120 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



more than half the dose — namely, seven drachms of 

 Barbadoes aloes, and no calomel. This alteration 

 was effected by a better method of administering 

 it. His bowels were relaxed the two preceding days 

 by at least half a dozen loose bran mashes : he was kept 

 very short of hay during this time, and set upon the 

 muzzle at night ; and he had a considerable portion 

 of exercise on the day on which he took the ball, with 

 as much tepid water as he would drink, before he felt 

 nausea from the ball. Thus was the same effect 

 produced from a much less powerful, and — as must 

 be the case where drastic medicines are concerned — 

 also from a much less dangerous cause, and the con- 

 stitution relieved from the powerful impression of 

 mercury. The practice of physicking horses in this 

 mild and rational manner is now so well understood 

 that it is nearly disarmed of all apprehension of danger, 

 which formerly attended it. 



When necessary, I am a great advocate for mercurial 

 physic. Though I have administered it very fre- 

 quently, I never found any bad consequences to ensue, 

 with proper care and attention ; but I have known 

 several instances of horses being lost from its effects 

 through careless and unskilful management. It is 

 the property of mercury to stimulate the whole secret- 

 ing system more equably than any other medicine 

 that we know of ; and it is the only remedy to be 

 depended upon to thoroughly cleanse and change a 

 foul habit of body to a healthy one, by exciting action 

 in the glands, and giving increased energy to the 

 absorbents ; but, if given in too large quantities, it 



