NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
124
A
TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
External applications : blisters.—Blisters
are substances which
when applied to the skin cause irritation, raise it and give rise to
blebs containing an amber-coloured watery-looking secretion.
Objects for which used.—(1) To raise the vigour of the circular
tion of the affected part by establishing a degree of irritation or
inflammation of the skin.
(2) To stimulate the absorbent vessels of the part and by so
doing cause removal of effused fluids.
Instructions on their use.—(a) Never apply a blister to an
abraded surface or to a part when inflammation, that is heat, pain
and tenderness exist. Wait till all inflammation has been subdued
through the agency of other means.
(b) When the blister has acted wash off with soap and tepid
water, then apply vaseline or sweet oil to the surface.
(c) Never apply a blister at the bend of a joint.—If
desirous
to apply one in the vicinity of a joint, it is necessary to protect the
bend by first smearing plain vaseline into it, or better still, paint
the skin with a saturated solution of resin in methylated spirit.
When using fluid blistering agents, place a little cotton wool
below the part to be blistered to absorb the drip. Apply with a
brush or dab on with a cloth.
The size of the blister will depend on the condition to fee treated.
On the loins, for the kidneys, or injury, it may be a foot square
on each side. Around sores a ring is applied 2 or 3 ins. broad
close to the wound but so as not to enter it. The blistered
surface should be covered over with a piece of paper or cloth and
protected with a rug to prevent the animal getting his trunk or tail
smeared with any of the blistering agents. The mahout should
remain with the elephant till blister has acted and been washed
off:—
(54) Biniodide of mercury......
Iodine
.........
Potassium iodide .........
Vaseline......
(55) Biniodide of mercury......
Lard, vaseline or ghee......
½ oz.
½ OZ.
½ OZ.
4 ozs.
— Wallis Hoare.
1 part.
8 to 12 (1 to 8 is a
strong blister, 1 to
16 mild).
OR
Iodine ointment......
Biniodide of mercury ointment...
1—25} Equal
1—18 parts.
Very useful for chronic hard swellings.
FORMULÆ.
125
(56) Powdered cantharides (Spanish
fly)...
Oil of turpentine.....
Methylated spirit......
1 oz.
2 ozs.
1 pt.
Mix and allow to digest for a fortnight, occasionally stirring, then strain.
Never to be applied to the loins. Useful blister.
Caustics are corrosive applications which by chemical action
destroy tissues to which they are applied and are used in foul
ulcerated surfaces, spreading inflammations, or to keep down proud
flesh :—
(a) Strong
caustics.
(57)
(58)
Hot iron, rarely used on elephants.
Nitrate of silver (lunar caustic)—used in pencil as a solid.
OR
Zinc chloride. Caution must be exercised in its use as it is a
very strong caustic.
The affected tissues are gently rubbed with the stick, which must like other
solid caustics be held in paper or a caustic-holder.
(59)
(60)
(61)
(62)
(63)
Sulphate of copper (blue-stone)—similarly applied.
Carbolic acid......
...
Water.........
1 part.
3 parts.
(b) Milder
caustics.
Nitrate of silver
.........
Water
.........
Sulphate of copper......
Water
...
...
...
Chloride of zinc
.........
Water.........
5 to 15 grs-
1 oz.
10 to 30 grs.
1 oz.
1 to 4 grs.
1 oz.
Dusting powders are dry applications used to protect raw surfaces
and reduce discharges.
The drugs are generally mixed with preci-
pitated chalk, starch, or fine flour:—
(64)
(65)
Iodoform.........
Starch.........
Alum (powdered)......
Charcoal.........
Chalk.........
1 part.
3 parts.
1 dr.
3 drs.
1 oz.
Especially used when there is a foul odour.
126
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
(66)
(67)
(68)
(69)
Boracic acid (powdered).
Oxide of zinc.........
Starch.........
Powdered catecho.
Chinosol.........
Boracic acid.........
} Equal parts.
1 part.
8 parts.
