MEDICINES.] 



THE HORSE, AND 



[medicines. 



SiNAPis — Mustard. 



A genus of plants belonging to the class of 

 tetradynamia, and to the order of siliqiiosa ; 

 and in the natural system it is ranged under 

 the 39th order, siliquosce. 



Medicinal Uses. — This has been applied to 

 the throat, chest, and bowels, in cases of in- 

 flammation. It is done by rubbing, which, 

 exciting an outward irritation, allays the in- 

 flammation within. 



Spieitus Eectificatus — Bedified Spirits of 

 Wine. 



This may be obtained by distillation from 

 any vegetable substance, in which the vinous 

 fermentation is not completely over ; the first 

 result is ardent spirits, as brandy, rum, &c. 

 It is from redistillation that rectified spirits are 

 produced, which is very simple, being nothing 

 more than the repetition of the process of dis- 

 tillation, with the addition, if necessary, of 

 some alkali or lime, to destroy the empyrema 

 tic flavour, and absorb the water. Proof 

 spirits is made by mixing nearly equal parts of 

 water and rectified spirits. 



Medicinal Uses. — Stimulant ; principally 

 used as a menstruum. 



SuLPHTJE SuBLiMATUM — SulUmed Sulpliiir. 



Sulphur is a well-known substance, sold in 

 the form of a powder, or in solid pieces, when 

 it is called brimstone. It is found in the 

 neighbourhood of volcanoes ; in the tract of 

 land between Naples and the ancient Baise, 

 called Solfa-terra, the smoking plains, the 

 remnant of a half-extinguished volcano, it is 

 found in great abundance. It is brought in 

 large quantities to this country from Mount 

 Etna, in Sicily ; but is to be obtained in greater 

 or smaller quantities near all volcanoes, of which 

 the number throughout the world is consider- 

 able. It is also often found in coal mines ; and, 

 indeed, the common coal in our fires more or less 

 contains this mineral. It often appears com- 

 bined with iron, copper, aud other metals, 

 when it is called pyrites. 



Medicinal Uses. — As a drug it forms the 

 basis of the most effectual application for 

 mange. AVhen combined witli nitre and an- 

 timony, it is an excellent alterative in cases of 

 surfeit, grease, hide-bound, mange, or out of 

 3G0 



condition. In a cough or fever it is likewise a 

 useful ingredient. As an opening medicine, if; 

 is not so good as many other aperients. 



TEEEBiNTHiNiE YuLQAEig — Co7nmon 

 Turpentine. 



This is procured from Scotch fir, when the 

 tree is about forty years old, by stripping off 

 the outer bark to the extent of six inches, so 

 as to expose the inner smooth bark, near the 

 foot of the tree, making a wound with an in- 

 strument three inches square, and one inch, 

 deep. Erom this incision the resinous juice 

 soon begins to exude in transparent drops, 

 which fall into a hole previously dug to receive 

 them. Eresh incisions are continued to be 

 made till the month of September. A healthy 

 tree will yield from eleven to twelve pounds of 

 turpentine annually, for a century. It is 

 afterwards purified by filtration, through casks 

 with holes in the bottom. 



Medicinal Uses. — Diuretic; externally diges- 

 tive ; as a diuretic, given in doses of from one 

 drachm to eight drachms, in form of a ball; as a 

 digestive externally, it is used in the form of 

 imguentum. The oil of turpentine, as an anti- 

 spasmodic, for the removal of colic, has no 

 equal. With cantharides, used as a blister, it 

 is far inferior to the common ointment. 



Tekebinthin^ Veneta — Venice Turpentine. 



This is the product of the larch fir, obtained 

 in a similar manner to the foregoing ; but the 

 largest quantity of the Venice turpentine is 

 made by melting together the amber-coloured 

 resin and oil of turpentine. 



Medicinal Uses. — Similar to the foregoing, 

 to which it gives place, possessing no advan- 

 tage over it. 



Yeratei Eadix — White Hellebore Moot. 



This plant is a native of the mountainous 

 parts of Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Russia,. 

 &c. The root is dug in autumn, and dried. 



Cerum — Wax. 



The upper surface of the leaves of many 

 trees is covered with a varnish, which may be 

 separated and obtained in a state of purity, and 

 which is found to possess all the properties of 

 beeswax ; hence it is justly inferred that wax 

 is a vegetable product, and that the bees ex- 



