Feeding. 168 



of the excrement,, and thus relieve high vascular 

 action. Prior to the administration of Physic 

 they are also judiciously administered, whereby 

 much pain and irritation as well as loss of time 

 is avoided a less powerful dose being required. 



Bran mashes are not nutritive, and therefore 

 should not be given too frequently to animals 

 labouring under weakening ailments. In such 

 cases they prove positively injurious, by prolonging 

 the disease and prostrating the powers of the 

 animal body. After their use mangers should be 

 well washed out with a brush and hot water having 

 soda dissolved in it, to remove the sour smell left 

 by the fermenting portions ; otherwise any food 

 which is given afterwards will be refused by the 

 animal and occasion waste. 



Linseed contains about 24 per cent, of nutritious 

 matter, with upwards of 60 per cent, of fatcy or 

 heat-producing material. It is never used alone 

 as an article of diet, but proves eminently ser- 

 viceable given in a state of solution with other 

 food. 



Linseed is laxative and nourishing. While its 

 daily administration promotes a regular state of 

 the digestive organs, it also proves highly assimi- 

 lative, and hastens the assimilation of other 

 articles of food. Horses which receive linseed 

 usually look fresh and bright in the skin, in 

 consequence of the special influence it has upon 

 the bloodvessels and secreting organs of that 

 part. 