Iodoform, one part, may be added to three parts of any of the
above except the last and will tend to keep away flies. Lint,
gauze, tow, cotton, wool, medicated with antiseptics such as carbolic
acid, boracic acid, corrosive sublimate, eucalyptus, iodoform, are
largely employed in dressing and protecting wounds from air, dirt,
etc. Carbolized tow is inexpensive and most useful.
Embrocations or liniments are local agents used for stimulating
the skin and subjacent parts in sprains, enlarged glands, etc., and
require to be rubbed into the affected parts for ten to fifteen
minutes once or twice a day.
Solution of ammonia, which is much used in the preparation of
embrocations, is made as follows :—
Liquor ammonia (fort)
Distilled water
... 20 ozs.
... 40 ozs.
(a) Ammonia
liniments.
(70)
(71)
Solution of ammonia......
Olive or sweet
oil......
1 oz.
2 ozs.
Mix and shake well.
Solution of ammonia......
Olive oil or other sweet oil......
Oil of turpentine
.........
} Equal parts.
OR
Liquor ammonia (fort)......
Turpentine......
Sweet
oil......
1 part.
1 part.
4 parts.
Shake the oil and ammonia together well and then add the turpentine and
shake again.
(b) Compound liniment of camphor.
(72) Camphor......
Methylated spirit......
Olive or sweet
oil......
Solution of ammonia......
1 oz.
4 ozs.
1 pt.
2 ozs.
Dissolve the camphor in the spirit, shake the olive oil with the ammonia and
mix well.
FORMULÆ.
127
(c) Compound soap liniment.
(73) Soft soap.........
Camphor........
Methylated spirit......
Solution of ammonia......
4 ozs.
1 oz.
2 pts.
½ pt.
Dissolve the soap and the camphor in the spirit, then add the ammonia and
strain for use.
(d) Simple mustard
liniments.
(74)
(75)
(76)
Oil of turpentine ......
Mustard oil
} Equal parts.
Mustard mixed with warm water (not boiling) and made into
a thin paste.
(e) Anodyne liniment to relieve pain.
Laudanum
Soap liniment......
1 part.
3 parts.
OR
Liq. Plumbi subacet fort (B.P.)
Sweet oil
...
2 ozs.
8 ozs.
Note.—In inflammation of the mammary glands which sometimes
occurs after the birth of a dead calf or when a calf dies soon after
birth, the following liniment may prove useful :—
Extract of belladonna......
Glycerine.........
Sweet oil.........
½ oz.
4 ozs.
4 ozs.
Enemas or clysters are liquids thrown into the rectum by means
of an instrument and the one recommended is Read's patent
with a specially long nozzle (that is, two feet). The gum-elastic
tubing does not last in this climate, but rubber tubing can be
attached easily and will answer the purpose very well, or an enema
funnel can easily be made (see Fig. 35). It consists of a tin funnel.
The bend is usually made of copper into which is fixed a wooden
pipe.
Objects for which they are used :—
(1)
(2)
(3)
To bring about an evacuation or emptying of the bowels.
To allay pain in the bowels or adjacent organs, such as
the kidneys and bladder.
To introduce medicinal substances when from any cause
they cannot be given by mouth.
128
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
Instructions for their use :—
Posture.—The
animal must be made to assume the crouching
posture he does while being loaded, but if possible the fore-quarters
should be lower than the hind-quarters. A sloping ground will
answer this purpose. The tail must be held on one side or right
up by a man standing on the back.
(1) In order to evacuate the bowels, a large quantity (many
quarts) must be thrown up. The procedure is as follows : As much
dung as can be reached must be removed by the hand first of all,
then the pipe of the syringe, previously anointed with some lubri-
cant (vaseline or any sweet oil), must be passed gently a foot or
more into the bowel; this requires no force but gentle manipula-
tion. If force is used there is danger of injuring the bowel wall
and the creature is induced to strain down, which is just what is
not desired at this time. The pipe having been inserted, warm
water and soap or plain water is to be injected without force and
continued till the animal can contain no more, evinced by obvious
discomfort. For producing evacuation of the bowels, enemas are
most useful in elephant practice ; they are to be preferred in most
cases to internal remedies, producing the desired result in a much
shorter time, with less pain, and at all times where the possibility
of obstruction exists they are the only safe means to be employed.
