34 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



any obstruction, and obviate the danger that attends 

 giving physic when the bowels are constipated, which 

 is like the working of cider in a cask that is bunged, 

 and sometimes produces severe and fatal cases of colic. 



But if the disease be acute, and of so great severity 

 that it will not admit of delay to prepare for physic, then 

 a clyster should be given to aid the operation of physic, 

 and if the bowels are constipated and apparently dor- 

 mant, give some stimulant with the purgative, as gin- 

 ger; and give an exciting injection to evacuate the 

 bowels, and make way for the physic, and to rouse to 

 healthy action the sluggish intestines. 



In cases of very obstinate constipation of the bowels, 

 ten or fifteen grains of the farina of the Croton nut, 

 freshly prepared, may be added to the dose of physic, for 

 horses or cattle. This is very powerful. [See under 

 each species, the kinds of physic adapted to each, and 

 the quantity for a dose.] 



DIURETICS. 



Diuretics cause a copious flow of urine, reducing the 

 circulation, tending to abate fevers and inflammatory 

 complaints. Several diseases are mitigated by the use 

 of diuretics, and they may be used in some cases instead 

 of bleeding, which it is desirable to avoid, as it is a 

 harsh course of treatment. 



In swollen legs, cracks, or dropsical affections, and in 

 grease in horses and foul foot in cattle, or any unnatural 

 enlargements by fluids, diuretics are given to great ad- 

 vantage. They are good to alternate with other medi- 

 cines, in the treatment of mange, and other cutaneous 

 diseases. 



But in all accumulations connected with debility, they 

 may do harm. We may remove swellings and extrava- 

 sations to-day, and they may return to-morrow. In 

 such cases, we must strengthen the system by tonics, 

 proper feeding, and mild exercise ; and aid the local 

 debility by hand rubbing and bandages. 



There must be caution in the use of diuretics, for 

 as they produce a powerful eflfect on the kidneys, by 



