Materia- liledzca, 1 53 



CHAPTER XI. 

 MATERIA-MEDICA. 



Medicines, their doses and administration — Alteratives — Anodynes — Anti- 

 septics — Antispasmodics — A perients — Astringents — Blisters — Caustics — 

 Clysters — Cordials — Demulcents — Diaphoretics — Digestives — Diuretics — 

 Electuaries — Embrocations or Liniments — Expectorants — Febrifuges- 

 Fomentations — Lotions — Poultices — Tonics. 



The combinations, as well as the proportions of reme- 

 dies, are details calling for important attention in the 

 treatment of disease. In ignorance of the exact action 

 of drugs, strange compounds may be made up, some of 

 which are really no remedy, but, by action upon each 

 other when in contact with the secretions of the digestive 

 system, a powerful poison is generated. 



The following are examples of acknowledged remedies, 

 with the usual terms, &c, by which they are known. 

 The practitioner is not limited to these ; his intelligence 

 enables him to enlarge and modify the prescriptions in 

 ways it would not be safe to explain to the amateur. 

 The doses named being intended for horses of large size and 

 coarse constitutions, it will be necessary to make suitable 

 reductions for smaller animals, when special quantities are 

 not stated. The following calculations may be generally 

 relied upon : — A one-year-old colt will not need more 

 than one-third the quantity prescribed for the adult horse 

 of his particular breed ; a two-year-old, one half; and the 

 three-year-old, two-thirds, or thereabouts, the quantity 

 gradually approximating the full dose as the age advances. 

 Grave consideration should also be given to temperament, 

 formation, unusual or deficiency in development, habit, 

 mode of life, character of food, besides other circum- 

 stances which cannot here come under review. 



ALTERATIVES. 



A variety of substances are included under this term 

 which is neither precise nor commendable. It is usually 



