PURGING. 99 



purge, and next morning, after a mash and watering 

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

 exercise in ck)thes ; but be careful not to sweat the 

 horse. — See page 144. 



If the evacuations be fully free, less exercise is 

 necessary ; otherwise, in a couple of hours repeat the 

 w^alking at a brisk pace. When the desired effect of 

 the medicine 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 from 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 neces- 

 sary, 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 mucli 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 ^ound 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 grijDe, co^dIous clysters of 

 warm water will aiford relief. 