Again, no constipation ensues which is almost an invariable sequel
to internal remedies.
(2) In this instance it is not desired to bring about an evacua-
tion but merely to bring hot water into contact with the parts with
the object of allaying pain. Hence to do good this must be
retained and to effect this not more than four quarts must be
injected at a time. Should this be returned, a smaller bulk must
again be thrown up and this can be repeated every half-hour till
pain is relieved. For this purpose water alone must be used and
should be injected at a temperature of 105°F. as nearly as possible
(not higher). The hand will bear this without discomfort. If less,
the value of the enema is diminished.
(3) Is administered like (2), that is, with the object of being
retained. Medicines are added to the enema to effect various
objects, e.g., relief of pain, killing parasites.
In procedure (1) the following may be added where ordinary
simple enemas are not effectual :—
(a) Where there is constipation.
(77) Castor
oil......
Bicarbonate of
soda......
Soap,
soft......
1 pt.
4 drs.
1 oz.
Mix well with some warm water.
FORMULÆ.
129
(78)
(79)
Turpentine, up to 4 or 5 ozs., beaten up with the whites of 3
or 4 eggs and added to 1 pt. of gruel or starch and well
mixed with warm water.
Powdered aloes.........
Bicarbonate of soda......
Boiling water.........
1 oz.
½ oz.
4 qts.
When cool enough, inject.
(80)
(b)
(81)
Salt or Epsom salts......
Warm
water........
10 to 12 ozs.
1 gal.
Where there is wind as in flatulent colic.
Assafcetida.........
Soft
s o a p . . . . . . . . .
Warm water.........
1 to 1½ ozs.
½ oz.
3 to 4 qts.
In procedure (3) add the following :—
(a) Where there is pain or diarrhœa.
(82)
(83)
(84)
Powdered opium
... ½ to 1 oz. (boiled in
water, to which add thin arrow-root, rice, or starch gruel).
Laudanum
Starch or gruel
...
...
...
...
...
...
2 to 4 ozs.
3 qts.
Six or eight poppy-heads well boiled in water, after which add
3 qts. of rice gruel or starch.*
OR
Copper sulphate, 2 per cent. solution with or without opium, may
be injected in cases of obstinate diarrhoea.
(b) When parasites (ascaris lonchoptera) are present.
(85)
(86)
Common salt ...
Daily.
Oil of turpentine
Sweet oil ...
Soft soap and warm water
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
4 ozs. to 2 qts. of
warm water.
4 ozs.
1 pt.
2 to 3 qts.
Mix the soft soap with a little warm water ; first beat in the oil and oil of
turpentine gradually adding the warm water and use at once. Alternate days.
* The starch should be mixed with very hot water, when it swells up into a
thick gruel and when cool enough is added to enemas.
9
130
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
(c) Stimulant
enemas.
As a stimulant, if animal is very weak :—
(87) Rumybrandy or whisky......
...
Starch gruel
.........
8 ozs., beaten up with
6 eggs.
2 qts.
Repeat as required.
OR
(88) Sulphuric æther ......
Water...
2 or 4 ozs.
2 qts.
Repeat every two hours or so if necessary.
Eye applications for various purposes are chiefly in the form of
washes, ointments and powders.
Solid caustics should never be
applied to the eye :—
(a) Simple astringent
eye-washes.
(89)
(90)
(90
(92)
(93)
Sulphate of copper......
Water.........
Nitrate of silver......
Water.........
Sulphate of zinc......
Water.........
Borax.........
Water.........
Alum.........
Water.........
1 gr.
1 oz.
1 gr.
1 oz.
1 gr.
1
oz.
10 grs.
1 oz.
4 grs.
1 oz.
A small quantity to be syringed gently into the eye three or four times a day.
Weak solutions such as the above can do no harm.
