HORSES. 153 



before the steaming, give him sixteen grains of opium 

 in half a pint of wine. Keep him covered for a few 

 days, and give him warm water, and be careful that the 

 cold be not repeated. 



If opium be not at hand, give some warm drink, such 

 as ginger and water, peppermint or pennyroyal tea, 

 adding two tea-spoonfuls of pulverized Cayenne pepper. 

 This will greatly promote the perspiration, and warm 

 the whole system. Hot drops are also very good as a 

 warming medicine. [See page 49.] 



CASTRATION. 



If horses are constantly worked, so as to be no trouble, 

 they are better for being entire, as they will be stronger 

 and endure more hardship. On this account, many that 

 are kept almost constantly in harness are not altered, 

 and they are perfectly kind and docile. But as most 

 horses are sometimes idle and run out with others, it is 

 a general custom to castrate them. 



This operation, as with calves, lambs and pigs, could 

 be done with the least trouble, injury or risk, when the 

 colt is only a few months old. But as the form of the 

 neck and shoulders are materially improved by his re- 

 maining perfect, he is not generally castrated till after he 

 is a year old. 



If the fore quarters are then large and full, the sooner 

 it is done the better ; but if they are thin and weak, he 

 should remain six months longer. Many do not CEistrate 

 the colt till he is two years old. The operation should 

 be performed in mild weather, and the patient should be 

 prepared by a dose of physic. 



Many new modes of emasculation have been recom- 

 mended, — such as turning the testicles, cording, apply- 

 ing the clams, &c., — but the old mode of cutting is 

 generally preferred ; and if it be properly done, under 

 favorable circumstances, it generally, or almost univer- 

 sally, succeeds. 



After carefully casting the colt, the operator should 

 examine the scrotum, and see if the testicles have come 

 down thoroughly, so that he can grasp them rmly 



