10 VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



sible from the other horses, and so situated as to the windows that it can 

 be darkened, if desired, for liorses with disorders of the nervous system 

 and eye troubles. The floor should be liberally covered with fresh clean 

 straw, or saw dust; keep the floor of the box clean, but do not wash it 

 while in use. A loose box used for sick animals should be frequently 

 and thoroughly whitewashed. 



Blankets and other clothing upon sick horses should be loosely 

 fastened on; if a surcingle is used, let it be quite slack. Shake and air the 

 clothing once or twice a day, but do not let the horse stand uncovered 

 for any length of time, nor at all unless he is likely to be benefited by it. 



A seriously sick horse should have all his shoes removed, as it will 

 give him comfort and ease. 



Fresh Water should be constantly within reach; especially when 

 fever is present, the horse will frequently sip at it. 



Hard water, which contains an excess of saline and mineral substances, 

 does not as a general rule agree as well with horses as soft water, such 

 as that obtained from a river or pond. It is apt to prod ace irritation of 

 the bowels and, as a secondary effect, a staring coat. 



The salts contained in hard water may be in a great degree precipi- 

 tated by boiling, and most waters become softer by being exposed to the 

 air. 



Any sudden change in the kind of water supplied to horses is apt to 

 cause derangement and even irritation of the mucous membranes of the 

 bowels, especially a change from soft to hard water. Hence if the water 

 is very hard, it should be boiled before being given to valuable horses, 

 particularly if they are not accustomed to it. 



Eain or other soft water stored in tanks soon becomes full of decom- 

 posing vegetable matter in hot weather. 



To horses predisposed to scour, water should be given frequently and in 

 reduced quantities, and in winter the chill should be taken off by mixing 

 it with a very little warm water. Perhaps the best plan is to leave water 

 always before such horses, because when so supplied they drink less than 

 when watered at intervals. A diminished quantity of water taken into 

 the system, by lessening the secretions of the intestines, decreases the 

 tendency to purgation. 



If reduction of the quantity of water does not produce tlie desired 

 effect, it may be mixed with a little wheat flour, which has a slight as- 

 tringent effect on the bowels. If further measures are needed, boiled 



