SrEDICINIS.] 



MODEKN VETERINAKY PllACTICE. 



[medicikei. 



a dangiTOus nunlicine. Externally it forms n 

 mild ciiustio. WIkmi boiled with vinegar and 

 honey, it makes the Egyptianm of the farriers, 

 which is good in ulcerated mouth, but not so 

 good as some other remedies. 



Cupui SuLi'iiAs— ^«//>7/rt/e of Copper- 

 Blue Vitriol. 



This is produced by the union of sulphuric 

 acid and copper. It is also })rocured by wash- 

 ing copper pyrites, and exposing them to the 

 action of air and moisture. AVhea required 

 for these purposes, it may be made in the 

 same manner as sulphate of zinc, by putting 

 pieces of copper into diluted sulphuric acid, 

 contained in a glass vessel, and when the effer- 

 vescence has ceased, filtering the solution 

 through paper, and boiling it down till a 

 pellicle appears ou the surface ; then setting 

 it aside that crystals may form, which are to 

 be dried in bibulous paper. 



Decomposition. — Concentrated, it does not 

 act on the metals at the ordinary temperature 

 of tbe atmosphere. These require to be diluted 

 when action goes on rapidly ; the water is de- 

 composed, its oxygen unites to the copper, 

 and converts it into an oxide, which is dis- 

 solved by the sulphuric acid, and forms 

 sulphate of copper, whilst its hydrogen escapes 

 in the form of gas. 



Medicinal Uses. — Tonic, internally ; stimu- 

 lant and escharotic externally, given in doses 

 of from one to two drachms, combined with 

 ginger, as a general tonic, in the form of balls ; 

 but when given, in cases of glanders and farcy, 

 in doses of from four to eight drachms, it is 

 advisable to make it into a draught, by dissolv- 

 ing it in about two pints of water, and adding 

 an ounce of linseed meal to the solution. Its 

 value in these diseases, however, is almost 

 entirely considered to have ceased. Exter- 

 nally, it is applied either in solution or in 

 powder. When applied in solution, it is in 

 the proportion of two drachms to a pint, when 

 it acts as a gentle stimulant. An ounce dis- 

 solved in the same quantity converts it into a 

 mild caustic. Eor canker in the foot, the blue 

 vitriol is a good application. 



Digitalis Folia — Fox-Glove Leaf, or 

 Digitalis. 



Of the digitalis, or fox-glove, there are 

 2 z 



several species, five of which are herbaceous, 

 biennial, and perennial plants. Tlio herbaceous 

 species rise two or three feet high, crowned 

 with spikes of yellow, iron-coloured, or purplo 

 (lowers. The canariensis, or shrubby sort, 

 rises five or six feet high, having spear-shajjcd 

 rough leaves, the branches being terminated 

 with flowers growing in loose spikes. All the 

 species are easily raised by seeds. An oint- 

 ment made of the llowers of purple fox-glovo 

 and fresh butter, is commended by some sur- 

 geons for scrofulous ulcers. Taken inter- 

 nally, the plant is a purgative and emetic; 

 and is, therefore, only to be administered to 

 robust constitutions. An infusion of two 

 drachms of the leaf in a pint of water, given 

 in half-ounce doses, every two hours, till it 

 causes vomiting or purging, is recommended 

 in dropsy, particularly that of the breast. The 

 leaves are the part of the plant used medici- 

 nally, which should be gathered just as the 

 plant is in flower, and dried quickly in the shade; 

 or, what is still better, secluded entirely from 

 light. Let them bo powdered, and kept in 

 well-stopped bottles for use. . 



Medicinal Uses. — Sedative, given in doses of 

 from half a drachm to two drachms, in the form 

 of a ball. The effect of digitalis requires watch- 

 ing; although the over-dose will only lower the 

 vital energies of the patient in cases of intermit- 

 tent fever. In the form of tincture it is ex- 

 cellent for inflammation of the eyes ; and as a 

 sedative it is nearly equal to opium. An infu- 

 sion of it has, also, been found serviceable in 

 mange. 



ExTEACTUM Belladonna — Extract of Deadly 

 Nightshade. 



This is prepared by bruising the leaves of 

 the plant in a stone mortar, sprinkling a little 

 water on them, and then pressing out the juice 

 and evaporating. It must stand until it ac- 

 quires a thick consistency. 



Medicinal Uses. — Stimulant. It is only 

 used as an application to the eye, to cure a 

 morbid contraction of the iris, or rather its 

 circular fibres, in quantities of from two to five 

 grains. 



EupnoEBii GuMMi Eesini — Euphorlium. 

 The name of resin is used to denote solid 

 inflammable substances, of vegetable origm, 



353 



