The Farmer's Own Book: A treatise on the numerous diseases of the horse / with an explanation of their symptoms, and the course of treatment to be pursued; also a treatise on the diseases of horned cattle

RECEIPT FOR HUMORS OR BREAKING OUT ON CHILDREN.

Take wheat flour and put into a hot stove, roast it to a brown color, stir and mix it while browning. In using sprinkle on the sore—it scarcely ever fails to heal after all other remedies have failed. The sores should not be dried up too suddenly, and particularly when it is a general breaking out over the face, hands, &c.

CERTAIN CURE FOR BITE OF A SNAKE.

Drink as much whiskey as you can. It will do no harm and is a certain cure—use it immediately after the bite.

CURE FOR THE BITE OF A MAD DOG.

Take of elecampane root 1½ ounces, cut it fine or pulverize if you can, then boil it in one pint of new milk down to a quarter of a pint. Take this in the morning fasting, and eat no food till 4 o’clock in the afternoon. It should be taken every other morning—the two last doses must weigh 2 ounces each. This may be used several times a day.

CLAY POULTICE FOR MAN OR HORSE.

Take of yellow clay any quantity, and add vinegar enough to form a poultice, apply it cold. To a sprained joint it gives very speedy relief, often cures in one night. This cannot be surpassed for a fresh sprain on horses.

DOMESTIC TONIC.

Yellow poplar bark, dogwood bark, wild cherry bark, 1 ounce of each; pulverize fine, and add to them 1 quart of whiskey, shake the bottle and let it stand one week. A table spoonful in water three times a day is a dose in cases of debility after fevers.

OINTMENT FOR SCROFULUS ULCERS.

Take of basilicon ointment 1 ounce, venice turpentine ½ oz., pulverized verdigris 2 drachms, beef gall ½ ounce, mix them perfectly over a slow fire. Dress the sores twice a day—do not wet them but wipe them clean with a soft rag.

GREEN OINTMENT.

Take basilicon ointment ½ pound, finely pulverized¾ verdigris ½ ounce; melt the basilicon slowly and add the verdigris, stirring until it is well mixed. This is a good dressing for old sores and ring worms on the head or face.

TINCTURE OF PEACH KERNELS.

Take ½ pint of peach kernels, bruise them and add one quart of whiskey. Take a table spoonful three times a day. This often cures gravel in the form of sand or fine gravel in the bladder. We have known the patient to pass off gravel in large quantities while using this remedy.

FOR TRANSPLANTING TREES.

That are flagging or drooping, or looking as if they were going to say good bye. First reduce the top litter, or if needed a good deal, it may be that there is more top to exhaust than root to supply; then loosen the soil and water if dry, and lastly mulch the ground as far as the roots extend. This you may do by covering it with three or four inches of straw. Litter tan bark or something of that sort to keep the roots cool and moist, so as to cause them into new growth. Watering a transplanted tree every day, letting the surface dry hard with the sun and wind, is too much like basting a joint of meat before the kitchen fire to be looked upon as decent treatment, for any thing living when you water do it after the sun sets. If you find your fruit trees barren from too great running to wood, (about the first of June is the time) clip or pinch off the ends of the side shoots, so as to expend its substance in making buds instead of wasting all the sap in over growth.

HOW TO KEEP APPLES.

Spread on the floor oats to the depth of about two inches; the oats should be good and properly cured, and then place your apples side by side on the oats until they are covered over with them. Then cover your apples again, and continue laying a course of apples and oats until you have finished your crop. If they are properly put up they will keep better in this way than any other way. Farmer try it and convince yourself.

DOMESTIC YEAST.

Boil 1 pound of good flour, ¼ pound of brown sugar and a little salt with two gallons of water for one hour. When milk warm bottle it and cork close; it will be fit for use in 24 hours; 1 pound yeast will make 18 pounds of bread.

COMPOST TO PREVENT CROWS AND INSECTS FROM TAKING CORN.

Take from 1 to 2 pounds sulphor brimstone mixed with plaster and ashes, and a handful scattered on to the corn as it peeps out of the ground will be sufficient to protect an acre from their ravages. Brimstone is a good manure on all soil that does not abound in it.

HOW TO DESTROY LICE OR VERMIN ON CHICKENS.

Place among the sand and dust that the hens dust themselves in ½ pound black sulphor and also sprinkle some lime in and mix. This will keep them off and give them a glossy appearance. If infested with these insects dampen the skin under the feathers with a little water, then sprinkle a little black sulphor on the skin, and in 12 hours they will all disappear. Also, previous to setting a hen, if the nest be slightly sprinkled with the sulphor there, is no danger of the hen becoming annoyed by them.

WORTH KNOWING.

One pound of green copperas, costing 6 cents, dissolved in 1 quart of water, and poured down a privy, will effectually destroy the foulest smells; for water closets aboard ships and steamboats, or for rats, mice, &c., keep it dissolved near the place and in a few days it will all disappear. About hotels and other public places, there is nothing so nice to cleanse places as simple green copperas dissolved under the bed in any thing that will hold water, and thus render a hospital and other places for the sick free from unpleasant smells. For butchers’ stalls, fish markets, slaughter houses, sinks and wherever there are offensive and putrid gasses, dissolve copperas and sprinkle it about, and in a few days the smell will pass away.

APPENDIX.

INFORMATION HOW TO TREAT DANGEROUS DISEASES.

There are several diseases which are very dangerous and run their course in a very short time, and prove fatal if they are not properly treated or arrested before they become firmly seated. I would here urge upon every owner of horses, (and in fact every disease which this work treats on,) to pay strict attention to it. In many diseases, what you can do must be done at once or not at all—the old saying is ‘a stitch in time saves nine,’ and there is a great deal of truth in this, in many diseases.

