400 THE HORSE. 



or stages of disease, and the circumstances which indicate thf. use of any 

 one of thein in preference to the rest, are considered under their own 

 respective titles. 



Silver. — One combination only of this metal is used, and that as a man- 

 ageable and excellent caustic, viz: the Lunar Caustic. It is far preferable 

 to tlie hot iron, or to any acid, for the destruction of the part, if a horse 

 should have been bitten by a rabid dog; and it stands next to the butyr of 

 antimony for the removal of fungus generally. 



Soda. — The Chloride of Soda is not so efficacious for the removal of 

 unpleasant smells and all infection as the chloride of lime, but it is exceed- 

 ingly useful in changing malignant, and corroding, and destructive sores 

 into the state of simple ulcers, and in ulcers that are not malignant it much 

 hastens the cure. Poll-evil, and fistulous withers are much benefited by 

 it, and all farcy ulcers. It is used in the proportion of one part of the 

 solution to twenty-four of water. 



Coiiunon Salt (Chloride of Sodium) is very extensively employed in vete- 

 rinary practice. It forms an efficacious aperient clyster; a solution of it 

 has even been given as an aperient drink. Sprinkled over the hay, or in a 

 mash, it is very palatable to sick horses; and in that languor and disin- 

 clination to food which remain after severe illness, few things will so soon 

 recall the appetite as a drink composed of eight ounces of salt in solution. 

 To horses in health it is more useful than is generally imagined, as pro- 

 jnotingthe digestion of the food, and, consequently, condition. Externally 

 applied, there are few better lotions for inflamed eyes than a solution of 

 half a drachm of salt in four ounces of water. In the proportion of an 

 ounce of salt to the same quantity of water, it is a good embrocation for 

 sore shoulders and backs ; and if it does not always disperse warbles and 

 tumours, it takes away much of the tenderness of the skin. 



Soap is supposed to possess a diuretic qualit)^, and therefore enters into 

 the composition of some diuretic masses. — See Resin. By many practi- 

 tioners it is made an ingredient in the physic ball, but uselessly or even 

 injuriously so; for if the aloes are finely powdered and mixed with palm 

 oil, they will dissolve readily enough in the bowels without the aid of the 

 soap, while the action of the soap on the kidneys will impair the purgative 

 efiect of the aloes. 



Starch may be substituted with advantage for gruel in obstinate cases 

 of purging, both as a clyster, and to support the strength of the animal. 



Stoppijngs constitute an important, but too often neglected part of stable 

 management. If a horse is irregularly or seldom worked, his feet are 

 deprived of moisture; they become hard, and unyielding, and brittle, and 

 disposed, to corn, and contraction, and founder. The very muck of a neg- 

 lected and filthy stable would be preferable to habitual standing on tlie 

 cleanest litter without stopping. In wounds, and bruises, and corns, moist- 

 ure is even more necessary to supple the horn, and relieve its pressure on 

 the tender parts beneath. As a common stopping, nothing is better 

 than cow-dung with a fourth part of clay beaten well into it, and confined 

 witii splents from the binding of the broom, or the larger twig of the 

 broom. In cases of wounds a little tar may be added; but tar, as a 

 common stopping, is too stimulating and drying. Pads made of thick 

 felt have lately been contrived, which are fitted to the sole, and, swelling 

 on being wetted, are sufficiently confined by the shoe. Having been 

 well filled with water, they will continue moist during the night They 

 are very useful in gentlemen's stables; but the cow-dung and clay are 

 sufticient for tlie farmer. 



Sulphur is the basis of the most effectual application foi mange. 



