Part 12

Animals deprived of salt do not thrive as it is an essential constituent of food necessary to the composition of HCl in the gastric juice, and of blood plasma, from which it is constantly eliminated in the urine. As an emetic for dogs one to four drams of salt, and one dram of powdered mustard dissolved in four ounces of tepid water. Common salt as an eye-wash is a tonic to the eyes; one dram to a pint of water. Feed animals refined salt, as rocksalt contains irritating properties due to its great impurity. A cooling and stimulating lotion for sprains and bruises may be made by dissolving two ounces of common salt, nitrate of potash and chloride of ammonia in a quart of water.

Use pure cooking salt in _normal salt solution_, which contains six of one per cent (about fifty grains to a pint), or may be made at once by adding a heaping teaspoonful of pure salt into a quart of sterilized water at a temperature of 100° to 110° F. In cases of azoturia give plenty of salt; it acts as a diuretic, makes the horse thirsty and causes him to drink water freely and flushes the kidneys.

DOSE.--Horse, ¹⁄₂ to 1 oz.; cattle, 2 to 3 oz.; sheep, 2 to 4 dr.; pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr. These doses are stomachic alterative; when used for cattle as a cathartic and vermifuge give 10 to 20 ounces in water, usually combined with magnesium or sodium sulphate.

SODII SULPHAS--SODIUM SULPHATE--GLAUBER’S SALTS

ORIGIN.--Sodium sulphate effloresces on the soil in various parts of Europe. It also exists in solution in many mineral springs in the United States. Sodium sulphate is also produced artificially in several chemical operations.

PROPERTIES.--Sodium sulphate is in large, colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms, or granular crystals; odorless, and having a bitter, saline taste. It effloresces rapidly in the air, and finally loses all its water of crystalization. Soluble in three parts of water at the temperature of 59° F., insoluble in alcohol, soluble in glycerine.

ACTIONS.--Saline cathartic, cholagogue, hepatic stimulant, slightly diuretic and febrifuge. When the effects of a hepatic stimulant is required it should be given in small repeated doses.

USES.--It is advantageously used as a cathartic in congestion of the liver, in small repeated doses, also useful in dropsical conditions, influenza, especially where the liver is involved; tetanus and febrile diseases, where the bowels are apt to be constipated. Give two to four ounces in a bucket of water. It is successfully used in itching skin diseases in full doses combined with bicarbonate of soda two to four ounces.

DOSES.--As a cathartic, well diluted in water at about 59° F.; horses, 16 to 24 ounces; cattle, 1 to 2 pounds; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 ounces. Where repetition is necessary the dose should be reduced one-eighth of the above. Best results are obtained when administered with capsicum or ginger, as it prevents griping and assists its action.

SODII THIOSULPHAS--SODIUM THIOSULPHATE--SODIUM HYPOSULPHITE

ORIGIN.--Sodium hyposulphite is prepared by dissolving sulphur in boiling aqueous solution of sodium sulphite.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, monoclinic prisms; odorless and having a cooling, afterwards bitter taste. Permanent in air 91.4° F., but efflorescent in dry air above that temperature; slightly deliquescent in moist air. Soluble in about 0.35 parts of water at 77° F. At boiling heat the solution is rapidly decomposed; insoluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in turpentine.

ACTIONS.--Sodium hyposulphite is an antiseptic, deodoriser and insecticide. In the presence of acids, without and also within the body, it gives off sulphurous acid, which it therefore resembles. It is thought to destroy ferments and bacteria, and removes offensive smells. Its properties are greatly increased when used along with the tar acids. When standing long in contact with water the sulphite decomposes and gives off hydrogen sulphide.

USES.--Sodium hyposulphite is recommended in indigestion, fermentation, flatulence and foul smelling feces and in general septic conditions, but have proven as useless as most other medicines in their latter stages. It is used externally in parasitic affections of the skin and mouth in the form of an ointment or solution.

DOSES.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1¹⁄₂ ozs.; sheep and pigs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 30 gr.

SPIRITUS AETHERIS NITROSI--SPIRIT OF NITROUS ETHER--SWEET SPIRITS OF NITER

An alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrate, yielding when freshly prepared not less than four per cent of ethyl nitrate.

