MEDICINES USED FOR THE HORSE. 83 



Uses.— Jniernally, cantharides are a powerful stimulant, with a peculiar 

 direction to the urinary organs, and in moderate doses it sometimes acts as 

 a diuretic. Used with good results for glanders and farcy. The principal 

 use of the cantharides is as a blister, by mixing it with lard. 



Dose. — Spanish flies may be given in doses varying from three to seven 

 grains, but given only once a day. 



Castor Oil. — This is the expressed oil of the seeds of the castor oil 

 plant, which is now cultivated largely in this country throughout many of 

 the Southern and "Western States. 



Use. — This oil is very useful and safe for common use in the human 

 family ; but it is considered unfit for the horse, as it sometimes causes in- 

 flammation of the coats of the bowels without relief from the purging. Raw 

 linseed oil is considered as safe and efficient for the horse as castor oil is 

 for man. (See Linseed Oil.) 



Dose. — "When it is thought best to give castor oil, or in the absence of 

 the raw linseed oil, it may be given in doses varying from three-fourths of 

 a pint to one and one-fourth pints. 



Catechu.— An extract prepared from the w^ood of Acacia Catechu, and 

 found most abundant in the East Indies. It is a small tree, seldom growing 

 more than twelve feet in height, with the trunk about one foot in diameter. 



Use.— An astringent which will bind the bowels m diarrhoea, and is com- 

 bined, with good results, with opium and prepared chalk, for diarrhoea. 



Dose. — One to three drachms. 



Prepared Chalk. (Creta Praeparata.)— This is the only form in which 

 chalk is used in medicine, and is an excellent antacid ; is one of the best 

 antidotes for oxalic acid. It is used, with good results, for acidity of the 

 stomach, and for diarrhoea, etc. 



Dose. — One to two ounces. 



Chamomile Flowers.— This is a native of Europe, and grows wild in 

 all the temperate parts of that continent, and is also largely cultivated. 



Use.— A very mild tonic, and quite useful when combined with other 

 medicines of this class. 



Dose.— It may be given in doses varying from one-half ounce to two 

 ounces. 



Charcoal.— This may be given, with good results, powdered, for 

 chronic diarrhoea, dysentery and debilitated stomach. 



Dose.—HaU an ounce to one ounce, and it may be given suspended in 

 gruel. It may be used, with good results, externally, when applied to badly 

 smellmg wounds. 



Chloride of Lime. — This compound was origmally prepared for a 

 bleaching agent nearly a century ago, and has since been found to have 

 valuable properties as a disinfectant. It is a dry, or but slightly moist, 



