i "* ♦ "'•■ ' , ^iiliSr .•. .^■-■■i\f^^ r JOHNA.SEAVERNS rtiwny THE AGES OF THE HORSE. % W ^...v rv,/ U . M,, ,J^Mir ■//,/,■■> ^V^/ /„.>/ . //„y ■^/■nr '//,<„., ^'VJ /,,.>/ . //„y ,::/e^i^en^c/mr.i /^'^/(/ A/.)/ ■ //r/y. y// //,.,tJ rO/d l'.^l > Ji^^. mt^ THF GENTLEMAN'S STABLE DIRECTORY; MODERN SYSTEM OP FARRIERY. COMPREHENDING All the most -".luable preicriptions and approved remedies, accurately proporu. ;d and properly adapted to every known disease to which the HORSE is incident; interspersed with occasional references to the dang< reus and almost obsolete Practice of Gibson, Bracken, Bartlet, Osmer, and others; also particular directions for BuriSro, SELLING, FEEDING, BLEEDING, PURGING, and getting intO CONDITION, for the Chase; with experimental remarks upoa the managemsnt of braft HORSES, their blemishes and defects. TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, A SUPPLEMENT, containing Practical Obsercations upon Thorn Wounds^ Punctured Tendons^ and Ligameniarj/ Lamoiessj with AMPLE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THEIR TREATMENT A'ND CURE J Illustrated by a Recital of Cases, including a Variety of Useful Remarks ; WITH A SUCCESSFUL METHOD OF TREATING THE CANINE SPECIES, IN THAT DESTRUCTIVE DISEASE THE DISTEMPER. By WILLIAM TAPLIN, Surgson, TH£ SIXTEENTH EDITION. a: LONDON: PRINTED FOR JOHN STOCKDALE, PICCADILLY; ANi> GEORGE ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1810. T. Gillet, Printer, Crown-court^ Fleet-street^ Ixjndon. s© SIR JOHN LADE, BART. ^ F . 1, 1, > oSS- THE very distingui$hed character and eminent situation you support in the sport^ trig world, to the great pleasure and admira- tion of those who surround you in the Jield^ and accompany you in the chase, will, in the opinion of every experienced sportsman, sufficiently justify the consistency and pro- priety of inscribing to you this earnest en- deavour to rescue from the frequent and dreadful effects of stabularian ignorance and EMPIRICAL confidence^ the future ease^ safety, and preservation^ of an animal that not only constitutes to every sportsman one of the noblest blessings in life, but, in the splen* ( iv ) dour of your stud, stables^ and epuipage^ affords ample display of your taste, judg- ment, and LIBERALITY. It is a gratifica- tion highly flattering, that I have the pre- sent opportunity to subscribe myself. With respect and admiration, Sir John, Your most obedient. And very humble servant. The Author. TO THE READER, ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE ELEVENTH EDITION, IT would be a tacit acknowledgment of the author's total insensibility to every gratification of ambition^ was he to omit the communication of acknowledgments, that, in their general diffusion, contribute so very much to his own honour. And he must ever consider it no small compliment to his endeavouSj that the work is universally known to liave been crowned with the most perfect suc- cess. The very great and almost unlimited por- tion of support that has so singularly sanctioned its birth, sufficiently demonstrates the absolute want of such a publication. This pleasing incense to literary vanity could be iiicreased only by the constantly accumulating en- eogniiums, and uio^t substantial proofs of private ap- probation, from some of the first characters within the circle of The Royal Hunt and Favour, Sports- men, the propitious omen of whose patronage not only reflects rays of additional honour, but v hose judgment, equestrian knowledge, and practical ex- perience, jointly establish a criterion o^ c quit if that ( vi ) will ever render the author invulnerable to the batb-^ ed and envenonrcd arrows of meiistrual criti- cism. The rapid ciTculation of TEN impressionr has forcibly influenced the author to make such additions and fmprovements as will, he has every reason to believe^ render it of still greater utility, by the introduction of many useful observations for the preservation of health and promotion of condi- lion, as well as the treatment and cure of disease. The proper management o^ draft horses is more^ particularly attended to ; their blemishes and defects are in many instances evidently accounted for ; and the modes of prevention, in general, clearly point* ed out. Several efficacious prescriptions are like- wise added, and a variety of useful instructions in- troduced, for the distinct and separate information. of metropolitan jockei/Sy juvenile purchasers, and in- experienced sportsmen; with very interesting hints^ for the purposes of buying and selling, including (among many other striking and advantageous par- ticulars) a superficial survey of that immaculate mart of integrity — A Modern Repository. PREFACE. IT is a truth generally acknowledged and unl- tersally lamented^, that amidst all the improve- ments of the present age^ none has received so little advanta2:e from the ravs of refinement as the Art of Farriery. And it must likewise be confessed it is an ill compliment to a country abounding with sportsmen, and those remarkable for their extreme liberality^ that the intellectual faculties of many distinguished members of the different learned so- cieties should be absorbed in abstruse contempla- tions and intense lucubrations upon the antiquity of a coin, the proboscis of an elepliant, the genus of an exotic, or the beautiful variegations of a but- terflt/ ; while ^branch of science and study* involv- ing the health, safety, and preservation^, of the most beautiful and esteemed animal this kingdom has to boast, is neglected, as derogatory to the dignity of amah of letters: and, from this mistaken idea of degradation, a subject of so much consequence has been for many years submitted to the arbitrary dic- tation of the most iditerate part of the community, without a single effort of weight or influence to abo- lish the ancient and almost obsolete mode of prac- tice; or a single attempt made, from proper auiho-' rity, to introduce the modern improvements and dis- "VIU - PREFACE. coveries in every branch of medicine. It is most certain there is no one period of history where the horse has been ranked so high in general estimation, or rendered of such intrinsic worth, by a display of his various powers, as in the present age of experi- ment and refinement. To this cause may undoubtedly he attributed the very great attention paid for some years past to the breed of the distinct and separate classes for the turf, field, road, or draft; and as their value has, in a very short space of time, absolutely doubled their former worth, surely we ought to be propor- tionally anxious for their preservation, whether for s'govt convenience, or emolument. The almost in- credible number of this truly valuable part of the creation, that annually fall victims to the invincible confidence of those rustic sons of Vulcan, self-de- nominated /a7'?'u?'5, (with the thunder of whose ignorance almost every village resounds) has for years seemed to implore the assistance of some in- telligent member of society to come forward; and, by blending the administration of medicines with a practical knowledge of their propei^ties and effects, rescue the poor suffering animals from the con- stant, invariable, and Uiirelenting depredations of illiterafg practitioners and experimental perse- cutors. Well aNvare of the arduous task of attempting to PREFACE. 1\ eradicate vulgar and habitual prejudices in favour of ancient practice, or the improbability of recon- ciling attachments of long standing to the rational system ofmodern composition ; and the little chance of exploding entirely the heterogeneous and incon- sistent /(7nY/go so long in use/ universal satisfaction is not to be expected, or approbation obtained. But when a clear, open,, and candid comparison is drawn by the more enlightened, between the accu- mulation of contrarieties in the laboured prescrip- tions *^' of Gibson and Bracken," with the indi- gested observations of the more intelligent, tbough less prolix and digressive, ^* Bartlet,'' the least doubt is not entertained but every degree of favour will be shevt^n to a system of practice founded on reason, supported by experience, and justified by a general knowledge of viedicines, their principles, 'properties, preparations^ and effects. To dispel the gloom of ignorance from the brow of obstinacy would be a task of Herculean labour; I therefore wave every idea of animadversion upon the intuitive knowledge of those, who, wrapped up in the warm and happy consolation of their own wis- dom, never suffer their solid judgments to be warped by the intrusion of new opinions; and proceed to make the necessary remarks upon the qualifications of those country practitioners who rank very high in ShLF-ESTlMATION. And buch observations as are rendered unavoid- X PREFACE. able sl^all occasionally appear with all possible de- licacy, wishing to irritate^ as little as may be, the feelings of any individual, whose want of cultiva- tion not improvement must be considered a misfor^ tune, and a crime; but in whose deficiency of pro- fessional knowledge consists the danger which so often occurs, and exposes him to that labyrinth of perplexity^ that dilemma of distress, from which no brilliant fertility of genius, no idea of the struc- ture of parts, no corresponding knowledge of me- dicines, or their effects, can possibly arise to extri- cate him, whilst the sufl'ering animal (in perhaps the most excruciating agonies) expires at the feet of this '' learned judge /'jurij, and executioner. Experience juitifies the assertion^ that nine times out often the complaint (if internal) remains a matter of hypothesis and conjecture, without one explanatory note, sentence, shrug, or ejaculation^ by which we may be led to understand or discover the cause: but as professional stupidity must be defended, wc are at last told (with a systematic simplicity and vacuity of countenance) '' the horse is in a great deal of pain/* This first point being not without some difficulty and seeming depth of thought) at length discovered, the remedy is then to be obtained; and as^ in gene- ral, cowards, once pushed on, become bold in pro-^ portion to the danger, so, according to the exigency> some powerful ^' Mandragora" of the '' Mattria PREFACE. ti ''Medico'* is instantly procured; anc^ as rcputa- iion must be supported^ so ''kill or cure'* (time out of mind the ancient and modern medical motto) is compulsively adopted^ and the whole arcana of equestrian knowledge is let loose, from the very simple preparation oi" sugar sops/' to the more remote^ active^, and dangerous mercury, till relief is fortunately obtained^, or the failing favourite ex- pires^ in tortures, a martyr to the ignorance of the practitioner, and the credulity of its owner ! To corroboratcthis fact, one self-evident observa- tion only is necessary to give it due weight, in op- position to a mind ever prejudiced against the in* NOVATIONS of improvement in practice, or rectifi- cation in judgment. For instance — is it possible —can it (after a moment's reflection) be supposed^ that these men, totally uncultivated in understand- ing and the most common occurrences in life, whose minds are as rude and uncivilized as their manners^ can be at all conversant or acquainted with the dif- ferent properties, qualities, operations, or effects, of a lon^ list of medicines, to all of which they are strangers even in appearance, possessing no other knowledge of the very articles specified but what they have ^acquired from books and prescriptions, long since become obsolete and useless from their in- efficacy ? Can they be expected to understand the chemical processes o^merciiry, aiitimonij, and other «lsi,ngerous medicines they constantly put into use. XH PREFACE. without knowing their origins^ preparations^ com- bination of principles, or the exact line of distinc- tion that renders them salutari/ remedies or power^ ful poisons f It is also highly necessary to introduce a mattcj: perfectly applicable to the subject of investigation, as an imposition very little known (except to the faculty); and is a palpable disgrace to that body, of which every profes:»or of medicine constitutes a member. It is the common and scandalous adulte- ration of drugSj a practice too prevalent amongst the druggists in the Tiu'tropoli.^:, as well as the coun- try; who, fiom the predominant passion Oif gain, so curiously adulterate, as to deceive even those who consider themselves adepts in deception. And this, to be better enabled to undersell their compe- titors, convinced, by experience, the majority of FARRiLKS admit the medicines that can be puj*- chased cheapest to be much the rest. These circumstances are not introduced or ha- zarded as matters of opinion, bus as palpable facts that speak home to every reader of judgment or experience; and sufficiently indicate the necessity of circulating, from medical authority, the present improved system of modern composition, universally adopted and generally approved, to the approach- ing extermination of empiriccd practice and dcui". gcrous experiviiciit. This publication being under- TREFACE. Xlll taken to render as plain and familiar as possible ar subject that has, through almost every dissertation, been obscured by the mist of ignorance and mask o^ misery, it is anxiously to be desired in future, that every gentlemccn who has occasion to elucidate or illustrate his own understanding by calling to his assistance any of the learned tribe before de- scribed, so remarkable for their extent of commu- nication, will (previous to their administration of medicine) require an explanatory prelude, with satisfactory information upon what operations they frame their expectations of relief and success ; with the very necessary and additional recommen- dation, to be particularly careful to obtain their medicines from Dispensaries of repute, where the proprietor is reported or supposed to have formed a fair^ JionouraUe, and equitable contract with eino- lument and reputation. And this caution is rendered more immediately worthy consideration, by the multiplicity of spe- cious advertisements so constantly held forth to promote the lucrative sale of innumerable balls, powders, and passes, individually infallible for every disorder to which the horse is incident. But what renders the circumstance still more extraordinary, is their being prescribed and prepared, by those very tnetropolitan practitioners in medicine, whose eques- trian possessions never amounted to a single steed ; whose journeys or unexperimental practice never XIV PREFACE. exceeded the diurnal progressions of a hacknet/^ coach; and whose great anxiety for the general good never surpassed the idea of cent, per cent, m the circulation. This observation comes with a much better grace^, when I can assure the public, one of the very first advertisers in this way was a medical adventurer^ who having failed as a phar- inacopolist, at the west end of the town (as did his successor also), they, mroiatioiiy adopted the alter- native of necessity, in pompously advertising '''Horse '' medicines for the use of the nobility and gentry.*' How well they succeeded, the creditors of hotlt can fiiost feci in gly testify ; and of their compositions the reader will be best enabled to form a competent opinion, when, in the course of the work, nostrums and qiiack medicines become the necessary subjects pf animadversion. CONTENTS. Observations ► l Feeding 29 Condition 33 Bleeding 35 Purging 3^ CLASS I. Splents . 49 Spavins 55 Windgalls 61 Lameness., v.. 63 Strains , 7^ CLASS II. Cracks, &c , gi Thrush 94 Orease , gd CLASS III. Hidebound , 114 Surfeit 118 Mange , , 125 Farcy 131 CLASS IV. Wounds . , 14^ Ulcers 161 Fistula 163 Poll Evil J73 CLASS V. Tumours 180 Warbles , I87 Navel Galls. r. 139 Sitfast igi CLASS VI. Colds ig5 Coughs, •...,,.... igg xvi . CONTENTS, Page Pleurisy, &c 211 Broken Wind ...,^ 21Q Consumption. . , ^ ^ 227 CLASS VII. Fevers. . . . ^ 230 Worms 255 Jaundice 26g CLASS VIII. Strangles 270 Glanders 2S7 Staggers and Convulsions > . . . 308 CLASS IX. Flatulent Cholic 328 Inflammatory Cholic 335 Scouring or Looseness , 342 Molten Grease . . . . .^ 353, CLASS X. Strangury, &c. &c, . , ..,• 359 CLASS XL Diseases of the Eyes. 373 CLASS Xll. Mallenders 38S Sallenders , 39O Lampas ib. Q-uittor , 392 Curbs 394 Ringbones 395 Additional Remarks ^ 398 SUPPLEMENT. Punctured Tendon 431 Farcy.. . ., 437 Ligamentary Lameness ...,..* 444 Punctured or lacerated Tendon 44.0 Thorn wounds 464 Distemper in Canine Species ,.,.,. .•»... 