PREPARATION FOR FAST WORK. 317 



sooner he is purged. When the dose is strong, exercise mus 

 be given with more caution than when it is weak. But too 

 much exercise, particularly beyond a walk, will make even a 

 weak dose over-purge the horse. 



If not purging freely next morning, when the stable is 

 opened, the horse may go out and remain for an hour at a 

 wark, with an occasional slow trot. Whenever purgation is 

 fairly established the horse should be brought in, and stand in 

 the stable till his physic sets, that is, till it ceases to operate. 

 Some continue the exercise for a good while after the horse is 

 purging ; and when very copious purgation is wanted, or 

 when the dose is not very strong, this may be done, the dan- 

 ger of carrying the process beyond the horse's strength being 

 always remembered. A full dose, with proper preparation; 

 and proper treatment, usually continues to operate pretty 

 smartly for twelve hours. All this time the horse gets bran 

 mashes and water as on the preceding day. At night the 

 evacuations should be less fluid, and by next morning they 

 ought to be quite natural. After this the horse returns to his 

 usual diet. 



Colic. If the horse appear in pain, pawing the ground, 

 looking at his flank, rising and lying, or rolling when down, 

 he may have a clyster of warm soapy water, and go to exer- 

 cise. This sometimes happens before purgation begins. If 

 the pain be very severe, producing perspiration, a cordial ball 

 may be given and more clysters, and exercise, only a walk. 



Superpurgation occurs frequently, either from the dose be- 

 ing too strong, or from the horse getting too much exercise. 

 If the physic continue to operate so as to threaten evil, it may 

 be stopped very readily by giving the horse a few oats or 

 beans, one or both. If the horse will not eat, give him a 

 cordial ball ; withhold water, and give oatmeal gruel instead ; 

 bandage the legs, clothe the body, give a good bed, shut up 

 the stable, and do not take the horse out. In half an hour 

 after giving the cordial, again try the horse with oats or beans. 

 Should these means fail, or should the horse very rapidly be- 

 come weak, dejected, losing flesh from the back, crest, and 

 thighs, let him have half a pint of mulled port wine, well 

 spiced in as much warm water, and add an ounce of lauda- 

 num to it. Repeat this dose every four or five hours till 

 purging stops. It will always succeed, if the horse be not 

 indeed at death's door before the treatment is begun. Bleed- 

 ing in such a case destroys the horse. 



SWEATING. Every horse must perspire more or less while 

 27* 



