216 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



the root in powder (20 grains three times a day), or the 

 infusion (3 drachms of flowers and leaves and 1 pint of 

 boiling water), given four ounces at a time, a good stimulant. 

 It is now applied by homoepathic doctors to wounds and 

 bruises ; with what effect it could be introduced in horse 

 practice we cannot at present with certainty say. 



Astringents. — These are supposed to act on the living 

 fibres by producing increased contraction, in which point of 

 view they form a very numerous and important class ; but 

 in a more limited sense, they are considered as substances 

 that restrain immoderate fluxes, as of the intestines and 

 kidneys. Those that act by constringing the divided ends 

 of blood-vessels are called styptics. Opium, chalk, alum, 

 starch, and catechu act favourably in restraining intestinal 

 fluxes. Catechu, alum, and acetate of lead operate as 

 astringents on the urinary passages. 



Astringent Recipes. 



(A) FOR DIABETES. 



Opium J drachm. 



Powdered ginger .... 2 drachms. 



Oak bark 1 ounce. 



Camomile infusion .... 1 pint. 

 Mix for a drench ; or, if powdered oak bark omitted 

 substitute alum, as much as the tea will dissolve. 



(B) FOR BLOODY URINE. 



Catechu, powdered .... 1 ounce. 



Cascarilla bark 2 drachms. 



Alum 1 ounce. _ 



Liquorice powder and treacle to form a ball, administered 

 twice a day. 



(C) EXTERNAL POWDER FOR ULCERS. 



Alum, pow^dered .... 4 ounces. 

 Bole Armenian .... 1 ounce. 



Mix. 



(D) Or, 



White vitriol 4 ounces. 



Oxide of zinc 1 ounce. 



Mix. 



