PUli&ING.l 



THE HOESE, AND 



[PUEGING. 



by a sympathetic effect between the skin and 

 the alimentary canal, they will assist in the 

 change of the new hair for the old. 



Furgaiives are given to fromoie condition ; 

 and if their tardiness of action altogether shut 

 them out from any other medicinal use, their 

 beneficial influence in producing condition, 

 would, of itself, render the subject important 

 to all those connected with horses. If, like- 

 wise, they excited only the condition required 

 in the young, the robust, and the already lust}' 

 animal, it would cause little surprise, and 

 the method of action would be clear ; but 

 when we know that they equally promote it in 

 emaciated animals, even wdthout apparent dis- 

 ease, it requii'es an intimate acquaintance with 

 the requisite functions of the animal, to enable 

 us to account for the fact. In such cases we 

 give mild doses only, which prove a valuable 

 stimulant and tonic to the stomach and bowels, 

 thus promoting their digestive powers, and 

 consequent capability of separating more or- 

 ganic molecula from the ingesta. They also 

 stimulate the sluggish biliary and pancreatic 

 secretions, which are so necessary to a healthy 

 digestion, and formation of chyle, from which 

 alone strength and bulk can be augmented. 

 Luxury and refinement have introduced an 

 artificial state of condition beyond that; sim- 

 ply, a healthy functional state. 



Such condition is not only necessary to bring 

 the animal up to our present ideas of beauty, 

 but also to enable him to undergo exercise, 

 which, in a state of nature, was not expected 

 from him, as hunting, racing, &c. To promote 

 this state, purgatives are indispensably neces- 

 sary ; and it is from this view that the subject of 

 physicking derives its popularity with the mere 

 horseman : though we hold it in no less con- 

 sideration under every point of view connected 

 with the well-being of this valuable animal. 

 In promoting condition, purgatives not only 

 act favourably on the digestive organs, but 

 their beneficial influence extends to the other 

 solid and fluid parts of the body also. By 

 their means the watery parts of the blood are 

 removed, the absorbents become stimulated, 

 and take up all the interstitial fluid interposed 

 between the moving masses, as well as that 

 distributed within the cellular membrane ; and 

 by this means strength is augmented, and the 

 weight of useless matter diminished. The uu- 

 330 



necessary adeps, or fat of the body, is also re- 

 moved by the same process, which allows 

 the muscular fibres to be more rectilineally 

 placed, and, in their action, to be constantly 

 gaining a greater increase of power. It is 

 thus that physic draws up the belly, and 

 hardens the flesh. The lungs also are enabled 

 to act more advantageously by its agency, their 

 capacity being greatly enhanced by the ab- 

 sorption of incumbering matter, either solid or 

 fluid. In this way the wind, as well as the 

 strength, is increased by perfect condition. 



Salutary, however, as may be the operation 

 of purgatives on horses, judiciously managed, 

 and properly timed, yet hurtful in the ex- 

 treme, and often fatal, are the consequences 

 brought about by an ignorant employment of 

 them, and an erroneous mode of managing 

 them when they are employed. In all inflam- 

 matory affections of the stomach and bowels, 

 cathartics must be highly injurious, except in 

 inflammation of the bowels, when the obstruc- 

 tion cannot be overcome by any other means. 

 They are almost equally hurtful in inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs ; and it is probable, from the 

 powers they call forth in the horse to produce 

 purging, occasioned by his structural pecu- 

 liarities, that in all great visceral inflamma- 

 tions, active purgatives should be admitted 

 with caution. In farcy and glanders, they 

 seldom do other than harm ; and in chronic 

 aftections, attended with great debility, they 

 are only admissible in some peculiar instances, 

 specified in the treatment of such diseases. 

 Physic is hurtful, however, principally from 

 the frequency and quantity sometimes given. 

 Grooms suppose that every ordinary case re- 

 quires three doses ; the reason for which, 

 many have humorously thus given : — " The first 

 being intended to stir up the humours ; the 

 second to set them afloat ; and the third to 

 carry them oftV 



To very young horses, and to delicate 

 feeders, the giving of three doses of physic 

 must be attended with most injurious conse- 

 quences, and such as they cannot recover from 

 for months ; sometimes never. In such cases, 

 one or two very mild doses are all that is re- 

 quired, or ought to be permitted ; and it is 

 doubtful, without some " foulness," as it is 

 termed, or rather extreme fulness and plethora, 

 whether, in ordinary cases, two moderate doses 



