320 EEPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FAEM HORSES. 



and to arouse the proper eraunctionaries, requires the greatest 

 caution. 



The bowels must be moved oceassionally, but not forcibly. 

 For this purpose use two or three drams of aloes, with one or 

 two of gentian, or linseed oil, half a pint, with a scruple of 

 quinine or infusion of quassia. 



Tonics and stimulants must be used, the syrupus ferri iodidi, 

 iodide of iron, and iodide of potassuim, gentian and nitric ether, 

 &c. The bisulphite and hyposulphite of soda have been used 

 with benefit. Doses of the medicine selected being given twice 

 each day, while the skin is scrupulously attended to by grooming 

 and clothing, &c. The ulcers should be touched each day with 

 nitrate of silver, caustic potash, or what is best, the hot iron, so 

 as to produce healthy action. Good food must be insisted upon, 

 as oats and oatmeal gruel, hay tea, linseed tea, the natural and 

 artificial grasses, bulbous roots, &c; not omitting exercise, which 

 should be taken apart from other animals. At best the disease is 

 very tardy, and the prospect of cure in old and emaciated animals 

 far distant. In such cases keeping them under treatment pro- 

 pagates the malady to sound stock, unless the most Tigid atten- 

 tion be paid, which cannot always be ensured from grooms and 

 farm men. It is, therefore, a matter of economy in some instances 

 to put such an animal out of the way. Young animals, on the 

 contrary, are worth a trial, but indiscriminate mixing with other 

 animals should not be allowed, even under the pretence of work, 

 as I have seen some farmers carry on to their neighbour's detri- 

 ment, by the principle of carrying contagion into every stable 

 where the affected brute is tied up. 



Prevention. — To prevent farcy is to prevent many other 

 diseases, as pneumonia, and all diseases of the respiratory organs, 

 influenza, &c, in fact, almost all. Institute a system of thorough 

 cleanliness and regularity in feeding and working horses. Let 

 the food be of the best, and most easy of digestion. Secure per- 

 fect ventilation in the stables, with trapped drains and freedom 

 from draughts ; admit the sun and light, not by apologies for 

 windows, but by legitimate panes of glass of rational dimensions, 

 protected if you like, against the carelessness of grooms and boys, 

 by wire gauze work or perforated zinc ; but admit the light. It 

 is a purifier, and a most powerful one too. See that all the drains 

 act and are well flushed once or twice a week. And here I 

 would again urge the use of M'Dougall's disinfecting powder; 

 that also manufactured by the London Sanitary Company, and 

 Condy's fluid ; all are unexceptional and improve the quality of 

 the manure, as well as prevent the formation of noxious gases. 

 Condy's fluid forms also a good application to the ulcers of farcy, 

 and a good agent in addition is Eobbins's oxygenerator, by which 

 a quantity of oxygen can be eliminated with boiling water and 



