COMMON MEDICINES. 245 



the treatment of all classes of animals. Very useful for external ' 

 cooling effect when dissolved in water with sal ammonia. For 

 alterative and febrifuge effect it is given \\\ about half the doses 

 that are given to stimulate the kidneys. 



Saltpetre is very soluble in water. 



Doses. — Cattle and horses for diuretic effect, JX to 2 oz. ; 

 sheep and swine, Y^ \.o 2. drams. These doses are given in the 

 drinking water or as a drench. Not caustic. 



Sweet spirits nitre. — Is a stimulant much like alcohol or 

 ether ; is antispasmodic and increases the excretion from skin, 

 lungs and kidneys. Very large doses are narcotic. Very useful 

 in cases of spasmodic colic and tympanites, and is a convenient 

 heart stimulant. 



Doses. — As a stimulant and antispasmodic horses and cattle 

 :ake 2 to 4 oz. ; hogs 2 to 4 drams. It is decomposed by water 

 and should not be mixed with other medicines until just before 

 giving. It is given as a drench with water or in syrup. As an anti 

 spasmodic it may be given to advantage with either opium or 

 chloral hydrate. 



Oil of turpentine (common turpentine). — Is stimulant, anti- 

 septic, and destroys parasites, both external and internal. It is 

 readily absorbed when swallowed and is excreted by the lungs, 

 skin and kidneys. Over doses irritate the mucous membrane of 

 these organs. For medicinal purposes it is used in indigestion, 

 certain conditions of diarrhea and tympanites (bloating) ; a very 

 useful medicine in these conditions and one that is usually at 

 hand. It is slightly soluble in water, quite soluble in ether or 

 alcohol or linseed oil. 



Doses. — Horses and cattle, as stimulant and antispasmodic, 

 taking i to 2 oz. ; for stimulating effect upon mucous membranes 

 of the bronchial tubes, skin or kidneys. The dose for sheep and 

 swine should be about 1-6 of these quantities. 



Opium. — Medicinal doses relieve pain and spasmodic con- 

 ditions, reduce congestion and inflammation ; check intestinal se- 

 cretion and peristaltic movements ; and with some animals produce 

 sleep. The various preparations of opium are used in medicine 

 for the purpose of relieving pain, perhaps more than any other 

 agent. Opium is a typical anodyne (pain reliever), but there are 

 very many conditions that arise in practice under which it should 

 never be given, which it is not thought practical to explain in this 



