Anodyne medicines are given either to soothe the general nervous system, or to stop diarrhoea; or something to relieve spasm, as in colic or tetanus. Opium is the chief anodyne used in canine veterinary medicine, and it may be employed in very large doses.

Anodyne Prescriptions

1. Fob Slight Purging

Prepared chalk, 2 drachms; aromatic confection, 1 drachm; tincture of opium, 6 to 8 drachms; rice water, 7 ounces. Mix; dose, two tablespoonfuls after every loose motion.

2. Fob Long-Contintted Purging

Diluted sulphuric acid, 3 drachms; tincture of opium, 2 drachms ; compound tincture of bark, 1 ounce; water, 6 1/2 ounces. Mix; two tablespoonfuls every four hours.

8. Castor-oil, 2 ounces; tincture of opium, 1 ounce. Mix by shaking; a table-spoonful night and morning while the bowels are loose.

4. Powdered opium, 1/2 to 2 grains; prepared chalk, 5 to 10 grains; catechu, 5 grains; powdered ginger, and powdered caraways, of each 1 to 3 grains. Mix, and form it into a pill with syrup, and give every three hours.