4S1 THE MODERN SYSTEM OF FARRIERY T HE very great discoveries made iu the last century have certainly extended to every art and science that could be materi- ally improved by intense study and applica* tion ; and to none more than the administra- tion of medicine, and its effects upon the HUMAN BODY, by somc of the most learned men in every part of Europe : and, from the rapid and universally acknowledged improve- ments in this system, the most admirable ad- vantages have been obtained, and incredible cures performed. In such general refinement, the ancient mode of practice is not only ex- ploded, but its origin and advocates nearly buried in oblivion. Those stupendous folios, the voluminous herbals in the libraries of' VOL. I. B 2 OBSERVATIONS. the botanical votaries, have rehictantly given place to various dissertations on the distin- guished efficacy of those grand specifics, rner- cmy, opium, antimoyiy, hark, &c. of which so many experimental and elHcacious prepara- tions have been discovered by chemical pro- cess, as to render of little use or respect, any prescription of ancient date, when pat in competition with the rational and approved system of modern iniprovements. The ob- stinate and invincible advocates for the an- cient mode of practice, whether in physic or farriery, are at length obHged to acquiesce in the chanoe ; for, what thev bv inclina- .tion were not willing to acknowledge, time, TRUTH, and EXPERIENCE, havc fully con- firmed. But, strange as it may appear, (yet shamefully true it is!) notwithstanding this rectification of judgment, very little has yet been done to improve, or produce a change in, the long standing, absurd, and ridiculous SYSTEM of FARRIERY; a change as equally necessary, just, laudable, cqidtable, and useful, as any that can be adopted for the gene- ral safety, and advantage of our own species. And this becomes more necessarily and im- mediately the object of serious consideration. OBSERVATIONS. ^ S when circumstances daily evince to the me- dical practitioner (or compounder of pre- scriptions) the very great danger to which some of the finest horses in the world are constantly exposed, by the ignorance and ob- stinacy of the parties to whose care they are too generally entrusted ; every stable-boy, aping the groom his superior, and the groom the self -instriicfed b^arrier, all have their heads and pockets stuffed with the quint- essence of stupidity, collected from the va- rious productions of antiquity, whose very prescriptions are in themselves so obso- lete, that many of the articles included have been long since rejected as of no utility. But as variety must be obtained to effect the the necessary purpose, the invention is in- stantly set at work to substitute new ingre- dients, for those long since abandoned as superfluous and unnecessary in medicinal com- position. These alterations and substitutes frequently form a most curious collection of contrarieties — purgatives and resfririgenfs, cor- dials and coolers, mercurials, antimonials and diuretics^ are indiscriminately blended in one mass, as a specimen of these wonderful im- provements in the ART of FARRIERY! B 2 4 OBSERVATIONS. And those who are most acquainted with this practice wonder least how dog-kenneljt in every part of the kingdom, are so amply furnished with horse-flesh. As an elucidation of this circumstance, and to corroborate the consistency of these obser- vations, we need only advert to the treatment of the human species in the time of that lu- minary, the famous Sydenham, who was so much the celebrated favourite of his day, ~it was almost supposed he could do no wrong. It being then a common practice of his— to order boldly THIRTY ounces of blood to be taken from the arm of a man, without fear of murder or danger of punishment . And this is not altogether hkely to create wonder, wdien we recollect there is no law existingf to hang a physician for error in judgment. Time and experience have fixed the standard, accord- ing to cases, circumstances, and exigencies, from SIX ounces to sixteen, which is nearly one half the original evacuation ; so that we find by this change of quantity the modern human body is supposed to contain no more than one half the proportion of blood that ran in the veins of the heroes of antiquity. OBSERVA^nONS. b unless the whole system is entirely changed, as observed by Gr^'^ory, in the Mock Doctor, who says, '' The heart was formerly on the '' left side, but the COLLEGE have altered *' all that, and placed it on the right.'* To produce a case exactly similar in the World of Farriehy, let us take a survey of the medical abilities of Gibson, who cer- tainly wrote much better on the subject than Bracken ; Avhere we shall find ordered, in a single prescription for a purging ball, two ounces of aloes ^ w^ith the addition of the other usual purging articles, though modern prac-^ tice and experience fix the established pro- portion at exactly half^ or at most Jive-eighths^ to the strongest horses, with the cathartic aids before mentioned. He also most cou* rageously recommends ha/f an ounce of calo-^ mely OT sublimed mercury, in a single ball ; and speaks of the internal administration of most powerful poisons, corrosive sublimate, or red precipitate, as a matter of course : the pro- portion for a dose being curiously ascertain- ed by the sublime mensuration of a'' silver two- pence,'' as if a premium had been ab- solutely provided by an act of parliament 6 OBSERVATIONS. for the general extirpation of the breed of HORSES, as destructive to the interests of so- ciety. TliOLigh, after prescribing these dread- ful remedies, he modestly confesses, '^ in tlie *' administration there is great danger \ and, '' unless a horse is very strong, he may not '* be able to recover from the experiment." This is doctrine (and doctrine) with a wit- ness ! These are the kinds of experiments, and this kind of language that has for two cen- turies been held fjrth in almost every tract upon the subject: and, under these absurd, ridiculouj^, dangerous, and contemptible bur- lesques upon the application of medicine, will any man, who w^ishes well to the cause of humanity, say some rational system of rectifi- cation and improvement is not necessary, to rescue from the danger of perpetual experi- ments the noblest and most valuable qua- druped in the creation ! The palpable necessity for such improve- ment having been universally admitted pre- vious to the first edition of this work, it is since rendered more absolutely needjul by the recent resurrection of ancient practice ^ moder- OBSERVATIONS. 7 nisecl in a different form and periodical ap- pearance.* It has evidently undergone a kind of regeneration by its nezv birth, and is now become the child of adoption ; sanction-, ed with the authority of a nominal voucher for the consistency of its imperfections, and the propriety of introducing the most incre- dible accumulation of prescriptive absurdi- ties that ever diss^raced a medical work of- fered to public inspection for the purpose of information. And w4iat renders the imposi- tion of still greater magnitude, is the very confidential manner of proclaiming to the world, what every professor of medicine will instantaneously refuse his assent to the be-* lief of, viz. that it is the joint production of an operative farrier, physicians, anatomists, and professors of surgery. The task of criticism must at all times bean unpleasant performance, but much more par- ticularly itpon the present occasion, where it will be absolutely impossible for nrie to dis- charge my obligation to an indulgeiit public {witli the necessary precision and impartia-» * A Syhtera of Farriery, in weekly numbers. 8 OBSERVATIONS, lity) without encountering, by this decision, the pique or resentment of all parties in- terested in the fate of such publication, or its effects upon the multitude. However> the predicament I now stand in compels me to proceed to a thorough explanation, feel- ing myself pledged by a public promise not only to investigate^ make deary and etideavour to explode the cruelties of ancient practice, but to point out the equal danger oi modern composition even in its infancy ; more parti- cularly when ushered into the world by such hi^h-sounding authority as may give it tem^ porary weight with unthinking injudicious I'eaders, or experimental adventurers. Previous to farther animadversion upon the elaborate periodical work in question, I shall, without the least intentional gratification of my own vanity, offer to the present reader one congratulat^r} fact beyond the power of sophistry to confute, or criticism to condemn. Amidst the paltry productions that have been obtruded upon the public under various titles, (those servile imitations or wretched mutilations of what had gone before) it is a most flattering circumstance to the author. OBSERVATIONS. 9 and no indififerent consolation to the pub- lisher, that this zcork will ever support itself upon the basis of its oxni origin. The grea^t success and lapid circulation of the foraier editions have totaiiy excuipated every page from the least accu^aiion of pbgiarism, as it will be found to difter very materialiV from other publications upon the same subject, and the exact reverse of those in circulation. The studious inquirer will be most seriously dis- appointed if he expects to find in these pao^cs a literal imitation and repetition of Gibson's anatomical structure, with tlie identical platc$ and corresponding references, or a dangerous combination of destructive articles hef£ro2r€^ neously blended and cruelly applied. Saving thus much to corroborate the in- tent and meaning of our own work, it be- comes immediately applicable to repeat our assertions respecting the danger of others ; particularly in those truly zvonderful pre- scriptive parts, so modestly affirmed to be the conjunctive efforts of learned physicians ^ stii^ dious anatomists^ and proficients in surgery^ That the practical knowledge of tlicse ??y;- >KiW// physicians '' in buckram" has far ex- 10 OBSERVATIONS, ceeded every thing prescribed before their time, the magnitude and almost unlimited number of dangerous articles, introduced in their recipes, will sufficiently demonstrate to those who are so truly u/ifortunate as to have the perusal fall to their lot ; but more par- ticularly those who still more imfortunately i'd\\ into the practice. It is impossible (without taking too miicli time from the reader, or too much room in the work) to indulge a most predominant wish of enlarging upon the unaccountable absur- dities and astonishing proofs of ignorance in the properties, power, and use of medicine, that might be justly quoted from this mon- strolls prodigy of modern instruction, to rescue from the rapacity of literary imposition that class of mankind who so frequently become the dupes of specious plausibility. As it would afford but little information or amuse- ment to enumerate the follies, or copy the iiliterate prescriptions, ta justify my own observations, or court a coincidence from others, I shall content myself with one assur- ance to the public, that having taken the opinions of some of the faculty, (upon the OBSERVATIONS. 11 recipes already promulgated in the trifling part of the production hitherto gone forth) they perfectly agree with me — there are a variety introduced that would in a very few hours inevitably relieve the subject from every possibility of future pain, sujferingy or dis^ quietude, I shall only convey an oblique hint at those catchpenny shifts or abridgments from the authors before spoken of, published under the titles of '* Ten Minutes Advice;" ''The Pocket Farrier/' &c. &c. and proceed to a^ few observations upon the wonderful discove- ries^ prolix descriptions, tedious digressions, and astonishing tales, of Henry Bracken (medi- cinse doctor), who, to his diploma, which he boasts of in his preface, adds, the strangest complication of language, for a medical au- thor and physician, that ever disgraced a can- didate for critical dissection. However bad the compliment may be to my own under- sjtanding, or largely it may tend to display my want of taste, I can i?either condescend to imitate him in the sublimity of his style or the fertility of his medical invention: nor shall I presume to copy so great an original. m OBSERVATIONS. by introducing '' A Tale of a Tub'* in every page, foreign to the matter in question, merely for the purpose of swelling this work to a size that may contribute to its disgrace ; reserving to myself one consolation — if it does not become entitled to approbation for its utility, neither pique or prejudice shall have just cause to condemn it for its prolixity. It has been hitherto customary, in the in- troductory part of tracts upon this subject, to enlarge upon the shape, make, figure, and qualifications, of a hori^e for the turf, field, road, &c. And all this might be very appli- cable and proper, even iioWy could v,e for a moment suppose that a sportsman does not know a HORSE from an ass, or that a gentle- man attends a repository, fair, market, or sale, with a book in his hand or his pocket, by w^ay of remembrancer. Exclusive of this consideration, in the present stage of refine- ment, we are become so truly enlightened, that every juvenile devotee to Diana, who has just escaped from the tender anxiety of his mamma and tlie successful attention of his tutor^ talks loudly and confidently of the "fuileye,'' '' small ear,'' *' deep chest,'' '' close OBSERVATIONS. IS JilletJ* '^ short back/' ^^ strong pasterri** ^' sound hoof/' &c. In short, all those quaHfications that are at present universally understood, and in constant request, by the best judges, are very hard to obtain ; and it is by no means an uncommon thing to observe a horse with a very few good points, in the posses- sion of those we are apt to believe (from a combination of circumstances) have it in their power to be much better accommodated. Since the original publication of this work, objections have been started to the above mode of explanation, as not only too concise for the magnitude of the subject, but equally inadequate to the expectation of the young and inexperienced, who became inquirers more from the motive of information than amusement : I shall endeavour to obviate that disappointment, by entering more minutely into the descriptive qualifications, and clearly point out the advantages arising, from cir- cumspection to juvenile adventurers in the equestrian held of fortune. Exclusive of the before-mentioned class of enlightened pupils, who have improved their theoretic know- ledge by practical experience and disposition upon the well-worn hacks of Eton^ Oxford, 14 OBSERVATIONS. and Cambrido-e, (ena'uliiiu tlieniselves to ani- madvert upon splents, spavins, windgalls, and strains) it must be confessed there are innumerable inferiors who having unluckily no experimental knowledge to improve upon, no advanta^ies to avail themselves of but li- terary instruction, or dear-bought expe- rience, it is undoubtedly just such advice should be inculcated as may tend to prevent their becoming dupes to the various traps of imposition eternally ,ope7i to plunder the un- wary. In respect thei> to the absolute .s/iff/?^, make, m)djigiire of a horse, such rules shall be laid down for the selection, or choice in purcliase, as it will be indispensably necessary to adhere to, if speed, strength, 'or beauty, (commonly termed fashion) are the objects of considera- tion ; though it may be justly believed anal- most entire impossibility to procure a horse with all those points and advantages the eye of caution and experience constantly has in view. In such survey, the primary and pre- dominant consideration (if found) is the stale of a<:e, but much more particularly if re- quired for immediate use, at least that kind of use termed constant work ; as no horse OBSERVATIONS. 15 whatever can be supposed adequate to such task at an earlier age than rising six years. To the very necessary conviction of ao;e should follow a most minute and attentive inspection, or rather strict examination, of those points constituting the distinction be- tween imperfections, hlew/ishes, and defects : in general doubtfully implied, and not always perfectly understood, by the common assur- ance of " Sound wind and limb/' To ascer- tain the veracity of which technical phraseo^ logy, much nicety of discrimination apper- tains. AmongvSt sportsmen (who are justly entitled to the appellation of gentlemen, and possess a high and proper sense of honour and the principles of equity) the general acceptation of the word " souncV has ever been, and still is ^ intended to convey an honourable, unequivocal assurance of the perfect state of both the frame and bodily health of the subject, with- out exception or ambiguity. It is meant to imply the total absence of Ijlemishes as well as defects (unless particularly pointed out and explained) ; and is really intended to confirm a bona fide declaration of the horse's 16 . OBSERVATIONS. being (at the time) free from every imperfec^ tion, labouring under no impediment to sight or action. This is. the established intent and meaning of the word ^^ souncr* amongst gen-- tlemen and sportsmen ; its explication and va- rious uses, for the convenient purposes and impositions of groo?ns, dealers, black-legs, and jobbing itinerants^ are too perfectly under- stood (by those who have run the gauntlet of experience and deception) to require fur- ther animadversion. However, as you can but very seldom pos- sess the good fortune to purchase of a gen-- tleman, it will prove no contemptible practice to adopt the sage old maxun, and '' deal with ** an honest man as you would w^ith a rogue:'* this precaution may prevent a probable re- pentance, and palpably urges the necessity of putting your own judgment and circum- spection in competition with the integrity of your opponent, however he may be favoured hy fortune or sanctioned by situation. The prudent or experienced purchaser con- sequently commences his task of inspection with care, caution, diwl circumspection, first ac- curately ascertaining the shape, make, bone. OBSERVATIONS. 1? m\d streno;fh ; collectincf sufficient information from such observation, whether^ his qualifi- cations are properly adapted to the purposes of acquisition. He sees him go all his paces, and forms his own opinion upon each ; or perhaps more judiciously avoids every possi- biUty of frick or deception, by riding the horse and thoroughly investigating his proprietors; therebyescaping bad action, lameness, start- ing, restiveness^ and other incidental imper- fections. He then most attentively proceeds to the more minute and necessary examina- tion of the state of the eijes, wind, knees, sphnfSy spavins, zcindgalis, innghones, quittors, cracks, or grease : descending lastly to the feet, thereby avoiding cor;?