170 DIABETICS. 



consequence, but such additional quantity consists merely of a 

 greater abundance of water. The solids of the urine, or those 

 constituents which form the essential peculiarities of the secre- 

 tion, are not iu the least altered either ia quantity or quality 

 by the diuretic agent ; aU that it does accomplish is to cause 

 the blood to be drained to an undue, perhaps to an injurious, 

 extent of its watery constituents. Diuretics to horses in good 

 health I condemn entirely, not only as useless, but as pernicious 

 to the organism. 



To those, however, who desire a more abundant secretion 

 of urine from their horses, they must place rock salt in their 

 racks or mangers. Horses are fond of salt, and they frequently 

 lick it with avidity when so placed as to allow them to take it 

 when they choose. 



Salt is highly beneficial to horses in many respects, but it 

 must not be forced upon them. When allowed to take it of 

 themselves, they wiU generally lick sufficient to excite that 

 degree of thirst which causes them to drink the amount of 

 water which helpsjto maintain a healthy state of the urinary 

 organs. 



Diuretics are occasionally useful if given to horses affected 

 with chronic lymphites — with swollen limbs arising either fifom 

 debility or from the system of the animal being over-loaded 

 with watery fluids. ^ 



Bleeding. — Bleeding is a practice we suppose to be coeval, 

 or nearly so, with the human race. 'For centuries it was 

 regarded as one of the great panaceas for abnost every malady 

 to which either bipeds or quadrupeds were subject, and until 

 vrithin the last few years its practice was all but universal 

 amongst veterinary surgeons. 



Until within a very recent period it was deemed necessary to 



