504 MEDICINE. 



not too hastily thrown into the intestine ; its heat being as nearly as possible 

 that of the intestine, or about 96° of Fahrenheit's thermometer. 



Collyrja, Lotions fob the Eyes. — These have been sufficiently described 

 when inflammation of the eyes was treated of. 



Copaiba, Balsam op Capivi. — The resin is obtained from a tree growing in 

 South America and the West India Islands. It is expensive, much adulterated, 

 and seldom used ; for its properties differ but little from those of common 

 diuretics. 



Copper. — There are two combinations of this metal used in veterinary 

 practice the verdigris or subacetate, and the blue vitriol or sulphate. 



Verdigris or Subacetate of Copper is the common rust of that metal produced 

 by subjecting it to the action of acetic acid. It is given internally by some 

 practitioners, in doses of two or three drachms daily, as a tonic, and particularly 

 for the cure of farcy. It is, however, an uncertain and dangerous medicine. 

 The corrosive sublimate, with vegetable tonics, as recommended at page 187, is 

 preferable. Verdigris is, however, usefully applied externally as a mild caustic. 

 Either alone, in the form of fine powder, or mixed with an equal quantity of 

 the sugar (superacetate) of lead, it eats down proud flesh, or stimulates old ulcers 

 to healthy action. When boiled with honey and vinegar, it constitutes the far- 

 riers' Egyptiacum, certainly of benefit in cankered or ulcerated mouth, and no 

 bad application for thrushes ; but yielding, as it regards both, to better remedies, 

 that are mentioned under the proper heads. Some practitioners use alum and 

 oil of vitriol in making their Egyptiacum, forgetting the strange decomposition 

 which is produced. 



Blue Vitriol or Sulphate of Copper is the union of sulphuric acid and copper. 

 It is a favourite tonic with many practitioners, and has been vaunted as a 

 specific for glanders ; while others, and we think properly, have no very good 

 opinion of it in either respect. As a cure for glanders, its reputation has 

 nearly passed away. As a tonic, when the horse is slowly recovering from 

 severe illness, it is dangerous, and its internal use should be confined to cases of 

 long continued discharge from the nostril, when catarrh or fever have ceased. 

 It may then be given with benefit in doses of from one to two drachms twice in 

 the day, and always combined with gentian and ginger. It is principally 

 valuable as an external application, dissolved in water in the proportion of two 

 drachms to a pint, and acting as a gentle stimulant. If an ounce is dissolved in 

 the same quantity of water, it becomes a mild caustic. In the former propor- 

 tion, it rouses old ulcers to a healthy action, and disposes even recent wounds to 

 heal more quickly than they otherwise would do ; and in the latter it removes 

 fungous granulations or proud flesh. The blue vitriol is sometimes reduced to 

 powder and sprinkled upon the wound for this purpose : it is also a good applica- 

 tion for canker in the foot. 



Cordials are useful or injurious according to the judgment with which they 

 are given. When a, horse comes home thoroughly exhausted, and refuses his 

 food, a cordial may be beneficial. It may rouse the stomach and the system 

 generally, and may prevent cold and fever ; but it is poison to the animal when 

 administered after the cold is actually caught and fever begins to appear. More 

 to be reprobated is the practice of giving frequent cordials, that by their stimulus 

 on the stomach, (the skin sympathising so much with that viscus,) a fine coat 

 may be produced. The artificial excitement of the cordial soon becomes as 

 necessary to enable the horse to do even common work, as is the excitement of 

 the dram to sustain the animal spirits of the drunkard. 



In order to recal the appetite of the horse slowly recovering from illness, a 

 cordial may sometimes be allowed ; or to old horses . that h-ive been worked 

 hard and used to these excitements when young ; or to draught horses, that have 



