PURGING. 107 



engender diseases, the most fatal of which is that 

 scourge " Farcy." 



How many a fine horse, to all appearance in the best 

 condition, have I seen stricken with this fell malady, 

 from no other accountable cause than that which it is 

 hereby proposed to guard against ; besides, every one 

 knows that any animal kept at rest and fed up is more 

 predisposed to all kinds of inflammatory attacks, and 

 when thus visited the system more readily succumbs. 



More than this, every practical man is aware that an 

 occasional aloetic purge improves the health, condition, 

 and vigour of a horse. 



It seems as if the aloes acted as a powerful tonic and 

 renovator as well as purge. 



What trainer will think of putting a lusty or ill-con- 

 ditioned animal into " fettle " without employing this 

 purge as a partial means 1 



It is very dangerous to give a purging medicine to 

 a horse without first preparing the bowels by relaxing 

 them moderately with bran mashes. 



This is best done by giving about three or four 

 sloppy mashes, three in the course of the day preceding 

 the administration of the purge (reducing the quantity 

 of hay to one-third the usual amount), and one the first 

 thing next morning, no water or hay being given before- 

 hand that clay; about two or three hours after the mash, 

 administer the purge, giving just before and after it as 

 much warm water as the beast will drink. 



No hay should be allowed this clay or night, but as 

 many sloppy mashes as will be accepted should be 

 given. 



Give two hours' brisk walking exercise in clothes 

 about six or eight hours after the administration of the 