-^, running thrush, catiker, and ad- ditional defects that young and inexperienc- ed purchasers frequently suppose unworthy consideration or reflection, sacrificing the whole at the shrine oijigure mid fashion. In the choice and purchase of a horse, se- lected for whatever purpose, it is an invari- able and established custom w^ith the best judges to come as near the following points and advantages as circumstances will permit, thereby gaining in each an additional step'to VOL. I. c IB OBSERVATIONS. tlie summit of perfection. For the desired or iateaded height, size, and figure being ascer- tained and procured^ all other necessary points so strictly correspond (in a certain degree of uniformity) that what gives speed and strength to a large horse, will propor- tionably contribute similar advantages* to a smaller. Tq contribute that uniformity, the head and ears should both be small and short, with a large full eye and open extended nostril ; a long well proportioned neck, rising gra- dually upon the withers, forming what is ge- nerally termed ^^ a fine forehand," having great depth from thence to the point of the breast, wdiicli being wide, affords anlple proof oi itrength^ as does the necessary declination of the shoulder (or blade-bone) to the point of the withers m~ioi\iev oi spec cL This com- bination forms a well made korse before, which is continued to the remaining parts of the frame, by the back's being short and even, not sinking at all in the loins, or rising higher behind, upon what is termed '* the crupper-- bone ;'* the carcase should be round, and well ribbed up to tlie hip-bones, (farming a^ OBSERVATIONS. 19 trifling a hollowness or concavity in the flank as possible) these being by no means pointedly prominent. The legs should not be too long for the height of the horse, but short in the joints, and particularly so upon the pas- terns. These instructions respecting shape, make^ and figure, will (with very few exceptions) prove leading traits to the necessary and de- sirable qualifications. To ascertain the whole of which, no invariable rules can be laid down as an infallible guide to certain perfec- tion ; for there are many instances of very well shaped horses having proved indifferent goers, and others so entirely cross made as to possess hardly a good point, being equal in action to some of the finest figures in the kingdom. Rules or instructions thus liable to exception, (though they are established by custom, and in a great degree justified by experience,) have yet some claim to contri- bution from the personal observation and de^ liberate judgment of the purchaser ; for surely it can require no extraordinary portion of genius, or extent of penetration, to distin- guish between '* a good goer' and a bad one : c 2 so OBSERVATIONS. if so, t-iie adveo hirers may as probably stand' in iieed of an mstroctor to point out the dif- ference between a horse and a mare^ Notwithstanding these instructions may contribute to form the judgment of a juvenile and inexperienced purchaser, yet he should never attempt to obtain a high priced horse^ from the hammer of a modern^ repository, without the advantage of an assistant per- fectly adequate to the arduous task of discri- mination. Let it be remembered, at such mart of Integriti)^ a horse is seldom, if ever, displayed, in a state of nature ; he is thrown into a variety of alluring attitudes, and a profusion oi fake-Jire, by the powerful in- termediation of art — that predominant in- centive Uie whip before, and the aggravating stimulus of the ginger behind, (better under- stood by the appellation of **y?Jg.g*iwV') giv- ing to the horse all the appearance of spirit, (in fact fear) that the injudicious spectator is too often imprudently induced to believe the- spontaneous effort of nature. During the superficial survey, in those fevr iiiinutes allowed for inspectioa and purchase^ OBSERVATIONS. 21 much satisfactory investigatiori cannot be ob- tained, for in the general hniTy and con* fusion of " shev. ing out/"" the short twras and irregular action of the hoi^e, the political and occasional smacks of the whip the eSect of emulatioi) in thebicldei^, the loquacity of the orator, and the fascinating floiirish of th*^ hammer, the qualifications of the object is frequently forgotten, and every idea of per- fection buried in the spirit of personal op- position. Such a combination of circiimstanceSj, tend-* ing so much to perplex and confuse^^ urges the necessity of care, caution, and circuaa- spection. The eyes of Argus would hardly prove too numerous upon the oecasioo, a bridle being as necessary upon the tongoe as a padlock upon the pocket; for amidst the great variety of professional man^ovres in the art of horse-dealing ^ a purchaser must be in possession of a great shai^ of ^oocf /en* ittne or sound judgment to elude the ill effects of deception and imposition ; a circumstance so uuiver.>allv admitted, that i^overnment considered a substantial fa.r no improper com-* pliment to their iniquities. 22 OBSERVATIONS. The institution was undoubtedly originally good, and for some years proved of^ the greatest public utihty ; whether, hke many other of the most valuable institutions, it has been prostituted to the worst of purposes, re- mains with the opinion of every reader to decide. For my own part, however highly they may be ex^tolled, or extensively puffed, by the parties interested in their success, I must confess, I am never included within their walls, but I conceive myself in the very centre of Chesterfield's '' sink of iniquity,'* and consider a sound horse from a repository equally rare with a capital prize in the lottery. In the midst of these very necessary consi- derations, it must be remembei'ed, such heb- dominal sales are not without their acknow- ledged conveniences ; for although they are by no means calculated to hy at, they a^e most admirably adapted for selling. Here you may, in compliance with custom and the full force oi fashion, get rid of the blind, lame, restive, broken-XDinded, splented, spavined, or glandered horses, without remorse or fear of punishment. The seller, whether a nominal OESERVATTONS. 23 gentleman without honour^ or the dealer with- out principle^ is entitled to every degree; of duplicifii he can bring into practice ; they lay equal claim to the privilege of bbliqueij pM¥- ing their own horses (as standers by praising their unequalled qualiiicatians, and biddmg for them) with an affected enchiisiasm^ there- by inducing the unwary to proceed io tiae purchase very much beyond the iotrinsie value. The credulous dupe becomes in a short time convinced of the huhhky and is io possession of no consolation but the law of retaliation^, by a repetition of traosfer ; iie- ' Icessity compels him to sell at the mme or a umilar market with an equaF degree of de- ceptiou;, in Vv^hich he now becomes initiated ; and the perpetual routine of crippled kciSpiMl horses is thus supported by the very predo- minant plea of self-preservation. These facts being well established, and amongst the experienced universally knowo^ it is generally admitted that the most pror bable method of acquiring a yoimg„ scmzid^ perfect horse, must be by purchasing in the coantry, before they have made% '^ trading voyage'* to the metropolis i where^ with the 24 OBSERVATIONS. joint effects of indifferent riders, indolent grooms or ostlers, hot stables, irregular feeds, and the plentiful hay and water system that fre- quently constitutes Hvery subsistence, we soon perceive fluctuating humours, depraved appetite, inflamed eyes, sv/elled legs, crack- ed heels, tender feet, and a, multiplicity of those stable comforts that instantly strike the eye of an experimental observer, v/hen taking an occasional survey of the public stables in ^ London ; where they conceive they execute every degree of equestrian duty in the highest perfection, though a lad, of even the second class, from a common hunting-stable in the country would instantly demonstrate the contrary. My very v/orthy and learned predecessor Bracken, in his digressions for the public GOOD, has introduced stories and similes of all descriptions and denominations, from the funeral of his '' favourite mare with ale and *^ rosemary,'' to the " comparison between a ^' rider of sixteen stone and a ^ Scotchman s ^' pack\' strictly enjoining every man (who had not a ra^onal idea of his own corpulence or circumference) to be careful m adapting OBSERVATIONS. 25 the strength of his horse to his own weight ; with many other o^bservations of equal saga- city and penetration. But, as I indulge a much higher opinion of the understandings of those to whose serious inspection this trea- tise will become subject, I shall not irritate the feelings of any sportsman, who unluckily rides a great weight, by reminding him what kind of horse is most likely to reconcile the inconvenience, but naturally conclude every reader will exert his judgment for the pro- curation of such purchase as will prove most likely to become adequate to the purposes for which he is intended. He also (from an universality of genius, no doubt) animadverts upon the art of riding and qualifications of horsemen, their tempers, dispositions, agility, alacrity, fear, fortitude, ** ivry faces, and losing of leather \" descants largely upon the apparatus of bits, bridles, saddles, &c. entering into the very minutiae of the riding-school, which now would be not only degrading the experimental knowledge of every sportsman in the kingdom, but abso- lutely smuggling a subject the acknowledged yymx^Qvty oi Angelo^Astleyi Hughes^ ^nd Jones. 26 OBSERVATIONS, In respect to the anatomical structure of a horse, nothing can be added upon that subject to excite attention ; it has been ah^eady so minutely investigated and accurately ex- plained by Gibson and Snape, that the least room for addition or enlargement is not left for any succeeding writer \yho does not (as before observed) admit the capacities of the solids to be more enlarged, the fluids increas- ed, or the heart changed from one side to the other, since the days of those authors, who so well fulfilled to the public the tasks the}^ had undertaken. And as the operative part of FARRIERY is uot intended to come within tlie purpose of our present plan, but is entirely submitted to those whose inunediate profes- sion it is to be most clearly informed of ; to the excellent anatomical works of the above writers I refer them for a completion of their studies, and come to such a system as it is absolutely necessary for every sportsman to understand, that he maybe not onl\' enabled to prescribe for his own horses upon emer- gencies, but to judge of the propriety of their treatment when, by the severity of circum- stances, submitted to the superintendence of others. - . OBSERVATIONS. 27 Much multifarious matter has constantly been introduced relative to the age of a horse by his mouth ; where (after all observations upon the subject) it becomes an acknowledged fact by every writer, each sig^i is doubtful, and habie to deception in the various arts and designs of the dealers, who, by engraving and burning artificial marks in some teeth, and totally extracting (or beating out) others, render the horse of any seeming age most ap- plicable to their purpose. And these faults cannot be easily discovered but by grooms or judges who are in the constant habit and prac- tice of making such remarks and observations. Nor is there any matter in a horse requir- ing a nicer discrimination in judgment, than to ascertain to a certainty the age of a horse by his teeth only, having absolutely seen two men of abilities and experience on the oppo- site sides of a horse's mouth, at the same time declare him of different ages ; when, by ex- changing sides each changed his opinion, and the horse proved, by the common rule, to be coming a year older on one side than the other. 'I'hese doubts in respect to tlie certainty of age being admitted, one fixed 28 OBSERVATIOiN'S- rule is incontrovertible — that after the mark f which i^ the general guide) is obliterated^ the longer the teeth are, and the narrower the under jaw is towards its extremity, the Baore the horse is advanced in years. But, as the age of the horse is so distinctly abstracted from, and unconnected with, the description of disease which becomes more immediately the subject of discussion, 1 shall leave the former to the subtle decision of the stable disputants, to whose province it may fee said to belong, and whom it more mate^ rially concerns. There can be but little doubt that who- ever becomes a purchaser, at the present hi«^h price of sound, fresh, and fashionable horses, will proportion the price to such de- jEciencies as times and circumstances render unavoidable; and make pecuniary alio wances^ for advanced age, broken zvind, bad eyes, spaviuy spknfs, and a long detail of incidental imper- fections. But as such necessary circumspec- tion does not always take place with the young and inexperienced purchaser, a con- cise hint not to acquire too many infirmities. FEEDING. 29 at a bisjh price, merely to gratify a little per- sonal ostentation in an external display of BhooB and fashion, cannot be amiss. More particularly when we so frequently see an ac« cidendal fall, and consequent laceration upon the knees, prove the transient value of what was (a few minutes before) the object of admi- ration and possession with every beholder, now become blown upon, and of no greater estimation than to be unrelentingly torn to pieces, by that most merciful and humane in- vention. A MAIL COACH OF PALMERIAN MEMORY. Previous to the treatment of disease, it cannot be inapplicable to point out such things as are strictly necessary, and abso- lutely conducive to the preservation of health, though perhaps not at all times properly at- tended to. For instance, no object is more highly entitled to a distinct and separate in- vestigation than the article of FEEDING, as a particular attention to the qualities and quantities of aliment is particularly necessary so FEEDING. to secure the horse in a state of health and condition, fit for the immediate purpose to which he may be destined. To produce him at all times really for the turf, fields or road, becomes necessarily the complete style of cleanliness^ dressings exercise, and various mi- nutiae, that constitute the present perfect state of stable discipline ; Avhicli never arose to so high a pitch of exceilence, and can have originated oi)ly in a laudable emulation, that seems (by a kind of sympathetic inspira- tion or enthusiasm) to have taken possession of every groom in stables of repute, and ren- ders unnecessary the most trifling observa- tions upon this ceremony, where the horses are thought worthy the attention of master or MAN. And it is equally so in respect to the ar- ticles of yborf. Horses are as often out of condition (in inferior stables) from the effect of improper food as from natural diseases.' Respecting the most proper food to a horse in health, no diversity of opinions can be supported by fools or madmen. Experience, that inevitable touchstone of FEEDING. 31 truths demoni^trales, to an indisputable cer- tainty, the acknowledged preference oisprmg-- grass in the field ; or sweet oats, sound beans, 2l\\A fragrant hay, in the stable, to every other article that imagination can invent or no- ^^elty supply. ilnd here it becomes unavoidably neces- sary to introduce a circumstance that con- stantly occurs in the course of observation ; at least to those who, entering a multiplicity of stables, wish to enlarge their information or exercise their judgment. IIow very com- mon is it to find a consultation held upon the appearance of a favourite horse, who, to the surprize of the parties, loses flesh, be- comes dull and heavy in the stable, languid in action, sickly in coat, and foul in excre- ment, doomed to a course oi purgatives, then diuretics ; and, lastly, a tedious administration oi alteratives, as sickly and unsound ! And all for what ? — because the poor emaciated animal, being destitute of the powers of speech, could not better inform his perse- cutors, than by his eihphatical and misinter- preted looks, tirat his hay was mustij, and consequL'ntiy laying the foundation of man)' 32 FEEDING. disorders. For, being thus deprived of more than half his support, the trifling quantity he did take (being against the disposition of nature and appetite) afforded little nutri- ment ; nor of course could, when fourteen pounds of hay only had perhaps passed the intestinal canal in four days, instead of fifty- six ; the accustomed and proper proportion being rated at fourteen pounds for twenty- four hours, where horses are regularly corn- fed. To bring this defect in the quality and quantity of this part of the aliment home to every comprehension, let any reader con- ceive the idea (or try the experiment) of sitting down with an excellent appetite (after a most excellent chase) to a beef-steak nearly approaching putrefaction, with no sauce but hunger, no alternative but necessity, and I be- lieve I may venture to assert- — the feelings of the MAN and the beast will not be dissimilar on the occasion. These circumstances attending both hay and corn I have repeatedly been witness to ; and do aflSrm, in opposition to any opinion that may be formed against me, most horses Avill shew, in less than a fortnight, both in CONDITION. 