No. 3. Best Turkey opium 1 oz.
Cloves bruised 2 oz.
Jamaica ginger bruised 3 oz.
Old Cognac brandy 1 quart.
Keep them together in a well-corked bottle three or four weeks,
frequently shaking it. The dose two or three ounces in water.
The ball may be mixed with warm ale, if the form of a drench be
preferred to that of a ball, and either of the receipts will be found a
good remedy in flatulent or spasmodic colic.—_White._
ANOINT, _v._ _a._ To rub over with unctuous matter; to consecrate by
unction.
ANSER, _s._ The goose, a genus thus characterised. Bill shorter than
the head, a little conical, as are the marginal denticulations.
Neck of a middle length.
ANT, _s._ An emmet, a pismire.
An universal bustle and activity observed in anthills may be generally
regarded as a sign of rain. The ants frequently appear all in motion
together, and carry their eggs about from place to place.—_Foster._
ANTHELMINTHICS, _s._ Medicines that destroy worms, or expel them
from the intestines.
The mercurial purgatives are generally considered the most effectual
anthelminthics. A variety of vegetables have been thought to possess
this quality, but I believe without foundation; among these are box,
rue, savin, and wormwood. Æthiop’s mineral, antimony, sulphur, and tin,
have also been considered as anthelminthics. I believe tin has not been
fairly tried: and as it is an efficacious anthelminthic in dogs, it may
probably be found useful in horses. Of all the mercurial preparations,
calomel is by far the best for this purpose, and may be given with
aloes, soap, and some aromatic oil, with a little ginger. Many prefer
giving the calomel at night, and the purgative the following morning.
Aloes are a good anthelminthic. A saline substance was some time ago
introduced from India, as a remedy for that species of worm termed
_botts_. It seems to be composed of common salt and liver of sulphur,
but it does not appear to deserve the high character that was given of
it; though, like salt or brine, it may sometimes have been found an
effectual anthelminthic.—_White._ (_Vide_ WORMS.)
ANTHRAX, _s._ A scab or blotch which burns the skin.
ANTICOR, _s._ A preternatural swelling in a horse’s breast, opposite
his heart.
This is, I believe, an inflammatory disorder, and requires bleeding and
opening medicines, with fomentations. It is said to happen frequently,
and often end fatally, in France and Italy; but seldom in this country.
It consists in a painful swelling of the breast and belly, sometimes
ending in suppuration, sometimes in dropsy. After bleeding and opening
medicine, give mild diuretics and grass.—_White._
ANTIDOTE, _s._ A medicine given to obviate the effects of poisons.
ANTIMONIAL, _a._ Made of antimony.
ANTIMONY, _s._ A metal.
Preparations of antimony are extensively used in veterinary practice,
generally in combination. In fevers it is particularly useful, and in a
fluid preparation is recommended in foul ulcers of the feet, caukers,
&c. &c.