410 MATERIA MEDICA 



by its influence on tlie radiated fdjres of tlie iris, it dilates the 

 pupil. The same effect I have witnessed from a large quantity 

 having been administered internally. In the form of plaster, 

 it may be beneficially applied to wounds creating much irri- 

 tation, particularly in such as have given rise to tetanus, for its 

 influence in all neuralgic affections is even greater than that of 

 opium. A watery solution may be injected into the bladder, to 

 allay irritation in that viscus." — 3Iortons Manual. 



BENZOIN. — Stijrax Benzoin. A concrete resinous substance 

 of a yellowish colour, inclining to pink, and variegated with small 

 Avhite masses. By exposure to a strong heat, it gives out an ex- 

 tremely light flow^ery substance, which is, ievmQ^ Jlovjers of Ben- 

 jamin. This is beautifully white and fragrant, and is used in 

 human medicine in coughs, and other complaints of the lungs. 

 In [veterinary medicine neither the resin nor flower are em- 

 ployed, nor do I know any disease in which they ai-e likely to 

 be of use. 



The former is an ingredient in the traumatic or Friar's balsam, 

 now called compound tincture of benzoin ; and the latter is 

 employed in making paregoric elixir, or camphorated tincture of 

 ojiium. 



BITTER SWEET, or WOODY NIGHT-SHADE.— 

 Dulcamara. The stalks of bitter sweet. This is an indigenous 

 shrub, found gi'owing in shaded places. It flowers in June and 

 July, and its properties are diuretic and narcotic. It is generally 

 given in the form of decoction, made by boiling one ounce of the 

 sliced' stalks in a pint and a half of water, until a pint only of the 

 liquor remains. The dose from four to eight ounces. 



BITUMEN. Bituminous Oils. Barbadoes Tar. Petroleum. 

 Certain inflammable substances are thus named, obtained from 

 the mineral kingdom, among which are Barbadoes Tar, Naphtha, 

 Asphaltum, &c. 



BLISTEBS. This term is applied to medicines that inflame 

 the skin, and cause watery bladders to rise upon its surface: the 

 most useful of this kind is the Cantharis, or Spanish fly, which 

 forms the principal ingredient in all our blisters. There are 

 many others, however, which are generally mixed with it as 

 auxiliaries ; among these are hellebore, euphorblum, turpentine, 

 and sublimate. 



Blisters are of great use in veterinary medicine ; they are ex- 

 tremely efflcacious in dispersing callous swellings, the consequence 

 of strains, bruises, &c. 



In inflammation of parts remote from the surface, they are of 

 great service. When the intei'nal parts of the foot are inflamed, 

 relief is generally obtained by blistering the pastern, provided the 

 subordinate or auxiliary remedies arc not omitted, such as paring 

 the sole, soaking the horny part of the foot in Avarm Avater, or 



