BOTS. 89 



tory of the case, to ascertain if the horse has been so used as ' 

 to produce debility and irritation of the stomach, and then 

 being allowed too much food of any kind. In flatulent colic, 

 the horse gets down and rolls, looks at his side, etc., but 

 does not stagger when he goes to walk. His mind is not 

 affected, shows no signs of derangement of the brain, and is 

 swollen. 



I will here repeat what I have often urged, in substance, at 

 least, that there is no practice so reprehensible, and so likely to 

 do mischief, as that of crowding down a horse gallon after 

 gallon of whatever mixture may be recommended by the by- 

 standers. Examine cautiously the symptoms of the case, and, 

 if possible, find out the caiLse, and then, when you feel sure of 

 the nature of the case, give the few doses necessary, and trust 

 to their efficacy. Do not torture the horse by those villainous 

 mixtures of every offensive thing, which are so often poured 

 down the poor dumb animal, without sense or reason. Better 

 leave the horse to nature — not a bad doctor generally — than 

 pursue such a course. 



Treatment. — The prospects of successful treatment of this 

 disease are not very flattering. Treatment early in the attack 

 may cure it. I should bleed freely in the start, and give an 

 active, quick physic. 



Take — Croton oil 20 drops. 



Crude mercury 5 grains. 



Mix. To be given in a pint of warm waterj as a drench. 



BOTS. 



The bot is a small, reddish, yellowish grub or worm, which 

 may be found fastened to the inner coat of the uj^per part of 

 the horse's stomach, from the fall until about the latter part 

 of the following summer. When the bot first attaches itself to 

 the stomach it is very small, and would hardly be noticed if 

 the stomach were opened; but it at once commences to grow, 



