MEDICINE. 40") 



with the aloes, constitutes all that we want of a balsamic nature for the purpose of 

 Hastening the healinff process of wounds. 



Caustics are substances that burn or destroy the parts to which they are applied. 

 First among them stands the red-hot iron, or actual cautery, and then pure alkalies, 

 potash, and soda, and the sulphuric and nitrous acids. Milder caustics are found in 

 the sulphate of copper, red precipitate, burnt alum, and verdigris. They are princi- 

 pally used to destroy fungous excrescences, or stimulate indolent tumours, or remove 

 portions of cellular substance, or muscle infected by any poison. 



Creta Preparata, Chalk, is principally used in combination with catechu and 

 opium in cases of super-purgation. All adventitious matters are removed by washing, 

 and the prepared or levigated chalk remains in the form of an impalpable powder. It 

 is usually administered in doses of two or three ounces. It is externally applied over 

 ulcers that discharge a thin and ichorous matter. 



Chamomile, Anthemis. — The powder of the flower is a useful vegetable tonic, and 

 the mildest in our list. It is given in doses of one or two drachms, and is exhibited 

 in the early stage of convalescence in order to ascertain whether the febrile stage of 

 the disease is passed, and to prepare the way for a more powerful tonic, the gentian. 

 If no acceleration of pulse, or heat of mouth, or indication of return of fever, accom- 

 panies the cautious use of the chamomile, the gentian, with carbonate of iron, may 

 be safely ventured upon; but if the gentian had been first used, and a little too soon, 

 there might have been considerable, and perhaps dangerous return of fever. 



Charcoal is occasionally used as an antiseptic, being made into a poultice with 

 linseed meal, and applied to foul and offensive ulcers, and to cracked heels. It re- 

 moves the foetid and unwholesome smell that occasionally proceeds from them. 



Charges are thick, adhesive plasters spread over parts that have been strained or 

 weakened, and, being applied to the skin, adhere for a considerable time. The fol- 

 lowing mixture makes a good charge — Burgundy or common pitch, five ounces; tar, 

 six ounces ; yellow wax, one ounce, melted together, and when they are becoming 

 cool, half a drachm of powdered cantharides well stirred in. This must be partially 

 melted afresh when applied, and spread on the part with a large spatula, as hot as 

 can be done without giving the animal too much pain. Flocks of tow should be 

 scattered over it while it is warm, and thus a thick and adhesive covering will be 

 formed that cannot be separated from the skin for many months. It is used for old 

 sprains of the loins, and also strains of the back sinews. The charge acts in three 

 ways — by the slight stimulant power which it possesses it gradually removes all 

 deep-seated inflammation — by its stimulus and its pressure it promotes the absorption 

 of any callus or thickening beneath ; and, acting as a constant bandage, it gives tone 

 and strength to the part. 



Clysters. — These are useful and too often neglected means of hastening the evac- 

 uation of the bowels when the disease requires their speedy action. The old ox- 

 bladder and wooden pipe may still be employed, and a considerable quantity of fluid 

 thrown into the intestine; but the patent stomach and clyster pump of Mr. Reid is 

 far preferable, as enabling the practitioner to inject a greater quantity of fluid, and in 

 a less time. 



Two ounces of soft or yellow soap, dissolved in a gallon of warm water, will form 

 a useful aperient clyster. It will detach or dissolve many irritating substances that 

 may have adhered to the mucous coat of the bowels. For a more active aperient, 

 half a pound of Epsom salts, or even of common salt, may be dissolved in the same 

 quantity of water. A stronger injection, but not to be used if much purgative medi- 

 cine has been previously given, may be composed of an ounce of Barbadoes aloes, 

 dissolved in two or three quarts of warm water. If nothing else can be procured, 

 warm water may be employed ; it will act as a fomentation to the inflamed and irri- 

 table surface of the bowels, and will have no inconsiderable effect even as an ape- 

 rient. 



In cases of over-purging or inflammation of the bowels, the injection must be of a 

 soothing nature. It may consist of gruel alone, or, if the purging is considerable, 

 and difficult to stop, the gruel must be thicker, and four ounces of prepared or pow- 

 dered chalk well mixed with or suspended in it, with two scruples or a drachm of 

 powdered opium. 



No oil should enter into the composition of a clyster, except that linseed oil may 

 \?. used for the expulsion of the ascarides, or needle-worms. 



