54 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



flrong purge in lofs of appetite — ditto in moon 

 eyes — ditto farcy — quantity of rhubarb in lax 

 or fcouring — aftringent injection for prevention 

 of glanders — ufe of dock-root in broken wind 

 — error relative to a property of air — cruel 

 method of extending narrow heels. But the 

 medical reputation of Gibfon had been per- 

 fectly fafe, granting that he had admitted the 

 form of purge, of which Mr. Taplin complains, 

 into his corrected edition. 



It mull not be forgot that Gibfon recom- 

 mends the purge in qutftion exprefsly for the 

 ilrongeft and mod robufl: Horfes ; and fuch he 

 had no doubt been in the habit of attending, 

 if we confider of what kind, troop-horfes were 

 in thofedays. Mr. Taplin's experience, I fup- 

 pofe, had not extended to draft cattle, or he 

 would have known, that there are thoufands of 

 that defcnption, upon which, even two ounces 

 of aloes, with the addition of the other ufual 

 purging articles, would have no immoderate 

 or dangerous effect.. Half an ounce of calomel 

 is often given at this day in a fingle dofe, both 

 here and in the French fchools, as appears in 

 St. Bel's works. But let us call up Father 

 Gibfon himfelf, to defend his own reputation, 

 in the article of ftrong purges, and violent re- 

 medies of all kinds. " Mod farriers, for cheap- 

 nefs, make ufe of allum, black foap, burnt 

 vitriol, and fuch things ; fome exhibit corro- 

 sive 



