MEDICINES. 445 



form of camphorated oil, it promotes the absorption of fluids 

 thrown out beneath the skin, the removal of old callus, and the 

 suppling of joints stiff from labor. Combined with oil of turpen^ 

 tine it is more effective, but in this combination it occasionally 

 blemishes.* 



Cantharides, Spanish Flies, — are the basis of the most ap- 

 proved and useful veterinary blisters. The cantharis is a fly, 

 the native of Italy and the south of France. It is destroyed 

 by sulphur, dried and powdered, and mixed with palra-oil and 

 resin. Its action is intense, and yet superficial ; it plenti- 

 fully raises the cuticle, yet rarely injures the true skin, and 

 therefore seldom blemishes. The application of other acrid 

 substances is occasionally followed by deeply-seated ulcerations ; 

 but a blister composed of the Spanish fly alone, while it does 

 its duty, leaves, after a few weeks have passed, scarcely a trace 

 behind. 



An infusion of two ounces of the flies in a pint of oil of turpen- 

 tine, for several days, is occasionally used as a liquid bhster ; and, 

 when sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a sweat- 

 ing; oil, for it maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflamma- 

 tion on the skin, yet not suiflcient to blister, and thus gradually 

 abates or removes some old or deep inflammation, or cause of 

 lameness. 



Of late cantharides have come into more general use. They 

 were recommended by Mr. Vines, in combination with vegetable 

 bitters, as a stimulating tonic, in cases of debility. He next ap- 

 plied them for the cure of glanders, and with considerable suc- 

 cess. The veterinary public is much indebted to Mr. Vines for 

 the steadiness with which he has followed up the emplo)rment of 

 the Spanish fly. The dose is from five to eight grains given daily, 

 but withheld for a day or two when diuresis supervenes. 



Capsici BACciE, Capsicum Berries. Guinea Pepper. — They 

 are valuable as stimulants affecting the system genepally, yet not 

 too much accelerating the pulse. Their beneficial effect in cases 

 ■jf cold has seldom been properly estimated. The dose is from a 

 scruple to half a drachm. 



Caraway Seeds. — These and ginger, alone or combined, are 

 the best stii/iulants used in horse-practice. 



CAasorJATE OF Iron. — See under Ferrujm. 



Cascarilla Bark. — Tonic as well as aromatic. It must not, 

 however, Ise used with the sulphates of iron or zinc. 



Castor Oil, Olium Ricini. — An expensive medicine. It must 

 be given in large doses, and even then it is uncertain in its effects, 



* Note by Mr. Bpooner. — Camphor is a sedative and slight narcotic, and 

 as such, maj be exhibited in fever balls with advantage. It has also been 

 fonnd useful, combined with opium, in relieving the spa.sms of locted-jaw. 



