^876 — 



openings from the bottom of the wound, to allow the exposed 

 fluids to escape. The parts should be dressed with simple oint- 

 ment. (See Medicines and Prescriptions.) 



Purgatives. — A class of medicines capable of pleansing or 

 emptying the bowels. Purgatives are distinguished from laxa- 

 tives, only in the quantity given. Six to eight drachms of aloes 

 will act as a purgative, and two or three drachms will act as a 

 laxative. When laxatives are necessary, repeat at distant in- 

 tervals. 



Purpura. — This is a disease which is but rarely seen, and con- 

 gists in the surface of the whole body and legs being covered with 

 pimples, or small boils, which discharge a livid or purple-colored 

 fluid. The animal is very much debilitated ; and accompanied with 

 sympathetic fever, we not unfrequently see swelHngs of the head 

 and parts of the body, with the legs very thick, and the same 

 colored fluid oozing out of them. Invariably the horse is scarcely 

 able to move. The worst form of this disease is the purpura 

 hsemoragica, or bleeding purpura. The small boils are the result 

 of extravasation from the minute blood vessels under the skin. 



Cause. Venous congestion of the whole surface of the body, 

 and possible a deterioration of the blood itself. 



Treatment. Support the strength, to keep off typhoid symp- 

 toms; enrich the blood, and attend to the surface sores. For this 

 purpose, give the following powders, night and morning : Pow- 

 dered sulphate of iron, three ounces; gentian root, two ounces 

 and a half; carbonate of ammonia, four ounces. Mix, and divide 

 into twelve powders, one to be given twice in the day. Give, oc- 

 casionally, forty to sixty drops of commercial sulphuric acid in a 

 bucket of cold water. Feed the horse well, and apply to the sores 

 olive oil, three ounces, and creosote, one ounce, once every 

 second day, and wash the sores twice a week. Horses once at- 

 tacked by this disease are ever after liable to it 



Pus. — This is the material found in abscesses. Pus may be 

 healthy, or laudable, as it is called. Unhealthy, when it is mixed 

 with blood and has a stinking smell. Healthy pus is of the 

 thickness and color of cream, and is insoluble in water. 



Putrefaction. — Certain diseases are regarded as putrid, where 

 ^he discharges have a black appearance and putrid smell. When 



