226 THE HORSE 



condition is due to want of grain. This is only one 

 example of the general law that when any animal is 

 allowed to get out of condition, it becomes the prey 

 of various hostile creatures that attack it internally or 

 externally. 



There are two kinds of worms. There is the large 

 worm, which is long, round, white, and tapering at each 

 end. This worm usually inhabits the stomach and 

 small intestine. If the horse is hidebound, with a 

 staring coat, morbid appetite and distended belly, he 

 probably has worms of this kind. 



The other kind is a small, thread-like worm, not 

 much above an inch in length, and it usually inhabits 

 the rectum, not far from the anus. Its presence is 

 often shown by small yellow streaks or patches on the 

 skin directly under the tail. These yellow spots are the 

 eggs of the worm. Worms of this sort cause an itching, 

 and the horse will rub his tail and hind quarters against 

 the stall or any other object which he can reach. 



To rid the horse of the larger worms, he should first 

 be given a tonic of some kind, and afterward a dose of 

 physic. The reason for this was humorously explained 

 by an Irish veterinary surgeon of great ability. He- 

 said, '' If you want to get a man out of his house, you 

 must first make him good-natured, and then you can 

 coax him out. It is the same with the worm — you must 

 feed him up before you can dislodge him." 



The following is a good tonic for this purpose : 



Powdered sulphate of iron, one pound ; ginger, gentian, nitrate 

 of potash, and bi-carbonate of soda, each one-half pound. 



This should be well mixed and a tablespoonful In dry 



