96 THE DISEASES OF HORSES. 



Take powdered nitre 4|oz., finely powdered resin 6oz., powdered 

 ginger 3oz., oil of juniper ioz., linseed meal and treacle sufficient 

 to make up into twelve convenient sized balls. As a febrifuge it 

 should be given in doses of l^dr. to 2dr., repeated frequently either in the 

 form of the fever mixture, as given under Solution of Acetate of Ammonia, 

 or in ball form as follows : Fever Balls : Take powdered nitrate of potash 

 l^oz., tartar emetic 3dr., finely powdered camphor 3dr., powdered opium 

 2dr., carefully mixed, and made into six convenient sized balls with common 

 mass. A saturated solution of nitrate of potash in water is an excellent 

 stimulating application to gangrene wounds. 



Potassium, Iodide of, is a most valuable therapeutic agent, 

 acting like all the compounds of iodine on glandular structures, and 

 possessing a marked power in reducing abnormal growths. All these 

 preparations are slow and gradual in their effects, and consequently have 

 to be administered for a length of time, but like many other valuable 

 drugs, it is scarcely safe in the hands of any other than the professional 

 mm. It is given in cases of glandular swelling, and also in chronic cough 

 and for roaring and whistling, in doses of twenty to thirty grains dissolved 

 in water. It is popular as a human medicine, and is often taken 

 with a recklessness which ignorance of its real nature and effects can 

 only account for : its value has popularised it, and familiarity has bred 

 contempt ; but I must warn readers that it cannot be continuously used 

 with impunity. 



Poultices. — These are soft preparations of meal, bran, linseed meal, 

 boiled carrot, &c. The common error in applying poultices is to make 

 them too small and allowing them to get dry and hard ; they should in all 

 cases be of sufficient size to retain the heat a considerable time, and when 

 they lose that and their moisture they should be renewed. Poultices for 

 special objects are made of various materials, as of mustard or mustard 

 and linseed meal mixed, when a stimulation of the parts is aimed at. A 

 poultice of yeast (fresh brewer's barm) is a useful disinfectant to ulcerous 

 sores. A poultice of boiled carrots has a soothing effect on cankerous 

 irritable sores, and various drugs are added to poultices to produce special 

 effects, as : alum or salt as astringents, powdered charcoal or the solutions 

 of the chlorides of lime or s-oda as disinfectants, and opium, belladonna, 

 &c, as sedatives. 



Pyroligneous Acid.— See Acetic Acid. 



Red Precipitate.— See Mercury. 



Resin.— Eesin is a diuretic, and may be given in doses of from four to 

 six drachms. The practice of giving it in powder mixed with the corn, 

 whether given alone or mixed with other substances under the name of 

 horse powders, &c, is objectionable, as the heat of the mouth softens it 

 and makes it adhere to the teeth, &c. It should, therefore, be given in 

 form of ball, as given under Potash, Nitrate of. 



Sal Ammoniac. — See Ammonia. 



Salt.^See Sodium. 



