514 MATERIA MEDICA . 



the Veterinary School at Milan, in a treatise on Glanders, says, 

 " I determined on making a final experiment on two ftircied 

 horses with the nux vomica, which I gave to the extent of two 

 ounces a day to each of them, beginning with the dose of half a 

 drachm, morning and evening. 



" The ulcers on the skin became stationary, and assumed a 

 red healthy appearance, but about the ninth day one of the 

 horses was attacked with spasms nearly of the whole body, 

 which induced me to put an end to my experiments and the suf- 

 ferings of the animal by causing him to be shot. It is necessary 

 to observe that these two horses, before they took the nux vomica, 

 had taken the extract of Aconite or Wolf's Bane (see Aconitum), 

 which, in the dose of one ounce and a half daily, caused con- 

 siderable depression and weakness, without lessening the dis- 

 order (farcy), although the same medicine had, in less than ten 

 days, removed the disease in a horse belonging to another 

 regiment, that had the hind leg much swollen, and covered with 

 farcy sores. This horse, however, was in consequence affected 

 with great difficulty of breathing, which continued ten or twelve 

 days, or until the swelling and farcy appeared again." 



OAK BAKK. — Cortex Quercus. A decoction of oak bark 

 is a good vehicle for tonic and astringent medicines. When 

 finely powdered and given as a drench with gingei*, it may be 

 of service in those complaints the continuance of which depends 

 upon debility. It is said, however, to be much less efficacious 

 than Peruvian bark, yet when that cannot be procured, it may 

 be found a useful substitute. The dose is about two ounces. 



" Strychnia has been found of service in cases of paralysis in the horse and 

 chorea in the dog. Its action is very powerful, and its use calls for caution. 

 The dose for the horse maybe from 1 to 3 grains twice in the day, combining 

 it with the vegetable tonics ; that for the dog from i to ^ of a grain. Its 

 influence is conjectured to be on the motor tract of the spinal chord, which 

 it powerfully stimulates, and thus restores the lost power of the muscular 

 system. 



" When long exhibited, or if given in too large a quantity, the limbs will be 

 seen to tremble, and convulsive paroxysms will be induced by the slightest 

 noises. Sometimes, in the dog, all power of retaining the erect position 

 during the period of its influence is lost ; the kidneys are also excited into 

 increased action by it, and the urine is voided involuntarily. On the horse, 

 ■when injudiciously given, it is also very powerful in its operation : fifteen 

 grains have proved sufficient to destroy life in that animal. 



" The potency of this agent, and the long protracted, and often incurable, 

 diseases in which it has been found to afford relief, warrant its introduction 

 as a veterinary therapeutic." 



I have exhibited this medicine with much advantage in cases of paralysis 

 of the hind extremity in a dog. Assisted by setons on the loins, it was fol- 

 lowed by the restoration of muscular action. I have found, however, that 

 the sixteenth part of a grain produced much too violent an effect on a small 

 dog, and would recommend the thirtieth part of a grain to begin with, 

 repeating It alternate days, and gradually increasing the dose. — Ed. 