I would here urge upon you the importance of glystering in certain diseases. In the Wind Colic and also in the Spasmodic Colic, as soon as you ascertain what the disease is and not before. The truth of the matter is that no man has any right to give any medicine until he is certain what the disease is. Give the medicine and course of treatment prescribed in the disease then quickly follow with injections. If you have neglected to prepare yourself for glystering, back-rake with your hand—this is done by greasing the hand and arm with lard or oil and introduce it as far as you can. The glystering or back-raking never does any harm but always assists in relieving. Every owner of horses should prepare himself with several large beef or hog bladders, a few elders with the pith punched or burnt out, and by so doing you are prepared at any time to give an injection. This may be done by cutting a notch around the one end of the elder, then fill your bladder with soap suds or oil, next tie the bladder on the end of the elder you have notched, firmly, and introduce the elder into the fundament, and then you can force the suds into the fundament easily by pressing on the bladder. You should in all cases where there is great danger of losing your horse, give injections and continue to repeat them until they operate. There are many cases in colics that the horse is bound or corked, this can be perceived by the horse trying frequently or straining to dung; when this does occur it is very dangerous and you must in these cases give large doses of aloes and glyster freely, repeating until you get it to operate. If you fail to get an operation you will lose your horse. Preparation for glystering: Take warm water and make a suds with soap, add thereto epsom salts, and in some cases you may add ½ oz. aloes. Fish oil is a very good article of itself; from a pint to a quart for one injection. I have known 1 pint of fish oil to be given as a drench in colic, and has relieved where all other remedies have failed.

I will here state that there are more horses killed by medicine improperly given than ever was cured. For this reason, the great majority of owners of horses and in fact a great many farriers who pretend to know, do not know what the disease is, and next is a dose of medicine and perhaps in less than half an hour the horse drops down dead, and why, because in many cases the medicine given for the disease, is the dose that poisons or kills him, from the fact that he was mistaken in the disease, or given medicine for one disease when it was another. Therefore, I here again assert that no man has any right to give medicine until he fully ascertains what the disease is. This he can easily get at if he will pay some attention to the symptoms which are so plainly described in this work. As soon as your horse commences to complain, watch him closely and you will find him to point out to you plainly what the disease is, and you will find the horse to point it out to a hair’s breadth as I have described it to you.

Why is it that men will toil and labor hard through the summer’s heat, and expose themselves to the extreme cold in winter, and at the end of the year perhaps, will lose more in horse flesh than they have made. Millions of dollars are lost yearly in horses and a great part of it for the want of carefulness and paying some attention to the diseases of the horse, which costs no man any hard labor or exposure. Let me urge upon you the importance of reading this work over again and again, paying attention to it as you peruse it over, and you will find it gives you such information as each and every person should have for his own interest. I will here state that an ounce of preventative is a great deal better than a pound of cure. Many diseases might be prevented by being cautious in their treatment to horses and keeping them in a healthy condition. This should be done by using the celebrated horse powders on page 60, twice a year, fall and spring. Say you feed from 1 to 1½ pounds to each horse, each time, fall and spring. If you adopt this once you will never depart from it afterward, as you will find it to be a preventative of diseases and will find so much improvement in your stock that you will not depart from it. Every man that has a horse should habit himself to sprinkle a little salt on the feed every time he feeds his horse. The salt is nourishing and is just as much needed in the horse’s food every meal as it is needed on the food that a man eats.

The Inflammation of the Lungs is another dangerous disease. It is becoming to be a common disease among horses, and carries off its thousands, simply because it is at first a sneaking disease; the farmer and owner thinks very little of it when it first makes its appearance, and the truth is there are very few persons who know anything about the disease, and if it is suffered to run over the third day, you might as well take the horse out where you want him to die; yet, with all its danger and certainty of death if neglected, there is not a disease which is plainer in its symptoms or is pointed out plainer by the horse than in this disease. It is impossible to be mistaken in this disease if you but pay the least attention to it, and is easily conquered if taken in time. In this disease the foxglove, tartar emetic and nitre should be used twice or thrice a day, as directed in Inflammation of the Lungs.

Bots is another which is very dangerous when they take hold. Feed the Celebrated Horse Powders, as directed and use plenty of salt and you will not have one case in a thousand of Bots.

If you want the best Lotion in the world for fresh or old wounds on horses, turn to page 70, there you will find it, Tincture of Aloes and Myhr; if you want to cure the Ringbone or Spavin, turn to page 71, and you will find it; if you want to cure the Blood or Bog Spavin, turn to page 68; if you want a Lotion for to cure the Scratches in a few days, turn to page 64; if you want a Lotion for Sprains, Bruises, Swellings, &c., turn to page 63; if you want a certain remedy for Sweaney, turn to page 74; if you want to see the List of Medicines used in the diseases of horses, you will find them from pages 93 to 108, giving their medical properties and uses.

I will here name a few Domestic Medicines, Receipts, &c., and would urge every person and family to make use of them and keep them on hand, as they have proven to be very valuable and will do what they are recommended to do. Dr. Wickey’s Cholera Medicine cannot be surpassed for cholera, cholera morbus, diarrhœa, summer complaint, looseness of the bowels, sickness of the stomach, cramp colic, flux, &c. This Medicine is easily prepared and will keep for many years if made out of good brandy. There is not any Medicine now in use that will give the same amount of satisfaction as this, and it is perfectly safe and harmless, as it is purely vegetable, see page 148.

Prof. Biddle’s preparation for the hair and head will positively cure the tetter or any itching or humor of the skin, will prevent the hair from falling off, and has restored more hair than any other hair restorative ever introduced, see page 174.

If you want sweet cider the year round, turn to page 165 and follow directions, and you will have it; if you want honey without bees, turn to page 161 and you can have it; if you have the rheumatism and want to be cured, turn to pages 152, 153, 154 and 155; if you want a liniment that cannot be surpassed and is easily made, turn to page 157 and you will see how to make it. You should add double the quantity of laudanum and use the spirits of saltpetre—which is made by pouring alcohol over the saltpetre, the same as the camphor.

