MASTICH — MERCURIALS. 125 



wording to the strength required, until the 

 former disappears, and the mixture assumes 

 a dark biue, or lead colour. 



In the strono^est mercurial ointment of 

 the shops, there are equal parts of quick- 

 silver and lard; these are the best propor- 

 tions in which it can be made, as it is easily 

 made weaker afterwards, by the addition of 

 lard. In medical practice this ointment is 

 employed chiefly for the purpose of intro- 

 ducing the quicksilver into the system, 

 which is done by rubbing it for some time 

 on the skin : this is said to be the most safe 

 and effectual method of curing the venereal 

 disease ; but in the horse, consixlerable diffi- 

 culty and inconvenience attend this opera- 

 tion, though it may be made to affect the 

 system. Thus, if we wish to introduce 

 mercury into the circulation, it is better to 

 give some preparation internally. (See- 

 ^uicksUver.) 



Mercurial Ointment, howev'er, is often 

 employed in veterinary practice, as an appli- 

 cation to callous sweiliuGfS, or enlarfred 

 joints; it maybe mixed with camphor with 

 advantage in those cases; and is certainly 

 much more efHcacious when converted into 



G 3. 



