MEDICINES 395 



and whe.i they are removed, the part is left wet and uncovered, ard the 

 coldness of evaporation succeeds to the heat of fomentation. The per- 

 spiration is thus suddenly checked, the animal suffers considerable pain, 

 and more harm is done by the extreme change of temperature than if the 

 fomentation iiad not been attempted. 



Gentian stands at the head of the vegetable tonics, and it is a stomachic 

 as well as a tonic. It is equally useful in chronic debility, and in that 

 which is consequent on severe and protracted illness. It is generally 

 united with cliamomile, ginger, and, when the patient will bear it, carbonate 

 of iron. Four drachms of gentian, two of chamomile, one of carbonate 

 of iron, and one of ginger, will make an excellent tonic ball. An infusion 

 of gentian is one of the best applications to putrid ulcers. 



Ginger is as valuable as a cordial, as gentian is as a tonic. It is the 

 basis of the cordial ball, and it is indispensable in the tonic ball. Although 

 it is difficult to powder, the veterinary practitioner should always purchase 

 it in its solid form. If the root be large, heavy, and not worm-eaten, th( 

 black ginger is as good as the white, and considerably cheaper. The pow- 

 der is adulterated with bean-meal and the saw-dust of boxwood, and ren- 

 dered warm and pungent by means of capsicum. 



Goulard's Extract. — See Lead. 



Hellebore, White, is a powerful nauseant, and lowers both the force 

 and the frequency of the pulse, and is therefore given with good effect in 

 various intlammations, and particularly that of the lungs; but it requires 

 watching. In the hospital of the veterinary surgeon, or in the stable of 

 the gentleman who will superintend the giving and the operation of every 

 medicine, it may be used with safety; but with him who has to trust to 

 others, and who does not see the horse more than once in twelve or twenty- 

 four hours, it is a dangerous drug. If it is pushed a little too far, trem- 

 bling, and giddiness, and purging follow, and the horse is sometimes lost. 

 The hanging of the head, and the frothing of the mouth, and, more particu- 

 larly, the sinking of the pulse, would give warning of danger; but the 

 medical attendant may not have the opportunity of observing this, and 

 when he does observe it, it may be too late. Its dose varies from a scruple 

 to half a drachm. In doses of a drachm it could not be given with safety; 

 and yet, such is the different effect of medicines given in different doses, 

 that in the quantity of an ounce it is said to be a diuretic and a tonic, and. 

 exhibited with advantage in chronic and obstinate grease. 



Hemlock is used by some practitioners, instead of digitalis or hellebore, 

 in affections of the chest, whether acute or chronic; but it is inferior tO' 

 both. The dose of the powder of the dried leaves is about a drachm. 



InfusIons. — The active matter of some vegetable substances is partly or 

 entirely extracted by water. Dried vegetables yield their properties more 

 readily and perfectly than when in their green state. Boiling water is poured' 

 on the substance to be infused, and which is previously grossly pounded or 

 powdered; the vessel is then covered and placed by a fire. In five or six. 

 hours the transparent part may be poured off, and is ready for use. In a 

 kw days, however, all infusions become thick, and lose their virtue, from, 

 the decomposition of the vegetable matter. 



The infusion of chamomile is advantageously used instead of water in 

 compounding a mild tonic drench: the infusion of catechu is useful in. 

 astringent mixtures; the infusion of linseed is used instead of common, 

 water in catarrh and cold; and the infusion of tobacco in some injections. 



Iodine. — This substance is but lately introduced into veterinary praclico, 

 and has been given with effect in doses of five grains daily, to reduce the 

 enlarged glands which sometimes remain after catarrh. It has likewise 

 Cc 



