510 MATERIA MEDICA 



minutes after, and then shut up in a large tub for several hours, 

 no part of the quicksilver was discharged ; he then run away, 

 and we heard nothing more of him. When mercury is prepared 

 for medicinal use, it is a remedy of the most extensive appli- 

 cation ; it is a powerful and general stimulant ; it enters into 

 the circulation, quickens the motion of the blood, and excites 

 powerfully the whole glandular system, increasing all the secre- 

 tions and excretions. Though much mischief may have arisen 

 from the imprudent use of the different preparations of this useful 

 metal, yet, in the hands of judicious and cautious practitioners, 

 they may be considered as among the most useful articles of the 

 INIateria Medica. 



The following are the preparations commonly employed: — 

 Mercurial ointment. Mercurial pill. Ointment of nitrate 

 of mercury, or citrine ointment. Mercury with chalk. Eed 

 oxide of mercury, or calcined mercury, yellow sub-sulphate of 

 mercury, or turbeth mineral. Nitric oxide of mercury, or red 

 precipitate. Sub-muriate of mercury or calomel. Oxymuriate 

 of mercury or corrosive sublimate. Red sulphuret of mercury 

 or cinnabar. White precipitate of mercury or white precipitate. 

 Mercury with sulphur or Ethiop's mineral. Each of these pre- 

 parations will be noticed under its respective name. 



MINDERERUS'S SVIUIT.— SpiHtus Miidereri. (See 

 Acetate of Ammonia.) The dose is from six to eight ounces, 



diluted. 



MINERAL WATERS are too weak for veterinary purposes. 

 It has been remarked, by experienced persons, that waters 

 impregnated with saline bodies, which are commonly said to be 

 brackish, are generally injurious to horses; and I have observed 

 that horses seldom do well on the coast, where the greater part 

 of the water is in this state. This may arise fi^ora their not 

 drinking a sufficient quantity for the purposes of digestion, on 

 account of its disagreeable taste ; for they often receive much 

 benefit when at grass in such situations. It has been generally 

 remarked, that cavalry regiments stationed on the coast are 

 more liable to disease tlian others, especially to rough unhealthy- 

 looking coats, hide-bound and cutaneous diseases. This, how- 

 ever, is as likely, and perhaps more likely, to arise from a damp 

 cold atmosphere, and bad stables, than from drinking brackish 

 water. M. Collaine, Veterinary Professor at Milan, has ob- 

 served, that cavalry corps, after being some months near the 

 sea, have been afterwards much afi^ected with fiu'cy. 



MINT. — Mentha. This is a valuable herb, and grows here 

 very abundantly. There are two kinds used in medicine, viz., 

 Spearmint {Mentha Viridis), and Peppermint {Mentha Piperita). 

 The former is an excellent carminative, and generally affords 

 relief in flatulence of the stomach and bowels, and that com- 



