()2 MATERIA MEDICA. 



cheaper and more certain medicines of the 

 same class. 



CASTOR OIL. An useful laxative in 

 cases where it is necessary to open the 

 bowels, and at the same time avoid irrita- 

 tion ; it lb-, therefore, extremely proper in 

 fevers, accompanied with costiveness, par- 

 ticularly when there appears to be pain and 

 irritation in the bowels. 



The dose is from a pint to a pint and a 

 half. 



It has been asserted that castor oil is a gcod 

 remedy for worms ; but I have seen it givea 

 in this case v^ithout effect. 



CATAPLASM. (See Poultice.) 

 CATEC HU. (See Japan Earth.) 

 CAUSTICS. Are substances that burn 

 or destroy parts to which they are applied. 

 The most povverfid is the red-hot iron, or 

 acttial cautery, vjh'ich'is oiteu employed in 

 veterinary practice, to remove spaiins, &c. 

 {See Firing.) Many of the other caustics 

 are possessed of great strength, and speedi- 

 ]y destroy those parts to which they are ap- 

 plied : Such are the pure alkalies, potash and 

 soda ; the vitriolic and nitrous acids, or a so- 

 lution of silver, ijmcksilver, or copper, in 



