150 SYMPTOMS A^D CURE. 



the inordinate use of diaphoretics, the stimulating nature whereof, as is usual 



in all such cases, had thus defeated itself. 



Horses that are so affected with tumours, are they which become distressed 

 easily, though in good apparent health, upon being pushed on a journey, or 

 at a heavy drag, particularly when the belly is distended. Thus the cause of 

 hide-bound exists long before we can perceive it, and is the reason why I re- 

 commend the arsenical preparation hereafter prescribed, as a tonic, previous 

 to administering the sweating remedies. The appearance of hide-bound is 

 frequently ascribed to the worms, botts, &c. ; but in all those subjects examin- 

 ed by me, amounting to half a score or more (for I kept no notes), no worms 

 were to be found of any consequence, for it would be ridiculous to talk of two 

 or three such stray insects occasioning such an extensive disorder, so remote 

 '"om the seat of their supposed ravages. What is very well worth remarking 

 (though such a thing is not very singular) is, that the writer who has most 

 ustily cried out " Worms, worms ! " upon every occasion of disordered skin 

 and staring coat, has recently suggested that after all, worms are necessary to 

 the horse's digestion ; and the gentleman seems to think that these insects act 

 upon the horse's stomach much in the same manner as popper on that of man- 

 kind! Thus he blows hot and cold with the same breath, or rather worms 

 and pepper with the same pen ; for, whilst the worms are so lauded in one 

 volume of his works, the malediction remains uncorrected in the other. 



Sijmptoms. — As the word implies, the hide or skin seems bound or glued 

 to the bones; the animal is always very low in flesh, or we might aver that 

 the skin adhered to the flesh. The pulse is low, and great weakness is mani 

 fest in every step the pat'ent takes. As the tightness is first observable at the 

 sides of the animal's body, before it reaches the limbs, and every hide-bound 

 subject examined by me proves the fact, I have no hesitation in ascribing hide 

 bound to disordered digestion, which includes the negation of wherewithal to 

 digest, or starvation and hard work. Again, one of two extremes attends the 

 t)owels : they are cither relaxed greatly, or much constipated — usually flie 

 former ; which may be the effect of a long fit of illness from inflammation or 

 fever, and the use of strong medicine, or much of it. 



Cure the animal by the direct contrary conduct to that which brought on 

 the illness. If its stomach be empty, as commonly happens, fill it nearly with 

 food that is easy of digestion ; if it be too full, empty it; give aUerative laxa- 

 tives and tonic alteratives afterwards ; restore the perspiration by the diaphor- 

 etic ball recommended at page 146, and let the curry-comb and brush be assidu- 

 ously applied to his coat. He may then be exercised, but not before, as it is 

 nearly impossible without inflicting great pain. Besides which, forced exer- 

 cise, or sweating, as hath been strongly recommended, would in this case only 

 aggravate the disease; for if the animal did sweat, it would be caused by in- 

 ternal pain ; probably the tubercles which had formed upon the membrane 

 would suppurate and burst, and thus confirm the disorder internally by tlifl 

 inflammation of the particular viscus where the disorder began. 



Alterative Laxative. 



Aloes, 8 drachms. 

 Hard soap, 7 drachms. 

 Anise seeds, powdered, 1 oz. 



Mix with mucilage suflficient to form the mass into four balls. Give day 

 after day until they effect the purpose of bringing away a good stool. Then 

 give the arsenical tonic alterative, thus proportioned for a large horse, witl 



