368 THE HORSE. 



toms are combined, it may with some degree of certainty be sup- 

 posed that there are worms in the intestines, but before proceeding 

 to dislodge them, it is always the wisest plan to obtain proof posi- 

 tive of their existence, by giving an ordinary dose of physic, when, 

 on watching the evacuations, one or more worms may generally be 

 discovered if they are present. When the case is clearly made 

 out the plan of treatment is as follows : 



Take of Tartar Emetic* 1 drachm. 



Powdered Ginger . ^ drachm. 



Linseed Meal sufficient to make into a ball with boiling water. 



One should be given every morning for a week, then a dose of 

 physic ; linseed oil being the most proper. Let the stomach rest 

 a week; give another course of balls and dose of physic, after 

 which let the horse have a drachm of sulphate of iron (powdered) 

 twice a day with his feed of corn. 



There is no medicine which is so effectual for removing worms 

 in the horse as tartar emetic, and none which is so entirely innocu- 

 ous to the stomach. Calomel and spirit of turpentine were formerly 

 in use as vermifuges, but they are both dangerous drugs ; the 

 former, if given for any length of time, causing great derangement 

 of the stomach and liver ; and the latter often producing consi- 

 derable inflammation after a single dose, if sufficiently large to 

 cause the expulsion of the worms. Linseed oil given in half-pint 

 doses every morning is also an excellent vermifuge, but not equal 

 to the tartar emetic. If this quantity does not relax the bowels 

 it may be increased until they are rendered slightly more loose 

 than usual, but avoiding anything like purgation. 



The smaller species of intestinal worm chiefly inhabits the rec- 

 tum, but is occasionally found in the colon and caecum. It pro- 

 duces great irritation and uneasiness, but has not the same preju- 

 dicial effect on the health as the larger parasite. It is about one 

 to two inches in length, and somewhat smaller in diameter than a 

 crow quill. These worms are commonly distinguished as ascarides, 

 but both this species and the round worm belong to the genus 

 ascaris. The term thread worm is more correctly applied, as they 

 are not unlike sections of stout thread or cotton. The only symp- 

 tom by which their presence can be made out is the rubbing of 

 the tail, when if, on examination, no vermin or eruption is found 

 in the dock, it may be presumed that worms exist in the rectum. 

 The remedy for these worms is by the injection every morning for 

 a week of a pint of linseed oil, containing two drachms of spirit of 

 turpentine. This will either kill or bring away the worms, with 

 the exception of a few which are driven by it higher up into the 



* Omit the Tartar Emetic, and substitute 2 drachms of powdered Sul- 

 phate of Iron. EDITOR. 



