THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET. 41 



supposed indisposition. The remedy is a safe one, to 

 whatever extent it may be used. The effects of a 

 few days' fast would be some degree of languor and 

 indisposition for work or exercise, and the greater 

 the need of abstinence, the more marked would be 

 these symptoms. The fasting horse would act '' lazy," 

 or as if already in the first stage of the disorder, 

 which, in fact, may be the case. He will not, how- 

 ever, be likely to go beyond this stage under this 

 regimen. Should unmistakable symptoms of the 

 overflow become apparent, however, the fast should 

 continue until these abate very noticeably. Then 

 the diet should be " dry," (that is, no gruels, mashes, 

 or slops), and very abstemious as to quantity. Free 

 (cool, not cold) water-drinking should be allowed at 

 all times, except directly before meals or for two 

 hours after. If the animal is thirsty at these pro- 

 scribed times a little cool water may be allowed — 

 little and often — until finally thirst is appeased. But 

 there will be no unusual degree of thirst if the food 

 given is not too abundant for the present capacity of 

 the digestive organs, which is very much reduced. 

 Appease the present thirst, but prevent it to-morrow 

 by a still further reduction of the feed. 



In some cases an attack otherwise sure to come 

 \vould be averted if the animal was put on half-ra- 

 tions, if this was done before any lack of appetite ivas 

 discerned^ and if he were given plenfy of open-air ex- 

 ercise, and the stable (as it should be always) so ven- 

 tilated as to be ever free from a close or stuffy condi- 

 tion. Fresh air is Nature s febrifuge^ and the hotter 



