PART I. 

 INORGANIC AGENTS. 



SECTION I. 



Water. 



Aqua, Water. Aqua Destillata, Distilled Water. H^O. (The latter 

 used in filling many prescriptions.) 



Action external. — The reader is referred to special articles on "Cold 

 and Heat" (p. 497), "Food and Feeding" (p. 479), and "Counter Irri- 

 tants" (p. 491), for details concerning the action and uses of water, 

 respectively, as a medium of heat and cold, as an article of diet in health 

 and disease, and as a counter irritant. Cold water, externally, at first 

 stimulates reflexly heat production, with slight rise of temperature, in- 

 creased carbonic acid elimination and contraction of the vessels and 

 muscles of the skin. If the cold water application is continued, the bodily 

 heat falls, owing to physical abstraction of heat. "Reaction" follows 

 the removal of cold, if properly applied, with dilation of the superficial 

 vessels (and sensation of warmth and exhilaration in man). Moderate 

 warm water (106° F.) applications stimulate cutaneous vascularity, favor 

 diaphoresis, and diminish urinary secretion. Hot water (110°-120° F.) 

 applications act as counter irritants in dilating the peripheral vessels, con- 

 tracting those in more remote parts, and relieving pain, spasm, congestion 

 and inflammation. 



Action internal. — ^Water is quickly absorbed from the intestines (to 

 very slight extent from the stomach), and thus swells the secretion of 

 urine, and, to a less extent, that of bile, saliva and pancreatic juice. Intes- 

 tinal peristalsis is favored by a considerable amount of water. Water also 

 increases tissue change, and elimination of carbonic dioxide and urea; 

 promotes the appetite and washes out the tissues and urinary tract, thus 

 removing waste matters from the body. The elimination of uric acid is 

 lessened by water. Large quantities of water, if not taken at meal time — 

 when they dilute the digestive juices and disorder digestion — favor the 

 formation of fat. 



Uses external. — See "Heat and Cold," p. 497. 



Uses Internal, — Healthy animals may be given as much water as 

 they desire, with certain restrictions in relation to work and feeding. It 

 is unwise to allow horses much water, either immediately before or after 

 severe work, or after feeding. If water is given before severe work it 

 increases the bulk of intestinal contents, is apt to cause digestive disturb- 

 ance, and interferes with the movements of the diaphragm. For these 

 same reasons water should only be permitted in small amount (at a time) 

 in "heaves" of horses. 



Horses must be given water sparingly for the first three hours after 

 unloading following shipment on the railroad, when they are much wearied 

 or are very thirsty. 



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