152 CHAPTER 17. 



or 



Oil of Turpentine . . .-,.-.*...* 2 to 3 oz. 



Tincture of Opium . ".,;.*, . 2 oz. 



Linseed oil . ^ .- > , . . ; 1 pint. 



303. Anesthetics. 



Anaesthetics are now very largely used in veterinary practice and are 

 becoming more and more employed as time goes on. 



303&. Chloroform. 



Chloroform ought to be administered in all painful operations, but is 

 not needed in minor cases, such as firing over limited surfaces or castra- 

 tion. The depressing after-effects more than counteract any benefit 

 derived from its operation. 



In modern surgery chloroform is administered through both nostrils 

 by means of a ventilated muzzle (Raymond's patent), at the bottom of 

 which a flat sponge saturated with chloroform is inserted, and retained 

 in position by a perforated metal plate. 



Many horses become greatly excited after inhaling for a short time. 

 The chloroform in such cases must be administered more rapidly, until 

 the patient becomes still and his eyes open. The eyelids are generally 

 closed until the last. The eyes should be repeatedly examined, and the 

 sponge should be removed before the eye becomes totally insensitive to 

 touch. 



If the pupil becomes dilated and insensitive to touch (no matter how 

 small may have been the quantity of chloroform used), its administra- 

 tion must be immediately stopped. But if no such results occur, the 

 administration should be continued until the lid becomes flaccid. 



Some horses become unconscious with the administration of 2 oz., 

 while others require 8 oz. For veterinary purposes methylated chloro- 

 form answers as well as the pure, and is much cheaper. 



In all cases it is advisable to ascertain before administration that the 

 heart is free from disease, or a fatal result may be apprehended. 



304. Tonics. 



Tonics are agents which increase the general tone and vigour of the 

 system without producing any sudden reaction. They are supposed, after 

 being first taken into the circulation, to act through the nervous system 

 on the contractile involuntary muscular fibres of the alimentary canal 

 and circulatory system, thereby inducing a more healthy state of primary 

 and secondary nutrition. 



They increase the appetite, the fulness and firmness of the pulse, the 

 activity of all bodily functions and muscular power. Preparations of 

 iron appear to be especially useful in improving the condition of the 

 blood by increasing the amount of iron contained in that fluid. 



