494 MEDICINE. 



because in these places only two days are allowed for the trial, and if the horse is 

 not returned within that period, he cannot be afterwards returned. They are also 

 convenient to the purchaser, who can thus in a large town soon find a horso 

 that will suit him, and which, from this restriction as to returning the animal, 

 he will obtain twenty or thirty per cent, below the dealers' prices. Although 

 an auction may seem to offer a fair and open competition, there is no place at 

 which it is more necessary for a person not much accustomed to horses to take 

 with him an experienced friend, and, when there, to depend on his own judgment, 

 or that of his friend, heedless of the observations or manoauvres of the by- 

 standers, the exaggerated commendation of some horses, and the thousand 

 faults found with others. There are always numerous groups of low dealers, 

 copers, and chaunters, whose business it is to delude and deceive. 



One of the regulations of the Bazaar in King Street was exceedingly fair, 

 both with regard to the previous owner and the purchaser, viz. 



" When a horse, having been warranted sound, shall be returned within the 

 prescribed period, on account of unsoundness, a certificate from a veterinary sur- 

 geon, particularly describing the unsoundness, must accompany the horse so re- 

 turned ; when, if it be agreed to by the veterinary surgeon of the establishment, 

 the amount received for the horse shall be immediately paid back ; but if the 

 veterinary surgeon of the establishment should not confirm the certificate, then, 

 in order to avoid further dispute, one of the veterinary surgeons of the college 

 shall be called in, and his decision shall be final, and the expense of such umpire 

 shall be borne by the party in error." 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT 

 OF THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



HE will rarely consult his own interest, who, not having having had the 

 advantage of a veterinary education, undertakes the treatment of any of the 

 serious diseases of his horses. Many of the maladies of the horse nearly 

 resemble each other. They are continually varying their character, and require, 

 in their different stages, a very different treatment, and in the plainest case 

 not only the characteristic symptoms of disease are obscure, but even the indica- 

 tions of returning health, or increasing danger, are often scarcely ascertainable, 

 consequently the sick horse, as well as the human being, needs the care of 

 one whom study and experience have qualified for the task. A list of the 

 drugs generally employed, with a slight account of their history, adulterations, 

 and medicinal effects, will be interesting to the horse-proprietor as well as to 

 the veterinary surgeon ; and may occasionally be useful when professional aid 

 cannot be obtained. 



Frequent reference will be made to Professor Morton's most valuable 

 Manual of Pharmacy. This work will be found to be a treasure to every 

 veterinary surgeon. Mr. W. C. Spooners Materia Medica, in his recent 

 compendium of White's account of the horse, will occasionally be laid under 

 contribution. 



ACACIA GUMMI. Many varieties of gum arable are procured from Egypt, 

 Arabia, and the East Indies. It is an exudation from the trunk and branches 

 of various trees. It is employed in the form of a mucilage, made by dissolving 



