VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 
45 
Marsh-mallow (althcea officinalis ). The whole of this 
plant, but especially the root, is soothing- and emollient. Decoc¬ 
tions of it are used as drinks, and clysters, and fomentations. The 
powdered root alone, or combined with other medicines, is given 
in inflammation of the respiratory passages. It is made into a 
ball with honey and treacle. It is a very useful poultice. r Ihe 
dose for the horse and the ox varies from tw o to four ounces. A 
decoction of the leaves is principally used for fomentations and 
injections. 
Liquorice. —This root, possessed of soothing and emollient 
properties, is frequently used, and especially in affections of the 
chest. It yields its properties both in the form of cold and hot 
infusion, but it is oftenest given in powder. It enters into all 
drinks for cough, and gives consistence to all balls or electuaries 
for the same purpose. The juice or extract is rarely used for 
domestic animals. 
White Mullein (verbascum thapsus ). Every part of this 
plant is emollient, but particularly the flowers. An infusion is 
used in all the cases in which the mallow r and the liquorice are 
indicated. The leaves form a soothing poultice. 
Borage. —Every part of the Borage contains mucilage, nitrate 
of potash, and some other salts. These principles are readily 
yielded to boiling water, and afford a soothing and pectoral 
drink. 
Common Alkanet and Common Comfrey have the same pro¬ 
perties as the Borage, and are employed for the same purposes. 
Common Groundsel and Melilot are of the same class. 
Olive Oil is employed in acute inflammation of the respiratory 
or alimentary passages, colic, and intussusception and entangle¬ 
ment of the intestines. In cases of poisoning by acrid or caustic 
minerals, it hastens their evacuation, or sometimes neutralizes 
them. In a considerable dose it is a laxative, and employed in 
obstinate constipation. In carnivorous animals it produces vo¬ 
miting as well as purging, and therefore is doubly useful when 
poison is suspected. It is administered alone or with honey, 
milk, gum, or mucilage, in doses from three ounces to a pound 
for large animals. It is a component part of almost all emollient 
clysters. Applied externally, it supples the skin, and calms many 
irritations of it. Beaten up with lime water, it is an excellent 
application for burns. Mixed with laudanum, it is a useful 
embrocation, where there is much irritation and pain. It is a 
convenient solvent for camphor, opium, and the principle of can- 
tharides, and it enters into a great many unguents, liniments, 
and plaisters. 
Sugar and Treacle. —Sugar is useful in cases of poisoning 
