to receive a drench may, in these cases, excite the most Materia violent pain, from the distention which the muscles of Medica. the throat undergo, when the head and tongue are held in so awkward a situation. The great advantage of a drench is, that remedies exhibited in this form produce their effect much more speedily than when given in the form of a ball, which may take a considerable time to be dissolved in the juices of the stomach. Drenches are therefore particularly suited to urgent cases, in which it is necessary to give immediate relief. CLYSTERS. 256 This form is suited to a great variety of purposes, of clysters. and is not administered so often as with propriety it might be given. Not only purges, which are very commonly administered in this way, but also every class of remedies, may be exhibited in the form of a clyster. The clyster should be composed of no substances that are not either entirely soluble in water, or may be so thoroughly mixed with any watery fluid, as to pass readily through a slender tube. The instrument employed for administering a clyster is, as in the human subject, a pipe and bladder, but the bladder should be that of an ox, and of the largest size; to the extremity of which must be fitted a pewter pipe about a foot long, and about half an inch in diameter, having the extremity which is to enter the gut made completely smooth, that it may not injure the internal coat of the bowel. 257 Previous to administering a clyster, it is often neces- Back-raksary to free the great gut from a quantity of hardened ing. excrement which it may contain. This is best performed by means of the hand, and the operation is called raking, or back-raking. The hand is easily introduced, as the diameter of the great gut is in the horse very large. Care must be taken before introducing the hand, to grease it well with oil or hogs lard, and to have the nails cut perfectly close, for fear of injuring the gut. This mode of extracting the hardened excrement is frequently required, and will succeed when medicine would probably only serve to increase the animal's distress. Large syringes are frequently employed for the purpose of administering clysters; but such instruments are exceedingly improper, as their tubes are very short, and they are very difficult to manage, especially if the animal should prove restless from pain, as frequently happens in cases of colic; where, as we shall see, cly. sters are very frequently required. Clysters are peculiarly requisite in those cases where medicine cannot be conveniently given by the mouth; as in locked jaw, or when there is any obstruction in the throat, or wound of the tongue. In such circumstances horses may frequently be kept alive for many weeks, by the frequent exhibition of nourishing clysters. OINTMENTS. 2581 259 Of drenche's 255 Mode of This form is chiefly suited to those remedies that are easily soluble in water, or which readily mix with that fluid, and which have not any very disagreeable taste. Hence all mucilaginous substances, some resins, and many of the aromatics, may be given in this form. It is proper, in compounding a drench, that the substances composing it be thoroughly mixed with each other. It not unfrequently happens, that oils or balsams are given by way of drench, without any pains having been taken to combine them fully with the watery part of the medicine; and when substances that would admit of being finely powdered, are administered in this way, the carelessness of grooms or farriers is too often such as to give them in a very coarse state. In the former case the oil or balsam swimming in the liquid hangs about the mouth and throat of the animal, and by its unpleasant taste renders him averse to the repetition of the medicine; in the latter case, it is evident that the remedy is not reduced to that state in which it is capable of exerting its full effect. Drenches are usually administered by means of a administer- horn, which is that of an ox or cow, with the larger ing. end cut into the form of a spout. Sometimes when a horn is not at hand, a bottle is employed; but this is very improper, as in the horse's struggling, which often happens in administering a drench, the neck of the bottle may be broken, and occasion much mischief. In giving a drench by means of the horn, the animal's tongue is to be held down with the left hand, as in giving a ball; and when his head is sufficiently raised, the drench is to be poured cautiously into his mouth. Every stable should be provided with a drenching horn. In preparing drenches, farriers almost always make use of ale or beer, as the menstruum or diluent; but this is often very absurd, and can be proper only in the preparation of cordial drenches. Those of a cooling nature should be mixed, either with common water, or with some mucilaginous infusion. Drenches are seldom given with dexterity, and thus a considerable quantity of the medicine is frequently spilt. This circumstance renders them often very inconvenient, particularly in cases where there is any swelling or painful affection either of the mouth or throat. Under such circumstances it is scarcely advisable to administer medicine in the form of a drench; as, independently of the resistance given by the horse, which will certainly waste much of the medicine, the forcing of a