278 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



subject of physicino; derives its popularity with 

 the mere horseman ; though we have shewn 

 that it derives no less consideration under 

 every point of view, connected with the well- 

 being of this valuable animal. In promoting 

 condition, purgatives not only act favourably 

 on the digestive organs, but their beneficial 

 influence extends to the other solid and fluid 

 parts of the body also ; by their means the 

 watery parts of the blood are removed, by 

 which the absorbents become stimulated to 

 take up all the interstitial fluid interposed be- 

 tween the moving masses, as well as that 

 distributed within the cellular membrane, by 

 which means the strength is augmented, 

 and the weight of useless matter diminished. 

 The unnecessary adeps, or fat of the body is 

 also removed by the same process, which 

 allows the muscular fibres to be more recti- 

 linearly placed, and to approximate in their 

 action, by which a great increase in their 

 power is gained. It is thus that physic draws 

 up the belly, and hardens the flesh. The 

 lungs also are enabled to act more advantage- 

 ously by the agency of physic, their capacity 

 being greatly increased by the absorption of 

 incumbering matter, either solid or fluid. In 

 this way, the wind as well as the strength, is 

 increased by perfect condition. 



The abuse and danger of purgatives. — 

 Salutary as is the operation of purgatives on 

 Horses, judiciously managed, and properly 

 timed ; yet hurtful in the extreme, and often 

 fatal are the consequences brought about by 

 an ignorant employment of them when not 

 proper, and an erroneous mode of managing I 

 them when they are. In all inflammatory 

 affections of the stomach and bowels, cathar- 

 tics'must be highly injurious, except in intlam- 

 ination of the bowels, when the obstruction 



cannot be overcome by any other means. 

 They are almost equally hurtful in inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs ; and it is probable, from the 

 powers it calls forth in the Horse to produce 

 purging, occasioned by his structural pecu- 

 Harities, that in all great visceral inflamma- 

 tions, active purges should be admitted with 

 caution. In farcy and glanders, purgatives 

 seldom do other than harm ; and in chronic 

 affections, attended with great debility, ihey 

 are only admissible in some peculiar instances, 

 specified in the treatment of such diseases. 

 Physic is hurtful, however, principally from 

 the frequency, and quantity sometimes given. 

 Grooms suppose that every ordinary case re- 

 quires three doses of physic ; the reason for 

 which, many have humorously given : — " The 

 first being intended to stir up the humours : 

 the second to set them afloat ; and the third 

 to carry them oflV 



To very young Horses, and to delicate 

 feeders, the giving of three doses cf physic 

 must be attended with most injurious conse- 

 quences, and such as they cannot recover 

 from for months ; sometimes never. In such 

 cases, one or two very mild doses are all that 

 is required, or ought to be permitted ; and it 

 is doubtful, without some " foulness," as it is 

 termed, or rather extreme fulness and plethora 

 be apparent, whether in ordinary cases, two 

 moderate doses be not all that is necessary to 

 ens^ure the condition of saddle and carriage- 

 horses. It is an unfortunate prejudice, en- 

 gendered by ignorance, and kept alive by 

 obstinacy, " that to do much good with physic 

 it mu^t be very strong." I have many time* 

 been told by grooms, that the dose of physic I 

 had given, could not be strong enough, for it 

 had not purged the Horse more than fifteen 

 or sixteen times. In many cases, these know- 



