.508 Classified List of Drugs, 



and washed off In five or ten minutes, is of much benefit in reducing the 

 temperature and stimulating the powers. 



Counter-irritants should not be placed too near the affected parts ; 

 nor should vesicants be used when inflammation is high. Suppurants 

 are valuable for old chronic complaints. 



For directions for blistering see page 68 ; and for various formulas 

 for counter-irritants see under Cantharides, p. 440. 



DEMULCENTS. 



These are gummy, or glutinous solutions, intended to soothe and coat 

 inflamed surfaces. They are of great value in inflammations of the 

 membranes of the throat, stomach and bowels, in kidney diseases, and 

 other irritable conditions. The principal demulcents are — 



Linseed tea. 

 Slippery elm bark tea. 

 Gum arable water. 

 Starch water. 

 Sweet oil. 



All of these are serviceable, and the two first mentioned are par- 

 ticularly so, as they are both excellent and cheap. Examples of theif 

 use will be found in formulas, Nos. 6, 6, 169, etc. 



DISINFECTANTS AND DEODORIZERS. 



These have been fully considered on previous pages, 28, 29, 421. 

 DIURETICS AND DIAPHORETICS. 



Diuretics increase the action of the kidneys, and consequently the 

 amount of urine j diaphoretics act on the skin, and augment the amount 

 of perspiration. They are allied in character and use, being employed 

 to relieve the pressure on other organs of secretion, and diminish fever- 

 ishness. Horses sweat more readily than cattle, and are more easily 

 acted upon by sweating medicines. The principal drugs of this class 

 are — 



Nitrate of potash (nitre), 



Bitartrate of potash (cream of tartar), 



Turpentine, 



Sweet spirits of nitre, ' Diuretics. 



Digitalis, 



Cantharides, 



