86 MEDICINES USED FOR THE HORSE. 



Ginger. — There are several varieties, of which the Jamaica oi wJiiCe 

 ginger is the best, but all are used, with good results, for colic, loss of appe- 

 tite, etc., and should enter into every dose of purgative medicine. 



JDose. — From one to four drachms. 



Glycerine. — This is the sweet principle of fats or oils, and was discov- 

 ered nearly a century ago, when it was called the sweet principle of oils. It 

 is a fluid which scarcely ever dries up, and is a thick, syrupy substance, resem- 

 bling castor oil in its looks, but without smell, and very sw^eet to the taste. 



Uses. — It is an excellent application to many sores, and is used with very 

 gratifying results for scratches or sore heels; also, for skin diseases, when a 

 softening and soothing application is required. When a little is added ta 

 poultices, it has the effect to keep them soft and moist for a long time. It 

 is soluble in water. 



Iron. — This is one of the most valuable medicines in use for many case& 

 of debility, as it supplies the red corpuscles of the blood, which are gener- 

 ally deficient in a debilitated animal. Various preparations of iron are in 

 use, of which the following are the most commonly used ; 



Copperas. (Sulphate of Iron.) — This is one of the cheapest, and, for many 

 purposes, the best. It is tonic and astringent, and is used, with good results, 

 for weakness, bad condition, swelling of the legs, body, sheath, etc. 



Dose. — One-half to one and a half drachms, and it should be combined 

 with the same quantity of gentian or ginger, and given in the feed, or as a 

 drench with cold water. 



Mufiated Tincture of Iron. — This is an excellent preparation of iron, 

 and may be given in doses varying from one-fourth to one ounce. Although 

 several other preparations of iron are in use, the two given above are all 

 that are ordinarily required. 



Juniper Berries.— The best juniper berries come from the south of 

 Europe, and are about the size of a pea, and more or less shriveled. They 

 are produced from a small evergreen shrub, which sometimes grows twelve 

 or fifteen feet high. It is used for loss of appetite, to stimulate the stomach 

 and kidneys to action, and during convalescence from disease. 



Lose. — One to two ounces. 



Kino.— This is the inspissated juice of several plants which grow in 

 Africa, East and West Indies, South America, etc. It is a powerful astrin- 

 gent, and is used in diarrhoea as a substitute for catechu, which is not quite 

 as powerful. 



Dose. —One to five drachms. 



Raw Linseed Oil.— This is, perhaps, the safest and best purgative ia 

 common use, and should be given by non-professional persons in preference 

 to any other medicine. Never give boiled oil. 



Dose. — One to two pints, as a purgative. 



