CHAPTER VII

Common Medicines and Their Actions

The common medicines used in treating farm animals are named in the following list, together with origin, action, use, and dose.

ACONITE

Tincture of aconite is derived from the root of a plant. When used, the heart beats more slowly and the blood pressure is decreased, making the medicine desirable in cases of inflammation.

Dose: For horses and cattle, from 10 to 30 drops, and sheep and hogs 5 to 10 drops.

ALOES

This is usually bought in a powder form. It is brown in color and bitter in taste. Considerable time transpires before action in the bowels takes place. Allow at least 24 hours. It is a physic and blood purifier.

Dose: For horses, 4 to 5 tablespoonfuls; cattle, 4 to 8 tablespoonfuls; sheep, 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls; and pigs, 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls.

ALUM

This mineral salt is used in washes for sore mouth and throat, and cleansing wounds. It may be dusted into wounds in powder form, and is both drying and healing.

Dose: Use a tablespoonful to a pint of water.

ANISEED

This preparation is made from dried berries and ground. It stimulates digestion, sweetens the stomach, and serves as a tonic and appetite maker.

Dose: For horses and cattle, a tablespoonful, and for sheep and pigs, a teaspoonful.

ARNICA

For wounds, sprains, and bruises, tincture of arnica is both cooling and restful. It is made from the dried flowers of a plant, and is for external use. Apply three or four times daily.

ARSENIC

This medicine comes from the mineral kingdom and is very powerful. In using better get it in some standard medicinal form such as Fowler’s Solution. It is used as a tonic when the stomach is bad and the system run down.

Dose: Fowler’s Solution; for horses and cattle, 2 tablespoonfuls; sheep, 1 teaspoonful; pigs, one-half teaspoonful. In giving to stock mix with 4 tablespoonfuls of whiskey, and either use as a drench or add to mash or gruel.

BELLADONNA

This is a tincture made from a plant. When used it soothes, softens, and relaxes the parts to which applied. It checks inflammation and relieves pain, but must be carefully used.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 teaspoonful; sheep, 10 drops; pigs, 5 drops.

BUTTER OF ANTIMONY

This preparation, taken from a mineral, is not used internally. It is a powerful caustic. Its principal use is for curing thrush in horses’ feet.

BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM

This comes as a white crystal or powder, and is used to quiet the nerves when some trouble like lockjaw has set in.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 teaspoonful; sheep and hogs, one-half teaspoonful.

BINIODIDE OF MERCURY

This bright red powder is used chiefly for blistering purposes. It is excellent when a spavin or splint or ringbone is just beginning. In preparing, use one part of the mercury to nine parts of vaseline or lard. Remember, it is a poison, and must be carefully handled, as is true of some other preparations of mercury.

CAMPHOR

The camphor of commerce is in the form of a gum obtained from a tree by boiling and evaporation. It is used in mixtures for coughs, sore throat, and heaves. It is good also for colic and diarrhœa and assists in lessening pain. It should be given in water.

Dose: For horses, 2 to 4 teaspoonfuls; cattle, 4 to 5 teaspoonfuls; pigs and sheep, 2 teaspoonfuls.

CANTHARIDES OR SPANISH FLY

This is in the form of powder, and is an irritant. For use it should be thoroughly mixed with lard or vaseline. One teaspoonful of the cantharides to 4 tablespoonfuls of lard or vaseline. When so prepared it is excellent as a blister. It can be applied for sweat thickenings or lumps on any part of the body that is not on the bone. It should not be used on curbs or tumors and is not used internally.

CARBOLIC ACID

This is got from coal tar and petroleum. When full strength and pure it is in the form of crystals, but is generally bought as a liquid. It is a disinfectant and an antiseptic, and while used internally for some purposes, is largely used internally in washes and solutions. Its principal use is in bathing wounds and sores. Care should be taken not to have a wash contain too much of the acid, as it will burn the wound and stop the healing action. It is a corroding poison taken internally. It should be just strong enough to kill bacteria; say, 1 part to 1,000 parts of water. A very good healing salve is made when 5 drops of pure carbolic acid is used to 4 tablespoonfuls of vaseline.

CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE

This is used externally as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Dissolve 1 part to 100 parts of water. It is a preparation of mercury, is poisonous, but excellent for bathing wounds and open sores.

CASTOR OIL

This oil is pressed from castor beans. It is a mild physic similar to raw linseed oil. It is not used much for live stock.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 pint; for sheep, one-quarter pint, and for pigs, 4 tablespoonfuls.

CALOMEL

This is a heavy white powder and a mineral. Its principal action is as a physic, and it has a cleansing effect on the liver. Hence it is used for all kinds of liver troubles. When dusted in old sores, it is splendid for healing and drying up.

Dose: For horses, one-half to 1 teaspoonful; cattle, 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls; sheep and pigs, one-eighth teaspoonful.

CROTON OIL

This oil is made from seeds, and is one of the most powerful physics known. It should never be used until milder physics do not respond. Use it as a last resort.

Dose: For horses, 15 to 20 drops; cattle, 30 to 40 drops; sheep, 5 to 10 drops; and pigs, 2 to 3 drops. In giving, it is best to use in connection with raw linseed oil; of the linseed oil use 1 pint for horses and cattle and one-quarter pint for sheep and pigs.

CAUSTIC POTASH

This chemical is most easily used when purchased in pencil-like sticks. It is never given internally, but is used to burn warts and growths by wetting the stick and rubbing it over them. It is also used for burning poisonous wounds to kill the poison. It is commonly employed for dishorning calves. When a week or ten days old, and the button of the horn is just appearing, rub the potash over the horn. This usually insures destruction of the horn substance. Wet the stick of potash. See that drippings do not run down the animal’s head. In order to protect the fingers, when using, wrap paper around the stick.

CREOLIN

This is the product of coal tar and comes in the form of a thick, dark fluid, and, like tar, is harmless. It is frequently used as the basis of salves for wounds, scratches, and like troubles. It is a very effective remedy for killing lice, ticks, or fleas, and is used as a remedy when sheep are afflicted with mange and scab.

Dose: Use from 2 to 4 tablespoonfuls to a pint of water and shake well before using. Make up a small quantity at a time, as creolin thus made loses its value after exposure. For disinfecting purposes, 1 part of creolin to 100 parts of water is satisfactory.

GENTIAN

This is the root of a plant, dried and ground. It is used principally as a tonic, and is very bitter; commonly found in condition powders and is given to animals that are weak and run down. If used alone, give twice a day in the food and place on the tongue with a spoon.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 tablespoonful; for sheep, a teaspoonful; pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

GINGER

This is a dried root ground fine, secured from a plant, and acts as a stimulant, relieving gases that accumulate in the stomach. It is an excellent ingredient to use in colic and indigestion preparations. If given alone, doses may be repeated every two or three hours.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 tablespoonful; sheep, 1 small teaspoonful; pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

HYPOSULPHITE OF SODA

This salt is frequently used in combination with gentian, equal parts of both, and in other recipes for condition powder. It cleans the blood and builds up the system after weakening diseases. A common preparation is made by using one-half of powdered gentian and one-half of hyposulphite of soda. Mix all together and give two or three times a day to the animal needing it.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 tablespoonful; sheep, 1 teaspoonful; pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

IODINE

This dark brown tincture is not often used internally, but is used as a sweat blister and for blistering thickened glands. In using, take a feather, painting the iodine on the lump until it blisters; when the blister appears, grease the part; after two or three days have passed, wash the lump with warm water and soap and blister again.

IODIDE OF POTASSIUM

This white powder is obtained from the mineral kingdom. When given internally it acts as an absorbent. It is commonly used in cases of dropsy of the belly. In administering, use equal parts of ground gentian root and give twice a day.

