286 PURGATION. 



horfe remains frequently unmoved by an ounce 

 of fuccotrine aloes ; and it is probable thatfuch 

 an one was never injured in the flighteft degree, 

 by taking twelve drachms. A veterinarian 

 of eminence, and of the new fchool, lately 

 teflified in Court, " that an ounce and half, 

 ^ " to three ounces of the bed aloes, might 

 " be given with fafety to a horfe." The 

 fatal mifchiefs of too flrong cathartic dofes 

 are full as frequent, as this author has 

 ftated, but he has erred widely, and reafoned 

 without judgment or difcrimination on the mat- 

 ter. To fubftitute haraffing exercife for due 

 quantity of purging phyfic, or to worry a horfe 

 about, with phyfic in his belly, will feldom be 

 found a falutary or efficacious pra61ice. There is 

 moreover an inconvenience and lofs of time in 

 the exhibition of too fmall dofes, which, even 

 on repetition, according to the late fafhionable 

 adoption of Bartlet's propofed plan, frequently 

 fail, or operate only to the ineffeftual teazing and 

 difquiet of the horfe, and difappointment of 

 his owner. A phyfician of eminence has taught 

 that the variety of articles, increafes the cathar- 

 tic effeft ; this, of which I have no experience, 

 being granted, jalap, and certain other lately 

 fuppofed inefficacious medicines, may yet have 

 their fpecific ui'e. ■ With refpeft to the benefi- 

 cial effcfts of rhubarb on horfes and cattle, I 

 have obferved them too long, and too atten- 



