2 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



Arsenic, even in medicinal doses, if administered regularly over a long- 

 period, may accumulate in the system and prove injurious. 



An interval of a week should be allowed after each course extending 

 over a fortnight. 



Outwardly it is a powerful caustic and antiseptic. As the former it is 

 sometimes applied to morbid growths and fistulous wounds, as quittor, poll 

 evil, &c, but its employment for these purposes requires the greatest care 

 and judgment, or serious injury may result to parts beyond those to which 

 it is applied. 



Asafcetida. — Useful as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis, and as a 

 •carminative in flatulent distension of the stomach. 



Bael Fruit. — In combination with alkalies and aromatics it arrests 

 ■diarrhoea in foals. 



Belladonna. — As -a local sedative it is applied to surface parts in 

 the form of a liniment to relieve itching, and the pains arising out of 

 rheumatism, inflammatory action, &c. It checks lacteal secretion when 

 applied to the udder of the mare. A few drops of the solution dropped 

 into the eye causes dilatation of the pupil. 



Benzoic Acid. — Stimulant to wounds, antiseptic and diuretic. Exter- 

 nally applied in the form of "Friar's Balsam". 



Bicarbonate of Potassium. — Useful in rheumatism, and, combined 

 with vegetable bitters, relieves flatulence and promotes digestion. As an out- 

 ward application it is employed to suppress itching in irritable skin diseases. 



Bicarbonate Of Sodium. — See Bicarbonate of Potassium. 



Black Pepper. — Chiefly given as a condiment in virtue of its stimu- 

 lant stomachic properties. 



Bluestone. — Externally, sulphate of copper is a mild caustic and 

 astringent; applied to the edges of indolent wounds it promotes healing. 

 It also checks the formation of proud flesh, and in weak solution arrests 

 mucous discharges from the vagina and other surfaces. Internally it is 

 given as a tonic and astringent in chronic nasal gleet, &c. 



Borax. — As a disinfectant it destroys low organisms and prevents 

 their reproduction. Applied to the skin it allays irritation in urticaria, 

 pruritis, and other forms of skin disease. As a mouth-wash it is useful in 

 aphtha in foals. 



Boric Acid. — Antiseptic. Used either in solution of 1 part to 20 of 

 water or as an ointment. Cotton-wool, when soaked in a saturated solution 

 and dried, forms antiseptic cotton-wool. 



Bromide Of Potassium. — A powerful sedative, whose special action 

 is on the nerve centres. Used to suppress cerebral excitement, and convul- 

 sive movements due to irritation of the spinal cord. 



