280 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



disorders Avliere the heart is burdened by the pressure 

 required to force the blood forward through the arteries in 

 inflammatory complaints, it is easy to .«ee that taken in 

 too great quantities, or too frequently, may not only render 

 it too thin, but also deficient in quantity. 



Diuretic medicines are of much value in many diseases. 

 For example, in swellings of the legs the use of diuretics 

 have the effect of carrying off — as we have above shown — a 

 greater than ordinary quantity of the watery portion of the 

 blood. Nature has always a tendency to keep in equili- 

 brium all her machinery and laws ; consequently, tlie 

 absorbent vessels are stimulated to greater action in order 

 to compensate for this waste, and take up and convey into 

 the circulation that portion of the fluid which had affected 

 the limbs. In short, many horses are so predisposed to 

 swelling of the limbs, that it is impossible to render them 

 fine without the use of diuretics. We shall treat this part 

 more fully in our chapter on medicines ; but we may in the 

 meantime offer the following precautions in the use of 

 diuretics. First, let the horse have as much drink as he 

 will take, as this will promote the urinary evacuations. 

 Secondly, the stable should be kept cool, and the clothing 

 thin ; because, if this is not attended to, the medicine given 

 to stimulate the kidneys will pass off by perspiration, and 

 the effect intended will be thus frustrated. It is a law of 

 the animal economy that when the skin gives off perspira- 

 tion, the action of the kidneys is reduced. 



Turpentine is an excellent diuretic. It may be given 

 in liquid, or made into balls with lintseed-meal and 

 half-a-drachm of ginger, formed with palm-oil. Half-an- 

 ounce of turpentine is a sufficient dose to be given at a 

 time ; but where fever exists, nitre or digitalis should be 

 administered. 



