IRON. 



243 



Metalic iron is rarely used in veterinary practice, 

 except it be in the form of iron filings, given by some per- 

 sons, in cases of worms in horses. The sulphate is just 

 as good for this purpose. Iron filings, called Ferrum 

 Bedactum, is much used in the weakly and sickly female. 

 To prevent the filings from oxidizing, or rusting, the 

 filings are put into a tube, similar to a gun barrel, at a 

 strong heat, and the filings are plunged into cold water, 

 which give them a sky-blue color; the finer the blue, the 

 better the medicine. For the valuable dog, iron-filings, in 

 this form, may be given, in five to ten grain to a dose. The fol- 

 lowing preparations of iron will be used for the horse and ox. 

 (1.) Carbonate of Iron. — Ferri Carbonas. — This 

 preparation of iron, is only used in veterinary practice, 

 for the dog, on account of its mildness. 



(2.) Sesquioxide of Iron. — Bust of Iron.—¥E- 

 RUGO. This form of iron is only used by veterinary 

 surgeons, in poisoning from arsenic, as an antidote, by 

 forming in the stomach, an insoluable arsenite of the pro- 

 toxide of iron. 



(3.) Sulphate of Iron. — Ferri Sulphas. — Green 

 YITRIOL-COPPERAS.— This is One of the best, and cheapest 

 preparations of this valuable metal, that can be used in 

 diseases of horses and cattle. 



Use. — In medicinal doses, the sulphate of iron is tonic, 

 and astringent ; therefore, it is used in cases of weakness, 

 want of condition, looseness of the bowels, swellings of the 

 legs, body, sheath, breast, etc., from its improving, and 

 adding richness to the blood, and giving tonicity and 

 health, to the fibrous serous tissue, from which the fluid 

 which causes the swelling arises. In pleuro-pneumonia 

 in cattle, after fever has abated, nothing will restore and 

 prevent effusions of serum, or fluid, in the chest, like 



