64 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



men, who purchafe curious rhubarb phyfic for 

 race-horfes, are very likely to be difappoirited 

 in their views, unlefs they are certain that the 

 bell Turky rhubarb is made ufe of; for which 

 the India fort is, according to my obfervation, 

 a very poor and improper fuccedaneum. In 

 cafes where rhubarb feems to be indicated, I 

 have reafon to think that the finefl fuccotrine 

 aloes, is much to be preferred to India rhubarb. 

 If in a purge, an additional ftimulus is re- 

 quired in aid of the aloes, nothing is more fafe 

 and efficacious, than a fmall quantity of 

 jalap. t 



From purges, I (hall (kip over much multi- 

 farious (to borrow a very elegant and correct. 

 Taplinian phrafe) as well as laughable and 

 inconfntent matter, and make a halt at the 

 commencement of the claffification; for chap- 

 ters, it feems, are too old and unfalhionable a 

 term for that entire new work, " The Stable 

 Directory," which is for ever to fupport itfelf 

 upon the " bajis of its own origin!' In the firft 

 clafs then, fplents are handled : on this head 

 our author firfl of all, according to laudable 

 cultom, either affetls to ridicule, or cenfures 

 at large, the opinions and praclice of thofe 

 who preceded him; then adopting both in part, 

 concludes by recommending a very imperfect 

 and imfafe copy of an effe6tual mode of extir- 

 pation to be found in Gibfon. He forgot to 



tell 