33 their Jlesh, coat, and spirit, when hay or corn do not yield or convey their proper niifri^ merit, if given in fair and just proportions. I consequently avail myself of this fact, to urge the necessity of sound coim, sweet hay^ soft water ^ regular feeds ^ and as regular exercise^ if a horse is desired or expected to appear in good CONDITION. The word condition, in the phraseology of the turf^ is supposed to imply a horse's being in such a state of perfection, and i1^ strength and power so much above the pur- pose he is distined to, that he displays it in figure and appearance. Yine in coat^ firm in Jlesh^ high in spirits, ?inA fresh upon his legs. To be in this desnable state, if a young horse, and stranger to hard work, may be readily expected, and naturally concluded ; but, on the contrary, where a horse has been subject to a proportion of duty, either on the turf, field, or road, a great degree of good fortune must have attended him through all his journeys, not to have suffered from some one of the many dangers to which he has been so repeatedly exposed. By way therefore of in- VOL. I. D 34 eONDITION. troducinc; directions for getting a horse into condition, it will be most proper to fix the cri- terion of commencement at that season when a hunter, having had what is called a sum- mer's run, is taken up with an intent to get him into proper condition for the field. The horse being taken up, if he is free from lame- ness, and there is no blemish, infirmity, or any other obstacle, to forbid such proceed- ings, put him first upon a very moderate proportion of hay and corn, and increase it gradually, according to the size and consti- tution. At the expiration of three or four days, when the hard food may naturally be supposed to have dislodged the grass, and supplied its place, a proportion of blood may be taken away, according to the size^ state, strength, and temperament of the horse, with due attention to the fle^h he may have gained, or the impurities he may have imbibed with his pasture. And here let me particularly caution the operator and the owner against that slovenly^ infenia! and contemptible, (not to add danger- ous) practice of suffering the blood to fall in- discriminately, in respect to quantity and BLEEDING. > S5 quality, upon the ground or dunghill. This self-sufficient manner of BLEEDING the farrier always considers a striking proof of his consequence, and a never-failing mark of his infallibility; but it never can be too much discouraged, and in fact ought by no means to be countenanced, or indeed per- mitted. If no particular plethora or fulness appears, to render large evacuations neces- sary, three pints will prove sufficient for a slender or delicate subject ; tivo quarts for the more advanced in strength or size ; but from the very large and strong, or remarkably foul horses, may be safely drawn iuWjive pints. However, these directions should be care- fully made by measure, to avoid the incon- , venience and danger of too much relaxing the whole system ; an impropriety in con- duct that maj^ not be so easily remedied as imagined. After this evacuation, let the same regular sj^stem of food, and gentle ex- ercise, be continued for three clear days ; and on the fourth prepare his body for the physic intended to be taken on the follow- D 2 36 PHYSIC, &c. ing morning, by giving him in the course of the day three ?nashes of equal parts of bran and oats, scalded with boihng water, and given at a proper degree of warmth, morn- ing, noon, and night ; putting on the neces- sary body-clothes, at the time of giving the first mash, to prevent the least hazard of cold from the relaxation of either body or pores. In the morning give one of the following purging balls, of which four diiferent propor- tions are specified, and calculated for the horses before mentioned, in respect to strength, size, and constitution. But as we shall, in the course of the work, have occa- sion to introduce references to these ca- thartic BALLS, under the heads of various diseases, it will be more convenient to dis- tinguish them by riumbers; and, beginning with the weakest, the reference need only be made to the number in future, without a re- petition of the ingredients. PURGING BALL. (No. 1.) Take of succotrine aloes one ounce ; India rhubarb two drachms ; PHYSIC, &c. 37 Jalap and cream of tartar each one drachm 5 Ginger (in powder) two scruples ; Essential oil of cloves and aniseed each twenty drops ; . ' Syrup of buckthorn a sufficient quantity to form the ball. ^_ (No. 2.) Take of succotrine aloes ten drachms ; Of rhubard, jalap, and ginger, each a drachm and a half, and syrup of buckthorn to make the ball. (No. 3.) Take Barbadoes aloes ten drachms ; Jalap and Castile soap, of each a drachm and a half: Diagrydium and ginger (in powder each a drachm ; Syrup of buckthorn sufficient to make the ball? (No. 4.) , Take Barbadoes aloes an ounc6 and a half; Castile soap and jalap (in powder) of each two drachms ; ginger two scruples ; Oil of aniseed forty drops ; of cloves twenty drops : which form into a ball with syrup of roses or buckthorn. It is almost unnecessary to observe these BALLS are gradually increased in thQir purga^ S8 PHYSIC, &c. tke qualities^ so as to be selected by the jad^- ment of the reader, according to the state of strength and foulness the subject may be in ; and are so carefully guarded with warm aro- matics, that the operation will (by a strict ad- herence to the following RULES) in general proceed without the least alarm or danger. The BALL being given early in the morning, let it be washed down with a quart of water slightly warm, to take of the nausea as much as possible : leave in his rack a little sweet hay ; and, in about three hours after, give a warm mash of scalded bran, contain inii one fourth of oats ; upon which let the water be poured boiling hot, and stand a proper time to cool before it is put itito the manger ; as, by placirjg it there too hot, the fumes pro- duce an antipathy which the horse does not easily get over; on the contrary, by touch- ing the mash^ and being burnt, will not be prevailed upon to attempt it in future. In case of a fixed aversion to mashes a feed of BRAN may be given at the stated periods, in which may be mixed one quart of ground OATMEAL. Water proportionally warm may be given him to the quantity of half a pail thrice in the day ; and let his mash be re- PHYSIC, &c. 39 peated twice that day also, and early on the following morning, about which time the physic may be expected to begin its opera- tion ; but if the mash should be refused, a pail of warm water may be substituted ; and in two hours after the horse (well clothed) walked out for half an hour at least. Fre- quent supplies of warm water must be given, and two other mashes at their proper times ; by no means omitting to take him out, and w^alk him gently twice or thrice in the course of the day. But, as purgatives administer- ed to quadrupeds of this description cannot, from the oreat continuation of the intestinal canal, be expected to commence their opera- tion in less than twenty-four hours, no hur- rying or forcing methods must be taken to agitate the animal, or produce preternatural effects. So soon as the medicine be«!;ins to operate kindly and patiently, assist the work by the means before mentioned, at stated periods, or at such times as the appetite will permit them to be taken ; con turning the mashes no longer than the physic is said to be set, or (in other words) the excrements become firm, and resume their original form. Indeed the management of horses, durinoj 40 PHYSIC, &c. a course of physic, is at present so well un- derstood, that little more need be added upon that subject ; excepting the very ne- cessary precaution to avoid cold during these operations,, by a proper attention to the va- riations of the weather, and proportional clothing to the horse : for a cold caught at the season we speak of, and particularly dur- ing a course of physic, by fixing on the eyes or lungs, becomes an- inveterate enemy to sport, and sometimes for the whole winter. Six clear days should be allowed between the first and second dose, and the same space between the second and third. The entire course beino' regularlv f^oue through, it will undoubtedly remove every degree of foulness resulting from full feeding at grass : and un- less some palpable delect or latent obstacle indicates the contrary, he will (in little more than a fortnight) by hhjiesh, coat, and spirits^ prove his ability to undertake any moderate chase in which his rider may be inclined to engage. Though in the attainment of this state of perfection, much depends upon the care and punctuality of the groom or superinten4(tnty PHYSIC, &c. 41 the increase in food, and length (as well as strength) of exercise, should be very gradual from the setting of the last dose of physic ; as, for instance, the horse should be regularly taken out (if the weather permit) morninir and evening, walking him half an hour be- fore his water, and the same after ; which should be taken at a pond of soft water, in preference to a spring or running stream, if possible. His dressings should be as con- stant and regular as his exercise, which hav- ing been gradually lengthened for the first live or six days, he may then, after walking his usual time, have a moderate gallop (in- creasing it daily in length and speed, accord- ing to state and strength), before he is taken to water, walking him a proper time both before and after ; by no means adopting that most ridiculous, contemptible, and pernicious practice of galloping your horse immediately after, in servile subjection to the illiterate opinion of warming the water in the horse's bellv; a custom that has. throuc>h the i^- norance or folly of servants, proved the ab- solute ruin oimany hundreds, as will be clearly explained in the course of our future re- marks, when we come to speak of broken- winded horses. 42 PHYSIC, &c. This mode of exercise must be constantly persevered in without relaxation; his gal- lops night and morning should be increased, as well as his walking exrcise, which should by this time be lengthened to a full hour in the morning, and the same in the evening : not only during the time of promoting con- difion^ but regularly continued t) preserve him so; if the owiier is prompted by the least spark of emulation to appear in the field with a portion of that eclat ^ so 'very much the ton in every sporting county in the kingdom. A proper respect to the abilities of Bart- let (who has very considerably improved and modernized the system of Gibson and Bracken) induces me to give a literal copy of his preparation for '^ a cooling purging *' drink \' which, as he observes, " is cooling, *' easy, and quick in its operation, and greatly *^ preferable, in all inflammatory cases, to '' any other purge, as it passes into the '' blood and operates also by urine/' " Take senna two ouncCvS ; infuse in a pint of boiling ^' water two hours, Avilh three drachms of salt " of tartar ; pour off and dissolve in it four ^' ounces of Glauber salts, and two or three *' drachois of cream of tartar." PHYSIC, 8^c. 43 In inflammatory cases, where a cathartic is required to operate expeditiously ; or \yhere \a horse, by his rejecting powers, compels a ball to regurgitate, and it cannot be easily or properly passed, this drink may be ad- mitted v/ith propriety. Bat where a dose of physic is given merely as a purgative, with- out any indication of instantaneous neces- sity, I must, injustice, certainly recommend a ball in preference ; and for this reason, which I doubt not will prove perfectly con- sistent and satisfactory to every mind pre- pared for information. — The ball being given, is twenty-four hours in its gradual dissolu- tion in the stomach and subsequent passage through the intestinal canal ; this, by its gentle and regular solution of the excrements, and lubrication of the parts, accounts most readily for the great ease any of the pre- ceding balls work off with in general, with- out the least necessity tor all tliat alarm and apprehension betrayed by so many, who prefer the chance of spoiling, or at least in- juring, a capital horse, to seeing him under the temporary disquietude of a salutary course of physic. The same ease is not to be expected in the 44 PAYSIC, &c. operation of cathartic raedecines conveyed in a liquid form ; for the joint qualities and force of the different ingredients being let loose at the same moment upon the internal coat of the stomach, without the stimulative powers being covered by aromatic or carmi- native ingredients, may (exclusive of the dis- agreeable sensation excited by their action upon the irritability of the stomach) be pro- ductive of spasms, or very severe griping pains, previous to the laxation of the har^ dened fa:^ces in the intestines. And where such pains are evidently predo- minant, (the proper time being more than expired) and there is no palpable sign of the physic's beginning to operate kindly, (which for the consolation of those unacquainted w^ith the ceremony is very seldom the case, particularly if the medicines are carefully and accurately prepared) so far from applaud- ing the rashly recommended system of oiling ** a small hand^' and extracting the excrement from the fundament, I relinquish every ex- pectation of finding *' a very small hand'* amqng farriers or grooms, and consequently disclaim the idea of encoura^ino^ anv such practice;, unless the rectum should be abso- PHYSIC, &c. 45 \ute\y plugged up, so as to prevent the pass- ing of the pipe for the injection of a glyster, which should be given immediately with a large bag and pipe procured for the purpose, and repeated if necessary ; making not the least doubt but this lubrication and stimulus will remove all obstructions, and afford every advantage that can be obtained from the favourite and . long-standing practice of RAKING. To prepare the GLYSTER. Take of camomile flowers, sweet fennel, and coriander seeds bruised, of each one ounce : carraway seeds half an ounce ; boil in two quarts of water till re- duced to three pints ; then strain and add for solu- tion, while hot, of Epsom salts two ounces ; and when nearly cool enough to administer, add of olive oil, and tincture of senna, commonly called Daffy's elixir, of each a quarter of a pint. On the contrary, where the constitutional stamina does not prove so strong as imagin- ed, the bowels in a weaker state than ex- pected, or the medicines are found to irritate or purge more than is requisite or desired ; and the physic does not set at the usual time, (the horse being consequently low% and off his appetite) let the following cordial re- 46 PHYSIC, &c, STRINGENT BALL be prepared and given im- mediately, repeating it in six or eight hours, if necessary. Take mithridate one ounce, Armenian bole, gum arable, and prepared chalk (in fine powder) each half an ounce; ginger (in powder) two drachms; syrup of diacodium quantity sufficient to make a balL In three hours after let the following re- stringent MASH be given properly pre- pared, and kept occasionally stirring, when over the fire to prevent its burning : or this may be given, if necessary, without the ball, where the operation has not been so violent as to require both. RESTRINGENT MASH. Take two pounds of rice, and half an ounce of cin- namon, bruised to a gross powder, and tied up loose in a piece of linen (fine enough to prevent its passing through) ; boil in five quarls of water till reduced to the consistence of a mush : take out the cinnamon, and stir in a quart of ground oat-raeal, and let it be placed in the manger when of a proper warmth. This may be repeated if necessary. It cannot be inapplicable, after the.se pre- scriptions, to make a remark upon one ob- PHYSIC, &c, 47 servatlon of Bartlet, who seemed to think it unavoidably necessary to omit a designed part of his prescription at some times on ac- count of the expense ; but I must confess, in all my experience, I have obvserved, and liappy I am to acknowledge it to the honour of the sporting world at large, I never re- member to have seen an instance of penury^ or even hesitation in the article of expense, where a horse has been in pain or danger. Havino* wne through the process univer- sally established for getting horses into pro- per condition, it becomes necessary to pro- ceed to the long list of accidents and dis- eases to w^hich they are subject : and to introduce such medical system as (after a gradual succession from generation to gene- ration, and from grandsire to grandsire, in the old style) has at length acquired a degree of reformation and approbation, by the ex- perimental rejection of the ancient botanical practice, believed infallible ; and the innume- rable discoveries made in the world of me- dicine, by some of the most learned, judi- cious, and enlightened characters in every part of the globe. And where the applica- tions of modern invention are introduced, as 48 PHYSIC, &c. much more adequate and applicable to the cause of complaint than the practice of for- mer writers, the reason shall be constantly adduced, and supported by incontrovertible proof, why the present mode of treatment is entitled to every degree of preference and respect. Without becoming a convert to the usual style of dividing and subdividing chapters, cases, a:>d remedies, as has in general been the custom, introducing a large proportion of extraneous mattei', merely by way of swelhng the woik (as a compHment to the pecuninary sensations of the publisher) I shall proceed, as in many other respects, the direct contrary way, and contract the plan as much as the consistency of circumstances will permit, by bringing into classes such ac- cidents or diseases as bear adegree of affinity to each other, or come under a similar mode of treatment ; and shall likewise (as much as possible) divest each case and explanation of technical terms, that every part may be the iiiore universally comprehended. ( 49 ) CLASS I. SPLENTS, SPAVINS, WINDGALLS, LAMENESS, AND STRAINS. SPLENTS. Of which various accounts have been given without any thing satisfactory as to their ori- gin or cure, except that ** they are hard ex- '^ crescences of different shapes and sizes on *' the shank bone, which often disappear of '' themselves;" that ^^ they are not danger- '' ous but when situated near the joints, or '' appear very large upon the back part of ^' the bone, and press against the back si- '^ new/' All this is most certainly true, and generally believed to be so. Now let us re- mark what follows as directions for cure : *' That the hair is to be shaved, the part to be rubbed with a '^ round stick tillit is almost ^^ raWy and then touched with oil of origanum VOL. I. E 50 SPLENTS. '' sublimate, arsenic, or oil of vitriol.'' You- are then told '^ these may produce an ulcer, a '' 7^ottenness oi the bone, and, when cured, an ^^ ugly scar r Aonther says, ^' it is to be '' soundly rubbed with the handle of a ham- '^ mer, till it is so much bruised as to bring ^ *' on an imposthume, and consequent sup- 'vpuration or discharge of matter!" And there can be no doubt but this is rubbing' it soundly with the imposthume for a witness ! Another tells you ^^ they are to be destroy- '' ed with actual cauteries, or flat instru- ^' ments of iron, made red hot, and applied to ^' the sfflents, placing a piece of the rind of ^' bacon between, with the fat side outward ; '^ and having a second iron heating alter- ^' nately with the first, the operation is to be *^ repeated till the splent is dissolved/' To these, in case of failure, they acknowledge the necessary aid of '^ blistering, firing/' &c. &c. Now, upon a candid investigation of this accumulated variet)^ of opinions, we shall find them amount to a verification of an observation not long since made ; a paltry practice of swelling their writings at the ex- pense of a reader's understanding as well as his PURSE. From circumstances the most SPLENTS. 