LECTURE LVIII. 

 COMMON MEDICINES. 



Raw linseed oil. — Is used in veterinary practice to dilute 

 stronger medicines in making liniments anil various applications 

 for external use and internally as a laxative or cathartic, de- 

 pending upon the dose used. Very safe and but slightly irritat- 

 ing. Good for either horses, cattle, sheep or swine. 



Doses. — Cattle take 2 to 4 pints ; horses, 1 to 3 pints ; sheep 

 and hogs take J4 to : pint. 



Rectal injections of warm water may be given after the 

 oil and it is desirable, if there is sufficient time, to prepare horses 

 by several warm bran mashes before giving the oil. 



Corrosive sublimate. — Is a caustic and irritant poison. Used 

 externally as a caustic and antiseptic. Stronger solutions, and 

 ointments produce very severe blisters and frequently destroy the 

 hair follicles. 



Chief use, as a germicide. Cheap and very satisfactory 

 for disinfecting buildings and other purposes where large quanti- 

 ties must be used. Dilute solution destroys lice and itch mites in 

 the proportion of 15 grains to the pint of water. For antiseptic 

 and disinfecting purposes it may be used 4 to 7 grains to the pint. 



Epsom salts. — A saline cathartic, causes a large secretion of 

 fluids from the intestinal walls, thus rendering the bowel contents 

 very fluid. Very satisfactory as a laxative or cathartic for cattle 

 and sheep, not so good for horses. Useful in small closes given 

 to horses in feverish conditions. Very soluble in water, will dis- 

 solve in its own weight of warm water, insoluble in alcohol. 



Doses. — Cattle take for cathartic I to 3 pounds ; sheep and 

 hogs take % to l /> a pound. Frequently desirable to add T 4 to Vi 

 these doses of common salt and 1-6 the total weight of powdered 

 ginger, and give as a drench. Tt is better to give quite dilute 

 drenches; e. g., the cow's dose should be dissolved in 2 to 3 pints 

 of water and the others in proportion. 



Sodium chloride (common salt). — An essential article of food, 

 restorative and antiseptic. Very large doses are cathartic and 

 more or less irritating. For grown cattle and sheep in good 



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