Drugs and ^ledicincs. 495 



CeOtOn Oil* — ^ose, for a horse, 20 drops ; for cattle, 50 drops ; for 

 sheep and swiiu;, 5 to 10 drops. The oil is made from the seeds of the 

 plant. Ten or twelve seeds is a dose for a horse. A powerful and 

 prompt purgative, and externally a sharp irritant, producing numerous 

 little pustules. Valuable in fardel bound, and other forms of obstinate 

 constipation. Externally, it is used for pleurisy, pneumonia, chronic 

 rheumatism, obstinate swellings and the like. It should not be applied 

 to horses, as it blemishes. Nos. 89, 91, 323, 338, 375. 



DlgitdiliS* — Dose of the powdered leaves, horses, 30 grains ; sheep 

 and pigs, 10 grains. Very useful to reduce temperature at the outset of 

 fevers, etc., to strengthen the heart when diseased, for broken wind, and 

 to reduce dropsy. It acts on the kidneys promptly. It may also be 

 given in an infusion from the leaves (1 drachm of the leaves to a pint of 

 cold water), and the active principle of the jjlant, digitalin, is very con- 

 venient for hypodermic use, about one-twentieth of a grain, repeated as 

 needed. The effects of digitalis are rather slow, not being visible some- 

 times for 10 or 12 hours. Nos. 76, 82, 155, 167,320, 434. 



Epsom Salts {Sulphate of magnesia) — see Magnesium sul- 

 phate. 



Ergot. — The spur of diseased rye. Used both to hasten and 

 facilitate the birth of animals, and to prevent abortion in dropping. 

 Dose, for a mare or cow, 1 oz. ; for sheep and swine, 1 drachm. A 

 simple decoction, swallowed, dregs and all, is the best form for veteri- 

 nary practice. Ergot is also useful in bleeding from the lungs, nose, 

 stomach or bowels. For this purpose it is best given by hyi^odermic 

 injection of its active principle, ergotiu, in five-grain doses, in solution, 

 repeated as often as necessary. Nos. 24, 405. Page 325. 



Ether {Sulphuric ether). — Used as an anaesthetic and stimulant. 

 As an anaesthetic, the mixture recommended under chloroform is better 

 than ether alone. As a prompt and diffusible stimulant, the dose is, 

 for horses and cattle, 2 ozs. ; for sheep and pigs, I oz. It is called for 

 in the chills and shiverings which often usher in diseases, and is 

 especially called for in hard-worked horses in town, when struck down 

 by influenza, etc. It relieves cramps, colic, stomach staggers and 

 fainting fits. Nos. 12, 28, 95, 98, 102, 319. 



Fennel Seed. — Dose lto2oz. Used as a stomachic, with other 

 medicines. 



Callic Add. — Dose J oz. A popular vegetable astringent, in 

 diarrhea, etc. Nos. 122, 302. 



