MEDICINE. 499. 



The Black Sesqui-Sulphuret op Antimony, a compound of sulphur and 

 antimony, is a good alterative. It is given with more sulphur and with nitre 

 in varying doses, according to the disease, and the slow or rapid effect intended 

 to be produced. It should never be bought in powder whatever trouble there 

 may be in levigating it, for it is often grossly adulterated with lead, manga- 

 nese, forge-dust, and arsenic. The adulteration may be detected by placing a 

 little of the powder on a red-hot iroj plate. The pure sulphuret will evaporate 

 without the slightest residue — so will the arsenic: but there will be an 

 evident smell of garlic. A portion of the lead and the manganese will be left 

 behind. 



Antimonii Potassio Tartras, Emetic Tartar. — The tartrate of potash 

 and antimony, or a combination of super-tartrate of potash and oxide of anti- 

 mony, is a very useful nauseant, and has considerable effect on the skin. It is 

 particularly valuable in inflammation of the lunga, and in every catarrhal affec- 

 tion. It is given in doses of from one drachm, to a drachm and a half, and 

 combined with nitre and digitalis. It is also beneficial in the expulsion of 

 worms. It should be given in doses of two drachms, and with some mechanical 

 vermifuge, as tin filings, or ground glass, and administered on an empty 

 stomach, and for several successive days. Although it may sometimes fail to 

 expel the worms, it will materially improve the condition of the horse, and pro- 

 duce sleekness of the coat. To a slight degree the emetic tartar is decomposed 

 by the action of light, and should be kept in a jar, or green bottle. It is 

 sometimes adulterated with arsenic, which is detected by the garlic smell 

 when it is placed on hot iron, and also by its not giving a beautiful gold-coloured 

 precipitate when sulphuret of ammonia is added to a solution of it. It has 

 also been externally applied in chest affections, in combination with lard, and 

 in quantities of from one drachm to two drachms of the antimony, to an ounce 

 of the lard ; but, except in extreme cases, recourse should not be had to it, on 

 account of the extensive sloughing which it sometimes produces. 



Pulvis Antimonii Compositus, The Compound Powder of Antimony. — 

 Commonly known by the name of James's Powder. It is employed as a sudo- 

 rific in fever, either alone or in combination with mercurials. The dose is from 

 one to two drachn\s. The late Mr. Bloxam used to»ferust to it alone in the 

 treatment of Epidemic Catarrh in the horse. It is, however, decidedly inferior 

 to Emetic Tartar. It is often adulterated with chalk and burnt bones, and 

 other white powders, and that to so shameful a degree, that little dependence 

 can be placed on the antimonial powder usually sold by druggists. The muri- 

 atic or sulphuric acids will detect most of these adulterations. 



Anti-spasmodics. — Of these our list is scanty, for the horse is subject 

 only to a few spasmodic diseases, and there are fewer medicines which have an 

 anti-spasmodic effect. Opium stands first for its general power, and that 

 exerted particularly in locked jaw. Oil of turpentine is almost a specific for 

 spasm of the bowels. Camphor, assafoetida, and various other medicines, used 

 on the human subject, have a very doubtful effect on the horse, or may be 

 considered as almost inert. 



Argentum, Silver. — One combination only of this metal is used, and that 

 as a manageable and excellent caustic, viz. the Lunar Caustic. It is far pre- 

 ferable to the hot iron, or to any acid, for the destruction of the part if a horse 

 should have been bitten by a rabid dog ; and it stands next to the butyr of anti- 

 mony for the removal of fungus generally. It has not yet been administered 

 internally to the horse. 



Arsenicum, Arsenic. — This drug used to be employed as a tonic, in order 

 to core out old ulcers ; but it is now seldom employed, for there are better and 



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