MARSH MALLOW — i^TASHES. 123 



'^'hich purpose it is employed b}' medical 

 practitioners : it is inspplicable to any pur- 

 pose in the veterinary [practice. 



MASHES. A kind of medicated diet, 

 and generally composed either of bran or 

 malt. Bran mashes are made by pouring 

 ■boiling water on fresh, sweet bran, in a pail, 

 so that the mixture, when stirred, may be 

 about the consistep.ce of a soft poultice : it 

 is then to be covered over, and not given 

 to the horse until sufficiently cold. When 

 it is thought necessary to steam the head, as 

 it is termed, that is, for the horse to inhale 

 the vapour as it arises, the mash i-s put into 

 the manger while hot, and some even put it 

 into a nose-bag, aod secure it to the head, 

 which is a bad -practice, as it impedes res- 

 piration. • Steaming the head is recommend- 

 ed in strangles, colds, and sore throats. 



Bran Mashes form a very proper diet 

 i^) fever, and all inflammatory complaints; 

 the}' are useful, also, as a preparative to 

 physic , serving to remove any indurated 

 f«:i3ces there may be iu the bowels, whereby 

 the operation of the medicine is rendered 

 more safe and effectual. Mashes are a ne- 

 cessary diet also while the physic is o»crat- 



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