668 SUGAR 



and fluidity of the faeces, and usually also augment secretion 

 of urine. As a demulcent sugar is used in the dry stages of 

 common catarrh, in poisoning with salts of mercury and 

 copper, and as a domestic remedy for wounds, and for 

 removing specks from the cornea. Its antiseptic properties 

 recommend it for preserving many vegetable and some soft 

 animal substances, and for making up various medicines. 

 It increases the solubility of calcium salts and retards 

 oxidation of ferrous compounds. The syrupus of the B.P. 

 used for flavouring, preserving, and suspending medicines, 

 is made by dissolving, with the aid of heat, five pounds 

 refined sugar in two pints distilled water, and adding after 

 cooling, sufficient water to make the weight of the product 

 7J Ibs. Specific gravity 1-330. 



Molasses and treacle are often substituted for sugar. 

 They are palatable, digestible, laxative articles of diet, 

 useful for sick and convalescent animals. They are con- 

 venient auxiliary purgatives, and valuable for hastening 

 the action, preventing the nausea, and covering the disagree- 

 able flavour of active cathartics. When full doses of physic 

 have been given, and their repetition is inexpedient, large 

 and repeated doses of treacle encourage the action of the 

 purgative, especially in cattle and sheep. As a soothing 

 antiseptic gargle for horses, three or four ounces of treacle 

 and an ounce of borax or of potassium nitrate or chlorate 

 are dissolved in a pint of water, and a few ounces slowly 

 administered every hour or two. When cough is trouble- 

 some an ounce of belladonna extract may be added. Treacle 

 is a convenient antiseptic excipient for electuaries and also 

 for ball masses, imparting a proper consistence, and prevent- 

 ing their becoming dry, hard, or mouldy. The common 

 mass, so largely used as an excipient, is made by thoroughly 

 mixing with gentle heat equal weights of treacle and linseed 

 meal. 



DOSES, etc. Of sugar and treacle, as laxatives, horses and 

 cattle take Ib. i. ; sheep, v. or vi. ; pigs, gij. to vi. ; 

 dogs, gi. to ij., administered with aromatics and salines, 

 usually dissolved in water, milk, or gruel, or mixed with a 

 mash. 



