434 
ON DIETETICS. 
ment of foetid gases in tympanitis (hoven) in cattle and 
sheep. 
Charcoal is a powerful absorbent, and owes its antiseptic 
influence to the possession of this property. 
Yeast is a very valuable application to putrid wounds, and 
has the advantage of being perfectly safe as a domestic 
remedy. 
Permanganate of potash is probably the most powerful and 
complete antiseptic known ; destroying, as it does, the putrid 
matter at once. Its action is referred to the formation of 
ozone ; it possesses no powerful medicinal properties, nor does 
any objectionable consequence follow its application; we 
have employed it in the form of Condy ; s fluid with very 
satisfactory results, although experiments are wanting to 
establish its value in veterinary practice. 
The instances in which antiseptics may be advantageously 
exhibited are sufficiently numerous: 
1st. In putrefactive fermentation of the contents of stomach 
or intestines—causing distension (tympanitis). 
2nd. In chronic derangement of the alimentary tube 
associated with peculiar foetor of the dejections. 
3rd. In the various forms of necraemia and typhus. 
4th. In putrid discharges from unhealthy wounds, and 
particularly in cases of grease, thrush, wounds of the foot, 
and farcy ulcers. 
For internal exhibition—charcoal, chlorinated lime and 
soda, and hyposulphite of soda are found practically most 
useful. 
For external application—chloride of zinc, chlorinated lime, 
charcoal, and permanganate of potash are to be selected. 
It will be perceived that the action of antiseptics is, to a 
great extent, only palliative; as even those agents which are 
most energetic in their destructive influence upon decomposed 
organic matter do not prevent the process, while they destroy 
its products; it will consequently be necessary to continue 
their use so long as the indication of the putrefactive changes 
are apparent, and as most of the agents possess very slight 
medicinal properties, no marked effect upon the system need 
be apprehended, even should an extensive employment of 
them be necessitated by the exigencies of the case. 
DIETETICS. 
The regulation of the diet is of such particular importance 
in the treatment of disease, as to occupy, in the estimation 
of many, t he first position in the science of medicine, although 
