The following recipes have been gathered from souses entitled to the fullest confidence, as remedies of value to all owners of horses, and are presented with the hope of doing good:

INFLUENZA.

For several years past a disease has been more or less prevalent in various sections of this country, known to the Veterinary as epidemic catarrh or influenza. The symptoms of this disease are so various in different animals—no two being precisely alike—that a variety of opinions are current concerning it and its nature; and, as a consequence, various other diseases are often confounded with it. The usual or leading symptoms are a slight watery or mucous discharge from the nose; eyelids presenting a reddish appearance; matter collects in the corner of the eyes; pulse feeble; great debility, as shown by the quick, feeble action of the heart—a symptom rarely absent; membrane of nose much reddened; sore throat and cough; occasionally the feet become fevered as in founder, causing much stiffness, and might be easily taken for that disease.

Treatment.—This being a typhoid disease, it requires a sustaining treatment, or success will be very doubtful. In the early stage of this disease, give the first two days ten drops of tincture of aconite, or bryonia, in a little water, every six hours; after which give a pail of water to drink, and, once a day, 1 oz. spirits of nitre, or 2 drams extract of belladonna; and give in the feed, three times a day, one of the following powders: gentian root, saltpetre, and anise seed, of each 1 oz.; sulphate of quinine, 1 dram; mix, and divide into eight powders. The throat should be bathed with mustard and vinegar; or with linseed oil, 3 oz., spirits of hartshorn, 1 oz. Mix together. No hay or corn should be given, but scalded oats or wheat bran, with linseed tea, or oatmeal gruel, should constitute the diet. I would recommend a few carrots. But above all, good nursing is to be desired, and by strictly following the foregoing instructions a successful result is probable.

CONDITION POWDER.

Fenugreek, cream of tartar, gentian, sulphur, saltpetre, resin, black antimony, and ginger, of each 1 oz.; cayenne ½ oz.; all finely pulverized. Mix thoroughly. It is used for yellow water, hide bound, colds, coughs, distemper, and all other diseases where a condition powder is needed. They carry off gross humors, and purify the blood.

Dose.—In ordinary cases one tablespoonful once a day. In extreme cases give twice daily. This powder has never failed to give entire satisfaction.

GLANDERS.

This is one of the most fatal diseases to which the horse is subject. It is propagated in most cases by contagion, the infection being disseminated by seed from the nasal discharge, not, as many suppose, by the breath. According to eminent foreign authors, the disease has its origin also in a vitiated state of the blood, and this may result from improper treatment or neglect of almost any disease to which he is liable. In its early stage it appears to be only a slight inflammation of the inner membrane of the nose, not, however, attended with the usual florid red characterizing inflammation, but of a paler hue, and afterwards becoming darker. The first marked symptom is a discharge from the nose, scarcely to be distinguished at first from the natural moisture, either by its color or consistence, and generally coming from one nostril only, and that the left one. In appearance it is thin and transparent, closely resembling the natural discharge, a little increased in quantity, and sometimes continues in this doubtful stage for several weeks or months. Instances are indeed known where it has existed for several years before it became fully developed. In such cases it is attended with no loss of appetite, no cough, or apparent illness of any kind, with little enlargement of the glands under the jaw, and at the same time the horse is capable of communicating disease.

Too many of these horses, with a decided glanderous discharge from the nose and adherent glands under the jaw, are found on our roads, or are employed in agriculture, which (although they are otherwise in good health, and perform their work well) should not be permitted; for by such means the contagion is widely spread. No cough accompanies real glanders in any of its stages, except the last, which is usually soon cut short by death.

In addition to the preceding tokens for discovering at an early period the true glanders from other disorders, let the nostrils be closely examined. In the real glanders, the left or running nostril will be found of a deeper color than ordinary, while the other, or dry nostril, is of a paler color, or almost white.

The reader must bear in mind the varied color of the nostril in deciding all cases of this character. Also that in colds, etc., both nostrils run.

Before the disease finishes its course, both sides of the nose and head become affected—the ulcers extend down the windpipe, and fasten upon the lungs. The virus, secreted by and discharged from the ulcers, is absorbed and carried through the whole system, and soon puts an end to the creature’s miserable existence. The best preventives of glanders are dry, clean, well-ventilated stables, moderate exercise, green food, when it can be procured, and roots in the winter.