If you want to read an interesting subject, turn to page 131 and read the whole subject and you will have it in truth; if you want the best medicine in the world for colic, turn to pages 128 and 129. I will here state that the Pipsisseway is the best for colic, it has a whitish stripe running through the centre of the leaf. The Wintergreen has not this whitish stripe through the centre; both of them keep green the year round. The Wintergreen is considered very excellent for colds and coughs, it is used as a tea for coughs. If you want an eye water that will relieve inflamed eyes, turn to page 194; this is truly valuable and is a harmless application, yet easily made, costing but 6¼ cents.

I have here named some of the leading articles, which will prove to be very valuable to all that have occasion to make use of them. Try them and you will be convinced.

SCARLET FEVER.

I will here give to the reader the symptoms of Scarlet Fever. This disease has slain its thousands where the monster disease, Cholera has slain its hundreds, and it becomes every parent to feel it his duty to be careful when the disease is in the neighborhood. It is evident that the disease is contagious, in this form it can be taken by inhaling the breath from one that has it, and it is satisfactorily proven that it can be carried in woollen goods from one family to another.

Symptoms:—This disease commences with chilliness, dullness of the head and prostration of strength, according to the violence of the attack. There is sometimes nausea and vomiting, and the surface soon becomes florid and hot.

The throat is generally inflamed and the same appearance extends to the tongue, which is sometimes of a very deep scarlet, tinged with blue. If the symptoms are increased, it is called Scarlet Fever in a malignant form, the symptoms are very violent and the patient becomes pale and faint, the heart palpitates, the Fever continues to rise higher and higher, there is great danger.

The pulse now rises to one hundred and fifteen or twenty strokes in a minute. The pulse and the eruption will give the form and character of the disease. The eruption generally commences with red patches, which spread and unite till they cover the whole body. The eruption appears first on the face and neck, then on the legs, and the redness is greatest about the loins and bending of the joints, and on the hands and ends of the fingers. There is however not a perfect regularity in the eruption of Scarlet Fever, either in appearance or duration. In ordinary cases the eruption remains out about four days, when the grain of the skin begins to peel off and in a few days more it disappears. As the disease progresses, the tonsils becomes specked with ash colored spots and Ulceration follows. In favorable cases their slugs come off in eight or ten days.

If the Patient does not die by the ninth day, he will generally get well under proper management, though it may be three weeks, in some cases before he recovers. When this disease terminates favorably, all the symptoms generally yield, beginning about the fourth day after the eruption appears. The patient is more liable to relapse in this disease than any other, and caution should be used to prevent a relapse. Parents would do well to watch its first appearance and keep their children from its influence as much as possible using preventatives, such as keeping a tar plaster around the neck, keeping gum camphor, a little asafœtida and a small piece of garlic around the neck—this should be put into a small muslin bag and hung around the neck. Let the children eat small pieces of garlic during the day. These are considered preventatives by the Medical Faculty.

Treatment—Give mild purgatives, such as Oil, to keep the bowels open. Drink plentifully of balm tea, if this cannot be had, use Sage, Hysop, Saffron Blossom, or Dittany. This will bring out the eruption and keep it out full. If this can be accomplished, the danger will be very much lessened. This fact should be kept in view in all eruptive diseases. Keep a Tar Plaster around the neck; add to the tar a small portion of Spirits of Turpentine, keep this on for some time, renewing, adding turpentine enough to cause the skin to red. If the patient be not very careful when he gets out, he will take cold, and the glands of the neck will swell and suppurate and the ear will run, and if great attention be not paid, deafness will probably be the result.

They must be kept clean and Laudanum and Sweet Oil put into them every day till they get well.

6 REASONS FOR PLANTING AN ORCHARD.

First, would you leave an inheritance to your children, plant an orchard. No other investment of money and labor will in the long run pay so well. Second, would you make home pleasant, the abode of the social virtues, plant an orchard. Nothing better promotes among neighbors a feeling of kindness and good will, than a treat of good fruit often repeated.

Third, Would you remove from your children the strongest temptation to steal, plant an orchard. If children cannot obtain fruit at home, they are very apt to steal it, and when they have learned to steal fruit, they are in a fair way to steal horses, &c.

Fourth, Would you cultivate a constant feeling of thankfulness towards the Giver of all good, plant an orchard. By having constantly before you one of the greatest blessings given to men, you must be hardened indeed if you are not influenced by a spirit of humility and thankfulness.

Fifth, Would you have your children love their home, respect their parents while living and venerate their memory when dead, in all their wanderings, look back upon the home of youth as a sacred spot, as oasis in the great wilderness of the world, then plant an orchard.

Sixth, In short, if you wish to avail yourself of the blessings of a bountiful Providence, which are within your reach, you must plant an orchard. And when you do it, see that you plant good fruit, don’t plant Crab Apple Trees, nor Wild Plums, nor Indian Peaches, the best are the cheapest. Seriously, we have often wondered why our farmers did not devote more attention to the cultivation of fruit; it certainly would prove profitable and pleasant. An orchard of an acre or so of choice fruit, properly taken care of could not be the least profitable portion of a farm. Upwards of a hundred bushels of fruit can be gathered annually, and without much trouble from merely a small garden patch. One great point to commence with is to procure good sorts, for it requires no more labor to attend a tree that will bear apples worth seventy-five cents and a dollar a bushel than one producing those not worth more than two shillings. Let our farmers think of these things. But, the inquiry is frequently made how shall we manage our trees, to produce fine flavored fruit in a short time.

