370 HORSE AND CATTLE MEDICINES. 



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important diseases, of all the animals ; a fact readily seen, 

 when it is stated that iron is a constituent of the blood of 

 all warm-blooded animals, and without iron being in proper 

 quantity in the blood of an animal, it cannot be healthy — 

 is ancemicy or impoverished in blood. In fact, iron is an 

 elementary principle, essential to health. 



Metallic iron is rarely used in veterinary practice, except 

 it be iu the form of iron filings, given by some persons, 

 in cases of w^orms in horses. The sulphate is just as good 

 for this purpose. Iron filings, called Ferrum Redactum, 

 are much used in the weakly and sickly female. To pre- 

 vent the filings from oxidizing, or rusting, they are put 

 into a tube, similar to a gun barrel, at a strong heat, and 

 are then plunged into cold water, which give them a sky- 

 blue color; the finer the blue, the better the medicine. 

 For the valuable dog, iron filings, in this form, may be 

 given. In from five to ten grain doses. The following 

 preparations of iron will be used for the horse and ox : 



(1.) Carbonate of Iron. — Ferri Carbonas. This 

 preparation of Iron is only used in veterinary practice, for 

 the dog, on account of its mildness. 



(2.) Sesquioxide of Iron. — Rust of Iron — Ferugo. 

 This form of Iron Is only used by veterinary surgeons, in 

 poisoning from arsenic, as an antidote, by forming In the 

 stomach an Insoluble arsenite of the protoxide of iron. 



(3.) Sulphate of Iron. — Ferri Sulphas — Green 

 Vitriol- Copperas. This is one of the best, and cheapest 

 preparations of this valuable metal, that can be used in 

 diseases of horses and cattle. 



ZJse, In medicinal doses the sulphate of Iron Is tonic 

 and astringent; therefore, it is used in cases of weakness, 

 want of condition, looseness of the bowels, swellings of the 

 legs, body, sheath, breast, etc. It is improving, adding 



