22.6 SYNOPSIS OF VETERINARY 



Summary. — Hydragogue and cholagogue cathartic; feebly 

 diuretic and diaphoretic. 



Therapy. — In febrile diseases it is used in small repeated 

 doses. It is antidotal to lead and barium salts, forming insoluble 

 sulphates ; also for carbolic acid, forming the harmless sulpho- 

 carbolate in the blood ; but is too slow of action in acute poison- 

 ing- 



It is quite commonly used as a purgative for horses, but most 

 often for cattle. 



For cattle the following is a general type, of an active 

 cathartic : — 



3£ Sodii chloridi, 3 viij. 



Magnesii sulph., § xxiv. 



Tr. Zingib., 3 i'j- 



Aq. O iv. 



M. Sig. Give at one dose. 

 40 to 60 minims of Croton oil may be added if desired. 



Fot animals suffering from reflex skin irritation, sqlphate 

 of magnesia or soda combined with liberal doses of bicarbonate of 

 soda generally give relief. 



This especially applies to urticaria of the horse. 



BARII CHLORIDUM— BARIUM CHLORIDE. 



Barium chloride, occurs in colorless, flat, four-sided crystals, 

 of bitter, salty taste. Soluble in 2j4 parts of water, almost in- 

 soluble in alcohol ; neutral reaction. 



In small doses it is occasionally but not often used as a 

 cardiac tonic. Externally it is used as collyrium and lotion for 

 wounds in the strength of J4 to 2 parts to 100 of water. 



Its only use in veterinary practice is as powerful and rapid, 

 purgative, its effects being produced usually in from 15 to 45 

 minutes. 



The dose for a horse per os is from 30 grains to 2 drachms, 

 in j/ 2 to 1 pint of water; some veterinarians give as much as 3 

 or 4 drachms, but I would warn the prescriber from administering 

 more than two drachms at the outside, as at best it is a very 

 dangerous drug. 



Intravenously,- it is administered in doses averaging 15 

 grains ; for this method, the drug should be dissolved in distilled 

 water, 1 or 2 drachms and twice filtered through the same paper, 