DERIVATIVE.--Mix sulphuric acid (40 c. c.) with water (120 c. c.), cool and add alcohol and water each, (85 c. c.) and place in (1000 c. c.) flask surrounded by ice and water. Dissolve sodium nitrate (100 gm.) in water (285 c. c.), filter and allow filtrate to drop slowly into the flask above. Wash ethyl nitrate formed with sodium carbonate solution, to remove acid, and agitate with potassium carbonate, to remove water. Add ethyl-nitrate to 22 times its weight of alcohol.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, mobile, volatile, inflammable liquid, of a pale-yellowish or faintly greenish-yellow tint, having a fragrant ethereal and pungent odor, free from acidity, and a sharp burning taste. Mixes freely with water and alcohol.

DOSES AS A STIMULANT AND ANTISPASMODIC.--Horses, 1 to 3 oz.; cattle, 1 to 4 ozs.; sheep, 2 to 4 dr.; pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 15 m. to 1 dr. As a febrifuge and diuretic horses take from 4 dr. to 1 oz.; 4 dr. is sufficient as a rule every two, three or four hours, usually combined with other medicines for all of its purposes, in fever and colic cases.

ACTIONS.--Spirit of nitrous ether conjoins the action of the alcohol and ethyl nitrite of which it consists. It is hence a general stimulant and a relaxer and paralyzer of non-striped muscle. It relieves acute fever and the difficult breathing of bronchitis and asthma. It is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and diuretic. Large doses are narcotic.

USES.--Consisting of strong spirit and a saline ether, when swallowed it stimulates the stomach and intestines; is hence stomachic, carminative and antispasmodic, and is prescribed to animals in indigestion, tympanites, colic and convalescence from debilitating disorders. But its properties as a diffusible nitrite, relaxing spasm of involuntary muscles, also come into operation. It dilates arterioles, thus decreases arterial tension, and hence is of special value in the acute stages of fever, whether depending upon specific conditions or local inflammation. It relaxes the muscular fibers of the bronchial tubes, and thus relieves the spasmodic contraction and difficulty of breathing, which characterise catarrh, bronchitis and some forms of asthma. It is specially indicated when the heart action is weak and there is difficulty of breathing--conditions frequently concurring in influenza of horses. During excretion, notably by the skin and kidneys, its twofold constitution is further useful as the alcohol stimulates secretion, while the ethyl nitrate dilates the lumen of contracted vessels, and thus diaphoresis and diuresis are promoted in fevers, local inflammations, rheumatism and other disorders. As it is readily decomposed, even by water, it should be diluted or mixed with other medicines or water only immediately before it is administered. It is usually given in cold water, beer or linseed tea.

SPIRITUS GLYCERYLIS NITRATIS--SPIRIT OF GLYCERYL TRINITRATE--SPIRIT OF GLONOIN

An alcoholic solution containing one per cent, by weight, of nitroglycerine. It is probably decomposed in the formation of potassium and sodium nitrite.

DERIVATION.--Nitroglycerine is prepared by dropping pure glycerine upon a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids, kept cool by ice, and purified by washing with water. The official one per cent solution is not explosive unless it becomes concentrated by evaporation to an extent exceeding ten per cent.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, colorless liquid, possessing the odor and taste of alcohol. Caution should be exercised in tasting it, since even a small quantity is liable to produce violent headache.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.; sheep and pigs, 5 to 20 m.; dogs, 1 to 2 m. It is administered hypodermically, intravenously, intracheally or by the mouth according to the emergency of the case. For hypodermic injections one-half drachm is usually sufficient and should be diluted with one or two parts of water. It may be repeated in 15 or 20 minutes if necessary, then every hour or two if required. Care should be exercised not to repeat oftener than is necessary, or to give too large a dose as violent headache is produced by the drug in animals as well as in man.

ACTIONS.--Are the same as amyl nitrite, but more prolonged.

Spirit of nitroglycerine is the most prompt and powerful of all heart stimulants, showing its effects usually within three to five minutes.

USES.--It is best used in the official solution, but for dogs may be carried in tablets or pills containing ¹⁄₁₀₀ of a grain of glonoin. The spirit, however is more dependable. It is a good plan in cases of cardiac weakness to brace up the heart with Spirit of Glonoin, then maintain the effect with Tincture Strophanthus.

