170 DIURETICS. 



consequence, but such additional quantity consists merely of a 

 greater abundance of water. The solids of the urine, or those 

 constituents which form the essential peculiarities of the 

 secretion, are not in the least altered either in quantity or 

 quality by the diuretic agent ; all that it does accomplish is to 

 cause the blood to be drained to an undue, perhaps to an 

 injurious, extent of its watery constituents. Diuretics to 

 horses in good health I condemn entirely, not only as useless, 

 but as pernicious to the organism. 



To those, however, who desire a more abundant secretion 

 of urine from their horses, they must place rock salt in their 

 racks or mangers. Horses are fond of salt, and they frequently 

 lick it with avidity when so placed as to allow them to take it 

 when they choose. 



Salt is highly beneficial to horses in many respects, but it 

 must not be forced upon them. AVhen allowed to take it of 

 themselves, they will generally lick sufficient to excite that 

 degree of thirst which causes them to drink the amount of 

 water which helps to maintain a healthy state of the urinary 

 organs. 



Diuretics are occasionally useful if given to horses affected 

 with Chronic Lymphites — with swollen limbs arising either 

 from debility or from the system of the animal being over- 

 loaded with watery fluids. 



Bleeding. — Bleeding is a practice we suppose to be coeval, 

 or nearly so, with the human race. Tor centuries it was 

 regarded as one of the great panaceas for almost every malady 

 to which either bipeds or quadrupeds were subject, and until 

 within the last few years its practice w^as all but universal 

 amongst veterinary surgeons. 



Until within a very recent period it was deemed necessary to 



