394 THE HORSE. 



wise power in reducing almost every species of tumour, and may be tried 

 where it would be dangerous to use the knife. 



Iron. — Of this metal there are two preparations adopted by veterina- 

 rians. The rust, or Carbonate, is a mild and useful tonic in doses from 

 two to four drachms. The Sulphate (green vitriol or copperas) is more 

 powerful, but should never be g;iven in early stages of recovery, and 

 always with caution. The dose should be the same as that of the carbonate. 

 The sulphate has lately been recommended for the cure of that deceitful 

 stao-e or form of glanders, in which there is nothing to characterise the 

 disease but a very slight discharge from the nostrils. It is to be dis- 

 solved in the common drink of the horse. It is worth a trial, but too san- 

 guine expectations must not be encouraged of the power of any drug over 

 This intractable malady. Iron should be given in combination with gen- 

 tian and ointrer, but never with any alkali or nitre, or soap or catechu, 

 or astringent vegetable. 



Foro-e water used to be a favourite tonic with farriers, and also a lotion 

 for canker and ulcers in the mouth. It owes its power, if it has any, to 

 the iron with which it is impregnated. 



' Juniper, Oil of. — This essential oil is retained because it has some 

 diuretic property, and is a pleasant aromatic. It may, therefore, enter 

 into the composition of the diuretic ball. 



Lard. — This or palm oil is far preferable to honey, or treacle, or syrups, 

 for making up balls, because the ball more readily dissolves in the sto- 

 mach. It likewise renders a purgative less liable to gripe. It is the prin- 

 cipal basis of all ointments. 

 Laudanum. — See Opium. 



Lead. — Combinations of this metal are admitted into veterinary prac- 

 tice. The subacetate is common under the name of Extract of Lead, or 

 Goulard' s Extract. It is used in the proportion of a drachm to a pint 

 of water in the eariy stages of inflammation of the eye; but is inferior 

 both to the opium and digitalis, and cannot be used in combination 

 with either. In double the proportion it is serviceable in superficial 

 inflammations of various kinds, or in poultices for the feet where there is 

 much inflammation or pain ; but in cases of sprain, or deep injury, or 

 inflammations, it is j)erfectly useless. If white vitriol or alum are added 

 to the lead, the efficacy of all the ingredients is destroyed. 



The Sugar of Lead is the acetate or superacetate of that metal. This, 

 dissolved in water in the proportion of two drachms to a pint, makes an 

 extemporaneous Goulard's Lotion, but not more valuable than the former. 

 White Lead (carbonate of lead) is sometimes sprinkled, in the form of 

 fine powder, and with advantage, on swelled legs, where the skin is very 

 red and irritable, and moisture is exuding through it. It is used alone or 

 mixed with paste, or a bread-and-water ])oultice : but lead, although in the 

 first-mentioned form a great favourite with many persons, might, without 

 great loss, be expunged from the Veterinary Pharmacopoeia. 



Lime was formeriy sprinkled over cankered feet and greasy heels, but 

 there are less painful caustics, and more effectual absorbents of moisture. 

 Lime water is rarely used, but the Chloride of Lime is exceedingly 

 valuable. Diluted with twenty times its quantity of water, it should 

 help to form the poultice applied to every part from which there is 

 the slightest offensive discharge. The foetid smell of fistulous withers, 

 poll-evil, canker, and ill-conditioned wounds, is immediately removed, 

 and the ulcers are more disposed to heal. When mangy horses are 

 dismissed as cured, a washing with the diluted chloride will remove 

 any infection that might lurk about them, or which they might carry from 



