652 VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 



Spurred Rye, or Secale Cornutum, or Ergot of Rye, acts as 

 a uterine excitant. It should be kept in well-stoppered 

 bottles, and even then it must not be kept too long. It 

 acts in doses of two to four drachms ; but it should 

 not be given until the regular forcings of the womb have 

 proved ineffective. It has been administered to the 

 foaling mare with effect, but it a})pears to exert its 

 powers most successfully in cows and sheep. The secale 

 is certainly an emmenagogue of great power, yet it should 

 be employed only when other means have failed. 



Squills {Scilla Maritima). — Squills are highly recom- 

 mended by Mr. White. By their stimulating properties 

 they may assist the bronchial secretions in a slight 

 degree ; but in cases of emergency they ought not to 

 supersede more active agents. 



Starch. — In diarrhoea, starch clysters have proved very 

 useful. Starch may also in such cases be given internally, 

 united with chalk and opium. 



Stimulants. — The veterinarian is doomed to hear the word 

 cordials so often, that he will gladly recognize all proper 

 matters under this head in preference to the former 

 much abused one. Stimulants are medicines that exert 

 an influence on the system by increasing the power and 

 action of a part ; hence they may be considered as very 

 numerous, and the term as of very extensive signification. 

 Local stimuli are all such matters as either promote the 

 vascular, the nervous, or the absorbing energies ; as 

 friction, rubefacients, blisters, &c. General stimuli act 

 on the sensorium at once, through the medium of the 

 senses : the voice of the hounds stimulates the horse ; 

 the exertions of a fellow will likewise stimulate ; and 

 the stallion's fire is drawn forth by the scent of the 

 mare. Absorbing stimulants are heat, cold, friction, de- 

 pletion, mercury, &c. 



Stomachic stimulants. — Such may be called cordials, as 

 are intended to have a temporary effect on the stomach ; 

 and those may be noted as stomachics whose action is 

 more permanent. Both the one and the other appear to 

 act by a sympathetic effect they excite between the sto- 

 mach and the brain : warm spicy matters possess some 



