MEDICINES AKD THEIR DOSES. 19 



Curare (A South American arrow poison). — Horses and 

 cattle, -J to 1 grain. It is more effective if injected intra- 

 venously or subcutaneously (into a vein or under the skin). 



Digitalis. — (So called because the flower resembles a 

 finger stall ; also called Fox Glove. ) Of the powdered 

 leaves horses take 10 to 30 grains; cattle, i to 1 dram; 

 sheep, 8 to 15 grains ; swine, 2 to 10 grains. Of the 

 tincture, horses and cattle, 2 to 4 drams ; sheep, 1 dram. 

 The fluid extract made in the United States is nearly 10 

 times as strong as the B. P. (British Pharmacopeia) tinc- 

 ture. A horse was poisoned by two ounces of the pow- 

 dered leaves in twelve hours. In some cases six drams 

 have caused death in from twelve to sixteen hours. 



Epsom Salt. — See 'Magnesium Sulphate/ 



Ergot (of Rye). — As an ecbolic for the mare or cow, £ 

 to 1 oz. ; for sheep and swine, 1 dram, every i or 1 hour. 

 Swallow dregs and all. Sometimes 100 lbs. of hay yields 



1 lb. of ergot. Ecbolics are used to cause abortion or to 

 hasten parturition. Avoid ergot pastures in grazing. 



Ergotin. — Horses and cattle, 15 to 25 grains. When 

 used hypodermically, smaller doses should first be tried. 

 Ether. — As a stimulant horses take 1 to 2 oz. ; cattle, 



2 to 3 oz. ; sheep and swine, 2 to 4 drams, in cold water, 

 diluted spirit, &c. 



Eucalyptus (Blue Gum Tree). — Horses and cattle, 1 

 dram, in diluted spirit, mucilage, or milk. 



Fern Root. — Of the powdered root horses and cattle 

 take \ lb.; sheep, 3 to 5 oz. Liquid extract — horses and 

 cattle, 2 to 4 drams; sheep, 1 dram. The extract is 

 less bulky and surer. 



Galls. — Of tannic acid horses take 20 grains to 2 drams ; 

 cattle, 3 drams ; sheep and swine, 15 to 30 grains. Tan- 

 nic acid is the principle to which oak-bark galls, log- 

 wood and many vegetable astringents owe their properties. 

 Galls, tannic and gallic acids differ only in the degree of 

 their action. 



