66 



PHYSICKING 



takes six days : two for preparation ; the clay it is 

 given, and the day 011 which it operates ; and two 

 more to return to the former diet : but on an emer- 

 gency, or when the dung appears softened, four days 

 may be sufficient : one for preparation ; the day it is 

 given, and the day it operates ; and one more to in- 

 crease to the former diet. 



Whenever a does of purgative physic is to be given 

 to a horse in consequence of being out of condition, 

 or previous to being put in training, or when in train- 

 ing, or coming out of training, it is most necessary he 

 should have bran mashes, instead of his grain, and 

 very little grass for the previous day, or two days, 

 whether the physic is to be aloes or oil, a ball or a 

 drench. If he will not eat bran mash, he must be 

 well stinted of dry grass, and a little green (cut the 

 previous day) given. There is a peculiarity of struc- 

 ture about a horse's inside, that, unless he is properly 

 prepared and carefully looked after under physic, you 

 not only will do no good, but, on the contrary, you 

 will throw him some weeks back, and even run the 

 risk of losing him ; for it is surprising how suddenly 

 a horse will sometimes "go out" under a dose of phy- 

 sic improperly given. You should endeavour to give 

 your physic, for any of the above purposes, of that 

 strength that not more than ten extra evacuations 

 will be produced. Some horses are easily operated 

 on with a ball of four drachms of aloes ; others re- 

 quire a large dose of seven. At one time in the year, 

 a horse will sometimes purge with five drachms, that 

 another time will not feel the effect of six. Four to 

 six drachms of Mr. Sprague's or Treacher's aloes are 



