OPIATE CONFECTION, OR ELECTUARY OF OPIUM.
| Opium | 1½ oz. |
Macerate in hot water until it forms a thin paste, or, by stirring, is uniformly mixed, and free from lumps.
| Powdered ginger | 3 oz. |
| Powdered caraway seeds | 6 oz. |
| Powdered allspice | 6 oz. |
| Treacle | 1½ oz. |
Let these ingredients be well mixed, and kept in a closed jar or pot. The dose is about one-twentieth part of the mass. It is a warm cordial and diaphoretic, and may be given in flatulent colic mixed with a little warm beer, or infusion of peppermint, or other aromatic herbs. This electuary is a good cordial for cattle.—White.
Opium, s. A medicine used to promote sleep.
The anodyne quality which renders opium so valuable in human medicine, is not so manifest when given to the horse.
If injudiciously given, opium frequently aggravates the disease, and does injury: and I have several times seen it increase pain, when it has been improperly given as an anodyne. In flatulency or spasm of the bowels it is an excellent remedy, particularly if joined with aromatic powder, ginger, or some other stimulant. In diarrhœa it is an effectual remedy, but must be given cautiously. In diabetes I have found it very beneficial, when joined with bark and ginger. Sometimes it is given with emetic tartar, and some cordial composition, with good effect, and in this way it proves a good diaphoretic.
I have given opium and squill, in obstinate coughs, with success; but the effect is not permanent.
Opium is very apt to produce costiveness in horses; but this may be in a great measure counteracted by exercise: when it does take place, it may be removed by clysters, bran mashes, or a laxative ball.