110 



ABTIOLES or DIET. 



to be avoided ; that is, neither to give the animal too much nor 

 too little food. Some people encourage the appetite too eagerly, 

 while others are almost afraid to allow a sick horse to even look 

 at food. During the early stage of the most acute maladies, it 

 is seldom the patient will partake of food. No anxiety need be 

 manifested on that account. Loss of appetite is but an effect 

 of the disease ; and if the disease can be subdued, the desire 

 for food wiLL gradually return. When it does return, encourage 

 it by the allowance of small quantities of food at a time ; and 

 let it be of a nature which is at once nutritious, and easy of 

 digestion. In a general way, cooked food should be resorted 

 to. It should be cooked with the greatest care, and given at a 

 temperature agreeable to the animal. 



The common articles which I prescribe for sick patients, 

 and which I shall enumerate, and afterwards to some extent 

 consider, are the following : — 



ELUIDS. 



The following articles I have already treated upon at pages 

 35, 38 and 43, namely : — Water, hay, and oats ; while others in 