First, select good, rich soil, such as will produce 70 bush. indian corn per acre, if not such it should be made such by manuring. You cannot expect a tree to flourish and produce good fruit when there is no strength or food to supply it with proper nourishment. It is too much like building a house without a foundation, or sitting down to dine at an empty dish, there being nothing to support the growth of the tree, no food to supply it with proper nourishment, finally, it dies for the want of nourishment, if not, the fruit which it bears, if any, is small and knotty, having scarcely any taste or flavor. If you want nice, large, fine flavored fruit, prepare your soil before planting your trees and keep it prepared by manuring occasionally. It is unreasonable to expect to raise fruit from a tree when it is half or three quarters starved out, all for the want of nourishment. You may here make inquiry how to prepare your soil. This may be done by putting a heavy dressing of manure on it, then obtain sufficient depth of soil, so as to enable the roots to extend themselves freely and hold moisture without dying out in protracted drought. This may be done with a common plow, letting it run 8 or 10 inches deep, then by means of a good subsoil plow, running it in the same furrow, you will obtain a depth of 15 or 18 inches. This process should be continued until you have all plowed that depth. When you have this accomplished, run your harrow over several times leveling and pulverizing it finely. When you have all this completed your soil will be prepared for planting your trees. If you cannot possibly prepare your soil in this way, you should by all means dig very large holes, say six or eight feet in diameter and a foot and a half deep, working the manure through the soil as you dig it up. This may seem to the farmer as requiring too much labor, but will richly pay him for it in the end. Plant your trees in this soil firmly, leaving the soil a little lower about the body of the tree, so as it may hold the water, if filled up about the level of the soil, the water will run away from the roots and your tree may die for the want of moisture. Every tree should have a stake driven in the ground to fasten or stay the tree, so as to prevent the storms from bending and switching it about. If this is not done your trees will be injured, and will not thrive. There are a great many farmers complaining that they cannot raise any fruit. Truly, how can they expect to raise fruit when they will crowd their trees into small holes, and the soil so hard that you can scarcely drive a stake into it with a sledge, and above all the land starved out, the grass and weeds suffered to grow up at such a rate that you are not able to see the body of the tree. Young trees should be nursed and cultivated, keeping the soil mellow by repeated stirring and preventing the growth of any vegetable for several feet from the tree. A hoed crop is next best to clear mellow ground. A sowed crop, grass or weeds is ruinous to young trees. After you have your trees well set, you should by all means wash them down once or twice a year with soap and water. Say about one quart of soap to two quarts of water—wash from the large branches to the bottom—this will destroy the insects that may be put into the body and limbs of the tree. Many drooping trees have been made healthy by using this wash. If you wish to preserve your peach trees, it is necessary for you to apply this to them twice a year, also frequently pouring reasonably hot soap suds to the body and root of the tree; this will kill and destroy the worm which so frequently destroys your trees. The lie which is left at the bottom of the kettle from boiling hot soap is very good and should always be used to wash your trees. If you wish to preserve your peach trees, you should by all means search the roots and body of the tree, and where you find any gum caused by the worm, remove it by means of a knife, carefully cutting away where any gum is found, and as far as there seems to be a hollow under the bark, then wash the whole stem well, suffering it to run to the roots: It is stated by a worthy gentleman, that by planting tansey around the tree, the worm will not trouble the roots. This is simple enough and worthy of a trial. It is hoped that these important truths will cause the Farmer and others to put them in practice, and it most undoubtedly will be the means of raising improved fruit and will be richly paid for all his labour.

HOW TO CATCH AN OWL.

Those who are troubled with owls, let them set a steel trap on the top of a pole near the hen roost, and you will be certain to catch him.

A SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
FARMER’S OWN BOOK:

A TREATISE ON THE
Diseases of Horned Cattle,
WITH AN
EXPLANATION OF THEIR SYMPTOMS,
AND THE
COURSE OF TREATMENT TO BE PURSUED.

PUBLISHED BY
J. D. KOOGLE,
Middletown, Maryland.
1858.

PREFACE.

The beneficence of an all wise Providence in organizing man, so as to secure him dominion over animals of inferior physical construction, impose on him obligations to exercise that eminent advantage in a spirit of mercy and in mitigation of the pains and disorder of the brute creation! Impose upon him as a gentleman, as an intelligent Farmer, or as a man of humanity; should deem it essential to make himself familiar with the nature and injuries of the suffering brute. To say nothing of the duty, which common intelligence and humanity enjoins upon every one to prepare himself with proper information, remedies and common medicines, which will enable him to extend immediate relief to the speechless, suffering animals. No man should hesitate, to provide himself with a book which will teach him plainly in what way to give relief to the poor speechless brute.

THE AGE.

The age of neat cattle is very difficult to get at, until they reach the age of three years; after this, we get at the age by the horns. The surface of the horn continues very smooth, until the expiration of the second year of the animals life, when a wrinkle or circle of thicker horn begins to be formed around the base. This is truly completed in twelve months and another ring then begins to appear, so that if the perfect rings or circles are counted, and two added to them, the age of the beast is supposed to be ascertained. These rings, however, are not always clear and distinct, and it is very easy to remove one or two of them with a rasp, at least to the unpracticed eye, when the animal begins to be remarkably old. In addition to this, a well known fact should be stated:—That if a heifer takes the bull at about two years old, the first ring is formed a twelve month before its usual time, and consequently she would always appear to be reckoning by her horns, a twelve month older than she really is. After all, the age as denoted by the horn can only be calculated in the Cow. These rings do not begin to appear in the Ox or Bull until the animal is five years old, and then they are frequently too confused to be accurately counted.

When in health, a softness of the skin, and a glossy appearance of the hair, not only indicates present health, but a disposition to thrive; while a hard dry skin clinging to the ribs, and a staring in every direction, show that there is something wrong in the constitution, and that it will be labor in vain to attempt to fatten such a beast, for your own interest, you should put your beast in good condition, and keep it in condition.

ON THE DISEASES OF HORNED CATTLE.

Inflammation:—Inflammation is the most frequent diseased condition to which neat Cattle are subject. External inflammation is known by the part being swollen, tender and hotter, than in its natural state; in garget or downfall of the udder, which is an inflammation of one or more quarters of the bag; the affected parts are swollen, tender and hot. If this state of the bag is neglected, matter or pus will be formed, and make a troublesome job, this should not be neglected or deferred; if it is properly treated, the swelling heat and tenderness will generally disappear.

INTERNAL INFLAMMATION.

