12 THE COMPLETK KAr.RlER, 



leeches, it is no wonder that they often throw the horse into 

 convulsions, which terminate in death, unless the cause be 

 removed. The violent agonies of the creature are the only 

 indications of their existence. The other kinds of worms 

 are more troublesome than dangerous, and are discovered 

 by the foUo^dng signs : There is a white fur on the end of 

 the straight gut ; the horse is lean and jaded ; his coat is 

 rough and staring ; and if you rub your hand backward on 

 the hair, a white scurf will rise, as if he had been surfeited ; 

 and though he eats with a remarkable appetite, he does not 

 thrive. He often strikes his hind feet against his belly, and 

 is sometimes griped, but without the violent pains that 

 attend the colic, or stranguary ; for he never rolls or tum- 

 bles, but is uneasy, often laying himself down quietly on his 

 belly for a little while, and then rising and beginning to feed. 

 But the surest symptom is when the horse voids the worms 

 with his dung. 



The way these creatures get into the stomach is curious. 

 AVhile the horse is feeding, the bot-fly lights on his side in 

 a place convenient to the animal's mouth. He then stings 

 the horse and flies away. The horse naturally turns his 

 head and throws his mouth to the place Avhich has been 

 stung— the eggs adhere to his lips, and in this way are 

 taken into the stomach, where they hatch into worms, which 

 instantly fasten themselves to the coats of the stomach. 

 Keeping a horse well curried and brushed, and keeping 

 him in stable during the fly-bot season, will often prevent 

 the disease. 



CcRE. — Many medicines have been given to destroy these 

 vermin, without knowledge or judgment, and even contrary 

 to common reason. Some give coarse sugar for that pur- 

 pose, but, in my opinion it will rather increase than destroy 

 them ; although a few wll fill themselves so full as to lose 

 their hold, and come away with the dung. 



Take 1 ounce of Socotrme Aloes. 



1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to an ounce. 



1 dram of Oil of Aniseeds. 



2 drams of Powdered Ginger. 

 Vi ounce of Syrup of Buckthorn. 



Beat all up together in a mortar till the Aloes are well 

 broken, and the whole is brought into a paste ; which give 

 in the morning, fasting, and to fast one hour after ; also give 

 warm water, and walking exercise, till -vn'ought off. It will 

 not work the first day. Be careful that the horse be open in 

 his body before you give the ball. In grass time you will 

 have nothing more to do than to give it, and to put the horse 



