156 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



the turpentine, but I should think the turpentine 

 an improvement. 



It requires careful observation to distinguish 

 colic from enteritis or inflammation of the bowels 

 which is a very serious matter indeed. In 

 enteritis there is no painless interval. Colic 

 comes on suddenly, whilst the approach of enteritis 

 is gradual. Exercise and rubbing of the stomach 

 only serve to increase the pain in enteritis. Pro- 

 fessional help must be obtained without the 

 least delay, for enteritis works quickly. Until 

 the veterinary surgeon arrives the horse's belly 

 may be fomented with as hot water as can be 

 borne and a drink consisting of 2 teaspoonfuls 

 of bicarbonate of soda, and a tablespoonful of 

 common salt in a pint of warm water may be given 

 every hour till the veterinary surgeon arrives. 



Occasionally horses require a dose of physic 

 and aloes is generally given. In my younger 

 days stiff doses were given but now I am glad to 

 say moderation prevails. Ordinarily if the horse 

 is well prepared 4 drs. will be found sufficient. 



Two hints may be given about blistering 

 which by the way is nothing like so rife as it was 

 not so very many years ago. At one time there 

 were some grooms who always had either a bottle 

 or a box of blister ointment in their pockets and 

 every stable window was littered with them. 

 Happily people take a more common-sense view 

 now-a-days. 



But still it seems necessary to point out that 

 a place should never be bhstered till the heat is 



