MEDICINE. 399 



fiicture their own vinegar. That which they buy frequently contains sulphuric acid 

 and pungent spices, and irritates the inflamed part to which it is applied. 



AciuuM Arseniosu.m, Arsenic. — Were it not that some practitioners continue t(» 

 use it as a tonic, in doses of from ten to twenty grains daily, and others employ it to 

 core out old ulcers, we would not include it in our list, for we have little faith in it. 

 There are better and safer tonics, and far better and safer caustics. The metliod of 

 detecting the presence of arsenic, in cases of poisoning, has been described at page 

 227. 



AciDUM MuRiATicusi, or Hydrochloric Acid: Spirit of Salt. — This acid is 

 formed by distilling corrosive sublimate with antimony. The butter-liUe matter which 

 is produced (whence the common name, Butjjr if Jntinumy) has a strong affinity for 

 water, which it attracts from the atmosphere, and thus becomes converted into a tluid. 

 The less water it is suffered to attract to itself tlie more powerful it remains, and 

 therefore it should be kept in stoppered bottles. The proof of its goodness is its 

 weight. It is decidedly the best liquid caustic we have. It is most manageable, and 

 its effect can most readily be ascertained. As soon as it touches any muscular or 

 living part, a change of colour is perceived, and the effect of the caustic can be fairly 

 judged of by the degree of change. For corns, canker, indisposition in the sole to 

 secrete good horn, wounds in the foot not attended by healthy action, and for every 

 case where the superficial application of a caustic is needed, this acid is unrivalled. 



AciDUxM NiTRicuM : Nitric Acid, Aquafortis. — This is a valuable external appli- 

 cation. It is both a caustic and an antiseptic. It destroys fungous excrescences. A 

 pledget of tar should be dipped in the acid, and then firmly pressed on the cankerous 

 surface. Every part with which the acid has come into contact will be deadened and 

 slough off, and healthy granulations will spring up. 



AciDUM Hydrocianicum : Paussic Acid. — This, in a concentrated state, is truly a 

 deadly poison; a few drops of it will kill a large animal. In a diluted form, it is a 

 powerful sedative. In doses of six drops, largely diluted, it abates both pulmonary 

 and gastric irritation. It may be worth trying in the form of enema in cases of Te- 

 tanus. It may also be given by the mouth in the same disease. Nothing is more 

 likely to tranquillize the general excitement of the nervous system. The author of 

 this work was the first person who applied the hydrocyanic acid for the purpose of 

 allaying irritation of the skin in dogs. It seldom fails of producing the desired effect, 

 and it has had a similar good etfect in subduing itchiness and mange in the horse. 



AciDUM SuLPHURicuM, SuLPHURic AciD. — When mixed with tar in the proportion 

 of an ounce to the pound, it is a good application for thrush and canker: a smaller 

 quantity mixed with olive oil makes a good stimulating liniment. If too much sul- 

 phuric acid is added, either by mistake or wilfully, it inflames and corrodes the sto- 

 mach and bowels. The proper antidotes in this case are magnesia, or the carbonate 

 of soda or potash, with soft soap. The acid might possibly be neutralized by this 

 combination. 



Adeps, Hog's Lard, very properly forms the basis of most of our ointments. It 

 is tasteless, inodorous, and free from every stimulating quality. That cannot be said 

 of all the ingredients used in the composition of our unguents. 



Alcohol, Rectified Spirit. — This is necessarily used in many of our tinctures 

 and other preparations, and is sometimes given to the horse in almost a pure state. 

 Some horses that are compelled to travel far and quickly, show evident fatijjue before 

 they arrive at the end of their journey. A cordial or carminative tincture, to the ex- 

 tent of three or four ounces, largely diluted, may occasionally be given, and they 

 rally, and cheerfully pursue their course to the end. The groom or the stableman 

 gives the gin or whiskey of the country, in preference to any other stimulant. In 

 cases of thorough fatigue the Dafty's Elixir may be administered, and probably ren- 

 dered more stimulant by the addition of pepper. Mr. Eracy Clark recommends four 

 ounces of the tincture of allspice in cases of gripes. On the other hand, some veteri- 

 nary surgeons have preferred simple hot water, or the infusion of several of our medi- 

 cinal herbs, as peppermint, rosemarj', &c. We should be loath, except on extraordi- 

 njiry occasions, to advocate the use of any spirituous drink. 



Aloes. — There are two kinds used in horse practice, the Barbadoes and the Cape. 

 The Socotrine, preferred by the human surgeon, are very uncertain in their effect on 

 the horse, and are seldom to be met with pure. Of the Barbadoes and the Cape, the 

 first are much to be preferred. They are obtained principally from the island of Bar- 



