634 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



brush, as occasion suits. The formulee for them are very 

 numerous, and it would extend beyond our Umits to par- 

 ticularize any here. 



Emetic Tartar {Antimonii tartarizatum) . — See Antimony. 



Epsom Salts {MagnesicB sulphas) . — See Sulphate of Mag- 

 nesia. 



EscHAROTics, known among farriers by the more familiar 

 term of caustics, are substances which destroy the texture 

 of the parts they are applied to in the degree of their 

 intensity, and therefore are often divided into erodants 

 and caustic. The mineral acids are active caustics. Sul- 

 phuric acid, or oil of vitriol, is now seldom used. Nitrous 

 acid {aquafortis) may be applied by means of a camel's- 

 hair pencil to fungus on the foot. The chloride or 

 muriate of antimony, commonly called the butter of anti- 

 mony, is an escharotic or caustic in very general use in 

 veterinary practice. Applied to a raw surface it instantly 

 changes it white, destroying a thin layer of substance ; 

 hence it is a very convenient application in cankered feet, 

 as, by means of a small camel's-hair brush, it can be 

 spread over as much or as little a portion of parts as is 

 necessary. In sandcrack, when the sensitive substance 

 protrudes, it may be applied in a similar way. In obsti- 

 nate cases of grease, the buds are sometimes beneficially 

 touched with it : but in quittor, poll-evil, and other 

 sinuses, it is not so proper as some other escharotics. — 

 Nitrated silver (Argenti nitras) , or, as it is popularly called. 

 Lunar caustic, is a preparation from silver, which renders 

 it expensive : it is, however, essentially necessary to the 

 veterinarian's dispensary, from its being so completely 

 under command in its action ; not extending its effects 

 beyond the immediate part it is applied to. It proves 

 the most convenient caustic for destroying the edges of a 

 contaminated wound, when not too extensive, as the bite 

 of a rabid animal. Dissolved in five, six, or eight times 

 its own weight of water, it forms an excellent liquid 

 caustic, peculiarly useful as a dressing for the foot rot in 

 sheep, and also to touch the protruded portions in sand- 

 crack. Dissolved in twenty times its weight of water, it 

 makes a useful detergent wash for foul ulcers, and to 

 keep down too luxuriant surfaces. — Caustic potash {po- 



