MEDICINE. 409 



An ox's horn, the larger end heing cut slantingly, is the usual and best instrument 

 for administering drinks. The noose of a halter is introduced into the mouth, and 

 then, by means of a stable-fork, the head is elevated by an assistant considerably 

 higher than for the delivery of a ball. The surgeon stands on a pail or stable-basket 

 on the ofF-side of the horse, and draws out the tongue with the left hand ; he then, 

 with the right hand, introduces the horn gently into the mouth, and over the tongue, 

 and by a dexterous turn of the horn empties tlie whole of the drink — not more than 

 about six ounces — into the hack part of the mouth. The horn is now quickly with- 

 drawn, and the tongue loosened, and the greater portion of the fluid will be swallow- 

 ed. A portion of it, however, will often be obstinately held in the mouth for a long 

 time, and the head must be kept up until the whole is got rid of, which a quick, but 

 not violent slap on the muzzle will generally compel the horse to do. The art of 

 giving a drink consists in not putting too much into the horn at once; introducing 

 the horn far enough into the mouth, and quickly turning and withdrawing it, without 

 bruising or wounding the mouth, the tongue being loosened at the same moment. A 

 bottle is a disjrraceful and dangerous instrument to use, except it be a flat pint bottle, 

 with a long and thick neck. 



Ferrum, Iron. — Of this metal there are two preparations adopted by veterinarians. 

 The rust, or Carbonate, is a mild and useful tonic in doses of from two to four drachms. 

 The Sulphate (green vitriol or copperas) is more powerful. It should never be given 

 in the early stages of recovery, and always with caution. The dose should be the 

 same as that of the carbonate. The sulphate has lately been recommended for the 

 cure of that deceitful stage or form of glanders, in which there is nothing to charac- 

 terise the disease but a very slight discharge from the nostrils. It is to be dissolved 

 in the common drink of the horse. It is worth a trial, but too sanguine expectations 

 must not be encouraged of the power of any drug over this intractable malady. The 

 iron should be given in combination with gentian and ginger, but never with any 

 alkali or nitre, or soap, or catechu, or astringent vegetable. 



Fever. — For the nature and treatment of the fever, both pure and symptomatic, 

 reference may be made to page 187. 



Forge-water used to be a favourite tonic with farriers, and also a lotion for canker 

 and ulcers in the mouth. It owes its power, if there be any, to the iron with which 

 it is impregnated. 



Fomentations open the pores of the skin and promote perspiration in the part, and 

 so abate the local swelling, and relieve pain and lessen inflammation. They are 

 often used, and with more benefit when the inflammation is somewhat deeply seated, 

 than when it is superficial. The eflfect depends upon the warmth of the water, and 

 not on any herb that may have been boiled in it. They are best applied by means 

 of flannel, frequently dipped in the hot water, or on which the water is poured, and 

 the heat should be as great as the hand will bear. The benefit that might be derived 

 from them is much impaired by the absurd method in which the fomentations are con- 

 ducted. They are rarely continued long enough, and when they are removed, the 

 part is left wet and uncovered, and the coldness of evaporation succeeds to the heat 

 of fomentation. The perspiration is thus suddenly checked ; the animal sufl^ers con- 

 ^siderable pain, and more harm is done by the extreme change of temperature than if 

 the fomentation had not been attempted. 



Gentian stands at the head of the vegetable tonics, and is a stomachic as well as 

 a tonic. It is equall}"^ useful in chronic debility, and in that which is consequent 

 on severe and protracted illness. It is generally united with chamomile, ginger, 

 and, when the patient will bear it, carbonate of iron. Four drachms of gentian, two 

 of chamomile, one of carbonate of iron, and one of ginger, will make an excellent 

 tonic ball. An infusion of gentian is one of the best applications to putrid ulcers. 



Ginger is as valuable as a cordial, as gentian is as a tonic. It is the basis of the 

 cordial ball, and it is indispensable in the tonic ball. Although it is difficult to pow 

 der, the veterinary practitioner should always purchase it in its solid form. If the 

 root is large, heavy, and not worm-eaten, the black ginger is as good as the white, 

 and considerably cheaper. The powder is adulterated with bean-meal and the saw 

 dust of boxwood, and rendered warm and punjent by means of capsicum. 



Helleborus Albus, White Hellebore. — This is a drastic cathartic, and should 

 be used with <jreat caution. It is a powerful nauseant, and lowers both the force and 

 frequency of the pulse, and is therefore given with good effect in various inflamma- 

 35 3 b 



