ALCOHOL 339 



the first mouthful down, and then at slow intervals we gave 

 her about a tablespoonful at a time, till all was finished. It 

 was curious to note how quickly the heart responded to the 

 stimulant. Keeping my finger continuously on the pulse, as 

 I supported her head, I at once felt the pulse vibrate again 

 directly the first mouthful of spirit had been taken, and by 

 the time the bottle was finished the strength was perceptibly 

 increased. We left her alone then and went out of the box, 

 while Whelan prepared a warm mash, and in a little more 

 than half an hour the mare struggled on to her legs again, 

 ate the mash when it was given to her, and from that 

 moment rapidly gained strength. 



It must be borne in mind that there are certain times when 

 it is not advisable to give alcohol, except under such stress 

 as the above, when if it is not administered the heart will 

 stop and there will be no need for any further treatment. 

 Alcohol especially should not be administered after an 

 accident to the head, when the brain is bruised, for it would 

 only aggravate the mischief ; nor, except under surgical 

 advice, is it wise to administer it when the liver is affected. 

 But it is called for in cases of great distress after hunting ; 

 in prolonged weakness after illness, such as strangles or 

 influenza ; and especially in yew-poisoning, when there is 

 great depression of the nervous system, and the circulation 

 becomes greatly impeded. 



