MEDICINE. 495 



it in water, in the proportion of one part of the gum to three or four of water. 

 Various insoluble powders may be thus suspended, or oils rendered miscible 

 or emulsions formed. Emulsions composed of gum arabic are supposed to be 

 useful in urinary affections. 



ACIDUM ACETICUM, ACETIC ACID, VINEGAR. Vinegar is a very useful appli- 

 cation for sprains and bruises. Equal parts of boiling water and cold vinegar 

 will form a good fomentation. Extract of lead, or bay salt, may be added with 

 some advantage. As an internal remedy, vinegar is rarely given, nor has it, 

 except in large doses, any considerable medicinal power. The veterinarian and the 

 horse-owner should manufacture their own vinegar. That which they buy 

 frequently contains sulphuric acid and pungent spices, and irritates the inflamed 

 part to which it is applied. 



ACIDUM ARSENIOSUM, ARSENIC. Were it not that some practitioners con- 

 tinue to use it as a tonic, in doses of from ten to twenty grains daily, and others 

 employ it to core out old ulcers, we would not include it in our list, for we 

 have little faith in it. There are better and safer tonics, and far better and 

 safer caustics. The method of detecting the presence of arsenic, in cases of 

 poisoning, has been described at page 292. 



ACIDUM MURIATICUM, or HYDROCHLORIC ACID : SPIRIT OP SALT. 

 This acid is formed by distilling corrosive sublimate with antimony. The 

 butter- like matter which is produced (whence the common name, Butyr of 

 Antimony} has a strong affinity for water, which it attracts from the atmo- 

 sphere, and thus becomes converted into a fluid. The less water it is suffered 

 to attract to itself the more powerful it remains, and therefore it should be 

 kept in stoppered bottles. The proof of its goodness is its weight. It is 

 decidedly the best liquid caustic we have. It is most manageable, and its 

 effect can most readily be ascertained. As soon as it touches any mus- 

 cular or living part, a change of colour is perceived, and the effect of the 

 caustic can be fairly judged of by the degree of change. For corns, canker, 

 indisposition in the sole to secrete good horn, wounds in the foot not attended 

 by healthy action, and for every case where the superficial application of a 

 caustic is needed, this acid is unrivalled. 



ACIDUM NITRIOUM : NITRIC ACID, AQUAFORTIS. This is a valuable external 

 application. It is both a caustic and an antiseptic. It destroys fungous 

 excrescences. A pledget of tar should be dipped in the acid, and then firmly 

 pressed on the cankerous surface. Every part with which the acid has 

 come into contact will be deadened and slough off, and healthy granulations will 

 spring up. 



ACIDUM HYDROCIANICUM : PRUSSIC ACID. This, in a concentrated state, is 

 truly a deadly poison ; a few drops of it will kill a large animal. In a diluted 

 form, it is a powerful sedative. In doses of six drops, largely diluted, it abates 

 both pulmonary and gastric irritation. It may be worth trying in the form of 

 enema in cases of Tetanus. It may also be given by the mouth in the same 

 disease. Nothing is more likely to tranquillize the general excitement of the 

 nervous system. The author of this work was the first person who applied the 

 hydrocyanic acid for the purpose of allaying irritation of the skin in dogs. It 

 seldom fails of producing the desired effect, and it has had a similar good effect 

 in subduing itchiness and mange in the horse. 



ACIDUM SULPHURICUM, SULPHURIC ACID. When mixed with tar in the 

 proportion of an ounce to the pound, it is a good application for thrush and 

 canker : a smaller quantity mixed with olive oil makes a good stimulating lini- 

 ment. If too much sulphuric acid is added, either by mistake or wilfully, 

 it inflames and corrodes the stomach and bowels. The proper antidotes in this 



