304 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



A radical cure is an impossibility, except in the first stages 

 of the malady; but the symptoms of that period seldom 

 receive any attention, and thus the golden opportunity is 

 forever lost. When the tubercles have commenced break- 

 ing in the lungs it is too late. To those who are disposed 

 to try their skill in treating a consumptive horse, we give 

 the following directions : 



Bleed moderately, taking three pints of blood at first, and 

 on the sixth day afterward the same quantity again. For the 

 general building up of the system, and especially to act upon 

 the skin, give sulphur and resin. Accompany this with the 

 following preparation for the throat and lungs: One pint of 

 new milk, one gill of French brandy, one gill of honey, and 

 half an ounce of finely-pulverized gum myrrh. Mix, and 

 divide into two doses — one to be given in the morning, and 

 the other at night. Continue the use of this remedy until 

 the patient recovers or dies. 



This treatment will produce a marked abatement of the 

 symptoms, at least in the early stages of the disease. It is 

 worth a trial at almost any period, and it will rarely fail to 

 relieve the distressing cough. 



Perhaps a good pasture will prove better than any med- 

 icine, and, at any rate, will prove a valuable adjunct to the 

 course of treatment. But watchful care must be taken to 

 prevent such exposures as might induce colds, etc. Compre- 

 hensively stated, the attention and general treatment extended 

 the patient must be kind and generous throughout. 



We may appropriately conclude this subject by quoting 

 the cautionary language of Youatt, which is yet hopeful in 

 that it impliedly recognizes the chance of a cure : 



" When this disease has been properly treated, and appar- 

 ently subdued, the horse can not be summarily and quickly 

 dismissed to his work. He is sadly emaciated; he long con- 

 tinues so; his coat stares; his skin clings to his ribs; his 

 belly is tucked up, notwithstanding that he may have plenty 

 of mashes, and carrots, and green meat, and medicine; his 

 former gayety and spirit do not return, or, if he is willing to 



I 



