Part 4

Another still to prevent a horse from kicking when hitched up in shafts, if he will stand quiet long enough to fasten in the shafts, when you have him hitched up, loop a strong strap around the shaft on the one side, let it pass over the hips and fasten it to the shaft on the opposite side; next fasten the strap to the harness at the top, so as to prevent it from slipping down; you can now drive off with safety, as far as the kicking is concerned; for he cannot kick to do any harm if the strap stays firmly at its place, and the vehicle heavy enough to prevent him from raising it.

FOR THE BLACKSMITH.

If you have a horse which you cannot manage to shoe, take up his leg as directed in the kicking horse, and handle him awhile, patting and rubbing all his legs, &c.; when he becomes quiet, let his leg down to rest; then take it up again and rub his legs as before, and let him know what you are about to do to him; then let his leg down and commence to shoe. Should he be very fretful yet, and will not suffer you to put on the shoe, you will meet with success by making him lay down and perform as directed in making the horse lay down.

CURE FOR BOTS.

Mix 1 pint honey with 1 quart sweet milk; give as a drench; 1 hour after dissolve 1 oz. pulverized copperas 1 pint of water, use as a drench; then give 1 quart linseed oil; this cure is said to be effectual. The principle of giving the horse the sweet drench is good; it will generally cause the bots to let loose and take a fill of the sweet drench; then you should not fail to give plenty of physic to carry them off.

HOW TO MAKE A HORSE FOLLOW YOU.

Put your horse into a large stable or small yard; commence to gentle him a little, take hold of the halter or bridle, turn him towards you, touching him with a long whip; at the same time lead him the length of the stable or yard, rubbing him on the neck, face and head; say to him gently as you lead, come along boy, or better to use his name: whenever you turn, touch him slightly with the whip, so as to make him step up close to you; then gentle him again with your hand as before; he will soon learn to escape the whip and to be gentled with the hand; he will soon learn to follow you around without taking hold of the halter or bridle. Should he stop or turn from you, give him a few cuts about the hind legs; he will soon turn his head towards you, when you must always gentle him with your hand. A few lessons will make him follow you or run after you if he sees the motion of the whip; in a half hour he will follow you about the stable or yard. After you have given him 3 or 4 lessons in this way, you can take into a lot and from thence into the road, and he will follow you any where and run after you.

HOW TO LEARN HIM TO STAND STILL.

Commence to gentle him with your hand about the head, &c. Should he move give him a cut with the whip and put him back in the same place if he stands; gentle him with the hand as before, and continue in this until you can get around him without making him move; continue walking around him, increasing your walk, touching him occasionally; enlarging your circle as you walk around, and if he should move, give him a cut with the whip and put him again in his place; if he stands go up to him frequently and gentle him with your hand; then walk around him again. Do not keep him in one position too long at a time; permit him to come to you and walk him around or about with you; then stand him at another place, and continue as before. Do not train him more than half an hour at a time. You should never attempt to train a horse to do more than one thing at a time. Learn him the one which you have commenced on well first; then in no case should you attempt to learn him another under a week or so, always using caution no matter what you wish him to do or learn.

A LIST OF MEDICINES BELONGING TO THE HORSE, THEIR PROPERTIES AND USE.

ANTIMONY.

A compound of sulphor and antimony is a good alterative. It is given with sulphor and nitre in varying quantities.

SPASMODICS.

Of these opium stands first on our list, next peppermint, tincture of pimento, turpentine, camphor, asafœtida, &c.

SPIRITS OF CAMPHOR.

The spirits of camphor is made by taking 95 per cent. alcohol, put in as much gum camphor as it will dissolve.

VINEGAR.

Vinegar is a very useful application for sprains, bruises, &c. Equal parts of boiling water and cold vinegar will form a good fomentation; extract of lead or bay salt may be added with some advantage.

ALCOHOL--RECTIFIED SPIRITS.

This is used in making many tinctures and other preparations; 3 or 4 ounces of which are largely diluted with water, and given to a horse that has become fatigued while on a journey, will cause him to rally and cheerfully pursue his course to the end of the day’s travel.

AQUA-FORTIS.