(b) To relieve pain.
This may be added to any of the above in this strength, that is, 5 grs. of
extract of belladonna to the ounce.
(94)
(95)
Extract of belladonna......
Water.........
Extract of belladonna......
Water.........
Glycerine.........
5 grs.
1 oz.
2 drs.
1 dr.
½ oz.
Rub the extract down with water, then add the glycerine and mix well together.
This may be applied by rubbing it into the skin around the eye. (Most useful
when there is much pain.)
FORMULÆ.
131
(c) Eye ointment.
(96) Yellow oxide of mercury
...
Vaseline
1 to 3 grs.
1 dr.
A small quantity about the size of a split pea is inserted under the upper lid.
(d) Eye powder.
(97) Calomel, a few grains on a camel's hair brush flicked into the
eye once daily. (Particularly useful in ulceration of the
cornea.)
Fomentations are local applications of hot water with the
object of relieving pain or promoting the healing process in any part
by increasing the flow of the blood within it. They may be employed
over small areas such as the eye, or extensive areas such as the
back. Several gallons of water must be kept heated and when a
large surface is to be fomented, such as the belly or chest, a large
common or cooly blanket furnished with six ropes, one attached
to each corner and one at the centre of each short side, long enough
to meet and be secured over the back, is the best method.
Fomentations may be applied in two ways, either (a) by first
soaking the blanket in water so hot that the hand just bears it,
wringing it out thoroughly and applying to the part at once and
tying it over the back, a second dry blanket or tarpaulin being
placed so as to envelop it and thus retain the heat ; or (b) as
Hawkes recommends, by first securing the cumbly or blanket dry,
with a layer of straw placed between it and the body. Hot water
that the hand will just bear is poured continuously from both sides.
A large quantity of water is requisite. Other parts, such as limbs,
may be similarly enveloped with pieces of blanket of suitable size.
The success of all fomentations depends on the degree and retention
of heat: if the water be too hot the skin may be scalded and if
not hot enough it is useless in allaying pain. In order to maintain
heat, the blanket should be changed at least every ten minutes until
the pain is allayed. Everything should be ready prepared, so that
the blanket may be clapped on immediately it is wrung out and to
do this satisfactorily it is desirable to have at least two blankets in
use. The relief of pain locally may be supplemented by sprinkling
over the first blanket two or three tablespoonsful of turpentine ;
this may be repeated once or twice during the day. When the
last fomentation is withdrawn, it is necessary to guard against chill
by covering the fomented area with a dry blanket for some hours,
or by rubbing the part till thoroughly dry, after which some mild
132
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
liniment may be applied. At times pain is so severe or deeply
seated, or the patient so troublesome to deal with, that local efforts
are of little avail and recourse must be had to internal remedies.
Injections are medicines thrown by means of a syringe into
cavities, such as abscesses or sinuses, to promote healing or for
purposes of cleanliness :—
(98)
(99)
(100)
(101)
(102)
Tincture of iodine......
Water.........
Nitrate of silver.........
Water.........
Chloride of
zinc.........
Water.........
Sulphate of zinc.........
Water.........
Alum.........
Water.........
1 to 2 drs.
1 pt.
2 to 3 grs.
1 oz.
2 grs.
1 oz.
2 to 5 grs.
1 oz.
5 grs.
1 oz.
Lotions are solutions of drugs intended to be swabbed on to the
part, that is without friction ; they are employed for various pur-
poses, such as disinfecting, reducing inflammation, cleansing, etc.—
(a) Cooling.
(103)
(104)
(105)
(106)
Rectified or methylated spirit...
Water.........
Chloride of ammonia......
Nitrate of potash.........
Water.........
Acetate of lead.........
Sulphate of
zinc........
Water.........
Acetate of lead.........
Water.........
1 oz.
1 pt.
} 4 ozs. each.
2½ to 3 pts.
4 drs.
4 drs.
1 qt.
1 dr.
1 pt.
(b) To relieve pain.
(107)
(108)
Powdered opium......
