88 THE DISEASES OF HORSES. 



termed indolent or slow to heal, in the form of liniment of verdigris, 

 better known by the name of Egyptiacum, for the making of which there 

 are several forms ; but if required it is better to purchase it from the 

 chemist than attempt to make it; it consists of verdigris, alum or vinegar, 

 and honey or treacle boi'ed together. 



Sulphate of Copper, Blue Stone, or Blue Vitriol, or Blue 

 Copperas, for by all these names is it known, is a valuable preparation, 

 and is applied externally for the same purposes as verdigris ; it is 

 applied to indolent sores and to proud flesh on sores, either by rubbing 

 with the smooth side of a large crystal or dusting on a little in a state of 

 fine powder, and it is a principal ingredient in a majority of advertised 

 remedies for canker in the foot as also for "the foul " in cattle, and foot rot 

 in sheep. An excellent form of ointment for these purposes is given under 

 " Canker." Sulphate of copper is also administered in Farcy and Glanders, 

 as is also the diniodide, another preparation of copper. As a tonic it is given 

 in doses of one to two drachms, in a ball, as follows : Pure sulphate of copper 

 l^oz., ground ginger 3oz., ground gentian 3oz., common mass 6oz., carefully 

 mixed and divided into twelve balls, one to be given twice a day after the 

 horse has been fed. 



Corrosive Sublimate.— See Mercury. 



Croton Oil. — This is another fixed oil, made from the seeds of Crcton 

 tiglium, an Indian plant. It is a most powerful drastic purgative, and 

 should not be given except under professional advice. The dose for the 

 horse is twenty to thirty drops. Croton cake, •which is the crushed 

 seeds after the oil has been expressed from them, has also been used, 

 but it must of necessity be of uncertain strength, which is a source of 

 danger. 



Deadly Nightshade. — See Belladonna. 



Digitalis or Foxglove.— -This plant is well known to nearly every 

 one. The leaves, dried and powdered, are a very valuable horse medicine, 

 but even professional men use it with caution, and it should never be given 

 by anyone else. 



Dippel's Oil.— See Animal Oil. 



Elecampane. — The powdered root of this plant is very popular with 

 grooms and horse doctors, and enters into endless nostrums. It acts as a 

 gentle stimulant, and is very innocent in the quantities in which it is given. 



Emetic, Tartar— See Antimony. 



Epsom Salts. — Not much used in horse medicine. 



Ether— Spirit of Nitrous Ether, or Sweet Spirit of Nitre.— 

 •This well-known preparation is a valuable one, and extensively used as a 

 diuretic and also as an anti-spasmodic and diaphoretic, so that it is in 

 request for many of the ills the horse suffers from. In colds, influenza, 

 &c, it is given in conjunction with solution of acetate of ammonia, under 

 which a recipe for a fever mixture will be found. When used as an 

 anti-spasmodic in colic 2oz. may be given with loz. of laudanum in ale or 

 gruel ; and as a diuretic 2oz. may be given at night in the water. 



