In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 1-49 



extremely uncertain, profuse bleeding is strongly recom- 

 mended by most writers ; open the jugular vein on both 

 sides and take as much blood as will cause the horse to 

 fall, or if it is down at the time, until it manifests 

 evident signs of exhaustion; after this give newly- 

 powdered croton nut half a drachm, or croton oil 20 

 drops. Upon no occasion give more than half a drachm 

 of the nut or 20 drops of the oil, as cases are not wanting 

 where SO drops of croton oil have killed heavy powerful 

 horses, which were previously in good health. The 

 croton should be given in a drink of oatmeal and water 

 every six hours, after which ten grains of nut or five 

 minims of oil may be given until the bowels are freely 

 moved ; to assist in which, injections of warm soap and 

 water should be often used. In using croton nut or oil, 

 from its acrid properties, we make the horse's throat and 

 mouth very sore, therefore it should never be used unless 

 in a case of extreme necessity. I have no doubt but the 

 following would have quite as beneficial an effect without 

 the irritating effects : — One ounce of aloes dissolved in a 

 pint of water, afterwards two drachms every four hours 

 until it operates, after this such medicine should be given 

 as has a tendency to diminish the quantity of blood sent 

 out from the heart. Foxglove in drink doses of one 

 drachm each every six or eight hours, or tartar emetic 

 can be given alternately with the foxglove in one drachm 

 doses. 



If the above treatment does not arrest immediately 

 the disease, death is sure speedily to follow. Some- 

 times cases occur with horses at grass which are 

 mistaken for mad staggers, but, although producing 



