160 MATERIA MEDICA. 



metal affords is the lunar caustic or nitrated 

 silver, an application of great importance in 

 surgery, whether hiin.an or veterinary. (See 

 Caustics, Pliarm. and Mat Med ). 



SNAKE ROOT. Tii<' idea that this root 

 counteracts the bites of srrpents, is now dis- 

 regarded ; but it is considered an useful 

 medicine in cases of weakness, and may be 

 employed with idvantage in veterinary 

 practice, particularly in ill-conditioned 

 wounds, in which there appears a tendency 

 to mortifieaiioo. 



The do.se is from half an ounce to an 

 ounce, and is generally given with prepared 

 ammoniac, or ^ait of hartshorn, camphir and 

 bark ; in some cases opium is added. (See 

 Tonics, and Antiseptics, Pharm.) 



SOAP. T'le various kinds of soap have 

 all a stroi'g diuretic (juality ; but the purer 

 kinds only should be employed as internal 

 remedies, and these are Castile, Spanish, 

 and pure white soap. Soap isan useful in- 

 gredient in purgative, as well as diuretic 

 preparations. 



The dose is from two drams to half an 

 ounce, but it is sometimes given in larger 

 doses. 



