638 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



but they are uncertain, and in many cases cannot be 

 prudently administered, from fear of drawing the neigh- 

 bouring affections to the bowels. We are, therefore, 

 forced to trust to the powdered root of the white helle- 

 bore, which is, perhaps, the most certain nauseant with 

 which we are acquainted ; but it is only safe under very 

 watchful eyes and quick perceptions. It may be given 

 to a certain point, and nothing but moderate nausea is 

 observed : if pushed beyond this, the head droops in the 

 manger, the mouth slavers, the pulse sinks, the horse 

 reels too and fro, and purging comes on, which com- 

 monly proves a fatal symptom. It may be given in 

 doses of a scruple every six hours, which may be 

 increased to half a drachm ; but the horse must be care- 

 fully looked to, and as soon as the pulse sinks and the 

 mouth slavers, or any trembhng appears, desist from its 

 further exhibition, directly combating its debilitating 

 and sedative effects by active stimulants. Hellebore 

 lowers the system more speedily than digitalis, but digi- 

 talis more safely when there is time for its operation ; at 

 least so we have found : it is for the observant veterinarian 

 to select the proper cases for both. It ranks high also 

 with some veterinarians when used with setons by smear- 

 ing them with the powder, but black hellebore is superior. 



Hellebore, black.— We understand that this root has 

 lately been employed with much success as a local appli- 

 cation in fistulous affections of the poll and withers. 

 When the tumour has burst and been allowed to dis- 

 charge two or three days, being dressed with an ordinary 

 digestive, and the discharge being of the nature termed 

 laudable ; then take a few portions of the fibrous part of 

 the root, sew in the seton passed into the sinuses, and allow^ 

 them to remain a fortnight or more. Under this treat- 

 ment Mr. Morton assures us he has observed its salutary 

 action in several cases. 



Honey is an article of importance in the veterinary pharma- 

 copoeia, as it is a medium for making balls with. 



Hyoscyamus (Henbane) appears to act as a sedative, with- 

 out the constipating qualities of opium. 



Infusions are only different from decoctions by the article 

 employed being steeped in boihng water instead of boiled. 



