460 CATTLE. 



chest. Alone, or in combination with some greasy matter, it is used 

 to defend sore diseased feet from becomincr wet or bruised. 



Pitch is the principal ingredient in plasters. 



Common Liquid Turpentine is useful as a digestive, or to produce 

 a healthy appearance or action in wounds, and dispose them to heal. 

 For this purpose it is added to the linseed poultice or to the simple 

 ointment. Some practitioners administer it as a diuretic, and with 

 good effect. 



Oil, or Spirit of turpentine, is applied as an external irritant, 

 either alone, or in the form of a tincture of cantharides. It is admin- 

 istered internally in colic ; and some give it in red-water with a view 

 to cause the debilitated blood-vessels to contract, and thus arrest the 

 passive haemorrhage which they imagine is then taking place. From 

 the rapidity and great extent Avith which it is taken up by the absorb- 

 ents, and carried into the circulaiion, and the destructive effect 

 which it is known to have on intestinal worms when otherwise 

 brought into contact with them, the trial of its power would be justi- 

 fied in bronchitis, the too frequent and fatal concomitant of which is 

 the presence of thousands of worms in the air- passages. 



Resin is often used to give consistence to plasters, where the 

 degree of irration which it might produce is not regarded, or would 

 be beneficial. 



Vinegar. — This used to be considered almost a specific in disten- 

 sion of the rumen with gas, but on what principle it would be difficult 

 to explain. It has also been given with manifest impropriety in cases 

 of fever. On the thick skin of the ox it can have little preference to 

 hot water as a fomentation, and may with no great loss be erased 

 from the list of medicines. 



Wax. — Its only use is to give consistence to ointments and plasters. 



Zinc. Native Carbonate of Calamine. — This is the basis of an 

 ointment which, from its soothing, and, at the same time, drying 

 qualities, is termed, in various parts of this work, " the healing oint- 

 ment." It is useful in superficial wounds, and in deeper ones when 

 they have been brought to a healthy character. 



White Vitriol. — This is a useful tonic application to the eyes, 

 when the inflammation has been subdued, and debility of the vessels 

 alone remains. It is particularly useful after inflammation of the haw 

 of the eye. Some administer it in red-water, and others in dysentery 

 Tery improperly. As a general caustic ii is superseded by many 

 others. 



