Alteratives, s. Gentle medicines which act gradually upon the constitution.
Those commonly employed are nitre, antimony, sulphur, resin, and Æthiop’s mineral, exhibited in combination. Laxative Alteratives are substituted for purgatives: diuretic are recommended for reducing or preventing swellings of the leg; and diaphoretic to increase insensible perspiration, and assist the coating of the horse.
Alum, s. A saline body, composed of sulphuric acid, alumine, and potash.
It is used internally as an astringent, in diarrhœa, diabetes, &c., and externally as a remedy for grease. When burnt it is efficacious in cleansing ulcers, and for this purpose usually combined with red precipitate.
Alum is produced by placing a quantity of crude alum in an iron ladle, and keeping it over a slow fire until the watery particles are evaporated, and the mass becomes a light and pulverisable substance.
Aluminous, a. Relating to alum, or consisting of alum.
Amaurosis, s. A dimness of sight, not from any visible defect in the eye, but from some distemperature in the inner parts, occasioning the representations of flies and dust floating before the eyes.
In horses, this disease is caused by a pressure of blood upon the nerve of the eye; and in the earlier stages may be relieved by bleeding, but when of long standing it is incurable.
Amble, v. To move upon an amble, to pace; to move easily; to walk daintily.
Amble, s. An easy pace.