27 



specific antidote. The simplest kinds are included in such 

 substances as : 



White of eggs (albumen). 



Glycerine. 



Charcoal. 



Lard. 

 In the case of corrosive and irritant poisons, demulcents 

 may be given to sheathe and protect the mucous surface of 

 the alimentary canal. 



The alterative treatment. — A large and important 

 class of diseases appear to depend upon some morbid mate- 

 rials in the blood, which induce such diseases as rheuma- 

 tism, eruptive fevers, the various slcin diseases, typhoid fever 

 in horses, &c. They include the following remedies, as : 

 r Calomel, antimony, iodine. 



Alteratives <! ^^^^^^ ^^ i^^^' ^^^ liver oil, sulphur. 

 I Arsenic, iodide of potassium. 

 [ Salts of silver, zinc, copper and other. 



Counter-irritation is a measure of treatment of great 

 service, especially in the later stages of inflammation, or in 

 cases unattended with much vascular excitement. This is 

 very serviceable in the second stage of bronchitis or pneu- 

 monia, but in all other cases is highly injurious, for they act 

 as co-irritants, and only aggravate the inflammation which 

 they are intended to cure. Hence they should never be 

 employed until the vascular excitement has subsided. 



Counter-irritants should be employed as near the seat of 

 the disease as possible. Before their application the skin 

 should be well washed with soap and water, and the hair, 

 when long or thick, neatly clipped off with a scissors. 



The actual cautery, or hot iron, is very much used in 

 veterinary practice as an immediate and powerful counter- 

 irritant. It is generally applied at a full red heat, and the 

 higher the temperature the less is the pain attending its 

 application. Besides being applicable to the same uses as 

 vesicants, it is employed for many of the purposes of caustics. 



The effects produced by the hot iron are almost instanta- 

 neous. The first result of its application is the carbonization 

 of the hair with which it comes in contact ; this is indicated 

 by the peculiar odor of the chemical action which has taken 

 place. The second result is the destruction of all the tissues 

 with which it comes in contact ; this is accomplished by the 

 absorption of the watery elements of the blood. Its benefi- 

 cial effects in cases of diseased joints, ligaments and tendons. 



