AND PIIARMACOPCEIA. 533 



others. Gibson often prescribes it, but generally as a vehicle 

 for other more active medicines. Many farriers still employ 

 rue in farcy with soap and other diuretics, which they give in 

 large doses ; it is used also as a fomentation, and is by some 

 thought to possess considerable power as a preventive of hy- 

 drophobia, but it has no such effect. 



RYE, SPURRED. Ergot of Rye. — SccaJe cornutum. 

 [This substance is found on other grain as well as rye, and it is 

 a matter of dispute whether it is a disease of the grain, produced 

 by insects, or a fungous ])lant growing upon it. When partaken 

 of in the form of bread it has been known to produce the most 

 poisonous and fatal results ; and its effects on deer and swine 

 have been to cover the body Avith ulcers, and j)roduce dreadful 

 and fatal convulsions. Its medicinal effect is that of a powerful 

 stimulant to the uterus, and is therefore very useful Avhen par- 

 turition is greatly delayed by a want of activity in the Avomb. 

 It has been given to cows with good effect, in doses of fi'oni two 

 to four drachms, in powder, combined with some carminative, and 

 given in beer every hour until a proper effect is produced. The 

 same dose is proper for a mare ; and in the dog from five to ten 

 grains. This medicine should be administered carefully, and only 

 when absolutely required. — Ed.] 



SACCHARUM, ejusq^ie SYRUPUS EMPYREUMA- 

 TICUS. Sugar and Molasses. The dust of sugar is some- 

 times blown into the eye in some diseases of that organ. A 

 small quantity of molasses, mixed with a hoi'se's water every 

 day, will speedily fatten him. 



SAGO. A farinaceous substance, which, when boiled in 

 water, is a proper drink for sick horses that are incapable of 

 feeding. See Gruel. 



SAL AMMONIAC, or MURIATE of AMMONIA.— 

 Ammonice Murias. New name, Hydrochlorate of Ammonia. A 

 neutral salt, composed of muriatic acid and ammonia, which, 

 when dissolved in vinegar and water, forms a good embrocation 

 for strains and bruises. Mixed with nitre it lowers the tempe- 

 rature of water. 



Osmer, an old veterinary author, prescribed it for a distemper 

 or epidemic catarrh in horses, that prevailed in the year 1750, 

 in a dose of one ounce, joined with one ounce of nitre, half an 

 ounce of Castile soap, and two drachms of camphor, to be given 

 three times a day. This, I should think, would operate not 

 only as a powerful diuretic, but would be liable to irritate the 

 stomach in a dangerous degree. It is a medicine I have never 

 given internally, not considering it either so safe or so efficacious 



as nitre. 



SAL POLYCHREST. — 5'mZ;?/«os PotasscB cum Sulphure. 

 This is made by mixing together equal weights of powdered 



ji Ji 3 



