422 ON LAX OR SCOURING, 



admits a remedy, may arife from various 

 caufes: from an acrimonious ichor in the 

 ftomach and inteftines, occafioned by the fer- 

 mentation and fudden diflblution of excrement 

 long retained ; from the folution of perfpirable 

 matter thrown upon the lower bowels, on occa- 

 fion of drinking cold water when hot, or other 

 caufes of cold ; from coUiquation of the fatty 

 fubftance of the body in being over heated by 

 exceflive labour, efpecially when out of condi- 

 tion ; or laftly, diarrha^a may be a concomitant, 

 or termination of difeafe. 



As to the cure, it is a general rule never to 

 exhibit aftringents, or to attempt to flop a 

 flux in the commencement, fince the difcharge 

 may be merely an effort of nature to relieve 

 herfelf from a morbid load. Gentle laxatives 

 are rather indicated, and rhubarb from its car- 

 diac and fub-aflringent quality, is the (heetr 

 anchor in this cafe, which I may wiih truth 

 obferve is very familiar to me. In common 

 cafes, and indeed generally, aftringents are by 

 no means necellary, the effe6l and proper 

 caufe ceafing together; but fliould the purging 

 continue until the healthy humours begin to 

 be evacuated, and the animal become weak in 

 confequence, no time ought to be loft in at- 

 tempting to ftay the flux. Solleyfel fixes the 

 period of v/aiting to three days, when he fays 

 the horfe will begin to lofe his appetite. 



The 



