DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 33 



height, are the premonitory signs of that disease which 

 has long proved fatal to that species of animal both in 

 Europe and America. The tail of a horse losmg its regu- 

 larity of motion from side to side, indicat**^ that he is indis- 

 posed, and the part in which the disease is seated is 

 pointed out by one of his ears inclining backwards to the 

 side affected. The seat of disease in the abdomen, 

 where the signs are concealed, may be known by press- 

 ing the hand upon his whole belly. When the diseased 

 part is pressed, he will manifest marks of pain. 



PHYSIC. 



There are few medicines so much abused as purga- 

 tives. They are often given without any reason, fre- 

 quently in powerful, and injurious, and sometimes in 

 fatal doses. Many animals, particularly horses, are 

 destroyed by excessive doses of physic. Yet purgatives 

 judiciously administered, are highly useful. 



In inflammatory complaints, by rapid evacuations 

 from the bowels, they expel the chyle, and cut off tem- 

 porarily the supply of nutriment, and they promote the 

 secretions on the inner coat of the intestines, drawing 

 from the fluids of the body, and reducing the circulation ; 

 and thus they relieve an affected organ, or abate a gen- 

 eral inflammation. 



Physic removes from the stomach and bowels causes 

 of irritation, and gives rest to the digestive organs which 

 have been over-tasked, and relieves the stomach which 

 has been overloaded. 



By the moderate use of physic, together with proper 

 attention to diet- and general treatment, many diseases 

 may be cured, which are now generally treated ^vith 

 bleeding and other harsh modes. 



In chronic and slow diseases, it is best to prepare the 

 animal for one, two, or three days, if convenient, by 

 giving mashes, as this will loosen the bowels, and not 

 only require a less dose of physic, but it will be more 

 effectual in its operation. 



But the most important consideration is, that the bow- 

 els being open, the purgatives can freely operate without 



