OF DRINK. 
345 
it would be imprudent for any one but an experienced 
veterinary surgeon to attempt a cure. 
The deleterious plants of this country which affect the 
horse are but few. The common hemlock, and water-hem¬ 
lock, which prove a deadly poison to many other animals, 
are eaten with impunity by the horse. 
Water-parsley, if not eaten in too large quantities, will 
not act as a poison; but if much is consumed, will produce 
palsy. 
Water-dropwort is poisonous, but is generally rejected by 
horses; although instances have occurred of mares in foal 
having died from eating it. Sometimes inflammation follows 
it, and when this is the case, bleeding must be had recourse 
to, and vinegar and gruel given internally. Of the former, 
half-a-pint may be administered at a time. 
But of all the vegetable poisons, yew is the most to be 
guarded against, as horses are very apt to eat its leaves. 
When eaten it produces great sleepiness, from which it is 
hardly possible to rouse the animal; and that is only for 
short intervals, for he soon relapses into a torpid state, and 
dies without manifesting pain. The remedy to be tried is 
the following :—Give ten grains of the farina of the croton- 
nut whenever it is known the horse has eaten yew-leaves ; 
then a drink of half-a-pint of vinegar, mixed with a 
pint of gruel. Repeat the croton every six hours until it 
operates. 
OF DRINK. 
Nothing is of greater importance than the quantity of 
water which is given to a horse as drink. Accustomed for 
the most part to dry food, water is indispensable to nourish¬ 
ment and health. Its quality, too, is of vast importance. 
Mr. Lawrence, in his treatise entitled “The Horse,” makeF 
