226 
REVIEWS. 
tissue, or injected into the veins, as when given in the usual way. In any 
case it becomes speedily absorbed. It has been detected in the blood and 
in the most soft tissues, especially in the liver and kidneys, from the latter 
of which it is chiefly excreted. (Orfila.) 
“The therapeutic applications of tartar emetic are very numerous. It is 
generally considered a most valuable antiphlogistic for horses and cattle, and 
is especially prescribed in febrile complaints, pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis, 
and most local inflammations, except those of the alimentary canal. In all 
such cases it is said to be very effectual, especially when the more acute 
symptoms are partially subdued by bleeding. But many of the most eminent 
veterinary practitioners, both in England and Scotland, have now entirely 
abandoned the use of tartar emetic for such cases amongst horses and cattle, 
and rightly consider it perfectly useless. Indeed, the only evidence in 
favour of its possessing any curative action in such circumstances is derivable 
from cases in which it has been used in conjunction with medicinal and 
hygienic remedies, which are in themselves most effectual means of cure. 
Apart, however, from practical experience, it appears highly improbable that 
tartar emetic should have any active therapeutic effect either in horses or 
cattle, since in these animals it is, as already mentioned, altogether devoid of 
physiological action. Many regard tartar emetic as a useful vermifuge, and 
give it for this purpose to horses, along with epsom salts or other purgatives. 
The mixture is really sometimes effectual, not, however, from any special 
anthelmintic action, but from the smart purgation which tartar emetic always 
induces when given along with a cathartic. 
“Among dogs, cats, and pigs, tartarized antimony is very useful as a 
nauseating emetic ; and is advantageously used in most febrile and inflam- 
matory complaints, relieving engorgement of the stomach and intestines, 
depressing the action of the heart, and causing a copious secretion from 
most of the mucous surfaces. It does not operate so speedily as sulphate of 
zinc or of copper, but is preferable to these in febrile cases, since its emetic 
action is of longer duration, -and accompanied by a greater amount of nausea. 
On these accounts, however, it is less suitable for simply emptying the 
stomach of food or poisons. 
“ When rubbed into the skin, tartar emetic causes much irritation, inflam- 
mation, and swelling, with an eruption of minute crowded vesicles, which 
soon become converted into pustules. Unlike cantharides, it has no tendency 
to act on the kidneys ; but is occasionally absorbed, and produces in dogs 
the same effects as follow its administration by the mouth. Unless used 
with considerable caution, it is apt to induce deep-seated inflammation, 
sloughing, and blemishing ; and is consequently little employed in this way, 
either for horses or dogs. Eor cattle, however, it is a useful counter- 
irritant, being chiefly applied in chest diseases, and chronic rheumatism of 
the joints. 
Doses , 8fc . — The usual dose for horses or cattle is 5i to $iv, administered 
three or four times a day, either in bolus or solution. As an emetic for 
dogs or cats the dose varies from gr. i to grs. iv. It may be given in a bolus 
or rolled up in a bit of meat, but is most effectual in solution. In quantities 
insufficient to produce vomiting, as in doses of one grain or less, it is used 
in these carnivora for inducing nausea in inflammatory and febrile complaints. 
Eor similar purposes in horses and cattle, the dose is generally united with 
several drachms of nitre ; two or three scruples of calomel ; a few ounces of 
salts ; or a few drachms of aloes — the last mixture being with some prac- 
titioners a favorite purgative in cases of acute febrile complaints. One to 
two grains, with about the same quantity of calomel, is often given to dogs 
to arrest inflammation. Such a mixture causes vomiting, and subsequently 
purgation, accompanied by much depression. Tartar emetic is used externally 
