530 MATERIA MEDICA 



RAGWORT. A flowering plant that grows principally on 

 moors and other moist situations. I have been informed that it 

 causes lethargy or sleepy staggers in horses, and that sheep eat 

 it freely, and without injury ; but this opinion is somewhat 

 doubtful. 



RAKING. A term employed for an operation which con- 

 sists in introducing the hand into the horse's rectum, and draw- 

 ino- out any hard excrement that may have lodged there. This 

 may generally be effected more to the purpose, and with greater 

 ease to the animal, by means of clysters. 



In some cases, however, the straight-gut is so loaded with 

 hard dung that raking is a necessary operation ; and it is some- 

 times difficult or impossible to throw up a clyster before it is 

 done. The operation is useful also for the purpose of ascertain- 

 in o- the state of excrement, when none can be found about the 

 litter : whether it be soft, hard, or slimy. The only method of 

 knowinof whether the urinary bladder is full and distended, or 

 empty, is by introducing the hand into the straight-gut, where 

 the bladder can be easily felt, as it lies immediately beneath the 

 gut next to the belly or abdomen. The nails should be paired 

 smooth, and the hand oiled or smeared Avith hog's lard or soft 

 soap, before the operation is performed. See Clysters. 



RATTLESNAKE ROOT. Seneka Root. — Pohjgala Se- 

 nega. Seneka is a perennial plant fovmd in North America. The 

 root is inodorous, and is, on being first chewed, of a sweetish 

 and mawkish flavour, but, after being chewed for a short time, 

 has a hot and pungent taste. It is thought to possess consider- 

 able power as a tonic and stimulant, and may be employed in 

 tiie dose of three or four drachms. 



RECTIFIED SPIRIT. Alcohol or Spirit of Wine. — S-pi- 

 ritus Rectijicatus. See Alcohol. 



REPELLENTS. A term given to applications or medi- 

 cines that are supposed to have the power of causing tumours 

 or eruptions to recede from the surface of the body. 



RESINS ai'e distinguished by their inflammability, and by 

 combining readily with rectified spirit and oils. They are gene- 

 rally solid, and incapable of being mixed with Avater. See 

 Rosin. 



RESOLVENTS. Medicines that disperse tumours, either 

 external or internal. 



RESTORATIVES. Medicines that restore the strength of 

 the body after violent fatigue or illness. For this purpose a light 

 and nutritious diet, assisted by good grooming, and voluntary 

 exercise, is generally the only thing necessary: sometimes, how- 

 ever, it may be proper to give also some cordial or tonic medicine. 

 [See Tonics, Cordials, and Stomachics.] The food on such 

 occasions should consist of bruised oats, gruel, mashes of fine sweet 



