LETTERS TO A STUDENT. 
477 
muzzle, and keep the poll on the ground ; let another man hold 
by an ear and the collar to keep down the head; then pour in 
the fluid by degrees. The head and the neck should form such 
an angle as they have when the horse stands at ease. If the 
angle is very acute, the horse cannot swallow ; if very obtuse, he 
is apt to choke. 
When the horse is standing you may sometimes get a draught 
into him without using a stafl' to support the head. When you 
can support the head by placing your hand under the lower jaw, 
the horse will generally bring it down by force before he will let 
the draught run down the trachea. The staff he cannot over¬ 
come so easily, and often a draught cannot be given without it. 
Now, you are never to give a draught to any horse unless you 
think he will die without it. There is one disease to which slow 
working horses, and all others who live on bulky food, are very 
liable. This disease often destroys life; and, so far as my expe¬ 
rience has gone, it can very seldom be cured by any medicine 
given in a solid form. Fluids must, therefore, be administered, 
though it is at considerable risk. But draughts are often recom¬ 
mended, and often given, when balls would do nearly as well. 
It is not generally known that there is any danger in drenches; 
and I have never met with any objection to their use solely on 
account of their danger. I am, however, well persuaded that the 
following brief record of cases will enable many practitioners to 
recollect others of the same kind. 
Case I.—In November, 1836, a draught-horse got three doses 
of a mixture, containing turpentine, ammonia, and water; he 
coughed after the last one, and was then bled to eight quarts. 
Subsequently he shewed symptoms of bronchitis, and for which 
he was treated. He recovered, but has been broken-winded 
ever since. 
Case II.—A draught-mare got spirit, tereb. and oil. She 
coughed once. Next day she had bronchitis, but received little 
attention. She died on the ninth or tenth day. 
Case III.—A draught-horse got ammonia, linseed oil, and 
spirit, tereb., and died without treatment on the fourth day. The 
breathing was very quick from beginning to end. 
Case IV.—Another horse got the same draught, coughed 
violently; received no treatment but one bleeding, and died on 
the sixteenth day. 
Case V.—A horse got a draught, containing sulphur, ginger, 
and water. Next day he had bronchitis, and was put under 
treatment. He did not lie down until the ninteenth day, but 
his recovery was perfect. 
Case VI.—A very handsome draught-horse had been frc- 
