40 , Worms. 



dicine ; so great is the avidity in the public mind to grasp at novelty, 

 and to be delighted with mystery. But as I have never seen any de- 

 cided^ or permanently good effects, from any of these popular reme- 

 dies, I think it useless to lake up the time of my Readers by any 

 comments upon them. There is one celebrated Specific, however, 

 which it behoves me to give my sentiments upon, in the discussion 

 of this subject. The Medicine I allude to is Calomel, the promis- 

 cuous use of which has proved fatal to many Horses, especially when 

 mixed with Aloetic Purgatives ; and particularly so, when joined to 

 Barhadoes Aloes. Nor, does the credit which Calomel has obtained 

 'for its specific powers as a Vermifuge in Horses, rest upon any other 

 ^foundation, at best, than that of analogy. 



For if given largely, by itself, to the quantity of even half an 

 ounce, it exerts little or no influence upon the Bowels ; but if re- 

 peated frequently in Doses of a Di-achm, it will very readily be ab- 

 sorbed, and the Animal will be salivated. But this is an effect of 

 Mercury, which ought in all cases to be sedulously guarded against ; 

 for the Animal not having reason, will sooner submit to starvation, 

 than to the pain of masticating his food, when his Gums ^re made 

 sore by the Mercury. And in consequence of this absurd mode of 

 administering Calomel as an Alterative, I have seen some instances 

 of Horses that were; reduced, almost to skeletons, and which were 

 with difficulty brought about, by means of gruel and the drenching 

 horn . If, however. It be determined to consider Calomel as essen- 

 tially . necessary, in cases of .Worms, it is certainly the safest prac- 

 tice, to give it, joined .with some mild aromatic, over night ; or in 

 other words,. about twelve hours before the Aloetic Purge, which 

 should be given on the following morning. In this way, certain]^. 



