188 



Medicines. 



A LIST OF THE MEDICINES AND RECIPES USED IN THE TREAT- 

 MENT OF THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Vinegar is a very useful ap- 

 plication for sprains and bruises. 

 Equal parts of boiling water and 

 cold vinegar will form a good 

 fomeutation. 



Spirit of Salt. — This acid is 

 formed by the action of sulphu 

 ric acid on common salt. It is 

 decidedly the best liquid caustic 

 we have. For corns, canker, in- 

 disposition in the sole to secrete 

 good horn, wounds in the foot 

 not attended by healthy action. 



Nitric Acid. — This is a valua- 

 ble external application. It is 

 both a caustic and an anti-septic. 

 It destroys fungous excrescences. 



Sulphuric Acid, or Oil of Vit- 

 riol. — When mixed with tar, an 

 ounce to the pound, it is a good 

 application for the thrush and 

 canker r a smaller quantity, mix- 

 ed with olive oil, makes a good 

 stimulating liniment. 



Aloes. — There are two kinds 

 used in horse practice, the Bar- 

 badoes and the Cape. The Bar- 

 badoes aloes have a greater pur- 

 gative power than the Cape, ex- 

 clusive of griping less and being 

 safer, and the action of the bow- 

 els is kept up longer. 



Alum, — is used internally in 

 cases of over-purging, in the form 

 of alum- whey, two drachms of 

 the powder being added to a pint 

 of hot milk. Its principal use is 

 external. A solution of two 

 drachms to a pint of water forms 

 alone, or with the addition of a 

 small quantity of white vitriol, 

 a very useful wash for cracked 

 heels, and for grease generally; 

 and also for those forms of swel- 

 led legs attended with exudation 

 of moisture through the skin. 



Anodynes. — Opium is the only 

 drug that will lull pain. It may 

 be given as an anodyne, but it 

 will also be an astringent in 

 doses of 1, 2, or 3 drachms. 



Camphor. — It diminishes the 

 frequency of the pulse, and sof- 

 tens its tone. When long ex- 

 hibited, it acts on the kidneys. 

 Externally applied, it is said to 

 be a discutient and an anodyne 

 for chronic sprains, bruises and 

 tumors. 



Spanish Flies, — are the basis 

 of the most approved and useful 

 veterinary blisters. An infusion 

 of two ounces of the flies in a 

 pint of oil of turpentine, for sev- 

 eral days, is occasionally used 

 as a liquid blister; and, when 

 sufficiently lowered with com- 

 mon oil, it is called a sweating 

 oil. They have been recom- 

 mended for the cure of glanders. 

 The dose is from five to eight 

 grains given daily, but withheld 

 for a day or two when diuresis 

 supervenes. 



Guinea Pepper. — Thej^ are val- 

 uable as stimulants. Their bene- 

 ficial effect in cases of cold has 

 seldom been properly estimated. 

 The dose is from a scruple to 

 half a drachm. 



Caraway Seeds. — These and 

 ginger, alone or combined, are 

 the best stimulants used in horse 

 practice. 



Castor Oil — is an expensive 

 medicine. It must be given in 

 large doses. 



Japan Earth — is a very useful 

 astringent. It is given in over- 

 purging, in doses of one or two 

 drachms, with opium. 



Charcoal — is occasionally used 



