MEDICINE. 403 



injures the bars, occasions the horse to struggle more than ht- other?, ise would against 

 the administration of the medicine. The horse shouhi be backed in the stall ; — the 

 tongue should be drawn gently out with the left hand on the off side of the moutli. 

 and" there fixed, not by continuing to pull at it, but by pressing the fingers against the 

 side of the lower jaw. The ball, being now taken between the tips of the fingers 

 of the right hand, is passed rapidly up the moutli, as near to the palate as possible, 

 until it reaches the root of the tongue. It is then delivered with a slight jerk, and 

 the hand being immediately withdrawn and the tongue liberated, the ball is forced 

 through the pharynx into the cssophagus. Its passage should be watched down the. 

 left side of the throat ; and if the passage of it is not seen going down, a slight tap 

 or blow under the chin will generally cause the horse to swallow it, or a few gulps 

 of water will convey it into the stomach. Very few balls should be kept ready made, 

 for they become so hard as to be incapable of passing down the gullet, or dissolving 

 in the stomach, and the life of the horse may be endangered or lost. This is pecu- 

 liarly liable to be the case if the ball is too large, or wrapped in thick paper. 



Bark, Peruvian. — A concentrated preparation of this is entitled the Sulphate of 

 Quinine. The simple bark is now seldom used. If it has any good effect, it is in 

 diabetes. The quinine, however, is strongly recommended by Professor ftiorton as 

 singularly efficacious in the prostration of strength which is often the consequence of 

 influenza. 



Basilicon is a valuable digestive ointment, composed of resin, bees'-wax, and 

 olive-oil. If it is needed as a stimulant, a little turpentine and verdigris may be 

 added. 



Belladonna Extractum, Extract of Deadly Nightshade. — The inspissated 

 juice is principally used as a narcotic and sedative, and indicated where there is un- 

 due action of the nervous and vascular systems, as in tetanus, carditis, and nervous 

 affections generallj'. Externally, it is beneficially applied to the eye. 



Blisters are applications to the skin which separate the cuticle in the form of vesi- 

 cles containing a serous fluid. They excite increased action in the vessels of the 

 skin, by means of which this fluid is thrown out. The part or neighbouring parts 

 are somewhat relieved by the discharge, but more by the inflammation and pain that 

 are produced, and lessen that previously existing in some contiguous part. On this 

 principle we account for the decided relief often obtained by blisters in inflammation 

 of the lungs, and their eflicacy in abating deeply-seated disease, as that of the ten- 

 dons, ligaments, or joints; and also the necessity of previously removing, in these 

 latter cases, the superficial inflammation caused by them, in order that one of a dif- 

 ferent kind may be excited, ond to which the deeply-seated inflammation of the part 

 will be more likely to yield. The blisters used in horse-practice are composed of 

 cantharides or the oil of turpentine, to which some have added a tincture of the cro- 

 ton-nut. 



For some important remarks on the composition, application and management of 

 the blister, see page 346. 



Bole Armenian is an argillaceous earth combined with iron, and is supposed to 

 possess some astringent property. The propriety of its being administered inwardly 

 is doubtful ; for it may remain in the intestinal canal, and become the nucleus of a 

 calculus. On account of its supposed astringency, it is employed externally to give 

 consistence to ointments for grease. Even the hole Armenian has not escaped the 

 process of adulteration, and is largely mixed with inferior earths. The fraud may be 

 suspected, but not satisfactorily detected, by the colour of the powder^,which should 

 be a bright red. 



Calamine. — See Zinc. 



Calomel. — See Mercury. 



Camphor is the produce of one of the laurus species, a native of .Tapan, and too 

 often imitated by passing a stream of chlorine through oil of turpentine. According 

 to Professor Morton, it is a narcotic. It diminishes the frequency of the pulse, and 

 softens its tone. When long exhibited, it acts on the kidneys. Externally applied, 

 it is said to be a discutient and an anodyne for chronic sprains, bruises, and tumours. 

 The camphor ball is a favourite one with the groom, and occasionally administered 

 by the veterinary surgeon. Mr. W. C. Spooner uses it, mixed with opium, in cases 

 of locked-jaw, and in doses of from one to two drachms. In the form of camphorated 

 oil, it promotes the absorption of fluids thrown out beneatli the skin, the removal of 



