MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. 59 



A mucilaginous demulcent, or a decoction in the proportion 

 of about i to 2 ozs. to a pint or i}4 pints of warm water, is 

 useful in irritable conditions of the throat, alimentary canal, 

 kidneys and bladder ; also in poisoning by irritants and corrosives 

 and as a vehicle" for nauseous and acrid medicines. The oil may 

 be used for the last two. For linseed poultices, take the best 

 grade of linseed meal, pour hot water over it until it becomes 

 pasty. Charcoal and antiseptics are often mixed with it. When 

 used as a poultice on the foot in nail pricks, always put on a 

 poultice that will cover the whole foot. 



LINSEED-OIL. — Cannot be used as a diet on account of 

 its being too laxative ; it is laxative in small doses, but in large 

 doses produces copious discharges of faeces, having a distinct 

 linseed-oil smell. The oil is also emollient, soothing, and soften- 

 ing to inflamed and indurated surfaces. 



For burns and scalds the well known Carron Oil, composed 

 of equal parts of linseed oil and lime-water, cannot be surpassed. 

 This oil is also used as a vehicle for acrid medicines and to act 

 as a protective to the alimentary tract in poisoning of corrosive 

 drugs, also to sweep them out. As a laxative it usually produces 

 tolerably full and softened evacuations, without nausea, griping 

 or superpurgation and with a decided odor of the oil. It is the 

 best physic to administer to pregnant animals and in irritable 

 conditions of the bowels ; also in cases of influenza, purpura and 

 other debilitating diseases, where the usual purgatives would be 

 too severe, irritating and exhausting. It is also used as an enema ; 

 2 to 4 ozs. of the oil or meal given daily in mash often suffices to 

 maintain the bowels in a relaxed condition throughout febrile at- 

 tacks, where there is a tendency to constipation. An ounce or 

 two of oil given daily often relieves broken wind in horses. 



It is the best purgative for all young or weakly animals. 

 Equal parts ol. lini and castor-oil is very effectual for dogs. As a 

 lubricant and emollient the oil relieves choking. 



Dose as a full cathartic. — Horse, takes i to 2 pints ; as a lax- 

 ative,'^ to 1 pint; cattle, 2 to 4 pints; sheep and pigs, 5 to 10 

 ozs. ; dogs, y 2 to 3 ozs. ; cats, 1 dr. 



Carron Oil in 2 to 4 ounce doses 2 to 3 times daily will often 

 relieve "heaves" -in horses. 



