100 INORGANIC AGENTS 



If a quantity of cold water is allowed horses after hard work^ colic 

 is very likely to occur. Working horses should, therefore, be watered, in 

 reasonable amount, while at work; and, if this is impracticable, may be 

 allowed but a few mouthfuls of water, or a gallon of oatmeal gruel after 

 severe work, with whole hay but no grain until after an hour's rest. 

 When horses at rest drink much water after eating, the contents of the 

 stomach (which is unusually small in this animal) are washed into the 

 intestines and are not so thoroughly digested. This accomplishes two 

 bad results: it deprives the animal of some nourishment and engenders 

 digestive trouble and diarrhea. 



The best plan is to give resting horses water before eating, or to keep 

 it at their command at all times. Cold water is desirable, frequently 

 and in unlimited quantities, in fever, although there is a popular fear of 

 it. Water is more valuable than any other known agent in fever to 

 eliminate toxins. Drinking should be encouraged by putting salt on the 

 food and by keeping water always at the animal's disposal. Also by 

 giving large enemata of normal salt solution (p. 519). Hot water assists 

 the action of diaphoretics ; cold water that of diuretics. Lukewarm water 

 is an emetic, but hot water, in small and repeated doses, allays nausea 

 and vomiting. Water is restricted in ordinary diarrheas, obesity, and to 

 assist the absorption of exudations. The drinking of water should be 

 encouraged by a liberal allowance of salt (which in itself aids digestion), 

 in animals in a poor condition, to increase their appetite and flesh. Water 

 is valuable in diluting a concentrated urine from which calculi are liable 

 to be deposited. High rectal injections of water are absorbed, and con- 

 sequently flush out the kidneys. 



Solution of Hydrogen Dioxide. 



LiauoR Hydhogejtii Dioxidi. Solution of Hydrogen Dioxide. 

 (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Aqua Hydrogenii Dioxid, Liquor Hydrogenii Peroxidi (B. P.), 

 Hydrogen Peroxide. An aqueous solution containing not less than 3 per cent., 

 by weight of H2O2, corresponding to not less than 10 volumes of available oxygen. 



Derivation. — Add barium dioxide, 300, to cold, distilled water, 500; agitate 

 and keep at a temperature of 10° C. (50° F.). To this mixture (of barium 

 hydrate) add a solution of phosphoric acid, 96, in cold distilled water, 320, and 

 shake them together thoroughly. Filter, and wash the precipitate (barium phos- 

 phate) with distilled water until the filtrate measures 1000. Add diluted 

 sulphuric acid to the 'filtrate (until cloudiness disappears in a small filtered por- 

 tion of it; absence of barium), and starch 10. Agitate frequently. Filter and 

 refilter till the solution becomes clear. 



Properties. — A colorless liquid, odorless or having odor suggesting ozone, 

 slightly acid to the taste, and producing a peculiar sensation and froth in the 

 mouth; liable to deteriorate by age, exposure to heat, or protracted agitation. 



Reaction slightly acid. When exposed to the air at the ordinary temperature, 

 or when heated in a water bath at a temperature not exceeding 60° C. (140° F.) 

 the solution loses chiefly water. When rapidly heated it is liable to decompose 

 suddenly. (The value of a given sample of hydrogen dioxide may be roughly 

 ascertained by adding a few drams to a few crystals of potassium perman- 

 ganate in a test tube. The greater the amount of effervescence the better the 

 hydrogen dioxide. — Wallian.) 



Dose.~H. & C, §i-ii, (30-60); D., ni-ii, (4-8). 



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