4S'2 A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN 



fly. The dose is from five to eight grains given daily, but withheld for a 

 day or two when diuresis supervenes. 



Capsici Bacc^, Capsicum Berries. — They are valuable as stimulants 

 affecting the system generally, yet not too much accelerating the pulse. 

 Their beneficial effect in cases of cold has seldom been properly estimated. 

 The dose is from a scruple to half a di^achm. 



Carui Semina, Caraway Seeds. — These and ginger, alone or combined, 

 are the best carminatives used in horse -practice. 



Cascarill^ Cortex, Cascarilla Bark. — Tonic as well as aromatic. It 

 must not, however, be used wdth the sulphates of iron or zinc. 



Castor Oil, Oleum Ricini. — Is obtained by expression from the seeds of 

 the Riciiius communis, a plant gro^Wng in the East and West Indies. It 

 is a valuable purgative, acting mildly but quickly, and particularly eligible 

 when it is desirable to produce but little irritation along the intestinal 

 canal. 



Catechu, Japan Earth, yet no earth, but extracted from the wood of 

 one of the acacia trees, is a very useful astringent. It is given in super- 

 purgation, in doses of one or two drachms, with opium, as a yet more 

 powerful astringent ; chalk, to neutralise any acid in the stomach or bowels; 

 and powdered gum, to sheath the over- irritated mucous coat of the intes- 

 tines. It is not often adulterated in our country, but grossly so abroad — ■ 

 tine sand and aluminous earth being mixed with the extract. It is seldom 

 given Avith any alkaH, yet the prescription just recommended contains 

 chalk : but, although the chalk, as an alkali, may weaken the astringency 

 of the catechu, it probably neutralises some acid in the stomach or bowels, 

 that would have diminished the power of the catechu to a greater degree. 

 It must not be given in conjunction with any metalhc salt, for the tan- 

 nin or galhc acid, on which its power chiefly or entirely depends, has an 

 affinity for all metals, and will unite with them, and form a gallate of them, 

 possessing little astringent energy. Common ink is the union of this tan- 

 nin principle with iron. 



A tincture of catechu is sometimes made by macerating three ounces ot 

 the powder in a quart of spirit for a fortnight. It is an excellent appHca- 

 tion for wounds ; and, wi.th the aloes, constitutes all that we want of a 

 balsamic nature for the purpose of hastening the healing process of wounds. 



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

 are apphed. First among them stands the red-hot iron , or actual cautery, 

 and then pure alkalies, potash, and soda, and the sulphuric and nitric 

 acids. Milder caustics are found in the nitrate of silver, sulphate of cop- 

 per, red precipitate, burnt alum, and verdigris. They are principally used 

 to destroy fungous excrescences, to 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 re- 

 moved 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, or infusion of the 

 plant, 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, accompanies the cautious use of the chamomile, the gentian, wdtli 

 sulphate of iron, may be safely ventured upon ; but if the gentian had 



