28 INFLAMMATION. 



should not operate, nothing" should be immediately 

 done except to administer injections of warm water, 

 in each of which half a pound of Epsom salts has been 

 dissolved; these will generally do good, and can 

 hardly be prejudicial. If all fails, another ball may 

 be given four days after the first was administered, 

 should such a measure be absolutely required. 



As soon as the horse begins to purge, all exercise 

 should cease. The horse, upon exertion, certainly 

 purges more, but more than any rational man would 

 wish ; he is likewise often griped ; now and then 

 inflammation of the bowels supervenes — an inflamma- 

 tion that is not easily subdued. 



From the time of administering the physic the 

 water should be given to the horse lukewarm, if he 

 will drink it so; at all events its coldness must be 

 removed. No corn should, as a general rule, be 

 allowed until the action of the medicine has ceased ; 

 however oats, if imperative, may be mixed with bran, 

 either dry or made into a mash, as the animal can be 

 induced to eat it. 



Back Raking. — The introduction of the hand into 

 the rectum, and the removal of any dung which it may 

 contain, is a useful operation. It should be always 

 practised when physic is slow to work : not only a 

 portion of dung is removed, but the excitement of the 

 rectum, by the introduction of and the movement of 

 the hand, extends to other parts of the intestinal 

 canal, and they are disposed more readily to respond 

 to the stimulus of the purgative. 



Injections are too much neglected, especially in 

 cases of retarded purgation, and in those where speedy 



