Call, v. To name; to make a noise like quails and partridges.
Call, s. An instrument to call birds.
The Call of Birds is, in most instances, effected by the lungs and larynx; but some species of woodpecker, in the breeding season, have a very extraordinary and peculiar call to each other, by strong reiterated strokes of their bill against the dead sonorous branch of a tree. These calls seem to be a species of song.—Montagu.
Callosity, s. A kind of swelling without pain.
Callous, a. Hardened, insensible.
Callow, a. Unfledged, naked, wanting feathers.
Calomel, s. Mercury six times sublimed.
Calomel, or submuriate of mercury, is the most useful of the mercurial preparations, and composed of oxide of quicksilver and muriatic acid. When prepared it is a fine white powder, rather inclining to yellow, and very ponderous. It is the most efficacious anthelminthic we are acquainted with (see Anthelminthic), and an excellent alterative. When a brisk purgative is wanted, calomel may be added to the common physic, which is composed chiefly of aloes.
Though calomel possesses these useful qualities, it must be given with caution, and its effects carefully watched; as it sometimes acts very violently and unexpectedly on the stomach and bowels, and induces a dangerous degree of weakness. Salivation is sometimes the effect of calomel, when given daily as an alterative, or as a remedy for farcy or mange; the mouth becoming so sore, and the tongue so swollen, as to prevent the horse’s feeding. When these accidents occur, the medicine should be discontinued a short time, and the horse allowed to drink plentifully of water-gruel, linseed infusion, or any other mucilaginous drink. When the bowels are affected by it, opium is the best remedy, should arrow-root gruel or wheat-flour gruel prove ineffectual. In some cases, where it has produced great irritation about the anus or bladder, opium should be given in the form of clyster. (See Clysters.) If the mouth becomes very sore, let it be washed with a solution of alum, by means of a syringe.
Whenever calomel is given, the horse must be kept warm, drink warm water, and have regular exercise. When calomel is given as an anthelminthic, or as a purgative, the dose is from one to two drachms; as an alterative, from fifteen grains to half a drachm. Calomel generally acts upon the kidneys, increasing the discharge of urine. (See Alteratives and Anthelminthics.)—White.