WATEE. 605 



use being chiefly to stimulate the appetite; hence, when they fail 

 to accomplish this object, we may conclude that they are doing 

 little or no good, and, possibly, some harm. 



The articles of diet mentioned under the heading of " laxative 

 food," also possess valuable nutritive properties, though in varying 

 degrees. They may be employed, with proper discrimination, in 

 all stages of disease. 



WATER. — As a rule, the sick, as well as the healthy horse 

 should have a constant supply of fresh drinking water. The 

 amount may be curtailed, and the " chill " taken off in some excep- 

 tional cases, as that of purging. In various diseases, it is well to 

 slightly warm the water, the temperature of which, however, should 

 not be raised to more than 80° F. The ill effect of drinking a 

 quantity of cold water in the case of inflammation of the lungs, or 

 congestion of the liver, for instance, would be to cause contraction 

 of the blood-vessels of the intestinal canal, and, consequently, to in- 

 crease the blood pressure in the affected organs. 



SALT. — ^A sick animal should be alloned, at least, three ounces 

 of salt a day, or a lump of rook-salt should be kept constantly in 

 the manger. Salt is a condiment which promotes digestion, and 

 aids in the building up of tissue. 



GROOMING-. — ^A horse that is weak and depressed should not 

 be worried by unnecessary grooming of the mere body-brush or 

 dandy-brush type ; although vigorous and well applied hand- 

 rubbing (p. 675) or whisping, has a good general effect in remov- 

 ing deleterious substances from the system. In all cases it is well 

 to sponge out his eyes, nostrils, and dock ; smooth over his coat ; 

 hand-rub his legs ; " strip " his ears ; take off the clothing he wore 

 at night ; and put on fresh clothing for use by day. The other 

 portions of stable routine should be followed, in order to promote 

 the animal's comfort and health. 



EXERCISE. — In cases of injury, give exercise very gradually, 

 so as to restore the function of the part, without interfering witii 

 its repair. After illness which has involved medical treatment, 

 the owner should be most chary in permitting the horse to leave 

 his stable until all danger of a relapse is past. The animal 

 should then be put very gradually to work again. For further 

 information regarding grooming and exeroisfe, see Stable Manage- 

 vient and Exercisf^. 



