539 
OBSERVATIONS ON “ PHYSICKING/" 
“ STRANGLES,” &c. 
By R. H. Dyer. 
Sir, — A four-year old entire colt, about 15 hands high, 
last week had administered to it four physic-balls, containing 
thirty drachms of aloes, which had no apparent effect. The 
owner not being satisfied, applied to me for a ball containing 
8J drachms of aloes. Not being one of my clients, and 
under the circumstances, I hesitated sending the medicine ; 
however, upon duly cautioning the messenger as to the 
enormous dose he was about to thrust down the throat of 
the horse, I sent my foreman to administer the ball. It 
purged during the day, and continued to do so for twenty-four 
hours, after which it ceased to act, and the horse did well. 
I forward this case of physicking, as I have read in the 
August number of the Veterinarian of a horse killed by the 
administration of six drachms of aloes with a quantity of 
croton oil. It goes to prove how the constitution of horses 
differ, and that we should feel our way previous to giving 
purgatives. 
I observe a well- written article in the September number 
upon f Irregular Strangles Without entering into details of a 
great variety of cases I have treated during the past year, 
I would remark, that, with reference to the application of 
blisters to the glands to promote suppuration, I am inclined 
to believe, in the majority of instances, they do no good. I 
have found cataplasms and hot fomentations to answer better 
than blisters : this mode of treatment, together with slops, 
and a cool box, being all that we require to bring the case to 
a satisfactory termination. Nature is the best physician in 
most instances. I believe more harm is done where much is 
attempted by the practitioner than when nature is left to 
herself. 
I remain, Sir, yours truly. 
Waterford ; Sept . 5, 1854. 
THE MYLABRIS. 
By W. Furnivall. 
Dear Sir, — We have now given the mylabris you sent, a 
fair trial, and we certainly find them to be very efficacious. 
