On Gypsum. 161 



peated, after a few days. The horse will refuse die se- 

 cond course, if he be not starved into compliance. I 

 find it to be a violent cathartick, if taken in sufficient 

 quantity. In the ''''Agricultural Enquiries on Plaister^'' 

 page 85, in a note, — the forrnation of calculi^ in the vis- 

 eera of horses, is mentioned ; as having been by some 

 farmers attributed to their taking in plaister, mixed ac- 

 cidentally with their food. I did not then know the 

 purgative quality of the plaister. It refutes every idea 

 that it would remain in the viscera, long enough to form 

 concretions. 



The doses of pulverized plaister, gave my horse 

 some temporary relief. But I have no faith in any re- 

 medy proposed for this incurable malady. I have seen 

 a fact published of an horse at pasture cured by drink- 

 ing, during a whole season, pond water, impregnated 

 with lime. But we do not hear of this horse, after be- 

 ing, for any length of time, on dry food. I have known' 

 hdls, in this disease, procured by vai'ious palliatives ; 

 but it returned, after exercise and hard work, or dry 

 food. Diet is the best palliative, but hay is bad ; the 

 food should be wet and laxative ; and some gentle ape- 

 rient should be often used. Garlic, flaxseed, sidphur, 

 tar, and lime water &c. I have, in vain, administered 

 with exemplary patience. All are useful, but none ef- 

 fectual. Horses fed entirely (through the winters) on 

 potatoes, have been relieved, for several years, though 

 afflicted with heaves, or broken wind. 



The salivary dejluxions from horses, and homed cat- 

 tle, and hoving, are unjustly attributed to plaistered 

 grass. These 1 remember from my earliest youth, be 



