DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 45 



Plaster of Paris is a powerful disinfectant. It ab- 

 sorbs putrid smells, exhalations, and unpleasant gases, 

 and tends to purify the air around. It is used in 

 stables to absorb the ammoniacal gas, and render the air 

 more wholesome. 



Charcoal is, in many cases, used as a disinfectant, 

 with wonderful success ; a piece of fish, or meat, becom- 

 mg putrid, is rendered completely sweet by being boiled 

 with a few pieces of charcoal. In the treatment of ulcers 

 and foul sores, finely pulverized charcoal is used as an 

 ingredient in poultices, as it absorbs the fetor, tends to 

 cleanse the sore, and, from its powerful anti-putrescent 

 quality, it prevents mortification. 



Some cases of mortification have been cured by this 

 simple substance alone ; but of late years, pyroligneous 

 acid, containing the same anti-putrescent quality, has 

 been used for this purpose, and with wonderful success. 



Gum Myrrh is valuable. Apply it in a strong tincture 

 of four ounces to a quart of alcohol. It is good to guard 

 against mortification. 



CLYSTERS, OR INJECTIONS. 



Injections into the fundament are highly useful, when 

 a speedy action of the bowels is required. Sometimes 

 they are so obstinately constipated, the dung having be- 

 come dry and hard, that physic will not remove the 

 obstruction. In most cases of costiveness, clysters are 

 more effectual in relieving and curing than purgatives. 

 They should be used in all severe cases. 



Clysters may be made of soap suds, in the proportion 

 of two ounces of soft soap to a gallon of water ; or for a 

 more active operation, use half a pound of Epsom salts. 

 In severe cases of colic and constipation, in order to 

 open a way for the immediate action of physic, an excit- 

 ing clyster should be given. 



Mild injections, such as herb teas, warm water, gruel, 

 &c., produce effects only from their softening influence, 

 and mechanical effect, in expelling the hardened fasces ; 

 but exciting clysters have effect on the nerves, and influ- 

 ence the whole bov^^els, producing copious discharges far 

 beyond their reach. 



