METERS.] 



THE HORSE, AND 



[feyees. 



are of such a delicate nature, that certain 

 atmospherical changes will affect them. The 

 means of cure are so exceedingly simple, that 

 it almost doubly strengthens this fact. Use 

 the following receipt, which will seldom, if 

 ever, be found to fail : — 



Glauber Salts * . , . , 4 oz. 



Linseed Meal 2 do. 



Let these be well mixed with two quarts of 

 hot water; and when of a proper heat, let 

 them be carefully horned down. Eepeat them 

 night and morning. 



This draught will lower the inflammatory 

 action that may be going on in the system, 

 and the horse's mouth will get gradually cool, 

 and everything in the shape of fever leave 

 him. 



In such cases of this distemper, the attempt 

 to give a ball cannot be made, for the soreness 

 of the horse's throat will prevent him from 

 swallowing it. Let warm water, or chilled 

 water, in which a handful of oatmeal has been 

 mixed, be placed in his manger, so that he 

 may indulge in it should he think proper. If 

 his bowels should at all appear costive, back- 

 rake, and give two or three clysters, until there 

 are evident signs of a relaxation of the bowels. If 

 the horse should make frequent efforts to blow 

 his nose, without discharging anything, apply 

 a nose-bag made of coarse cloth, with a por- 

 tion of scalded bran in it to steam his head. 

 This will produce the desired discharge, and 

 you may rest satisfied that he is progressing 

 towards a better state. Bandage his legs, and 

 dress him well ; give him good warm bedding, 

 and prevent, as far as possible, all draughts from 

 entering the stable. For food, bran mashes 

 will be the best thing, but only in small 

 quantities, and cold, for he will not eat much 

 until the soreness of his throat is removed. If 

 large quantities are given at once, and the dis- 

 charge from the nose becomes copious, he will 

 refuse his fooii afterwards. Horses will 

 scarcely touch warm bran mashes at any time 

 of the disease. Therefore, if a few vetches or 

 grass can be procured for him, he will be most 

 likely to eat them. To remove the soreness 

 of the throat, make use of counter-irritants ; 

 the best of which is composed of the following 

 ingredients : — 



Oil of Turpentine 3 oz. 



Olive Oa 3 do. 



2G6 



Mix, and rub tbis liniment all round the throat, 

 on the swelled glands ; and if the disease 

 should have been of some days' standmg, rub 

 on about half-way down the neck, as far as 

 the windpipe can be felt. Should this lini- 

 ment not be found suflSciently strong, take of 



Mild Blistering Liquid . . . 4 oz, 

 and apply to the parts, morning and night. 

 (See List of Medicines.) 



In consequence of the difficulty of swallow- 

 ing, and the consequent debility arising from 

 the want of proper nourishment, the horse 

 naturally becomes weak, and requires art to 

 assist nature, after all febrile symptoms are 

 gone, which will easily be ascertained by the 

 recovery of his appetite, the coolness of his 

 mouth, and his spirits being greatly enlivened. 

 At this time you may venture to give him the 

 following tonic ball : — 



Sulphate of Iron ... 12 drachms. 



Aloes, Cape .... 6 do. 



Gentian 12 do. 



Mix, and form into a mass with honey. 



Divide into six balls, and give one every morn- 

 ing. 



In proceeding as before described, no fear 

 need be entertained as to success in curing 

 the distemper, no matter in what shape it maj 

 have made its appearance. 



MALIGNANT FEVER. 



IlaUgnant or putrid fever in horses is of 

 rare occurrence ; and when it does occur, it is 

 generally a sequel of the distemper just de- 

 scribed ; principally arising from the debili- 

 tated state to which the animal is brought by 

 too much Heeding for that disease. The system 

 is consequently so much lowered from its 

 natural standard, that the disease may take on 

 a putrid or typhus form. When the disease, 

 from improper treatment, is allowed to arrive 

 at this state, it then may, in some measure, be 

 said to become infectious, but not iu any other 

 form of the disease. 



The malignant epidemic of horses always 

 commences by similar appearances to those 

 which characterise the mild epidemic. In fact, 

 the one is only a heightened degree of the 

 other, pushed into a putrid type ; not by 

 the violence of its action, as supposed by some, 

 but by reducing the arterial system below 

 its proper standard. Another proof of this 



