88 ON THE DISTEMPER. 



gruel, given to him often during the day, the bucket 

 being held up for him to take it ; or, perhaps it would 

 be better to secure the bucket in the stall at a conve- 

 nient height from the ground, so that the horse may 

 take it as often as he likes. 



The progress of recovery, after the operation of the 

 medicine ordered, will depend on the constitution of 

 the horse and the nature of the attack. In slight cases, 

 some horses shake off the effects of the disease in seven 

 or eight days, while others remain labouring under the 

 debilitated effects of it, for two or three weeks. Under 

 these last mentioned circumstances, as the soreness of 

 the throat and cough become much better, and the 

 pulse approaches to the natural standard of health, the 

 groom may with great advantage have recourse to his 

 favourite medicine, the sweet spirits of nitre ; an ounce 

 of which, in beer, or in moderately thick gruel, may 

 be given to a horse three times a day. The horse now 

 appears more lively in his countenance, and may be 

 most likely inclined to feed. If he is much debilitated, 

 his strength should be reciuited by giving him plenty 

 of gruel ; and any thing by way of change that he is 

 disposed to eat, should be provided for him,-^as malt 

 mashes, scalded oats, good sweet clover or other hay, 

 or green meat. 



If it be a light delicate horse, and have been but 

 slightly attacked with the distemper early in the spring, 

 the groom may have some hopes of bringing him out 

 in time, to run according to his engagements. But if 

 the horse be a craving one, and have suffered long 



