1/6 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



beyond the limits of vital power die from suffocation ; ^ 

 and on this account, as soon as we perceive a horse 

 to be much over-marked, he should have from three 

 to four quarts of blood drawn from his neck imme- 

 diately on his getting home, to relieve the pressure on 

 his lungs ; and one ounce of carbonate of ammonia 

 (salt of hartshorn, a powerful stimulant) should be 

 given him every four hours during that night, and part 

 of the next day, in a ball. Although he should be 

 put into the coolest stable that can be found — nay, 

 indeed, into an open shed, well littered down, if the 

 symptoms are alarming — yet a strong determination 

 of the blood to the surface should be kept up by 

 friction of the legs, belly, and head, and by very 

 warm clothing on the body. A good cordial ball, 

 or a pint of mulled port wine well spiced, should also 

 be given him, and his bowels should be relieved by a 

 clyster of warm gruel. If the impeded action of the 

 heart and arteries do not soon abate, he should be well 

 blistered behind his elbows, and lose some more blood ; 

 and I think I may venture to say that if this treatment 

 does not save his life, there is too much reason to fear 

 he is beyond the reach of man. 



Many persons are apt to imagine that when horses 

 are over-marked, cordials are improper, and that the 

 reducing or repellent system is alone to be pursued. 

 This, however, is quite a mistaken notion ; for al- 

 though bleeding is resorted to in order to relieve the 



^ When hunters are brought into the field without being con- 

 ditioned or winded, they are very liable to suffer from pulmonary 

 apoplexy or acute engorgement of the lungs. — Editor. 