SULPHUR SUBLIMATUM--SUBLIMED SULPHUR--FLOWERS OF SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from native sulphur by sublimation.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, yellow powder, having a slightly characteristic odor and a faintly acid taste. Insoluble in water; slightly soluble in absolute alcohol; more readily soluble in benzine, benzol, oil of turpentine and many other oils; also in ether, chloroform and in boiling aqueous solutions of alkaline hydrates.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 oz.; dogs, 1 to 4 dr.

PREPARATIONS

SULPHUR LOTUM--WASHED SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from sublimed sulphur, which is treated with diluted ammonia water to wash out sulphurous and sulphuric and ether impurities.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, yellow powder, without odor or taste. Solubility same as sublimed sulphur.

DOSE.--Same as sublimed sulphur.

SULPHUR PRECIPITATUM--PRECIPITATED SULPHUR

DERIVATION.--Obtained from a solution of sublimed sulphur, 100; in boiling calcium hydrate, 50; by precipitation with hydrochloric acid.

PROPERTIES.--A fine, amorphous powder, of a pale yellow color, without odor or taste. Solubility same as sublimed sulphur.

DOSE.--Same as sublimed sulphur.

UNGUENTUM SULPHURIS--SULPHUR OINTMENT

Composed of washed sulphur, 150; benzoinated lard, 850.

ACTIONS.--Sulphur applied to skin or mucous surfaces is a feeble, mechanical stimulant, and hence relieves chronic passive congestion. It destroys parasitic infestation of the skin. Administered internally it is a laxative and alterative. It destroys fungi on vines and kills similar parasites affecting plants and animals. How much of this toxic effect depends on the sulphur acting as sulphur, and how much on the alkaline sulphides, sulphuretted hydrogen and sulphurous acid into which it is gradually converted, has not been determined. Sulphur when swallowed is slowly acted upon by the alkaline secretions of the intestines, and small quantities are converted into sulphides, which stimulate the intestinal mucous membrane. A further change liberates sulphuretted hydrogen, which imparts its disagreeable smell to the breath, secretions of the skin and bowels. The greater part of the sulphur swallowed is removed unchanged by the bowels, but a portion is excreted in the urine as sulphates. Over-doses given to horses and other animals cause colic, purging, prostration and sometime fatal gastro-enteritis.

USES.--Sulphur is given to the several domestic animals as a laxative where more powerful purgatives might irritate--as in pregnancy, convalescence from acute diseases in young animals, and in piles.

Its alterative and stimulant effects on the skin have led to its use in rheumatism, eczema and cutaneous diseases. Some veterinarians affirm that it benefits dry congested conditions of the respiratory membrane by stimulating its epithelial cells and increasing movements of the cilia. It has no special vermicide action. Sulphur dusted on the skin slightly stimulates, but when dissolved by admixture with an alkali or oil, and smartly rubbed in, it more actively stimulates the cells of the rete Malpighi and thus hastens desquamation; while it also increases contractility of the muscular textures, and hence overcomes passive cutaneous hyperaemia. It thus promotes a healthier action in chronic eczema and psoriasis, and in such cases sulphur dressings are used with benefit combined or alternated with iodine or tar acids, and are aided by the internal use of sulphur and arsenic. Infriction of sulphur ointment is stated to relieve the pain of rheumatic muscles and joints. Sulphurous gas from burning sulphur is used for husk or hoose of sheep and calves; this is a disease in which worms affect the bronchial tubes, due to strongylus micrurus in calves and strongylus filaria in sheep. The patients are placed in a loose box and sulphur is burned about six feet away from them, so that air may dilute the fumes before being inhaled by the animals; let them inhale the fumes for ten or twenty minutes or longer, unless irritation is too great.

TARAXACUM--DANDELION ROOT

The fresh and dried roots of Taraxacum officinale, collected in the autumn.

HABITAT.--United States and Europe.

PROPERTIES.--The root is about six to twelve inches long, half an inch to an inch thick, is dark brown externally and white within. It breaks with a short fracture; from the fractured surface a milky juice exudes, which is inodorous, but has a bitter taste.

CONSTITUENTS.--Taraxacin, a bitter, soluble, crystalline substance; inulin, taraxacerin, resin causing milky juice, asparagin of no medical value.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 1 to 2 dr.

