MEDICI1NE. 415 



digitalis may be generally used in cases of inflammation or fever; or emetic tarta: 

 for worms ; or calomel or even the farina of the cioton nut for physic : but powders 

 are too often an excuse for the laziness or awkwardness of the carter or groom. The 

 norse frequently refuses them, especially if his appetite has otherwise begun to fail ; 

 the powder and the mash are wasted, and the animal is unnecessarily nauseated. Al! 

 medicine should be given in the form of ball or drink. 



RAKING. This consists in introducing the hand into the rectum of the horse, and 

 drawing out any harden ?d dung that may be there. It may be necessary in costhe- 

 ness or fever, if a clyster pipe cannot be obtained ; but an injection will better effect 

 the purpose, and with less inconvenience to the animal. The introduction of the 

 hand into the rectum is, however, useful to ascertain the existence of stone in the 

 bladder, or the degree of distension of the bladder in suppression of urine, for the 

 bladder will be easily felt below the intestine, and, at the same time by the heat of 

 the intestine, the degree of inflammation in it or in the bladder may be detected. 



RESIN. The yellow resin is that which remains after the distillation of oil of tur- 

 pentine. It is used externally to give consistence to ointments, and to render them 

 slightly stimulant. Internally it is a useful diuretic, and is given in doses of five or 

 six drachms made into a ball with soft soap. The common liquid turpentine is, how- 

 ever, preferable. 



ROWELS. The manner of rowelling has been already described. As exciting 

 inflammation on the surface, and so lessening that which had previously existed in a 

 neighbouring but deeper-seated part, they are decidedly inferior to blisters, for they 

 do not act so quickly or so extensively ; therefore they should not be used in acute 

 inflammation of the lungs oi bowels, or any vital part. When the inflammation, 

 however, although not intense, has long continued, rowels will be serviceable by pro- 

 ducing an irritation and discharge that can be better kept up than by a blister. As 

 promoting a permanent, although not very considerable discharge, and some inflam- 

 mation, rowels in the thighs are useful in swelled legs and obstinate grease. If fluid 

 is thrown out under the skin in any other part, the rowel acts as a permanent drain. 

 When sprain of the joint or the muscles of the shoulders is suspected, a rowel in the 

 chest will be serviceable. The wound caused by a rowel will readily heal, and with 

 little blemish, unless the useless leather of the farrier has been inserted. 



SECALE CORNUTUM, the Ergot of Rye. This is well known to be an excitant in 

 assisting parturition in cattle, sheep, and dogs. It has been used with success in thf. 

 mare by Mr. Richardson, of Lincoln. It should only be applied in difficult cases, 

 and the dose should be two drachms, combined with some carminative, and given 

 every hour. 



SEDATIVES are medicines that subdue irritation, repress spasmodic action, or deaden 

 pain. We will not inquire whether they act first as stimulants : if they do, their 

 effect is exceedingly transient, and is quickly followed by depression and diminished 

 action. Digitalis, hellebore, opium, turpentine, are medicines of this kind. Their 

 effect in different diseases or stages of disease, and the circumstances which indicate 

 the use of any one of them in preference to the rest, are considered under their respec- 

 tive titles. 



SODA. The Carbonate of Soda is a useful antacid, and probably a diuretic, but. it is 

 not much used in veterinary practice. The Chloride of Soda is not so efficacious for 

 the removal of unpleasant smells and all infection as the chloride of lime; but it is 

 exceedingly useful in changing malignant and corroding and destructive sores into the 

 state of simple ulcers, and, in ulcers that are not malignant, it much hastens the cure. 

 Poll evil and fistulous withers are much benefited by it, and all farcy ulcers. It is 

 used in the proportion of one part of the solution to twenty-four of water. 



SODII CHLORIDUM, Common Salt, is very extensively employed in veterinary prac- 

 tice. It forms an efficacious aperient clyster, and a solution of it has been given as 

 an aperient drink. SprinkVed over the hay, or in a mash, it is very palatable to sick 

 Worses ; and in that languor and disinclination to food which remain after severe illness, 

 *ew things will sc soon recall the appetite as a drink composed of six or eight ounces 

 of salt in solution. To horses in health it is more useful than is generally imagined, 

 us promoting the digestion of the food, and, consequently, condition. Externally ap 

 plied, there are few better otions for inflamed eyes than a solution of half a drachm 

 of salt in four ounces of w iter. In the p % oportion of an ounce of salt to the same 

 juantry of water, i is a gi od embroca'ioi for sore shoulders and backs; and if it 



