g On the Use and Abuse of Purgatives, 



cially in all cases of habitual costiveness) that the contents of the 

 anterior intestines, are rendered soft by the bran, whilst the posterior 

 bowels, and especially the Rectum, arc plugged up by hardened 

 Foeces. And as the first effects of the Purgative are exerted upon the 

 stomach and anterior bowels, a violent and partially diffused stimulus 

 is consequently applied to these organs, which become thereby sub- 

 jected to the operation of an unnecessary and (if I may use the 

 phrase) an unfair proportion of the medicine — Nor does the mischief 

 end here, for on account of the mechanical impediment which the 

 state of the posterior bowels thus presents to the equable, mild, and 

 g-entle operation of the Physic, the; Groom frequently takes the alarm, 

 lest the efficacy of a favourite prescription, or his own skill in ma- 

 .nagcment^ should be called in question. He therefore thinks it 

 essentially necessary, to expedite the operation of the Physic, by 

 giving the Horse such kind of severe exercise, as in the highly- 

 distended state of his stomach and bowels, accompanied with extreme 

 languor and sickness, he is not capable of bearing with impunity. 



True it is that galloping or hard trotting does indeed, under these 

 circumstances, usually bring on the Purgative effects of the Physic ; 

 but it sometimes happens that it is the last gallop or trot which the 

 animal can be made to perform ; for inflammation of some part of 

 the immense tract of the alimentary canal occasionally takes place^ 

 and death closes the scene in a few hours. 



1 have heard these fatal accidents explained and got over by the 

 Students and Doctors of the University of Newmarket, with infinite 

 composure and self-complacency. 



The Hoi'se's Physic say they, did not work, his body took t© 

 iiwelling at night, and in the morning; he died. 



