168 
REVIEW OF MOIROUD. 
tive. In this last character, however, it is very uncertain, and 
particularly with regard to cattle, and must often be given on 
several successive days, in order to produce the intended effect. 
Its diuretic properties, however, combined with its purgative, 
render it valuable in dropsy, anasarca, and even during the course 
of many inflammatory complaints. It is dissolved in ajsufficient 
quantity of w r ater for a drink, or in the usual beverage^ of the 
animal. 
Tartrate of Potash and Soda (Rochelle Salts). — This 
possesses the same cathartic properties as the preceding, and is 
administered in the same dose, but is not so valuable for its 
cooling or diuretic effect. 
Purgatives from the Vegetable Kingdom. 
These are usually more acrid and irritating than the saline 
purgatives, and some of the most violent drastic medicines are of 
vegetable origin. 
Senna.—T his is a cathartic purgative, frequently employed, 
but generally in combination. To the horse it must be given in 
doses of five or six ounces, but then it irritates the intestinal 
canal, and produces colic and tympanitis. On these accounts 
the doses formerly given have been diminished, and it has been 
given in quantities from half an ounce to two ounces, associated 
with sulphate of magnesia, aloes, jalap, or manna. It assists 
the action of these medicines; its own influence being princi¬ 
pally confined to increasing the contractility of the intestines. 
Senna is taken into the circulation, and often gives renewed 
activity to the urinary secretion. It is generally given in the 
form of infusion; boiling will lessen or destroy its purgative 
effect. Sometimes it has been powdered and given in the form 
of ball, but it is less efficacious, and apt to disorder the 
stomach. 
Buckthorn. —The berries of this plant possess considerable 
purgative power. They are seldom, however, employed for her¬ 
bivorous animals, but are in frequent usage to purge the car¬ 
nivora, and especially the dog. The pulp or expressed juice is 
given in doses of from two to four drachms, or the syrup in 
doses from two to three ounces. It may undoubtedly be asso¬ 
ciated with advantage with other purgatives for the larger 
animals. 
Rhubarb, —The most esteemed is the Muscovy rhubarb; 
next in estimation is that which is imported from China, and 
that which is cultivated in Europe is regarded as inferior. Its 
peculiar odour is weaker, and its taste less bitter. It is both 
