SI 



Purgatives are well known as alteratives in veteri- 

 nary medicine. The substances used are principally 

 aloes, gamboge, calomel, salts, &c. From six drams 

 to eight of aloes will purge. Two drams of calomel, 

 repeated two or three times at intervals of two hours, 

 will also purge. Gamboge is less certain ; but may 

 be given in doses from two to four drams, and re=- 

 peated. It requires half a pound of salts to purge a 

 horse. These various species of alteratives are treated 

 of at length under their several heads. See SuDO^ 

 RiFics, Diuretics, Purges, Stomachics, and 

 Cordials. 



To these may be added those alteratives that act 

 by all the above means, that is, such as gently sti- 

 mulate ail the secretions at the same time, as the 

 skin, the kidneys, the bowels, &c. Various sub- 

 stances are used for this purpose, as nitre, antimony, 

 sulphur, and mashes: an entire change of food, f.s 

 from stable-fed to grass, may either of them prove 

 an excellent alterative, as thev act on all the secre- 

 tions at the same time. 



The cases that require alteratives are surfeits, 

 swelled legs, grease, tliick wind, hide-bound, and ge- 

 neral relaxation, which is shewn by faintness, dulness, 

 and constant sweating. The best general alterative 

 that I have found in my practice is a compound that 

 jnay be seen among my ready prepared remedies, 

 called Alterative Con(tition Powders. See page IS. 



These Powders act imperceptibly on all the secre- 

 tions at the same time, and hence ar« very proper for 

 surfeits, swelled legs, mange, hide-bound, and want 

 of condition ; and are very convenient, because they 

 may be mixed with the food, and hence occasion 



