278 MEDICINAL USES 



is hurried through the intestines. In such cases it is 

 frequently conjoined with antacids and opium. It is often 

 given as an anthelmintic. 



Chronic diseases of the air-passages, notably catarrh and 

 ozsena in horses, are often benefited by a course of arsenic. 

 It relieves irritable cough, as well as thick and broken wind. 

 Robertson was confident of its value in roaring ; in abating 

 the dyspnoea and cough of thick wind, he enjoined its use 

 daily for ten days or a fortnight, when some other remedy 

 was directed to be substituted ; and in broken wind, 

 frequently with advantage, prescribed two to three grains 

 twice a week for months. 



As an alterative, modifying tissue changes and improving 

 general nutrition, it has been given in the earlier stages of 

 tuberculosis, and in chronic rheumatism, chorea, and epi- 

 lepsy. In dourine, trypanosomiasis, and piroplasmosis 

 arsenic is prescribed with iron, or with oil of turpentine. 

 In febrile attacks manifesting periodicity arsenic is some- 

 times as effectual as quinine. Sir Lauder Brunton believes 

 that its efficacy in phthisis depends upon its hastening the 

 removal of the effused products of pneumonia which form a 

 suitable nidus for the bacillus tuberculosis. In anaemia 

 medicinal doses probably increase both the white and red 

 corpuscles, especially when conjoined, as it usually is in such 

 cases, with iron. When mixed with freshly-drawn blood it 

 retards coagulation and putrefaction, and preserves the 

 globules, and possibly exerts similar effects internally. Full 

 doses freely diluted are prescribed thrice daily, immediately 

 after meals, for dogs suffering from chorea, and are some- 

 times also serviceable in epilepsy. Its value in these dis- 

 orders appears to depend on some action on the central 

 nervous system, as yet unexplained. It stimulates the 

 dermis, hastens removal of morbid epidermal cells, and is 

 hence useful in chronic eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, scab, and 

 mange, and in such cases is used both internally and ex- 

 ternally. In chronic scaly skin complaints it has been 

 prescribed with mercury and iodine. 



In Styria it is eaten by the peasantry, with the view of im- 

 proving the complexion, producing plumpness, increasing 

 general vigour, and preventing breathlessness in running or 



