192 DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



water, magnesia, &c. ; yet the relief they afford is only 

 temporary. 



Absorbent Vessels. (See Absorption, part first.) 



Absinthium. Common wormwood, used for the purpose 

 of reducing swellings that have resulted from violence. Two 

 ounces of wormwood are steeped in one quart of New England 

 rum j if a limb of the animal is involved, the wormwood is 

 then bound on with bandages, and the parts occasionally wet- 

 ted with the fluid. 



Acacia. Gum arabic, used as a demulcent and lubricant. 

 In poisoning it is useful to sheathe the membranes of the 

 stomach and alimentary canal, and will defend them from the 

 action of drastic purges. 



Acacia Catechu. Gum catechu. This is a powerful 

 astringent : it is made from a tree that grows in Japan. 



Acetabulum. The socket in which the head of the thigh 

 bone is lodged. 



Acids are distinguished by their sour taste ; they readily 

 combine with alkalies, producing effervescence. 



Action. The gait of a horse, which depends on his 

 powers and the mode of training. 



Actual Cautery. Red-hot iron. (See Firing.) 



Acute. A term applied to those diseases which are sud- 

 den in their attack and violence, accompanied with great pain. 



Age. The age of a horse may be known by marks in 

 the front teeth and tusks of the under jaw, until he is about 

 eight years old, after which period it is a matter of guess- 

 work ; yet those who are expert can tell very near the exact age. 

 There are many circumstances which tend to show whether 

 a horse be old or not. The number of a horse's teeth is 

 forty, — twenty-four grinders, and sixteen others, — by some of 

 which his age may be known up to a certain period. Mares 

 have only thirty-six teeth, as in them the tushes are usually 

 wanting. A few days after birth, the colt puts forth two small 

 front teeth in the upper and under jaws, and soon after two 

 more : these are called nippers. The next four shortly after- 

 wards make their appearance. The four corner teeth — as 



