^22 MEDICINES. 



to the abdomen. Horses can take large quantities of it — even 

 up to an ounce — with impunity. See remarks on Indian hemp, 

 p. 611. 



An ounce of the tincture of opium (laudanum) contains 33 grains 

 of opium. 



Paraffin Oil 



is used in parasitic affections of the skin, in thrush, and as an 

 antiseptic (p. 68), 



Potassium. 



Potash, Bichromate oJ\ 



niav be used internally for hastening the development of glanders- 

 (p. '501). 



Potash, Nitrate of. 



This salt, which is also called nitre or saltpetre, is a diureticy 

 and is given in doses of J to 2 oz. once or twice a day. 



Potassium, Iodide of, 



stimulates the glands and acts internally as an antiseptic (p. 127). 

 Dose, J to 2 oz. during the day. It may be dissolved in the^ 

 drinking water, or mixed in a mash. When added to iodine or 

 biniodide of mercury, it increases its solubility. It is useful,. 

 in the form of an ointment (1 to 6 of lard), as an absorbent 

 application. 



Poultices 



are valuable as soothing applications, and also for cleansing 

 wounds, in which case they should be always combined with a 

 mild antiseptic (p. 67), because their warmth and moisture are 

 particularly favourable to the development of putrefactive and in- 

 fective microbes. They should be large, and should on no account 

 be allowed tO' get dry. 



For applying poultices to the feet, a poultice shoe, constructed 

 as follows, may be used with advantage. Take a circular piece of 

 hard wood, a little longer and broader than a horse shoe, and 

 about 1-J inches thick. Get one surface of it rounded in a lathe, 

 so that there may be a rise of about f inch in the centre, while the 

 other surface remains flat. Round the circumference of the board 

 have leather nailed so as to fomi a convenient boot for retaining' 

 the poultice, and similar to the one in ordinary use, except that 

 tiie part which comes on the ground is rounded. The fact of its 



