MEDICINES. 401 



It is an excellent alterative, combined usually with antimony and nitre, 

 and particularly for mange, surfeit, grease, hide-bound or want of condi- 

 tion; and it is a useful ingredient in the cough and fever ball. When 

 given alone, it seems to liave little effect, except as a laxative in doses of six 

 or eight ounces ; but there are much better aperients. The black sulphur 

 consists principally of the dross after the pure sulphur has been separated. 



Tar melted with an equal quantity of grease forms the usual stopping 

 of the farrier. It is a warm or slightly stimulant, and therefore useful, 

 dressing for bruised or wounded feet; but its principal virtue seems to 

 consist in preventing the penetration of dirt and water to the wounded par.. 

 As a common stopping it has been stated to be objectionable. From its 

 warm and drying properties it is the usual and proper basis for thrush 

 ointments; and from its adhesiveness, and slightly stimulating power, it 

 often forms an ingredient in applications for mange; some practitioners give 

 it, and advantageously, mixed with the usual cough medicine, and in doses 

 of two or three drachms for chronic cough. The common tar is as 

 effectual as the Barbadoes for every veterinary purpose. The oil, or spirit 

 (rectified oil) of tar is sometimes used alone for the cure of mange, but it 

 is not to be depended upon. The spirit of tar, mixed with double the 

 quantity of fish oil, is, from its peculiar penetrating property, one of the 

 best applications for hard and brittle feet. It should be well rubbed with 

 a brush, both on the crust and sole, every night. 



Tinctures. — The medicinal properties of many substances are extracted 

 by spirit of wine, but in such small quantities as to be scarcely available 

 in veterinary practice for internal use. So much aloes or opium must be 

 given to produce effect on the horse, that the quantity of spirit necessary to 

 dissolve it would be injurious or might be fatal. As applications to wounds 

 or inflamed surfaces, the tinctures of aloes, digitalis, myrrh, and opium, 

 are highly useful. 



Tobacco, in the hands of the skilful veterinarian, may be advantageously 

 employed in cases of extreme costiveness, or dangerous cholic ; but 

 should never be permitted to be used as an external application for the cure 

 of mange, or an internal medicine to promote a fine coat. 



Tonics are valuable medicines when judiciously employed; but, like 

 cordials, they have been fatally abused. Many a horse recovering from 

 severe disease has been destroyed by their too early, or too free use. The 

 veterinary surgeon occasionally administers them injuriously, in his anxiety 

 to gratify the impatience of his employer. The mild vegetable tonics, 

 chamomile, gentian, and ginger, and, perhaps, the carbonate of iron, may 

 sometimes be given with benefit, and may hasten the perfect recovery of the 

 patient; but there are few principles more truly founded on reason and 

 experience, than that disease once removed, the powers of nature are suf- 

 ficient to re-establish health. Against the more powerful mineral tonics, 

 except for the particular purposes that have been pointed out under the 

 properheads, the horse proprietor and the veterinarian should be on his guard. 



TuRrENxrNE. — The common liquid turpentine has been described as one 

 ")f the best diuretics, in doses of half an ounce, and made into a ball with 

 linseed meal and half a drachm of ginger. It is added to the calamine or 

 any other mild ointment to render it stimulating and digestive, and from its 

 adhesiveness and slight stimulating power, it is an ingredient in mange 

 ointments. The oil of turpentine is an excellent antispasmodic. For the 

 removal of cholic it stands unrivalled. (See page 206.) Forming a tinc- 

 ture with cantharides, it is the basis of the "sweating blister," used for old 

 strains and swellings. As a Ulster it is far inferior to the common 