PREPARATIONS

EXTRACTUM TARAXACI--EXTRACT OF TARAXACUM

Made by percolation of powdered taraxacum with alcohol and water, and evaporation.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 4 dr.; sheep and pigs, 30 gr. to 1 dr.; dogs, 5 to 20 gr.

FLUIDEXTRACTUM TARAXACI--FLUIDEXTRACT OF TARAXACUM

Made by maceration and percolation with dilute alcohol, and evaporation.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 1 to 2 dr.

ACTION AND USES.--Taraxacum is a simple stomachic and bitter and may be employed in place of gentian or calumba. It has been generally taught that taraxacum is a hepatic stimulant and increases the secretion of bile. This has been proven valueless. The extract is often used as a base in preparing masses.

ZINGIBER--GINGER

The scraped and dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale.

HABITAT.--East and West Indies and India; cultivated in tropical climates.

PROPERTIES.--Ginger owes its taste to a pungent resin, its aroma to a volatile oil, and its medicinal and flavoring properties to both constituents, which are chiefly found in the delicate felted layer lying between the starchy, mealy parenchyma and the brown, horny, external covering.

DOSE.--Horses, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; cattle, 1 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 5 to 15 gr.

PREPARATIONS

FLUIDEXTRACTUM ZINGIBERIS--FLUIDEXTRACT OF GINGER

Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, and evaporated so that 1 c. c. equals 1 gm. of the crude drug.

DOSE.--Same as for ginger.

TINCTURE ZINGIBERIS--TINCTURE OF GINGER

Made by percolation of ginger with alcohol and water.

DOSE.--Horses, ¹⁄₂ to 2 oz.; cattle, 1 to 4 oz.; sheep, 2 dr. to 1 oz.; pigs, 1 to 2 dr.; dogs, 15 to 30 m.

OLEORESINA ZINGIBERIS--OLEORESIN OF GINGER

DOSE.--Horses, 30 m. to 1¹⁄₂ dr.; dogs, 1 to 5 m.

ACTION AND USES.--Ginger is an aromatic stimulant, and is used as a stomachic and carminative for all animals, notably for cattle and sheep. Ginger is administered internally, promotes gastric secretion, digestion and appetite. It is prescribed in atonic dyspepsia, often along with antacids and laxatives. Conjoined with purgatives it diminishes their tendency to nauseate and gripe, and also somewhat hastens their effects. The powder or fluidextract should be added to magnesium and sodium sulphate when given in full purgative doses to cattle or sheep.

ZINCI PHENOLSULPHONAS--ZINC SULPHOCARBOLATE

DERIVATION.--Zinc sulphocarbolate may be obtained by heating a mixture of phenol and sulphuric acid and saturating the product with zinc oxide.

PROPERTIES.--Colorless, transparent, rhombic prisms or tabular crystals; odorless and having an astringent, metallic taste. Soluble in water and alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 2 to 4 dr.; foals and calves, 5 to 10 gr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 40 gr.; dogs, 4 to 6 gr.

ACTION AND USES.--Zinc sulphocarbolate has been employed as an antiseptic astringent stimulant to indolent or foul wounds, and in subacute inflammations of the mucous membrane. The solution used may be a little stronger than those of zinc sulphate employed for similar purposes. It is also used as an intestinal antiseptic.

ZINCI SULPHAS--ZINC SULPHATE

DERIVATION.--Prepared by dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid. Iron and tin exist as impurities and are removed by chlorine solution and zinc carbonate.

PROPERTIES.--A colorless, transparent, rhombic crystal, without odor and having an astringent, metallic taste. Efflorescent in dry air; soluble in water and glycerine; insoluble in alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 10 to 20 gr.; dogs, 2 to 3 gr. As an emetic for dogs, 10 to 15 gr.

ACTIONS.--Irritant, emetic, astringent, antiseptic and nerve tonic. Externally it is used as stimulant, astringent and antiseptic; in dogs it is a prompt and efficient emetic, causes no depression and acts both on the stomach nerve centers; poisonous or long continued large doses in the horse dry up the secretions, cause nausea, colic and efforts to vomit; dogs cannot be poisoned by it as it causes vomiting.