drench down his throat, when it is in an inflamed or irritable state, may be followed by very unpleasant consequences. Mr Clark says that he has frequently observed a simple solution of nitre in water, sweetened with honey or molasses, when given in cases such as we have described, to occasion violent coughing, trembling and panting, insomuch that the poor animal was like to drop down, merely from the acute pain he suffered, from a medicine being administered to him in the form of a drench at such a critical period. Even the position in which the horse's head is placed Ointments are employed in farriery, merely as an ap. Ointments. plication to sores, or in some cases of eruptions of the skin. They cannot be employed as in the human body, to introduce remedies into the system; as on account of the hair that covers the body of quadrupeds, 302 long. Materia long-continued friction in this way cannot easily be emMedica. ployed. 260 Poultices. 261 Fomentations. 262 POULTICES. Poultices are frequently employed, either for the purpose of maintaining a long-continued heat and moisture about a part in which we are desirous to produce suppuration, or for correcting the unpleasant smell that sometimes arises from foul ill-conditioned ulcers; or, lastly, they are applied to check inflammation. In the first case they are always applied warm, and should be renewed repeatedly, till the proper effect is produced; as if old poultices are suffered to remain long on a suppurating part, they tend to check the suppuration instead of assisting it. In the two latter cases poultices are usually applied cold. Poultices should always be composed of such substances, as admit of being reduced to a soft mass, either by boiling or pounding, as otherwise they would fret and irritate the parts to which they are applied. This must be particularly attended to in such poultices as are laid over large open ulcers, or any part that is highly sensible. FOMENTATIONS. These are intended to relax and soften the parts to which they are applied, and in this circumstance they nearly resemble the first kind of poultices, only that fomentations are always in a liquid form, being composed of some infusion or decoction of herbs. The mode of applying a fomentation is, by wetting a large flannel cloth in the warm liquor, wringing it slightly, and then applying it as warm as can easily be borne over the part to be fomented. In the following list of the articles of the veterinary materia medica, we shall call the substances by those names by which they are usually known to the common people; but we shall add by way of synonyms the scientific names, as derived from the modern systems of natural history and chemistry. In fixing the doses of each article, we shall, unless particularly mentioned to the contrary, only specify the dose proper for horses and cattle; but it would be proper for the reader to keep in remembrance, that the dose for a sheep or a dog will be about one-half or one-third of that for a horse or cow. 263 It will have appeared from our description of the Emetics stomach of the horse, that this animal is in general incapable of vomiting. Emetics, therefore, as calculated for him, form no part of the veterinary materia medica. We do not know that emetics are given either to sheep or cattle, but to dogs they may be often given with advantage. A few substances, however, will answer this purpose, as in general a little grass, or a little mustard mixed with warm water, will be sufficient to vomit a dog. The following substances may be ranked in this class for dogs. a. ANTIMONY. Sulphuret of Antimony. EMETIC TARTAR. Tartrate of Antimony and 265 In classing the remedies we shall adapt the arrangement given in a late compendium of the materia medica. Most writers on the materia medica of horses, have arranged their articles in alphabetical order. Mr White has done this, in his excellent veterinary materia medica and pharmacopeia. Such an arrangement does very well, if intended to answer the purpose of a dictionary; but for practice, it is better to have the articles classed according to the sensible effects which they appear to produce in the system; as in this way the practitioner has before him all those remedies that are of the same nature, and may select from among them such as he thinks will best suit the particular case that he has in band. It may be necessary to observe, that the weight. intended in this part is troy weight divided according to the apothecaries, and the measure English wine mea sure. These are remedies that are calculated to produce or Expector keep up a discharge of mucus from the lungs, or wind-asts. pipe, and are thus suited to relieve coughs and thickness of wind or asthma. a. AMMONIAC. Gum Ammoniac. A gum-resin. Dose from three to five drachms, in the form of a ball. Commonly combined with squill, or some other powerful expectorant, preceded by a purging medicine. Particularly suited to chronic coughs. b. ASAFOETIDA. Ferula Asafoetida. Lin. A gum resin; dose about half a drachm, in a ball. c. BALSAM of PERU. Myroxilon Peruiferum. Lin. Dose from one to two drachms in combination in a ball, assisted with other expectorants. In chronic coughs. d. BALSAM of COPAIVA. Copaifera balsamum. Lin. Dose about an ounce, in the same form and cases as the last. e. BALSAM of Sulphur. Dose from half an ounce to an ounce. f. BARBADOES. c. ANTIMONY. Sulphuret of Antimony. Very commonly given to horses for the purpose of Medica. improving the fineness of their coat. Dose about an ounce, in powder, mixed with the food. d. Emetic TARTAR. Tartrate of Antimony and Potash. Dose from one to two drachms; in a ball or drench. ANTIMONIAL POWDER. Oxide of Antimony with Dose about two drachms. Dried root powdered; dose about a drachm, in a Phosphate of Lime." ball, with other mild expectorants. 