240 ZINC SULPHATE 



urine. Unlike lead or mercury, it exhibits no cumulative 

 action. 



MEDICINAL USES. As a gastric tonic it resembles, but is 

 inferior to, iron and copper sulphates. As an astringent 

 compared with lead or silver salts, it contracts capillary 

 vessels more powerfully. It is sometimes prescribed with 

 opium in diarrhoea and dysentery, but is less serviceable than 

 copper sulphate or lead acetate. It may be given for acute 

 chorea in dogs in good condition : but iron is better in 

 chronic cases associated with debility. For diminishing 

 excessive discharge, or arresting haemorrhage from the 

 alimentary canal, frequent small doses are given with 

 sulphuric acid and opium. As a safe and prompt emetic 

 it is prescribed for dogs and pigs to empty the stomach of 

 undigested food, foreign bodies, and poisons. 



Externally, it is much used as a stimulant and astringent 

 for wounds, ulcers, conjunctivitis, relaxed sore throat, 

 irritable conditions of the mucous membrane of the uterus 

 or vagina, vesicular and pustular skin eruptions, and inter- 

 digital inflammation in sheep. Where powerful astringent 

 and caustic effects are sought, the zinc sulphate is conjoined 

 with that of copper or iron, or with both. Malcolm, in his 

 successful treatment of canker in the foot of the horse, uses 

 a dressing of equal parts of zinc, copper, and iron sul- 

 phates, with carbolic acid, and sufficient vaseline to form 

 a paste. 



DOSES, etc. As an emetic, grs. ii. to grs. v. for cats ; grs. 

 jv. to grs. viij. for dogs ; and grs. x. to grs. xv. for pigs, are 

 given in two or three ounces of water. As an astringent for 

 horses and cattle, 3 SS - to 3ij- ; for sheep, grs. x. to grs. xx. ; 

 for dogs, grs. j. to grs. iij. are given, either in the solid or fluid 

 state. Externally, it is used in powder or solution, usually 

 made with thirty to sixty parts of water. Three-quarters 

 of an ounce of zinc sulphate and an ounce of lead acetate, 

 with 30 to 40 ounces of water, constitute the white lotion so 

 familiar in veterinary practice, but for some purposes this 

 strong solution requires further dilution. 



Zinc sulpho-carbolate is sometimes used as a mild anti- 

 septic and astringent, two to five grains being dissolved in an 

 ounce of water. 



