the Animals of the Farm. 
253 
^idhering to the tissues beneath, constituting the state known 
as "hide-bound." The legs swell after a short time of rest in 
the stable ; and the swelling subsides after exercise, to return 
when the animal is again allowed to rest ; and whether the 
appetite remains or altogether fails, the body becomes emaciated. 
Eruptions on the skin, attended with extreme itching, " cracked 
heels," and grease, are complaints which frequently occur when 
an animal is in bad condition, and add to the difficulty of 
effecting a cure. 
Alterative treatment, as it is called, is required in cases of 
<'bad condition," with or without complications, and the term 
" alterative " may be understood to mean alteration of the 
whole system of feeding and management, as complete as it is 
possible to effect. 
Medicines do not play a very important part in the " altera- 
tive " system, but there is no objection to the daily administra- 
tion of a table-spoonful of a mixture of sulphur and nitre in 
equal parts in the food. Rock salt should always be placed in 
the animal's reach, and the food should be varied as much as 
possible. In many cases a total change from vegetable to 
animal diet is most effective. Milk with well-beaten eggs 
added may be given with the best results to animals in a state 
of extreme debility and emaciation, and it may be noted that 
wonderful effects have been produced by feeding animals on 
soup made by boiling pieces of any kind of meat. The liquor, 
when cold and freed from fat, may be used to make a mash by 
mixing it with bran. At firs*; the animal's taste may be 
cultivated by putting small portions of the mixture into the 
mouth, but in a short time animals become exceedingly fond of 
the new diet, and thrive upon it in a remarkable manner. 
Colic or Gripes. — Farm-horses are particularly liable to attacks 
of spasmodic colic. Indeed, — owing most likely to the character 
of their work, which necessitates abstinence of some hours' 
duration, often in hot weather, from water or food, and conse- 
quently leads to the rapid consumption of both on the return to 
the stable, — the animals suffer more frequently from colic than 
from any other disease of the digestive organs. Exposure to wet 
and cold, drinking freely of cold water, or eating ravenously of 
coarse food, are the chief causes of the attack. 
Symptoms of colic are easily recognized, and the attendant 
does not often fail to form a correct opinion. The pain, which 
is due to spasmodic contraction of the muscular tissue of the 
intestines, is acute, and the horse expresses his suffering by 
violent movements, rolling on the ground, kicking at the bellv, 
looking round at his flanks, whisking the tail, and moving 
quickly from side to side in his stall. The countenance expresses 
