablespoonfuls; tincture of aconite, 10 drops; ginger, 16 tablespoonfuls. Dissolve in a pint of water. From 10 to 20 tablespoonfuls of this can be given in one-half pint of water. If relief is not secured, repeat in a half hour, follow with a third dose, then with another, giving the doses one-half to one hour apart.
Fly Blister.
—Powdered cantharides, 2 teaspoonfuls; gum camphor powdered, 2 tablespoonfuls; lard, 8 tablespoonfuls. After thoroughly mixing, rub in 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the severity of the blister desired.
Red Blister.
—Gum camphor powdered, 2 tablespoonfuls; biniodide of mercury, 2 teaspoonfuls; lard, 8 tablespoonfuls. This should be rubbed in from 5 to 10 minutes.
Cough Mixture.
—Belladonna, 2 tablespoonfuls; pulverized opium, 2 tablespoonfuls; gum camphor, pulverized, 2 teaspoonfuls; chloride of ammonia, 2 tablespoonfuls; sulphur, 4 tablespoonfuls. An easy way to give this is to mix with molasses and flour until a paste is secured.
Soothing Ointment.
—Laudanum, 8 tablespoonfuls; aconite, 4 tablespoonfuls. This is excellent for sprains, and relieves the pain and soreness when applied to a part where there is much inflammation.
Hoof Ointment.
—Raw linseed oil, one-quarter pound; crude petroleum oil, one-quarter pound; neat’s-foot oil, one-quarter pound; pine tar, one-quarter pound. Mix well and apply every night with a brush all over and under the hoof. A little in the hair above will do no harm. Clean out the hoof before applying.
Physic Drench for Horses.
—Aloes, 8 teaspoonfuls; common soda, 1 teaspoonful; ginger, 1 teaspoonful. Dissolve these in a pint of lukewarm water and give as a drench. The horse should be allowed rest the day following its use.
READY FOR THE DRENCH
A simple device for giving drenches to horses.
Physic Drench for Cattle.
—Epsom salts, 1 pound; ginger, 1 tablespoonful; common soda, 1 tablespoonful. Dissolve in a quart of lukewarm water and give as a drench. It is a splendid general physic for cows, and can be given at any time when they are thought not to be thriving as they should.
CHAPTER VIII
The Meaning of Disease
Any departure from a normal condition is disease. The body, composed of different organs and parts, is in a healthy state when each of these performs its natural functions. Thus the normal mind is concerned with normal mental acts; any disturbances of the brain or spinal cords is immediately manifested in the action of the animal; likewise frequently a disturbance elsewhere may later have its effect on the mental system.
Disease may result from some external cause like from a wound, from food causing poison or derangement of the digestive system, from water introducing impurities, from parasites that disturb normal functions, disorganize tissue or produce toxines, or from other abnormal conditions—all of which interfere with the normal functions of one or more organs, regions, or parts.
In most cases the disturbances are readily recognized. Swellings, bruises and wounds are located at a glance. When blood passes from nose, ears or intestines, a key to the trouble is at hand. Coughs have their story. And vomiting, diarrhœa, convulsions, spasms, abnormal breathing or temperature each indicates at what points an abnormal condition is evident.