488 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



or, more strictly speaking, chlorinated lime, it may be sprinkled upon stable 

 floors or placed in vessels about the building. Where the disinfection of 

 unoccupied stables is the object to be attained, a more effective method is 

 that of mixing common salt, binoxide of manganese, and sulphuric acid in a 

 suitable vessel, closing the doors and windows, and allowing the chlorine 

 gas evolved to permeate the whole structure. It has the disadvantage of 

 irritating the air-passages of living animals, and damaging brass and other 

 stable-fittings; reasons which, in a measure, account for so effective an 

 agent having fallen into desuetude. 



Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid is a strong solution of chloride of zinc. 

 Antiseptic and disinfectant, correcting the factor of ulcei'S and unhealthy 

 wounds, but retarding the formation of new material to such an extent that 

 it is in more frequent request for other purposes, such as the destruction of 

 fistulse, proud flesh, and morbid growths. 



MISCELLANEOUS DRUGS 



Mercury (Quicksilver). — Mercury is a liquid metal, and in various 

 forms of chemical combination is largely employed in veterinary medicine 

 in both internal and external disorders. The preparations used in the 

 treatment of horses are calomel, bichloride or perchloride of mei'cury 

 (corrosive sublimate), gray powder, blue pill, red and white precipitate, 

 nitrate of mercury, iodide and biniodide of mercury, yellow oxide of 

 mercury, merciuial ointment, oleate of mercury, &c. 



Action and Uses. — As an external remedy mercury is used for 

 various skin diseases, particularly those caused by parasites, both animal 

 and vegetable. The blue ointment, which is simply a mixture of mercury 

 and lard, with a small proportion of suet to harden it, was formerly very 

 much used, but at the present time has given place to the cleanlier pre- 

 parations of ammoniated mercury, the red oxide, and the nitrate, while the 

 red iodide or biniodide, as it is respectively called, is the material most 

 used in blisters, and was originally introduced as a substitute for firing. 



The bichloride or perchloride (the change of nomenclature gives rise to 

 confusion, and we therefore use both terms) is an invaluable chemical for 

 the destruction of external parasites, as well as those minute organisms 

 which are now regarded as the cause of so many specific contagious diseases. 

 Besides its medicinal use it is employed as an antiseptic for the sterilization 

 of instruments, and the hands of the operator in the course of surgical 

 operations. Calomel is the chief salt of mercury given to horses. It is 

 not, however, in great favour. As a liver stimulant it is largely employed 

 in human and canine medicine, but in the horse it is feared on account of 