This is a valuable external application for destroying fungus excrescences. A pledget of tar should be dipped in the acid, then firmly pressed on the cankerous surface. Every part with which the acid comes in contact will be deadened and slough off, when healthy granulations spring up.

SULPHURIC ACID.

Sulphuric acid is a good application for the thrush and canker, and in fact the only thing that can be relied on. It is occasionally used with tar in the proportion of an ounce of acid to 1 pound of tar.

ALOES.

The Barbadoes aloes is the best for the horse. They are of a dark brown color; they are very useful for physic, and the dose is from ½ to 1 ounce, which should be given immediately in cases where it is needed. They are also very useful in the form of a tincture, to make which 8 ounces of powdered aloes and 1 ounce of powdered myrrh, put into 2 quarts of alcohol diluted with an equal quantity of water. This mixture should be well shaken once a day for a fortnight, and be suffered to stand, in order that the undissolved portion may fall to the bottom. This constitutes an excellent application for wounds, whether recent or of long standing and indisposed to heal. It is not only a gentle stimulant but it forms a thin coat over the wound, and shields it from the action of the air.

ALUM.

Is occasionally used internally in cases of supurgation, in the form of alum whey:--two drachms of pulverized alum being put into a pint of hot milk; yet there are much better astringents. Its principal use is external. A solution of 2 drachms to a pint of water makes alone, or with the addition of a small quantity of white vitriol, a very useful wash for cracked heels, grease and those forms of swelled legs, attended with moisture through the skin.

MURIATIC ACID OR SPIRITS OF SALT.

This acid is very strong and should be bottled and corked tight. As soon as it touches any muscular or living part, a change of color is perceived. It is good for corns, canker thrush, and for every case where caustic is needed, this acid is unrivalled.

MUSTARD.

This will be found useful in inflammation of the chest or bowels. When using, it should be well rubbed on.

CANTHARIDES.

Are the basis of the most approved and useful blister. In blistering, the hair should be cut or rather shaved off close, then rubbing in the ointment well for at least 15 minutes, repeating it every day until it does its work. After it has acted you may relieve the torture of the animal by the application of olive oil or lard. In deep seated sprains or inflammations, the blister should not be discontinued too hurriedly. An infusion of 2 ounces of the flies in a pint of oil of turpentine for several days is used as a liquid blister, and when sufficiently reduced with common oil, is called a sweating oil, and gradually abates or removes old or deep inflammation or cause of lameness.

CHARCOAL.

This is occasionally used with linseed meal, for poulticing offensive ulcers and cracked heels; it removes the unwholesome smell and purifies the parts so that they heal easily.

BALL OR PILLS.

The usual and most convenient mode of administering medicines, is in the form of balls compounded with sweet oil. Balls should never weigh more than 1½ ounces, otherwise they will be so large as not to pass down the gullet. They should not be more than one inch in diameter, and three inches in length. The mode of delivering balls is not difficult to acquire. The horse should be backed in the stall, the tongue drawn out gently with the left hand on the off side of the mouth, not continuing to pull, but by pressing the finger against the lower jaw. The ball being now taken between the tips of the fingers of the right hand, is passed rapidly up the mouth as near the palate as possible, until it reaches the root of the tongue. It is then delivered with a slight jerk, the hand being immediately withdrawn. Its passage should be watched down the left side of the throat; if it does not pass down a slight tap under the jaw or chin, will generally cause the horse to swallow it, or a few gulps of water will convey in into the stomach. Very few balls should be kept made.

CLYSTERS.

These are useful and too often neglected means of hastening the bowels to their speedy action, where diseases require it. The old ox bladder filled and tied on the wooden or elder pipe, answers every purpose for injecting the fluid into the intestines. For a moderate clyster take 2 ounces of soft or yellow soap, mix with 1 gallon of warm water; for a more active clyster take ½ pound epsom salts, dissolve in the same quantity of water.

LINSEED.

An infusion of linseed is often used instead of water for the drink of a horse with a sore throat, catarrh, disease of the urinary organs, or of the bowels. Thin gruel is preferable, being as soothing and more nutritious. Linseed meal makes an excellent poultice for almost any purpose.

DIGITALIS.

