Scours and Constipation in Colts. 163 



of castor oil understanding^, knowing from long experi- 

 ence that it operates both on the mother and child. 



The milk of the mother, immediately after parturition, 

 is the best kind of medicine to regulate the secretions and 

 excretions of the offspring, and it generally has the de- 

 sired effect. There may, however, be cases where, in 

 consequence of exposure, the foal may have diarrhoea ; if 

 so, he must be placed in a warm situation. Perhaps all 

 that will now be needed for the cure is some warm gin- 

 ger, or caraway tea ; and a little of either of these simple 

 articles, pulverized, may, with advantage, be given to the 

 mother in her food. If the mother is fat, and has not had 

 sufficient exercise previous to parturition, we are not to 

 be in a hurry to stop the discharge, but merely to hold it 

 in check. If, in poor condition, and still losing flesh, 

 then, in addition, give of tonic, and give freely of gruel 

 made of wheat flour, and as long, the foal should not de- 

 pend altogether on its dam for sustenance, but might have 

 a daily allowance of boiled cow's milk, cooled to about the 

 temperature of milk when drawn. Hay tea, to which a 

 small quantity of cow's milk may be added, is an excel- 

 lent drink for the young foal in the absence of its mother's 

 milk. Try it, reader, on your calves, also, if you have 

 occasion. 



The following astringent drink for colts is efficacious, 

 viz : Angelica root, one ounce ; Cranesbill, 2 m ounces ; 

 hayberry bark, 1-4 ounce ; African ginger, 1-2 ounce. 

 Pour on the above ingredients two quarts of boiling wa- 

 ter ; set them aside for a few hours. Dose — Half a pint 

 every four hours until the disease is checked. If the dis- 

 charges are fetid, add to each dose half a table-spoonful 

 of finely-pulverized charcoal, and if the foal be weak and 

 in poor condition, allow it hay tea, thickened with oat- 

 meal. 



As regards costiveness, green food and scalded shorts 

 are the antidotes, and the mother will partake of either 

 with relish ; some of the former, if the season permits, 

 should be cut and placed before her soon after labor. If 

 the articles fail to have the desired effect, a dose of ap- 

 erient medicine — castor oil, or salts^should be given. 



