384 



THE HORSE. 



grease generally ; and also tor those forms of swelled legs attended with 

 exudation of moisture through the skin. Some add the Goulard lotion, 

 forgetting the chemical decomposition that takes place; the result of which 

 is, that the alumine, possessing little aslringency, is detached, and two 

 salts with no astringency at all, the sulphate of lead, and the sulphate of 

 Dotash, are formed. 



The Burnt Alum is inferior to the common alum for the purposes men- 

 .ioned, and we have better stimulants, or caustics, to apply to wounds. 



Ammonia is, to the annoyance of the horse, and the injury of his eyes 

 and his lungs, plentifully extricated from the putrefying dung and urine of 

 the stable; but when combined with water in the common form of harts- 

 horn, it is seldom used in veterinary practice. It has been given, and with 

 decided benefit, and when other things have failed, in flatulent colic; and 

 is best administered in the form of the aromatic spirit of ammonia, and in 

 doses of one or two ounces, in warm water. 



Chloride of Abimonia, or sal ammoniac is scarcely deserving of a 

 place in our list. It is not now used internally ; and as an astringent 

 embrocation, it must yield to several that are more effectual, and less 

 likely to blemish. 



Anodynes. — Of these there is but one in horse practice. Opium is the 

 only drug that will lull pain. It may be given as an anodyne, but it will 

 also be an astringent in doses of one, two, or three drachms. 



Antimony. — There are several valuable preparations of this metal. 



The Black Sulphuret of Antimony, a compound of sulphur and 

 antimony, is a good alterative. It is given with more sulphur and with 

 nitre, in varying doses, according to the disease and the slow or rapid 

 effect intended to be produced. The maximum dose, and especially if it 

 is to be continued, should not exceed four drachms. It should never be 

 bought in powder, whatever trouble there may be in levigating it, for 

 it is often grossly adulterated with lead, manganese, forge-dust, and 

 arsenic. The adulteration may be detected by placing a little of the 

 powder on a red-hot iron plate. The pure sulphuret will evaporate 

 without the slightest residue — so will the arsenic, but there will be an 

 evident smell of garlic; a portion of the lead and the manganese will be 

 left behind. 



Emetic Tartar — the tartrate of potash and antimony, or a combination 

 of super-tartrate of potash and oxide of antimony, is a very useful nauseant, 

 and has considerable effect on the skin. It is particularly valuable in 

 inflammation of the lungs, and in every catarrhal affection. It is given in 

 doses of one drachm, or one drachm and a half, and combined with nitre 

 and digitalis. It is also beneficial in the expulsion of worms. Here it 

 must be given in doses of two drachms, and with some mechanical 

 vermifuge, as tin-filings, or ground-glass, and administered on an empty 

 stomacli, and for several successive days. Although it may sometimes 

 fail to expel the worm, it materially improves the condition of the horse, 

 and produces sleekness of the coat. To a slight degree the emetic 

 tartar is decomposed by the action of light, and should be kept in a jar, 

 or green bottle. It is sometimes adulterated with arsenic, which is detected 

 by the garlic smell when it is placed on hot iron, and also by its not giving 

 a beautiful gold-coloured precipitate when sulphuret of ammonia is added 

 to a solution of it. 



Antimonial Powder — Powder of oxide of antimony, with phosphate of 

 lime. This is the factitious James's powder, and is used as a yub^titute 

 for that medicine in many diseases of a febrile character. The dose is 

 from one to two drachms. The late Mr. Bloxam used to trus' to it alone 



