394 THE HORSE 



power in reducing almost every species of tumour, and rnay be tried where 

 it would be dangerous to use the kniti-. 



Iron. — Of tiiis metal there are two preparations adopted by veterina- 

 rians. Tne rust, or Carbonate, is a mild and useful tonic in doses from two 

 to four drachms. The Sulphate (green vitriol or copperas) is more power- 

 ful, but siiould never be given in early stages of recovery, and always 

 with caution. The dose should be the same as that of the carbonate. 

 The sulphate has lately been recommended for the cure of timt deceitful 

 stage or form of glanders, in which there is nothing to characterise the 

 disease but a very slight discharge from the nostrils. It is to be dissolved 

 in the common drink of the horse. It is worth a trial, but too sanguine 

 expectations must not be encouraged of the power of any drug over this 

 intractable malady. Iron should be given in combination with gentian 

 and ginger, but never with any alkali, or nitre, or soap, or catechu, or 

 astringent vegetable. 



Forge water used to be a favourite tonic with farriers, and also a lotion 

 for canker and ulcers in the mouth. It owes its power, if it has any, to 

 the iron with which it is impregnated. 



Juniper, Oil of. — This essential oil is retained because it has some diu- 

 retic property, and is a pleasant aromatic. It may, therefore, enter into the 

 composition of the diuretic ball. 



Lard. — This or palm oil is far preferable to honey, or treacle, or syrups, 

 for making up balls, because the ball more readily dissolves in the stomach. 

 It likewise renders a purgative less liable to gripe. It is the principal 

 basis of all ointments. 

 Laudanum. — See Opium. 



Lead. — Combinations of this metal are admitted into veterinary practice. 

 The subacetate is common under the name of Extract of Lead, or Goulard's 

 Extract. It is used in the proportion of a drachm to a pint of water in the 

 early stages of inflammation of the eye; but is inferior both to opium and 

 digitalis, and cannot be used in combination with either. In double the 

 proportion, it is serviceable in superficial inflammations of various kinds, or 

 in poultices for the feet where there is much inflammation or pain ; but in 

 cases of sprain, or deep injury, or inflammations, it is perfectly useless. 

 If wliite vitriol or alum are added to the lead, the efficacy of all the ingre- 

 dienls is destroyed. 



The Sugar of Lead is the acetate or superacetate of that metal. This, 

 dissolved in water in the proportion of two drachms to a pint, makes an 

 extemporaneous Goulard's Lotion, but not more valuable than the former. 

 WliHe Lead, (carbonate of lead,) is sometimes sprinkled in the form of 

 fine powder, and with advantage, on swelled legs, where the skin is very 

 red and irritable, and moisture is exuding through it. It is used alone or 

 mixed with paste, or a bread-and-water poultice: but lead, although in the 

 first-mentioned form a great favourite with many persons, might, without 

 great loss, be expunged from the Veterinary PiiarmacopcKia. 



Lime was formerly sprinkled over cankered feet and greasy heels, but 

 there are less painful caustics, and more effectual absorbents of moisture. 

 Lime water is rarely used, but the Chloride of Lime is exceedingly 

 valuable. Diluted with twenty times its quantity of water, it should 

 help to form the poultice applied to every part from which there is 

 tiie slightest offensive discharge. The foetid smell of fistulous withers, 

 poll-evil, canker, and ill-conditioned wounds, is immediately removed, 

 and the ulcers are more disposed to heal. When mangy horses are 

 dismissed as cured, a washing with the diluted chloride wUl Jemove pny 

 infection that might lurk about them, or which they might carry from 



