HORSE MEDICINES AND REMEDIES 237 



(F) 



Linseed meal, or oatmeal, &Jiy quantity ; mix with boiling 

 water, and ferment with a tablespoonful of yeast ; as it 

 rises, apply to the part. 



Powders. — Powdered medicines that have not much taste 

 may be given in a mash. Emetic tartar and digitalis in 

 fever, or calomel or the meal of the nut of croton tiglium 

 as " physic." The horse, however, often refuses them, and 

 then the mash is wasted. A careful and competent groom 

 will prefer the more certain method of ball or drench. 



Sedatives. — This class of medicines is calculated to 

 diminish the irritability of the system, to repress spas- 

 modic action, and to deaden pain. Some sedatives act at 

 first as stimulants, but this stage soon passes off. In some 

 cases they act by enabling the system to resist irritation, 

 in others they numb the nerves and lower the animal 

 system by a narcotic or sleepy effect. In the horse we do 

 not find these medicines act as positive narcotics, as in 

 man ; they merely lessen irritability, and check spasmodic 

 action. Digitalis, opium, hellebore, hemlock, belladonna, 

 camphor, and turpentine act as sedatives with the horse ; 

 so also, in injuries and consequent fever, does the cold bath. 

 Some irritative states are best met by tonics, as the mineral 

 acids, etc. 



Stimulants (see Cordials). — Medicines that exert an 

 influence on the system by increasing the power and 

 action of a part ; hence they may be considered as very 

 numerous, and the term as of very extensive signification. 

 The following article from Blaine contains a summary of 

 the classification of doses of these medicines. Local 

 Stimuli are all such matters as either promote the 

 vascular, the nervous, or the absorbing energies, as fric- 

 tion, rubefacients, blisters, etc. General Stimidi act on 

 the sensorium at once, through the medium of the senses ; 

 the voice of the hounds stimulates the horse ; the exer- 

 tions of a rival racer will likewise stimulate ; and the 

 stallion's fire is drawn forth by the scent of the mare. 

 Absorbing Stimulants are heat, cold, friction, depletion, 

 mercury, etc. 



Stomachic Stimulants. — Such may be called cordials as 

 are intended to have a temporary efiict on the stomach : 



