The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-02-14
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.


One OF the most useful and inexpensive
remedies which the farmer can use for sick
animals is Glauber's salts (sulphate of sodal
Regarded with little favor by English veterin-
arians, it is nevertheless, extensively known
and used as purgative by the people in both
England and America; and the extent of its
use by the profession in France is in marked
contrast with the neglect of our English
friends-there being no medicine prescribed
with more frequency or confidence. 1t is
equally effectual when given to horses, cattle,
sheep, swine or dogs; though, from the dose
having been imperfecty understood by US,
the results are not always as satisfactory as
they might otherwise be. Being kept at al
most every country store, it is the most avail
able medicine of its class, and, costing but a
few cents pound, it is within the reach of
all.
The dose as purgative is as follows:
Cattle. One half to one pound.
Horses. ...... lone to two pounds
Sheep and swne,. ...Three to five ounces.
Dogs, lone to two ounces
In these doses it is always necessary to give
it drench, dissolved in two or three times
its weight OF water; but when given to horses
in smaller doses. as condiment, diuretic or
laxative, it is generally readily taken dissolved
In part of pail of water.
Effects and Uses.-The effect of Glauber's
salt differs with the dose in which it is gwen
the Elasticity of the blood, and increasing the
action of the kidneys; in medium doses it in
creases the appetite and also the functions of
digestion and assimilation; and in the large
doses, mentioned in the table, 1t determines
rapid purgation in each of the different ami
mails, an effect that is always of short dura-
ton.
As condiment, this is one of the best and
cheapest that can be given to horses and cat
flo OpnQraIlv bnipp mupb cuparifr 70 fbo
high priced condition POWDERS now used so
extensively. When these animals have an
unhealthy appearance-the skin tight, the
coat rough and staring, the eyes dull and the
appetite poor-wlth no particular ailment,
this medicine, given with the ordinary drink,
in doses of six to twelve drachms to cattle
and one to two ounces to horses, once or
twice each day, speedily relieves tie condi-
ton. In the increased doses of from one and
one-half to four ounces it is one of the most
useful medicines at our command, acting as a
cooling salt, diuretic and laxative 1t is then
of great benefit in infiammatory troubles, in
diseases OF the skin, locomotive organs and d.
gestve apparatus, as well as in many fevers,
and febrile conditions depending surgical op-
erations. have found it especially useful in
the epizootic influenza, and in many sporadic
cases treated since, also in plethora, founder
and constipation. In all these maladies it
perature of the body and increases the urinary
secretion.
As diuretic, it is one of the safest the far
mer can use; an overdose can do nothing
worse than purge the animal. Not so with
saltpetre, however, which is now most COM
monty used for this purpose, and the unlocked
for effects OF which the practitioner so often
sees. In fact, Inflammation of the kiddeys and
bowels, from over-doses of saltpetre, is one of
the commonest occurrences.
As cheap, certain, safe and efficient pur-
gative, there Is no more desirable medicine for
all OF our domesticated animals, if the united
testimony of the veterinary profession in
France can be taken as a proof 1t is used
continually for horses, in preference to aloes,
at the school of Abort, Lyons and Toulouse,
and wnen given in the doses indicated
In the table, will produce the desired effect
1t is one of the mildest of purgatives, and pro.
duces the effect without irritating the bowels
or increasing the flow of blood to these or
gans. For this reason it is Invaluable in cas-
es of congestion of the bowels, complicated
with constipation. Nothing is commoner
than to be obliged to purge horse which has
already congestion OF the stomach or bowels,
as in some kinds OF collie, gastro-conjunctivi-
tbs, &C., in all such cases, nothing is as safe
and efficient as sulphate of soda. Much harm
Is done in these cases. even by our veternari-
ans, by always giving aloes which irritates the
intestines and increases the congestion. With
cattle, sheep, swine and dogs, it is in all cases
one of the best purgatives at our command.
Many seem to prefer EPSON salts (sulphate of
magnesia) why, it is impossible to say, unless
because they are more expensive and are gen.
orally prescribed for people. Experience has
shown that Glauber's salts are less irritating
and, therefore, much safer. From the large
amount of liquid which this purgative re-
moves from the system, it is especially indica-
ted in Serious effusion in the brain and other
parts of the body. 1t is also very useful in
acute enteritis in fowls, one ounce being dis
solved in a quart of water and given as a
drink.-Country Gentleman.