MEDICINES. 259 



Creta Preparata (Chalk), in combination with ginger, catechu, and 

 opium, is exceedingly useful ; indeed, it is our most valuable medicine in 

 all cases of purging, and particularly the purging of distemper. 



Digitalis is an exceedingly valuable drug. It is a direct and powerful 

 sedative, a mild diuretic, and useful in every inflammatory and febrile com- 

 plaint. 



Gentian and Ginger are both valuable ; the first as a stomachic and 

 tonic, and the last as a cordial and tonic. It is occasionally necessary, or 

 at least desirable, to draw this distinction between them. 



Chloride of Lime is a useful application for ill-conditioned wounds and 

 for the frequent cleansing of the kennel. 



Epsom Salts, or Sulphate of Magnesia, are mild yet effective in their 

 action : with regard to cattle and sheep, they supersede every other ape- 

 rient ; for the dog, however, they must yield to the castor-oil mixture. 



Mercury. The common mercurial ointment is now comparatively little 

 used. It has given way to the different preparations of iodine. In direct 

 and virulent mange, it is yet, however, employed under the form of calo- 

 mel, and combined with aloes, but in very small doses, never exceeding 

 three grains. It is also useful in farcy and jaundice. The corrosive sub- 

 limate is occasionally used for mange in the dog, and to destroy vermin ; 

 but it is a very uncertain and dangerous medicine. 



Palm Oil would be an excellent emollient, if it were not so frequently 

 adulterated with turmeric root in powder. It is far milder than the 

 common lard. 



Nitrate of Potash is a valuable cooling and mild diuretic, in doses of 

 eight or ten grains. 



Sulphur is the basis of the msot effectual applications for mange. It is 

 a good alterative, combined usually with antimonials and nitre, and parti- 

 cularly useful in mange, surfeit, grease, hide-bound, and want of condition. 



Turpentine is an excellent diuretic and antispasmodic ; it is also a most 

 effectual sweating blister and highly useful in strains. 



The Sulphate of Zinc is valuable as an excitant to wounds, and promotes 

 adhesion between divided surfaces and the radix. 



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