THE DANGER OF DRENCHES. 
233 
Reply to Mr. Wardle. 
Mr. Wardle’s remarks are in the last Veterinarian. He 
says that he has never experienced the danger of drenches ; that 
drenches frequently accomplish what the ball would never effect ; 
that the danger and difficulty of drenching are occasioned by the 
fuss that is made about it ; that, when a superfluous number of 
awkward operators alarm or irritate the horse to resistance, the 
draught may produce “ bronchitis, or any other evil, or death 
itself.” 
In reply, I have to observe that I know drenches will, in certain 
cases, produce a perfect cure where the ball is nearly or quite use- 
less ; that I have never said draughts are to be altogether prohi- 
bited ; that I believe draughts are more dangerous in the hands of 
awkward operators than in those of the dexterous ; but that I also 
believe bronchitis will occur in the practice of even the most expert. 
Mr. Wardle says he has never experienced the danger, yet he is 
willing to admit the danger as probable when the draught is ad- 
ministered by bad operators. That is to say, there is no danger so 
long as the draught is skilfully administered. If this be true, we 
must abide the consequences. But if it be false, the veterinarian 
who maintains it to be false, and who gives draughts, will soon find 
that he must comply with demands not pleasant. Being told that 
draughts are quite safe when properly given, the employer will 
demand the price of the first horse he loses from draughts. In 
my opinion this would be unjust, but, according to Mr. Wardle’s, 
quite fair. 
There is a passage in Mr. W.’s letter about which I am rather 
incredulous. If he means to say, that he will give to any horse 
any kind of draught with perfect safety, and without assistance of 
any kind, his method would be worth learning, provided he has 
told the whole truth , that is, provided he does not twitch, cast, 
sling, nor trevis the horse. If he pretends to this, I am willing to 
give fifty POUNDS sterling to see it done. If Mr. Wardle will 
come to Glasgow, and do it before myself and other two veterina- 
rians, and agree to forfeit that sum, and pay for the horses if he 
fails, I will present to him two horses, to each of whom he shall give 
two of my colic draughts from a pint bottle. Let him consider 
this, and write to me immediately by post, if he will agree to it. 
Let him not, like Mr. Markham, overlook the conditions. 
Reply to Mr. Daws. 
Mr. Daws objects to the title of my paper, “ Beware of 
Drenches.” This gave me no consideration, for I did not think 
