610 MEDICINE. 



has succeeded in this attempt to a very considerable extent. In fact, the 

 influence of calomel in veterinary practice seems to have been far too much 

 undervalued*. 



Corrosive Sublimate, the oxymuriate or bichloride of mercury, combined with 

 chlorine in a double proportion, is a useful tonic in farcy. It should be given 

 in doses of ten grains daily, and gradually increased to a scruple, until the horse 

 is purged, or the mouth becomes sore, when it may be omitted for a few days, 

 and resumed. Some have recommended it as a diuretic, but it is too dangerous 

 a medicine for this purpose. It is used externally in solution ; in substance 

 in quittor, as a stimulant to foul ulcers ; and in the proportion of five grains to 

 an ounce of rectified spirit in obstinate mange, or to destroy vermin on the 

 skin. It is, however, too uncertain and too dangerous a medicine for the horse- 

 proprietor to venture on its use. 



Mthiop's Mineral, the black sulphuret of mercury, is not often used in horse 

 practice, but it is a good alterative for obstinate surfeit or foulness of the skin, 

 in doses of three drachms daily. Four drachms of cream of tartar may be ad- 

 vantageously added to each dose. 



Infusions. — The active matter of some vegetable substances is partly or 

 entirely extracted by water. Dried vegetables yield their properties more 

 readily and perfectly than when in their green state. Boiling water is poured 

 on the substance to be infused, and which should have been previously 

 pounded or powdered, and the vessel then covered and placed near a fire. In 

 five or six hours the transparent part may be poured off, and is ready for use. 

 In a few days, however, all infusions become thick, and lose their virtue, from 

 the decomposition of the vegetable matter. 



The infusion of chamomile is advantageously used instead of water in com- 

 pounding a mild tonic drench. The infusion of catechu is useful in astringent 

 mixtures ; that of linseed is used instead of common water in catarrh and cold ; 

 and the infusion of tobacco in some injections. 



Iodine. — This substance has not been long introduced into veterinary practice. 

 The first object which it seemed to accomplish, was the reduction of the en- 

 larged glands that frequently remain after catarrh, but it soon appeared that it 

 could reduce almost every species of tumour. Much concerned in the first in- 

 troduction of iodine into veterinary practice, the writer of the present work bears 

 willing testimony to the zeal and success of others, in establishing the claims of 

 this most valuable medicine. Professor Morton has devoted much time and labour 

 to the different combinations of iodine, and they are described at length in his 

 useful " Manual of Pharmacy." He gives the formulae of the composition of a 

 liniment, an ointment, and a tincture of iodine, adapted to different species and 

 stages of disease. He next describes the preparation of the iodide of potassium — 

 the combination of iodine and potash, — and then the improvement on that under 

 the name of the diniodide of copper — the union of two parts of the iodide of 

 potassium with four of the sulphate of copper. 



The action of this compound is an admirable tonic and a stimulant to 

 the absorbent system, if combined with vegetable tonics, and, occasionally, 

 small doses of cantharides. Professor Spooner and Mr. Daws applied this com- 

 pound, and with marked success, to the alleviation of farcy, nasal gleet, and 

 glanders. It is pleasing to witness these triumphs over disease, a little while 

 ago so unexpected, and now so assured. 



Juniper, Oil. op. — This essential oil is retained because it has some diuretic ■ 

 property, as well as being a pleasant aromatic. It frequently enters into the < 

 composition of the diuretic ball. 



* Veterinarian, to], xvi., or i. uew scries, pp. 325, 441, and 524. 



