298 THE CONDITION OF HUNTERS 



pearance of robust health ! — and yet these mehorated 

 states probably were not preceded by any signs what- 

 ever of disorder or disease ! And it is in the alterative 

 and laxative forms that cathartics are so beneficial 

 in promoting health that appears to be flagging : in 

 fact, they are effectually, under such circumstances, 

 veritable tonics." 



Again. — " There are certain manifestly disordered 

 states of body also in which laxatives are preferable to 

 purgatives in full doses. In all cases of habitual 

 pursiness or thickness of breath from previous organic 

 disease, in broken wind, in evident imperfection of the 

 digestive process, and in some cutaneous affections, 

 their judicious exhibition will often be found to be 

 eminently serviceable . ' ' 



As nothing that I can write can so satisfactorily 

 account for the operations of properly-applied 

 cathartics, or laxatives, as auxiliaries to the condition 

 and the general safety of horses' health, I shall con- 

 clude this part of my subject by saying, that I never 

 used any kind of oils as laxatives to promote condition ; 

 but have found great benefit in two drachms of 

 Barbadoes aloes, with one drachm of ginger, made 

 into a very small ball, and given (generally) two 

 mornings in succession. From five to seven drachms 

 of Barbadoes aloes is sufficient for any hunter pro- 

 vided that the animal be duly prepared beforehand by 

 giving it several warm sloppy bran and linseed mashes. 

 Six drachm physic balls should always be kept in 

 stock by the stud groom, and the best balls are those 

 obtained from a veterinary surgeon. 



