258 MEDICINES, 



" An infusion of two ounces of the cantharides in a pint of oil of turpen- 

 tine, for several days, is occasionally used as a languid blister ; and when 

 sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a sweating oil, for it 

 maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflammation on the skin, yet 

 not sufficient to blister ; and thus gradually abates or removes some old or 

 deep inflammation, or cause of lameness." a 



Iodine in various cases is now rapidly superseding the cantharides and 

 the turpentine. 



Calomel. Sufficient has been said of this dangerous medicine in the 

 course of the present work. I should rarely think of exhibiting it, except 

 in small doses for the purpose of producing that specific influence on the 

 liver, which we know to "be the peculiar property of this drug. In large 

 doses it will to a certain extent produce vomiting ; and, if it finds its way 

 into the intestines, it acts as a powerful drastic purgative. 



Castor Oil (Oleum Ricini). This is a most valuable medicine. It is 

 usually combined with the syrup of buckthorn and white poppies, in the 

 proportions of three parts of the oil to two of the buckthorn and one of 

 the poppy-syrup ; which form a combination of ingredients in which the 

 oleaginous, stimulant, and narcotic ingredients happily blend. 



Catechu. This is an extract from the wood of an acacia- tree (Acacia 

 catechu), and possesses a powerful astringent property. It is given in 

 cases of superpurgation, united with opium, chalk, and powdered gum. A 

 tincture of it is very useful for the purpose of hastening the healing prin- 

 ciple of wounds. Professor Morton says, that he considers it as the most 

 valuable of the vegetable astringents. 



Clysters. Professor Morton gives an account of the use of clysters. 

 The objects, he says, for which they are administered are 1. To 

 empty the bowels of faeces : thus they act as an aperient. Also to induce 

 a cathartic to commence its operations when, from want of exercise or due 

 preparation, it is tardy in producing the desired effect. Clysters ope- 

 rate in a twofold way : first, by softening the contents of the intestines ; 

 and, secondly, by exciting an irritation in one portion of the canal which 

 is communicated throughout the whole ; hence they become valuable 

 when the nature and progress of the disease require a quick evacuation of 

 the bowels. The usual enema is warm water, but this may be rendered 

 more stimulating by the addition of salt, oil, or aloes. 2. For the pur- 

 pose of killing worms that are found in the rectum and large intestines : 

 in this case, it is usually of an oleaginous nature. 3. For restraining 

 diarrhoea ; sedatives and astringents being then employed. 4. For nou- 

 rishing the body when food cannot be received by the mouth. Gruel is 

 generally the aliment thus given. 5. For allaying spasms in the stomach 

 and bowels. 



Copper. Both the verdigris, or subacetate, and the blue vitriol of sul- 

 phate of copper are now comparatively rarely used. They are employed 

 either in the form of a fine powder, or mixed with an equal quantity of 

 the acetate of lead in order to destroy proud flesh or stimulate old ulcers. 

 They also form a part of the segyptiacum of the farrier. There are many 

 better drugs to accomplish the same purpose. 



Creosote is seldom used for the dog. We have applications quite as 

 good and less dangerous. It may be employed as a very gentle excitant 

 and antiseptic. 



a The Horse, p. 501. 



