MEDICINES USED FOR THE HORSE. 83 



Uses. Internally, cantharides are a powerful stimulant with a pecul- 

 iar direction to the urinary organs, and in moderate doses it sometimes 

 acts as a diuretic. Used with good results for glanders and farcy. 



The principal use of the cantharides is as a blister, by mixing it with 

 lard. 



Dose. Spanish Flies may be given in doses varying from 3 to 7 grains, 

 but given only once a day. 



Castor Oil. This is the expressed oil of the seeds of the castor oil 

 plant, which is now cultivated largely in this country throughout many 

 of the Southern and Western States. 



Use. This oil is very useful and safe for common use m the human 

 family ; but it is considered unfit for the horse, as it sometimes causes 

 inflammation of the coats of the bowels without relief from the purging, 



(Raw Linseed Oil is considered as safe and efficient for the horse as 

 castor oil is for man. (See Linseed oil.) 



Dose. When it is thought best to give castor oil, or in the absence of 

 the raw linseed oil, it may be given in doses varying from | to 1 i pints. 



Catechu. An extract prepared from the wood of Acacia Catechu, 

 and found most abundant in the East Indies. It is a small tree seldom 

 growing more than twelve leet in hight, with the trunk about one foot 

 in diameter. 



Use. An astringent which will bind the bowels in diarrhoea, and is 

 combined, with good results, with opium and prepared chalk, for diar- 

 rhoea. 



Dose. One to three drachms. 



Prepared Chalk. (Creta Praaparata.) This is the only form in 

 which chalk is used in medicine, and is an excellent antacid ; is one of 

 the best antidotes for oxalic acid. It is used with good results for acid- 

 ity of the stomach and for diarrhoea &c. 



Dose. One to two ounces. 



Chamomile Flowers. This is a native of Europe and gi*ows wild in 

 all the temperate parts of that continent and is also largely cultivated. 



Use. A very mild tonic and quite useful when combined with other 

 medicines of this class. 



Dose. It may be given in doses varying from ^ ounce to two ounces. 



Charcoal. This may be given with good results, powdered, for 

 chronic diarrhoea, dysentery and debilitated stomach. 



Dose. Half an ounce to one ounce, and it may be given suspended in 

 gruel. It may be used with good results externally when applied to 

 badly smelling wounds. 



^ Chloride of Lime. This compound was originally prepared for a 

 bleaching agent nearly a century ago, and has since been found to have 

 valuable properties as a disinfectant. It is a dry, or but slightly moist 



