74 MATERIA MEDICA. 



dies, these being adapted only to mild cases 

 which do not prevent a horse from working. 



DRAGON^s BLOOD. A resinous sub- 

 stance of a dark red colour, which, when 

 pure, is entjirely soluble in spirits of wine. 

 Dragon's blood, was formerly employed as 

 an astringent, and styptic, in fluxes and 

 internal bleedings, but modern practi- 

 tioners scarcely ever use it. It is still em- 

 ployed by farriers, in the complaint of horn- 

 ed cattle, which they term red watery or 

 bloody urine, but without effect; nor is 

 there any disease of the horse in which it is 

 likely to be useful. 



DRASTIC. A term applied to purgative 

 medicines that are violent in their action. 



DRAUGHTS, or Z)ro/b. (See Drenches.) 



DRENCH. A medicine in liquid form. 

 This is a very inconvenient method of giv- 

 ing medicine to horses, some part of the 

 dose being generally wasted. It is prefer- 

 able, however, on many occasions, to every 

 other form, on account of the medicine act- 

 inor in much less time than in a solid form: 

 in flatulent cbolic, or gripes, for example, 

 where the symptoms are extremely urgent, 

 and alarming, a proper drench will soon re- 



