204 INORGANIC AGENTS 



drachms of santonin with 1 drachm of calomel, given in the 

 form of a ball to the fasting animal, and repeated once on 

 the following day if necessary. Calomel was formerly very 

 frequently used, and is occasionally prescribed to this day 

 in the treatment of pleuritis, meningitis, peritonitis, pericar- 

 ditis, and iritis, for its antiphlogistic and alterative action in 

 diminishing inflammatory exudations. 



At the present time these actions are very much ques- 

 tioned, and any beneficial effects accruing from the use of 

 calomel in inflammatory diseases are now ascribed to its 

 action as a purgative and intestinal antiseptic in destroying 

 and eliminating toxins from the bowels. 



Calomel is of value in inflammatory diseases when given 

 at the onset of the attack. In dropsy (ascites of dogs), 

 calomel sometimes acts as a useful diuretic, when combined 

 with digitalis and squill in pill form. 



Administration. — Calomel is given to cattle on the tongue 

 or in gruel ; to horses in ball, on the food, or on the tongue ; 

 to dogs in pill, tablet or on the tongue. The compound 

 cathartic pill is a good purgative preparation for occasional 

 use. Two to three pills for large dogs ; one to two pills for 

 smaller animals. 



HYDRARGYRI lODIDUM RUBRUM. 



The red mercuric iodide is a favorite remedy in 

 veterinary practice. It causes absorption of morbid exuda- 

 tions through its counter-irritant, local absorbent and alter- 

 ative effect, in combining the action of iodine and mercury. 

 It is employed with 8 to 10 or 12 parts of lard or vaseline, 

 and is of value in the treatment of periostitis with osseous 

 deposits, especially for splints. Spavin and ringbone are 

 treated with red iodide of mercury alone, but are generally 

 cured more effectively by rest, firing, and blistering. The 

 red iodide of mercury ointment is also of use for enlarged 

 glands, chronic swelling about tendons, joints or bursae; 

 and applied about the throat in chronic laryngitis and 

 " roaring." The ointment is rubbed on splints every third 



