MEDICINE. S07 



to that portion of the food which may have a diuretic power. Mow-burnt hay 

 and foxy oats are the unsuspected causes of many a disease in the horse, at first 

 obscure, but ultimately referable to injury or inflammation of the urinary 

 organs. Hence, too, the impropriety of suffering medicines of a diuretic nature 

 grease, or accumulation of fluid in any part, and in those superficial eruptions 

 to be at the command of the ignorant carter or groom. In swelled legs, cracks, 

 and inflammations which are said to be produced by humours floating in the 

 blood, diuretics are evidently beneficial ; but they should be as mild as pos- 

 sible, and not oftener given or continued longer than the case requires. For 

 some cautions as to the administration of diuretics, and a list of the safest and 

 best, the reader is referred to page 313. The expensive Castile soap, and 

 camphor, so often resorted to, are not needed, for the common liquid turpentine 

 is quite suflicient in all ordinary cases, and nitre and digitalis may be added if 

 fever is suspected. 



Drinks. — Many practitioners and horse-proprietors have a great objection to 

 the administration of medicines in the form of drinks. A drink is not so porta- 

 ble as a ball, it is more troublesome to give, and a portion of it is usually 

 wasted. If the drink contains any acid substance, it is apt to excoriate the 

 mouth, or to irritate the throat already sore from disease, or the unpleasant 

 taste of the drug may unnecessarily nauseate the horse. There are some medi- 

 cines, however, which must be given in the form of drink, as in colic ; and the 

 time, perhaps, is not distant when purgatives will be thus administered, as more 

 speedy, and safer in their operation. In cases of much debility and entire loss 

 of appetite, all medicine should be given in solution, for the stomach may not 

 have sufficient power to dissolve the paper in which the ball is wrapped, or the 

 substance of the ball. 



An ox's horn, the larger end being cut slantingly, is the usual and best 

 instrument for administering drinks. The noose of a halter is introduced into 

 the mouth, and then, by means of a stable fork, the head is elevated by an 

 assistant considerably higher than for the delivery of a ball. The surgeon 

 stands on a pail or stable basket on the off-side of the horse, and draws out the 

 tongue with the left hand ; he then with the right hand introduces the horn 

 gently into the mouth, and over the tongue, and by a dexterous turn of the 

 horn empties the whole of the drink — not more than about six ounces — into 

 the back part of the mouth. The horn is now quickly withdrawn, and the 

 tongue loosened, and the greater portion of the fluid will be swallowed. A por- 

 tion of it, however, will often be obstinately held in the mouth for a long time, 

 and the head must be kept up until the whole is got rid of, which a quick, but 

 not violent slap on the muzzle will generally compel the horse to do. The art 

 of giving a drink consists in not putting too much into the horn at once; intro- 

 ducing the horn far enough into the mouth, and quickly turning and withdrawing 

 it, without bruising or wounding the mouth, the tongue being loosened at the 

 same moment. A bottle is a disgraceful and dangerous instrument to use, 

 except it be a flat pint bottle, with a long and thick neck. 



Ferrum, Iron. — Of this metal there are two preparations adopted by veteri- 

 narians. The rust, or Carbonate, is a mild and useful tonic in doses of from two to 

 four drachms. The Sulphate (green vitriol or copperas) is more powerful. 

 It should never be given in the early stages of recovery, and always with 

 caution. The dose should be the same as that of the carbonate. The sulphate 

 has lately been recommended for the cure of that deceitful stage or form of 

 glanders, in which there is nothing to characterise the disease but a very slight 

 discharge from the nostrils. It is to be dissolved in the common drink of tho 

 horse. It is worth a trial, but too sanguine expectations must not be en- 

 couraged of the power of any drug over this intractable malady. The iron 



