_Another._
Sweet oil, 1 pint.
Powdered cayenne, half a tea-spoonful.
Mix.
A sheep will require about one half of the above.
_Stimulating Tincture._
Boiling vinegar, 1 pint.
Tincture of myrrh, 2 ounces.
Powdered capsic.u.m, 2 tea-spoonfuls.
_Use._--For external application in putrid sore throat.
_Another._
Tincture of camphor, 4 ounces.
Oil of cedar, half an ounce.
Tincture of capsic.u.m, (hot drops,) 4 ounces.
To be rubbed around the throat night and morning.
_Stimulating Tincture for Chronic Rheumatism._
Tincture of capsic.u.m, 4 ounces.
Oil of cedar, 1 ounce.
Oil of wormwood, 1 ounce.
Vinegar, half a pint.
Goose grease, 1 gill.
Mix. To be applied night and morning. The mixture should be kept in a well-corked bottle, and shaken before being used.
POULTICES.
_Preliminary Remarks._--As oxen, sheep, and pigs are liable to have acc.u.mulations of matter, in the form of abscess, resulting from injury or from the natural termination of diseases, it becomes a matter of importance that the farmer should rightly understand their character and treatment. If a foreign substance enters the flesh, the formation of matter is a part of the process by which nature rids the system of the enemy. A poultice relaxing and lubricating will then be indicated. If, however, the foreign body shall have entered at a point where it is impossible to confine a poultice, then the suppurative stage may be shortened by the application of relaxing fomentations, and lastly, by stimulants. It is a law of the animal economy, that, unless there be some obstacle, matter always seeks its exit by an external opening; and it becomes part of our duty to aid nature in her efforts to accomplish this salutary object. Nature requires aid in consequence of the unyielding character of the hide, and the length of time it takes to effect an opening through it. Animals are known to suffer immensely from the pressure a large acc.u.mulation of pus makes on the surrounding nerves, &c., and also from the reabsorption of this pus when it cannot readily make its exit. This is not all; for, if pus acc.u.mulates, and cannot in due time find an outlet, it produces destruction of the blood-vessels, nerves, and surrounding tissues. These vessels are distributed to the different surfaces; their supply of blood and nervous energy being cut off, they decompose, and in their turn become pus, and their open mouths allow the morbid matter to enter the circulation, and thus poison the blood. Hence it becomes our duty, whenever matter can be distinctly felt, to apply that sort of poultice which will be most likely to aid nature.
There is no article in the _materia medica_ of so much value to the farmer as marshmallows; he cannot place too much value on it. Whether he uses it in his own family or confines it exclusively to cattle practice, it is equally valuable. It has numerous advantages over many similar remedies: the most important one to the farmer is, that it can be procured in this country at a small cost. We have used it for a number of years, and in many cases we consider it our sheet-anchor. In short, we cannot supply its place.
Mr. Cobbett says, "I cannot help mentioning another herb, which is used for medicinal purposes. I mean the marshmallows. It is amongst the most valuable of plants that ever grew. Its leaves stewed, and applied wet, will cure, and almost instantly cure, any cut, or bruise, or wound of any sort. Poultices made of it will cure sprains; fomenting with it will remove swellings; applications of the liquor will cure chafes made by saddles and harness; and its operation, in all cases, is so quick that it is hardly to be believed. Those who have this weed at hand need not put themselves to the trouble and expense of sending to doctors and farriers on trifling occasions. It signifies not whether the wound be old or new. The mallows, if you have it growing near you, may be used directly after it is gathered, merely washing off the dirt first. But there should be some always ready in the house for use. It should be gathered just before it blooms, and dried and preserved just in the same manner as other herbs. It should be observed, however, that, if it should happen not to be gathered at the best season, it may be gathered at any time. I had two striking instances of the efficacy of mallows. A neighboring farmer had cut his thumb in a very dangerous manner, and, after a great deal of doctoring, it had got to such a pitch that his hand was swelled to twice its natural size. I recommended the use of the mallows to him, gave him a little bunch out of my store, (it being winter time,) and his hand was well in four days. He could go out to his work the very next day, after having applied the mallows over night. The other instance was this. I had a valuable hog, that had been gored by a cow. It had been in this state for two days before I knew of the accident, and had eaten nothing. The gore was in the side, making a large wound. I poured in the liquor in which the mallows had been stewed, and rubbed the side well with it. The next day the hog got up and began to eat. On examining the wound, I found it so far closed that I did not think it right to disturb it. I bathed the side again; and in two days the hog was turned out, and was running about along with the rest. Now, a person must be criminally careless not to make provision of this herb. Mine was nearly two years old when I made use of it upon the last-mentioned occasion. If the use of this weed was generally adopted, the art and mystery of healing wounds, and of curing sprains, swellings, and other external maladies, would very quickly be reduced to an unprofitable trade."
_Lubricating and healing Poultice._
Powdered marshmallow roots, } Marshmallow leaves, } equal parts.
Moisten with boiling water, and apply.
_Use._--In ragged cuts, wounds, and bruises.
_Stimulating Poultice._
Indian meal, } Slippery elm, } equal parts.
Mix them together, and add sufficient boiling water to moisten the ma.s.s.
Spread it on a cloth, and sprinkle a small quant.i.ty of powdered cayenne on its surface.
_Use._--To stimulate ill-conditioned ulcers to healthy action. Where there is danger of putrescence, add a small quant.i.ty of powdered charcoal.
_Poultice for Bruises._
Nothing makes so good a poultice for recent bruises as boiled carrots or marshmallows.
_Poultice to promote Suppuration._
Indian meal, a sufficient quant.i.ty.
Linseed, a handful.
Cayenne, 1 tea-spoonful.
To be moistened with boiling vinegar, and applied at the usual temperature.
STYPTICS, TO ARREST BLEEDING.
Witch hazel, (winter bloom,) bark or leaves, 2 ounces.
Make a decoction with the smallest possible quant.i.ty of water, and if the bleeding is from the nose, throw it up by means of a syringe; if from the stomach, lungs, or bowels, add more water, and let the animal drink it, and give some by injection.
_Styptic to arrest external Bleeding._
Wet a piece of lint with tincture of muriate of iron, and bind it on the part.
There are various other styptics, such as alum water, strong tincture of nutgalls, bloodroot, common salt, fine flour, &c.
ABSORBENTS.
_Remarks._--Absorbents are composed of materials partaking of an alkaline character, and are used for the purpose of neutralizing acid matter. The formation of an acid in the stomach arises from some derangement of the digestive organs, sometimes brought on by the improper quant.i.ty or quality of the food. It is useless, therefore, to give absorbents, with a view of neutralizing acid, unless the former are combined with tonics, or agents that are capable of restoring the stomach to a healthy state. This morbid state of the stomach is recognized in oxen by a disposition to eat all kinds of trash that comes in their way, such as dirt, litter, &c. They are frequently licking themselves, and often swallow a great deal of hair, which is formed into b.a.l.l.s in the stomach, and occasions serious irritation. Calves, when fattening, are often fed so injudiciously, that the stomach is incapable of reducing the food to chyme and chyle: the consequence is, that a large amount of carbonic acid gas is evolved. Many calves and lambs die from this cause.