ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 197 



For sprains, a lotion made of four tablespoons of lead 

 acetate and four tablespoons of tincture of opium, mixed with 

 one quart of water is very soothing. This is a stronger lotion 

 than the usual white lotion, which has but two tablespoons of 

 each drug. Opium is a sedative and acts to relieve pain; lead 

 acetate is astringent and tends to contract the capillaries and to 

 cool the part by limiting the supply of blood to it. 



This lotion is applied by soaking absorbent cotton with it 

 and fastening it to the part with a loose bandage. The bandage 

 is kept wet by pouring the lotion on several times daily. This 

 lotion is better for sprained tendons and ligaments than for 

 sprained muscles. For the latter, and for sore throats as well, 

 a very efficient stimulating liniment is made of a pint of linseed 

 or olive oil, four tablespoons each of water of ammonia, tur- 

 pentine, and opium. This is to be thoroughly mixed and ap- 

 plied by hand-rubbing; never internally. 



The oil is slow to evaporate, penetrating, and carries the 

 other drugs with it into the affected tissues. The water of am- 

 monia and turpentine stimulate a more active circulation, and 

 the opium allays the pain. 



For cuts and open sores, use an ointment composed of a 

 heaping tablespoon of oxide of zinc, rubbed up with one-fourth 

 of a teaspoon of glycerine, four tablespoons of vaseline, and 

 thirty drops of carbolic acid. The zinc oxide can also be dusted 

 dry on the wound. The wound should be first well washed 

 and dried. 



Oxide of zinc is an antiseptic — that is, it destroys the germs 

 of disease, putrefaction, or fermentation. It is obnoxious to 

 flies. Carbolic acid is also an antiseptic; the glycerine and vasel- 

 ine are added to blend the two into a smooth ointment. A cut 

 or an open sore that is not infected needs only to be kept quiet 

 and clean to heal. The principal object of this ointment is to 

 keep disease germs from the cut and to keep it from drying by 



