Search records

Medicine horn for drenching cattle

Date made: 19th century

Description: This animal horn was used in the 19th century for administering medicine to cattle. The head of the animal would be held upwards whilst a drenching gag was placed across its mouth to keep its jaws open. The gag would have had a hole in the centre, and the horn was placed in this in order to pour the medicine down the beast's throat. It was found in the cellar at Berrag, a farm in Jurby once occupied by the Corlett family.

The object consists of a simple cattle horn, hollowed out and with a copper band around the broad end. A wooden stopper with handle closes off this end.

In Jurby parish dairy cattle were more numerous than beef cattle, but both were less significant than sheep which were the main form of livestock raised in this part of the Island in the 19th century.

Measurements: 43 x 12 x 12 cm

Materials: Horn, copper alloy, fibre: vegetable, iron

Object name: medicine horn

Collection: Social History Collection

ID Number: 1954-5924

Comments

Optional, not displayed

Manx National Heritage (MNH) will always put you in control of the information we send you. Read our privacy policy

Linked Records

Places: