486 MATERIA MEDIC A 



It is probable thut warm water is as good an emollient fomenta- 

 tion as can be employed, if used assiduously, and at a proper tem- 

 perature, which should be regulated by the state or irritability 

 of the part to which it is applied. In inflammation of the eye, for 

 example, it should not be above 98°, or blood lieat ; in inflamed 

 and painful swellings, it should seldom exceed 100°. In strains 

 of the back sinews, vinegar, either alone or diluted, is considered 

 a good fomentation ; and as the injury is rather deeply seated, 

 and not in the skin, the fomentation may be applied rather 

 hotter than where the cuticle is aflPected. 



When a fomentation is employed for inflammation of the 

 bowels, it should be still hotter ; indeed so hot as that the hand 

 cannot be dijjped into it without pain. The best mode of ap- 

 plying it is by means of a long piece of woollen cloth, with the 

 two ends joined, that it may be wrung out of the hot foment- 

 ation, by placing a stick through each end ; for the liquor 

 makes the cloth too hot to be handled and wrung out without 

 this contrivance. When thus applied it may be considered as 

 a steam fomentation, and will be found very beneficial. Two 

 men, one on each side the horse, are required to apply this fo- 

 mentation eflfectually. In some cases, where the swelling or in- 

 jury is not extensive, the fomentation may be applied with a 

 large sponge ; in others, by a thick woollen cloth, such as an old 

 run; or blanket. 



[Mr Mavor has introduced some apparatus for the topical 

 application of steam, which is noticed in a previous part of the 

 present work. — Ed.] 



FOXGLOVE. — Diqitalis. This is an indigenous biennial 

 plant, which grows plentifully in this country, and flowers during 

 part of the months of July and August. The leaves were 

 formerly employed as an aj^plication to ulcers and scrofulous 

 tumours ; but, from their deleterious quality, Avere seldom used 

 as an internal remedy. Foxglove Avas found to possess remark- 

 able power in diminishing the frequency of the human pulse: 

 therefore, it was expected to be found a valuable medicine in 

 those internal inflammations which so frequently occur in horses, 

 their most dangerous fevers depending on this cause ; and when 

 the inflammation attacks an important part, such as the lungs 

 or bowels, it generally terminates fatally, unless that most pow- 

 erful remedy, bleeding, be employed at an early period. Fox- 

 glove, on these occasions, it was thought, Avould greatly assist 

 this remedy, particularly in inflammation of tlie lungs. It was, 

 therefore, introduced into veterinary practice. The other com- 

 plaints in which it has been chiefly employed, are chronic cough, 

 or imperfect wind, and swelling of the legs. 



Foxglove is an active medicine in the horse, and cannot be 

 given with perfect safety in larger doses than a drachm ; the horse 



