522 MATEEIA MEDICA 



horses are directed to be fumigated with yellow arsenic made 

 into pastils or cakes, with frankincense and elecampane : some 

 apparent cures are said to have been effected in this way, but 

 probably the running was only suspended a short time ; and we 

 know enough of the disease to be satisfied that the cases, sup- 

 posed to have been thus cured, either were not really the glan- 

 ders, or that it was only a temporary removal or stoppage of the 

 discharge from the nostrils. Tiie fumio-ation of the nostrils 

 with yellow arsenic is not only ineffectual in glanders, but 

 likely to prove injurious both to the patient and to the operator. 

 Yellow arsenic, made into an ointment with lard, has been re- 

 commended for warts, but it is a very dangerous application ; 

 and besides, warts can always be effectually and safely removed 

 by the knife from any part of the body. 



There is a secret method of curing fistula, poll-evil, and 

 quitter, employed by certain farriers, which often cures, and 

 often does much injury. Their remedy is orpiment, mixed with 

 lard. The cures they make are always made known, but the 

 mischief they do escapes notice, or is concealed. Lunar caustic, 

 or blue vitriol, and the knife, will accomplish, with safety and 

 certainty, all that can be accomplished in those diseases. 



OXIDES. Any simple substance, in combination with a 

 smaller quantity of oxygen than is requisite to form an acid, is 

 termed an oxide. 



Oxide of Zinc. — Oxydum Zinci. See Flowers of Zinc. 



OXYGEN. A constituent part of atmospheric air, without 

 which It would be unfit for respiration. In breathing, the air 

 is rendered impure by the exhalations from the lungs, and, at 

 the same time, we deprive it of this pure and vital principle : it 

 is, therefore, unfit for the purpose a second time : and if an 

 animal be confined in air deprived of its oxygen, life is almost 

 instantly extinguished. Hence may be inferred the necessity of 

 ventilating stables ; for although in close stables the air is not 

 wholly deprived of oxygen gas, yet its proportion is diminished ; 

 and it is well known, that when there is a deficiency of this 

 animating princij)le, the system is debilitated, and all its functions 

 imperfectly employed. 



OXYMELS. Syrups, when made with honey and vinegar 

 only, are termed simple oxyinels ; when squill, garlic, or meadow 

 saffron has been previously infused or digested in the vinegar, 

 it is named oxymel of squill, of garlic, or of meadow saffron. 

 They are sometimes employed in chronic cough. The dose, 

 about four ounces mixed with water, or infusion of linseed, or 

 marsh-mallows. 



OXYMURIATE OF QUICKSILVER. — Hydrargyri 

 Oxymurias. See Corrosive Sublimate. 

 . PALM OIL. See Oil of Palm. 



