392 THE HORSE. 



obscure, but ultimately referable to injury or inflammation of the unna.y 

 organs. Hence, too, the impropriety of suffering medicines of a diuretic 

 nature to be at t!ie command of the ignorant carter or groom. In swelled 

 legs, cracks, grease, or accumulation of fluid in any part, and in those 

 superficial eruptions and inflammations which are said to be produced by 

 humours floating in the blood, diuretics are evidently beneficial; but they 

 should be as mild as possible, and should not be oftener given or continued 

 longer thar- the case requires. For some cautions as to the administration 

 of diuretics, and a list of the safest and best, the reader is referred to page 

 215. The expensive Castile soap, and camphor, which are so often resorted 

 to, are not needed; the common liquid turpentine is quite sufficient in all 

 ordinary cases, and nitre and digitalis may be added if fever is suspected. 



Drinks. — Many practitioners and horse proprietors have a great objec- 

 tion to the administration of medicines in the form of drinks. A drink is 

 not so portable as a ball, it is more troublesome to give, and a portion of it 

 is usually wasted. If the drink contains any acid substance, it is apt to 

 excoriate the mouth, or to irritate the throat, already sore from disease, or 

 the unpleasant taste of the drug may unnecessarily nauseate the horse. 

 There are some medicines, however, which must be given in the form of 

 drink, as in cholic, and the time, perhaps, is not distant when purgatives 

 will be thus administered, as more speedy and safe in their operation. In 

 cases of much debility and entire loss of appetite, all medicine should be 

 given in solution, for the stomach may not have sufficient power to dissolve 

 the paper in which the ball is wrapped, or the substance of the ball. 



An ox's horn, the larger end being cut slantingly, is the usual and best 

 instrument for administering drinks. The noose of a halter is introduced 

 into the mouth, and then, by means of a stable fork, the head is elevated 

 by an assistant considerably higher than for the delivery of a ball. The 

 surgeon stands on a pail or stable basket on the off'-side of the horse, and 

 draws out the tongue with the left hand ; he then with the right hand 

 introduces the horn gently into the mouth, and over the tongue, and by a 

 dexterous turn of the horn empties the whole of the drink into the back 

 part of the mouth; the horn is now quickly withdrawn, and the tongue 

 loosened, and the greater portion of the fluid must be swallowed. A por- 

 tion of it, however, will often be obstinately held in the mouth for a long 

 time, and the head must be kept up until the whole is swallowed, which 

 a quick, but not violent, slap in the muzzle will generally compel the horse 

 to do. The art of giving a drink, consists in not putting too much into the 

 horn at once; introducing the horn far enough into the mouth, and quickly 

 turning and withdrawing it, without bruising or wounding the mouth, the 

 tongue being loosened at the same moment. A bottle is a disgraceful and 

 dangerous instrument to use. 



Elder. — The elder-leaf, boiled in lard, forms an emollient ointment, 

 usefully applied to inflamed and irritated parts. 



Epsom Salts. — See Magnesia. 



Fo3iENTATioNS open the pores of the skin, and promote perspiration 

 in the part, and so abate local swelling, and relieve pain, and lessen 

 inflammation. They are often used, and with more effect when the 

 inflammation is somewhat deeply seated, than when it is superficial. The 

 effect depends on the warmth of the water, and not any herb which may 

 have bei;n boiled in it. They are best applied by means of flannel, fre- 

 quently dipped in the hot water, or on which the water is poured, and the 

 heat should be as great as the hand will bear. The benefit that might be 

 derived from them is much impaired by the absurd method in which t^e 

 fomentations are conducted. They are rarely continued long enough 