The disease may be cured in its early stages, or before ulcers are formed in the nose, or the lumps under the jaw adhere to the bone, by turning the animal on a dry pasture, by proper attention to the bowels, and by use of alterative medicines, to work the poisons out of the system. Should the bowels require loosening, give the common purge. For purifying the blood, the condition powder is the most effectual remedy. The owner must beware of putting the horse to hard labor too soon, after having been turned out as before directed, as the disease is liable to return on subsequent confinement, even after the running at the nose has entirely disappeared. It is conceded by all, that when this disease is once seated, it cannot be cured; and humanity dictates, and economy should prompt us to terminate the animal’s existence at once. This course has now become an imperative duty, as the fact is established that man is susceptible to the contagion; and there are numerous cases on record where those who have had the care of glandered horses have fallen victims to this disease.

LOCK JAW.

This disease generally arises from nail wounds in the feet, or from sharp metallic substances taken into and wounding the stomach or intestines. The first symptoms of the disease are observed about the ninth or tenth day after the injury is done, which are a straggling or stiffness of the hind-legs, to which succeed in a few days the following: on elevating the head, a spasmodic motion of the membrane in the inner corner of the eye will be observed, showing little more than the white of the eye; the muscles of the jaws become rigid; the tongue is swollen, and the mouth is filled with saliva; the ears are erect, and the nose poked out; the nostrils expand; respiration becomes much disturbed; and finally, the jaws become firmly set, and the bowels constipated.

Treatment.—Tinct. of aconite, 2 drs.; tinct. of belladonna, 2 drs.; water, ½ oz. Mix, and give 40 drops every 4 hours on the tongue; keep a ball of aloes in the mouth for several days. There is no fear of giving too much. I have known half a pound to be given in a few days with good success. Hydrocyandic acid, 20 drops in a little water, and put upon the tongue every four hours, is an excellent remedy. Foment the jaws with bags of hops steeped in hot water, and bathe the line of the back from the pole to the croup with mustard and vinegar. Be careful not to allow the animal to be unnecessarily excited by noises and confusion about him. Go about him quietly; keep a pail of bran slop before him all the time. If the foot has been injured, poultice with flaxseed meal, and keep the wound open until a healthy action has been established.

TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN DISTEMPER AND GLANDERS.

The discharge from the nose in Glanders will sink in water. In Distemper it will not.

CHRONIC COUGH.

This is generally the consequence of neglected catarrhal affections, worms, etc. For treatment, give twice each day Barbadoes aloes, 2 oz.; pulv. foxglove (or digitalis), 1 oz.; linseed meal, 13 oz. Mix with molasses. Dose, 1 oz.

Another remedy is, sal ammoniac, 1 oz.; squills, pulv., ½ oz.; aloes, pulv., 1 oz.; linseed meal, 16 oz.; mix with molasses, and divide into four balls; to be given one each night for four days.

TREATMENT FOR RHEUMATISM.

Poultice the feet with mustard and flaxseed meal. Give internally of nux vomica, 1 oz.; pulv. gentian root, 1½ oz.; pulverized ginger, 1 oz. Mix and divide into 12 powders; give one every night in the feed, keep the body warm, and give no corn.

FOUNDER REMEDY.

Give from 1 to 4 ounces of saltpetre, according to the severity of the case. For a severe case, draw about one gallon of blood from the neck; then drench with linseed oil, 1 quart; rub the fore-legs with water as hot as can be borne without scalding, continuing the washing till the horse is perfectly limber.

HORSE OINTMENT.

Resin, 4 oz.; beeswax, 4 oz.; honey, 2 oz.; lard, 8 oz.; melt these articles slowly, bringing gradually to a boil; remove from the fire, and slowly add a little less than a pint of spirits of turpentine, stirring all the time this is being added, and stir till cool. This is an extraordinary ointment for bruises of the flesh, or hoof, or broken knees, galls or bites, or when a horse is gelded to heal and keep off flies.

MAGIC LINIMENT.

Take 2 oz. oil of spike; 2 oz. origanum; 2 oz. hemlock; 2 oz. wormwood; 4 ounces sweet oil; 2 oz. spirits ammonia; 2 ounces gum camphor; 2 oz. spirits turpentine; 1 quart proof spirits. Mix well and bottle for use. Cork tight. For sprains, bruises, or lameness of any kind, this liniment is unsurpassed. This is the same liniment, leaving out the turpentine, which has achieved so many wonderful cures for human ailment.

