PHYSIC. 191 



field, say in August or September, as the means of 

 saving his legs, should he be a strong-constitu- 

 tioned horse, and have thrown up too much flesh. 

 But there is no absolute necessity for physic at 

 this period to horses that have been properly treated 

 throughout the summer, and not suffered to get 

 foul or fat ; and it will be given with more advan- 

 tage to them after they have been sometime at 

 work, or nearer to the commencement of the hunt- 

 ing season, which, after the manner of the racing 

 stable, may be termed a second preparation. 



To horses summered in the house, physic is now 

 only administered when it is wanted, as is the case 

 with the race-horse ; and the groom or his master 

 ought to be able to say when. There are many di- 

 recting symptoms with horses in work, which cannot 

 escape an observant eye; and we do not, as formerly, 

 wait for the swollen leg or the running sore. The 

 barbarous practice, also, of three doses in succession, 

 (as was the practice with the grass-fed hunter on 

 being stabled,) " the first to stir up the humours, 

 and the last to carry them off," with two strong- 

 urine balls to wind up, by way of a remedy for con- 

 sequent debility, is now happily exploded. The 

 strength of the dose is likewise greatly diminished, 

 and consequently all danger is avoided. We take 

 upon ourselves to say, there is no more risk attend- 

 ing administering physic to a horse, than there is 

 in giving him a pailful of cold water, perhaps not 

 so much ; that is, provided the drugs are good, and 

 well put together. We, liowever, strongly recom- 

 mend all sportsmen and others to obtain physic 



