DISEASES OF HORSES. 163 



BUTTON FARCY. 



First physic; then give the following powders: One 

 ounce each of gentian, fcenu-greek, rhubarb, calomel, 

 saltpetre, flour sulphur; half pound Jamaica ginger; 

 mix one tablespoonful twice a day; wash off the sores 

 and dust arsenic in to eat out the rotten flesh. Keep 

 on light food bran mash. 



PHYSICKING. 



There is more injury done in the practice of this than 

 in any other medical treatment of the horse. The old 

 practice has been to physic and bleed every spring, 

 and this is necessary where the horse is really sick. 

 When you change him from the pasture to the warm 

 stable and dry food, it is also good, as the horse must 

 be prepared for it. Give three or four mashes before 

 the physic, and, in the majority of cases, they will be 

 sufficient without it, especially if the bowels are 

 slightly moved, for really the less medicine given the 

 better. 



After the physic is given, the horse should have 

 walking exercise for an hour or two; but when it begins 

 to operate he should be kept still as possible, or the 

 medicine would be likely to gripe, and perhaps irritate 

 the intestinal canal and cause inflammation. You can 

 give him a small amount of hay and as much mash as 

 he will eat, and as much water with the chill off as he 

 chooses to drink; if he will not drink tepid water give 

 him about a quart of cold water every hour. When 

 the purging ceases, give a mash twice a day, until 

 you give more physic, which should be only once a 

 week. 



Barbadoes aloes is the best purgative, being always 

 sure and safe. The dose, with the horse prepared by 