51 predominant it absolutely appears that nei- ther of the authors here quoted (notwith- standing the degree of estimation they may be held in) gave himself tune, even for a mo- ment, to consider the nature of the ^' excres- cence'' he means or wishes to describe, or the method of cure he may be naturally anxious to recommend. And this the more powerfully appears^ by the I'idiculous attempt to destroy what they acknowledge an apparent ossification or bony substance, seated upon a solid body under the integuments, without a destruction of the integuments themselves, or a palpable in- jury to the component parts. But to bring this matter as near the truth as conjecture can justify, we will (by allowmg an alterna- tive,) take one or other for the fact, and draw what must appear a very natural and just conclusion ; that is, whether the protu- berance upon any part of the shank-bone, called a Splent, is an enlargement of the^ui 58 SPAVINS. with a wax thread, undenieath the vein, and making the hgatiires at the parts most ap- plicable to the extirpation intended. Should any inflammation or extreme swelling attend the parts after operation, warm fomentations and mild poultices must be made use of till they subside; after which the wound must be treated with digestives till the exuberance is sloughed off with the dressings, and the cicatrization, or skinning over, is accom- plished, as in the case of abscesses and wounds, which will be treated of hereafter, when we come to that class. Every degree of information, observation, and experimental investigation, defines a BONE SPAVIN to be cxactly in a greater de- gree behind what a splent is acknowledged to be before ; formed nearly by the same means, fed nearly in the same manner, dif- fering only in its critical situation ; which from a contiguity to the joints, and ligamen- tary appen^lages, becomes so much the more an object of concern and attention, to avoid the certain impediment of lameness, which will in time inevitably ensue, if not prevent- ed by reduction or extirpation. Much ad- vice, and many directions, might here be SPAVINS, 59 obtruded of blistering^ finng, &c. but they all conie so immediately within the depart- ment of the OPERATIVE FARRiERj that fur- ther animadversion upon the subject will be totally foreign to the present intention — one observation and recommendation only ex- cepted, viz. the necessity, in operations^ of applying to practitioners of eminence, whose judgment and execution will require no greater pecuniary compensation than those whose comparative abilities entitle them to no more than a mere manual assist- ance in furnishing the apparatus. Previous to the dismission of this article, I shall, for the accommodation of those v/ho have never seen the publication, introduce the directions given by Osmer for the cure, as they literally appear in a tract of his com- mitted to public inspection about five and twenty years ago ; but, I believe I may ven- ture to affirm, the elaborate operation pro- cured very few converts to the practice. ^' First clip the hair from the diseas^^d " part; make several punctures on the same, ^' through the skin, Avith a sharp pointed " instrument : make a londtudinai inci iion 60 SPAVINS. through the skin, above the diseased part, about the middle thereof: there introduce a cornet and dilate the skin with it as far as the swelling reaches. Make another smaller longitudinal incision, throuoih the skin, belovv^ the swelled part, directly op- posite to the wound above ; in doing which, your probe introduced at top will direct you. At the superior w^ound a caustic wrapped up in a piece of lint is to be in- troduced, and there left. The caustic dis- solved is carried oif by the inferior wound, the whole is directly to be covered with a warm adhesive charge, and this is the w^hole of the operation. The caustic thus introduced under the skin acts both ways, namely, on the membrane underneath it, and the outer tegument upon it. Thus the membrane, outer tegument, and the charge, throw themselves off together, and the diseased or swelled part becomes fair and smooth. The horse should be turned out, or kept in a loose stable ; and if the char«:e comes off before the wound is well, another should be immediately applied. But in spite of this, and all other methods used for this disorder, the horse will very frequently remain full as lame as he was WINDGALLS. 61 *^ before, although the appearance of the dis- '' ease is removed: the reason of which is, '' that the periosteum only is sometimes dis- *' eased; at other times the bone itself, and *' its cellular part. Yet I dare say there is '' not one farrier in this kingdom but has an ^' infallible and certain cure for these dis- '' orders/' WINDGALLS Are those prominences situate on both sides the tendons (commonly called the back sinews) above the fetlock joints on the fore- legs, and not imfrequently upon the hind- legs likewise. They are much larger on some horses than others ; and as they never ap- pear but upon those that have been con- stantly worked too young, or proportionally overworked when older, the cause will be more readily explained. For the tendons, by their perpetual action in constant labour, are so preternatural ly extended, that some of the fine and delicate fibres of wdiich the aggregate is composed, are, by such exten- sion, actually ruptured or broken i from the mouths of which (minute as they are) ooze a very trifling portion of serum, or fluid 62 WINDGALLS. which, when extravasated, forms a gelatinous substance ; and, combining itself with the included air, becomes, to external appear- ance, a kind of bladder between the tendon and integuments. This being tlie exact system of principle and action that constitutes the cause, we proceed to the received notion (and our own opinion) of cure. Perhaps it may not be thought intrusiv^e or inapplicable first- to in- troduce a few words upon the subject oi pre- vention,, which will convey a much strons^er proof of judgment in the rider than any sub- sequent advice that can possibly be offered on the part of the farrier ; that is, no more than to recommend it to every man in the possession of a good horse to reflect a little upon the nature of his oivn superiority, that it is but temporary, and of fleeting duration; to ruminate upon this circumstance in the career of his journey, and feeling propor- tionally for the animal who bears his burthen, take no more of his strength in the field, or upon the road, than nature intended or pru- dence may dictate. For so beautiful a beast, constituting WINDGALLS. 63 almost the centrical point of every good, (whether in pleasure or profit) is certainly entitled to the utmost exertion of tenderness and humanity. And I will venture t;o alSSirm that no man, w^hose line of conduct is reo'u- lated by the principles of unsulHed rectitude, (or whose heart is opei) to those finer feel- ings that are even in enjoyment or possession- a gratification,) ever did or ever lo'ill, after a chace ox journey, indulge the calls of appetite till the partner of his pleasure, or the com- panion of his labour, has had every attention paid to his wants ; which nature has formed, equally numerous and necessary with those of his (often unnatural) rider. The frequent boasting of every unfeelin after making it hot over the fire, add two ounces of the extract of Saturn; and l^ith this foment the leg every night and rtiorning) bandaging the part with a broad roller of a sufficient length, straining it pretty firm. After using this fomentation for two nights and mornings, begin with the follow- ing embrocation ; and let two or three table Spoonfuls be gently and gradually rubbed into the affected part every night and morn- ing, never omitting the use of the bandage tolerably firm. 80 STRAINS. Take of Barbadoes tar and spirits of turpentine eac^ two ounces ; Opodeldoc four ounces.— Mix well together and keep stopped-' Previous to the use of this, should any de- gree of inflammation have been productive of swelling, a poultice may be applied twice a day, prepared with a proper quantity of oatmeal, rendered of a necessary consistence, with a strons; decoction of wormw^ood and camomile (boiling a large handful of each in three pints of water and straining off) ; this, by its emollient tendency, will contribute to the early reduction of the inflammation, without a farther relaxation of the tendinous parts ; but the poultice must be immediately discontinued so soon as the swelling sub- . sides, and the embrocation taken into use, as above directed. To this very constant application must be added rest: too much stress cannot be laid upon this most predo- minant and necessary article; from which the o;reater sood must certainly result. To the want oi patience and ni^ercy only it is to be attributed that such an infinite number of fine horses have been staked to the burning cautery, that, with proper time in the field, would have been as certainly saved from, the STRAINS. ' 81 heat of the iron. And it is no less astonish- ing that, in the present age of equestrian sa- gacity and penetration, few can be found Avhose reason will sufficiently demonstrate the absolute necessity of time and rest to restore the tone of a relaxed muscle or tendon ; a system of knowledge as clear as any mecha- nical principle that can be produced. When the horse has continued in the stable, under the treatment here mentioned, for a fort- night, he should, if in the winter, have his liberty in a large stable or barn where he will, by a natural attention to his own ease and safety, (unless hurried, driven, or dis- turbed, which should be prevented) suffi- ciently guard the injured part. On the con- trary, if in the summer he should be turned into a pasture alone, and at a distance from other horses where he cannot, by their neigh- ings, be excited to any exertion of spirit or extravagance that may occasion a relapse. But, in either case, if the enlargement of the part (that generally attends) does not sub- side, and the lameness bear visible marks of amendment, so soon as may reasonably be expected, take the horse up, and imme- diately apply the following liquid blister, VOL. I. G 82 STRAINS. Take Spanish flies (in powder) two drachms ; euphor* bium and oil of origanum, each onedrachm ; cor- rosive sublimate (in powder) half a drachm; olive oil, four ounces. — Mix well together. This must be deliberately and gradually rubbed over the whole part for at least half an hour, letting it be entirely absorbed by the seat of pain if possible ; then cover it with a woollen bandage, and shorten the halter to prevent its being forced off: the ceremony and effect of this kind of applica- tion is before described under the article of hlood spavin. At the expiration of three or four days he should be turned out, and not have even a halter upon him for six weeks or two months, at least : and, however sound he may seem to be, his exercise, or work, should be very gentle v first boiling half a pint of common sea-salt in a quart of the best and strongest vinegar that can be pro- cured ; this keep in a bottle in the stable, and let the necessary part, or parts, be well bathed with this restringent (and a very use- ful one it will be found) for a quarter of an hour every night and jnorning, till double the quantity has been used. Under this prac- tice I have seen the complete cure of many^ STRAINS. 83 without instantly recurring to a perpetual ble- mish by the present rage of FIRING, which is in general by much too frequently adopt-* ed ; and no doubt upon most occasions hur- ried on by the pecuniary propensity and dictation of the interested operator, anxious to display his dexterity, or (as Scrub says) ** his newest flourish," in the operation ; which, when performed, and the horse is turned out (as must be,) if taken up sounds I shall ever attribute much more of the cure to that grand specific, rest, than to the effect of his Jire. Nothing can be more truly con- temptible than the ridiculous and absurd adoption of the ancient practice of cold charges ; compounded of articles calculated in some degree to what they call brace the parts, it is true, but tending much more to form a kind of bandage by its firmness of ad* hesion, than medical relief by its powder of penetration. And this will be more readily credited when a moment's consideration is afforded to the fact : for what inherent re- ^triil^ent virtues can be possessed by '' doe's hair, Armenian bole, rye Jiour, or oatmeal ** more than the properties of forming a ce» ment (equal to a bandage fpr keepitig thd ©2 84 STRAINS. parts in a firm and certain position, consti- tuting a pompous prelude to the general idea of rest. • No one advocate for cold charo-es, or strengthening poultices, will be confident enough to declare they retain a sufficient por- tion oi stimulus to penetrate the integuments ; and, by their restringent or contracting powers, affect the tone or elasticity of the relaxed tendon. If so, I will venture to ha- zard an opinion, that w^hat efficacy they may hold individually is entirely locked up in the mass of composition, and forms no other merit as a corroborant than a medical sub- stitute for a bandage of rollers, &c. with this exception only, that it bears the appearance of business, or sagacity extraordinar)^ in the farrier and groom employed in the elaborate preparation ; who may prevent their loss of time, and prostitution of judgment, by me- thods much more eminently entitled to ap- probation, as founded upon principles of reason, and sanctioned by success. The same observations hold good in respect to poultices ; they never should be applied to jitrains but in cases of jswellins^ and infiam- STRAINS. 85 mation ; as they can only Gontribiite to the very reverse of the general intention, by re^ laxing the system they are employed to con- tract. I can have no doubt (notwithstanding the dictatorial manner in which instructions were formerly conveyed, amounting almost to a degree of infallibility) but the majority of readers who condescend to ruminate at all upon the subject, will instantly admit the great probability of receiving a greater por- tion of relief from active liquids, that, by their volatile and {>enetrative power, (assist- ed by frequent and industrious application) rush immediately into contact with the seat of pain, than from a compound of mere sim- ples formed into elaborate poultices or cata- plasms, that are prevented by the nature of the parts, (as the hair, and thickness of the skin,) from bringing so inactive a mass'into effect, with parts requiring restringents of much greater stimulus and penetration. St rams in the ligamentary parts are in ge* neral occasionedby sudden jerks, short turns, pr sinking in deep ground, and forcible.exer- 86 STRAINS- tions to get extricated. These being situat-» ed at the junctiou of the bones, and in most cases so covered with the muscles and soft parts, that no great expectation of relief carr be formed upon the efficacy of external ap- plication, when the seat of pain is unluckily so remote from the surface. But as these cases are very frequently productive of in- ternal heat, exciting symptomatic inflamma^ tion, wash well with the following Lotion three or four times every day, adhering still closely to the article of rest, already repeat-? edly mentioned, and never can be sufficiently attended to ; remembering also the great uti- lity pf bandage, where it can be conve-? Diently applied : Take best white wine vinegcir one pint \ Extract of Saturn two ounces ; Camphorated spirits of wine four ounces \ And rain or pond water one pint. Mix the extract with the camphorated spirits ; then add the vinegar, shaking well together ; and, lastly, add the water for frequent use. To enumerate the variety of strains, ancl particularize the different symptoms consti- tuting each, would be an endless undertak- ing ; such information or knowledge must STRAINS. 87 always depend upon the judgment and atten- tion of the operator ; for the directions fi om books are always doubtful and seldom de- cisive. Nor can it be believed that dijfiferent horses lamed in this part, or strained in that, will all step^ halt^ or retreat in the same man- ner ; if so, I may venture to affirm the idea will be frequently as lame as the horse ! To ascertain the seat of disease to a cer- tainty, the judicious investigator will depend much on the eye, more on the touch ; and, if assisted by observation and experience, he will very rarely err in the effect of his judcr- ment ; for, his minute examination beinsr made with a necessary attention to concur-^ ring circumstances, he will seldom fail to convey a true state of the case upon almost every investigation. Previous to the final dismission of this ar- ticle, it may not he inapplicable to introduce the composition of a blister in great estima- tion, and of a different form, calculated for those who may be in some degree attached to iht former mode of practice, and indulge their doubts of the efficacy of the liquid blister before described : 88 STRAINS. TAKEofYenice turpenline and quicksilver each one ounce : rub together in a mortar (ill the quicksilver is no longer visible : then add Of the ointment of marsh mallows and yellow digestive^ commonly called basilicon, each two ounces; and lastly, Of cantharides, (or Spanish flies) (hree drachms ; Of corrosive mercury one drachm ; both in fine pow- der, mixing the whole well together. A portion of this to be carefully rubbed into every part upon which the blister is re- quired to take effect, and the remainder to be laid on as thick as judgment may dictate or the case require, covering the whole with a piece of sheep or lamb-skin leather, hav- ing a margin spread with sticking diachijlon ; over this may be placed any other convenient bandage, making it finn, and using every precaution to prevent its being stripped off by the horse, so soon as its stimulating power makes him sensible of his situation. The operation of firing is so much the rage at present (without a relative consideration to his becoming disfigured), that a single ob^ servation on the subject is rendered unne- cessary, one offer of advice only excepted, viz. — Never to adopt an alternative so truly disagreeable and disfrjessmQ; till all the more STRAINS. 