MEDICINE. 51 j 



Tobacco, in the hands of the skilful veterinarian, may be advantageously- 

 employed in cases of extreme costiveness, or dangerous cholie ; but should never 

 be permitted to be used as an external application for the cure of mange, or an 

 internal medicine to promote a fine coat. 



Tonics are valuable medicines when judiciously employed ; but, like cordials, 

 they have been fatally abused. Many a horse recovering from severe disease 

 has been destroyed by their too early, or too free use. The veterinary surgeon 

 occasionally administers them injuriously, in his anxiety to gratify the impa- 

 tience of his employer. The mild vegetable tonics, chamomile, gentian, and' 

 ginger, and, perhaps, the carbonate of* iron, may sometimes be given with 

 benefit, and may hasten the perfect recovery of the patient ; but there are few 

 principles more truly founded on reason and experience, than, that disease once 

 removed, the powers of nature are sufficient to re-establish health. Against 

 the more powerful mineral tonics, except for the particular purposes that have 

 been pointed out under the proper heads, the horse proprietor and the veterina- 

 rian should be on his guard. 



Turpentine. — The common liquid turpentine has been described as one of 

 the best diuretics, in doses of half an ounce, and made into a ball with linseed, 

 meal and powdered ginger. It is added to the calamine or any other mild oint- 

 ment in order to render it stimulating and digestive, and, from its adhesiveness, 

 and slight stimulating power, it is an ingredient in mange ointments. The oil 

 of turpentine is an excellent antispasmodic. For the removal of cholie it stands, 

 unrivalled. Forming a tincture with cantharides, it is the basis of the sweating 

 blister for old strains and swellings. As a blister it is far inferior to the com- 

 mon ointment. As a stimulant frequently applied it must be sufficiently 

 lowered, or it may blemish. 



Wax. — The yellow wax is used in charges and some plasters to render them, 

 less brittle. 



Zinc — The impure carbonate of zinc s under the name of Calamine Powder, 

 is used in the preparation of a valuable healing ointment, called Turner's Cerate. 

 Five parts of lard and one of resin are melted together, and when these begin 

 to get cool, two parts of the calamine, reduced to an impalpable powder, are 

 stirred in. If the wound is not healthy, a small quantity of common turpen- 

 tine, may be added. This salve justly deserves the name which it has gained, 

 " The Healing Ointment." The calamine is sometimes sprinkled with ad- 

 vantage on clacked heels and superficial sores. 



The sulphate of zinc, White Vitriol, in the proportion of three grains to an 

 ounce of water, is an excellent application in ophthalmia, when the inflammatory 

 stage is passing over ; aScl quittor is most successfully treated by a saturated 

 solution of white vitriol being injected into the sinuses. A solution of white 

 vitriol of less strength forms a wash for grease that is occasionally useful, when 

 the alum or blue vitriol does not appear to succeed. 



Zinoibebis Radix. — Ginger Root.— This is an admirable stimulant and car- 

 minative. It is useful in loss of appetite and flatulent cholie, while it rouses the 

 intestinal canal to its proper action. The cordial mass resorted to by the best 

 surgeons consists of equal parts of ginger and gentian beaten into a mass with 

 treacle. 



