TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 481 



BoJiF, Armenian is an argillaceous earth combined with iron, and is sup- 

 posed to possess some astringent property. On account of its supposed 

 astringency, it is employed externally to give consistence to ointments for 

 grease. Even the bole Armenian has not escaped the process of adultera- 

 tion, and is largely mixed with inferior earths. The fraud may be sus- 

 pected, but not satisfactorily detected, by the colour of the powder, which 

 should be a bright red. 



Calamine. — See Zinc. 



Calomel. — See Meecdrt. 



Camphor is the produce of one of the laurus species (Laums Camphora), 

 a native of Japan, 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 beneath the skin, the removal of old callus, and the 

 supphng of joints stiff from laboui*. Combined with oil of turpentine, it is 

 more effective. 



Canthaeides are the basis of the most approved and usefal veterinary 

 bhsters. The cantharis vesicatoria is a fly, the native of Italy and the 

 south of France. It is destroyed by the fumes of sulphur or vinegar, and 

 dried in the sun or a warm apai-tment. Its action is intense, and yet 

 superficial ; it plentifully raises the cuticle, yet rarely injures the true 

 skin, and therefore seldom blemishes. The application of other acrid 

 substances is occasionally followed by deeply-seated ulcerations ; but a 

 blister composed of the Spanish fly alone, while it does its duty, leaves, 

 after a few weeks have passed, scarcely a trace behind. 



The art of blistering consists in cutting, or rather shaving, the hair per - 

 fectly close ; then well rubbing in the ointment, for at least ten minutes ; 

 and, afterwards, and what is of the greatest consequence of all, applying a 

 little more of the ointment hghtly over the part, and leaving it. As soon 

 as the vesicles have perfectly risen, which will be in twenty or twenty- 

 four hours, the torture of the animal may be somewhat relieved by the 

 application of ohve oil, or any emollient ointment. 



When too extensive a bhster has been employed, or, from the intensity 

 of the original inflammation, the bhster has not risen (for no two intense 

 inflammations can exist in neighbouring parts afc the same time), strangury 

 — great difficulty in passing urine, and even suppression of it — has occurred. 

 The careful washing off of the blister, and the administration of plenty of 

 warm water, vnth opium, and bleeding, if the symptoms run high, will 

 generally remove this unpleasant effect. 



An infusion of the flies in olive oil, vinegar, or oil of turpentine, for 

 several days, is occasionally used as a hquid blister ; and, when sufficiently 

 lowered with common oil, it is called a sweating oil, for it maintains a cer- 

 tain degree of irritation and inflammation on the skin, yet not sufficient to 

 blister, and thus gradually abates or removes some old or deep inflamma- 

 tion or cause of lameness. 



Of late cantharides have come into more general use. They were 

 recommended by ]\Ir. Vines, in combination with vegetable bitters, as a 

 stimulating tonic, in cases of debility. He next applied them for the cure 

 of glanders. The veterinary public is much indebted to Mr. Vines for the 

 steadiness with which he has followed up the employment of the Spanish 



