The utility of setoning is to create excitement and unload the overloaded vessels in neighboring inflamed parts. The mode of inserting a seton, it is commonly made of horse hair platted together, cord or tape alone or leather, it should be tolerable thick and ten or twelve inches in length. Before inserting the seton it should be dipped or saturated with Turpentine, tincture of Cantharides, or Helebore. The seton now prepared; an assistant is to hold the animal, while the seton needle with the cord affixed to it is plunged into the upper edge of the brisket or dew lap, and brought out again towards its lower edge. The space between the two openings should be from four to eight inches; the seton is to be secured by fastening a small piece of wood, or tying a large knot at either end of the cord; matter will begin to run the second day, and after that the cord should be drawn backwards and forwards two or three times a day, in order to irritate the parts, by this means increase the discharge. Where a considerable effect is intended to be produced, the black helebore is the best, this will very quickly cause considerable swelling, as well as a discharge.
COLDS AND COUGHS.
Colds or Coughs are frequently much neglected, and very much injures the animal, let this hint suffice, as soon as you perceive the animal to have the cough, give a purging drink. Take epsom salts 1 lb., powdered caraway seeds ½ oz., dissolve in a quart of warm gruel. After that use the cough and fever drink until relieved twice a day.
Cough and fever medicine.—Take emetic tartar 1 oz., powdered digitalis ½ drachm, saltpetre 3 drachms, mix and give in a quart of gruel; house the beast and keep it comfortable, especially at night, do not expose to cold and wet weather.
If the above should not give relief: Take emetic tartar half drachm, nitre two drachms, powdered gentian root one drachm, powdered chamomile flowers one drachm and powder ginger half drachm. Pour upon them a pint of boiling ale, and give the infusion, when nearly cold; give until relieved. Should not this entirely relieve—take liquorice root 2 oz; bruise and boil in a quart of water, until the fluid is reduced to a pint, then add two drachms powdered squills, honey 2 ounces; add to the above and give as directed in the above.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS.
Inflammation of the Lungs is caused by perspiration, sudden and great changes of the weather, especially when accompanied with wet and damp air at night, and particularly when driving a long journey.
Symptoms are dullness, shivering cough, particularly soar, the ear, roots of the horns and legs are generally cold; the breath and mouth is hot, the mouth generally open, and there is a ropy discharge from it; the beast will often lie down and can scarcely be induced to move, the flanks heave, the head is protruded, showing great difficulty in breathing.
Remedy:—Copious bleeding is the first and great important remedy; bleed until the beast trembles, if you do not, you will lose your beast; next, place in your seton in the dewlap, fire the sides and blister, then follow with the Fever medicine. Emetic tartar 1 drachm, digitalis ½ drachm, nitre ⅓ drachms; continue until relieved twice a day.