ON SOME OF THE MORE COMMON 



DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 



^'c. S^c, 4'c. 



On tJie Use and Abuse of Purgatives, 



^ O subject connected with the Veterinary Art hath given rise to a 

 greater contrariety of opinionj than that which respects the use of 

 Purging Physic for Horses. 



For whilst some have maintained the necessity of frequently and 

 regularly Physicking Horses^ others have asserted the propriety of 

 refraining altogether from the use of Purgatives. The truth, how- 

 ever^ I apprehend, will be found to lay (as it commonly does in 

 ; points of controversy) in the mean between these discordant opinions. 

 fl am inclined nevertheless, to believe that the latter of these opinions 

 has done the least mischief, not indeed so much on account of the dan- 

 ger necessarily attendant on the use of Physic, as of the injudicious 

 composition of the Purgative, but more especially of the preposteroua 

 methods of treating the animal under the operation of the medicines, 

 which are commonly had recourse to. 



A 



