198 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



by the spirit of tar, or by the coarsest kind of fish-oih Corrosive Sub 

 limate. — A dangerous remedy, often employed in solution as a wash 

 for scab. Washes, whether of a solution of arsenic, infusion of tobacco, 

 or of hellebore, are equally objectionable. They are superseded by the 

 diluted mercurial ointment. Spirit of Tar. — A useful application in 

 foot-rot, and very serviceable when freely applied to parts that have 

 been struck by the fly; it not only kills the maggots, but prevents the 

 attacks of the insects, which are repelled by its odor. Turpentine. — 

 Useful as a stimulant in ointments and embrocations. It may be mixed 

 with linseed-meal poultices, in order to hasten the suppuration of slug- 

 gish tumors, and is a serviceable application to wounds of long standing 

 which require a stimulus. 



Dressings. — Among the dressings for wounds, tincture of aloes, tincture 

 of myrrh, and tincture of benzoin, or Friar's Balsam, are chiefly in re- 

 quest. Tar mixed with lard is a useful dressing in foot-rot. 



Caustics. — At the head of caustics stands nitrate of silver, or lunar 

 caustic. It is to the free use of this that the veterinary surgeon will 

 trust in probing the wounds in cattle caused by the bite of a rabid dog. 

 It is very useful in removing warts and cutaneous excrescences. Other 

 caustics, however, are in requisition. In cases of foot-rot, hydrochloric 

 acid, or a solution of bichloride of mercury, is recommended by Mr. Read, 

 as an application to the part afl'ected. Butyr of antimony, or chloride 

 of antimony, is a very useful and convenient caustic. It has been 

 employed in foot-rot, and acts well where a superficial effect only is re- 

 quired. It does not produce any deep corrosion; hence in indolent 

 ulcers, in foot-rot, and in the removal of fungous excrescences, it is of 

 important service. Verdigris, or acetate of copper, mixed with sugar of 

 lead, finely powdered, sprinkled on sluggish ulcers, sometimes acts with 

 good eftect. Blue vitriol, or sulphate of copper finely powdered, is 

 frequently employed as an cscharotic, in order to produce superficial 

 sloughing. A saturated solution is recommended by some veterinarians 

 as an application of great benefit in cases of foot- rot. 



FoillCUtiltions. — The great benefit resulting from fomentations arises 

 from the warmth of the water. In cases of inflammation of the udder 

 or garget, fomentations are indispensable. Many have an idea that the 

 good eftects of fomenting depend on the herbs which, as is generally the 

 case, are boiled in the water; but this is an error. Poppy-heads or a 

 little laudanum in the water may be advantageous, from the known prop- 

 erties of opium in allaying pain. Slight fomenting is useless — it should 

 be long kept up ; but this is seldom done, for it requires no small degree 

 of quiet patience. 



Pltlistcrs or Charges. — Plaisters, or charges, are in frequent demand. 

 They are useful in cases of sprain or local debility, or as a covering and 

 protection to sores or wounds, or the basal part of fractured horns. 

 They form a good defense in case of travel -worn feet, and in various 

 ways are serviceable. They consist of a mixture of pitch, wax, resin, 

 lard, etc., in diff'erent proportions, thickly spread upon coarse cloth or 

 leather. Tar, spread upon cloth, forms an excellent plaister, especially 

 where the main object is to exclude the air. Their application requires 

 some little dexterity of manipulation. Tar is a useful dressing in foot- 



