48 
EFFECTS OF MEDICINE ON HORSES. 
nistered to a horse has no effect on the bowels whatever. In 
April 1822, with a view of testing the medicinal power of this 
neutral salt, I gave a horse — having glanders — belonging to Cap- 
tain Saunders, of the Royal Artillery, twelve ounces dissolved in 
water. The drench, however, produced no effect. 
In October of the same year, to a glandered carriage-horse, 
prepared by dieting, a pound of the salt dissolved in a pint and a 
half of water was given : without, however, any effect. 
Sulphate of Soda — (Soda Sulphas). 
Of this (which goes also by the name of Glauber’s salt) large 
doses had been given, without effect, to a horse condemned on 
account of being glandered. Subsequently to which castor oil had 
also been given, in large doses, to the same horse without any very 
marked effect. 
It was at length suggested, either by Mr. Coleman or my father 
— the record before me does not state which — that the salt and 
the oil should be exhibited in combination to the same horse. 
Accordingly, on the morning of , a pound of Glauber’s salt 
dissolved in a pint of water was mingled with a quart of castor 
oil ; and this (rather unchemical) mixture was administered as a 
drench. On the evening of the day of its administration no effect 
had been produced. Next morning the same dose was repeated. 
At the evening stable hour the horse’s bowels were found to be 
slightly moved; a laxative effect had evidently been produced. 
This was followed by symptoms of nausea; the animal loathed 
his food and appeared inwardly very unwell. To this succeeded 
violent diarrhoea, which, on the third day from the exhibition of 
the drench, terminated in the animal’s death. 
For my own part, I have no notion that the sulphate of soda' 
added much, if any thing, to the efficacy of this fatal cathartic : I 
believe that the large doses of the oil given on successive days did 
the mischief ; and I think this will appear from an experiment I am 
now about to relate : — 
Castor Oil — (01. Ricini). 
Dissatisfied with the accounts I found in the records of the 
effects of castor oil on horses, in March, 1822, I made the following 
experiment : — To a horse, under treatment for lameness, who had 
all the preceding day been fed on bran-mashes, by way of prepa- 
ration, at ten o’clock, A.M., was exhibited as a drench a bottle-full 
(a pound and a half) of castor oil. During the day the horse was 
twice taken out for exercise. At five o’clock, P.M., purgation 