Dose: For horses and cattle a teaspoonful; for sheep and pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

LINSEED OIL

This oil is obtained from flaxseed, and is excellent when a mild physic is desired. The easiest and most effective way of giving to animals is in the form of a drench. About 1 pint should be used for horses and cattle. Raw linseed oil is usually preferred to the boiled.

LAUDANUM

This is made from opium and is used both internally and externally. It is commonly used where there is pain, hence it is excellent for relieving pain and spasms and assists also in checking inflammation.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 4 to 6 teaspoonfuls; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 teaspoonfuls.

NUX VOMICA

This powder comes from ground seeds, and is used as a nerve stimulant. It is very efficacious for strengthening weak, debilitated animals. A common way is to mix equal parts of gentian and powdered nux vomica thoroughly together. This may be given as a drench, or in the feed or placed at the back of the tongue with a spoon.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 teaspoonful three times a day; for sheep and pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

NITRATE OF SILVER

This comes in the form of white penciled sticks. It is excellent for burning off warts, proud flesh in cuts and growths on any part of the body. Just wet the stick and rub it on the parts. Of course, be careful that your fingers are protected from the chemical. It is a poison taken internally.

NITRATE OF POTASH

This is frequently called saltpeter, and comes as a white crystal or powder. It is used for kidney, lung and blood troubles. It has a very acute action on the kidneys, causing them to secrete an extra amount of urine.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 teaspoonful; sheep and pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

SULPHATE OF COPPER

This is commonly known as blue vitriol or bluestone. It is excellent when given internally for checking discharges, especially those of a chronic catarrhal nature. It may also be used as a wash for wounds, when a weak solution is made, and may be dusted on the wound every day or two in case proud flesh forms.

SULPHATE OF IRON

Green vitriol, or copperas, as it is commonly known, is a splendid mineral tonic, and is commonly used in combination with gentian, equal parts of the two. Use when the system is badly run down. It is also excellent as a worm powder.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 teaspoonful three times a day; sheep and pigs, one-half teaspoonful.

SUGAR OF LEAD

This is frequently called acetate of lead. It is seldom used internally, but quite generally externally for healing washes, particularly for the eye.

SWEET SPIRITS OF NITER

This sweet-tasting and smelling preparation is obtained from alcohol, and is in the form of a clear liquid. It acts upon the kidneys and skin and is commonly given in the drinking water of animals. It is used in combination with other medicines for colic and indigestion. It thus acts upon the bowels and stomach and relieves pain and dissipates the gases. In giving to animals mix in a pint of lukewarm water and give as a drench.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 2 to 4 tablespoonfuls; for sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls.

SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE

This is the ordinary turpentine known by all. It is excellent in cases of acute indigestion and colic, and is destructive to bots and the long round worms in horses. When used externally it is as a liniment. When used internally a small quantity is given with raw linseed oil.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 4 tablespoonfuls; for sheep and pigs, 1 tablespoonful.

SALTS

The two common salts used for live stock are Epsom and Glauber. Epsom salts are most frequently used, the chief action being as a physic. Aloes take the places of salts for horses, as it is believed these are much better than the mineral salts. In giving salts to cattle, the drench is most satisfactory.

Dose: Use 1 quart of warm water in which place 1 tablespoonful of ginger and 1 tablespoonful of common soda. To this add 1 pint to 1½ pints of salts and dissolve by shaking or stirring. For sheep and pigs, one-quarter of this amount is sufficient.

SULPHUR

This yellow powder is well known and is a great medicine when given internally. It acts on the blood and purifies it. It is excellent also for killing parasites or germs in the skin, hence it is good for all diseases. When used internally it is best to combine with gentian root. Give once a day for a short period.

Dose: For horses and cattle, 1 tablespoonful; sheep and pigs, 1 teaspoonful.

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.

=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.