OBSTRUCTION OF THE BOWELS IN A YOUNG FOAL. 589 
powdered, and 31 of magnesia. At this time he was blowing 
hard, and panting very much at the sides ; in short, I thought 
that it was all over with him. 
A little after he got his medicine, he appeared to be easier — 
the shivering abated greatly — the purging was much the same, 
with a very bad smell. 
I continued my treatment with the rhubarb, wine, magnesia, 
and gruel, and also the clysters of gruel and soap and water 
every two hours, both night and day. Three days now passed, 
and he would not suck. 
On the 16th he passed two large balls ; on the 17th several 
more ; and on the 18th he passed a few small ones. 
This day Sir James Boswell called to see the foal, and inquired 
of me how I was treating him. Sir James was much pleased with 
my way of treatment. 
After the small balls came away on the 18th, the foal got per- 
fectly well, and all those who saw him said he was a living 
wonder. 
In the time of his illness I called upon a Mr. Falconer, a 
veterinary surgeon. I told him all about the case, and Mr. 
Gray’s treatment. He said Mr. G.’s treatment was right, and 
advised me to give 3 i of catechu now and then, with the starch, 
in order to stop the purging. I told Mr. F. that they were both 
wrong in their way of treatment, and if Mr. G.’s treatment had 
been continued another day, I believed that the foal would have 
died. 
I have had many cases similar to this ; and, with the same 
kind of treatment I have always been very successful, except 
when it was too long before they underwent the proper treat- 
ment. Those that died I always made a point of opening, and 
I found balls in them, similar to what I have described in this 
case. Those gentlemen who breed fine stock would find this 
mode of treatment of benefit to them in such like cases. 
I am, & c. 
P.S. We must turn Mr. Cleland over to Messrs. Gray and 
Falconer ; and if their remarks should be a little severe, he must 
recollect that he somewhat unnecessarily exposed himself to 
them. Ed. 
4 K 
VOL. XVI. 
