113 TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION. 



Digitalis and Aconite reduce the force of the pulse ; 

 and they appear to exert this influence through sedative, 

 action on the nervous system. In doses from half a drachm 

 to a drachm twice or thrice a-day, they often have consider- 

 able effect in diminishing the vascular action : generally 

 rendering it intermittent. Like hellebore^ however, they re- 

 quire to be watched, and to be given by a professional man ; 

 being certainly of a poisonous nature. In over-doses, or in 

 doses continued after the warning of the pulse, they pro- 

 duce depression of the whole system : the pulse becoming 

 imperceptible at the jaw, and showing great irregularity at 

 the heart. Accompanying this depression, we have coldness 

 of the extremities ; lividness of the nasal membrane ; clammy 

 condition of mouth; stupor, vertigo, and unsteadiness of 

 limb ; trembling ; convulsions ; death. I do not regard them 

 as so influential as hellebore ; though there are many of a 

 different opinion. However, I exhibit them if hellebore 

 seems to do harm by irritating the bowels. The following 

 formula will serve either for one or the othej : 



Take either of Powdered White Hellebore Root, or Aconite Root ; 

 Or, of Powdered Digitalis, 5ss ; 

 Liquorice Powder, ^ss ; 

 Syrup or Treacle sufficient to make a ball. 



These doses may be diminished or augmented according 

 to circumstances. 



DIURETICS. 



Diuretics are medicines that have the effect of aug- 

 menting the urinary discharge. The kidneys produce urine 

 from the blood circulating through them ; anything that 

 stimulates these organs is a diuretic. By this function the 

 kidneys become one of the grand emunctories of the system, 

 eliminating fluids which might prove obnoxious. Man, who 

 is subjected to temperature, readily perspires, and thus not 

 only rids his system of redundant moisture, but at the same 

 time his body is cooled ; whereas the horse, covered with hair, 

 and consequently not exposed to these influences, though he 



