INVALID FOOD 27 



of water thus treated will make a jelly-like mash more acceptable to the 

 majority of horses than if made sloppy by the addition of a greater- 

 proportion of water. 



Linseed Tea. — Here the seed should be " simmered" for a long time, 

 in order to extract the full value from it. In some well-ordered estab- 

 lishments the tea intended for evening consumption stands in readiness 

 on the hob all day. Half a pound of linseed to a gallon of water is a 

 suitable proportion. It is, of course, a misnomer to speak of boiled foods 

 as " tea ", but we may with propriety use the term when making an 

 infusion of hay. 



Hay Tea. — A perfectly clean bucket being chosen and warmed by 

 pouring in boiling water and throwing it away, we choose the best old 

 hay and pack it quickly and tightly into the vessel, fill the latter with 

 boiling water, cover closely, and allow it to remain until cold. The 

 tea should then be carefully decanted, so that the seeds do not pass 

 over. 



Linseed Oil is spoken of as a food as well as a medicine, and is fre- 

 quently prescribed as such. As a laxative it is given in quantities of 

 two or three table-spoonfuls in the food morning and evening, and so 

 employed is the best substitute for green meat. The majority of horses 

 will take it, but some prefer linseed cake, which is more nutritious and 

 fattening than it is laxative, but may serve as a bait to enable the animal 

 to acquire a liking for the expressed oil. 



Roots, of which the carrot and beet are the most nutritious, the turnip 

 and mangold the most laxative, are usually given raw. The sick Ik use 

 may be tempted sometimes by scraping a carrot under his nose and cutting- 

 slices of a convenient size; in this way he is afforded a certain amount of 

 amusement, and the appetite which has been in abeyance may be reawak- 

 ened. The chaff-cutter may be utilized for these vegetables, and oatmeal 

 or other sustaining food sprinkled over the slices and made appetizing by 

 the addition of salt or some of the many condiments now in the market. 



Boiled or cooked roots are sometimes prescribed for sick animals, but 

 they are found to be undesirable in health, having a tendency to produce 

 flatulence and dyspepsia generally. For the same reason potatoes are not 

 included in a sick diet. 



Gruel. — This food is often recommended without any specific instruc- 

 tions as to what gruel, and unless linseed or other descriptive name is used, 

 oatmeal is understood. It is best prepared by adding the meal to cold water 

 in the proportion of one pound to the gallon. It should be placed over 

 a quick fire, and continually stirred to prevent dry particles from adhering 

 to the bottom and sides of the sauce-pan. As it approaches boiling-point 



