DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE. 185 



Treatment. — Keep the animal from work for a few days and 

 gfive him a physic consisting- of 



Bitter Al>es 8 drams. 



Common Soda ... 1 tableapoonf ul. 



Ginger 1 " 



Svreet Spirits of Nitre ^ ounce or 2 tablespoonfuls. 



Mix in a pint of luke warm water and g"ive as a drench. 

 Feed on soft, light food, and allow the animal to stand in a stable 

 a few days after giving- the drench. In case the animal is very 

 weak, and you think it is not safe to give him the aloes, give him 



Raw Luiseed Oil 1 pint. 



Sweet Spirits of Nitre i- ounce or 2 tablespoonfuls. 



Mix and give as a drench,, and use him the same as if you 



gave him the aloes; then give him the following powder to act 



on his kidneys and blood and build his system up : 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre ^ pound. 



Sulphur I " 



Ground Gentian Root ^ " 



Mix thoroughly and give a teaspoonful every night and morn- 

 ing in his feed. After he stands a couple days put him at gentle 

 work, not too hard, also hand rub his legs at night and bandage 

 them, which will keep the swelling down and strengthen the leg. 

 Never leave the bandage on longer than three hours, for if you 

 do it will do more harm than eood. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



DISEASES OF THE HEART, ARTERIES AND 



BLOOD. 



I. HEART DISEASES. 



These diseases are very uncommon in the horse, but 

 sometimes we have what is known as rupture of the valves and 

 palpitation of the heart. 



RUPTURE OF THE VALVES OF THE HEART. 



Causes. — It is hard to tell just what the cause is, but tlie 

 valves are diseased in some form before the rupture takes place. 



Symptoms. — When rupture takes place the horse dies almost 

 instantly, for it stops the circulation in the system. In sonie 

 cases the horse may be subjected to weak spells before rupture 

 takes place, while other times this symptom will not be noticed. 



Treatment. —There is none ; and the only way to tell if this 

 caused death is to examine the heart, which will be clotted with 



