Burgundy Pitch

Stimulant. Used in charges, and warm and strengthening plasters.

Pomegranate

The rind of the fruit is given (in decoction or powder) as an astringent to cattle in diarrhoea. Dose, from 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. The bark of the root is used to destroy worms. Moiroud directs 5 or 6 oz. to be boiled in water for some hours, and the decoction given in divided doses.

Poppy Heads

Anodyne; but principally used in fomentations. (See also Syrup of Poppies.) An extract prepared by evaporating the expressed juice of the ripe capsules and tops, is said to be nearly half the strength of opium. Of the ordinary extract (from the decoction) 5 gr. are said to equal 2 of opium. - Lebas.

Potash Caustic, Fused Hydrate of Potash

A powerful caustic.

Carbonate Potash

Salt of Tartar or Prepared Kali. Antacid and diuretic. Dose for a horse, from 2 to 4 dr. or more. It is seldom given alone, but sometimes joined with tonics, stomachics, purgatives, and with other diuretics. The bicarbonate is milder, and may be given in larger doses.

Permanganate of Potash

4 gr. dissolved in 1 oz. of distilled water, forms a useful cleansing wash for diseased surfaces.

Poultices

Are useful in relieving inflammation and pain. See Vet. Formulary.

Red Precipitate

A mild caustic, and detergent to in-indolent and foul ulcers.

White Precipitate

Principally used to destroy vermin in the horse and other animals.

Prussiate of Potash

Ferro-cyanide of potassium may probably be found useful in veterinary practice; but its properties and uses are not yet properly ascertained. It must not be confounded with cyanide of potassium, which is an energetic poison. See Cyanide of Potassium.

Prussic Acid

Hydrocyanic Acid. The diluted acid of the B. P. (Medicinal.) A strong poison to all animals. Rarely used in veterinary practice. May be given by enema in tetanus. In medicinal doses, sedative, antispasmodic, and anodyne. Used in chronic cough, chorea, epilepsy, chronic vomiting, palpitation of the heart, and rheumatism. Professor Tuson prescribes from 20 to 30 minims for horses. Antidotes. - Fresh air, affusions of cold water; inhalation of ammonia; moist peroxide of iron mixed with an alkaline carbonate. The dose Mr. Morton states to be from 1/2 dr. to 1 dr. Mr. Youatt recommends a lotion composed of a drachm of the medicinal acid in a pint of water, to allay cuticular irritation in dogs.

Pulse

The following table, from Vatel, is inserted as a useful remembrancer to the practitioner: Table of the Number of Pulsations in a Minute in various Animals. - In the horse, 32 to 38 [36 to 40 - White]; ox or cow, 35 to 42 [42 to 45 - Clater; 50 to 55 - Spooner]; ass, 48 to 54; sheep, 70 to 79; goat, 72 to 76; dog, 90 to 100; cat, 110 to 120; rabbit, 120; guinea-pig, 140; duck, 136; hen, 140; heron, 200.

Purgatives

Cathartics or Laxatives. Medicines which more or less strictly promote evacuations from the bowels. Aloes is almost the only purgative for the horse,that is at once certain and safe. For cattle, Epsom or Glauber's salt is the most preferable. Aloes, gamboge, or linseed or castor oil, is sometimes combined with them. Sulphur is used when a very strong purgative is not required; yet this demands some caution. Refer to these various articles.