THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 503 



animal system. The principal agents employed are aloes, croton oil, 

 linseed oil, podophyllin and salts. 



Aloes, Barbadoes. — This should always be used in preference to Cape 

 aloes, which is more griping. Dose 4 to 8 drachms. 



Croton oil. — A powerful and sharp purgative, valuable in obstinat* 

 constipations. Applied externally it is apt to irritate and produce blem- 

 ish. Dose internally 20 drops. 



Linseed oil. — ^A safe, and pretty sure, mild purge. Dose 1 pint to 

 1 quart. 



Podophyllin. — This is the active principle of the May apple. It Is 

 both purgative and sedative. Dose 1 to 2 drachms. Its effect on animals 

 is not so marked as on man. In the commencement of fevers it is 

 excellent. 



Salts. — Sulphate of soda or Glauber salts is generally used when pur- 

 gative effects are required. The dose is 1 to 1 1-2 pounds. Epsom salts, 

 sulphate of magnesia, dose 1 to 2 pounds, or 8 to 12 ounces, and repeated 

 every three or four hours until an operation is had. 



VI. Carminatives. 



These are used in colic, griping, etc., and are often given with griping 

 medicines. The principal agents are black pepper, caraway seeds, cloves, 

 ginger, peppermint, sage, etc. 



Black pepper. — ^Dose 2 drachms. When a quick and powerful remedy 

 ii» required give 2 drachms red (cayenne) pepper. 



Caraway. — Dose 1-2 to 1 ounce of the seeds, as a powder, or as an 

 iuf usion . 



Cloves. — Dose 1-2 to 1 ounce of powdered cloves steeped in hot water 

 and given warm, or 30 to 60 drops of the oil of cloves given in thin 

 mwcilage of gum arabic. 



Peppermint (oil). — Dose 15 to 30 drops in mucilage. Sage or any of 

 the heating herbs may be given as a tolerably strong infusion or tea. 



Vn. Counter Irritants. 



These are divided into classes : Rubefacients, which simply excite the 

 skin to redness ; vesicants, which blister, and suppurants which produce 

 sores on the surface. They are serviceable by setting up inflammation 

 on the surface near the seat of disease, in congestion and inflammation of 

 internal organs ; also of the bones, joints and tissues. Rubefacients are 

 good in influenza, and other attacks of a general nature, where there is 

 low fever ; as, for instance, rubbing a paste of mustard on the legs and 

 washinsr it off in ten or fifteen minutes. Vesicants should not be used 

 when fever or inflammation is high, and suppurants are chiefly of valu^ 

 in old chronic complaints. 



