ACTION AND U8KS OF MKDICJNES. 159 



Poured from a height it is sometimes specially effective. Its tempera- 

 ture, if need be, may be lowered by dissolving in it ice and salt, or a 

 mixture of equal weights of common salt, nitre, and muriate of ammonia. 

 Vinegar is sometimes mixed with the water, and is useful where an astrin- 

 gent and refrigerant effect is desired. Powdered ice is also a valuable 

 means of abstracting heat. An ingenious india-rubber apparatus is now 

 made for allowing cold water to trickle down over any required part. 



317. Coolitiij Drinks. 



Cooling and refrigerant drinks, though less commonly used in Veter- 

 inary than in human practice, are refreshing and sometimes palatable to 

 sick animals. They often, also exert a slight tonic action, and generally 

 in addition increase the secretions of the bowels and kidneys. 



Cooling drinks are made by dissolving in water saline matters such as 

 4 drachms of nitre, or cream of tartar, or 4 ounces of the solution of 

 acetate of ammonia in a gallon of water. Or acids such as 2 or 3 ounces 

 of vinegar, or 1 or 2 drachms of hydrochloric acid may be mixed in the 

 above quantity of water. Many horses, however, will refuse the water 

 when so mixed. 



318. Cooling lotions. 



Acetate of Ammonia . . . , . 4 oz. 



Spirits of wine . . . . . . 4 oz. 



Water 8 oz. 



Mix and keep the part wet with a rag ; 



or 



Sal Ammoniac . . . . . . 1 oz. 



Vinegar 4 oz. 



Spirits of Wine . . . . . . 4 oz. 



Water • . . 8 oz. 



Mix the Sal Ammoniac and Vinegar together, and then add the Spirits 

 of Wine and the water ; 



or 



Sugar of Lead . . . . . . i oz. 



Vinegar 2 oz. 



Water 1 q^art. 



319. Alterative halls. 



By slightly provoking the action of the excretory organs Alteratives 

 are sometimes useful in enabling the system to rid itself of any waste 

 materials or matters, which if retained might cause disturbance of health. 



They may be made of — 



Nitre, Black Antimony, and Sulphur, 2 drachms each. 



Or a mass may be made of Aloes in powder 1 oz., Soft soap 1 oz., Lin- 

 seed meal and treacle 6 oz. Dose 1 oz. 



