128 Materia Medica. 



4. Gum arable, finely powdered, 4 oz. ; water, i pint* 

 Mix, and agitate frequently, until a mucilage is formed, 

 and administer 2 to 4 oz. for a dose. 



Diaphoretics. — The power of promoting transpiration 

 from the skin of the dog, as in man or the horse, is a 

 matter of extreme doubt. The only reliable method of 

 accelerating the normal functions is by a judicious use of 

 stimulants, as ammonia, assisted by warm clothing or the 

 vapour bath. 



Digestives. — These are agents used to promote the 

 discharge of pus, in stimulating the tardy or chronic 

 action of wounds, and thus promote healing. They are 

 also used for smearing setons with a view of hastening 

 desirable suppuration. In canine surgery they are not 

 largely made use of, simple resin or cantharidine oint- 

 ment being all that is required. 



Diuretics. — Medicines which exert their beneficial 

 effect by stimulus of the kidneys are known as diuretics. 

 They reduce the watery parts of the blood and thus pro- 

 mote absorption, by which dropsical states are removed. 

 They also exert a sedative etfect on the circulation, 

 the object of which is to reduce the tendency to fever 

 and inflammation. 



1. Bolus. — Nitrate of potash, i drm. ; extract of gen- 

 tian, sufficient to make a paste. Divide into 6, 8 or 10 

 pills, as may be required. 



2. Draught. — Dissolve the required dose of nitrate of 

 potash in I or 2 oz. of Imseed mucilage. 



Electuaries. — Electuaries are syrupy concoctions for 

 conveying medicines to the mouth for sustaining local 

 action. They slowly dissolve, and are carried by the 

 tongue to all parts of the cavity, exerting a beneficial 

 action when movement of the jaws is painful, or the 

 animal is unable 10 swallow. 



I. Muriate of ammonia, i drm. ; camphor, i drm. ; 

 gum kino, i drm. Pulverise separately, and further 

 triturate the whole to an impalpable powder, then 

 add treacle sufficient to form a soft paste. Dose, half 

 a teaspoonfui placed on the tongue three or four times 

 a day. 



