■WORMS. 357 



The best remedies in general for the destruction of worms, 

 axe — Aloes, Aconite, Turpentine, Savin, and Eock Salt. 



Aloes. — It is a good practice to commence the treatment 

 for worms with a purgative; as not unfrequently it removes 

 an incredible number, especially of those small needle-like 

 parasites, the ascarides vermiculares. 



The size of the dose will, to some extent, depend upon the 

 size and breed of the animal infested ; 6 drachms of the drug, 

 however, may be considered, as an average dose under circum- 

 stances of this character. It is best to give the Aloes in the 

 form of a ball. For instruction as to the best modes to pursue 

 with reference to the treatment of the animal before and after 

 the administration of the purgative, see pages 75, 76, and 77. 



Aconite. — Aconite is a powerful poison to earth worms ; 

 and I also know, from experience, that it is a powerful destruc- 

 tive to the larger round worms {ascarides Itmbricoides) . In 

 numerous instances when I have found it necessary to admin- 

 ister Aconite to horses, the owner has expressed his surprise at 

 the great number of dead worms which the patient has voided 

 along with the dung. Before resorting to Aconite for the 

 express purpose of destroying worms the animal infested 

 should have a purgative previously, and when that has operated 

 satisfactorily, the horse should be placed in a comfortable box, 

 and his diet, for several days, should be nutritious, but scanty ; 

 the object being to sheath the worms as little as possible from 

 the action of the drug, and also by keeping them with less 

 food than ordinary, to render their bodies more active agents 

 of absorption than what they were previously. The Aconite is 

 then to be given three or four times a day, in 3-drachm doses 

 of the 1st dilution, mixed with 8 ounces of water. If larger 

 ' doses of the drug are given, and especially if not copiously 

 diluted with water, symptoms of vomiting may supervene. The 



