OF DRINK. 345 



it would be imprudent for any one but an experienced 

 veterinary surgeon to attempt a cure. 



The deleterious plants of this country which affect the 

 horse are but few. The common hemlock, and water-hem- 

 lock, which prove a deadly poison to many other animals, 

 are eaten with impunity by the horse. 



Water-parsley, if not eaten in too large quantities, will 

 not act as a poison ; but if much is consumed, will produce 

 palsy. 



Water- drop wort is poisonous, but is generally rejected by 

 horses ; although instances have occurred of mares in foal 

 having died from eating it. Sometimes inflammation follows 

 it, and when this is the case, bleeding must be had recourse 

 to, and vinegar and gruel given internally. Of the former, 

 half-a-pint may be administered at a time. 



But of all the vegetable poisons, yew is the most to be 

 guarded against, as horses are very apt to eat its leaves. 

 When eaten it produces great sleepiness, from which it is 

 hardly possible to rouse the animal ; and that is only for 

 short intervals, for he soon relapses into a torpid state, and 

 dies without manifesting pain. The remedy to be tried is 

 the following : — Give ten grains of the farina of the croton- 

 nut whenever it is known the horse has eaten yew-leaves ; 

 then a drink of half-a-pint of vinegar, mixed with a 

 pint of gruel. Repeat the croton every six hours until it 

 operates. 



OF DRINK. 



Nothing is of greater importance than the quantity of 

 water which is given to a horse as drink. Accustomed for 

 the most part to dry food, water is indispensable to nourish- 

 ment and health. Its quality, too, is of vast importance, 

 Mr. Lawrence, in his treatise entitled "The Horse," makes 



2 Y 



