COG DIURETICS. 



DIURETICS. 



As we have but little power over the skin of the horse, 

 so we have correspondently a greater one over the kidneys. 

 Diuretics in the horse appear to stimulate the kidneys, 

 whereby they separate a larger quantity of water from the 

 blood. The blood, losing an unusual proportion of its 

 watery part, must be supplied from other sources : this is 

 done by the absorbing vessels, which take up any super- 

 fluous fluids ; the heightened vascularity of the kidneys 

 detracting, like a blister, from the force of the circulation. 

 Like purgatives, they however are nmch abused, and irre- 

 parable injury is done to horses by their too frequent 

 administration. In all accumulations connected with de- 

 bility, it is evident that diuretics may do harm : we may, it 

 is true, remove some extravasation and swelling to-day, but 

 still more will return to-morrow. In these cases we must, 

 on the contrary, strengthen the system by tonics, proper 

 feeding, and mild exercise : the local debility we must treat 

 by friction and bandages. 



The principal strong diuretic substances in general use for 

 the horse are juniper, nitre, turpentine, and potash. The 

 milder ones are cream of tartar, neutral salts, resin, &c. 

 Many other substances act on the kidneys of the horse, but 

 in a less degree. Resin is, perhaps, the least active diu- 

 retic in veterinary practice, and a dose of three to six 

 drachms is not certain in its operation. Nitre, in similar 

 doses, is perfectly certain, likewise more active. In inflam- 

 matory diseases, and in urinary obstructions from gravel, 

 nitre is much to be preferred to resin. Turpentine, both liquid 

 and solid, is a certain diuretic ; as also is potash, half an 

 ounce or an ounce being diluted in two or three quarts of 

 water, and given fasting. Cream of tartar must be given in 

 doses of four to six ounces. All the neutral salts, in similar 

 doses, act in the same way ; but not always with uniform 

 certainty. When they prove aperient, the flow of urine is 

 in general inconsiderable, but it lasts some time. The un- 

 observant are but little aware how very seriously too power- 

 ful and too often repeated diuretics injure the horse ; for 

 great debility and emaciation usually follow upon their abuse. 

 Whenever a diuretic is given, the same cautions should be 



