262 
THE VETERINARY ART IN INDIA. 
had been administered in its fullest proportion; and on opening 
his stomach two or three of the bolusses were found undissolved, 
and the stomach and bowels in their natural state, not in the 
least affected by this deleterious preparation. Sudorifics have 
not yet been discovered for the horse. 
Tartar emetic has been given in doses of four, five, or six 
ounces, without any perceptible operation. In small doses, par- 
ticularly when combined with opium, it acts as a gentle stimulus, 
increasing the appetite, and inducing a high state of condition, 
which I imagine must proceed from its operation as a simple 
stimulus. Opium on the horse does not induce sleep, but ex- 
tensively employed will, I believe, from my own observations, 
affect the brain, and produce appearances resembling the effects 
of camphor, when administered too copiously to the human 
subject. 
Mercury affects the bowels of a horse in the same manner as 
in the human subject; but when it becomes absorbed, its influ- 
ence on the salivary glands is very different, as salivation is, I 
believe, very seldom produced. In the former I am, however, 
informed of the contrary in this climate ; but from my own ex- 
perience 1 am led to doubt this, as I have scarcely ever succeeded 
in procuring a complete salivation. The salivary glands might be 
affected, the gums, roof of the mouth, and perhaps the tongue, 
may be swelled and sore ; but I have never known the discharge 
of saliva sufficiently increased to call it salivation, or that the 
habit could possibly receive any benefit from the discharge of 
saliva. The operation of mercury may, however, have all the 
good effects intended by salivation, as the benefit arising from 
the use of mercury does not, perhaps, depend on the quantity of 
saliva discharged, but on a more remote operation, of which that 
discharge is only an effect; and if an increased discharge of 
saliva in the human subject proves the system saturated, so also 
does the sore mouth and gums in the horse. 
Our list of purgative medicines is very contracted, as we 
cannot include any of the purging salts ; nor is any purgative 
effect derived from the roots, as jalap, rhubarb, &c., nor can 
oil of castor be admitted in this class*. Those alone on which 
we rely are aloes and calomel ; and if softening, emollient, and 
laxative effects are required, our only resource is in clysters of 
warm water or gruel. It is possible we could extend our list of 
purgatives from the cathartic resins, but no advantage could 
result from it, as they are all of the drastic tribe with aloes and 
* Saline purgatives, castor, croton, and linseed oil, and even rhubarb 
in combination with saline medicines, operate as purgatives upon the horse, 
cattle, &e. in this country. — T. M. 