USES.--As a tonic it is inferior to iron; chief use is externally as an astringent; it is used in white lotion combined with lead acetate; sometimes used internally with opium to stop excessive sweating in frequent small doses. Used as a safe and prompt emetic for dogs and pigs.

Externally in solution as an astringent and stimulant for wounds, ulcers, simple ophthalmia and irritable conditions of the mucous membrane of the uterus or vagina and urethra, vesicular and pustulant skin eruptions. Proper strength, one ounce to one quart of water in ophthalmia, one-half to one drachm to one pint of water.

ZINCI CARBONAS PRAECIPITATUS--PRECIPITATED ZINC CARBONATE

DERIVATION.--Solutions of nearly equal weight of sodium carbonate and zinc sulphate are boiled together; dry precipitate. This salt is in reality a mixture of zinc carbonate and oxide, in varying proportions, with water of crystallization.

PROPERTIES.--An impalpable white powder, of somewhat variable chemical composition, without odor or taste; insoluble in water or alcohol.

ZINCI OXIDUM--ZINC OXIDE

DERIVATION.--Zinc oxide, may be prepared by exposing zinc carbonate to a dull red heat, or from metallic zinc by combustion.

PROPERTIES.--An amorphous, white powder without odor or taste. Insoluble in water or alcohol.

DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 10 to 20 gr.; dogs, 5 to 10 gr. Not much used internally.

PREPARATIONS

UNGUENTUM ZINCI OXIDE--OINTMENT OF ZINC OXIDE

Composed of zinc oxide, 200 parts; benzoinated lard, 800 parts.

ACTIONS AND USES.--Used chiefly as a dusting powder for wounds and excoriated surfaces; used alone or conjoined with boric acid, subnitrate of bismuth, calomel or in the form of the zinc oxide ointment is desiccant, mildly astringent and protective; it is sometimes used in chorea, epilepsy and other nervous diseases; to check excessive sweating and in diarrhoea. Used extensively in wounds and diseases of the cow’s udder.

ZINCI ACETAS--ZINC ACETATE

DERIVATION.--Dissolve zinc oxide in diluted acetic acid and boil. Evaporate and crystallize.

PROPERTIES.--Soft, white, six-sided monoclinic plates, of a pearly lustre, having a faintly acidious odor and an astringent metallic taste. Soluble in water and in alcohol.

DOSE.--Same as zinc sulphate.

ACTION AND USES.--The same as zinc sulphate; it is the acetate of zinc which is the soluble agent in white lotion, caused by the acetate of lead and sulphate of zinc changing their composition.

ZINCI CHLORIDUM--ZINC CHLORIDE

DERIVATION.--Dissolve zinc in hydrochloric acid by boiling. The solution contains the zinc chloride with chlorides of iron and lead as impurities. These are precipitated by adding first nitric acid then zinc carbonate. Filter and finally evaporate.

PROPERTIES.--A white, granular powder, or porcelain-like masses, irregular or moulded into pencils; odorless; of such intensely caustic properties as to make tasting dangerous unless the salt be dissolved in much water, when it has an astringent, metallic taste; very deliquescent; soluble in water and alcohol.

LIQUOR ZINCI CHLORIDE--SOLUTION OF ZINC CHLORIDE

DERIVATION.--Made from zinc chloride and water. It should contain about 50 per cent, by weight, of the salt. Zinc chloride is used externally only.

PROPERTIES.--A clear, colorless, liquid, odorless, having a very astringent, metallic taste.

ACTION AND USES.--Is caustic and escharotic, used full strength or in a strong solution; penetrates very deeply and causes deep sloughing; an irritant and corrosive poison; mild medical solutions are antiseptic and astringent; is also disinfectant and deodorizer. Can be used as a caustic when indicated; used with caution, for granulations in chronic ulcers and foot-rot in sheep; to slough out all kinds of fistula, usually mixed with one or two parts of flour made into a paste with water, two ounces in a pint of water is injected as a caustic into fistulous tracts; two or three per cent solution or two to four drachms to the pint of water is used for ordinary astringent purposes and as a parasiticide.

VALUABLE DRUGS AND THEIR DOSES FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS

In the list of doses, oz. stands for ounce, pt. for pint, lb. for pound, gr. for grain, dr. for dram, dp. for drop.