458 MATERIA MEDICA 



CHALK. — Greta. This is an antacid and absorbent. It 

 should be finely levigated, or prepared, as it is termed, before it 

 is administered internally. It may be given in diarrhoea, com- 

 bined with opium and ginger, after the irritating matter has 

 been removed from the intestines by purgatives. Externally it 

 may be sprinkled upon sores vs^hich emit an excoriating dis- 

 charge, in order to pi'eserve the adjacent parts from its effects. 

 The dose, internally, is from two drachms to several ounces. 

 (See Astringents.) 



CHAMOMILE. See Camomile. 



CHARCOAL. — Carbo Ligni. A charcoal poultice has 

 been recommended as an application to the heels when affected 

 with grease, with a view, perhaps, to destroy the offensive smell 

 of the matter discharged from the heels ; it is also useful for this 

 purpose used as a powder or mixed with prepared chalk. 



CHARGES. Adhesive plasters which are softened or 

 liquefied in a ladle by a gentle heat, and then applied to the 

 legs, from the knee and hock joints to the foot, as a remedy for 

 windgalls and old lamenesses, arising from strains or hard work, 

 or to the back in strains of that part. As soon as the plaster is 

 applied, the part is covered with short tow, and the horse sent 

 to c;rass. 



A Charge. 



No. 1. Yellow rosin 2 ozs. 



Burgundy pitch 4 ozs. 



Barbadoes tar 2 ozs. 



Bees' wax 3 ozs. 



Red lead 4 ozs. 



No. 2. Yellow rosin 1 lb. 



Bees' Avax 8 ozs. 



Common turpentine 2 ozs. 



Armenian bole powder 4 ozs. 



Mix. 



The three first are to be melted together, and then the latter 

 is to be added. The mixture is to be constantly stirred until 

 sufficiently cold to be applied ; and if it prove too thick when 

 cold, it may be softened with a little oil or lard.* 



Farriers generally mix dragon's blood (as it is commonly 

 called), from an idea that it has a strengthening quality; others 

 recommend bole armenic. It appears, however, that charges 



* These charges may be rendered more stimulating by the addition of a 

 little blisterlnof ointment. — Ed. 