Internal Inflammation by other and often more indistinct symptoms. We can here seldom ascertain the heat or tenderness, or swelling of the part, and can usually only judge of the complaint, by the effects which it produces on the system. Every internal inflammation soon affects the whole system, accompanied with considerable fever, and that fever and degree of it is easily ascertained by the heat of the breath, and the mouth, and the base of the horn, by the redness of the eye, hardness of the pulse and the loss of appetite. When Inflammation seizes any important organ, as the brain, lungs, bowels, kidneys, udder, &c., bleeding is to be immediately had recourse to, after bleeding, a purging drink is to be administered, sometimes it is necessary to insert a seton in the dew lap. For external inflammation from severe bruises, wounds and other accidents, fomentations with warm or cold water. Poultices made of Linseed Oil, when they can be applied.

BLEEDING, ITS UTILITY.

Bleeding is a most useful and powerful remedy, in the cure of Inflammatory Complaints. It lessens the quantity of blood in the vessels, and diminishes nervous power. The following are the chief diseases, in which bleeding is required.

In all kinds of fever, itching and humors of the skin, enlarged glands, or kernels between the jaws, bruises, strains, catarrh or colds, &c.

The jugular or neck vein, is that which is mostly opened; in many inflammatory complaints too much can hardly be taken, provided the bleeding be stopped as soon as the patient appears likely to faint or fall down. A strong healthy Beast will bear the loss of five-six quarts of blood without the least injury; large Cattle will bear seven or eight quarts with decided advantage.

ON PHYSIC.

The chief purgative Medicines for neat Cattle are Glauber Salts, Epsom Salts, Barbadoes aloes, Linseed Oil and Sulphur. In some extreme cases the Croton Nut, freshly prepared may be used with decided advantage. Aloes are getting into disuse, on account of it nauseating and exciting the Animal; if it does not operate immediately, half an ounce of aloes may be added to the salts with decided advantage. In particular diseases where there is considerable fever, or the attack of fever is apprehended, there is no purgative so beneficial as the Epsom Salts; in bad cases twenty four ounces may be given at a dose, and eight ounces of sulphur every six hours, until the purgative effect is produced. Linseed Oil is a good purgative, the dose is from a pint to a pint and a half. Common Salt is a very good purgative in mild cases, a pound dissolved in warm water is a dose; it should not be given when the animal labors with fever.

ON SETONING.

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.

DERANGEMENT OF THE LUNGS.

When the milch Cow is attacked, there is a diminution of the milk, and it has a ropy appearance and a saltish taste after being separated from the cream. The animal has a heavy appearance; the eyes being dull, with a stiffened staggering gait; the appetite is impaired, the nostrils and skin is of a yellow color, the bowels are generally costive, by pressing on the edge of the short ribs on the right side, the animal will shrink, indicating pain and tenderness. Remedy:—If any fever bleed, then follow with one or two drachms of calomel, 1 scruple of Opium, 2 drachms of ginger, give in gruel a few hours afterwards. Give 12 ounces epsom salt and half pint Linseed oil; the calomel and opium may be repeated twice a day, and the purgative also, until the bowels are sufficiently operated upon; the sides may also be blistered, and seton may also be inserted. If the animal should be left weak, use the following tonic drink:—Gentian root powder ½ oz., ginger 1 drachm, epsom salts 2 oz., mix the whole with a pint of warm water gruel, and give it morning and night.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN.

Causes:—It proceeds most commonly from redundancy of blood, or overflowing of the blood, by means of hastening the fattening too rapidly, or by turning in a rich pasture.

Symptoms:—In the early period of it, the beast is dull and stupid, he stands with his head protruding, or pressed against something for support, he refuses to eat, is unconscious of the surrounding objects, now and then suddenly drops as if he were shot, he starts up all at once, is fearless of any surrounding object, his eyes will become red starting from their sockets, will stagger about, falling and rising again and run against everything in his way, he will stamp, tear up the ground with its horns, run at every one within its reach, bellowing until nature is quite exhausted; trembling will then come over him, he will grind his teeth and saliva will pour from his mouth, every limb will be convulsed and he will presently fall and die.

Remedy:—The chief or only cure is bleeding, let the blood flow rapidly until he falls from the loss of blood. Setons should be placed on each side of the poll, and blistered on the forehead, then follow with heavy doses of physic, when relieved feed cautiously for a few weeks.

STAGGERS OR SWIMMING in THE HEAD.

Cause:—Starvation during the winter season, and being admitted into too fertile a pasture in the Spring, producing a redundancy of blood, which gives rise to the disease.

Symptoms:—Are heaviness, dullness, disposition to sleep, resting his head upon any convenient place, reels and staggers when he attempts to walk.

If this disease is not checked by bleeding, or purging, or proper management, it may terminate in inflammation of the brain or fever.

Remedy:—This must be remedied by bleeding, purging and giving the fever medicine—after purging, give emetic tartar one drachm, digitalis ½ drachm, nitre ¼ drachms twice a day until relieved, feed cautiously.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS WITH COSTIVENESS.

Inflammation of the bowels is by no means an uncommon disease among neat cattle, very often proves fatal. It is easily recognized by the peculiar symptoms.

Cause:—This disease mostly arises from exposure to cold, and especially when cattle go into rivers or ponds, after being heated and fatigued, chilling the blood. It is sometimes produced by too much dry or stimulating food.

Symptoms:—The animal is continually lying down, getting up again, strikes at his belly with his hind feet. The bowels obstinately constipated; dungs in small quantities, hard, covered with mucus at times, streaked with blood—the urine is generally voided with difficulty and heaving at the flanks, accompanied with fever, becomes fearfully weak and staggers as he walks, he leaves his company, hides himself under hedges, &c. Becomes deaf, he trembles all over, his skin is hot, back and loins tender, ears and horns hot, indicating the highest degree of general fever.

