TAR 373 



face, or if it be licked off the skin. Tar is mainly employed in veterinary 

 medicine on the skin, and is a valuable remedy to relieve itching and as a 

 local stimulant in chronic eczema ("grease"), and sometimes in moist 

 eczema and erythema, psoriasis, pityriasis, pruritus, and lichen. It also 

 destroys the parasites of mange and ringworm. It is applied with fat, 

 vaseline, soap or alcohol, in the proportion of 1-2 to 10. The official 

 ointment (1-2) is generally appropriate in the above-mentioned skin 

 diseases, but may require dilution. The following preparation is service- 

 able on patches of scaly eczema: 



Picis liquid^e. 



Saponis mollis. 



Alcoholis aa o"- 



M. 



S. External use. 



Pure tar painted over the surface with a brush, is often most effi- 

 cient in obstinate cases of eruptive disorders. A lotion of oil of tar, sul- 

 phurated potassa, or Peruvian balsam, is more cleanly and suitable for 

 house dogs with eczema. (See diet foi eczema in dogs, section on foods 

 and feeding, p. iZQ.) 



Tar is of the greatest utility in stimulating the growth of horn, and 

 is the principal ingredient of hoof ointments for horses. It may be mixed 

 with an equal part of lard for this purpose, or the following mixture is 

 well spoken of: 



Picis liquidae. 



Cerse flavae. 



Mellis aa 3iv. 



Glycerinl giii. 



Adipis oxxiv. 



Melt and mix the lard and wax together; add the 



other ingredients and stir while cooling. 

 S. External use. 



Oakum, soaked with tar, is frequently packed under leather, beneath 

 the shoes on horses' feet, to soften and stimulate the horn and to cure 

 thrush and canker. Tar is also a beneficial application for foot rot of 

 sheep. Pine tar is useful in keeping the gadfly away from sheep in sum- 

 mer. Two holes are bored in a log, the larger one surrounding the deeper 

 one. In the larger place pine tar, in the smaller and deeper put salt. 

 When getting salt the animal automatically smears his nose with tar. Tar 

 is usually kept on hand for farming purposes, and is therefore, a popular 

 antiseptic and protective in the treatment of wounds and broken horns in 

 cattle. Oil of tar may be applied, dissolved in alcohol (1-8), as a lotion, 

 and is an agreeable substitute for tar in chronic eczema or psoriasis of 

 dogs. It is used in the pure state as a parasiticide for mange, scab, ring- 

 worm or favus. Oil of cade represents oil of tar and tar in their actions 

 and uses, but its odor is pleasanter. It is prescribed externally in chronic 

 eczema and pruritis, in equal parts with wax, or as follows: 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



