THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XI, No. 131.] NOVEMBER 1838. [New Series, No. 71 . 
ON THE EFFECT OF NITROUS ACID IN GLANDERS. 
By Mr. W. Percivall, F.S. Bife Guards, 
[We found this paper, a few days ago, in a box that we had not 
examined for many a year. It is a valuable one, from the ex¬ 
tent and importance of the experiments which it records, and 
we hasten to insert it.—Y.] 
IN consequence of the reputation obtained in former days for 
nitrous acid as a remedy for venereal affections, the writer of this 
became induced to make trial of its powers in glanders. He 
anticipated some inconveniences in the exhibition of it, which 
led him to hesitate in what form he should give it. He first ad¬ 
ministered it in the form of drink, as follows :— 
R Nitrous acid, half an ounce, 
— Water (distilled) one pint, 
— Treacle, one ounce; mix, 
and he administered this drink twice a-day. On the fourth day, 
however, the mouth and throat were rendered so sore, that the 
medicine could no longer be continued. 
Subsequently it was resolved to endeavour to pack the acid up 
into the form of a ball, and thus to administer it without any 
such ill consequences. After several experiments the subjoined 
formula was found to answer the purpose, providing the balls 
were administered shortly after being made up ; for, if they were 
kept any length of time, they became hot, swollen, and puffed 
up, and ultimately burst and broke into fragments :— 
R Nitrous acid, half an ounce, 
— Hogs’ lard and linseed meal sufficient to form a ball; 
which was exhibited every morning, and repeated every evening. 
In this form the acid was administered for many weeks to 
several glandered horses. It had, however, no apparent effect on 
the malady; nor, indeed, was there noted any particular impres- 
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