89 genfk applications have repeatedly failed in effect ; amongst which do not let the follow- ing be omitted : Take oil of wormwood one ounce ; Amber and origanum of each half an ounce; Camphorated spirits of wine and opodeldoc of eack four ounces ; and let a proportion (according to the injury sustained) be gentlj rubbed into the part twice every day. Or, Take extract of Saturn and camphorated spirits eack two ©lunces ; Opodeldoc four ounces. — ^Mix the extract and cam- phorated spirits together ; then add the opodeldoc, and use as above, never omitting the use of proper bandage. In corroboration of my own remarks upou the inconsistency of rashly bringing into use t\\Q burning cautery ^ I must beg to introduce the judicious opinion of Osmer upon the operation o{ firing, which I shall quote ex- actly in his own words, from a treatise of his 'that never fell into my hands till a few weeks after the original publication of this work, '* Between the tendon and tlie skin of the 90 STRAINS. ** leg, as nothing intervenes but a thin mem- ^* brane^ what band can determine betwixt ** the boundaries of those duties, whose ap- *^ pearance, by the heat of the iron, is made " undistinguishable to the eye. Now mark ** the event of firing. If the fire reatches no *• further than the skin, little advantage can ** accrue to the tendon, but the fibres of *^ the skin will become contracted and less *' pliant; if the fires reaches the membrane ** or sheath of the tendon, some of its glands " are destroyed, and the tendon becomes ** more or less rigid. If the tendon be burnt, '* the consequence will be still worse, and in *^ either case the velocity of motion will be *^ impeded ; on all these occasions the horse *' should be turned to grass and indulged ** with proper rest, that the diseased parts *' may recover their former firmness, tone, " and strength.'* ( 91 ) CLASS ir. CRACKS, SCRATCHES, THRUSH. AND GREASE. a?rs= CRACKS AND SCRATCHES, In the heels, are so evidently children of the same family, that not being able to reap any advantage from their separation, it would be very unfair to part them. Every reader well knows, without information from me, that, in the general search for cures in the books gone before upon this subject, they have been most plentifully furnished with remedies, and those very concise too. The whole class of corrosives^ detergents, repellents^ and restringents, have been let loose, afford- ing ample food to indulge the most exten- sive appetite for experiment. But modern and experimental /practice abandons this beaten 92 CRACKS AND SCRATCHES. barren tract of alum, lead, vitriol, mercury^ and a long list of inveterate poisons, coming immediately to a rational system founded on common observation and long experience. Ckacks and Scratches, in ni,ie cases out of every ten, are undoubtedly produced by negligence and a want of care in the super- intendent ; and not, as is too frequently supposed, from a bad Habit, or an acrimo-- nious state of the blood. In many stables, (particularly where the master seldom pays a visit, so as the carcase is sleek), the feet and heels are left to take care of themselves. From this circumstance in severe weather (when the parts below the fetlock are left in a wet, dirty, and slovenly condition) do these complaints originate, evidently resulting more from bad grooms than bad habit. It is likewise remarkable that the mode of treatment for a century past has' been in direct opposition to the efforts of NATURE, without the introduction of a single attempt to co-operate in her endea- vours. Instead of corrom'^ washes, detergent lotions, repelling liniments^ or restringent em?- CRACKS AND SCRATCHES. 93 brocations, calculated to form rigid eschars, or painful callositieSy I shall communicate, and earnestly recommend, a safe, simple, and effectual method of cure, which I have never yet seen once fail in an experience of twenty years. In ev^erj^ twentij-four hours, but more par- ticularly at er^cA time of the horse's returnino- from the road or exercise, let the cracks or SCRATCHES be washcd for a considerable time with soap and warm ivciter, making a lather, and continuing to rub them tenderly with the suds, till they become pliable, and perfectly clear from every degree of scurf or hardness ^t the edges, and the stiffened mucus, or oozing, is entirely washed away ; then wipe very dry with a linen cloth, and when per- fectly so, rub in a sufficient quantity oi cam- phorated spermaceti ointment : there is no doubt but they will soon submit to this simple treatment, if regularly persevered in. On the contrarj^ if in some days after this me- thod has been adopted, you perceive the cracks to be deep, the discharge copious, and the smell foetid or stinking, you may naturally conclude there is a foulness in the 94 THRUSH. habit, or an acrimony in the blood, require ing rectification ; in that case continue your washings with soap and warm zoater every night and morning ; take away a proportion of blood according to the directions before given under that head^ rubbing in a small quantity of the strong jnercurial ointment^ (instead of the camphorated spermaceti) ad- ministering txvi^ purging balls : and if neces-N sary afterwards, a diuretic ball every other morning for a fortnight, as will be hereafter described, under the article Grease^ when we come to that subject. THRUSH, Commonly called ** the Running Thrushy' is a var icons state of the frog, which, becom- ing perforated in different parts, bears the appearance of rapid decay and rottenness ; occasioned by an ichorous corrosive dis- charge, frequently the evident effect of neg-- lect in suifering the horse to go badly shod, till the frog, by repeated bruises, loses its original property, and becomes diseased. To inattention the complaint is generally ow- ing, and by early care is as generally curedc THRUSH. 95 Though there are undoubtedly instances of such defects being what are termed natural blemishes ; but the mode of treatment will be similar and effective. The putrid, rag- ged, or rotten part of the frog should be con- stantly pared away, as should also the hoof that bears upon the defective parts. The bottom of the foot should be frequently washed with warm water particularly after coming into the stable ; and, when dry, the whole frog moistened slightly with tincture of myrrh. The feet should be constantly stopped with a composition of the following proportion : Cow dung, seven pounds; Vinegar and chamber-lje, of each one pint. — Mix. If the complaint displays (by its depth or foetidity) a degree of inveteracy, assist with the following diuretic balls : Take "white soap, eight ounces ; Nitre and rosin (in powder) of each three ounces ; Canfphor and oil of juniper, of each three drachms ; form the mass into half a dozen balls, and let one be given every, or every other, morning. as the state of the case requires. 96 GREASE; But should the horse be visibly foiil, and, by his whole appearance, indicate a tendency to fluctuating humours, from an impurity in the blood, a course of physic is first to be adopted, preceded by a proportional bleed- ing, regulating both by the directions given under those distinct heads. These instruc- tions properly attended to, no doubt need be entertained of a perfect cuie ; yet it had in most cases (particularly where the defect has been severe, or the frog very much im- paired) much better be fully confirmed by turning out to grass for an adequate length of time, where the softness of the pasture may act as a natural cataplasm, promoting the growth of the fro«f to its orii^final state of strength and perfection. GREASE. We are told by an author of the latest date, what is almost universally understood by those at all acquainted with the animal ceconomy, that " the blood is conveyed from the heart '' to the extremities by the ar- teries, and returned by the veins , in which latter the bipod is to rise in perpendicular GREASE. 97 ^ columns, to return the circulating fluids ^ from the extremities. Hence swelling in ^ the legs of horses may be easily accounted ' for, from a partial stagnation of the blood ^ and jucies in the finer vessels, where the ^ circulation is most languid ; and especially ^ where there is a want of due exercise, and ' a proper muscular compression upon the ^ vessels to push forward the returning blood, * and propel the inert or half-stagnating ^ fluid throuo'h their vessels.'' This is one reason (where a reason is wanting and must be obtained), and is quoted entirely for the service of those who require 710 other. But, as many may wish to receive more satisfac- tory information upon the subject it will be necessary to aftbrd it a nicer elucidation. Indeed it cannot be supposed that any reader possessing the smallest degree of ra- tional conception, will fall into this ridicu- lous idea, and implicitly believe nature has prevented her own laws, by appropriating to certain offices vessels inadequate to the pur- poses for which they were formed. That the vessels are small in the extremities must be acknowledged ; that the contents are pro- VOL. I. H 9S GREASE, portional, cannot be denied : these positions being admitted, it certainly shall follow, the less the weight or substance, the less must be the force required to give it motion : this force is retained in the contracting power of the vessels acting upon their own contents exclusive of the assisting muscular compres- sion mentioned by the author above quoted, which (in the system of circulation) can only prove the secondary consideration. I do not mean to enter into tedious and unentertain- ing disquisitions upon the laws of iiature and motion, but hope (and naturally conclude) every reader will coincide with me in one opi- nion — that these vessels are as fully ade- quate to the offices assigned them in the ex- tremities, as those whose capacities have fixed them in the more noble parts. This truth being allowed (as by every in- telligent reader it must be), I consider na- ture totally exculpated from the accusation of insufficiency in the execution of her own laws ; and doubt not, in the investigation of the subject, we shall be able to produce more satisfactory reasons for the appearance and progress of this disease, than any we GREASE. 99 have yet seen oiiered to public eonsid^* ration. That a '' partial stagnation of the blood and ''juices in the finer vessels, where the *' circulation is most languid/' may and does happen, I readily admit, but by no means so often as to constitute the disease we now treat of; if so, (the extremities ia most horses being the same as well as the circumference or capacity of the vessels and force of circulation), there can be no doubt bat nineteen out of every twenty would be afflicted with this malady, from an '' error IN NATURE," that no human foresight caa prevent, or judgment remove. Bartlet (who is the author before al- luded to) says, in the passage there quoted, *' the horses most subject to it are those ''where there is a due want of exercise/' In compliment to an author of merit and re**' pute, we will admit this for a moment ; but^ the better to estabUsh my own point, I shall claim the privilege of making one observation, in direct opposition to an assertion that has required some authority by remaining sf H 2 100 GREASE. long imcontradtcted. And as I, from the first maiueiit of my embarkation in this treatise, liave totally disclaimed the very idea of implicit ol>edience to the dictation of those who have preceded me on the subject,' I now come to the declaration of an opinion directly opposite to what weliave just quot- ed, and (as no bad prelude to what is to fol- low) wrest the attention of the reader to the fallowing circumstaoc^j well worthy of note. — ^That ^:he horses having the most jugular and tiemperate exercise^ food, air, and water, AKE the very subjects that aps in geneial niore severely afflicted with this disease than aojother^ no one will attempt to disprove. For instance^ those passing under the deno- mination of *^ cart horses/* em ployed in teams, agriculture, road waggons, &c. and this eircismstance alonej if unassisted with other testimony, would very much warp the opinion before-mentioned; and prove both the vessels and circulation to be less culpable in this business than that writer seemed to imagine- it is a circiimstance known to the most superficial observer, that eoorn^ous quan- GREASE, 101 titles of hair are penBitted to remain i^poa the heels of draff hordes of the above descrip- tion, without exeeptiori ; and it is in vmu to expostulate upon the absurdity^, by eDtaig- ■ ing upon the heat it occasions in summer^ or the dirt and filth it harboors in winter- Yosa are told in return. ^* of its utility in prereBt- '^ ing injuries from fiintS;^ braises frosa ^' stones/* &c. this is the evident efect of instinctive otetinacy sind ignaraiiee^ trarjs* mitted from sii'e to son ; and is one of the Hiost palpable resisons that can be produced? for the frequent appearaoce and pnagre^ of this complaint^ whether proceeding ^ngiBailj^ from a hidden aceismolation of eKtem^ pas- tiness or internal impority. As I mean however to give the explana-- lion of this disease the face of noveltv* I »^haU hint only at the impossibility of remov- ing, from under the loads of hair jost de^ scribed, the quantity of dirt and extraneous matter that mtist inevitably lodge th^re^ and continue to aceumttlate^ without even a pro- bability of extirpation ; and proceed to ha- zard an opinion^ or perhaps a faet^ that the p?aportion of secreted perspirable matter. 102 GREASE/ making its efforts here (a^ elsewbere) for a natural discharge, is obsttucted by the mass of filth caked upon the surface, as before explained ; and becomes, in the course of time, too viscid and substantial to be again absorbed and carried into the circulation. This is palpably the state of the case ; and Nature, said by Bartlet to be deficient in her own office, is not so but upon com- pulsion ; the constant flow of perspirable inatter to the parts so evidently constructed, totally overpower every eftbrt of nature ; and, from the accumulation of matter, the vessels certainly become inadequate to the task of conveying treble the proportion for which they were intended : the extre- mities being by these means overloaded and distended, the contents not only become, from their stagnation, putrid and corrosive^ but at length, by their acrimonious quality, perforate the integuments in a foetid ichor ; ^nd, by ^ particular sharpness in its cuta- neous oozing, gives a callosity or hardness to the edges of the apertures, small as they are, constituting, in this disease^ a greater or less degree of inveteracy, according to the state and temperament of the bJood at the time of attacK-o GREASE. 103 The disorder having once made its appear- ance, Avill, in its progress, beyond every ad- iiiission of doubt, be almost entirely regulated by the favourable or unfavourable state of the habit, which must now be more minutely inquired into. But as it appears very little amongst horses of the first or second class, appropriated to either turf or field, and is confined chiefly to those before described, or such as are unluckily destined to a hard road, and a harder master, fall in for a much greater proportion of work than care ; I avail my- self of this additional observation to corro- borate any former assertion, or opinion, that this complaint frequently originates much more in the ill humours of the groom .than the HORSE ; to which the carelessness and inat- tention of the master does not sometimes a little contribute. But as an ancient adao;e instructs us to be- lieve ** There is no rule w^ithout exception/' so I am willing to admit the exception, and allow that a viscidity or tenacity in the blood may engendtY foulness ; and impurities may be produced by omitting to correct and purify acrimony on the one part;, gr a^ sluggish cohe^ 104 GREASE. sion on the other. Collections of matter may be formed, and are undoubtedly the efforts of NATURE to disburden herself of the morbid affection ; and she most wisely makes those efforts as remote as possible from the vital principle of action, and in the parts best qualified to bear the operation. Thus much produced to inculcate the doctrine of the disease, let us endeavour to establish (contrary to the custom of a cen- tury past) the most rational and less objec- tionable mode of obtaining relief in cases of so much pain and trouble. So soon as the attack is discovered, or the appearance of disease is ascertained, let blood be taken away, with a proper reference to the direc- tions given under that head : letting your quantity be proportioned to the size, state, and strength of your horse ; and so soon as the blood is cold, let an examination be made of its state, and proceed accordingly. If you find the blood is firmly coagulated with a small proportion of serum or liquid, that the crassamentum, or mass, is livid, with a coat of size or gelatinised matter upon the sur- face, you may immediately conclude there GREASE. 