622 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



the application should be desisted from, and the enlarge- 

 ment suffered to subside. 



Blue Vitriol (Cupri sulphas). See Sulphate of Copper. 



Bole ArxMenian {Bolus ArmenicB), vulgarly called bole 

 armenic, is an argillaceous earth impregnated with iron ; 

 and was formerly extolled for its astringent, strengthening 

 qualities, both externally and internally ; but, although 

 it has some claim to attention, it is seldom now used. 



Borax. — See Soda. 



Bran. — Independently of the use of this as an article of 

 food, it may be here introduced as a medicine also, being 

 without nourishment, but mechanically aperient. In 

 the latter point of view, it is perhaps the most certain 

 laxative with which we are acquainted, and at the same 

 time the most mild also. 



Burgundy Pitch differs so little from resin in its qualities, 

 as to need no particular comment. 



Butter or Butyr of Antimony {Antimonium Muriatum). 

 See EscHAROTics. 



Calamine, prepared {Lapis calaminaris) , is an ore of zinc, 

 which, when reduced to a fine powder, may be very 

 usefully sprinkled on excoriations, and on cracks of the 

 heels, to dry them. It is, however, most frequently 

 used in the form of the unguent called calamine cerate, 

 and formerly Turner's cerate, and is an excellent appli- 

 cation. 



Calomel (see Submuriate of Quicksilver) . This is a very 

 useful medicine in horse yjractice, but is liable to some 

 uncertainty in its action : therefore it should never be 

 continued by veterinarians, unless united to twice its 

 weight of opium ; even then, the moment tbe gums look 

 red, the mouth feels hot, and a tenderness is observed in 

 chewing, it should be discontinued. Calomel has not 

 much effect as a vermifuge beyond its purgative proper- 

 ties ; but it is an excellent alterative in skin affections, 

 as hidebound, surfeits, &c. It has proved useful also 

 in farcy, grease, and oedema. It is often united with 

 purges, but is not to be depended on alone as a purga- 

 tive : it acts well when shaken upon the tongue or 

 strewed upon a mash, the evening preceding the morn- 

 ing the purge is to be given. A scruple to two drachms 



