The Farmers Own Book 21

The Farmers Own Book 21

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.