Remedy:—The first thing to be done and that which admits of no delay, is to bleed profusely. Next, purge freely; continue the purging medicines until the bowels are freely opened, then lessen the doses so as to keep the bowels open. In severe cases you must give injections until the medicines operate freely. This is a very dangerous disease and the course pursued must be decisive, or the beast is lost! The only hope you have after bleeding, is in physicing; you should by all means clyster largely and in great quantities, the epsom salts and castor oil will do no harm; thin gruel is very good! Let these hints suffice.

DIARRHEA OR PURGING.

Diarrhea or Purging:—In the first place indicates some disordered state of the bowels, or the presence of some offending matter in them, and he will endeavor to remedy this; not by attempting to arrest the discharge too speedily! First, give a mild physic, then follow with the astringent.

Remedy:—Take a strong decoction, white oak bark 3 ounces, laudanum 1½ oz., golden tincture 1 oz. Give it in thin gruel until relieved.

Dysentery, Slimy Flux, or scouring rot is treated the same way. The symptoms of this are considerable tenderness on the spine a little beyond the shoulders, the dewlap hangs down, and has a flabby appearance; the dung runs off with a putrid and offensive smell, and as it falls upon the ground, rises up in bubbles, the hair appears pen feathered or starring; the eyes are generally inflamed, with heaving of the flanks, painful twitching of the belly, severe straining, griping, &c. This disease treated the same as Diarrhea.

RED WATER.

Red Water:—This disease consists of a discharge of high colored urine, occasionally tinged with a bloody appearance, it is an affection of the kidneys; in some cases the discharge changes to a dark red, or blackish color. When the kidneys are effected, the beast evinces tenderness on pressing the loins.

Remedy:—Take oil of juniper ½ oz., laudanum 1 oz., oil turpentine 1 oz., mix and give in a pint linseed tea, once or twice a day until relieved. The oil of juniper may be increased or diminished as the case may require it.

GARGET, DOWNFALL IN THE UDDER, OR INFLAMED BAG.

This is a disease of the utmost consequence to the owners of Cattle; young Cows in high condition are most liable to it, especially at the time of calving. This disease makes its appearance in one or more quarters of the bag, which becomes swollen, hard, hotter than usual and painful when pressed. The milk is lessened and mingled with blood, pus and corruption, at times the flow of milk is totally stopped and sometimes the inflammation extends to the hip joint, hock and foot lock.

Remedy:—It will be necessary as soon as the downfall is discovered, and especially in an aggravated case, to bring the animal out of the pasture and if deemed necessary, take from three to five quarts of blood according to the size or strength, next give her a purging drink and bathe the udder well with elder ointment, or use mercurial garget ointment, which is made by taking soft Soap 1 lb., Mercurial Ointment 2 ounces, camphor rubbed down with a little spirits of wine 1 ounce, rub them well together. Should there be any fever, give a few doses of fever medicine; this is a disease of great importance, as many Cows are ruined or lost purely from neglect. The milk must be taken from the Cow perfectly clean, and this should be done several times during the day; and the Cow must be fed scantily and with no stimulating food.

The teats sometimes get very sore, this is easily remedied by using the ointment for sore teats. Take elder ointment 6 ounces, Bees wax 2 ounces, Sugar of lead 1 ounce, Alum 1 ounce in fine powder, mix them well together, whilst cooling bathe the teats freely.

TREATMENT OF THE COW, BEFORE AND DURING CALVING.

It is an old and true saying, and the truth of it is nowhere more evident than in treatment of the Milch Cow; that the prevention of an evil is better than the cure. The Cow should be dried six or eight weeks before calving, for two reasons: First, the strength and constitution of the Cow require a little respite. Second, the mixture of the old milk and the new secretions, that nature prepares for the expected calf. During the early period of gestation, the animal may and should be tolerably well fed, for she has to provide milk for the Dairy, and nourishment for the fœtus. But when she is dried, her food should be considerably diminished:—She should not be too fat, or full of blood at the time of calving, for that is the frequent cause of difficult labor, garget fever and death.

There are few things in which the Farmer errs, more than in this. There is also an error in starving her before she calves, but, is much more danger in bringing her into too high condition. Some Cows are apt to slink their calves before their time; this generally happens about the middle of their pregnancy. She becomes feverish of her food, wandering in search of something which she seems to be longing for. She should be immediately removed from the other cows, bled and physiced; the best thing to be done is to fatten her for the butcher, for she will be very certain to do the same again. When the ninth month is nearly expired, she should be looked after; if in high condition, she should be physiced, and if necessary, bled, and if she is about to calve, she should be separated from the other cows, or brought into the cow-house, and suffered to remain quiet, and undisturbed. But should she not be successful in calving within a reasonable time, she should have assistance.

Symptoms:—Are uneasiness, slight lifting of the tail, lying down and getting up. The still earlier symptoms are enlargement of the udder, and redness of the space between the shape and the udder.

Treatment:—When the labor has actually commenced, the membranes will more and more protrude until they break, and the fluid by which the calf was surrounded will escape. If her pains are strong, she should not be meddled with for a few hours. And if no portion of the Calf presents itself, the hand well greased should be introduced, in order to ascertain the situation, and position of the calf. The natural position is with the fore feet presenting, and the muzzel lying upon the fore leg. If this is found to be the case and it has advanced into the passage, sometime longer should be allowed to see what nature will do. However, as soon as you perceive the throes to begin to weaken, if no progress has been made, manual assistance must be rendered.

Here there are two objects to be accomplished; the saving of the lives of both the mother and the young one; all should be done gently.

THE MODE OF ASSISTANCE.

The hand should be well greased, then introduced, and the fore-legs of the calf laid hold of and drawn down, drawing gently at the moment of the mother’s throes. Care should be taken that the head is accompanying them. The hand will sometimes be sufficient for this purpose. If the head cannot be moved by the hand, a cord must be procured with a slip knot at the end, which is to be moved carefully into the passage, and the mouth of the young animal being opened, fastened round his lower jaw, the end of this must be given to an assistant, who should pull gently but firmly at the moment of the throes, while the operator draws out the feet.

