DRUGS AND THEIR DOSES. 95 



Ointments.— Ointments are combinations of animal fat and fixed oils, 

 with other substances, and forms for making various cf them will be found 

 under the names of the substances forming their active character. A useful 

 Cooling and Healing Ointment is made by melting together 4oz. olive 

 oil, 4oz. beeswax, and |lb. fresh hog's lard. In making ointments only 

 sufficient heat to melt the ingredients should be used, and the whole after- 

 wards stirred until cold. 



Olive Oil. — This oil is obtained from the ripe fruit of the olive tree, 

 cultivated in Italy, Spain, the south of France, and north of Africa. Under 

 the name of salad oil it is familiar to most people. It is used in making 

 camphorated oil, and enters into the composition of many ointments and 

 liniments. It acts as a laxative on the horse, but very mildly. 



Opium.— This is the inspissated juice of the poppy (Palaver somniferum) 

 obtained from that plant in Turkey, Egypt, and in India, by making longi- 

 tudinal incisions in the capsules when nearly ripe, and collecting the juice 

 which exudes, and which is afterwards thickened by exposure to the heat 

 of the sun, and when of the desired consistenca made up into irregular 

 lumps, which are covered with the poppy leaves. Opium is one of the 

 most valuable medicines we possess ; it is narcotic in its action, and is 

 largely used in all inflammatory diseases, particularly when the bowels, 

 uterus, &c, are the seat of the disease, in which cases it is usually given 

 rubbed down with warm water, the dose for the horse being from ldr. 

 to 2dr. As an antispasmodic in colic or gripes, &c, the tincture of opium 

 — better known as laudanum — is used, and that generally in combination 

 with either ammonia or turpentine. A convenient form for administering 

 it is given in the recipe for Gripe Tincture (p. 85). The dose of 

 laudanum for the horse is loz. to 2oz. It also enters into the composition 

 of many liniments, exercising its influence in allaying local pain and 

 inflammation. 



Pimento Berries, sold in the shops as allspice or Jamaica pepper, is a 

 stimulant and tonic— a tincture if it is used in flatulent colic ; and the 

 powdered berries are used as an addition to what are called " condition 

 powders," more on account of their aromatic taste and smell than their 

 actual medicinal properties. 



Pitch (Burgundy) is a resinous substance got from the spruce fir, 

 which, softened to proper consistence with spirit of turpentine, makes a 

 useful " charge," exercising a stimulating action on indolent sores — a good 

 form for such is Burgundy pitch and Canadian balsam, of each 3 parts 

 spirit of turpentine, 1 part mixed and spread on soft white plaster 

 leather. 



Potash, Nitrate of, commonly called nitre or saltpetre. This is the 

 sheet anchor of many horse doctors, by whom it is often abused. Nitrato 

 of potash is a febrifuge and a diuretic ; when used as a diuretic it 

 may be given in the water or in a bran mash, |oz. being a sufficient 

 dose. It is, however, often given in form of ball, for which the 

 following formula will be found to answer: Diuretic or Staling Balls t 



