398 MEDICINE. 



the anima returned on account of breach of the warranty, because in these places only 

 two days are allowed for the trial, and if the horse is not returned within that period, 

 he cannot be afterwards returned. They are also convenient to the purchaser, who 

 can thus in a large town soon find a horse that will suit him, and which, from this 

 restriction as to returning the animal, he will obtain twenty or thirty per cent, below 

 the dealers' prices. Although an auction may seem to offer a fair and open competi- 

 tion, there is no place at which it is more necessary for a person not much accustomed 

 to horses to take with him an experienced friend, and, when there, to depend on his 

 own judgment, or that of his friend, heedless of the observations or manoeuvres of the 

 bystanders, the exaggerated commendation of some horses, and the thousand faults 

 found with others. There are always numerous groups of low dealers, copers, and 

 chaunters, whose business it is to delude and deceive. 



One of the regulations of the Bazaar in King Street was exceedingly fair, both with 

 regard to the previous owner and the purchaser, viz. — 



'''When a horse, having been warranted sound, shall be returned within the pre- 

 scribed period, on account of unsoundness, a certificate from a veterinary surgeon, 

 particularly describing the unsoundness, must accompany the horse so returned ; when, 

 if it be agreed to by the veterinary surgeon of the establishment, the amount received 

 for the horse shall be immediately paid back ; but if the veterinary surgeon of the 

 establishment should not confirm the certificate, then, in order to avoid further dispute, 

 one of the veterinary surgeons of the college shall be called in, and his decision shall 

 be final, and the expense of such umpire shall be borne by the party in error." 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF THE 

 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



He will rarely consult his own interest, who, not having had the advantage of a 

 veterinary education, undertakes the treatment of any of the serious diseases of his 

 horses. Many of the maladies of the horse nearly resemble each other. They are 

 continually varying their character, and require, in their different stages, a very differ- 

 ent treatment, and in the plainest case not only the characteristic symptoms of disease 

 are obscure, but even the indications of returning health, or increasing danger, are 

 often scarcely ascertainable, consequently the sick horse, as well as the human being, 

 needs the care of one whom study and experience have qualified for the task. A list 

 of the drugs generally employed, with a slight account of their history, adulterations, 

 and medicinal effects, will be interesting to the horsr-pioprietor as well as to the 

 veterinary surgeon; and may occasionally be useful when professional aid cannot be 

 obtained. 



Frequent reference will be made to Professor Morton's most valuable Manual of 

 Pharmacy. This work will be found to be a treasure to every veterinary surgeon. 

 Mr. W. C. Spooner's Materia Medica, in his recent compendium of "White's account 

 of the horse, will occasionally be laid under contribution. 



Acacia Gummi. — Many varieties of gum arable are procured from Egypt, Arabia, 

 and the East Indies. It is an exudation from the trunk and branches of various trees. 

 It is emploved in the form of a mucilage, made by dissolving it in water, in the pro- 

 portion of o'ne part of the gum to three or four of water. Various insoluble powders 

 may be thus suspended, or oils rendered miscible or emulsions formed. Emulsions 

 composed of gum arable are supposed to be useful in urinary .affections. 



AciDUM AcETicuM, AcETic AfiD, ViNEGAR. — Vinegar is a very useful application 

 for sprains and bruises. Equal parts of boiling wnter and cold vineg-ar will fonn a 

 good fomentation. Extract of lead, or hay salt, may be added with some advantage. 

 As an internal remedy, vinegar is rarely g"iven, nor has it, except in large doses, any 

 considerable medicinal power. The veterinarian and the horse-owner should manu 



