494 MATERIA MEDICA 



opium, nn {inodync quality, but not so certain in its effect. 

 It is said, however, not to produce costiveness, like opium. ^ The 

 complaint in which it has been chiefly employed in veterinary 

 practice is obstinate cough, depending upon irritability. 



The leaves are to be carefully dried and powdered.^ The 

 powder must be kept in a well-stopped bottle, from which the 

 light should be excluded. The dose is about a drachm ; but it 

 may be gradually increased to a much larger quantity. 



There is an extract made from hemlock, which, Avhen pre- 

 pared, is a veiy convenient form, and not less efficacious than 

 the powder. The dose is about a drachm ; but this, also, may be 

 o-radually augmented to a considerable quantity. 



A decoction of green hemlock is said to be an useful fo- 

 mentation in painful wounds and tumours. Since writing the 

 above, I gave about half a pound of green hemlock to a young 

 ass; he ate it readily, but it did not produce any sensible 

 effect. It has been said that goats eat hemlock, and are nou- 

 rished by it. 



It should be remarked that, as the powers of the powder are 

 often impaired by keeping, whenever a fresh parcel or quantity 

 of the herb is used, it should first be administered in small 

 doses, in order to ascertain its strength. Vinegar is said to be 

 the best antidote for an over-dose of hemlock, after bleeding and 

 purging have been employed. 



Hemlock, Water. — Cicuta Virosa. This was discovered by 

 LinntEus to be a violent poison to cattle. 



HENBANE. — Hyoscyamus niger. This is a biennial plant, 

 found in great abundance in most parts of Britain. Like hemlock, 

 it is a powerful narcotic, and free from the constipating effect of 

 opium. It has not hitherto been used in veterinary medicine. 



The seeds are said to be the most powerful part of the plant : 

 but the powdered leaves and the extract are more commonly em- 

 ployed in human medicine.* 



HEPAR SULPHURIS. Liver of Sulphur. An old name 

 for sulphuret of potass. This medicine has been found effica- 

 cious in some cutaneous diseases, as mange, for instance, and 

 has also been recommended as an antidote to some poisons, as 

 arsenic, lead, and mercury ; but it has been too seldom tried to 

 ascertain its powers of counteracting the effects of these metals. 



* This medicine has been given by Mr. St. Clair with success in tetanus, 

 in doses of three drachms once a day with prussic acid. — See Vet. vol. 12. 



Mr. Morton remarks : " Mr. W. Wright advocates the use of a solution of 

 the extract in the spirit of nitric ether, in the proportion of one part of the 

 former to eight of the latter, as an antispasmodic, giving it in doses of two 

 ounces, either with or without aloes in combination, and he speaks highly of 

 its effects. It has also been resorted to for chronic cough, and for allaying 

 constitutional irritation." — Ed. 