1. STORAX. Styrax officinale. Lin. Strained storax. Dose two drachms, in a ball. As a substitute for balsam of Tolu, in obstinate coughs. Receipts for Expectorants. 2. Take of gum ammoniac, three drachms; Mix with honey or molasses into a ball. 3. Take of camphor, powdered squill, each a drachm; 4. Balsam of copaiva, half an ounce ; Aromatic powder, two drachms. With honey, mix into a ball. Take of balsam of sulphur, 4 ounces; Barbadoes tar, two ounces; 267 Sudorifics. Oil of aniseed, two drachms; Powdered liquorice root, enough to make a mass, to be divided into balls, each weighing about an ounce and a half, for a dose. 5. Take asafoetida, half an ounce; Powdered ginger, a drachm and a half; 3. SUDORIFICS. These are such medicines as are intended, either to keep up or bring back the insensible perspiration, or to excite profuse sweating. They are also called diaphoretics. See Materia MEDICA. Few medicines are employed in farriery with a view to excite sweat. In the dog, it is well known that this effect can scarcely be produced by any means; and in the horse it is found extremely difficult to produce any sensible sudorific effect by means of medicine. This may indeed be excited by violent exercise and warm clothing; but these are ill suited to the cases in which sweating would be most desirable. The insensible perspiration may, however, be gently encouraged by some powerful sweating medicines; and in cattle these may not unfrequently be given with advantage. a. AMMONIA. MINDERERUS'S SPIRIT. Acetate of Ammonia. Recommended by Mr White as a gentle diaphoretic. Dose from eight to ten ounces in form of a drench. In febrile complaints. b. CAMPHOR. Laurus Camphora. Lin. Dose from one to two drachms, in form of a ball. In fevers. c. UNWASHED CALX or OXIDE of ANTIMONY. Dose two or three drachms; in composition as below. f. NITRE. Nitrate of Potash. Dose about one ounce in a ball, with one or two drachms of camphor ; or alone in a drench. g. OPIUM. Papaver somniferum. Lin. Seldom given alone, though it might probably be administered with great propriety, in doses of two scruples to a drachm. Receipts for Sudorifics. 6. Take of nitre, half an ounce ; Camphor, a drachm and a half; Calomel, powdered opium, a scruple; Molasses, enough to make a ball. In fever. 7. Take of unwashed calx of antimony, two drachms; Camphor, a drachm; Opium, half a drachm ; Compound powder of tragacanth, two drachms ; In fever. To be repeated occasionally. 8. Take of emetic tartar, from one drachm to two; Compound powder of tragacanth, three drachms ; Honey enough to make a ball. 9. Take of emetic tartar, a drachm and a half; Oil of caraway, ten drops. Molasses enough to make a ball. For horses that are hide-bound, and have unhealthy. looking coats. 10. Take of antimonial powder, two drachms; Oil of aniseeds, twenty drops; 11. Take of unwashed calx or oxide of antimony, two. drachms; Prepared ammonia, ginger, of each a drachm; . Powdered aniseeds, half an ounce ; Molasses, enough to make a ball. 4. DIURETICS. 268 Receipts. 269 These are remedies that are intended to produce a Diuretics more than ordinary discharge of urine. See MATERIA MEDICA. Diuretics. Diuretics are frequently given to horses, not only in Medion. cases of dropsical swellings, especially of the legs, but Materia in grease, and in many eruptive diseases; in running thrushes, crack, or ulcers about the heels; in baldness of different parts of the body; and in some cases where there appears to be a difficulty in staling. They are usually given in the form of balls, but some of them by way of powder mixed with the food. Before exhibiting diuretics, bleeding is sometimes requisite. These cases will be stated in their proper place. It is also proper, during the use of diuretics, that the animal should take regular exercise; and occasional drink should be given to promote their operation. The use of them should not be continued too long, as they are found to produce considerable weakness. a. BALSAM of COPAIVA. See Expectorants. This medicine, when given as directed under expectorants, frequently acts as a diuretic. b. CAMPHOR. See Sudorifics. Dose about two drachms, mixed with nitre in a ball. In spasmodic difficulty of staling. .. NITRE. Nitrate of Potash. Dose about one ounce, in the form of powder, ball, or drench. In fevers and strangury. 5. PURGES. Part V. Materia Mediea. 