MEDICINES. 437 



.he purpose of allaying irritation of the skin in dogs. It seldom 

 fails of producing the desired eflect, and it has had a similar 

 good ellect in subduing itchiness and mange in the horse, 



AciDUM iSuLniuRicuM, Sulphuric Acid, Oil of Vitriol. — 

 When mixed with tar in the proportion of an ounce to the 

 pound, it is a good application for thrush and canker : a smaller 

 quantity, mixed with olive oil, makes a good stimulating lini- 

 ment. If too much sulphuric acid is added, either by mistake 

 or wilfully, it inflames and corrodes the stomach and bowels. 

 The proper antidotes in this case are magnesia, or the carbonate 

 of soda or potash, with soft soap. The acid might possibly be 

 neutralized by this combination. « 



Actual Cautery. — See Caustics. 



Adeps, Hog's LaPwD, very properly forms the basis of most 

 of our ointments. It is tasteless, inodorous, and free from every 

 stimulating quality. That cannot be said of all the ingredients 

 used in the composition of our unguents. 



Alcohol, Rectified Spirit. — This is necessarily used in 

 many of our tinctures and other preparations, and is sometimes 

 given to the horse in almost a pure state. Some horses that are 

 compelled to travel far and quickly, show evident fatigue before 

 they arrive at the end of their journey. A cordial or carmina- 

 tive tincture, to the extent of three or four ounces, largely diluted, 

 may occasionally be given, and they rally, and cheerfully pursue 

 their journey to the end. The groom or the stableman gives 

 the gin or whiskey of the country, in preference to any other 

 stimulant. In cases of thorough fatigue, the Dafly's Elixir may be 

 administered, and probably rendered more stimulant by the addi- 

 tion of pepper. Mr. Bracy Clark recommends four ounces of the 

 tincture of allspice in cases of gripes. On the other hand, some 

 veterinary surgeons have preferred simple hot water, or the infu- 

 sion of several of our medicinal herbs, as peppermint, rosemary, 

 &c. We should be loth, except on extraordinary occasions, to 

 advocate the use of any spirituolis drink. 



Aloes. — There are two kinds used m horse practice, the Barba- 

 does and the Cape. The Socotorine, preferred by the human sur- 

 geon, are very uncertain in their effect on the horse, and are seldom 

 to be met with pure. Of the Barbadoes and the Cape, the first 

 are much to be preferred. 



The Barbadoes are black, with a sha^Ie of brown, of an unctu- 

 ous feeling, with a stronger smell, broken with difficulty, and the 

 fracture dull. The Cape are darker coloved, stronger smelling, 

 very brittle, and the fracture perfectly glossy. Every veterinary 

 surgeon who uses much aloes should buy them in the mass, and 

 powder them at home, and then, by attending to this account of 

 the difference of the two, he can scarcely be imposed upon. It 



