FEVERS — FIGHTING ACTION 



animal which carries such traces of previous trouble should 

 be carefully examined. It may be added that unscrupulous 

 persons frequently attempt to remove the traces of fever 

 rings by rasping the walls of the hoof, thereby inflicting 

 additional injury upon the horse. (See Laniinitis.) 



Fevers are, of course, associated with most diseases of 

 which horses are the victims, and their existence can always 

 be detected by the use of the clinical thermometer should the 

 attendant's sense of touch and the appearance of the animal 

 not be convincing. In cases where a fever is the precursor 

 of illness more serious, the patient must be watched in order 

 that his ailment may be diagnosed, but should nothing 

 transpire to account for the rise in temperature and 

 increased pulsation a dose of aconite 15 minims in half a 

 pint of water may be administered with satisfactory results. 

 If, on the other hand, there is reason for believing that the 

 patient is suffering from the effects of over-feeding or want 

 of exercise, his corn and chaff should be knocked off, and he 

 should be placed on a diet of mashes and green food for a 

 few days, and a dose of 4 drams of aloes in the case of a full- 

 sized horse may be administered. {See Prescriptions^ 



Fibula. — The bone of the back leg, situated below the 

 stifle joint and extending to the hock. (See Bones, Hind-legs^ 



Fidding. — A discreditable practice which is employed 

 by some owners of horses and their servants with the object 

 of making a mare carry her tail higher. It consists of 

 applying ginger, and occasionally cayenne pepper, to the 

 organ of sex, and constitutes an act of cruelty which no 

 proper minded person could be expected to tolerate. (See 

 Ginget'ing?) 



Fighting- Action. — A horse is said to fight in his action 

 when he raises his fore-legs off the ground to a considerable 

 height, but does not use his shoulders as he should or extend 



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