VETERINARY MATERIA MEDICA. 
593 
must, however, be given to large animals in doses varying from 
two to four pounds. Lime-water, mixed with acetate of lead or 
olive oil, has been advantageously employed as a liniment in 
burns. 
Oak-bark is a very powerful astringent. When employed 
internally, it is generally associated with some tonics, and is then 
a good substitute for the Peruvian bark. A mixture of oak- 
bark, gentian, and chamomile possesses eminent tonic, and as¬ 
tringent, and antiseptic, and even anti-periodical powers, and has 
received the title of the French cinchona. The dose may be 
carried to the extent of four ounces, and may be administered in 
the form of decoction or electuary. 
Oak-bark is used externally, in the form of powder or decoc¬ 
tion, to cleanse foul ulcers, arrest haemorrhages, suppress chronic 
discharges, and disperse cedematous swellings. 
Gall-nuts. Their medicinal properties are the same as the 
oak-bark, but more decisive, and may be administered under the 
same circumstances, and in the same way. 
Bistort is one of the best of our indigenous astringents. The 
quantity of starch which it contains, advantageously modifies its 
properties, so as to obtain for it, in the opinion of some, a prefer¬ 
ence even over the preceding substances for internal uses. It is 
employed in chronic diarrhoea, and in aqueous alvine discharges. 
It is generally associated with and assisted by aromatics and 
bitters. It is administered in the form of powder or decoction in 
doses from one to two ounces for large animals. As an astringent 
injection, the decoction of it is highly useful. 
Tormentil Root contains the same properties with the 
bistort, and is often mixed with it. 
Pomegranate. The dried flowers ccntain much astringent 
matter, and are recommended by some for internal use. flic 
rind of the fruit is a still stronger astringent, and may be employed 
in cases in which the oak-bark would be indicated. The bark of 
the root possesses analogous properties, and is particularly used 
to destroy the tape-worm. 
Common Herb-Bennet. The root of this plant is one of 
the numerous substitutes for Peruvian bark. Although it may 
not, perhaps, be placed in the same rank with the bark, it offers 
a very useful resource to the practitioner as an astringent and a 
tonic. The use of it has been too much neglected in animal 
medicine. 
There are various other astringent substances, but their use is 
extremely limited in veterinary practice ; whether it be from their 
inferior power, or great price, or the facility w ith which they may 
be replaced by substances cheaper and more easily obtained. It 
