SURFEIT. 303 



while the sulphur acts upon the bowels, and the urinary 

 organs are cleared out by the nitre. 



If the horse is off his feed, and no symptoms of fever, it 

 may be apprehended, as above hinted, that a want of energy 

 of the vessels is the cause of the complaint, In that case 

 it will be necessary to add a tonic to the above prescription. 

 Let that be 



Gentian ... 1 drachm, 

 Ground ginger . . ^ drachm. 



But it is only in cases where it is evident that there is a 

 want of energy that tonics should be resorted to, as they 

 are apt to induce fever if too much used ; and althougli 

 they may be useful, and attended with truly beneficial 

 effects, when they are used Avith caution, yet the too 

 frequent use of them induces a habit, and the quantity 

 must be increased and often repeated, and a dangerous state 

 of excitement is thereby kept up. 



Besides what we have above recommended, it will be 

 found that friction may be advantageously employed, as it 

 arouses the dormant energies of the secreting vessels. 

 Additional clothing may also be resorted to with great 

 advantage. We must, however, draw- a marked distinction 

 between heat thus employed from that of keeping the stable 

 warm. This is too frequently resorted to by injudicious 

 grooms, who thus contaminate the atmosphere of the stable, 

 and keep up what is very often the cause of the disease. 

 Nothing is of so much consequence as a well-aired stable ; 

 and if warmth is necessary, let it be applied in the shape 

 of clothing, 



SURFEIT. 



Symptoms. — In the spring large pimi)les or lumps sud- 

 denly make their ap[)earance on the skin of the horse. 



