496 A LIST OF THE MEDICIXES USED IX 



malignant, it much hastens the cure. Poll-evil and fistulous withers are 

 much benefited bj it, and all farcy ulcers. It is used in the proportion of 

 one part of the solution to twenty -four of water. 



SoDii Chloridum, Common Salt, is veiy extensively employed in vete- 

 rinary practice. It forms an efiicacious aperient clyster, and a solution of 

 it has been given as an aperient drink. Sprinkled over the hay, or in a 

 mash, it is very palatable to sick horses ; and in that languor and disincli- 

 nation to food which remain after severe illness, few things will so soon 

 recall the appetite as a drink composed of six or eight ounces of salt in 

 solution. To horses in health it is more useful than is generally imagined, 

 as promoting the digestion of the food, and, consequently, condition. 

 In the proportion of an ounce of salt to four ounces of water, it is a good 

 embrocation for sore shoulders and backs ; and if it does not always 

 disperse warbles and tumours, it takes away much of the tenderness of the 

 skin. 



SoD^ Sdlphas, — Sidphate of Soda. — Glauber's Salt. — This medicine 

 is seldom used in the treatment of the horse. It appears to have some 

 diuretic property. 



Soap is supposed to possess a diuretic quality, and therefore enters into 

 the composition of some diuretic masses. See Resin. By many practi- 

 tioners it is made an ingredient in the physic-ball, but uselessly or even 

 injuriously so ; for if the aloes are finely powdered and mixed with palm 

 oil, they will dissolve readily enough in the bowels without the aid of the 

 soap, while the action of the soap on the kidneys will impair the purgative 

 effect of the aloes. 



Staech may be substituted with advantage for gruel in obstinate cases 

 of purging, both as a clyster, and to support the strength of the animal. 



Stoppings constitute an important, but too often neglected part of stable 

 management. If a horse is irregularly or seldom Avorked, his feet are 

 deprived of moisture ; they becorue hard and unyielding and brittle, and 

 disposed to corn and contraction and founder. The very dung of a neglected 

 and filthy stable would be preferable to habitual standing on the cleanest 

 litter without stopping. In wounds, and bruises, and corns, moisture is 

 even more necessary, in order to supple the horn, and relieve its pressure 

 on the tender parts beneath. As a common stopping, nothing is better than 

 cow-dung with a fourth part of clay well beaten into it, and confined with 

 splints from the binding or larger twigs of the broom. In cases of wounds 

 a little tar may be added ; but tar, as a common stopping, is too stimu- 

 lating and drying. Pads made of thick felt have lately been contrived, 

 which are fitted to the sole, and swelling on being wetted, are sufficiently 

 confined by the shoe. Having been well saturated vnih. water, they will 

 continue moist during the night. They are very useful in gentlemen's 

 stables ; but the cow-dung and clay are sufficient for the farmer. 



Strychnia is obtained from the seed of the strychnos omx vomica. It is 

 a white crystalline substance, without odour, but with an intensely bitter 

 taste. It is but sHghtly soluble in water, but more so in dilute alcohol. 

 It is a powerfully poisonous agent, and should be given ■sv'ith great caution. 

 This drug has frequently been employed Avith decided advantage in cases 

 of paralysis in the dog ; and lately, and with decided advantage, it has been 

 administered to the horse. The dose is from one to three grains, given 

 twice in the day. 



Sdlphuk, or, as it is familiarly known. Brimstone, is found in consider- 

 able abundance in Sicily and other volcanic countries. In this country it is 

 chiefly obtained by roasting the sulphuret of copper and collecting the 

 fumes ; it is then purified and run into moulds, constituting what is termed 

 roll sulphur. Sublimed or flowers of sulphur is obtained by heating roll 