This should be powdered, put into a black bottle, corked tight, and kept in a dark place. It is one of the most valuable medicines in veterinary practice, and on account of its action in diminishing the pulse and general irritability of the system, is very useful in inflammations, &c. It is usually given in combination with emetic tartar and nitre. The average dose is 1 drachm of digitalis, 1½ drachms emetic tartar, and 3 drachms of nitre, repeated twice or three times a day. When the horse begins to amend the dose must be diminished one-half, and in a few days it may be omitted altogether, but the emetic tartar and the nitre should be continued during several days.

PITCH.

Is used in plasters. The best plaster for sand crack consists of 1 pound of pitch and 1 ounce of yellow beeswax melted together.

MASHES.

Constitute a very important provender in sickness or health. A mash given occasionally to a horse that is fed on dry meat, prevents him from becoming dangerously costive. To the over-worked and tired horse, nothing is so refreshing as a warm mash, with his usual allowance of corn in it. Mashes are used for putting horses in good order for sale, giving him a round and plump appearance. They are made by pouring boiling water on bran, stirring it well; cover over with a cloth, and let it remain until cool enough for the horse to eat; if in the heat of summer, a cold mash is preferable,--yet it should be made with hot water, and remain until it is cold.

GINGER.

Is as valuable as a cordial as the gentian is as a tonic. These are both valuable in horse powders.

FOMENTATIONS.

Are to open the pores of the skin and promote perspiration in the part, so as to abate local swellings, relieve pain and lessen inflammation. The effect depends upon the warmth of the water and not upon any herb that may have been boiled in it; they are best applied by means of flannel dipped in the hot water, or on which the water is poured, which should be as hot as the hand will bear. The fomentation should be continued for 15 or 20 minutes, but if kept on with for half an hour will be better. The parts fomentated should be wrapped or covered up warm. Great good has sometimes resulted from fomentations.

GENTIAN.

Stands at the head of vegetable tonics, an infusion of which is one of the best applications for putrid ulcers known.

OPIUM.

Is the most valuable drug on the list as an anti-spasmodic; it is also a sedative and astringent. As an anti-spasmodic it enters into the colic drink; as a sedative it relaxes spasms of the muscular system. Opium should, however, be given with caution. In the early acute stage of fever it will be a bad practice to give it even in the smallest quantity. When the fever has passed it may be given with great benefit.

POULTICES.

Few persons are aware of the value of these simple applications in abating inflammation, relieving pain, cleansing wounds, and disposing them to heal. In all inflammations of the foot they are very beneficial, by softening the horn hardened by the heat of the inflamed foot.--Linseed meal forms the best general poultice.

DRINKS OR DRENCHES.

A drink is not so portable as a ball; it is more troublesome to administer, and a portion of it is usually wasted. Medicines given as a drench will act upon the horse much quicker than when given in balls, but the great objection is in wasting a portion. Too much of the drink should not be forced into the horse’s mouth at once, as it will be found very difficult to make him swallow large quantities; small portions should be given, which he should be made to swallow before any more is put into the mouth.

TAR.

Melted with an equal quantity of grease forms the usual stopping of the farrier. It is warm or slightly stimulant, and is therefore useful in dressing bruised or wounded feet; it prevents the penetration of dirt and water to the wounded part; it is also useful in chronic coughs.

LINIMENTS.

Are designed to remove deep seated pain and inflammation, by gently stimulating the skin. The following is an excellent liniment for old swellings, sprains, or rheumatism: 2 ounces of hartshorn, 2 ounces camphorated spirits, 1 ounce oil of turpentine, and ½ ounce of laudanum, mixed well together; or 1 ounce of camphor may be dissolved in 4 ounces of sweet oil, to which may be added 1 ounce of oil of turpentine. A little powdered cantharides or tincture of cantharides or ground mustard, will render either of these more powerful, or convert it into a liquid blister.

SULPHUR.

Is the basis of the most effectual application for mange. It is an excellent alterative, combined usually with antimony and nitre, particularly for mange, surfeit, grease, hidebound or want of condition, and it is a useful ingredient in the cough and fever ball.

COMMON SALT.

