MEDICINES. 395 



the placp in which tliey have been confined. One pint 5f the chloria** 

 mixed with three gallons of water, and brushed over the walls and niangei 

 and rack of the foulest stable, will completely remove all infection. Aii 

 horse furniture worn by a glandered or mangy animal will be eficctually 

 purified in the same way. Internally administered, it seems to have no 

 power whatever. 



Liniments are oily applications of the consistence of a thick fluid, and 

 designed either to sooth an inflamed surface, or, by gently stimulating the 

 skin, to remove deeper-seated pain or inflammation. As an emollient lini- 

 ment, one composed of half an ounce of extract of lead and four ounces of 

 olive oil will be useful. For sprains, old swellings, or rheumatism, two 

 ounces of hartshorn, the same quantity of camphorated spirit, an ounce of 

 oil of turpentine, half an ounce of laudanum, and a drachm of oil of origa- 

 num, may be mixed together; or an ounce of camphor may be dissolved in 

 four ounces of sweet oil, to which an ounce of oil of turpentine and a 

 drachm of oil of origanum should be afterwards added. A little powdered 

 cantharides, or tincture of cantharides, or mustard powder, will render 

 either of these more powerful, or convert it into a liquid blister. 



Linseed. — An infusion of linseed is often used instead of water, for the 

 drink of the horse with sore-throat or catarrh. A pail containing it should 

 be slung in the stable or loose box. Thin gruel, however, is preferable ; 

 it is as bland and soothing, and it is more nutritious. Linseed meal forms 

 the best poultice for almost every purpose. 



The oil of linseed is not a certain, but always a safe purgative. It must 

 be given, however, in doses of a pint or a pint and a half. 



Lotions. — Many of the best lotions have been already described, in the 

 chapters which treat of the various diseases of the horse. 



Magnesia. — The sulphate of magnesia, or Epsom Salts, should be used 

 only in promoting the purgative effect of clysters, or, in repeated doses of 

 six or eight ounces, gently to open the bowels at the commencement of 

 fever. Some doubt, however, attends the latter practice ; for the dose 

 must often be thrice repeated before it will act, and then, although safer 

 than aloes, it may produce too much irritation in the intestinal canal, espe- 

 cially if the fever be the precursor of inflammation of the lungs. 



Mashes constitute a very important part of horse provender, whether in 

 sickness or health. A mash given occasionally to a horse that is otherwise 

 fed on dry meat prevents him from becoming dangerously costive. To the 

 overworked and tired horse nothing is so refreshing as a warm mash with 

 his usual allowance of corn in it. The art of getting a horse into apparent 

 condition for sale, or giving him a round and plump appearance, consists 

 principally in the frequent repetition of mashes, and from their easiness of 

 digestion and the mild nutriment which they atTord, as well as their laxative 

 efTect, they form the principal diet of the sick horse. 



Mashes are made by pouring boiling water on bran, and stirring it well, 

 and then covering it over until it is sufficiently cool for the horse to eat. 

 If in the heat of summer, a cold mash is preferred, it should, nevertheless, 

 be made with hot water, and then suffered to remain until it is cold. This 

 is not always sufficiently attended to by the groom, who is not aware that 

 he efficacy of the mash depends principally on the change which is effected 

 m the bran and the other ingredients by the boiling water rendering them 

 more easy of digestion, as well as aperient. If the horse refuses the mash, 

 o. few oats may be sprinkled over it, in order to tempt him to eat it; but if 

 it is previoasly designed that corn should be given in the mash, it should 

 he scalded with the bran, to soften it and render it more digestible. Bran 

 mashes are very useful preparatives for physic, and they are necessary 



