PROPERTIES.--A white, amorphous powder, often molded into conical drops; odorless and tasteless; permanent in the air. Almost insoluble in water; insoluble in alcohol. DOSE.--Horses, 1 to 2 oz.; cattle, 2 to 4 oz.; sheep and pigs, 2 to 4 dr.; dogs, 10 gr. to 1 dr. PREPARATIONS PULVIS CRETAE COMPOSITUS--COMPOUND CHALK POWDER Composed of chalk, 30 parts; acacia, 20 parts; sugar, 50 parts. DOSE.--Dogs, 10 gr. to 1 dr.; cats, 1 to 5 gr. MISTURA CRETAE--CHALK MIXTURE Composed of compound chalk powder, 20 parts; cinnamon water, 40 parts; water to make 100. DOSE.--Dogs, 1 to 2 oz.; cats, 1 to 2 dr. ACTIONS.--Internally, chalk is the slowest acting antacid, because of its comparative insolubility and is of value when it can exert its long-continued influence throughout the digestive tract. It resembles bismuth in mechanically coating or protecting inflamed or irritable surfaces. It is not so astringent nor antiseptic as the bismuth salts, and these are generally preferable to chalk for the smaller animals. It is excreted unchanged in the feces. Externally it is a dessicant and slightly astringent powder, also protective. USES.--Chalk forms a dusting powder for moist eczema, slight burns and intertrigo; zinc oxide and starch (one to four) is, however, a better preparation. Chalk is the most useful antacid for diarrhoea accompanied by fermentation of the intestinal contents, while its local astringent and protecting influence assists in overcoming the trouble. It is especially good for foals and calves given in flour gruel and often conjoined with catechu, ginger and opium. Chalk may be given to dogs in pills or powder; to other animals in powder, capsules or electuary. Chalk is frequently prescribed suspended in flour, gruel, milk or mucilage to the larger animals. The chalk preparations are suitable for dogs and cats. CUPRI SULPHAS--COPPER SULPHATE--BLUE VITRIOL--BLUE STONE DERIVATION.--Boil metallic copper and sulphuric acid together. Dissolve product in hot water and crystallize. PROPERTIES.--Large, transparent, deep blue, triclinic crystals; odorless, of a nauseous, metallic taste; slowly efflorescent in dry air; soluble in water; almost insoluble in alcohol. DOSE.--Horses and cattle, 1 to 2 dr.; sheep and pigs, 20 to 40 gr.; dogs, 1 to 2 gr. As a tonic and astringent, repeat two or three times daily; given either in capsule or in some mucilagenous solution, or in powder form, with some inert substance; when given as a tonic should be given at time of feeding, or right after eating. ACTIONS.--Gastro-intestinal irritant, astringent, tonic, emetic in large doses; acts directly on the stomach; antiseptic and vermifuge.