168 On Gypsum* 



fore the gypsum was used or known, as to its qualities 

 applicable to husbandry. They occur no^v, in marsh- 

 es, and other places, where no plaister is strewed. Fogg 

 or after-mathj and second crop haij^ always produce 

 these salivations^ in a greater or less degree ; particularly 

 in wet seasons. Unmixed clover hay, especially where 

 the crop was luxuriant, and not salted, always disagree 

 ■with horses if exclusively fed. Hoving is common in 

 Europe, in countries wherein the plaister is unknown, 

 or not used in agriculture. 



The defluxions produced on horses by the above 

 mentioned causes, afford temporary relief in complaints 

 of heaves or broken wind. This indication of nature 

 might be improved upon, for the discoA^ery of some 

 palliative, or if practicable, a remedy, for this obstinate 

 disease. Bleeding is useful, but has no permanent ef- 

 ficacy. It is probable that a course of calomel, in an 

 early stage of these complaints, would either cure or 

 palliate. 



If any apology for this communication to the society, 

 be necessar}' ; it must be found in my persuasion, that 

 it is incumbent on persons w^ho have been in long ha- 

 bits of strewing the gypsum, to give information of their 

 experience. Whatever may be its disadvantages, may 

 now be pointed out, by those who have felt them. My 

 obligations to it, invite and justify the opinion, that it 

 will continue to afford important advantages to the 

 community, as it has, for a long course of time, been 

 personally beneficial to me. I presumed too, that 

 it would gratify curiosity, to be informed of the hum- 

 ble and confined beginnings, from w^hence this ex- 

 tensive amelioration in husbandrv originated, in this 



