166 PASTURINO. 



there are many cases in which physic is very useful ; but that 

 as a general thing, it is given too indiscriminately, and befort 

 it is wanted. 



To a histy horse, one or two doses raay be given for tiie 

 purpose of reducing him, for removing superfluous fat and 

 flesh. The piiysic may be strong, sufficiently so to produce 

 copious purgation. It empties the bowels, takes up the carcass, 

 and gives freedom to respiration ; it promotes absorption, and 

 expels the juices which embarrass exertion. Work, sweating 

 and a spare diet of condensed food, will produce effects with- 

 out the aid of physic. But purgation shortens the time of 

 training, and it saves the legs. If the horse must be rapidly 

 pre[)ared for work, willi as little hazard as possible to his leu's, 

 he must have physic. The first dose may be given on the day 

 uhen he comes from grass ; the others, if more than one be 

 necessary, at intervals of eight or ten clear days. 



A lean liorse, fresh from grass, needs no physic till he has 

 been stabled for several days, and perhaps not then. By the 

 time he has acquired strength sufficient to stand training, his 

 bowels are void of grass, and his belly small enough to allow 

 freedom of respiration. At the end of a fortnight or three 

 weeks, the lean horse ought to be decidedly lustier. If too 

 much so, and acquiring flesh too rapidly, one dose of physic 

 may be given, active enough to produce smart purgation, and 

 prevent the evils which arise from plethora. If he is not 

 taking on flesh so rapidly as he should, he may have two, 

 perhaps three, mild doses of physic, just active enough to 

 produce one or two watery or semi-fluid evacuations. If he 

 eat a great deal without improving in condition, he is probably 

 troubled with worms, and half a drachm of calomel may be 