Extract of belladonna...
Water...
½ dr., may be added
to 1 pt. of any of
the above.
1 dr.
1 pt.
FORMULÆ.
133
(c) Astringent, for reducing
discharges.
(109)
(110)
(111)
(112)
(113)
Alum.........
Water.........
Sulphate of zinc.........
Water........
Nitrate of silver.........
Water.........
Nitric acid (dilute)......
Water.........
Sulphate of iron.........
Water.........
5 to 10 grs.
1 oz.
2 to 4 drs.
1 pt.
1 gr.
1 oz.
2½ drs.
8 ozs.
For foul
ulcers.
2 to 4 grs.
1 oz.
(d)
Disinfecting.
(114)
(115)
(116)
(117)
(118)
(119)
(120)
Carbolic acid.........
Water.........
Phenyle.........
Water.........
Perchloride
of
mercury
(corrosive
sublimate).........
Water.........
Boracic acid.........
Water (boiling)........
Borax.........
Water.........
Permanganate of potash*......
Water.........
Thymol.........
Water (boiling).........
8 to 12 grs.
1 oz., (1—40) to
(1—60).
2 to 4 drs.
1 oz., (1—40) to
(1-66).
5 to 10 grs.
1 pt., (1—2,000) to
(1—1,000).
15 to 30 grs.
1 oz.
4 to 6 drs.
1 pt.
2 to 4 grs.
1 pt.
10 grs.
1 pt.
Oils are lubricating agents and soothing applications used in
various ways :—
(121) Carbolic acid
Sweet oil
...
...
...
...
...
...
1 part.
16 to 20 parts.
[Also used for lubricating the hands and instruments, and dressing wounds.]
* Condy's fluid contains 4 grs. to the ounce.
134
A
TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
(122) Camphor...
Methylated spirit or other spirit
Oil of turpentine...
Sweet
oil...
1
oz.
Sufficient to dissolve
the camphor.
2 ozs.
4 ozs.
Add the spirit to the camphor and rub down in a mortar till quite dissolved,
then add the other ingredients.
A dressing to sores especially useful in keeping away flies* :—
(123) Neem or margosa oil, also used to keep away fifes and for
removal of maggots. Crushed leaves of custard apple tree
also useful for this purpose.
Carron oil is a very soothing application for burns and scalds :—
(124) Lime water
........
Olive or sweet
oil......
} Equal parts.
To be well shaken.
Ointments
are greasy preparations of soft consistency, contain-
ing a variety of drugs for a variety of purposes :—
(125)
(126)
(127)
(128)
Carbolic acid.........
Vaseline
†.........
Boracic acid.........
Vaseline
†........
Oxide of zinc........
Vaseline
†.........
Iodoform.........
Oil of eucalyptus.........
1 part.
20 to 25 parts.
1 part.
3 parts.
1 part.
8 parts.
1 dr.
1 oz.
Heat gently till dissolved, and add paraffin and vaseline of each 2½ ozs. Melt
together and stir till cold. Can be obtained at any chemist's and is very useful
for keeping fires away.
(129)
(130)
Iodoform...
...
...
Vaseline
†...
... ...
Dikamali
‡...
... ...
Beeswax... ... ...
Powdered gallnuts ... ...
Gingili oil (hnan-si)
...
...
1 part.
9 parts.
15 drs.
15 drs.
6 drs.
18 drs.
Boil the gallnuts in the oil, then add the dikamali, and when it is melted strain
through a cloth ; lastly add the wax and stir till cold.—Hawkes.
* Spirits of camphor or plain powdered camphor are most useful for the
removal of maggots in wounds.
† Lard may be substituted.
‡ The resin of the Gardenia lucida, known as dikamali in Madras and
Rangoon bazaars.
FORMULÆ.
135
Excellent anti-fly dressing :—
(131) Resin.........
Beeswax.........
Olive oil.........
Lard.........
8 ozs.
6 ozs.
3 ozs.
3 ozs.
Melt with gentle heat, strain the mixture while hot through a cloth and stir
constantly while cooling.
