PURGING. 25 



matter discharged by the action of a purgative is 

 sometimes enormous ; being, in consequence of the 

 stimulating action of the purge, poured forth by the 

 secretive membrane lining the intestines. 



In the early stages of fever, physic must be given 

 with some caution ; but, in local inflammation, except- 

 ing where the sympathy between the injury and the 

 general system is apparent in evident debility, it is 

 sometimes beneficial. When the lungs are inflamed 

 it is a common saying, " purge and kill," and this 

 maxim has almost grown into a rule of practice. 



Horses that are fat and plethoric are rarely bene- 

 fited by physic, yet more so than by bleeding. The 

 regular purging at certain times of the year cannot 

 be commended. It is a good maxim " to let well 

 alone;" yet at all times mild physickings are much 

 more harmless than small bleedings, for the first 

 simply evacuates the bowels. The effect of bleed- 

 ing on a fat horse is doubtful even at the time, and 

 most certainly injurious afterwards: for it takes that 

 fluid from the animal of which a fat horse always has 

 too little, and may generate the weakness which shall 

 terminate in dropsical effusion or lead to various ill 

 effects. 



In greasy swellings of the legs; lameness attri- 

 butable to the joints ; old cough ; worms ; and mange, 

 physic may occasionally be useful. 



The purgatives of the horse are few in number. 

 The superior efficacy of the Epsom salts was spoken of 

 in the work on Cattle as applicable only to the ox ; 

 they are uncertain in the Horse, although given in 

 enormous doses ; and occasionally they will produce a 



c 