A more simple liniment can be made by putting into spirits of turpentine all the gum camphor it will cut. For ordinary purposes it is fit for use; but if you wish to reduce pain, add as much laudanum as there is turpentine.

FRENCH PASTE FOR BONE SPAVIN.

Corrosive sublimate, quicksilver, and iodine, of each 1 oz., with sufficient lard to form a paste. Rub the quicksilver and iodine together, and add the sublimate, and finally add the lard, rubbing thoroughly. Shave off the hair the size of the bone enlargement, then grease all around it, but not where the bone is shaved off. This prevents the action of the medicine only upon the spavin; rub in as much of the paste as will lie on a five cent piece, each morning for four mornings only, and in from six to eight days the spavin will come out; then wash out the wound with suds, soaking well for an hour or two, which removes the poisonous effects of the medicine, and facilitates the healing, which can be done by any healing salve. I prefer the horse ointment to any other.

HOW TO CLEAN AND OIL HARNESS.

First take the harness apart, having each strap and piece by itself; then wash it with warm water and Castile soap. When cleansed, black each part with the following dye: 1 oz. extract of logwood; 12 grains bichromate of potash—both pounded fine; put into two quarts of boiling rain-water, and stir till all is dissolved. When cool, it may be used. It may be bottled and kept for future use, if desired. It may be applied with a shoe brush. When the dye has struck in, you may oil each part with neatsfoot oil, applied with a paint brush. For second oiling, use one-third castor oil and two-thirds neat’s-foot oil, mixed. A few hours after, wipe clean with a woolen cloth, which gives the harness a glossy appearance. This preparation does not injure the leather or stitching, but makes it soft and pliable, and obviates the necessity of oiling as often as is necessary by the ordinary method. When the harness is removed from the horse, take a woolen cloth or chamois skin, kept for the purpose, and wipe off the dust and all moisture from rain or perspiration, and when the harness is nearly dry, rub the damper parts very thoroughly with a second cloth or skin, until they are quite soft and pliable.

The bits, and plated mountings, should be cleaned and rubbed with a slightly-oiled rag, before the harness is finally hung in its place; the harness should be protected from dust either by a covering of cloth, or by hanging in a closet. Whenever the leather becomes dry and hard, it should be cleaned and oiled according to the foregoing directions.

PHYSIC BALL.

Barbadoes aloes, 1 lb.; syrup buckthorn, 3 oz.; cod-liver oil, 3 oz. Melt the whole, and stir till cool. In winter, add a little water, make into 18 pills, and give 1 every four hours, or as much as will move the bowels.

TO SCATTER POLL-EVIL.

Take a quantity of mandrake root, bruise and boil it, strain and boil down until rather thick; then form an ointment, simmering with sufficient lard for the purpose. Anoint the swelling once a day until cured. It has cured them after they were broken out, by putting it in the pipes a few times; also, anointing around the sore.

HEALING SALVE FOR ABRASIONS AND CUTS.

Oxide of zinc, 4 drams; fresh lard, 1 oz.; carbolic acid, 6 grains. Melt the lard, and stir in the oxide of zinc, which must be very finely powdered; add the carbolic acid and mix thoroughly. Apply twice a day to the wound. This salve is very valuable for its healing properties, and will be found of special service, if there is any foul discharge.

WASH FOR FOUL ULCERS.

Permanganate of potassa, 1 dram; pure water, 6 fluid ounces. Clean the sore once or twice a day, with a quart of water, to which a large tablespoonful of the wash has been added, using a soft sponge.

The discoloration of the solution indicates its complete loss of power as a disinfectant.

The bottle must be kept tightly corked, as impurities in the air will, in time, impair its value.

ANTISPASMODIC TINCTURE.

(For Man or Beast.)

Oils of cajeput, cloves, peppermint, anise, of each 1 oz.; of alcohol, 1 quart. Mix together, and bottle for use. Dose, for horse, 1 oz. every 15 minutes, in a little whisky and warm water, sweetened with molasses. Continue till relieved.

Dose for man, one teaspoonful.

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