Should not this succeed, take two other cords or rope, and fasten one around each leg—two assistants should pull at the feet and another at the head; while one ascertains the progress that is made—too much force should not be used, as the calf may yet be saved. Remember the natural position of the calf, is the presenting of the muzzel lying upon the fore-legs. The most usual false position, is the presentation of the head, while the feet of the calf are doubled down under his belly. A cord must be passed as before, around the lower jaw, which is then to be pushed back into the womb. The operator now introduces his hand and feels the situation of the feet, then fix a cord around each pastern, or about the knee, and bring them into the passage. The head is next to be brought forward again by means of the cord; the cords being now pulled steadily together, it will generally be extracted. Should the calf be dead, and much swollen, the head may then be opened by means of a knife, so as to lessen the bulk. When the feet present and the head is doubled under the rim of the passage, the cords should be placed round the feet, the hand passed into the womb, and the cord looped round the lower jaw. The calf pushed farther back into the womb, the head brought into the passage and the three ropes pulled together. The delivery effected as quickly as may be without the exertion of more force than is necessary.

The last false presentation is the breach—the tail appearing at the mouth of the shape. The hand is to be passed into the uterus, fasten the cords around each hock. The calf is then pushed as far back as possible into the womb, and the hocks are after brought into the passage, the head placed in the proper position, and the ropes changed if necessary, and all three cords drawn gently, until the calf is extracted; considerable force is sometimes needed, but should all be done gently, with an increase of drawing, until the job is completed. By studying these cases, the operator will be able to accomplish his object. In all cases of false presentations, although great force must sometimes be used.

The uterus, or calf bed is sometimes protruded and inverted. The case is not desperate. The part must be cleansed from blood and dirt, and supported by a sheet, then the operator beginning at the very bottom of the womb, returning gradually, and with great care, and patience. The animal should be bled before this is attempted, and the application of cold water should be used for some time; this will contract the womb, and render its return more easy. A stick or couple should be passed through the lips of the shape; in order to prevent its return, and give the following medicines a few times: Take laudanum 1 oz., sweet spirits of nitre 2 oz., give in a pint of warm gruel. The protrusion or inversion of the gut, should be returned the same as in the womb, and a few sticks placed through the shape.

The Cow should in all cases be suffered to lick or clean the calf, as nature has designed it. The cow and calf will be much happier if suffered to remain together for several hours, having free access to each other. The mother should not be exposed to severe weather, immediately after calving. Should have a few warm mashes.

THE MILK FEVER.

This is a disease which is prevalent amongst Cows in high condition.

Symptoms:—Staggering gait, breathing irregular, eyes full and glassy, the animal reels, is unconscious, the head turned on one side, the feeling partially lost, the legs sometimes become paralyzed.

Remedy:—Take epsom salts 12 ounces, flour sulphur 4 ounces, ginger ¼ oz., spirits of nitrous ether 1 oz., dissolve in warm water—give one half of this twice a day, until the bowels are opened, continue until relieved.

DISEASES OF THE EYE.

Diseases of the eye are generally inflammations, and caused by a bruise or blow inflicted carelessly.

Remedy:—First bathe the eye well with cold water several times, say some ten or fifteen minutes at a time. Then use the following lotion. Take 40 grains sulphate of zinc, dissolve in ½ pint soft warm water, and bathe the eyes until completely relieved.

THE HOOVE OR BLOWEN FROM PASTURE.

Causes:—The cause of Cattle becoming bloated, is from being turned into the pasture in the spring of the year, whilst the pasture is young and full of sap, the ox or cow eats greedily and rapidly, so much so that the stomach is unable to propel forward, the portions of food as it is received, and becomes overloaded and clogged, the food remaining in the stomach too long. Then comes the great danger; what you can do must be done at once, or not at all. The symptoms are plain enough, the beast swells to an enormous extent, the breathing is very laborious, and the beast is threatened with suffocation from the pressure of the stomach on the lungs. The animal is lost unless relief is soon obtained.

Remedy:—Relief is sometimes obtained from motion and running the beast moderately; sometimes from placing tar, or a tar band into the mouth; sometimes from taking salt and black pepper and throwing it down the throat; some persons have run a lancet, or pocket knife, into the animal, at the spot passing through the skin, and the wall of the belly, so as to enter the paunch; this should be done midway between the last rib and the haunch bone. Another excellent remedy is ½ oz. Chloride of Lime, put into a pint or quart of warm water, and put into the stomach, these generally give immediate relief. There are other remedies, which generally give relief; such as Lime water—also 1½ ounces of Hartshorn may be given, with 1½ pints of water, or 1 ounce Sulphuric Ether in 1 pint of water. The following is plain and simple, and gives relief in almost every case. This has been used extensively, and always given satisfaction.

Receipt:—Take two tablespoonsful Rappee Snuff, 1 gill Vinegar, 1 gill Sweet Milk. Mix well and give as a drench. This has been thoroughly tried and relieved nineteen cases out of twenty; it is simple and worthy of attention. No time should be lost in this disease; what you can do must be done at once, or not at all.

Preventatives:—Every Farmer should adopt the rule, to feed his cattle the following:

Every morning, take 1 pint air slacked lime, 1 pint ground alum salt—mix well and feed with offal. Every particle of the lime should be slacked. Adopt this rule and you will have little or no trouble with your cattle. Dose from 1 to 2 tablespoonsful every morning, in offal before turning into pasture. Another preventative:—Take ashes, air slacked lime, and ground alum salt, equal portions, and feed every morning, or if you have not the lime, the salt and ashes will do well.

CHOKING.

Cattle are extremely liable to become choked on turnips, roots, apples, potatoes.

Remedy:—Give ½ pint of oil, which will lubricate the passage, then run gag, or tube, or rod, with a knob at the end, down the throat; this should be done carefully, so as not to injure the parts. Should you not give relief by this means, find the position, or place where the apple, or turnip has lodged. This may be done by pressing carefully along down the throat; place a block on the one side of the object, then strike a right smart blow with a mallet, or billet of wood, sufficient to crush the apple or object to pieces, which will instantly be blown out, and the animal relieved.

