CHAPTER I. 
MEDICINES OBTAINED FROM THE ANIMAL 
KINGDOM. 
1. Ammonia. 
Source. — Ammonia is obtained from plants and animals. 
There are several forms, but that mostly used in practice is 
strong liquor ammonia, which is used mostly for making 
liniments. 
Action and Use. — See receipt for white liniment, Chap- 
ter v., Section 1. 
2. Cantharides or Spanish Fly. 
Source. — Cantharides is obtained from flies which re- 
ceive the name Spanish Fly on account of so many of them 
coming from Spain. The flies are of a green color, an inch 
in length, and are captured in nets, then killed by pouring 
boiling water or vinegar on them. After this they are dried 
in the sun or by artificial heat, are ground and made ready 
for use in practice. 
Action and Use. — Its chief action is as a sweat blister. 
It is one of the principal ingredients in sweat blisters which 
are used for sweating thickenings or lumps on any part of 
the body, that are not on the bone, such as curbs, tumors, 
thickenings left after a wound has been healed, etc. As to 
how to use Powdered Cantharides see the receipt for sweat 
blister. Chap. V. Cantharides can also be had in the form of 
a tincture, but this is not extensively used. The proportion 
to use Powdered Cantharides for a sweat blister is, 1 to 2 
drams of the Cantharides to an ounce of vaseline or lard, 
according to how heavy the skin of the horse is. For cows 
use it a little stronger. 
3. Chloroform. 
Source. — Chloroform was discovered in 1832. It is a 
colorless, pungent fluid with sweet taste and characteristic 
odor. It is slowly decomposed by sunlight, and therefore 
should be kept in a dark place. 
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