108 PURGING. 



purge, and next morning, after a mash and watering 

 (always with warm water), two more hours of the same 

 exercise in clothes ; but be careful not to sweat the 

 horse. — See page 155. 



If the evacuations be fully free, less exercise is neces- 

 sary; otherwise, in a couple of hours repeat the walking 

 at a brisk pace. When the desired effect of the medi- 

 cine has been satisfactorily produced, hay and corn may 

 be gradually resorted to. 



While an animal is under the operation of purgative 

 medicine the water and mashes should be warmed, and 

 the body well protected jrom cold by clothing and the 

 exclusion of draughts. 



The ordinary purge, consisting of Barbadoes aloes 4 

 drachms, extract gentian 2 drachms, is mixed into a 

 mass by any chemist. With some delicate horses, sub- 

 ject to looseness, this purge may be too strong, and 

 should be reduced by a drachm of aloes and half a 

 drachm of gentian. 



On the contrary, with large horses of a full habit, 5 

 drachms of Barbadoes aloes, or even more, may be ne- 

 cessary, with 2 drachms of gentian. In all cases where 

 there is reason to suppose that the mucous surfaces of 

 the alimentary canal may be in a state of irritation, it 

 is much safer to give linseed-oil, say a pint at a time, 

 to which may be added, if speedy purging be essential, 

 twenty drops of croton oil. 



The use of old dry hay will be found the most simple 

 and ready primary resource to stop purging and steady 

 the action of the bowels, and a very little bruised oats 

 may also be given in such cases. 



Should the purge appear to gripe, copious clysters of 

 warm water will afford relief. 



