APPENDIX B 503 



both in solid and liquid forms. Nitrate of silver (caustic), sulphate of 

 copper, sulphate of zinc, etc., can be applied in fine powder or dissolved 

 in water. Tincture of iron and tincture of benzoin, carbolic acid, tur- 

 pentine, etc., make good styptics — i.e., arresting bleeding; and for this 

 the hot iron is also at times used with good effect. 



1022. Counter-Irritants (see Blisters). 



1023. Decoctions, Infusions, Tinctures, are medical solutions prepared in 

 different ways. Decoctions are made by cutting or bruising the roots, 

 seeds, or leaves of medicinal plants, boiling them in distilled water for a 

 certain time, and straining through muslin, a little spirits being added 

 to preserve them. Infusions are prepared by digesting bruised vegetable 

 products in hot water and straining, also adding a little spirit. Tinctures 

 are made by macerating drugs in spirits, or spirits and water, for a certain 

 period, and then filtering. When these are properly prepared, they are 

 all useful and handy forms of medical preparations. 



1024. Deodorizers are agents that disguise, neutralize, or destroy bad smells, 

 such agents being chloride of lime, mercury, carbolized lime, strong acids, 

 chinosol, charcoal, moss-litter, etc. 



1025. Demulcents, Emollients, Lubricants. — These agents have a semi- 

 mechanical action. They protect raw surfaces from external influences, 

 also soothe, soften, and relax the parts to which they are applied. They 

 include flour, starch, treacle, milk, cotton-wool, Fuller's earth, oils, fats, 

 vaseline, glycerine, etc. Applications of cloth wrung out of cold or hot 

 water come under this head. 



1026. Diaphoretics, Sudorifics. — These act on the sweat-glands of the skin, 

 increasing their action, and causing the animal to perspire. It is difficult 

 to get the horse or cow to sweat. I have found that putting the animal 

 into a close box and giving a vapour bath is the best plan, or another 

 way is to damp the body all over with cold water, covering up with a 

 sheet wrung out of the water, over which dry woollen rugs and water- 

 proof sheets are put, with plenty of cold water given to drink. From 

 1 to 2 ounce doses of spirits of nitre given in 1 pint of cold water at the 

 same time will assist the action. 



1027. Disinfectants. — A large number of simple and compound articles are 

 used as disinfectants, but nothing beats a good supply of fresh air, bright 

 sunshine, thorough cleanliness, good ventilation, and effective drainage. 

 Boiling water, steam, a good fire, the burning of disease-producing pro- 

 ducts, chemical agents, such as carbolized lime, mineral salts, and the 

 preparations of chlorine, also Condy's fluid, are all good disinfectants. 



1028. Diuretics. — These stimulate the kidneys to extra action, and cause an 

 increased secretion of urine, washing out the kidneys, as it were, also 

 removing waste products from the system, and dropsical swellings from 

 the legs and depending parts of the body. The substances most com- 

 monly used for this purpose are : Turpentine, nitrate of potash, resin, 

 spirits of nitre, oil of juniper, etc. 



