80 MEDICINES USED FOR THE HORSE. 



This acid, as well as nitric or muriatic acid, is a powerful irritating- 

 poison when given into the stomach undiluted ; and persons should bear in 

 mind, when these acids are given, that they should be largely diluted with 

 water and thoroughly mixed before administering. 



A dose of sulphuric acid is about ten to forty drops, largely diluted 

 with water. 



Tannic Acid, (called, also. Tannin). —This is produced from nutgalls, 

 oak bark, etc. It is uncrystallizable, white, or slightly yellowish, with a 

 strongly astringent taste, inodorous, soluble in water, but not very soluble 

 in alcohol or ether, and insoluble in most oils. 



Tannic acid precipitates solutions of starch, albumen and gluten, and 

 forms, with gelatine, an insoluble compound, which is the basis of leather. 



Uses. — It is valuable, mixed with water, as a wash for running sores and 

 ulcers, and is also excellent for diarrhoea, and may be given for any disease 

 where this class of medicines is indicated. It will, in many cases of bleed- 

 ing sores, stop the bleeding if applied locally. It is sometimes used as an 

 eye-wash, with excellent success, by applying a solution of the following- 

 strength: tannic acid, one-fourth ounce; cold water, one quart. As it is 

 harmless and safe to use, we would recommend it as an eye-wash. 



Dose. — For diarrhoea, the dose should be from one-half to one drachm. 



Aconite. (Wolfsbane — Monkshood). — An active poison, which grows 

 abundantly in the forests of Germany, France and Switzerland. It is also- 

 cultivated in the gardens of Europe, and has been introduced into this- 

 country as an ornamental flower. All parts are poison. The leaves and 

 roots are used. A tincture made from the root is much more active than 

 from the leaves. 



Tincture of Aconite Boot. — This is one of the most powerful and suc- 

 cessful sedatives which is in use. It is one of the best medicines we have 

 for the successful treatment of several of the diseases of the horse, when 

 properly used, and has, to a certant extent, done away with bleeding and 

 physicking, the former of which has been, in the past, so indiscriminately 

 and dangerously used. It is not only sedative, but it is an anodyne, 

 diaphoretic and antiphlogistic. It controls fever, reduces inflammation and 

 allays pain. In fact, we have no drug which will so well control the circu- 

 lation and action of the heart as aconite. 



Medical Uses. — The effects of remedial doses are felt in twenty or 

 thirty minutes, and are at their height in an hour or two, and continue, 

 with little abatement, from three to five hours. We have no single drug 

 which is used with such gratifying results in many cases, such as lung 

 fever, or, in fact, inflammation of any part of the body, colic from eating 

 green food, and founder. 



