104 MEDICINE. 



old callus, and the suppling of joints stiff from labour. Combined with oil of t'rpen 

 tine i* is more effective, but in this combination it occasionally blemishes. 



CANTHARIDES are the basis of the most approved and useful veterinary blisters. 

 The cantharis is a fly, the native of Italy and the south of France. It is destroyed 

 by sulphur, dried and powdered, and mixed with palm oil and resin in the proportion 

 directed at page 225. Its action is intense, and yet superficial ; it plentifully raises 

 ihe cuticle, yet rarely injures the true skin, and therefore seldom blemishes. The 

 application of other acrid substances is occasionally followed by deeply-seated ulcera- 

 tions; but a blister composed of the Spanish fly alone, while it does its duty, leaves, 

 after a few weeks have passed, scarcely a trace behind. 



The art of blistering consists in cutting, or rather shaving, the hair perfectly close ; 

 then well rubbing in the ointment, for at least ten minutes ; and, afterwards, and what 

 is of the greatest consequence of all, plastering a little more of the ointment lightly 

 over the part, and leaving it. As soon as the vesicles have perfectly risen, which will 

 be in twenty or twenty-four hours, the torture of the animal may be somewhat relieved 

 by the application of olive or neat's-foot oil, or any emollient ointment. 



When too extensive a blister has been employed, or, from the intensity of the origi 

 nal inflammation, the blister has not risen, (for no two intense inflammations can exis\ 

 in neighbouring parts at the same time), strangury great difficulty in passing urine, 

 and even suppression of it has occurred. The careful washing off of the blister, and 

 the administration of plenty of warm water, with opium, and bleeding if the symp- 

 toms run high, will generally remove this unpleasant effect. 



An infusion of two ounces of the flies in a pint of oil of turpentine, for several days, 

 is occasionally used as a liquid blister ; and, when sufficiently lowered with common 

 oil, it is called a sweating oil, for it maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflam- 

 mation on the skin, yet not sufficient to blister, and thus gradually abates or removes 

 some old or deep inflammation, or cause of lameness. 



Of late cantharides have come into more general use. They were recommended 

 by Mr. Vines, in combination with vegetable bitters, as a stimulating tonic, in cases 

 of debility. He next applied them for the cure of Glanders, and with considerable 

 success. The Veterinary public is much indebted to Mr. Vines, for the steadiness 

 with which he has followed up the employment of the Spanish fly. The dose is from 

 five to eight grains given daily, but withheld for a day or two when diuresis super- 

 venes. 



CAPSICI BACCJE, CAPSICUM BERRIES. They are valuable as stimulants affecting 

 the system generally, yet not too much accelerating the pulse. Their beneficial effect 

 in cases of cold, has seldom been properly estimated. The dose is from a scruple to 

 half a drachm. 



CARUI SEMINA, CARAWAY SEEDS. These and Ginger alone or combined, are the 

 best stimulants used in horse-practice. 



CASCARILLJE CORTEX, CASCARILLA BARK. Tonic as well as aromatic. It must not, 

 however, be used with the sulphates of iron or zinc. 



CASTOR OIL, OLEUM RICINI. An expensive medicine. It must be given in large 

 doses, and even then it is uncertain in its effects. Mild as is its operation in most 

 animals, it sometimes gripes and even endangers the horse. 



CATECHU, JAPAN EARTH, yet, no earth, but extracted from the wood of one of the 

 acacia trees, is a very useful astringent. It is given in super-purgation, in doses of 

 one or two drachms, with opium, as a yet more powerful astringent ; chalk, to neu 

 tralize any acid in the stomach or bowels ; and powdered gum, to sheath the over-irr 

 tated mucous coat of the intestines. It is not often adulterated in our country, bb 

 grossly so abroad fine sand and aluminous earth being mixed with the extract. I 

 is seldom given with any alkali, yet the prescription just recommended contains 

 chalk : but, although the chalk, as an alkali, may weaken the astringency of the cate 

 chu, it probably neutralizes some acid in the stomach or bowels, that would have 

 diminished the power of the catechu to a greater degree. It must not be given ir 

 conjunction with any metallic salt, for the tannin or gallic acid, on which its powei 

 chiefly or entirely depends, has an affinity for all metals, and will unite with them, 

 and form a gallate of them, possessing little astringent energy. Common ink is the 

 cnion of ths tannin principle with iron. 



A tinctu e of catechu is sometimes made by macerating three ounces of the pcwdei 

 In a quart c>5 spirit for a fortnight. It is an excellent application for wounds ; and 



