WATER. 593 



The articles of diet mentioned under the heading of " laxative 

 food," also possess valuable nutritive properties, though in varying 

 degrees. Tliey may be employed, with proper discrimination, in 

 all stages of disease. 



WATER. — As a rule, the sick, as well as the healthy horse should 

 have a constant supply of fresh drinking water. The amount may 

 be curtailed, and the " chill " taken off in some exceptional cases, 

 as that of purging. In various diseases, it is well to slightly warm 

 the water, the temperature of which, however, should not be raised 

 to more than 80° F. The ill effect of drinking a quantity of cold 

 water in the case of inflammation of the lungs, or congestion of the 

 liver, for instance, would be to cause contraction of the blood-vessels 

 of the intestinal canal, and, consequently, to increase the blood 

 pressure in the affected organs. 



SALT. — ^A sick animal should be allowed, at least, three ounces of 

 salt a day, or a lump of rock-salt should be kept constantly in the 

 manger. Salt is a condiment which pro^motes digestion, and aids 

 in the building up of tissue. 



GROOMING. — A horse that is weak and depressed should not 

 be worried by unnecessary grooming of the mere body-brush or 

 dandy-brush type; although vigorous and well applied hand- 

 rubbing (p. 664) or wisping, has a good general effect in re- 

 moving deleterious substa,nces from the system. In all cases, it is 

 well to sponge out his eyes, nostrils, and dock ; smooth over his 

 coat ; hand-inib his legs ; " strip " his ears ; take off the clothing 

 he wore at night; and put on fresh clothing for use by day. The 

 other portions of stable routine should be followed, in order to 

 promote the animal's comfort and health. 



EXERCISE. — In cases of injury, we should give exercise very 

 gradually, so as to restore the function of the part, without in- 

 terfering with its repair. After illness which has involved 

 medical treatment, the owner should be most chary in permit- 

 ting the horse to leave his stable until all danger of a relapse 

 is past. The animal should then be put very gradually to work 

 again. 



38 



