THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 70 



free from it for some time afterwards, though I do not 

 remember that any of them were absolutely cured 

 of it. 



" The horses that chiefly escaped the distemper were 

 those that had been kept in constant strong exercise, 

 or full aged horses, many of which remained unin- 

 fected though very much exposed to it. The method 

 of treating the malady, as may be supposed, was simple 

 and easy. As soon as the horses were attacked, they 

 were bled plentifully, which evidently gave them re- 

 lief, many of them being feverish and very short- 

 breathed. 



" Afterwards mucilaginous drinks, in which linseed, 

 liquorice, and garlic were predominant materials, were 

 exhibited, and with these were given balls made of the 

 aromatic powders mixed with honey, balsam of sul- 

 phur, and the oils of aniseed. In some cases it was 

 thought necessary to give about half a pint of white 

 wine with a few ounces of oxymel and squills. After 

 they began to ran at the nose, the complaint began to 

 abate ; and as soon as the horse looked somewhat lively, 

 and began to eat, the use of the medicines was sus- 

 pended, and he was allowed plenty of water, with free 

 air and exercise. 



" This disease it seems began near London about 

 the middle of September. It became general in about 

 six weeks or two months, and made so swift a progress, 

 that in the space of one week there was scarcely a 

 stable without the infection. The time of its con- 

 tinuance in each horse was but short. Some horses 

 were perfectly recovered in a week or ten days, some 

 in a fortnight, and few continued under it longer than 

 three weeks or a month before they recovered their 

 flesh, and their usual strength and vigour. Scarcely 

 any indeed did amiss, except such as had been unskii- 



