MEDICINES. 401 



It is an excellent alterative, combined usually with antimony and nitre, 

 and particularly for mange, surfeit, grease, hidebound, or want of 

 condition ; and it is a useful ingredient in the cough and fever ball. 

 When o-iven alone, it seems to have little effect, except as a laxative in 

 doses of six or eight ounces ; but there are much better aperients. 

 The black sulphur consists principally of the dross after the pure sulphur 

 has been separated. 



Tar melted with an equal quantity of grease forms the usual stopping 

 of the farrier. It is a warm or slightly stimulant, and therefore useful, 

 dressing for bruised or wounded feet ; but its principal virtue seems to 

 consist in preventing the penetration of dirt and water to the wounded 

 part. As a common stopping it has been stated to 'be objectionable. 

 From its warm and drying properties it is the usual and proper basis for 

 thrush ointments ; and from its adhesiveness, and slightly stimulating 

 power, it often forms an ingredient in applications for mange ; some practi- 

 tioners give it, and advantageously, mixed with the usual cough medicine, 

 and in doses of two or three drachms for chronic cough. The common 

 tar is as effectual as the Barbadoes for every veterinary purpose. The 

 oil, or spirit (rectified oil) of tar is sometimes used alone for the cure of 

 mange, but it is not to be depended upon. The spirit of tar, mixed with 

 double the quantity of fish oil, is, from its peculiar penetrating property, 

 one of the best applications for hard and brittle feet. It should be well 

 rubbed with a brush, both on the crust and sole, every night. 



Tinctures. — The medicinal properties of many substances are extracted 

 by spirit of wine, but in such small quantities as to be scarcely available in 

 veterinary practice for internal use. So much aloes or opium must be 

 given to produce effect on the horse, that the quantity of spirit necessary 

 to dissolve it would be injurious or might be fatal. As applications to 

 wounds or inflamed surfaces, the tinctures of aloes, digitalis, myrrh, and 

 opium, are highly useful. 



Tobacco, in the hands of the skilful veterinarian, may be advantageously 

 employed in cases of extreme costiveness, or dangerous cholic; but should 

 never be permitted to be used as an external application for the cure of 

 mange, or an internal medicine to promote a fine coat. 



Tonics are valuable medicines when judiciously employed ; but, like 

 cordials, they have been fatally abused. Many a horse recovering from 

 severe disease has been destroyed by their too early, or too free use. 

 The veterinary surgeon occasionally administers them injuriously, in his 

 anxiety to gratify the impatience of his employer. The mild vegetable 

 tonics, chamomile, gentian and ginger, and, perhaps, the carbonate of 

 iron, may'sometimes be given with benefit, and may hasten the perfect 

 recovery of the patient ; but there are few principles more truly founded 

 on reason and experience, than that disease once removed, the powers of 

 nature are sufficient to re-establish health. Against the more powerful 

 mineral tonics, except for the particular purposes that have been pointed 

 out under the proper heads, the horse proprietor and the veterinarian 

 should be on his guard. 



Turpentine. — The common liquid turpentine has been described as 

 one of the best diuretics, in doses of half an ounce, and'made into a ball 

 with linseed meal and half a drachm of ginger. It is added to the 

 calamine or any other mild ointment to render it stimulating and 

 digestive, and from its adhesiveness and slight stimulating power, it is an 

 ingredient in mange ointments. The oil of turpentine is an excellent 

 antispasmodic. For the removal of cholic it stands unrivalled. (See 

 page 206.) Forming a tincture with cantharides, it is the basis of the 



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