448 NAVIX ox THE HORSE. 



after the medicine is given. Some produce very watery oper- 

 ations ; others seem only to increase the number without much 

 altering the appearance ; others cause a much greater quantity 

 of bile in the operations. Cathartics are sometimes called 

 physics. They do a great deal of harm when improperly given ; 

 but when properly given, they are very valuable in many dis- 

 eases. The principal medicines used as cathartics, or physics, 

 in the treatment of the diseases of the horse, are, aloes, salts, 

 croton oil, podophyllin, linseed-oil, etc. 



Laxatives are medicines which act but slightly on the bow- 

 els. Cathartics in small doses generally, but not always, act 

 as laxatives. 



Diuretics are articles which increase the quantity of urine or 

 water. They are very useful agents, but if too long given 

 may do much mischief. They are very valuable in fevers and 

 inflammations. Among the diuretics most frequently given 

 are niter, sweet spirits of niter, turpentine, cream of tartar, and 

 digitalis. When giving diuretics, the patient should be kept 

 cool, and allowed to drink freely. 



I)ia])horetics are medicines which cause sweating, or increase 

 the insensible perspiration from the skin. Those articles which 

 act as diaphoretics on the horse arc not very numerous. An- 

 timony and sulphur are most frequently employed. But warm 

 clothing and good rubbing are the most effectual where the ob- 

 ject is to produce condition. To cause prompt and free sweat- 

 ing, the most powerful means is the " whisky sweat," or steam- 

 ing. They are the most useful in inflammations. 



Astringents are medicines which lessen or stop discharges, 

 either natural or unnatural, as the discharges from the bowels, 

 nose, kidneys, or from bleeding vessels, wounds, etc. They act 

 by " puckering up " the parts from which the discharge takes 

 place. Some astringents are to be given internally; some are 

 to be applied to the part from Avhich the discharge occurs. 

 Alum, sugar of lead, tannin, opium, persulj)hate of iron, kino, 

 and catechu are valuable astringents. 



