282 THE HORSE 



The camphor should be placed in the oil in the evenin.s^, and 

 will be dissolved in the morning. 



Since Antispasmodics act upon the brain and nerves, and 

 through them on the muscular system, they are required in 

 cases of spasm, and opium is one of the most powerful of 

 them all. 



Oil of Turpentine 2 to 3 oz. 



Tincture of Opium ... ... ... ... 2 oz. 



Linseed Oil ... 1 pint 



Tonics are powerful agents in restoring a convalescent to 

 complete health, or at any time when anaemic conditions 

 are seen to be present. Two of the most useful are the 

 following, the arsenic being especially required after, or 

 during, any eruption of the skin, such as so-called mud- 

 fever ; while the iron is most necessary when the gums 

 appear too pale, or when great calls are being made upon 

 the muscular system, such as during the last fortnight 

 before a great race : — 



Fowler's Solution of Arsenic (Liquor 



Arsenicalis) ... ... ... ... 30 drops 



To be dropped on a little dry bran and mixed with the feed 

 of corn, when it is readily taken, for though it smells 

 strongly with a peculiar odour, neither horses nor dogs ever 

 seem to object to this. The dose may be given twice a da}^ 

 if thought advisable, for the first few days ; but it must 

 be kept in mind that arsenic is an accumulative poison, being 

 stored up in the system, and only slowly eliminated, and 

 therefore if continued for too long a time the accustomed 

 dose proves some day just too much, like a teacup running 

 over which is being filled up drop by drop. It is for this 

 reason that cart-horses get occasionally poisoned by their 

 carters, who give them condition powders containing arsenic 

 to improve the sleekness of their coats, and one day the 

 usual dose proves to be a fatal one. It would be perfectly 

 safe to give a horse a teaspoonful of Fowler's Solution daily 

 for six weeks, and therefore a similar dose for only a fortnight 

 is well within the bounds of caution. It will usually be found 



