MEDICINES. 399 



heels, and especially if accompanied by much unpleasant smell, there is no- 

 thing preferable to a poultice of mashed carrots with charcoal. For old 

 grease some slight stimulant must be added, as a little yeast or the 

 grounds of table beer. 



There are two errors in the application of a poultice, and particularly as 

 it reo-ards the legs. It is often put on too tight, by which the return of 

 the blood from the foot is prevented, and the disease is increased instead of 

 lessened ; or it is too hot, and unnecessary pain is given, and the inflamma- 

 tion aggravated. 



Powders. — Some horses are very difficult to ball or drench, and the 

 violent struggle that would accompany the attempt to conquer them may 

 heighten the fever or inflammation. To such horses powders must be 

 n-iven in mashes. Emetic tartar and digitalis may be generally used 

 in cases of inflammation or fever ; or emetic tartar for worms ; or calomel 

 and even the farina of the Croton nut for physic : but powders are too often 

 an excuse for the laziness or awkwardness of the carter or groom. The 

 horse frequently refuses them, especially if his appetite has otherwise 

 begun to fail ; the powder and the mash are wasted, and the animal is 

 unnecessarily nauseated. All medicine should be given in the form of 

 ball or drink. 



Raking. — This consists in introducing the hand into the horse's rectum, 

 and drawing out any hardened dung that may be there. It may be 

 necessary in costiveness or fever, if a clyster pipe cannot be obtained ; but 

 an injection will better effect the purpose, and with less inconvenience to 

 the animal. The introduction of the hand into the rectum is, however, 

 usefjil to ascertain the existence of stone in the bladder, or the degree of 

 distention of the bladder in suppression of urine, for the bladder will 

 be easily felt below the gut ; and at the same time by the heat of the intes- 

 tine, the degree of inflammation in it or in the bladder may be detected. 



Resin. — The yellow resin is that which remains after the distillation of 

 oil of turpentine. It is used externally to give consistence to ointments, 

 and to render them slightly stimulant. Internally it is a useful diuretic, 

 and is given in doses of five or six drachms made into a ball with soft 

 soap. The comm.on liquid turpentine is, however, preferable. 



Rowels. — The manner of rowelling has been described at page 186. 

 As exciting inflammation on the surface, and so lessening that which had 

 previously existed in a neighbouring, but deeper-seated part, they are de- 

 cidedly inferior to blisters, for they do not act so quickly nor so extensively; 

 therefore they should not be used in acute inflammation of the lungs or 

 bowels, or any vital part. When the inflammation, however, although not 

 intense, has long continued, rowels will be serviceable by producing 

 an irritation and discharge which can be better kept up than by a blister. 

 As promoting a permanent, although not very considerable discharge 

 and some inflammation, rowels in the thighs are useful in swelled legs, and 

 obstinate grease. If fluid is thrown out under the skin in any other part, 

 the rowel acts as a permanent drain. When sprain of the joint or the 

 muscles of the shoulders is suspected, a rowel in the chest will be ser- 

 viceable. The wound caused by a rowel will readily heal, and with little 

 blemish, unless the useless leather of the farrier has been inserted. 



Salt, common. — See Soda. 



Sedatives are medicines which subdue irritation, repress spasmodic 

 action, or deaden pain. We will not inquire whether they act first as 

 stimulants; if they do, their effect is exceedingly transient, and is quickly 

 followed by depression and diminished action. Digitalis, hellebore, opium, 

 turpentine, are medicines of this kind. Their effect in diHerent diseases, or 



