AND PHARMACOPCEIA. 477 



the brain will be the consequence ; because the brain, receiving 

 a large supply of blood, is of course distended : and as it is con- 

 tained in an unyielding bony case, pressure must be the result ; 

 and this, carried to any great extent, will produce every symp- 

 tom of apoplexy. Ipecacuanha and emetic tartar have no emetic 

 power in the horse ; and though hellebore appears to excite a 

 painful sensation in the stomach, it has not, even in the dose of 

 one Ounce, caused vomiting. 



Emetic tartar. — Antlmonmm Tartarizatum. New 

 name, Potassio- Tartrate of Antimony. — Antimonii Pota.^sio- 

 Tartras. A preparation of antimony (see Antimony) and 

 cream of tartar (see Acid, Tartareous). This is a violent 

 emetic in the human subject, even in the quantity of one or two 

 orains : but in more minute doses is used as a febrifuge. 



In the horse it is a very safe medicine, and useful in fevers : 

 it is generally given in doses of one or two drachms, which may 

 be repeated every day, or even twice a day, should the case re- 

 quire it. Emetic tartar seems to be the best of the antimonial 

 preparations, though others are occasionally preferred : but there 

 is some difficulty in deciding this point, for all the preparations 

 of antimony have so little activity in the system of the horse, 

 that their effects are not often perceptible ; we know them to be 

 useful, however, from their frequently subduing or mitigating 

 the disease for which they are employed. When antimonlals are 

 given to remove surfeit, or relax the skin, they may be mate- 

 rially assisted by exercise and moderately warm clothing. I 

 have lately successfully employed, as an alterative, the common 

 sulphuret of antimony, finely levigated, or brought to an impal- 

 pable powder by washing, as chalk is. ]M. Volpi, an eminent 

 Italian veterinary author, and one of the Professors of the Ve- 

 terinary School at Milan, frequently prescribes emetic tartar in 

 doses of four or five drachms for horses, and much larger doses 

 for cattle. To a sheep he gives thirty-six grains, to a pig a 

 scruple, to a large dog six grains, and observes, that, " when the 

 nature of the disorder is well known, and the attack is severe 

 and dangerous, we may begin with much larger doses, even four 

 times the quantity above pi'escribed." 



[These large doses of emetic tartar are to be reprobated, for 

 instances have been known of inflammation of the stomach and 

 intestines having been produced by the too large exhibition of 

 the medicine medicinally. We are less surprised at this when 

 we consider the irritating effects of this medicine, when applied 

 externally. In the form of an ointment, or in a liniment, with 

 oil and spirit of turpentine, it has been foimd to produce great 

 counter-irritation, and to succeed in doing so when cantharides 

 have failed. In these cases it is very useful, particularly as it 

 causes less pain. It does not raise watery bladders, but pustular 



