Suppose the foot to have been pricked or wounded. We make an examination of the part, and remove all extraneous matter. The following poultice must then be applied:
| Powdered skunk cabbage, | equal parts. |
| Powdered lobelia, | equal parts. |
| Powdered poplar bark, | equal parts. |
| Indian meal, | 1 pint. |
Make it of the proper consistence with boiling water. When sufficiently cool, put it into a flannel bag, and secure it above the pastern. To be renewed every twelve hours. After the second application, examine the foot, and if suppuration has commenced, and matter can be felt, or seen, a small puncture may be made, taking care not to let the knife penetrate beyond the bony part of the hoof.
In the mean time, prepare the following drink:—
| Indian hemp or milkweed, (herb,) | 1 ounce. |
| Powdered mandrake, | 1 table-spoonful. |
| Powdered lobelia seeds, | 1 tea-spoonful. |
| Powdered poplar bark, (very fine,) | 1 ounce. |
Make a tea, in the usual manner—about one gallon. After straining it through a cloth, add the other ingredients, and give a quart every two hours.
A long-necked bottle is the most suitable vehicle in which to administer; but it must be poured down in the most gradual manner. The head should not be elevated too high.
A liberal allowance of camomile tea may be resorted to, during the whole stage of the disease.
Next stimulate the external surface, by warmth and moisture, in the following manner: Take about two quarts of vinegar, into which stir a handful of lobelia; have a hot brick ready, (the animal having a large cloth, or blanket, thrown around him;) pour the mixture gradually on the brick, which is held over a bucket to prevent waste; the steam arising will relax the surface. After repeating the operation, apply the following mixture around the jaws, back, and extremities: take of cayenne, skunk cabbage, and cypripedium, (lady's slipper,) powdered, each two ounces, boiling vinegar two quarts; stir the mixture until sufficiently cool, rub it well in with a coarse sponge; this will relax the jaws a trifle, so that the animal can manage to suck up thin gruel, which may be given warm, in any quantity. This process must be persevered in; although it may not succeed in every case, yet it will be more satisfactory than the blood-letting and poisoning system. No medicine is necessary; the gruel will soften the fæces sufficiently; if the rectum is loaded with fæces, give injections of an infusion of lobelia.