CHAPTER III. 



MEDICINES OBTAINED FROM THE MINERAL 

 KINGDOM. 



1. Alum. 



Source. — Alum is obtained from alum salts. 



Action and Use. — It is mostly used externally in the 

 form of washes for healing wounds. It is also dusted upon 

 wounds in the form of a powder, and is very drying and 

 healing. It is also used in gargle powders for sore throat, 

 influenza and aphtha, or sore mouth. 



Dose. — Its use internally is best seen in the receipt for 

 gargle powders. For making a wash use a tablespoonful of 

 alum to a pint of water. 



2. Arsenic. 



Source. — Arsenic in its pure form is not much used in 

 practice, because it is too strong and powerful. The form 

 that is used is known as Fowler's Solution, which is prepared 

 from arsenic, and is in the form of a liquid. 



Action and Use. — It is a powerful tonic for the stomach 

 and system in general, and is especially used after weakening 

 diseases, such as distemper. It often causes the animal to 

 thrive when everything else fails. 



Dose. — For horses, ]/ 2 ounce or 2 dessertspoonfuls ; cattle, 

 ^ ounce or 2 dessertspoonfuls ; sheep, 1 dram or 1 teaspoon- 

 ful ; pigs and dogs, J^ dram or y 2 teaspoonful. Give this 

 medicine combined with an ounce of whiskey and half a pint 

 of gruel twice a day until the animal gets better and is 

 strong. 



3. Black Antimony. 



Source. — Black Antimony is a black, heavy, grayish 

 powder that has neither smell nor taste. 



Action and Use. — It is not used much in the way of 

 medicine, only to color condition powders, etc. It should not 

 be used for this purpose, as it is very irritating and injurious 



