TmRD STAGE: MERCURY, A SPECmC. 141 



If these efforts to absorb the disease prove insufficient to conquer it, recourbc 

 must be had to the use of mercury, as recommended for the third or most viru- 

 lent stage of the disease, which is also the most common of the three. Mean- 

 time, we come to consider of that particular kind of farcy which is the least 

 common of all three; and this is wherein the tumours are larger than usually 

 happens, and smaller in number. The disease then partakes very much of 

 the nature of critical abscess (page 113), and of the strangles (page 130); bo'h 

 of which, the reader will perceive, are but the efforts of nature to relieve itsell 

 of an accumulation of offensive matter; and, this escaping, the cure is effect- 

 ed. In this second kind, or stage of farcy (as I call it), nothing more is requi 

 site than to promote suppuration, as directed in the diseases just referred to, 

 and follow it with the physic prescribed for the strangles. 



The third, most common and virulent kind of farcy, that which comes on 

 quickest, lasts the longest, and requires the most powerful means for its re- 

 moval, is that which is spread minutely all over the body and limbs, and has 

 penetrated the whole system. In whichever manner the animal may have 

 Hcquired the disorder, we may safely presume that the mass of humours is 

 hideously depraved, and mercury, in one or other of its varied forms, is the 

 only antidote to be relied upon for its extinction. Previously, however, the 

 farcy buds and ulcers must be reduced to the state of common sores, by means 

 of the actual cautery freely applied to each. When these slough off. and the 

 sores assume a healthy appearance, less of the mercurial preparation will be 

 required ; but if these retain a livid and therefore unhealthy hue, accompanied 

 6y a poisonous discharge that ulcerates the adjacent parts, a thorough course 

 of mercury is the only certain remedy, and this must be managed with cau- 

 tion. 



Mercurial Ball.— No. 1. 



^thiop's mineral, 2 drachms, 

 Opium, 10 grains, 



Liquorice powder and mucilage to form the ball for one 

 dose. 



Give twice a day, until the patient's breath smells very offensive, and then 

 discontinue the medicine a day or two, as you should also when the animal is 

 found to stale inordinately, or the bowels be very much disordered. But, when 

 the bowels are only slightly affected, increase the quantity of opium to twenty 

 or thirty grains. 



Mercurinl Ball. — No. 2. 



grail 

 Emetic tartar, half a drachm, 

 Opium, half a drachm. 



Mix, with liquorice powder and mucilage sufficient to form the ball for one 

 Jose. Give as before, at night and morning. 



Feed the patient generously during the operation of this strong medicine, 

 watch its progress closely, and lessen the quantity, or discontinue it altogeth r 

 a day or two when he is agitated greatly within, particularly if a kind of sick- 

 liess or gurgling be discernible, and the horse is off his appetite. Let him be 

 clothed completely. Malt mashes, sodden corn, and coarse sugar mixed with 

 his corn, dry, are good assi.-;tants to the proper operation of mercury. That 

 •8 a mistakerj notion, which induced jome farriers to give the edible "oots, *» 

 14 



