The dog / by William Youatt.

  • Youatt, William, 1776-1847.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The dog / by William Youatt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    270/320 (page 258)
    “ An infusion of two ounces of the cantharides in a pint of oil of turpen line, for several days, is occasionally used as a languid blister; and when sufficiently lowered with common oil, it is called a siveating oil, for it maintains a certain degree of irritation and inflammation on the skin, yet not sufficient to blister; and thus gradually abates or removes some old oi deep inflammation, or cause of lameness.” “ Iodine in various cases is now rapidly superseding the cantharides and the turpentine. Calomel.—Sufficient has been said of this dangerous medicine in the course of tlie present work. I should rarely think of exhibiting it, except in small doses for the purpose of producing that specific influence on the liver, which we know to be the peculiar property of this drug. In large doses it will to a certain extent produce vomiting; and, if it finds its way into the intestines, it acts as a powerful drastic purgative. Castor Oil (Oleum Ricini).—This is a most valuable medicine. It is usually combined with the syrup of buckthorn and white poppies, in the proportions of three parts of the oil to two of the buckthorn and one of the poppy-syrup ; which form a combination of ingredients in which the oleaginous, stimulant, and narcotic ingredients happily blend. Catechu.—This is an extract from the wood of an acacia-tree (Acacia catechu'), and possesses a powerful astringent property. It is given in cases of superpurgation, united with opium, chalk, and powdered gum. A tincture of it is very useful for the purpose of hastening the healing prin- ciple of wounds. Professor Morton says, that he considers it as the most valuable of the vegetable astringents. Clysters.—Professor Morton gives an account of the use of clysters. The objects, he says, for which they are administered are—1. To empty the bowels of feces ; thus they act as an aperient. Also to induce a cathartic to commence its operations when, from want of exercise or due preparation, it is tardy in producing the desired effect. Clysters ope- rate in a twofold way: first, by softening the contents of the intestines; and, secondly, by exciting an irritation in one portion of the canal whit;h is communicated throughout the whole; hence they become valuable when the nature and progress of the disease require a quick evacuation of the bowels. The usual enema is warm water, but this may be rendered more stimulating by the addition of salt, oil, or aloes. 2. For tlie pur- pose of killing worms tliat are found in the rectum and large intestines : in this case, it is usually of an oleaginous nature. 3. For restraining diarrhoea; sedatives and astringents being then employed. 4. For nou- rishing the body when food cannot be received by the mouth. Gruel is generally the aliment thus given. 5. For allaying spasms in the stomach and bowels. Copper.—Both the verdigris, or subacetate, and the blue vitriol of sul- phate of copper are now comparatively rarely used. They are employed either in the form of a fine powder, or mixed with an equal quantity of the acetate of lead in order to destroy proud flesh or stimulate old ulcers. They also form a part of the segyptiacum of the farrier. There are many better drugs to accomplish the same purpose. Creosote is seldom used for the dog. We have applications quite as good and less dangerous. It may be employed as a very gentle excitant and antiseptic. • The Horse, p. 501.