MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 53 



It quenches thirst by reflexly evoking secretion of saliva, thus 

 moistening the mouth. L,ike other acids it stimulates the mu- 

 cous, intestinal and other alkaline secretions. It is the special acid 

 of the gastric juice. It aids digestion and is principally used for 

 this purpose. It overcomes acidity of stomach when administered 

 before meals, as evinced by animals licking walls, especially white- 

 washed walls, eating dirt, etc. It is useful to give young calves or 

 foals which are digesting their food in an indifferent manner and 

 scouring. Where there is an over secretion of acid it should be 

 given before meals. For other forms of indigestion it is best given 

 after feeding. It sometimes acts as a vermifuge, especially with 

 iron. It acts on the liver and is used in low fevers. 



Externally. — It is used on warts, as an antiseptic for wounds, 

 foot-rot in sheep, and occasionally as a styptic. The dilute hy- 

 drochloric acid is very useful for dissolving diseased bones as in 

 cracked jaws ; keep applying the acid until the loose fragment of 

 bones become loose enough to be removed either by the hand or 

 forceps. 



NITRO-MURIATIC ACID is especially useful for torpid- 

 ity of the liver and intestines. It being tonic and stimulant to the 

 skin, liver and intestinal glands. It is used in chronic hepatitis 

 and certain cases of pneumonia; where the conjunctiva is yel- 

 lowish, showing that the liver is torpid, also used in chronic 

 diarrhoea and scouring, when due to dyspepsia (intestinal), and is 

 often administered in any of the forms of indigestion. It is 

 the acid most used for internal administration, besides the aro- 

 matic sulphuric acid. It should always be made up fresh, and the 

 dilute nitro-muriatic acid used. 



For hepatic or enteric influenza: 



£ Quin. Sulph. 



Fl. Ext. Nucis Votn. aa. $ j 



Tr. Capsici. 



Ac. Hydrochlorici Dil. aa. 5 iij 

 Aq. qs. ad. 3 xij 



M, gjg. — One ounce in 6 to 8 ounces of water every three hours. 

 ACIDUM NITRICUM— Nitric Acid.— -Common name 

 AQUA FORTIS. Properties, a colorless fuming very caustic and 

 corrosive liquid of a peculiar somewhat suffocating odor, and a 

 strong acid taste and reaction, contains 68 per cent absolute acid. 

 The full strength acid is seldom used internally. 



