Condition Powders, 471 



But he becomes capricious about his food, the appetite is 

 variable and generally lessened, the eye is dull, and sometimes 

 yellowish and bloodshot, the motions languid, there is an 

 absence of " fire," the bowels are bound, the dung dry, the 

 temper is irritable, and there is a general want of " tone." 

 Now, this is nothing else than what medical men call a state 

 of ^' plethora ; " there is a formation of superfluous blood and 

 fat, owing to a too rich and abundant diet, and an insuffi- 

 ciency of exercise and pure air. Usually medicine of any 

 kind is superfluous. If the diet is changed to a poorer one, 

 and diminished in quantity, and if abundance of exercise is 

 given, these symptoms will soon pass away. If they do not, 

 small doses of aloes (2 to 4 drs.) should be given twice a 

 week ; and an ounce of saltpetre placed in the water about 

 as often. These agents act on the bowels and kidneys, and 

 will soon relieve the overloaded system. 



The second form of loss of condition is seen in hard- worked 

 and often underfed horses. The coat is rough and staring, 

 the skin dry and harsh, often hide-bound, the bowels are 

 irregular, and the strength diminished. Even good care and 

 food may fail to bring back the vigor and spirit of the animal. 

 What now is to be done? The treatment is suggested 

 by the cause of this impairment of the health. I^early 

 always it is a form of indigestion. The secretory organs 

 must first be restored to activity. The coat should be brushed, 

 clipped and washed ; an ounce of saltpetre should be given 

 every other day, in a mash, to excite the kidneys ; the bowels 

 cleaned out with a moderate dose of aloes ; and soft, easily 

 digested food given. If this does not bring the animal to 

 condition in a fortnight, then we should have recourse to 

 that wonderful tonic for the equine race, arsenic. 



This powerful drug has been greatly abused in veterinary 

 medicine ; but it is of the utmost value in many cases, and 

 this is one of them. It may be given in one-ounce doses of 



