414 MEDICINE. 



except gum arabic ; yet its weight is often fraudulently increased by stones and bits 

 of lead dexterously concealed in it. The English opium is almost as good as the 

 Turkish, and frequently sold for it ; but is distinguishable by its blackness and soft- 

 ness. 



Palm Oil, when genuine, is the very best substance that can be used for making 

 masses and balls. It has a pleasant smell, and it never becomes rancid. 



Pitch is used to give adhesiveness and firmness to charges and plasters. The 

 common pitch is quite as good as the more expensive Burgundy pitch. The best 

 plaster for sandcrack consists of one pound of pitch and an ounce of yellow bees- 

 wax melted together. 



Physic. — The cases which require physic, the composition of the most effectual 

 and safest physic-ball, and the mode of treatment under physic, have been already 

 described. 



Potash. — ^Two compounds of potash are used in veterinary practice. The Nitrate 

 of Potash {Nitre) is a valuable cooling medicine and a mild diuretic, and, therefore, 

 it should enter into the composition of every fever-ball. Its dose is from two to four 

 drachms. Grooms often dissolve it in the water. There are two objections to this : 

 either the horse is nauseated and will not drink so much water as he ought; or the 

 salt taste of the water causes considerable thirst, and disinclination to solid food. 

 Nitre, whilst dissolving, materially lowers the temperature of water, and furnishes a 

 very cold and useful lotion for sprain of the back sinews, and other local inflamma- 

 tions. The lotion should be used as soon as the salt is dissolved, for it quickly be- 

 comes as warm as the surrounding air. The Bitartrate of Potash {Cream of Tartar) 

 is a mild diuretic, and, combined with ^thiop's mineral, is used as an alterative in 

 obstinate mange or grease. The objection, however, to its use in such an animal as 

 the horse, is the little power which it seems to exercise. 



Poultices. — Few horsemen are aware of the value of these simple applications in 

 abating inflammation, relieving pain, cleansing wounds, and disposing them to heal. 

 They are applications of the best kind continued much longer than a simple fomenta- 

 tion can be. In all inflammations of the foot they are very beneficial, by softening 

 the horn hardened by the heat of the foot and contracted and pressing on the internal 

 and highly sensible parts. The moisture and warmth are the useful qualities of the 

 poultice ; and that poultice is the best for general purposes in which moisture and 

 warmth are longest retained. Perspiration is most abundantly promoted in the part, 

 the pores are opened, swellings are relieved, and discharges of a healthy nature pro- 

 cured from wounds. 



Linseed meal forms the best general poultice, because it longest retains the mois- 

 ture. Bran, although frequently used for poultices, is objectionable, because it so 

 soon becomes dry. To abate considerable iuflammr.tion, and especially in a wounded 

 part, Goulard may be added, or the linseed meal may be made into a paste with a 

 decoction of poppy-heads. To promote a healthy discharge from an old or foul ulcer; 

 or separation of the dead from the living parts, in the process of what is called coring 

 out ; or to hasten the ripening of a tumour that must be opened ; or to cleanse it when 

 it is opened, — two ounces of common turpentine ma}' be added to a pound of linseed 

 meal : but nothing can be so absurd, or is so injurious, as tlie addition of turpentine 

 to a poultice that is designed to be an emollient. The drawing poultices and stop- 

 pings of farriers are often highly injurious, instead of abating inflammation. 



If the ulcer smells offensively, two ounces of powdered charcoal may be added to 

 the linseed meal, or the poidtice may be made of water, to which a solution of the 

 chloride of lime has been added in the proportion of half an ounce to a pound. As 

 an emollient poultice for grease and cracked heels, and especially if accompanied by 

 much unpleasant smell, there is nothing preferable to a poultice of mashed carrots 

 with charcoal. For old (jrease some slitrht stimulant must be added, as a little yeast 

 or tlie grounds of tabk'-bcor. 



There are two errors in the application of a poultice, and particularly as it regards 

 the legs. It is often put on too tight, by means of which the return of the blood from 

 the foot is prevented, and the disease is increased instead of lessened ; or it is too hot, 

 and unnecessary pain is given, and the inflammation aggravated. 



PowDF.RS. — Some horses are very difficult to ball or drench, and the violent Strug 

 gle that would accenip-.iijy the attempt to conquer them may heighten the fever or 

 inflammation. To such liorses powders must be given in mashes. Emetic tartar an^ 



