LECTURES ON CHEMISTRY. 
765 
principle of opium is precipitated in an insoluble state, the 
morphia forming meconate of lead. 
JV1 any other instances equally as absurd might be adduced ; but 
I remember one so much to the point, that occurred to me when 
a boy, that I will relate it to you. 
A village farrier, one of the old school, or, perhaps, no school, 
was desirous of ordering a stimulating liniment for a cow having 
inflammation of the mammillary gland. “ Now, my lad,” he 
says, “ mix together some olive oil and some spirits of sal am- 
moniac (water of ammonia); shake them well, and add some of 
the oil of origanum — this of course — some laudanum, and a little 
oil of turpentine. Ay, that will do,” said he ; “ but stay, I fear 
it will not be quite strong enough ; pour in some oil of vitriol; 
(sulph. acid), will you?” I did so, and suffered for my temerity. 
I soon appeared in a delightful mess : the disengagement of 
heat was so great that the bottle burst in my hand, and I 
became covered with the farrier’s most unchemical compound. 
Now I need not say, that, had the man been the least con- 
versant with chemical principles, he would not have made so 
strange a blunder as this ? 
Chemistry will also enable us to distinguish medicinal agents 
from each other, when their external characters are similar. It 
will likewise empower us with the means of detecting the so- 
phistication of drugs ; and if there are persons on whom imposi- 
tion is more frequently attempted than on others, I do not hesi- 
tate to say they are veterinary surgeons. The druggists have 
long held sovereign sway here; for when an article will not 
do for general sale, it is reckoned good enough for a horse, 
and is set aside for the compounding of horse and cattle medi- 
cines. 
On these matters I am enabled to speak a little from experience. 
Those who are uninitiated may be surprised to hear that it is 
no uncommon thing for the dregs of tinctures to be preserved, 
and, with the waste and refuse matter of the warehouses, to be 
sent to the drug-grinder to form the compound powders so much 
employed by those of the old school. When these materials are un- 
obtainable, the method adopted is this : — one part of the genuine 
powder of the roots or seeds is mixed with seven of meal or 
some farinaceous matter, and coloured and scented secundum 
artem. I believe that this Institution has been the means of 
these compound powders being almost, if not entirely, discarded 
from veterinary practice; at any rate, they are never employed by 
the educated veterinarian, yet the deceptions still continued are 
many, and it behoves even him to be on his guard. This is the 
reason why he is advised to purchase his drugs in bulk, and as 
