HORSE MEDICINES AND REMEDIES 223 



part with a large spatula, as hot as it can be without giving 

 the animal too much pain. Flocks of tow should be 

 scattered over it while it is warm, and thus a thick and 

 adhesive covering will be formed, which cannot be separated 

 from the skin for many months. This is applied for old 

 sprains of the loins, and also strains of the back sinews. 



A newly-introduced charge is called the Arnica charge. 

 It is formed of two ounces of Canada balsam, and half an 

 ounce of arnica leaves, melted and worked together with a 

 little spirits of turpentine. This is to be applied over the 

 whole by thinly spreading, and then the first-named charge 

 placed outside and over it. 



Clysters — in many farming books glysters — are useful 

 aids in veterinary practice, being always safe and easy to 

 administer. The principal part is to avoid alarming the 

 horse. The syringe known as " Read's," with valves and 

 a flexible tube, is the best apparatus ; but failing this, 

 a large hog's bladder, or, bettei*, that of an ox, with 

 a smooth wooden pipe an inch in diameter and sixteen 

 inches long, may serve the occasion. The pipe must 

 be well oiled, and the process conducted gently. 

 We may notice here that Back-raking is an operation 

 often necessary before throwing up a clyster. The 

 clyster must not be suddenly forced up, but gradually, 

 and its heat 96° Fahrenheit. Subjoined are several 

 of the compounds ordinarily used as clysters, from which 

 it will be seen that the clyster may be made not only 

 laxative, but nutritious and astringent. From the urgency 

 with which relief of the bowels is required, and the 

 length of time taken by purgatives given by the mouth, 

 this class of remedy is invaluable. 



(A) A LAXATIVE CLYSTER. 



Thin gruel or broth .... 5 quarts. 

 Epsom salts, ^ lb. ; or common salt . 1| pound. 



(B) A CLYSTER FOR GRIPES. 



Oil of turpentine ... .J pint. 

 Thin gruel 4 quarts. 



