508 MEDICINE. 



should be given in combination with gentian and ginger, but never with any 

 alkali or nitre, or soap, or catechu, or astringent vegetable. 



FEVER. For the nature and treatment of the fever, both pure and symptomatic, 

 reference may be made to p. 246. 



Forge water used to be a favourite tonic with farriers, and also a lotion for 

 canker and ulcers in the mouth. It owes its power, if there be any, to the iron 

 with which it is impregnated. 



FOMENTATIONS open the pores of the skin and promote perspiration in the 

 part, and so abate the local swelling, and relieve pain and lessen inflammation. 

 They are often used, and with more benefit when the inflammation is somewhat 

 deeply seated, than when it is superficial. The effect depends upon the warmth 

 of the water, and not on any herb that may have been boiled in it. They 

 are best applied by means of flannel, frequently dipped in the hot water, or on 

 which the water is poured, and the heat should be as great as the hand will 

 bear. The benefit that might be derived from them is much impaired by the 

 absurd method in which the fomentations are conducted. They are rarely 

 continued long enough, and when they are removed, the part is left wet and 

 uncovered, and the coldness of evaporation succeeds to the heat of fomentation. 

 The perspiration is thus suddenly checked ; the animal suffers considerable pain, 

 and more harm is done by the extreme change of temperature than if the 

 fomentation had not been attempted. 



GENTIAN stands at the head of the vegetable tonics, and is a stomachic as 

 well as a tonic. It is equally useful in chronic debility, and in that which is 

 consequent on severe and protracted illness. It is .generally united with chamo- 

 mile, ginger, and, when the patient will bear it, carbonate of iron. Four 

 drachms of gentian, two of chamoinile, one of carbonate of iron, and one of 

 ginger, will make an excellent tonic ball. An infusion of gentian is one of the 

 best applications to putrid ulcers. 



GINGER is as valuable as a cordial, as gentian is as a tonic. It is the basis of 

 the cordial ball, and it is indispensable in the tonic ball. Although it is diffi- 

 cult to powder, the veterinary practitioner should always purchase it in its solid 

 form. If the root is large, heavy, and not worm-eaten, the black ginger is as 

 good as the white, and considerably cheaper. The powder is adulterated with 

 bean-meal and the sawdust of boxwood, and rendered warm and pungent bv 

 means of capsicum. 



HELLEBORUS ALBUS, WHITE HELLEBORE. This is a drastic cathartic, and 

 should be used with great caution. It is a powerful nauseant, and lowers both 

 the force and frequency of the pulse, and is therefore given with good effect in 

 various inflammations, and particularly that of the lungs. In the hospital of 

 the veterinary surgeon, or in the stable of the gentleman who will superintend 

 the giving and the operation of every medicine, it may be used with safety ; 

 but with him who has to trust to others, and who does not see the horse more 

 than once in twelve or twenty-four hours, it is a dangerous drug. If it is 

 pushed a little too far, trembling and giddiness, and purging follow, and the 

 horse is sometimes lost. The hanging of the head, and the frothing of the 

 mouth, and, more particularly, the sinking of the pulse, will give warning of 

 danger ; but the medical attendant may not have the opportunity of observing 

 this, and when he does observe it, it may be too late. Its dose varies from a 

 scruple to half a drachm. In doses of a drachm it could not be given with 

 safety ; and yet, such is the different effect of medicines given in different doses, 

 that in the quantity of an ounce it is said to be a diuretic and a tonic, and 

 exhibited with advantage in chronic and obstinate grease. 



HKLLEBORUS NIGER, BLACK HELLEBORE. This is used mostly as a local 

 application, and as such it is a very powerful stimulant. Mr. E. Stanley, of 



