13 



CHAPTER XI 



ON THE TEEATMENT OF DISEASES 



Such skill as I have is the reader's. Let him ever remember, too, 

 that, in physicking, discretion is necessary, and that the dose given 

 depends on the size of the horse and the time of year. He must 

 not treat all breeds alike; he must, for instance, distinguish between 

 a Turkoman and an Arab. Horses vary in temperament, and this 

 is a point worthy of serious attention. His skill will be shown if 

 for one pound of lore he have ten of wit. Experts praise that man 

 who administers a remedy according to time and temperament. 



There are only four methods of discovering the state of a horse's 

 health, though ancient farriers have discoursed at length on the 

 subject ; but these windy discourses of the old masters are 

 elaborate and incomprehensible : though I have studied them much 

 I have understood them little. 



As I come of a soldiers-family, my knowledge is that of ex- 

 perience, and that knowledge I now record so that all who read 

 may benefit. 



Know that the state of health is to be ascertained from an 

 inspection of the urine, of the dung, and of the haw of the eye 

 {batdna = " the conjunctiva membrane "). The fourth means I can 

 hardly explain on paper; it is intuition {'ilm-i sina), and that 

 cannot be imparted on paper. Now as long as the membrane of 

 the eyelid (koya) - has a rose-pink hue, there is little the matter 

 with the animal ; but a pale colour in the membrane indicates the 

 prevalence of "coldness in the temperament" (sanU).^ If the 

 horse is suffering from catarrh, give it, for three or four consecutive 

 days, about two tolas'^ of green ginger, giving it after the night- 

 feed. Item: give it, daily, a date, for a few days; but on no 



^ This, of cotirse, implies cavahy. 



2 Koya is amongst salotrls the lining membrane of the eyelid ; but it 

 is said to be, properly, the canthus of the eye, i.e., the angle formed by 

 the two eyelids at the corners ; there is an inner and an outer canthus. 



^ According to the Greek theory of temperaments. 



* Do fakd bhar. A told is about \ oz. 



