OR, HORSE DOCTOR. 41 



ploy, and assiduous in observing the methods they make use 

 of to cure it, if they do not think proper to attempt a cure 

 themselves. In my opinion they may do it better themselves 

 by following these directions, than by trusting to farriers. 



The Water Farcy. 



This disease varies very much from the last, and would 

 more properly be called a Dropsy than a Farcy. There are 

 two kinds of this disorder, but they are nearly of the same 

 nature. One of them is produced by indisposition termi- 

 nating in the skin, as is often the case in epidemical colds ; 

 the other is a true dropsy, where the water is not conlined to 

 the belly and limbs, but is found in different parts of the 

 body, and a great number of soft swellings appear. When 

 you press the finger pretty hard upon any of the swelled 

 parts, or under the horse's belly, or on any part of the body, 

 you may take it for granted that he has got the Di'opsy, or 

 what is called the ^Yater Farcy. 



This disorder mostly proceeds from foul feeding, or a con- 

 tinuance of very wet weather in the end of summer. 



Cure. — Whenever the swellings appear, make scarifica- 

 tions, that is, holes through the skin. This may be done by 

 a short fleam 5 and if you have not one short enough, put a 

 collar made of a piece of leather on it. If the swelling be 

 under the belly, strike a good many holes in at a time, but 

 be careful to avoid the veins. By this means a great quan- 

 tity of water will run out. Taps in the brisket are also often 

 of great service. I have fleamed horses four or five times 

 before I could get the swelling to subside. When the water 

 has subsided, the blood is left in a bad state, to remedy 

 which, a gentle purge should be given two or three times, 

 eight days distance, to recover the crasis of the blood, and 

 brace up the relaxed fibres of the vdiole body. Lime water 

 is very proper, with a little nitre in it, and let the horse's 

 food be warm mashes of bran, with a little malt in it. His 

 keep must be increased by degrees. The disorder mostly 

 happens to young horses that have not been used to high 

 keep. You must give one of the folloAving balls every day, 

 omitting the time when the physic is working : 



2 ounces of Squills. 

 1 ounce of Camphor. 

 1 ounce of Castile Soap. 

 ^ii ounce of Turpentine. 

 4 ounces of Yellow Resin. 



Make these into a ball with honey, and give one ounce at 

 a time. These balls will work the water off by urine. When 



