VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 
119 
milated, it is soon expelled. It is exhaled from the skin, and - 
the mucous membrane of the bronchial passages. It never 
passes away by urine. 
The sedative effects of camphor are seldom well marked, 
although it sometimes appears to diminish the force and fre¬ 
quency of the pulse, and to ease pain. It is, probably, on account 
of its supposed antiseptic quality that it is recommended in some 
• of the epizootic diseases of cattle, in typhoid affections, and in 
inflammation of the lungs with gangrene: but as its most mani¬ 
fest action is excitement of the stomach and bowels, it must be 
injurious when these organs are already the seat of intense in¬ 
flammation. In general, it is only at the decline of inflammatory 
affections that camphor should be used. It is then associated 
with tonics and astringents, and sometimes with vegetable and 
mineral stimulants. In some desperate cases of this kind camphor 
may so modify and change the sensibility of the organs as to 
produce a salutary revulsion. Camphor is most indicated to 
combat nervous affections, primary or sympathetic, where there 
is no intense inflammation. 
It is useful, however, in irritation of the urinary canal, and 
especially when produced by cantharides. It is then regarded as 
a kind of specific; but it should be administered, interiorly, in a 
great quantity of mucilage. Applied to the skin at the same 
time with the vesicatory of whose effect on the urinary passages 
we are doubtful it is not much to be depended upon. 
It is given, to large animals, in doses from two drachms to an 
ounce and a half. It is either reduced to powder, and incor¬ 
porated with honey, or it is dissolved in the yolks of eggs, alco¬ 
hol, or ether. It is sometimes administered in water alone. To 
increase its antispasmodic effects, it is associated with assa- 
foctida, opium, and ether; to aid its tonic and antiseptic powers, 
it is combined with bark and acetate of ammonia. 
It is often employed, externally, dissolved in oil or alcohol, as an 
anodyne and discutient, in rheumatism, glandular enlargements, 
many chronic irritations of the fibrous tissue of the extremities, 
and distention of the tendons and articular ligaments. Evaporated 
on hot coals, it enters the respiratory passages, excites the mucous 
membrane of the bronchial tubes, and relieves chronic cough. 
Assafcetida has the ordinary effect of stimulants on the 
organs submitted to its influence. Introduced into the stomach 
in doses of some drachms, it excites the appetite and arouses the 
digestive pow ers; but if the dose is increased to three or four 
ounces, the w hole alimentary canal is irritated, and purging fol¬ 
lows. The influence of this medicine rarely extends to the cir- 
