EUPHOEBIUM. 361 



jonng IS not sufficiently opened, the administration of this 

 remedy would be attended with extreme danger, as the 

 womb, by the powerful contraction set up, caused by the 

 ergot to expel its contents, would likely be ruptured, or 

 torn, followed by the death of the animal. When the 

 animal seems to have exhausted its strength, and the 

 passage is open, and the young is coming in a natural way, 

 then only should the ergot be given. If there should be a 

 malformation in the young, or in the pelvis of the mother, 

 it would be equally unwise to give ergot. 



Doses. For a mare, or cow, half to one ounce of the 

 powder is the dose. For sheep, swine, and large sized 

 bitches, one drachm is the dose. Small bitches, ten to 

 thirty grains. 



Essential Oils. — Volatile- Oils. — (See Oils.) 



Ether. — Sulphuric Ether. This is a valuable article of 

 the veterinary materia medica, and is used in diseases of 

 all the animals. 



Use. It is used as a stimulant, and is given in weak- 

 ness, fevers, and in colic, as an antispasmodic. Ether is 

 scarcely strong enough to produce anasthaesia in horses and 

 cattle. 



Dose. For horses and cattle, one to two ounces is the 

 dose as a stimulant, and antispasmodic. Ether should be 

 given in cold water, to prevent its volatilization on its 

 exposure to the air. Twice its own volume of alcohol 

 added to it makes the spirit of sulphuric ether. 



Euphorbium. — A resinous juice J expressed from a 

 cactus-like vegetable which grows in Morocco. 



Use. This is only used for external purposes, and is 

 among the very few articles in veterinary medicines capabl« 

 of blistering the thick skin of the ox. 



