XXX VI 1. 



lead us to expect. This is merely because in many cases professional advice 

 is not resorted to at a sufficiently early stage. In some districts, it is not 

 uncommon to v ork cart-horses throughout the course of the disease, when its 

 mild nature (seemingly) allows. Of course this is extremely foolish and cruel 

 conduct, and now and again a horse is utterly unable to endure such barbarous 

 measures. The symptoms become more extreme ; and, unless the animal is 

 most carefully tended by the experienced veterinarian, he will succumb. Until 

 the active and acute symptoms have abated, rest is one of the primary 

 essentials in this, as in nearly every disease. Again, of all the maladies to which 

 the horse is subject, influenza is one of the most weakening and debilitatin"-; 

 and yet, ignorant people will still pour down the throats of their long-suffering 

 animals, the most abominable quack mixtures, which very commonly lay the 

 foundation of a fatal result. These mixtures frequently contain large doses of 

 lowering or sedative drugs, which the already enfeebled system cannot resist. 

 Tincture of aconite is but one of the deleterious ingredients of some of the 

 medicines, which have frequently well-nigh brought the poor sufferers, to 

 whom it has been administered, to death's door. It is not uncommon to find 

 animals poisoned by excessive doses of sedative, and other drugs. 



We may incidentally remark, that the great fact to learn about influenza, 

 is, that good support in the shape of oil-cake, gruel, and other nutritious 

 food, together with tonics and stimulants, are requisite at a very early stao-e 

 in the disease. In that debilitating form of influenza, known as pink-eve 

 some form of alcoholic stimulant is of paramount importance throughout the 

 disease. 



A gentlemen once purchased a horse, as he thought, very cheaply at a 

 fair. When the bargain was made, the purchaser inquired if the animal had 

 any defects, for which he was disposed of at so low a rate. The seller 

 replied that the horse had but two faults, the first being that when out at 

 grass he could not be caught. As, however, it was not intended to turn the 

 horse out to grass, this was not a fault in the opinion of the new comer, who 

 at this juncture excitedly asked, "But, tell me, what .is his other defect .^" 

 " It is this," replied the dealer, " that when the brute is caught, he is no good 

 to anyone." But too often men pay cheaply, as our friend did for his horse, 

 for medicine composed they know not how, which is often useless, and 

 sometimes worse than useless. Recently we were called in to two teams 

 of cart-horses, each one of which had received a ball. All the animals were 

 nauseated, and w^ere not fit for work for several days. This is a very mild 

 instance of the ill-advised treatment, which is too frequently adopted. 



We cannot too emphatically condemn the practice which is too general 

 among horse owners and others, of giving and applying medicines and 

 medicaments without professional advice. There are, however, exceptions 

 to all rules, and there are of course some, though very few patent remedies, 

 w^hich are really of use. We are so often asked cur opinions concerning 

 some of them, that we think it well to append here formulas, which will be 

 found of great value for general use. One ounce of methylated spirit, and 

 one ounce of Goulard's extract of lead, make with the acMition of eight 