POISONS.

Little can be done in this, unless you have a pump, so as to extract the poison from the stomach, then follow with physics.

EMBROCATION FOR BITE OF VIPER.

Take hartshorn, spirits camphor, olive oil, equal quantities—mix and rub the wound, and neighboring parts well, morning and night.

One pint whiskey, 1 ounce hartshorn, 1 oz. spirits camphor, ½ pint warm water should be given to the animal.

WOUNDS.

The first thing is to clean the wound from all dirt and gravel. A good fomentation with warm water will effect this. If the wound is much lacerated, or punctured, we must bring them neatly together. If any portions so torn as to prevent its from doing this completely, they should be removed with a knife, or sharp scissors; then the edges brought together by means of passing a needle and strong waxed twine deeply through them, making two, three or more stitches, half inch from each other. Then apply the tincture of myrrh and aloes, and bandage tolerably firm, not so much so as to prevent the circulation. If there should be proud flesh, the wound must be cleansed with a strong solution of blue vitriol, and then dressed with the tincture. All wounds should be first well cleansed, before applying anything on them.

ANGLE BERRIES OR WARTS.

These are little warty tumors, growing on various parts of the skin, and sometimes on the teats.

Remedy:—The easiest and shortest way to remove them, is to tie a piece of waxed silk firmly around the base of each, and to tighten them every day; by means of this, the tumor will drop off, and will rarely grow again. To make it certain, the parts should be touched with a hot iron or lunar caustic; the warts should be well scarred, and they will never appear again.

THE FOUL IN THE FOOT.

The first thing is to examine the wound carefully, and see how far it extends under the hoof or horn. The first step is to clean all the foul or proud flesh, by means of a knife, then apply lunar caustic, or muriatic acid, until the wound becomes healthy and dry. In extreme cases where there is swelling, apply a poultice night and morning, then apply the caustic, and keep dry and from all danger of getting dirt and gravel in. When the wound begins to look healthy, apply the tincture of Aloes and Myrrh, until perfectly relieved, and give a gentle purgative.

TO DRY A COW OF HER MILK.

The best time to dry cows is whilst feeding dry feed. A good dose of physic and after it has operated, follow with an astringent drink, will generally settle the business. Six drachms of alum dissolved in 1 pint water, is a dose. The cow should be milked clean when the astringent is given; feed on dry food for a few days. Should the udder get very hard in a few days, milk clean and give another astringent drink, and the third may be given if necessary.

THE MANGE.

This is a troublesome disease among cattle, at times the itching torments the beast wonderfully, causing the cow to fall off in her milk, and generally get thin in flesh, if suffered to remain any length of time. The most effectual application is an ointment, which, sulphur is the principal ingredient.

Mange Ointment:—Take flour of sulphur 1 lb., strong mercurial ointment 2 ounces, common turpentine ½ pint, lard 1½ lb. Melt the turpentine and lard together well; stir in the sulphur when it begins to cool—when cool, rub the mercurial ointment on a marble slab, with the other ingredients, mix these together. This should be well rubbed in with the hand daily, wherever there is mange. If in the winter, the animal should not be exposed to severe cold. Give a few doses of physic, with sulphur added to it. Warbles gad fly or ose fly, is quite an annoyance to the animal. The fly generally alights on the back, deposits the egg under the skin, causing a tumour to rise the size of an hazel nut, some larger—it soon bursts, leaving a hole on the top, for the grub or worm, which now lives and feeds on the fatty matter.

Remedy:—Squeeze out the worm or grub, by pressing firmly, if this cannot be accomplished, open it with a lancet or knife, and put in a few drops spirits turpentine, a few times which will destroy the grub.

RABIES OR HYDROPHOBIA.

This is a dreadful Disease, produced by the bite of a rabid or mad dog. The symptoms of its approach are dullness, loss of appetite, the eyes protruding and red; is continually voiding urine or dunging, saliva drivels from his mouth: presently weakness of the loins, and staggering appear; sometimes they linger six or seven days, and die. There is no cure.

Remedy:—Destroy the animal as soon as possible. Care should be taken that the saliva is not received on a wound; any wound which it has fallen on, should be immediately well burned with lunar caustic. Should you see the rabid dog bite your animal, and find the spot, immediately burn the wound well with the lunar caustic, there is a possibility of their escape. The hair should be clipped off, and every scratch carefully touched with the caustic.

FOR YOUNG CALVES.

Should the mother’s milk not be sufficient to operate upon the bowels, or not at all, give 1 or 2 ounces Epsom salts, according to the size: dissolve in ½ pint gruel, add a little ginger, and a few drops peppermint, or as you may give Castor oil; if it should be an obstinate case, give an injection or two of salts dissolved in water, and a little castor oil, this will set all right.

COW POWDERS.

This is an excellent powder for general derangements of the System. Such as falling off of the milk, dullness, stupidness, staring of the hair, &c.

This powder is truly astonishing in its effects on cattle, giving new life and vigor to the animal. No owner of cattle should do without this powder, and should adopt the rule to feed all his cattle, some of the powder, once or twice a year, and especially before commencing to fatten them. This powder is equally as good for Sheep. Take

• ½ pound gentian root,
• ½ “ flour of brimstone,
• ½ “ fenugreek,
• ½ “ rosin,
• ½ “ copperas,
• ¼ “ cream of tartar,
• ½ “ epsom salts,
• ½ “ juniper berries,
• ½ “ spice berries,
• ¼ “ salts nitre,
• ½ “ ginger,
• ¼ “ caraway seed,
• ¼ “ aniseed,
• 2 oz. antimony,
• 2 oz. columbo,
• 1 oz. gum asafœtida,
• 2 oz. alum,

Pulverize these articles fine and mix well, and it is ready for use. Any of the above articles can be had at any Drug Store.