AND PHARMACOrCEIA. 427 



violent effect; it will sometimes, however, occasion great dis- 

 turbance in the stomach and bowels, in much smaller doses, and 

 if continued without carefully watching its effect, may do great 

 mischief. 



Though arsenic has been often given by way of experiment to 

 glandered horses, even in large doses without producing any 

 violent effect, yet cases have occurred where moderate or even 

 small doses have occasioned considerable disturbance in the 

 stomach and bowels. In one case I have known it produce a 

 fatal inflammation of the stomach in a moderate dose ; the 

 groom having persisted in the use of it after the injurious effect 

 which it sometimes produces had taken place. When arsenic 

 disagrees with the stomach it causes loss of appetite, shivering, 

 dejection, uneasiness in the stomach and bowels, which gradually 

 increase, unless it be discontinued ; in such cases castor oil, oat- 

 meal gruel, and infusion of linseed, should be given. When 

 castor oil cannot be procured, linseed oil may be substituted for 

 it, or olive oil. Perhaps the most efficacious antidote to the effects 

 of arsenic is lime water, which forms with the arsenic arseniate of 

 lime, an insoluble, and consequently an innocuous, substance. 

 Chalk and water is likewise a good antidote to arsenic, and 

 where this cannot be obtained, one part of common soap may 

 be dissolved in four of water, by weight, and given in large 

 quantities. 



In reviewing the experiments that have been made with ar- 

 senic, it does not appear that it has ever done any good in 

 glanders, and that when it has proved beneficial in farcy, it has 

 been given in small doses, from ten to fifteen grains or even less, 

 joined with sublimate : and then the latter, that is, the sublimate, 

 was, I suspect, the most useful ingredient. 



As the white oxide of arsenic is found, after death, to adhere 

 to the coat of the stomach, it is not improbable that a solution of 

 arsenic would be a more advantageous mode of employing this 

 medicine. The preparation generally known by the name of 

 "Fowler's Solution" may be exhibited in doses of half a drachm, 

 twice or three times a day, to begin with, and gradually in- 

 creased so long as no unfavourable symptoms are perceived. 

 The use of arsenic is contra-indicated whenever there exist any 

 affections of the lungs, or where febrile action is going on. In 

 short, this being a dangerous medicine to trifle with, should 

 never be used without the sanction of the veterinary surgeon. 

 As a tonic*, it has been strongly recommended in small doses, 

 or in solution, but it should be given with caution, and not until 

 the vegetable tonics, such as gentian, columbo, bark, cordials, 



* Arsenic in doses of four to eight grains has been given as a vermifuge and 

 a tonic with good effect, combined with ginger and sulphate of iron. It may 

 be thus administered in the food for six or eight days, and if given for worms 

 may be followed by a dose of physic. — Ed. 



