400 



THE HORSE. 



stao-es of disease, and the circumstances which indicate the use of any one 

 of Ihem in preference to the rest, are considered under their respective 



titles. 



Silver. — One combination only of this metal is used, and that as a 

 manageable and excellent caustic, viz. the Lunar Caustic. It is far^ 

 preferable to the hot iron, or to any acid, for the destruction of the part, if 

 a horse should have been bitten by a rabid dog; and it stands next to 

 the butyr of antimony for the removal of fungus generally. 



Soda. The Chloride of Soda is not so efficacious for the removal of 



unpleasant smells and all infection, as the chloride of lime, but it is ex- 

 ceedino-ly useful in changing malignant and corroding and destructive 

 sores into the state of simple ulcers, and in ulcers that are not malignant 

 it much hastens the cure. Poll evil and fistulous withers are much 

 benefited by it, and all farcy ulcers. It is used in the proportion of one 

 part of the solution to twenty-four of water. 



Common Salt (Chloride of Sodium) is very extensively employed in 

 veterinary practice. It forms an efficacious aperient clyster ; a solution of 

 it has even been given as an aperient drink. Sprinkled over the hay, or in 

 a mash, it is very palatable to sick horses ; and in that languor and dis- 

 inclination to food which remain after severe illness, few things will so 

 soon recall the appetite as a drink composed of eight ounces of salt in 

 solution. To horses in health it is more useful than is generally imagined, 

 as promoting the digestion of the food, and, consequently, condition. Ex- 

 ternally applied, there are few better lotions for inflamed eyes than a 

 solution of half a drachm of salt in four ounces of water. In the propor- 

 tion of an ounce of salt to the same quantity of water, it is a good embroca- 

 tion for sore shoulders and backs ; and if it does not always disperse warbles 

 and tumours, it takes away much of the tenderness of the skin. 



Soap is supposed to possess a diuretic quality, and therefore enters 

 into the composition of some diuretic masses. See Resin. By many 

 practitioners it is made an ingredient in the physic ball, but uselessly 

 or even injuriously so ; for if the aloes are finely powdered and mixed 

 with palm oil, they will dissolve readily enough in the bowels without 

 the aid of the soap, while the action of the soap on the kidneys will 

 impair the purgative effect of the aloes. 



Starch may be substituted with advantage for gruel in obstinate cases 

 of purging, both as a clyster, and to support the strength of the animal. 



Stoppings constitute an important, but too often neglected part of 

 stable manarrement. If a horse is irregularly or seldom worked, his 

 feet are deprived of moisture ; they become hard, and unyielding, and 

 brittle, and disposed to corn, and contraction, and founder. The very 

 muck of a neglected and filthy stable would be preferable to habitual 

 standing on the cleanest litter without stopping. In wounds, and bruises, 

 and corns, moisture is even more necessary, to supple the horn, and 

 relieve its pressure on the tender parts beneath. As a common stopping, 

 nothing is better than cow-dung with a fourth part of clay beaten well into 

 it, and^'confincd with splents from the binding of the broom, or the larger 

 twigs of the broom. In cases of wounds a little tar may be added ; but 

 tar,\s a common stopping, is too stimulating and drying. Pads made of 

 thick felt have lately been contrived, which are fitted to the sole, and, 

 swelling on being wetted, are sufficiently confined by the shoe. Having 

 been well filled with water, they will continue moist during the night. 

 They are very useful in gentlemen's stables ; but the cow-dung and clay 

 are sufficient for the farmer. 



Sulphur is the basis of the most effectual applications for mange. 



