On Gypsmn. 167 



peated, after a few days. The horse will refuse the se- 

 cond course, if he be not starved into compliance. I 

 find it to be a violent catharticky if taken in sufficient 

 quantity. In the '''' Agricultural Enquiries on Plaister^'* 

 page 85, in a note, — the formation of calculi^ in the vis- 

 cera of horses, is mentioned; as having been by some 

 farmers attributed to their taking in plaister^ mixed ac- 

 cidentally with their food, I did not then know the 

 purgative quality of the plaister. It refutes every idea 

 that it would remain in the viscera^ long enough to form 

 concretions. 



The doses of pulverized plaister, gave my horse 

 .some temporary relief. But I have no faith in any re- 

 medy proposed for this incurable malady. I have seen 

 a fact published of an horse at pasture cured by drink- 

 ing, during a whole season, pond rvater, impregnated 

 with lime. But we do not hear of this horse, after be- 

 ing, for any length of time, on dry food, I have known 

 hills, in this disease, procured by various palliatives ; 

 but it returned, after exercise and hard w^ork, or dry 

 food. Diet is the best palliative, but hay is bad ; the 

 food should be wet and laxative ; and some gentle ape- 

 rient should be often used. Garlic, flaxseed, sulphur^ 

 tar, and lime water &c. I have, in vain, administered 

 with exemplary patience. All are useful, but none ef- 

 fectual. Horses fed entirely (through the winters) on 

 potatoes, have been relieved, for several years, though 

 afflicted with heaves, or broken wind. 



The salivary defluxions from horses, and homed cat- 

 tle, and hoving, are unjustly attributed to plaistered 

 grass. These I remember from my earliest vouth, be- 



