I 
VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 467 
sion, or tincture: the dose varies from one ounce to four for the 
larger animals. 
The gentian root, cut into a conical shape, is often used to 
dilate fistulous openings. The bitter and tonic principles of the 
gentian are found in the greater part of the plants of the same 
genus, and even of the same family. The little centaury and the 
buck-bean are endowed with an intense bitter, that resides princi¬ 
pally in the green portions of the plant, and are tonic and sto¬ 
machic. 
Elecampane. This root appears to be possessed both of sti¬ 
mulant and tonic power. It rouses and warms the stomach, 
quickens the circulation, and thus develops more animal heat. 
It augments the contractility of the fibres of the organic tissues, 
and gives them increased power. It is by this double action 
that we account for the diaphoretic agency of this root, its uterine 
influence, its utility in serous infiltrations, in difficult parturition, 
and in chronic catarrhal affections. The doses are the same as 
those of gentian. 
Box. The bitter and nauseous flavour of the box announces 
energetic properties, and one would be astonished that it is so 
little prized. Raspings of the box would seem to be a good 
succedaneum for guaiacum in rheumatic affections, chronic diseases 
of the skin, and even glanders and farcy; but the effect has 
never been certain, nor to the extent that might have been ex¬ 
pected. 
Burdock has been praised by some as a sudorific, and as be¬ 
neficial in rheumatism and chronic affections of the skin; but its 
virtues have been considerably over-rated. 
Garden patience (rumex patientiaj . The root of this 
plant contains much starch and free sulphur. It partakes of the 
properties of the burdock, and is of little value. 
Cultivated and common reed-grass. Once said to be 
cardiac, stomachic, and sudorific, but the use of it now aban¬ 
doned. 
Star and blessed thistle. Decidedly tonic. 
Soapwort. Sudorific ; depurative in skin affections ; used for 
rheumatism and for chronic visceral obstructions, but possessing 
no great power. 
Wild Succory. Possessed of evident tonic power, but not 
much used. 
Quassia. A powerful tonic and stomachic, but superseded by 
the gentian. 
Angustura. A good tonic, and more powerful stomachic 
than the quassia, but likewise superseded by the gentian. 
Fumitory. Sometimes employed as a bitter tonic in the treat- 
