MEDICINES. 399 



heels, and especially if accompanied by much unpleasant smell, here is 

 nothing preferable to a poultioe of mashed carrots with charcoal. For old 

 grease, some slight stimulant must be added, as a iittle yeast or the 

 grounds of table beer. 



Tliere are two errors in the application of a poultice, and particularly 

 as it regards the legs. It is often put on too tight, by which the return ot 

 the blood from the foot is prevented, and the disease is increased instead of 

 lessened ; or it is too hot, and unnecessary pain is given, and the inflamma- 

 tion aggravated. 



Powders. — Some horses are very difficult to ball or drench, and the 

 violent struggle that would accompany the attempt to conquer them may 

 heighten the fever or inflammation. To such horses powder must be 

 given in mashes. Emetic tartar and digitalis may be generally used 

 in cases of inflammation or fever; or emetic tartar for worms; or calomel, 

 and even the farina of the croton-nut for physic; but powders are too 

 often an excuse for the laziness or awkwardness of the carter or groom. 

 The horse frequently refuses them, especially if his appetite has otherwise 

 begun to fail ; the powder and the mash are wasted, and the animal is 

 unnecessarily nauseated. All medicine should be given in the form of 

 ball or drink. 



Raking. — This consists in introducing the hand into the horse's rectum, 

 and drawing out any hardened dung that may be there. It may be neces- 

 sary in costiveness or fever, if a clyster pipe cannot be obtained ; but an 

 injection will better effect the purpose, and with less inconvenience to the 

 animal. The introduction of the hand into the rectum is, however, useful 

 to ascertain the existence of a stone in the bladder, or the degree of disten- 

 sion of the bladder in the suppression of urine, for the bladder will be 

 easily felt below the gut; and at the same time by the heat of the intestine, 

 the degree of inflammation in it or in the bladder may be detected. 



Resin. — The yellow resin is that which remains after the distillation of 

 oil of turpentine. It is used externally to give consistence to ointments, 

 and to render them slightly stimulant. Internally it is a useful diuretic, 

 and is given in doses of five or six drachms made into a ball with soft soap. 

 The common liquid turpentine is, however, preferable. 



Rowels. — The manner of rowelling has been described at page 186. 

 As exciting inflammation on the surface, and so lessening that which had 

 previously existed in a neighbouring, but deeper-seated part, they are 

 decidedly inferior to blisters, for they do not act so quickly nor so exten- 

 sively; therefore they should not be used in acute inflammation of the 

 lungs or bowels, or any vital part. When the inflammation, however, 

 although not intense, has long continued, rowels will be serviceable by pro- 

 ducing an irritation and discharge which can be better kept up than by a 

 blister. As promoting a permanent, although not very considerable dis- 

 charge and some inflammation, rowels in the thighs are useful in swelled 

 legs, and obstinate grease. If fluid is thrown out under the skin in any 

 other part, the rowel acts as a permanent drain. When sprain of the joint 

 or the muscles of the shoulders is suspected, a rowel in the chest will be 

 serviceable. The wound caused by a rowel will readily heal, and with little 

 blemish, unless the useless leather of the farrier has been inserted. 



Salt, common. — See Soda. 



Sedatives are medicines which subdue irritation, repress spasmodic- 

 action, or deaden pain. We will not inquire whether they act first as 

 stimulants; if they do, their effect is exceedingly transient, and is quickly 

 followed by depression and diminished action. Digitalis, hellebore, opium, 

 turpentine, are medicines of this kind. Their effect in different diseases. 



