DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 33 



height, are the premonitory signs of that disease which 

 has long proved fatal to that species of animal both in 

 Europe and America. The tail of a horse lcsing :ts regu- 

 larity of motion from side to side, indicate that he is indis- 

 posed, and the part in which the disease is seated is 

 pointed out by one of his ears inclining backwards to the 

 side affected. The seat of disease in the abdomen, 

 where the signs are concealed, may be known by press- 

 ing the hand upon his whole belly. When the diseased 

 part is pressed, he will manifest marks of pain. 



PHYSIC. 



There are few medicines so much abused as purga- 

 tives. They are often given without any reason, fre- 

 quently in "powerful, and injurious, and sometimes ir. 

 fatal doses. Many animals, particularly horses, are 

 destroyed by excessive doses of physic. Yet purgative? 

 judiciously administered, are highly useful. 



In inflammatory complaints, by rapid evacuations 

 from the bowels, they expel the chyle, and cut off tem- 

 porarily the supply of nutriment, and they promote the 

 secretions on the inner coat of the intestines, drawing 

 from the fluids of the body, and reducing the circulation ; 

 and thus they relieve an affected organ, or abate a gen- 

 eral inflammation. 



Physic removes from the stomach and bowels causes 

 of irritation, and gives rest to the digestive organs which 

 have been over-tasked, and relieves the stomach which 

 has been overloaded. 



By the moderate use of physic, together with proper 

 attention to diet and general treatment, many diseases 

 may be cured, which are now generally treated with 

 bleeding and other harsh modes. 



In chronic and slow diseases, it is best to prepare Ihe 

 •animal for one, two, or three days, if convenient, by 

 giving mashes, as this will loosen the bowels, and no* 

 only require a less dose of physic, but it will be more 

 effectual in its operation. 



But the most important considei ation is, that the bow- 

 els being open, he pil rgative? can freely operate without 



