MEDICINES AND THEIR PREPARATIONS 



445 



These ingredients are melted together in a " water bath" (fig. 426) and 

 incorporated by constant stirring. 



Another formula, which was published by Messrs. Elliman, and claims 

 to be plastic, ductile, and soluble, is given below: 



Best Barbados Aloes 



Glycerine 



Castor-Oil 



Powdered Unbleached Ginger ... 



10 parts. 

 1 part. 

 1 part. 

 | part. 



Fit--. 426. Water Bath 



1, Earthenware lining. 2, Inlet for water. 

 3, Tap for drawing off water. 



The aloes are directed to be dissolved in glycerine with the aid of the 

 water bath, the castor-oil added, and the ginger stirred in lastly. 



The dose of aloes, when intended as 

 a purgative, varies considerably according 

 to age, size, and breed, besides which 

 it is found that in some districts a 

 larger quantity is required to take an 

 equal effect. 



In the southern part of England four 

 drams may be considered a fair dose for 

 a carriage horse or hackney, and five or 

 six, or even seven, for a draught-horse; 

 but these doses are considerably exceeded 

 in Scotland and some of the western 

 counties of England with apparent safety. 

 Much larger doses were formerly given, 

 but without proper preparation. 



Preparing for Physic. Bran mashes only should be allowed for 

 twelve to twenty hours before giving the ball; all dry food removed,, 

 and abundance of drinking water, not quite cold, should be administered. 

 Thus prepared for, a five-dram dose will probably prove more active than 

 a larger quantity given on the top of dry hay or hard corn. 



The full effect of an aloetic purge is not realized for about eighteen 

 hours, and to facilitate its action exercise is prescribed, but it should be 

 discontinued as soon as purging commences. The animal should not be 

 called upon for active exertion until the physic has " set " or the faeces 

 resumed their ordinary consistence, and the appetite for hard food has 

 returned and been appeased. 



Condition Balls. The term " condition " as applied to horses may 

 imply two quite different states. As used by the hunting man or the 

 owner of race-horses it means hard condition firmness of muscle and the 

 fullest development of the powers of heart and lungs, to sustain the animal 