Is very useful in a clyster. A solution of it has been given as an aperient drink, sprinkled over hay or in mash, it is very palatable to sick horses; few things will so soon recall the appetite as a drink composed of 6 or 8 ounces of salt in solution. Horses in health, it promotes the digestion of the food. There are few better lotions for inflamed eyes than a solution of ½ ounce of salt, in 4 pints of water. An ounce of salt to 8 pints of water is a good embrocation for sore shoulders and back.

TURPENTINE.

The common liquid turpentine has been described as one of the best diuretics; for the removal of colic it stands unrivalled; with cantharides it is the basis of the sweating blister for old sprains and swellings.

CHLORIDE OF LIME.

This is very good for removing the smell of fistula, withers, poll evil and ill conditioned wounds and ulcerations. Chloride diluted with twenty times its quantity of water, and used as a wash for the wounds, will remove any infection that may lurk about them. One pint of the chloride, mixed with 3 gallons of water and brushed over the walls, manger and rack of the foulest stable, will completely remove all infections.

GINGER ROOT.

This is an excellent stimulant. It is useful in loss of appetite and flatulent colic, while it rouses the intestinal canal to its proper action. The ginger and gentian powdered is also very much used. Brown sugar is useful in the loss of appetite.

ZINC OR CALAMINE POWDER.

This made into an ointment is valuable for healing. Take five ounces of lard, one ounce of rosin, melt them together and when these begin to get cool, stir in 2 ounces of calamine, finely powdered. If the wound is not healthy, a small quantity of common turpentine may be added. This salve justly deserves the name of healing ointment. The calamine is sometimes sprinkled with advantage on cracked heels.

THOMPSON’S NO. 6.

This is a good carminative for relieving colic, arresting mortification, and for sprains, rheumatism, pains, &c. As a general stimulant it may be taken in teaspoonful doses in water and repeated as the case demands. Take ½ gallon of fourth proof brandy, ½ pound pulverized gum myrrh and ½ ounce of African pepper, mix and macerate for ten days, when it will be ready for use.

LIST OF DOMESTIC MEDICINES RECEIPTS, &c.

CEMENT TO MEND GLASS AND CHINA.

Take 2 pounds good gum, shellac, 2 ounces pulverized borax; put into an earthen crock, filled half full of water; boil until all is dissolved, then take out a portion and roll into sticks while hot, on a table or smooth board.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Heat the edges of the ware over a fire or hot stove, then heat the cement in the same manner; put the cement on the edges of the ware regularly, heat it again along the edges and place together as quick as possible, holding them firm until the cement cools, being careful to put the pieces together as they came off, so as it will fit nicely. If done properly it will hold so firm that the ware will break some other place before where it has been mended.

LUNAR CAUSTIC.

Is very useful in curing bites of rabid dogs, and for removing ulcerations of any kind.

AMERICAN HELEBORE.

_Medical Properties and Use._

This has been tried by many physicians and has proved a valuable remedy in chronic rheumatism and gout. It is certainly a powerful emetic when given in large doses, and the effect continues a long time. In over doses it effects the functions of the brain and nervous system, in a powerful manner producing giddiness, prostration of strength, &c. It has arrested the paroxysm of gout and given relief in some unyielding cases of chronic rheumatism. It requires to be given with great caution and under vigilant restrictions. The mode of administration is in the form of a tincture. A saturated tincture is made in wine and 3 parts of this is mixed with 1 of the wine of opium; of this mixture from 15 to 20 drops. In some cases however, 1 drachm of the mixture will be required to give relief, which quantity generally vomits and always gives relief. The proper method of preparing this tincture is to macerate 8 ounces of the sliced root in 2½ pints of spanish white wine, let it stand for 15 days and filter. Before given, it must be mixed with one-fourth its quantity of the wine of opium; from 15 to 60 drops is a dose. In some cases less than the nauseating point will cure the disease, if not it must be carried to that point.

EMETIC FOR POISON.

If poison should be administered or swallowed accidentally, take two tablespoonsful of ground mustard, mixed with warm water, which will operate as an instantaneous emetic.

INDIAN TURNIP.

_Medical Properties and use._

The Indian turnip, when partially dried and grated and mixed with honey, is good for the coughs of old persons, when there is no fever. It also enters into many of the cough syrups.

SENECA SNAKEROOT.