105 is too great a tenacity and adhesion in the BLOOD for the office of circulation through the smaller vessels ; and that such quality has contributed to the cause of obstruction under which the subject is discovered to labour. If the disease is in its earliest state, and does not seem to indicate rapid signs of inveteracy ; and the horse is not remarkably foul or out of condition, it may probably sub- mit to the mildest method of treatment: as for instance, let the parts affected be tvell washed once every day with soft water made warm, and plentifully impregnated with soap, so as to form a substantial lather ; wath which every defective or offensive spot should be most patiently rubbed, so as to clear the sur- face of all scurf, scabs, or indurated matter; then xvipe the parts gently dry with a linen cloth ; and so soon as well dried, wash where necessary with as much as is requisite of the following lotion : Take tincdire of myrrli and camphorated spirits of M'ine each one ounce ; Of best white wine vinegar and spring water, each two ounces. — Mix together. And when wxll dried in, slightly rub over i06 GREASE. with a small quantity of the following oint- ment : Take of white diacbjlon plaster three ounces, olive oil four ounces : melt together over the fire ; then keep stirring till cold, and mix upon a stone with three drachms of the sugar of Jead, first powder- ed very fine in a mortar. And let one of the following diuretic BALLS be given every other morning for a course of one dozen : but if the horse is evi^ dently gross in habit, and foul in excrement, this course must be preceded by two doses of physic, prepared according to his strength and condition, from some of those prescrib- ed under the directions for purging. See page 37. DIURETIC BALLS. Take of Castile, or best Bristol soap, twelve ounces ; Yellow rosin and nitre (in powdcif) each eight ounces ; Camphor (in powder) one ounce ; Oil of juniper, six drachms; Mix with as much sjrup or honey as required, and divide into a dozen balls, and roll up in liquorice •r aniseed powder. If the disease is farther advanced, and di$- GREASE. 107 plaj'S a palpable iiiveteracy? the parts conr- siderably enlarged, and the discharge both foetid in itself, and copious in quantity (the blood being; as before described) » bleed asain in four or five clays ; giving in two days, or three at most, one of the purging balls, adding of mercurius dukis (commonly called calomel) two drachms ; working' it off as be« fore described, and using every precaution to avoid cold : at the expiration of six clear days, repeat the purging ball, adding or di^ minishing (that is, changing the number), so as to render it effectual in respect to strenoth. In three days after the setting of which se- cond dose, begin a course of the above diu- retic BALLS, and let one be given every other morning for a fortnight, three weeks, or a month, as may be found necessary. The washing with the solittion of soap in warm water to be regularly and substantially repeated once every day ; the parts to be fomented after each washing with flannels dipped in a . hot decoction of camomile^ ivonmcoody marshmalloxcs, and rosemary^ for a quarter of an hour or more ; and this to be followed, if necessary, by the application of a POULTICE prepared with equal pkrts of lOa GREASE. Ti/emeal and oatmeal-, with garlic and wJiifc Uly root, of each two ounces ; both beat to a pastC;, and all mixed together to a proper consistence, with a part of the decoction prepared for tlie fomentation ; and then stir in a quarter of a pound of lard^ and apply as warm as may be with safety. On the contrary^ if circumstances should not be so severe as to require the poultice^ the following ointment may be plentifully applied after the fomentation (when rubbed dry) ; or, in worse cases, w^hen the poultice is left off Take ointment of elder four ounces ; Camphor, powdered and mollified witfi a littfe olive oil, six drachms ; Of liquid laudanum and extract of Saturn^ each two drachms ; Mix well together^ and keep close stopped for usc> But when the case is so obstinate as to bear no signs of submission either in a re- duction of the discharge, or a decrease of the swelling, let longitudinal and transverse sca^ rijications be made superficially with a fleam, in number and distance proportioned to tlie distention of the parts> (or inveteracy of ap- GREASE, 109 pearaiice), so as to insure a plentiful dis^ charge oi blood ?a\<\ snnies^ Immediately after the discharoe^ ^pply a poultice very ^varm, and sufficiently large to cover all the parts, compounded of the following ingredients. Take of coarse brown bread and boiled turnips equal parts, and mash well ov^r the fire ; adding a sufli« cient quantity of stale strong beer to give it a pro- per consistence; and stir in of best flour of mus- tard one ounce, turpentine two ounces, linseed powder three ounces, and lard six ounces, or suffi- cient to keep it from getting too stiff. This must be continued night and morn- ing till a change in appearance renders a s;a- riation of treatment necessary, regulating the use of purgatives or diuretics- by tlie face of the disease, and the discretion of the prescri^ her, farrier^ or groom ; adopting such choice of the various methods pointed out as may rationally appear most applicable to the state and changes of the subject. During the whole progress of cure, such proportion of gentle motion or exercise should be adopted as the nature and circumstances of the disease will bear ; and the horse, if at a proper sea- son of the year, be turned out to enjoy tlie no GREASE. advantages of gradual and voluntary motion, so soon as his state will admit, first observ* ing however mild or severe this disease may have been. So soon as the discharge has declined, its foetidity (or offensive smefl) is subdued, and the swelling totally subsided, the cure may be completed by well xcashing the parts with equal proportion of soap lees tiwA good vinegary once every day, occa- sionally moistening, with a small quantity oi the ointment before-mentioned, compound- ed of diachi/lon plaster, olive oil, and sugar of lead, page 106, Having treated largely upon that degvee of foulness termed grease, originating in a palpable combination of neglect and nasti- ness, strengthened by internal grossness and viscidity of blood, with the various methods of treatment adapted to each distinct stage of disease, let us revert to the same disease^ formed by a very distinct and separate cause, where, from the kind of horse and the care constantly taken, we are instantly convinced it must arise from an acrimonious state of the blood and juices, or an hereditarj^ reten- tion or taint from sire or dam. GREASE. ill In this case, the first step to cure must be the same as with the other ; that is, bleed to a proper quantity, according to the state of your subject; if he is fail oi flesh, high in condition, and has had no forced evacuations for a length of time, take sufficient in pro- portion to strength : if the symptoms are powerful and threaten obstinacy, give him a couple of the following purging balls six days apart ; the management being strictly regulated by the directions given under, the article of purging, page 36. Take succotrine aloes nine drachms; ^thiop's mineral half an ounce ; Castile soap and jalap of each two drachms ; Ginger one drachm ; Oil of juniper forty drops ; Sjrup of buckthorn sufficient to make the ball. If this proportion' does not purge quite so- much as desired, add another drachm of aloes ; if on the contrary, it is thought to relax too much, take off a drachm of the jalap. In four days after the last dose, begin with one of the fqllowing balls, and repeat it everyi morning for fifteen days, three weeks, or a month, as the urgency or mildness of the case may require. 112 GREASE. Take of antimony finely levigated, sulphur, nitre, and JEthiop's mineral, each three ounces; Castile soap ten ounces ; Oil of juniper three drachms ; Syrup of honey sufficient to make the mass, which divide into a dozen balls, rolling them in li- quorice or aniseed powder. This disease has been so fully explained, and every method of cure so minutely enter- ed into, that the reader can be at no loss for farther instructions under this head, having such a variety of prescriptions to assist his endeavours, if he will but industriously exert his judgment on the occasion. And this in fact becomes necessary even in its earliest state ; for, by remaining long un- corrected, it soon assumes a degree of viru- lence, particularly in subjects remarkably foul and out of condition ; occasioning a greater portion of trouble and inconvenience than can possibly happen in almost any other disease. To obviate this difficulty, and counteract the tendency as much as pos- sible, such hints will be found in tlie Ap- pendix respecting the management of draft horses, as taken into consideration and pro- GREASE. 113 perly attended to, may, in a great measure, reduce the number constantly labouring under this distemper; many of whom, by neglect and injudicious treatment, are doom- ed to perpetual punishment, and relinquish- ed as incurable. T©L. I ( 114 ) CLxiSS III. HIDEBOUND, SURFEIT, MANGE, AND FARCY. HIDEBOUND, Is a subject that has hitherto been very little treated of, and by no means at all sa- tisfactorily. It has been attributed to many causes ; but from every observation I have been able to inake, I must confine it to few. The signs are, a want of flexibility in the skin, which is pervaded by a general stiffness that seems to form an entire adhesion to the flesh, without the least partial separation or distinction. There is a kind of dusky scurf, plainly perceived underneath the hair, that raises it up in different parts ; and, giving it;, another hue, the coat in many places forms an appearance of two or three colours ; con- veying, even in this trifling circumstance, a HIDEBOUND. 115 'Very forcible idea of poverty mhot\\ food and raiment. The horse is generally languid, dull, heavy, and weak ; his excrement is dark, foul, and offensive ; he sweats much upon very moderate exertions ; then his coat stares, the hair turns different ways (which in its effluvia is disagreeable), and affords evident proof of weakness and debilitation. The cause requires very little animadver- sion, and it bears the face oi poverty (in food and attention) upon every trait of its coun- tenance. Bad food and want of stable care are, in ge- neral, the only probable reasons that can be assigned for this complaint, or defect. Long lank grass in low swampy land in autumn, and musty hay or bad oats at any season, may in some degree allay the hunger, but not gratify the appetite ; for, being in itself destitute of the effect and quality of superior food, no nutritiv^e contribution can be con- veyed for the generation of blood or forma- tion of fiesh. The sources for the supply of chyle being thus obstructed, the lymphatics are deprived of their due proportion of nu- tritive fluid that should pass through theie I 2 116 HIDEBOUND^ smaller vessels, and they become not only in some measure contracted, but in a great de- gree inactive, which, with the want of pro- per external care and dressing, contribute to an almost universal obstruction of the cuta- neous pores. These, from the preternatuml debihtation of the general system, are com- pulsively thrown open upon the most mo- derate exercise, when a horse that is (from excellent food, care, and attention) in what is termed good condition, will not display the least moisture upon his skin, even in undergoing a much greater proportion of fatigue. Thus much is introduced to prove its ex- istence as an original complaint, probably caused bv these means, when abstracted from its consideration as a symptomatic atten- dant upon any other. And when that is really the case, by effectually removing the, cause, the effect will cease ; or, in other words, cure the disease on which it is atten- dant, and you will of course get rid of its concomitant likewise. In respect to its cure^ very little instruction will be ne essary, for (under judicious management) it is hardly ' HIDEBOUND. 117 entitled to the appeilation of disease^ being in fax:t no more than a temporary inconve-^ nience. Therefore, by way of affording some little change to the circulation of the blood, take away a small quantity, and in three or four hours after, increase its impetm by a mash of malt, oats, and bran, equal parts; continuing it every night for a fort- night, stirring in two ounces of flour of brim- stone every other night; giving his other feeds (morning and noon) equal parts of oats and bran, with half a pint of old beans in each, to prevent relaxing the body too much by the mashes. To give this method of cure some certairity of success, regular and sub- stantial dressing, air, exercise, sc^nd oats, sweet hay, and good soft water, will greatly contribute. And when by these means he has visibly improved in hide, coat, and con- dition, let him have twice in the week a brushing gallop, to produce a tolerable sweat anci enliven the circulation ; taking great care not to let him stand still till he is perfectly cool ; when his dressing should be thoroughly gone through with attention, care, and per- severance, every night and morning. If this ?3iethod should be aviattended with success. lia SURFEIT. there must be some unknown cause lurkin? behind ; in which case go through a mild course of physic, feeding well between the doses, or a re^rular administration of diure-s tics, as described in the last class. SURFEIT. This word has been the constant friend and frequent resource of all country farriers, and may, with great truth, be termed '' The *r Farrier's Vade Mecum,'* abridged to a word of two syllables, for the convenience of tech- nical explanation and vulgar comprehension. For certainly so soon as a cutaneous erupr tion appears, indicating an acrimonious state of the blood, or degeneracy of habit, it is (with a wonderful degree of sagacity, and almost incredible penetration) confidently pronounced '' A SURFEIT ;" but what a surfeit .iH\ unless, as Captain h Brush,^ in the Register Office, defines chaos to be '*~ a sort *' of— , a kind of 'd— -chaos-,'' the}^ silently acknowledge they cannot telL And what makes it more unfortunate for them is, that Baktlet, the great '^ god of their idolatry,'* to^ whom they look for every information. SURFEIT. 119 omitted to give them the least clue by which they might gloss their ignorance, ^' For/' says he, in toto, '^ surfeits arise from various ^^ causes : but are commonly the effects of ^^ some diseases not attended to, or that have ^' been ill cured." Whether this can be called an elucidation, or is entitled to the compliment of " multiun in parvo^'' I leave to the discerning; reader anxious for instruc- tion ; and gladly submit to his impartial de- cision alone, ^whether we are not likely to deriv^e greater gratification to our inquiries from a more minute investigation- As the abovementioned writer has been sndulgingly concise, another has been most iedioiisly prolix, who, after taking a trip through almost every jblnown disease, feeling for the cause, plainly tells you, '^ it may *' originate in all or any ; but it most com- ^^ monly proceeds from a horse's constantly '' feeding till he can feed no longer/' We thank him heartily for such very useful m« formation ; and proceed tt) our own part of the task, but not without the necessary com- pliment of making one observation upon his: that il is very natural to suppose a 120 SURFEIT. horse constantly supplied with food, even to satiety, must be fat (at least in tolerable condition), whereas, on the contrary, it is universally seen, that horses labouring un- der tlie disease known by the appellation of SURFEIT, are generally jpoor. There is no rational unprejudiced man living who will not most cheerfully subscribe his opinion to a fair investi^atiau and de- monstration of TRUTH, rather than every /a/- lacious conjecture that may be forcibly seized upon by a PObT-HASTE author, impatient to arriv^e at the goal of his undertaking Of SURFEITS then there are two kinds, orififinating from different causes, one bein^ no more than a very advanced stage of the case last described *. which being long ne^ glected, continues to increase, with all its symptoms before mentioned, till the entire mass of blood being at last affected, displays itself upon the surface of the body with a degree of virulence that forcibly appeals to the sensations of the owner ; and necessity^ by the plea of self-interest, prompts him to yield, in his own defence, what the dictates SURFEIT. 121 of humanity had in vain endeavoured to obfaia. This I consider one embellishment of tlie Far- rier's abstruse abridi>;ment ; to which I shall add one additional definition of this disease, that has for ages occasioned infinite looks of surprizey and exertions of wisdo??i, when invoking the interposition of Minerva or Somnus, to elucidate a matter that even their IMMACULATE Bartlet did not condescend to explain. And as his great predecessor (who he has most incessantly and implicitly copied), after ringing the changes upon ^hnost EVERY disease, fixed his opinion of the cause upon ** immoderate feeding;'* I shall avail myself of the privilege afforded me in the ancient adage of '' Doctors differ,'* and declare I attribute the cause to hard DRINKING. And althou_,h he declined sav- ing much in favour of his opinion, I shall not omit to advance a tliesis in confirmatioa ofMIJSE. The kind of surfeit differing from tiie former in cause, but very little in efcct, is that kind where, from ignorance, intoxication, or inat- tention, a horse is suffered to drink immodc^ rately of cold water, when in a violent perspi^ 122 SURFEIT. ration^ and the blood consequently in the liio'hest decree of circulation. The shock nature sustains by this revulsion will be instantly conceived, even by a mind not at all accustomed to search into the ab- struse recesses of nature. The blood, in its greatest velocity, is so instantaneously checked by the styptic influence of tlie frigid element, and the sudden contraction of the solids, that the crassamentum, or balsamic part of the blood, becomes immediately thickened and inflamed, separating itself from the serum or watery part, which (being, from the inflammatory particles, impregnat- ed with its portion of acrimony) extrava- sates itself; and, by an effort of nature, is propelled to the skin for transpiration, where the pores (having been instantly collapsed at the time of the water's taking effect) are ^ so closely obstructed, that its passage to the surface is 'dh<>o\wie\y prevented and rendered impracticable. Thus fixed, it becomes united with the perspirable matter already confined there (forming a morbid combination), and is, in the course of time, compelled by the progress of internal inflammation to make SURFEIT. 