330 HOESE AND CATTLE MEDICINES. 



in the cure of farcy and glanders in the horse. In the same 

 diseases, and where the lungs were free from tubercles, I 

 have cured them with the Spanish fly, gentian, copper, and 

 the sul];hite of soda. 



Dose. Spanish fly is given to the horse in five grain 

 doses once a day only, and mixed in cut or soft feed. 

 Horses are more easily afl^ected by the Spanish fly than 

 mares. Blisters of Spanish fly are made as follows : Pow- 

 dered Spanish fly, one drachm ; hog's lard, six drachms ; 

 mix, and apply, by rubbing with the hand into the part 

 to be blistered ; wash off the part the next day, oil or lard 

 it for a week, and the swelling will leave when the irritation 

 has gone out of the part. 



The tincture of Spanish fly was formerly used as the 

 basis of the old sweating blister. An excellent application 

 for the removal of a splint, or soft tumors about the legs 

 of horses, is made as follows : Tincture of Spanish fly, one 

 ounce ; oil of croton, twenty drops ; well rubbed into the 

 part, it acts like magic; that is, if the tumor can be 

 removed at all by any means. 



Specifics. — Medicines which cure disease, but the 

 manner of action is unknown. 



Spermaceti. — This is a solid crystalline fat, found in 

 the large head of the sperm whale. There is a plan, 

 however, by which it is said that spermaceti can be made 

 out of the muscles of a dead cow or horse, by enclosing the 

 flesh in a box perforated with holes, and sinking it in a 

 running stream of water for a month or more, when the 

 flesh will be converted into a mass of tough, solid matter. 

 After which, it is treated Avith nitrous acid, poured over 

 it to remove the offensive smell, and to separate the fat. 

 Another plan is, to pour nitrous acid over the flesh without 



