526 EFFECTS OF MERCURY ON HORSES. 
off his appetite. On the third day he appeared very uneasy, but 
manifested no symptoms of cholic or decided pain. He lay down 
much, refused all food, but drank some water. The pulse was 
quickened, and there was a good deal of hollowness — '‘tucking 
up” — in his flanks. When made to rise, he stood “ all of a 
heap,” “ sticking up his back.” His dung had become pulta- 
ceous; but the softening never amounted to actual purgation. 
In the end he was destroyed. 
The surest and quickest and safest manner in which the horse’s 
system can be put under the effects of mercury, is by the adminis- 
tration of calomel in moderately largS doses at short intervals, 
guarded by opium. I have, during the prevalence of the epidemic, 
which has hardly yet subsided — I have a case under treatment 
at the time I am writing — adopted the practice of submitting all 
such cases as have manifested any dangerous symptoms to the 
action of mercury ; and I have found that a drachm of calomel, 
combined with five grains of opium, given, without intermission, 
every eight hours, has ordinarily, on the third or fourth day, af- 
fected the mouth: pinkiness of the gums and fetor in the breath 
have been the first indications; cudding of the food has followed, 
when the mercury has been continued. In no case, however, 
have I found it necessary to produce this latter effect; notin all, 
indeed, has it been found requisite to push the mercury so far as 
even to affect the gums : the disease giving way — whether, as 
I have believed, from the influence of the mercury or not — has 
always been the signal for me either to discontinue the medicine, 
or to diminish the dose, or to lengthen the intervals of its repe- 
tition. Latterly, I have abstained from blood-letting altogether 
in the epidemic. When but slight, I have made use of very 
simple treatment; when severe, I have entrusted the case to 
mercury, and I must add, that, hitherto, I have had some reason 
to be pleased with my new plan of treatment. 
In regard to the influence of mercury over the periodic or spe- 
cific ophthalmia, I have, at times, imagined that a good deal of 
benefit has been conferred ; while, again, other cases have dis- 
persed all my fond hopes. When the case is not of the specific 
character, but the inflammation, the effects of which we are de- 
sirous of getting rid of, has been of a common nature, I have 
seen the happiest effects from the action of mercury. 
Speaking of the operation of mercury, it is surprising how 
comparatively little will, in some horses, take effect, and yet 
others appear all but insusceptible of its action. I have known 
ten grains of calomel, given twice a-day, make the mouth so sore 
on the fifth day, that the horse (a four-year-old one) cudded his 
hay : opposed to which, I will narrate a case in which calomel 
