222 THE PRACTICAL HOUSE KEEPER. 



the bucket will hold, covering it over, and allowing it to stand 

 until cold, when the fluid may be strained off and given to the 

 horse. This forms a refreshing drink. 



Linseed-oil, in quantities of from one quarter to half a pint 

 daily, may be mixed through the food. It keeps the bowels 

 in a lax condition, has a good effect on the skin and air 

 passages, and is useful as an article of diet. 



"When debility has to be combated, as in low fever or other 

 weakening diseases, strengthening and easily digested food 

 must be administered ; though some of the food already men- 

 tioned, such as boiled grain, answers this purpose to a certain 

 extent. Milk, eggs, bread and biscuits, malt liquor, corn, etc., 

 are often prescribed with this object. Milk may be given 

 skimmed or unskimmed ; a little sugar may be mixed in it, and 

 one or two gallons of it may be given daily, according to cir- 

 cumstances. One or two eggs may be given beaten up with a 

 little sugar, and mixed with milk, three or four times a day, or 

 more frequently; or they may be boiled hard and powdered, 

 and mixed in the milk. A quart of stout, ale, or porter, may 

 be given two or three times a day, or a half to one bottle of 

 port wine daily. Scalded oats, with a little salt added, are 

 very useful when convalescence is nearly completed. 



With regard to water, as a rule a sick horse should have as 

 much as he likes to drink, though it may be necessary in 

 certain cases to give a limited quantity, and to have the chill 

 taken off; but it should never be warmer than seventy-five to 

 eighty degrees. 



As for grooming, as little of this as possible should be 

 allowed when a horse is very weak ; and it should be limited 

 to sponging about the mouth, nostrils, eyes, and forehead, with 

 clean water, to which a little vinegar may be added ; hand-rub 

 the legs and ears ; take off the clothing, and shake or change 

 it once a day ; and, if agreeable, rub over the body with a 

 soft cloth. 