In chronic rheumatism it has been of great service by its universal stimulant and diuretic effects. If however an ounce of the root be boiled in a pint of water to a strong tea, and all be taken at once, a violent vomiting, purging and diuresis occurs. The disease has been known to yield to one dose, but this is a desperate one, and should not be ventured upon by a person much debilitated; take a wine glass full 3 times until the water is evacuated in uterine complaints,--especially in painful menstruation is the seneca a good remedy. Begin one day before the return of the catatmenia and take it in such portions as the stomach will bear, every two hours until the flow commences. For this put 1 ounce of the root in a pint of water, give a small wine glass full every one, two or three hours.

CEMENT FOR GRAFTING.

Take 1 pound of beeswax, 1 pound of rosin, 1 pound of tallow; put all into a pan and heat until the ingredients are melted, after cooling it will be ready for use. When using put a coat of the cement over the grafted part, thick enough to prevent the rain and air from penetrating.

GUAIACUM, AMMONIATED TINCTURE.

Take 4 ounces powdered gum guaiacum, 1½ pints spirits of amonia, put them together and let the mixture stand for fourteen days, when it will be ready for use. Shake the bottle occasionally. This is a celebrated remedy in the treatment of chronic rheumatism. The dose is from one to two teaspoonsful three times a day, given in milk or some mucilaginous tea. The stomach must be well cleaned before the tincture is used, and the diet light.

COMPOUND TINCTURE OF GENTIAN.

Take of gentian root bruised 2 ounces, orange peel do. 2 ounces, cardamom seed do. ½ ounce, proof whiskey 1 quart; add the other ingredients to the whiskey, and shake the bottle once a day for fourteen days, when it will be ready for use. This is much used in dyspepsia and debilitated states of the digestive organs. The stomach should be cleaned before it is given. It is not admissable where there is fever. Dose from one to two teaspoonsful in water, to be repeated before breakfast, dinner and supper.

OINTMENT FOR MILCH SCALD ON THE FACES OF INFANTS.

Take 6 drachms of beefs marrow, 2 drachms oil of sweet almonds, 1 drachm red peruvian bark, powdered, mix and melt over a slow fire. Apply every day, washing it off every morning with mild soap.

SIMPLE TINCTURE OF RHUBARB.

Take of best Turkey rhubarb 3 ounces and pulverize, good whiskey 1 quart, add the rhubarb to the whiskey and shake it every day for a week, then let it stand ten days and filter through paper, or let it stand without filtering. From a tea spoonful to a large table spoonful is a dose according to the age of the person and nature of the case. It is a good purgative in costive habits. Take it at bed time in sweetened water.

SIMPLE SYRUP OF RHUBARB.

Take of best Turkey rhubarb 2 ounces, water 1 pint, macerate the rhubarb in the water warm for twenty-four hours; strain off, add 2 pounds of refined white sugar and simmer until they are well mixed, add 2 tablespoonsful of whiskey, stop it tight in a bottle for use. This is a good medicine for infants in teaspoonful doses.

AMERICAN COLUMBO.

_Medical Properties and Use._

This is a mild tonic, calculated to meet the indications alike with the other bitters of its class. It is a very good and pleasant tonic in indigestion and dyspepsia, improving the appetite and digestion. It is given in infusion and in substance--1 ounce of the pulverized root infused in a pint of boiling water. A small wine glass full of the infusion may be taken once in 2 hours, or from thirty to sixty grains of the pulverized substance, in sweetened water, from 3 to 5 times a day; but the most common way of using the columbo is in combination with other tonics, such as gentian, orange peel, and columbo, of each 1 ounce powdered, then add to them 1 quart of whiskey, of which bitters a tablespoonful may be taken in water three times a day, as a tonic in cases of debility.

BLACK ALDER.

The berries of this plant are sometimes used, but the bark is the proper medicinal part of the shrub. It is best adapted to the cure of flabby, ill-conditioned ulcers and mortifications, in which a strong decoction is freely used with great benefit. It should be given internally several times a day, as well as applied as a wash and poultice to the parts. A saturated tincture, both of the bark and berries is used internally.

THE PRICKLEY ASH.

_Its Medical Properties and Use._