Part 38 (1/2)
Animals often lie down in wet pastures, from which rheumatism and stiffness of the joints arise. In such cases, the animal must be taken from gra.s.s for a few days, and the affected parts be faithfully bathed.
_Stimulating Fomentation._
Cedar buds, or boughs, any quant.i.ty, to which add a small quant.i.ty of red pepper and ginger, boiling water sufficient.
_Use._--This will be found very efficacious in chronic lameness and paralysis, for putrid sore throat, and when the glands are enlarged from cold and catarrh.
MUCILAGES.
Mucilages are soft, bland substances, made by dissolving gum arabic in hot water; or by boiling marshmallows, slippery elm, or lily roots, until their mucilaginous properties are extracted. A table-spoonful of either of the above articles, when powdered, will generally suffice for a quart of water.
_Use._--In all cases of catarrh, diarrhoea, inflammation of the kidneys, womb, bladder, and intestines. They s.h.i.+eld the mucous membranes, and defend them from the action of poisons and drastic cathartics.
WASHES.
Washes generally contain some medicinal agent, and are princ.i.p.ally used externally.
_Wash for Diseases of the Feet._
Pyroligneous acid, 4 ounces.
Water, 8 ounces.
_Use._--This wash excels every other in point of efficacy, and removes rot and its kindred diseases sooner than any other.
_Cooling Wash for the Eye._
Rain water, 1 pint.
Acetic acid, 20 drops.
_Use._--In ophthalmia.
_Tonic and Antispasmodic Wash._
Camomile flowers, half an ounce.
Boiling water, 1 pint.
When cool, strain through fine linen.
_Use._--In chronic diseases of the eye, and when a weeping remains after an acute attack.
_Wash for unhealthy (or ulcerated) Sores._
A weak solution of sal soda or wood ashes.
_Wash for Diseases of the Skin._
Take one ounce of finely-pulverized charcoal, pour on it one ounce of pyroligneous acid, then add a pint of water. Bottle, and keep it well corked. It may be applied to the skin by means of a sponge. It is also an excellent remedy for ill-conditioned ulcers.