PHYSIC WHERE NECESSARY. 105 



scientifically used, are great preservatives of health as 

 well as powerful promoters of condition, though they 

 should not in any way take the place of grooming — 

 this is the abuse of them ; but go hand in hand with it 

 — this is the use of them. 



Physic should never be administered unless absolutely 

 required; it causes great debility, and consequently 

 unfits the horse for hard exercise for a considerable 

 period. 



Where a horse has been resting in the stable for 

 some time on high feeding, and his secretions have be- 

 come foul, physic — preceded by a course of bran-mashes 

 — is absolutely necessary, to prevent a determination of 

 inflammation to parts most excited by exertion, which 

 would generally ensue, were the horse put to work 

 without it. Strong doses should never be given, as they 

 are injurious under all circumstances, and time is not 

 so precious with the hunter as with racehorses. Mode- 

 rate doses repeated as often as necessary will be found 

 more effectual. After three days of bran-mashes give 

 a ball composed of four drachms of aloes, two of Peru- 

 vian bark, two of resin, and two of ginger, continuing 

 regular exercise. 



After the action of this ball has discontinued, it will 

 be well, unless the horse seem thoroughly clean and 

 healthy, to give a ball composed of Barbadoes aloes, 

 Peruvian bark, sulphate of iron, and powdered resin, 

 of each two drachms, on every Saturday night, to- 

 gether with copious bran and linseed mashes, until the 

 desired effect is attained. This treatment will prevent 



