Acetate Of Lead

A powerful astringent, given with benefit in dysentery, and to arrest bleeding from the lungs. In solution it is applied to "wrung" shoulders, and as a dressing in skin eruptions, such as eczema and pruritis.

Acetic Acid

Astringent, corrosive, and vesicant. Used for removing warts, etc.

Aloes

Purgative; useful in constipation of the bowels and colic. Aa an alterative it is given in swelling of the legs and general unthriftiness.

Aloin

See Aloes.

Alum

Astringent, antiseptic, caustic. Antidote in lead-poisoning. Given in diarrhoea. Externally applied to wounds, and as an injection is employed in foetid discharges from the vagina and rectum.

Aniseed

Stomachic, carminative, and aromatic stimulant. Given with saline and other purgatives it prevents griping. In conjunction with ginger it causes the expulsion of gas from the stomach and bowels in flatulence, and assists digestion.

Arnica

Mostly employed as an application to bruises and sprains. It stimulates the skin and increases the activity of the circulation, but it possesses no special advantage over other stimulants.

Arseniate Of Iron

An excellent tonic and restorative for horses in low condition. Useful also in obstinate skin diseases associated with debility.

Arsenioils Oxide

Internally it is a tonic astringent and alterative. Given in indigestion, general debility, and some of the more troublesome skin diseases, as eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, etc. It is mostly administered in the form of "liquor arsenicalis".

Arsenic, even in medicinal doses, if administered regularly over a long period, may accumulate in the system and prove injurious.

An interval of a week should be allowed after each course extending over a fortnight.

Outwardly it is a powerful caustic and antiseptic. As the former it is sometimes applied to morbid growths and fistulous wounds, as quittor, poll evil, etc, but its employment for these purposes requires the greatest care and judgment, or serious injury may result to parts beyond those to which it is applied.

Asafcetida

Useful as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis, and as a carminative in flatulent distension of the stomach.

Bael Fruit

In combination with alkalies and aromatics it arrests diarrhoea in foals.

Belladonna

As . a local sedative it is applied to surface parts in the form of a liniment to relieve itching, and the pains arising out of rheumatism, inflammatory action, etc. It checks lacteal secretion when applied to the udder of the mare. A few drops of the solution dropped into the eye causes dilatation of the pupil.

Benzoic Acid

Stimulant to wounds, antiseptic and diuretic. Externally applied in the form of "Friar's Balsam".

Bicarbonate Of Potassium

Useful in rheumatism, and, combined with vegetable bitters, relieves flatulence and promotes digestion. As an outward application it is employed to suppress itching in irritable skin diseases.

Bicarbonate Of Sodium

See Bicarbonate of Potassium.

Black Pepper

Chiefly given as a condiment in virtue of its stimulant stomachic properties.

Bluestone

Externally, sulphate of copper is a mild caustic and astringent; applied to the edges of indolent wounds it promotes healing. It also checks the formation of proud flesh, and in weak solution arrests mucous discharges from the vagina and other surfaces. Internally it is given as a tonic and astringent in chronic nasal gleet, etc.

Borax

As a disinfectant it destroys low organisms and prevents their reproduction. Applied to the skin it allays irritation in urticaria, pruritis, and other forms of skin disease. As a mouth-wash it is useful in aphtha in foals.

Boric Acid

Antiseptic. Used either in solution of 1 part to 20 of water or as an ointment. Cotton-wool, when soaked in a saturated solution and dried, forms antiseptic cotton-wool.

Bromide Of Potassium

A powerful sedative, whose special action is on the nerve centres. Used to suppress cerebral excitement, and convulsive movements due to irritation of the spinal cord.

Camphor

In combination with other agents it is applied as a stimulant to sprained tendons, ligaments, and joints. Internally it is used to arrest catarrh and cough, to check diarrhoea, and to relieve gaseous distension of the abdomen.

Cantharides

As a counter-irritant and vesicant it is applied to the skin over the region of joints, tendons, and ligaments to remove chronic enlargements, and to the throat, sides of the chest, and other parts in acute disease of internal organs.

Carbolic Acid

Destroys low organisms; antiseptic, disinfectant, and deodorizer. Used in the treatment of wounds and the disinfection of stables, stable utensils, surgical appliances, etc. Inhaled from a nose-bag, it proves serviceable in nasal catarrh, strangles, and influenza.

Carbonate Of Ammonia

As a stimulant, combined with vegetable tonics, it is useful in influenza, strangles, and other specific fevers. As an expectorant it is given in bronchitis and broncho-pneumonia. It is also serviceable in indigestion, flatulence, and colic.

Carron Oil

This is a mixture of lime-water and olive or linseed oil. It is used as an application to burns or scalds.

Catechu

A powerful astringent. Very efficacious in diarrhoea when combined with chalk, opium, and aromatics.

Chalk (Precipitated)

Useful as an antacid in indigestion, and as an astringent in diarrhoea. Usually combined with opium and aromatics.

Chloral Hydrate

As an antiseptic it destroys low organisms and prevents decomposition, but its chief action internally is exercised on the brain and spinal cord, by which it produces sleep and arrests convulsions. It is given in tetanus, chorea, spasmodic asthma, and colic.