159 



OVER-PURGING. 



If a horse purges more than twenty times, he must 

 be considered over-purged ; and, if unattended to, in- 

 flammation may succeed. 



Treatment : Continue the gruel, as directed un- 

 der " PHYSICKING," till you have given it six times ; 

 then change to the following : four drachms of pre- 

 pared or common chalk, three drachms of gum-arabic, 

 one drachm and a half of catechu, and one drachm and 

 a half of anise-seed, well mixed in a pint of arrowroot, 

 or thick rice congee : give this every four hours. 

 The legs to be, also, well hand-rubbed every four 

 hours ; and, in the interim, bandaged up as high as 

 the knees in flannel or grass ; and, if the weather is 

 cold or damp, the jhool and head-piece to be put on. 

 He should have a large soft bed, but be muzzled, if 

 inclined to eat ; and not a particle of grain, grass, or 

 water given. After three drenches of the above, 

 that is, after twelve hours, if the purging remains 

 undiminished, add to it a quarter of a drachm of 

 opium and a quarter of a drachm of alum* and give 

 the same, also, by clyster, increasing the quantity 

 of arrowroot in the clyster to a quart. There will 

 be no danger of fatal inflammation, and very little 

 of the bowels being injured, if this treatment is fairly 

 adopted ; but if you allow the over-purigng to go on 

 for twelve or eighteen hours, and then suddenly stop 

 it with over-doses of opium or catechu, you will, 

 most probably, as suddenly stop his breath at the 

 same time. Should the purging, after another twelve 



* Half a drachm of the former and a drachm of the latter may be added 

 with advantage. ED. 