(132)
(133)
Creosote ... ... ...
Vaseline or lard ... ... ...
Common tar ... ... ...
Resin ... ... ...
Lard ... ... ...
1 part.
8 parts.
} Equal parts.
Melt together by gentle heat and stir till cold : a dressing for the feet.
(134) Sulphate of copper......
Alum.........
Tar.........
1 part.
1 part.
4 parts.
Mix, stir and heat together until the mass assumes a reddish-brown colour.
A dressing especially useful for cracks and fissures about the
feet:—
(135) Iodine ... ... ...
Iodide of polash ... ... ...
Vaseline or lard ... ... ...
½ oz.
1 oz.
8 ozs.
A good application for the dispersion of swellings, enlarged glands, etc.
Paints are fluid applications usually used to promote absorption
of swellings or protection of raw surfaces : —
(a) Protective
paint.
(136)
(137)
Sheet gelatine is soaked in sufficient 1 per cent. solution of
corrosive sublimate to cover it. When it becomes quite soft,
melt by gentle heat and add glycerine equal to 1/10th the
weight of the dry gelatine added. This gives it an elastic
character. To use it. it is melted on a slow fire and painted
over a wound, and it adheres equally well to moist or dry
surfaces. The surface can be strengthened by laying on it,
while moist, shreds of tow or strips of gauze.—Moller.
Carbolic acid
Camphor
Resin or shellac
Spirits of wine
... ... ... 1 oz.
... ... ... 5 ozs.
... ... ... 1 oz.
... ... ... 15 ozs.
—Hayes.
Dissolve the camphor and resin in the spirit, then add the carbolic acid and
shake well. A protective dressing for wounds and useful to keep away flies.
Repeat as occasion requires.
136
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS.
(b) Absorbent.
(138) Liniment of iodine or liniment of double strength applied once every
other day, painted on the swelling to be removed. Also see 135-
Poultices.—These are external applications of a soft consistence
and act chiefly by virtue of their warmth or moisture. They are
soothing, relieve pain and hasten the formation of matter, and are
generally made of linseed meal, flour, or bran, and are rendered
anodyne by adding a little laudanum, poppy-heads, etc. ; deodorizing
by adding finely powdered charcoal, and antiseptic with eucalyptus
oil, carbolic acid, solution of thymol, creosote, phenyle, etc.
Natives employ poultices of leaves of the dhatura (Datura alba
or festuosa) and mudar (Calotropis gigantea) plants, and neem
tree (Azadirachta Indica) to irritable painful sores, and also as a
stopping for abscesses in elephants.
Hawkes states that the following native application has been
found efficacious in expediting the filling up of abscesses with
healthy flesh :—
Dhatura leaves ... ... ...
Neem leaves ... ... ...
Turmeric ... ... ...
Salt ... ... ...
40 tolas.
40 tolas.
5 tolas.
10 tolas.
Grind all together with a little water and introduce a portion of it into the opened
abscess ; remove it every second day, wash the cavity out and apply any lotion
that may be necessary, and re-stop with the mixture. Owing to the size usually
required and the difficulty of retaining poultices in position, fomentations are
generally used in preference ; they may however be used with advantage to many
injuries about the limbs.
Poulticing boots.—These are most useful to keep an injured
foot clean : the sole may be made of stout leather or wood, the
uppers of ordinary leather ; they should be kept soft with soap or
grease.
Mussauls are composed chiefly of stimulant and digestive spices
given in the form of a bolus ; other corrective medicines may be
added.
The following are some formulae for mussauls
usually
employed :—
(a) Astringents and anodyne in diarrhoea, colic, etc.
(a) Cardamoms ... ... ...
Cinnamon ... ... ...
Opium ... ... ...
Catechu ... ... ...
Chalk ... ... ...
Jaggery ... ... ...
Brandy ... ... ...
2 tolas.
2 tolas.
1 tola.
2 tolas.
4 tolas.
10 tolas.
¼ pt.
Repeat every four hours till desired effect is produced.