AND rilAllMACOPCEIA. 413 



cream of tartar is generally prescribed with aloes, under a sup- 

 position that it prevents griping ; but I consider it by no means 

 proper, and have for some time preferred soap and the alkalies, 

 such as potash and soda; but soap is by far the most convenient. 

 (See Cathartics.) 



Aloes is sometimes given as an alterative in the dose of one 

 or two dracinns. It is also an ingredient in Friar's balsam and 

 compound tincture of myrrh. 



ALTERATIVES are medicines that act very graduall}^ upon 

 the constitution, and therefore require to be continued for some 

 time. The medicines most commonly used as alteratives for the 

 horse are antimony, nitre, sulphur, resin, and ^thiop's mineral; 

 these are generally given together, particularly the three former. 

 The cases in which altei'atives are commonly employed, are 

 diseases of the skin, such as mange and other itching humours, 

 hide-bound, and dry, staring coat. They are given also in 

 swellings, or humours of the hind legs, and worms. They ap- 

 pear to do good, by increasing the discharge of excrementitious 

 matter from the body, through the various emunctories or outlets, 

 such as the bowels, the kidneys, and the skin. From viewing 

 the subject in this light, I have been induced to arrange them 

 under three heads, — viz. laxative alteratives, diuretic alteratives, 

 and diaphoretic alteratives. AVere we to confine ourselves strictly 

 to the common acceptation of the term alteratives, we should 

 describe them as medicines, Avhich cure diseases by a gentle, 

 slow, and insensible operation upon the body; and under this 

 impression, it would appear unnecessary to watch the effect 

 which such preparations produced upon the body. This w^ould 

 be a departure from the precept which I have before offered, — • 

 viz. "there is only one source from which any precise or really 

 useful knowledge of the interesting subject of Veterinary Medi- 

 cine can be derived ; that is, a careful and impartial observation, 

 and an accurate recollection of the symftoms of diseases, and the 

 effects of such medicines, tohether simple or compound, as are em- 

 ployed for their removal.'' By attending to this rule, I have ob- 

 served that the medicines given as alteratives have generally 

 some visible effect upon the iDOwels, the kidneys, or the skin: the 

 division of them, therefore, into laxatives, diuretics, and diapho- 

 retics will be found useful in practice. 



Laxative Alteratives are useful in many cases, and may 

 often be substituted for purgatives with great advantage. 



When a horse is troubled with worms, and is too weak to take 

 strong medicines, or when he cannot be spared from his work, 

 they are extremely convenient, and generally beneficial. In 

 obstinate cases o^ grease and in chronic inflammation of the eyes 

 they often do good : they are generally serviceable also in coughs 

 of long standing, or even when they are recent, if not caused by 



