PHYSICING. 211 



if they have not already began. It is usual to tie up the 

 tail with a tape or string, so as to keep it clean. The horse 

 should be warmly clothed, and if the physic does not 

 act u'ith an hour's walk, he may be gently trotted for a 

 short distance, and then taken home; and, if still ob- 

 stinate, he may be exercised again in the afternoon. As 

 soon as the physic operates pretty freely the horse is to be 

 taken into his stable, and not stirred out again ^ under any 

 pretence whatever^ for forty-eight hours after it has *'set," 

 or, in common language, stopped acting. When the purg- 

 ing has ceased, the mashes may be continued for twenty- 

 four hours, with a little corn added to them, and a quantity 

 of hay. The water, during the whole time, should be in 

 small quantities, and chilled ; and the clothing should be 

 rather warmer than usual, taking great care to avoid 

 draughts of cold air. Every horse requires at least three 

 days' rest for a dose of physic, in order to avoid risk of 

 mischief. 



The mode of giving a clyster is now rendered simple 

 enough, because a pump and tp.be are expressly made for 

 the purpose ; and the groom has only to pass the greased 

 end of the tube carefully into the rectum, for about eight 

 or nine inches, and then pump the liquid up until a suffi- 

 cient quantity is given. From a gallon to six quarts is the 

 average quantity, but in colic a much larger amount is 

 required. 



Lotions are applied by means of calico bandages, if 

 used to the legs ; or by a piece of calico tied over the part, 

 if to any other surface. 



Fomentations are very serviceable to the horse in all 

 recent external inflammations, and it is astonishing what 

 may be done by a careful groom, with warm water alone, 

 and a good-sized sponge. Sometimes by means of an elastic 

 tube and stop-cock warm water is conducted in a continuous 



