THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 255 



an annoyance to it ; this teaches us to take care in cases of 

 ophthalmia to exclude the light. 



It is important to put the diseased part, as far as lies in 

 our power, into a state of repose. And in no way can we 

 better accomplish this than by placing the animal in *' a 

 loose box," with his head at liberty, in a pure and cool 

 atmosphere, so as to lie down upon a comfortable bed when- 

 ever he feels disposed, and place himself in any posture that 

 may afford him most ease. 



Inflamed muscles, and tendons, and joints, should always 

 be placed in a state of repose, if possible, and at the same 

 time in that relaxed condition which leaves every fibre 

 most at ease. We may commonly do much towards the 

 attainment of this end in the limbs, by raising or lowering 

 the heel or toe of the foot, as the case may require. Should 

 the head or any part of the neck be the seat of inflamma- 

 tion, it may be found beneficial to keep the head elevated 

 and confined ; much mischief is done by suffering the 

 animal to hang it down upon the ground. The principle by 

 which we are to be guided in this respect is, to endeavour 

 to maintaia the pari inflamed in that position which is 

 most favourable to the return of blood from it back to the 

 heart. 



The next step, in a general way, is attention to clothing. 

 There are but few diseases in which it is not desirable to 

 keep the surface of the body warm, for which purpose we 

 employ woollen clothing. The quantity or thickness of the 

 clothes must, of course, be regulated by the season of the 

 year, by the previous habits of the animal, as well as by 

 reference to the disease under which he may at the time be 

 labouring. In hot weather, clothing is commonly required 

 rather for the purpose of protecting the animal from the 

 annoyance of flies than for warmth, and, consequently, linen 

 clothing is mostly to be preferred. Where warmth becomes 

 the object, rugs or blankets are preferable to cloths ; when 

 both are used, the former should be placed next the skin. 

 In no case should their quantity be such as to become 

 burthensome. 



The common food of a stabled horse consists of oats and 

 hay. During the existence of inflammation or fever in the 

 system, discontinue the oats, and substitute bran, in the form 

 of mashes, which are laxative in their tendency, and good, 

 as you cannot use purgatives. On this last account, green 



