154 The Care of Animals 



Six drams of sulfate of zinc and one ounce of 

 acetate of lead, dissolved in a quart of water, is an ex- 

 cellent antiseptic and astringent, and is extensively used 

 in veterinary practice as "white lo'-lon." It should be 

 well shaken before using. It is poisonous when taken 

 internally. An excellent antiseptic ointment for use 

 on sores or irritated conditions of the skin is made by 

 combining one part of zinc oxid with about five parts 

 of fresh lard or vaseline. 



These antiseptics, as already said, possess secondary 

 properties, some are astringent and pucker the tissues, 

 often stopping hemorrhages or drying up discharges. 

 Antiseptics applied in the form of ointments are often 

 used on wounds and sores when the part is hard, dry 

 and irritated; the fat in contact with the antiseptic 

 seems to soften and soothe the part. In the powdered 

 form, dusted over the surface of a wound or sore, anti- 

 septics are valuable in drying up discharges and keep- 

 ing the sores dry and free from odor. 



Antiseptics are sometimes mixed with some sticky 

 substance, such as pitch or tar, and may be valuable 

 in keeping dirt out of a wound; but care must be 

 taken that such applications do not prevent the free 

 escape of pus. 



Of the powdered antiseptics, iodiform is extensively 

 used for dusting on wounds or sores ; the objections 

 are its odor and expense. Pulverized boric acid is an- 

 other good antiseptic that is used in this way. It is 

 also used in a solution of twenty grains of acid to one 

 ounce of water, and makes an excellent wash for the 

 e3^e, for the mouth or other cavities, as it is practically 



