Composed of gentian, 100 parts; bitter orange peel, 40 parts; cardamon,
10 parts; made by maceration and percolation with alcohol and water.
DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 dr. to 1 oz.;
dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 1 dr.
ACTION AND USES.--Gentian is a pure bitter, and is prescribed as a
stomachic and tonic for all classes of animals. Gentian improves the
appetite and general tone. In atonic indigestion it is particularly
useful amongst young animals, and in such cases is often conjoined with
ginger and sodium bicarbonate. In relaxed and irritable states of the
bowels and where intestinal worms are suspected, after administration of
a laxative, gentian and dilute hydrochloric acid are of service. For
horses suffering from simple catarrh few combinations are more effectual
than an ounce of powdered gentian, two drachms potassium nitrate with
two ounces of magnesium sulphate, dissolved in a pint of linseed tea,
repeated morning and night. Where more general tonic effects are sought,
iron sulphate is alternated with the gentian and salines. Gentian proves
an excellent stomachic and stimulating tonic in influenza and other
epizootics, helps convalescence from exhausting disorders and is a
useful restorative for horses, overworked or suffering from loss of
appetite or slight cold. The powdered gentian should be added to aloes
when given in full cathartic doses to horses.
HYDRARGYRI CHLORIDUM CORROSIVUM--CORROSIVE MERCURIC CHLORIDE--BICHLORIDE
OF MERCURY--CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE
ORIGIN.--Bichloride of mercury is obtained as a sulphate by heating a
mixture of mercuric sulphate, sodium chloride and a little black oxide
of manganese.
PROPERTIES.--Heavy, colorless masses; soluble one in sixteen of water,
one in three of alcohol; hydrochloric acid or muriate of ammonia
increases its solubility.
ACTIONS.--It is a corrosive, irritant poison; it is occasionally
prescribed as an alterative, antiseptic and hepatic stimulant; repeated
doses or long continued produce mercurialism. Externally, it is used as
an antiseptic, astringent, caustic and parasiticide. It is a most
powerful antiseptic when five parts of tartaric acid are added to one
part of bichloride of mercury, which prevents the formation of insoluble
albuminates of mercury in the tissues which checks any further action of
the drug. Hydrochloric acid equal parts serves the same purpose.
USES.--For internal use milder preparations of mercury are preferred,
and it is dangerous to use it for the production of mercurialism. For
horses it has been prescribed in tetanus, chronic skin eruptions and
swollen oedematous legs following repeated attacks of lymphangitis. Its
chief use is that of an antiseptic externally for many surgical
purposes, usually in the strength of one to five hundred, one to one
thousand; for uterine injections, one to five thousand or one in ten
thousand. Seven and a half grains to a pint of water makes a one to one
thousand solution. Seven and a half grains to a quart of water makes a
one to two thousand solution. Fifteen grains to a pint of water makes a
one to five hundred solution. Instruments, sponges, towels as well as
the hands are disinfected by washing in a one thousandth solution. But
it is injurious to most metal instruments and irritates and roughens the
operator’s hands. Best antiseptic for foul wounds, thrush, poll-evil,
quittor and fistulous withers and nail punctures of the feet, a one in
five hundred to one in one thousand solution to destroy the cryptogamic
growths of ringworm, to kill lice and allay the itching of puritis and
urticaria. Bichloride of mercury one part in one or two thousand parts
of water is injected into the uterus in metritis, and in cases of
abortion with good results. Contagious abortion is satisfactorily
prevented by washing the aborted animal’s tail and external genital
organs twice daily. All pregnant cows should be treated in the same
manner. Warm solutions are much more active than cold.
A one in three to five thousand solutions are used in purulent
conjunctivitis or wounds of the eye and lids, by frequently saturating
absorbent cotton in the solution and holding over the eye by means of a
clean cloth or bandage.
DOSES.--Horse, 1 to 5 gr.; cattle, 2 to 8 gr.; sheep, ¹⁄₂ to 1 gr.; pigs
¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₂ gr.; dogs, ¹⁄₆₀ to ¹⁄₁₀ gr. Not often given internally. It is
the best of all the preparations of mercury for hypodermic use in
syphilitic diseases.
ANTIDOTES.--The white of eggs, stomach pump for horses and emesis for
dogs; wheat flower, milk, etc.