240 SPECIFICS FOR THE ALIMENTARY TRACT 



oughly empties the digestive tract. It is said to be unreliable as a 

 purgative for horses. 



The poisonous principle, Bicin, found in the seed coat of the 

 bean, is an albuminous substance belonging to the globulin group 

 and is usually termed a tox globulin. Eicin is one of the most toxic 

 poisons known, but being soluble in water and not in oil, it is not 

 present in expressed castor oil. The symptoms of poisoning from 

 castor beans are violent abdominal pain, vomiting, purging, and col- 

 lapse. Post mortem examinations show evidences of severe inflam- 

 mation of the stomach and intestines with capillary thrombi in the 

 various organs. 



Therapeutics. 1. Diarrhea. It is one of the best agents we 

 possess in diarrheas of young animals and should be given in the 

 early stages of this condition. Frohner says it is the best remedy 

 for the diarrhea of dog distemper and other infectious intestinal 

 diseases of dogs and should be preferred to opium. 



2. Retained meconium in foals and calves. This condition is 

 best relieved by two ounce doses of castor oil, followed by enemata 

 of warm water or warm water and olive oil repeated, if necessary. 



3. As a laxative in inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract. 



4. To thoroughly unload the bowels of small animals for any 

 reason. 



Contraindications. It is not a good remedy in chronic con- 

 stipation on account of its thorough emptying of the bowels and conse- 

 quent constipation. 



Administration. Castor oil is usually given alone. Moderate 

 warming will thin the oil and lessen its nauseating effect. For 

 horses and cattle it may be given with equal parts of warm water 

 or two ounces of ether. For dogs and cats it is best given in an emul- 

 sion or with equal parts of olive oil, to which should be added 

 10 — 20 minims of spirits of nitrous ether, or it may be given in 

 capsule. 



For a Large Dog with Cpnstipation. 



5 Olei Eicini S jss; 45.-50. 



Acacise 3 ijss ; 10. 



Aqua q. s ad. 5 viij ; 240. 



M. Ft. Emulsum. 

 Sig. Give at one dose. 



Frohner. 



Purgative for Dog. 



^ Olei Eicini 5 iij 



Mucilaginis Aeaeise S jss 



Syrupi : S j 



Aquse Menthse Piperitse S ijss 



M. Ft. Emulsion. 



Sig. Two teaspoonfuls to a small dog, two ounces to a large one. 



