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DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
by the spirit of tar, or by the coarsest kind of fish-oil. Corrosive Sub- 
limate . — A dangerous remedy, often employed in solution as a wash 
for scab. Washes, whether of a solution of arsenic, infusion of tobacco, 
or of hellebore, are equally objectionable. They are superseded by the 
diluted mercurial ointment. Spirit of Tar . — A useful application in 
foot-rot, and very serviceable when freely applied to parts that have 
been struck by the fly ; it not only kills the maggots, but prevents the 
attacks of the insects, which are repelled by its odor. Turpentine . — 
Useful as a stimulant in ointments and embrocations. It may be mixed 
with linseed-meal poultices, in order to hasten the suppuration of slug- 
gish tumors, and is a serviceable application to wounds of long standing 
which require a stimulus. 
Dressings. — Among the dressings for wounds, tincture of aloes, tincture 
of myrrh, and tincture of benzoin, or Friar’s Balsam, are chiefly in re- 
quest. Tar mixed with lard is a useful dressing in foot-rot. 
Caustics. — At the head of caustics stands nitrate of silver, or lunar 
caustic. It is to the free use of this that the veterinary surgeon will 
trust in probing the wounds in cattle caused by the bite of a rabid dog. 
It is very useful in removing warts and cutaneous excrescences. Other 
caustics, however, are in requisition. In cases of foot-rot, hydrochloric 
acid, or a solution of bichloride of mercury, is recommended by Mr. Read, 
as an application to the part affected. Butyr of antimony, or chloride 
of antimony, is a very useful and convenient caustic. It has been 
employed in foot-rot, and acts well where a superficial effect only is re- 
quired. It does not produce any deep corrosion; hence in indolent 
ulcers, in foot-rot, and in the removal of fungous excrescences, it is of 
important service. Verdigris, or acetate of copper, mixed with sugar of 
lead, finely powdered, sprinkled on sluggish ulcers, sometimes acts with 
good effect. Blue vitriol, or sulphate of copper finely powdered, is 
frequently employed as an escharotic, in order to produce superficial 
sloughing. A saturated solution is recommended by some veterinarians 
as an application of great benefit in cases of foot-rot. 
Fomentations. — The great benefit resulting from fomentations arises 
from the warmth of the water. In cases of inflammation of the udder 
or garget, fomentations are indispensable. Many have an idea that the 
good effects of fomenting depend on the herbs which, as is generally the 
case, are boiled in the water ; but this is an error. Poppy-heads or a 
little laudanum in the water may be advantageous, from the known prop- 
erties of opium in allaying pain. Slight fomenting is useless — it should 
be long kept up ; but this is seldom done, for it requires no small degree 
of quiet patience. 
Fillisters or Charges. — Plaisters, or charges, are in frequent demand. 
They are useful in cases of sprain or local debility, or as a covering and 
protection to sores or wounds, or the basal part of fractured horns. 
They form a good defense in case of travel-worn feet, and in various 
ways are serviceable. They consist of a mixture of pitch, wax, resin, 
lard, etc., in different proportions, thickly spread upon coarse cloth or 
leather. Tar, spread upon cloth, forms an excellent plaister, especially 
where the main object is to exclude the air. Their application requires 
some little dexterity of manipulation. Tar is a useful dressing in foot- 
