446 MATERIA MEDICA 



of horses, though scarcely known to farriers as an internal 

 remedy. It is a powerful narcotic, sedative, and antispasmodic, 

 and is often employed in fevers. When joined with nitre, it 

 gives speedy relief in suppression of urine, or difficulty in staling ; 

 except when it arises from inflammation of the kidneys, but in 

 the horse this complaint is generally caused by distended 

 bowels. 



Camphor is a good remedy in flatulent colic, or gripes, parti- 

 cularly if joined with oil of juniper or other carminatives. (See 

 Carminatives.) It has been recommended also in locked-jaw 

 mixed with opium. The dose is from one to two drachms ; 

 though it may be given, I believe, to a greater extent without 

 danger. The dose I employ is one drachm and a half, or two 

 drachms. 



As an external remedy, camphor is much used ; it is generally 

 dissolved in spirit of wine, oil of turpentine, or common oil, so 

 as to fox*ra embrocations for strains, bruises, hard swellings, &c. 

 Soap is often added to those solutions, and sometimes oil of 

 rosemary. See Embrocations and Antispasmodics. 



Mr. Morton recommends camphor as an ingredient in blisters 

 to allay the irritation of cantharides. In pulverising it, it is 

 necessary to add a small portion of spirits of wine. 



CANELLA. Canella Bai-k. This tree is a native of the 

 West Indies. The odour of the bark when fresh broken is 

 aromatic, and its medicinal properties are stimulant and tonic. 

 It forms a good stomachic in combination with columba, gentian, 

 rhubarb, &c. The Pulvis aloes cum canella, vulgarly called 

 Hiera Pier a, is made by powdering separately one pound of 

 hepatic aloes, and three ounces of white canella, and then 

 mixing them. The dose is from two drachms to half an ounce 

 or more. 



CANTHARIS. Cantharides. Blistering or Spanish fly. 

 These insects are found adhering to trees of different kinds in 

 the south of Europe. 



Cantharides are so very acrimonious, that they inflame and ex- 

 coriate the skin ; and hence raise a more perfect blister than any 

 other substance : this property renders them extremely useful in 

 veterinary practice, in which a good blister is the most important 

 of all external remedies. Cantharides should be finely powdered ; 

 but previously to this operation they should be sifted, that they 

 may be freed from a great deal of dust and useless matter, which 

 Ave generally find with them. When powdered they may be 

 either formed into an ointment, a liniment, or a spirituous tinc- 

 ture ; but the former is the best form, and most commonly used. 

 (See Blisters.) " Cantharides are imported from Sicily and 

 Astracan, in casks and small chests. The best are of a lively 

 fresh colour, a small size, and not mould}-, nor mixed with the 



