52 MATERIA MEDIC A. 



BUCKBEAN. An useless plant, and 

 though valued formerly, is now scarcely 

 ever employed. 



BUCKTHORN. Thejuice of the berries 

 of this plant is supposed to possess a purga- 

 tive quality, and is generally made into a sy- 

 rup with sug^r, though farriers sometimes 

 employ it with other purgatives ; it is cer- 

 tainly useless as a medicine for horses. 



BURDOCK, a common plant, known by 

 its burs. The leaves are said to be diure- 

 tic ; and are employed in making the green 

 elder ointment, or Pompilion. (Ung. Pa- 

 pideon) so much used by farriers. 



BURGUNDY PITCH. The inspissated 

 juice of a species of fir tree ; it somewhat 

 resembles yellow resin, but it is less brittle 

 and transparent. What we commonly meet 

 with in the shops, appears to be an artificial 

 composition. Burgundy Pitch is often 

 used by farriers in making charges, and 

 strenghthening plasters, also in some of their 

 ointments, 



BURNT ALUM. (See Alum.) 



BUTTER OF ANTIMONY, or muriated 

 Antimony, a dark coloured liquid, possess- 

 ing strong caustic powers and composed 

 of antimony and muriatic acid. 



