118 INORGANIC AGENTS 



The elimination of uiic acid is lessened by water. Large 

 quantities of water, if not taken at meal time — when they 

 dilute the digestive juices and disorder digestion — favor the 

 formation of fat. 



Uses external.— ^ee "Heat and Cold," p. 704. 



Uses internal. — Healthy animals may be given as much 

 water as they desire, with certain restrictions in relation to 

 work and feeding. It is unwise to allow horses much water, 

 either immediately before or after severe work, or after 

 feeding. If water is given before severe work it increases 

 the bulk of intestinal contents, is apt to cause digestive 

 disturbance, .and interferes with the movements of the 

 diaphragm. For these same reasons water should only be 

 permitted in small amount (at a time) in " heaves " of horses. 



If a quantity of water is allowed horses after hard work, 

 colic is very likely to occur. Working horses should, 

 therefore, be watered, in reasonable amount, while at work ; 

 and, if this is impracticable, may be allowed but a few 

 mouthfuls of water, or a gallon of oatmeal gruel after severe 

 work, with whole hay but no grain until after an hour's rest. 

 When horses at rest drink much water after eating, the 

 contents of the stomach (which is unusually small in this 

 animal) are washed into the intestines and are not so 

 thoroughly digested. This accomplishes two bad results: 

 it deprives the animal of some nourishment and engenders 

 digestive trouble and diarrhcea. 



The best plan is to give resting horses water before 

 eating, or to keep it at their command at all times. Cold 

 water is desirable, frequently and in limited quantities, in 

 fever, although there is a popular fear of it. Hot water 

 assists the action of diaphoretics ; cold water that of 

 diuretics. Lukewarm water is an emetic, but hot water, in 

 small and repeated doses, allays nausea and vomiting. Water 

 is restricted in ordinary diarrhoeas, obesity, and to assist the 

 absorption of exudations. The drinking of water should be 

 encouraged by a liberal allowance of salt (which in itself aids 

 digestion), in animals in a poor condition, to increase their 

 appetite and flesh. Water is valuable in diluting a con- 



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