CHAPTER XXXVIII 

 GENERAL TREATMENT 



TN case of illness, It is an excellent rule to give no 

 medicine whatever unless you absolutely know what 

 is the cause of the trouble. If you have any doubt 

 about that, keep the horse warm and quiet, see that 

 his bowels are open, and leave the rest to nature. If, 

 however, the horse Is In pain, the pain should be 

 alleviated In the manner described below. 



Above all things, beware of the amateur horse- 

 doctor. Many a good horse has been brought to an 

 untimely end by severe remedies, and especially by 

 drugs of opposite character which never should be 

 given together. One of the finest horses that I ever 

 knew was killed by a large dose of soda, followed, 

 shortly afterward, by a pint of vinegar. The alkali 

 and the acid thus united acted almost like a bomb shell 

 in the stomach of the unfortunate animal. 



Hay, bran mashes, and oatmeal gruel are the proper 

 food for sick horses, and the hay should be rather fine 

 hay, with, if possible, a slight mixture of clover. Good 

 nursing, In the case of a sick horse. Is more important 

 than good doctoring. 



If a horse Is kept In the stable by reason of Illness 

 or Injury or any other cause, look out for his forefeet. 

 They are sure to become dry and hard and to contract 

 unless means are employed to soften them. Many and 



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