AND PHARMACOPCKIA. 439 



generally used. Mr. Mavor has invented some apparatus for 

 applying steam locally ; and Mr. Read is now devoting his in- 

 genuity to the construction of a vapour bath for horses : his pro- 

 posed mode of a[)plication is, I believe, by means of an air- 

 proof case. — Ed.] 



BAY TREE. — Laurus Nobilis. Tlie leaves and berries of 

 the bay tree are employed in veterinary medicine, the former as 

 an ingredient in the decoction for fomentations : the latter as a 

 stomachic, and as an ingredient in that ancient, but still cele- 

 brated stomachic powder, named diapente or diapenty. (See 

 Stomachics.) Oil of bays assists the action of blisters. 



BEANS are often used as an article of diet. If given mo- 

 derately to horses that work hard, they prove extremely useful 

 and invigorating ; but to such as are not much worked they often 

 do harnC by disposing the system to inflammatory complaints. 

 Beans should be bruised or ground, being more easy of digestion 

 in that state. 



BEER or ALE. — Cerevisia. An useful vehicle for cordials 

 and tonics ; and when mild and perfectly free from harshness 

 or acidity, is of itself a good cordial, especially when given warm 

 with a little grated ginger. It may be given also with oatmeal 

 or wheat flour gruel as a restorative, when a horse is exhausted 

 by fatigue and long fasting. (See Gruel and Restoratives.) 

 In colic, gripes, or fret, when medicines cannot be procured, 

 warm ale with a little gin or other spirit, and ginger, may be 

 given. 



BEES' WAX.— Cem Flava. See Wax. 



BELLADONNA. Deadly Nightshade. "A powerful nar- 

 cotic. The extract which is generally employed is the inspis- 

 sated juice of the leaves of a plant indigenous to Britain and the 

 south of Europe. It is found growing in shady places, where 

 the soil is calcareous, flowering in June, and ripening its seed- 

 vessels in September. The roots are said to possess the most 

 activity, although the leaves are commonly employed medicinally. 

 In order to prepare the extract, these are bruised in a mortar, a 

 little water being poured over them ; then submitted to pressure, 

 and the juice evaporated until it has acquired a fit consistence. 



" Properties and Uses. The odour of this extract is peculiar, 

 and its taste bitter. Its action is that of a narcotic and sedative, 

 relieving pain and lessening both the force of the pulse and the 

 number of its beats ; hence its use is indicated in all those dis- 

 eases where an undue action of the nervous and vascular systems 

 are present, as tetanus, carditis, and pneumonic aff'ections gene- 

 rally. Mr. Mavor, of Bond Street, who employs it largely, speaks 

 highly of it, as do many other practitioners. It is given in doses 

 oflrom two to four drachms : in larger doses it acts gently on 

 the bowels. Externally it is sometimes applied to the eye, and 



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