516 MEDICINE. 



composition of some diuretic masses. See Rksin. By many practitioners it is 

 made an ingredient in the physic- ball, but uselessly or even injuriously so ; for 

 if the aloes are finely powdered and mixed with palm oil, they will dissolve 

 readily enough in the bowels without the aid of the soap, while the action of 

 the soap on the kidneys will impair the purgative effect of the aloes. 



Starch may be substituted with advantage for gruel in obstinate cases of 

 purging, both as a clyster, and to support the strength of the animal. 



Stoppings constitute an important, but too often neglected part of stable 

 management. If a horse is irregularly or seldom worked, his feet are deprived 

 of moisture; they become hard and unyielding and brittle, and disposed 

 to corn and contraction and founder. The very dung of a neglected and filthy 

 stable would be preferable to habitual standing on the cleanest litter without 

 stopping. In wounds, and bruises, and corns, moisture is even more necessary, in 

 order to supple the horn, and relieve its pressure on the tender parts beneath. As 

 a common stopping, nothing is better than cow-dung with a fourth part of clay 

 well beaten into it, and confined with splents from the binding or larger twigs of 

 the broom. In cases of wounds a little tar may be added ; but tar, as a common 

 stopping, is too stimulating and drying. Pads made of thick felt have lately 

 been contrived, which are fitted to the sole, and, swelling on being wetted, are 

 sufficiently confined by the shoe. Having been well saturated with water, they 

 will continue moist during the night. They are very useful in gentlemen's 

 stables ; but the cow-dung and clay are sufficient for the farmer. 



Strychnia. — This drug has frequently been employed with decided 

 advantage in cases of paralysis in the dog; and lately, and with decided 

 advantage, it has been administered to the horse. The dose is from one to three 

 grains, given twice in the day. 



Sulphur is the basis of the most effectual applications for mange. It is 

 an excellent alterative, combined usually with antimony and nitre, and particu- 

 larly for mange, surfeit, grease, hidebound, or want of condition ; and it is a 

 useful ingredient in the cough and fever ball. When given alone, it seems to 

 have little effect, except as a laxative in doses of six or eight ounces ; but there 

 are much better aperients. The black sulphur consists principally of the dross 

 after the pure sulphur has been separated. 



Tar melted with an equal quantity of grease forms the usual stopping of the 

 farrier. It is a warm, or slightly stimulant and therefore useful, dressing for 

 bruised or wounded feet ; but its principal virtue seems to consist in preventing 

 the penetration of dirt and water to the wounded part. As a common stopping 

 it has been considered objectionable. From its warm and drying properties it 

 is the usual and proper basis for thrush ointments ; and from its adhesiveness, 

 and slightly stimulating power, it often forms an ingredient in applications for 

 mange. Some practitioners give it, and advantageously, with the usual cough 

 medicine, and in doses of two or three drachms for chronic cough. The 

 common tar is as effectual as the Barbadoes for every veterinary purpose. The 

 oil, or spirit (rectified oil) of tar is sometimes used alone for the cure of mange, 

 hut it is not to be- depended upon. The spirit of tar, mixed with double the 

 quantity of fish oil, is, from its peculiar penetrating property, one of the best 

 applications for hard and brittle feet. It should be well rubbed with a brush 

 every night, both on the crust and sole. 



Tinctures. — The medicinal properties of many substances are extracted by 

 spirit of wine, but in such small quantities as to be scarcely available for inter- 

 nal use in veterinary practice. So much aloes or opium must be given in order to 

 produce effect on the horse, that the quantity of spirit necessary to dissolve it 

 would be injurious or might be fatal. As applications to wounds or inflamed 

 surfaces, the tinctures of aloes, digitalis, myrrh, and opium, are highly useful. 



