Veterinary Medicines, Their Actions, Uses and Dose

by George Franklyn Korinek

PREPARATIONS

UNGUENTUM PICIS LIQUIDAE—TAR OINTMENT

Composed of tar, 500; yellow wax, 150; lard, 350.

Used alone as a healing ointment or as a base.

OLEUM PICIS LIQUIDAE—OIL OF TAR

A volatile oil distilled from tar.

Properties.—An almost colorless liquid when freshly distilled, but soon acquiring a dull, reddish brown color, and having a strong tarry odor and taste. Soluble in alcohol.

Dose.—Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, ¹⁄₂ to 2 dr.

Actions.—Internally, is an antiseptic stimulant expectorant. Externally, it is rubefacient and if continually rubbed in may cause papules and pustules.

Uses.—Tar or the oil is commonly used in cough mixtures and in subacute and chronic bronchitis. By inhalation (which is done by pouring tar on a heated shovel or a shovel containing live coals or by adding a pint of tar to a gallon of water, heating the mixture by placing hot bricks or stones in the solution) either method is excellent for its local antiseptic and stimulating effects in the various catarrhal diseases; bronchitis, distemper, strangles, etc. Care should be used so that the vapor be not inhaled too hot.