DISEASE IN GENERAL 225 



veterinary practice, various extracts of these plant parts are 

 used more generally. These extracts are known as tinctures 

 and fluid extracts and differ primarily in the quantity of the 

 active medicinal principles which they contain, the fluid extract 

 being the stronger. The active medicinal principles of all 

 vegetable drugs are known as alkaloids. These represent but 

 a very small proportion of the crude drugs. When isolated in a 

 scientific manner the alkaloids have the following advantages 

 over the ordinary fluid or dry preparations: (1) greater accuracy 

 in the dose; (2) greater dependability in action; (3) greater con- 

 venience in application; (4). quicker results due to their more 

 rapid absorption. 



Some live stock owners object to their veterinarian using 

 active principles of drugs on the grounds that the amount given 

 is so small that it can seem to have little effect. This objection 

 has absolutely nothing to justify it. What the owner really 

 wants is results. Experience has taught him that the old 

 practices of giving violent purges and bleeding to excess seldom 

 bring results. He should, therefore, welcome more effective 

 methods of treatment and encourage his veterinarian to use them. 



Medicines of mineral origin represent many combinations. 

 The salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, 

 and iron are most often employed. These salts are found in the 

 body tissues and are essential to the life of the animal, which 

 accounts for their general use as therapeutic agents. 



Medicines of animal origin are not so numerous as either 

 vegetable or mineral drugs. They include such agents as pepsin, 

 pancreatin, adrenalin, pituitrin, and thyroidin which are all 

 manufactured from glands with similar names. These prepara- 

 tions should never be used without the sanction of a competent 

 veterinarian as they are contra-indicated in some cases and 

 would cause serious trouble. 



Biologic preparations of various kinds have come into extensive 

 use within the last few years. They are a most valuable con- 

 tribution to the healing art and are constantly being perfected. 

 To be of most value, the biologies must be administered before 

 infection occurs. This is because they act largely as preventives, 

 although some have decided curative properties. It should be 

 understood that they are not used to replace but to supplement 

 other preventive and curative treatments, 

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