64 THE FARMER'S 



feverish heat, his skin sticks to his ribs, the spine 

 becomes harder than usual, small biles break out 

 on his back, and yet his appetite sometimes contin- 

 ues good. As this disorder seldom is an original 

 complaint, but generally arises from some former 

 cause, regard must be had to that cause, in the 

 method of cure. But as to the disorder itself, Ve- 

 gelius directs the anointing the whole body with oil 

 and wine mixed together, rubbing them strongly 

 against the hair, in a warm sun, in order that the 

 skin may be relaxed, and a sweat break out; after 

 which the horse should be well curried, and placed 

 in a warm stable, with plenty of litter. 



The authors of the Maison Rustique advise that 

 the next day after bleeding the horse, a fomentation 

 be made of emollient and aromatic strengthening 

 plants, boiled in lees of wine, or beer, and that the 

 whole body of the horse be rubbed, with these plants, 

 whilst they are warm, till it is thoroughly wet; and 

 that the loins, belly, and neck, as well as the rest 

 of the body, be anointed with a mixture of one part 

 honey and three parts of ointment of elder, rub- 

 bing it strongly in with the hand, that it may pene- 

 trate the skin. This done, the horse should be 

 covered with a cloth dipt in the warm fomentation, 

 and doubled, and another covering should be put 

 over this, tying it on with ome or two surcingles. 

 The horse should remain in this condition 24 hrs., 

 and then be fomented, rubbed, &.c, twice as before. 

 These fomentations being finished, a warm cover- 

 ing must be continued, lest the horse catch cold; 

 and he should then have an opening clyster, and 

 the next morning a purging medicine; continuing 

 to wash his head and neck, and also to rinse his 

 mouth with the decoction. 



