TYOUMS.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



["WOEMS. 



the worm, whicli, in making its escape, irritates 

 the sphincter muscle, and becomes crushed. 

 This frequently occurs in cart-horses. AYorms 

 are also often to be detected in the dung, espe- 

 cially the thread worm and the long white worm. 

 The long worm is too strong in itself to be 

 crushed by the sphincter, and the thread worm 

 is too small for any impression to be made on 

 it. There are other symptoms which indi- 

 cate the presence of worms in the horse. Eor 

 example, they occasion irregular appetite ; ren- 

 der the bowels at one time costive ; and, as irri- 

 tation arises, making them again loose, with an 

 unhealthy secretion attached to the dung. 

 AVhen hots are prevalent, the animal is fre- 

 quently rubbing his tail against the sides of 

 the stall, or against a post, and betraying 

 many symptoms of a restless uneasiness. 



The long white worm is very hurtful. Horses 

 affected with it may eat well, and appear 

 hearty, but they do not thrive. They become 

 hide-bound ; and in consequence of the skin 

 sympatlusing so much with the stomach, the 

 coat stares, and feels rough. This worm is 

 very frequently attended with a short dry 

 cough ; sometimes it produces gripes, with hot 

 breath, which smells very disagreeable. 



Eor the treatment of worms, there are but 

 two articles that any reliance can at all be 

 placed in, and that can lay claim to approba- 

 tion ; and one of these is calomel. Antimo- 

 nials and preparations of tin have each their 

 advocates, and so has train oil. A few of the 

 products of the vegetable kingdom, in the opi- 

 nion of some, are never-failing, such as rue, 

 savin, box, &c., and also tobacco. Experience, 

 however, has determined the specific efi'ects of 

 calomel in this case as absolutely infallible, be- 

 fore tlie power of which every species of woruis 

 and their oviparous remains, indiscriminately 

 fall, and are totally exterminated without the 

 shadow of a doubt. So soon, therefore, as they 

 are suspected, or at least so soon as they are 

 ascertained to have taken possession, it will be 

 prudent to prevent a horse from getting injured 

 in his appetite, reduced in flesh, or altered in 

 condition by their constantly preying upon the 

 contents of the stomach or alimentary canal. 

 To do this, first prepare him as for a dose 

 of physic, by giving bran mashes, &g., and 

 let the dose be adapted to the strength, size, 

 and condition of the subject by these rules. If 

 230 



the horse is thorough bred, and delicate in 

 form, take — 



No. 1. 



Calomel 1| drachm. 



Linseed Meal 2 do. 



Form the ball with honey. 

 In administering this ball be particular. 

 Give it the last thing at night ; then put the 

 setting muzzle on, and let the horse remain 

 without food until the morning, when give a 

 warm mash of bran. Replace the muzzle ; and 

 when leaving him, give a handful of sweet hay. 

 Proceed in this manner until about six o'clock 

 at night, when administer the following : — 



Barbadoes Aloes 5 draclmis. 



Gentian 2 do. 



Form into a ball with honey. 



Put on the muzzle again, and by the time 

 you visit the stable in the morning, it is ten to 

 one but the physic has operated. He must 

 now be treated — but with the greatest care — • 

 as in the ordinary course of physic. Probably 

 the reader may not at first imagine why the 

 calomel is recommended to be given alone-, 

 but a small quantity of this medicine so given, 

 eicfhteen hours before the aloetie medicine 

 is given, is not only more elficacious locally, 

 but the whole S3'stem becomes impregnated 

 with it. Another thing, superpurgation is not 

 so likely to supervene. There is also another 

 reason; the horse will purge without being taken 

 out to exercise, which when exhibiting calomel is 

 very advantageous, as he does not run so much 

 risk of taking cold. After the lapse of about five 

 or six days, repeat both the balls, as directed 

 above; but do not increase the quantity of the 

 calomel or aloes, until the operation of the 

 second dose has been observed, when a judg- 

 ment will be able to be formed w-hetlier the 

 aloes will require increasing or decreasing in 

 quantity. If the horse should want it, or you 

 think the worms are not altogether dislodged 

 from their hold, give a third dose. 



If tlie animal is strong in make, and more 

 like a hackney or coach-horse for size, he may 

 be given, 



No. 2. 



Calomel 2 drachms. 



With the aloetie balls increased 1 do. 

 Proceeding as before laid down. 



Should he be a large, strong, and foul wag- 

 gon-horse, the calome' ball may be increased to 