279 These medicines are well known. They are generally considered of two kinds; laxatives, or such as Purges. gently move the bowels, and are intended merely to empty them of excrement; and purges, or such as, besides this effect, are intended to stimulate the exhalent vessels of the intestines, and produce a considerable diseither order may in general be given so as to produce charge of liquid stools, (see MATERIA MEDICA). As either of these effects, according to the quantity in which it is administered, we shall consider them together. Purgative medicines are given with considerable advantage to all the domestic animals, in many cases of disease, which will be pointed out hereafter. They are very commonly, however, given to horses, by grooms and ordinary farriers, by way of alterative or preventive of disease; or in order, as they think, the better to prepare them for some unusual exertion. The reason given for this practice is, that the horse is foul in the body, or full of humours, and the purgatives are given to expel this morbid accumulation of humours. 271 "This sort of evacuation (says Dr Bracken, who is Impropriety one of the first that pointed out the absurdity of this of indiscri practice), seems very much to quadrate with the out- minate d. POTASH. Subcarbonate of Potash, or Vegetable ward senses, and makes the ignorant part of mankind, Alkali. Dose a drachm or two. e. ROSIN. Dose from two to four drachms repeated occasionally, in the form of powder, with the food. Rosin is a good diuretic in cases of swelled legs and greasy heels, but is seldom given, except to cart-horses. f. SOAP. Castile Soap. Dose from two to six drachms, in composition. g. TOBACCO. Nicotiana tabacum. Lin. Sometimes given by grooms for fining a horse's coat. h. TURPENTINE. a. Common turpentine. b. Venice turpentine. Dose from half an ounce to an ounce; in the form of emulsion, i. OIL or SPIRIT of TURPENTINE. whose heads are fuller of humours than their horses, It must be remembered that the intestines of the Dose from one ounce to two. Receipts for Diuretics. It is found that after giving a horse a strong purge, he is often incapable of returning to his usual work for many days; it is even said for a month. Hence it will 12. Take of Castile soap, powdered rosin, of each easily appear how absurd is the practice of those who three drachms; Nitre, half an ounce ; Oil of juniper, à drachm. First beat the soap and oil of juniper together, and Camphor, oil of juniper, of each one drachm; Rub the camphor and oil together, then add the soap Take of rosin and nitre, each half an ounce.' physic their horses without necessity. Mr John Law- Veterinary practitioners differ with respect to the hora purging in horses. Materia horn full of warm ale, or water-gruel, immediately af fore purg per. to be allowed the moderate use of hay. He should Chiefly used to combine aloes and other purgatives Materia into a ball. h. MERCURY, or Quicksilver. i. CALOMEL. Sub-muriate or mild muriate of mer- Dose from one to two drachms, usually mixed with In liver complaints, obstinate cases of grease, chronic k. GLAUBER'S SALT. Sulphate of Soda. Receipts for Purges. 14. Take of Socotorine aloes, five drachms; Oil of caraway, ten drops; 272 Strong ex- It is a common practice with many people to ride ercise be their horses very hard before giving them a purging ing impro- medicine, with the view, as they term it, to stir up the humours, which being thus set afloat, will more easily be carried off by the purge. To say no more with respect to the absurdity of the doctrine, we may remark that the practice itself is highly dangerous, as a purge administered after such violent exercise, will seldom fail to produce inflammation in the bowels, fevers, or some other disorder, which, though it may not at the time prove fatal, may lay the foundation of blindness, incurable lameness, or some other disorder that may render the horse useless. Violent exercise, after administering a purge, is equally to be avoided, as it may produce sweating, and thus counteract the purgative effect; or, what is as bad, it will tend to increase the weakness that seldom fails to be brought on by pur- 16. Take of Barbadoes aloes, half an ounce; ging. 273 We have been the more particular in our observations on purging horses, as it is a matter of considerable consequence, and as the effect of indiscriminate purging in this animal is little understood. a. ALOES. Aloe perfoliata. Lin. a. Socotorine aloes. Dose from five to nine drachms. ounce. Of these the latter is commonly employed for horses. It is best given in form of a ball, mixed with soap, as prescribed at present. In most cases where purges are required. b. CASTOR OIL. Ricinus communis. Lin. Dose from a pound to a pound and a half. In fevers c. EPSOM SALT. See SULPHATE of Magnesia. A moderate dose for young or delicate horses.. Compound powder of tragacanth, two drachms; Syrup enough to make a ball. This is given as a laxative by Mr White, who declares that he never saw any ill result from giving Barbadoes aloes, though Mr Blaine and Mr Lawrence are of opinion, that Socotorine aloes is always to be preferred. 17. Take of water-gruel, a gallon; Glauber's salt, half a pound; Oil of olives, or linseed oil, a pint. 18. Take of powdered jalap, a drachm; Syrup of buckthorn, enough to make a ball.. 6. ERRHINES. Medica. 274 Receipts. 275 Dose from two to three drachms, in a ball with Castile soap. e. JALAP. Convolvulus jalapa. Dose in the dog twenty to thirty grains. f. COMMON SALT. Muriate of Soda. Dose from four to six ounces in a drench, or in a larger dose by way of clyster. g. Soap. These remedies are suited to produce a considerable Errhines. a. ASARABACCA. Asarum Europæum. Lin. The snuff, usually sold by the name of cephalic aromatic |