CHAPTER III. 
MEDICINES OBTAINED FROM THE MINERAL 
KINGDOM. 
1. Alum. 
Source. — Alum is obtained from alum salts. 
Action and Use. — It is mostly used externally in the 
form of washes for healing wounds. It is also dusted upon ^ 
wounds in the form of a powder, and is very drying and 
healing. It is also used in gargle powders for sore throat, 
influenza and aphtha, or sore mouth. 
Dose. — Its use internally is best seen in the receipt for 
gargle powders. For making a wash use a tablespoonful of 
alum to a pint of water. 
2. Arsenic. 
Source. — Arsenic in its pure form is not much used in 
practice, because it is too strong and powerful. The form 
that is used is known as Fowler's Solution, which is prepared 
from arsenic, and is in the form of a liquid. 
Action and Use. — It is a powerful tonic for the stomach 
and system in general, and is especially used after weakening 
diseases, such as distemper. It often causes the animal to 
thrive when everything else fails. 
Dose. — For horses, ^ ounce or 2 dessertspoonfuls ; cattle, 
ounce or 2 dessertspoonfuls ; sheep, 1 dram or 1 teaspoon- 
ful; pigs and dogs, Yt. dram or teaspoonful. Give this 
medicine combined with an ounce of whiskey and half a pint 
of gruel twice a day until the animal g^ets better and is 
strong. 
3. Black Antimony. 
Source. — Black Antimony is a black, heavy, grayish 
powder that has neither smell nor taste. 
Action and Use. — It is not used much in the way of 
medicine, only to color condition powders, etc. It should not 
be used for this purpose, as it is very irritating and injurious 
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