123 its way through the skin; upon which it at last appears in a variety of forms and dif- ferent SYMPTOMS, assuming distinct degrees of malignancy, according to the state^ habit ^ and constiiiUion of the subject at the time of attack. This being the exact physical demon- stration and regular process of the disease, the indications of cure aptlv arise from our in- vestigation. For instance, to resolve the inflammatory crudities, remove cutaneous obstructions, correct the acrimonious state of the blood, and gently quicken the circu- lation. The better to effect these, take away a moderate portion of blood, that the im- petus may be encouraged ; open the body with a few re/Y/r;;? mashes \ and, according to the mildness or inveteracy of its appearance, give (as the case requires) either two or three of the following purging balls, allowing sufficient time between each dose, and ex- erting more than usual precaution to avoid cold, on aceouut of the mercurial prepara- tion contained in its composition ; though it is not only remarkably gentle in the opera- tion, but small in quantity, and may be 124 SURFEIT. administered with the greatest safety and effect : Take barbadoes aloes one ounce ; Jalap (in powder) and Mercurius dulcis, alias calomel, each two drachms ; Castile soap, and ginger (in powder) of each one drachm ; Syrup of buckthorn sufficient to make the ball. After the course oi physic is regularly gone through, and properly conducted, kt strict attention be paid to the very necessary dim rections of food, dressing, water, &c. giveu under the last article of '^ hidebound ; and in three days after the last dose of physic begin the following course of alterna-t TivEs, persevering for a month with unre-^ mitting punctuality, if you wish to succeed in the acquisition of events fully enumerated in the indications of cure : Takk of antimony levigated, and sulphur, each half a pound ; ^thiop's mineral and cream oif tartar,^ each four ounces. Mix well together, and divide into twelve equal parts of two ounces each, giving one every night with ihe feed of corn ; which being first sprinkled with water, will retain the powders and insure their consumption. Two ounces of nitre must be givci^ MANGE. 125 every morning in a pail of soft water, and contintt- ed during the whole time ot giving the powders. Should any trifling eschars, scabs, or excoriations, prove obstinate upon any part of the body, they may be washed with equal parts of lye (procured from the soap-boilers) and lime- water. After a re- gular continuation of the alK)ve proportions, should DO considerable advantages appear, the doses must _ be gradually increased of each, from two ounces to two and an half; and in another week to three ounces for each dose, of both the composition and the nitre. MANGE. This distemper is so universally known, that a general description of its most predo- minant features would be a very indifferent compliment both to the time and under- standing of the reader ; suffice it therefore to say, a mere superficial view of it instantly conveys to the spectator a very strong idea of general wretchedness. For surely nothing can convey it stronger than exhausted na- ture sinking under a complication of disease and poverty. And in this case so true it is '' one misfortune seldom comes alone,'* tliat the latter seems in combination to go hand in hand with this distemper wherever it makes an appearance. And as a proof of 126 ■ MANGE. the truth in this observation, it is very Httie seen amongst horses of any estimation : on the contrary, is ahnost entirely confined to the lower class of stables and proprietors. It it observed to fall chiefly upon those that have been almost stramrers to the taste of oatSy and are kept entirely on t^.e refuse of provender, barren pasture, musty hay, sepa-^ rated hay-bands, sxvanipy mossy ground, or rw^Ay moors ; from all which nature may re- ceive a wretched existence, but cannot be furnished with support \ at least the support necessary to contribute nutritive juices for the constant healthy subsistence of so large a frame. From this mode of living (or rather starvincr) orii>;inates so severe and inveterate a disease ; the economy and law of nature demonstrates it to a certainty, and renders farther animadversions upon the subject tedious and unnecessary: For the blood being by this barren contribution robbed of what it was by nature intended to receive, be- comes impoverished even to a degree of incre- dibility (by those who are unacquainted with the system of repletion and circulation) ; it loses its tenacity and balsamic adhesive quality. MANGE., 127 degenerating to au acrid serous vapour that acquires malignity by its preternatural sepa- ration from its original corrector. Thus ex- travasated and unrestrained, its^ morbid qEqcIs it -and virulence soon display themselves upon the surface, with a severe and constant ir- uiTATioN or itching; to allay which the poor beast is eternally exerting himself in perpetual rubbings, till with those, and the loss of hair from the different parts, he bears the universal appearance of approaching ex- coriation. In this predicament it has been the constant practice to get rid of one devil by the application of many ; for instance, quicksilver, aquafortis, oil of vitriol, corrosive mercury, spirit of turpentine, sulphur ofvivum, sal ammoniac, tar, train oil, and all the com-- •bustibles that could well be invented for the support of an everl2Lsting co7i^a^ratio7i in the lower regions. Without enlarging upon this desperate- mode of PRACTICE, I shall only acknow- ledge it brings to my memory a passage from that justly celebrated writer, who says *' Where the greater malady is, the lesser is not felt." And I naturally conclude from the purport 128 MANGE. of this sentence, their 7node of practice was adopted to extirpate an itching by a course of cauterization ; and there is no doubt but a poor devil would feel very little uneasiness from a cutaneous irritation when burning alive with a combination of the most powerful CAUSTICS. That these PRESCRIP- TIONS were in full practice upon the prin- ciple of ^' kill or cure/' no one will deny ; for, as Gibson says, when he speaks of the internal administration of corrosive mercury, or other poisons, *^ the horse must have a ** very strong constitution to recover it :'* and I will, in opposition to the confidence and self-sufficiency of any farrier in the kingdom, declare the above course of unc- tion (and extreme unction it certainly is) hath sent more HORSE-FLESH to the different do^'kennels than the disease itself. That the poor distressed and emaciated subjects may in future be in some decree rescued from such a dreadful scene of unmerited misery and PERSECUTION, such methods ^v^ pointed out as will certainly eradicate the disease, with proper attention and punctuality, unless it has been suffered, by a long and neglected continuance, to assume a degree oiiyiveteracy ; MANGE. 129 if so, and the horse is not of great vahie, I will venture to hazard an Iricism, and assure the owner that the most merciful, certain, and least expensive CURE, will be by instantly cutting his throat, or shooting him throuo'h the head. '&■ The first step to be taken is a constant supply of WARM ?nashes, prepared with half malt and half bran ; or equal parts of oafs and bran, with four ounces of honey dissolved in each : let these be given night and morning, with a feed of dry corn every day at noon. During this treatment (which must be con- tinued a week, to sheath the acrimony and soften the rigidity of the skin) give one ounce of sulphur in each mash, and one ounce of nitre in water every night and morn- ing. In a week or ten days, when the frame becomes more invigorated, discontinue the mashes, and let the diet be changed to good oats and ^weet hay ; giving, in the morning and evening feeds, one of the following POWDERS intermixed with the corn, first sprinkled with water : Take sulphur and prepared antimony, of each a pound ; rub well together in a mortar, and divide in twent j- four equal parts : VOL. I. K 130 MANGE. Or, Antimony levigated, and sulphur, of each twelve ounces ; Liver of antimony and cream of tartar eiich half a pound. — Mix well together, and divide into twenty-four equal parts, and let them be given as above directed. Upon first taking the subject in hand, and previous to the commencement of the mashes, 'procure a pail of warm water and a quarter of a pound of soft soap (tied up in a linen rag) ; and witli this let every infected part be thoroughly washed and cleansed; by form- ing a substantial lather, so that no scurf or filth remains upon the surface ; then rub tenderly dry with a coarse cloth or separated haybands ; and on the following morning begin to rub a necessaiy portion of this OINTMENT, and repeat itfor seven, ten days, or a fortnight, (as the urgency of symptoms may require) upon every part affected. Take of the weak mercurial ointment half a pound ; Sulphur vivum four ounces ; White hellebore (in powder) three ounces ; Black pepper (in powder) and oil of tartar, each onfe ounce ; Olive oil as much as is necessary to make It sufRciently soft. FARCY. 131 Continue the use of the powders before mentioned, with the nitre also, for three weeks or a month ; and so soon as it is con- ceived by the horse's condition he is in a state to bear it, take away a moderate por- tion of blood, and give him afterwards two very mild doses of phi/ sic, selected from the prescriptions under the article of purging, and Uiis will be the more necessary, for reasons that cannot require the least explanation. FARCY. I MUST confess, I have heard, seen, and read less, to prove satisfactory, upon this distemper than any other to which the horse is subject. Every writer has described the symptoms, but no author, farrier, or groom, has ascertained the cause. Their opinions upon the subject forming a very great simili- tude to Scrub's allusion in the comedy, where he says ^' Some say one thing, and '' some say another ; but, for my part, I be- ** lieve he's a Jesuit/' This is strictly the state of the case with the farcy ; some at-» tribute it to one cause, some to another ; most declare it a bad cause, and all acknow- 132 FARCY. ledge the '' fault" (as usual) to be in the blood. That they are right must be admitted ; and that they are so is the less extraordinary, when a very superficial survey of the case will evidently prove it would be a difficult t^sk to be wrono\ One author crives us many pages replete with figurative descrip- tions, and runs through the whole animal mechanism to demonstrate the cause very clearly, but unluckily never draws nearer the point than to prove what a writer of more modern authority learnedly tells us in tivo lines, that '' the true FARCY is properly a '^ distemper of the blood vessels, which ge- '' nerally follows the track of the veins/* What infinite satisfaction must it afford every reader, to be informed from the foun- tain head of instruction, that '' the blood *' vessels generally follow the track of the '' veins 1*' Anxious for information, and open to conviction, I receive the intellioence with gratitude ; and, although my retentive fa- culties are deceptive and imperfect, I shall exert their utmost influence to preserve, in high esteem, so excellent a monitor ; making FARCY, 133 no doubt but it will prove highly satisfactory to the CURIOUS to be informed they need not look for a distemper of the blood vessels in the '' TRACK" of the intestines. But to pursue this vein of irony no farther, and come to the subject in discussion, let it be observed that, from the beginning of this class, we have had occasion to EN- LARGE so much upon the acrimony, visci- dity , putridity, and tenacity of the blood, under the separate articles of hidebound, sur- feit, and MANGE, it is but natural to con- clude the intelligent reader is by this time enabled to form a competent judgment of its circulation, qualities, dispositions, and ef- fects ; from rules so clear and explanatory, the system is absolutely reduced to the most minute demonstration, and cannot possibly be misunderstood. Every reader being by these means put into possession of such reasons as may tend to form his own opinion, perhaps it may be the most prudent to say nothing peremp- torily decisive upon the matter, but intro^ duce my opinion, leaving each observer open to an exertion of his own judgment, to which lU FARCY. of the three preceding distempers this is allied ; or wliether it bears the least simi- litude to the severity of the whole. It would be a very indifferent compliment to the pa- tience of the enlightened reader to repeat the technical jargon that was unavoidably ne- cessary to explain the original causes of grease, hidebound^ surfeit^ or mange. An hy- pothetical explanation of the nature and origin of this complaint would be to go over the same ground, introducing the same law of nature in the system of circulation ; the conveyance of chyle by the lymphatics or small vessels for the generation of blood, the partial coagulation of the crassamentum, and its consequent effects ; as obstruction, pu- trefaction, and the appearances that follow upon different parts of the body, or in gene- ral over the whole. That this disease has its different stages or degrees of mahgnity, according to the ^tate^ habit, bloody age, keep, and condition of the horse, is certain ; but ge- nerally that circumstance is misunderstood, and the different degrees of the distemper are supposed to constitute distinct kinds of the same disease. That the distemper originates in an inflam- FARCY. 135 matory state of blood in the first instance, gradually increasing to the greatest pitch of acrimony, and affecting the system by de- grees, till the whole mass is corrupted, is too evidently clear to admit of a doubt. The gradual and general affection of the frame may be easily reconciled to any comprehen- sion, by the idea of a single spark of iire aivins: life to a combination of corabustiblesi that soon constitute a general flame. To say the FARCY is, or can be long partial to any particular spot, is a very ridiculous suppo- sition ; for although the attack may be iocal (the cause being inflammatory), it must soon be universal from the very nature of the cir- , culation. Certain solid parts of the body may be individually affected by infiamina- tion, but we naturally infer, from a know- ledge of the circulation, one part of the bSood cannot imbibe a temporary affection without a speedy communication to the whole. If, as it ha.s been, before observed, *' the '' Farcy is a distemper of the blood vessels,'* J cannot indulge a momentary doul>i: but jiuch distemper in the vessels mus^ have re- ceived the full force of disease from the acri- 136 PARCY. monious state of the blood itself; which, by- its accumulating force and morbid pun* gency, soon exceeds the bounds prescribed by nature, making its way to the surface, by a corrosion of the vessels in which it was contained. The coat is raised in different parts (as they become affected) with variouj^ small prominences, bearing the appearance of bunches of berries, branching off in di- rect uniformity with the veins. Soon after their appearance they are generally covered with a small scab or eschar, which, as they advance to maturation, peel off, and the pustules discharge a sharp serous ichor, or a gelatinous, adhesive, putrid matter, forming ulcers of a more or iess inveterate appear- ance, according to the degree of disease. Previous to the present improved and ra- tional system of cure, it may be applicable to introduce one of the promised observa- tions upon the dangerous and almost ob- solete practice of others, or rather the most cruel experiments and infernal persecutions that were ever invented, or could be sup- posed to enter into the mind of man for the prevention or cure of disease. In the last FARCY- 137 article treated on we produced a tolerabk system of cruelty ; but in the farcy (as a more perplexing disease and greater excite- ment to judgment or madness) we have FIRE UPON FIRE, or effectual cauterization treble refined. As they advanced in danger they increased in courage; and adhering invariably to the general intention of "kill or cure'' they dealt about them with the fire of Alars and the strength of Hercules. Beoan with oil of vitriol and oil of turpentine ; then euphor- bium, hellebore, quicksilver, oil of origanum, double aquafortis, and to sum up the whole scene of consistency^ made open passages with small hot irons, and touched with oil of vitriol or aquafortis ; or opening the buds, put in a small quantity of corrosive mercury, arsenic, or Roman vitriol and sublimate, equal quan- tities. '^Bnt,'' says the writer, *' let it be *' remembered, that many a horse has been *^ poisoned by these medicines ignorantly used, ^^ and in too large quantities/* This very acknowledgment (for which I confess I am under infinite obligations) will serve to cor- roborate my former assertions-^^that some 138 FARCY. SYSTEM has long been necessary to rescue this most useful and suffering animal FROM STABULARIAN IGNORANCE, AND EMPIRICAL CONFIDENCE. Can it be supposed, will reason or reflec- tion for a moment support the idea, that the most severe and burning caustics, very little short of actual fire, were ever calculated, when laid on by loads, to rectify the blood, or to promote an incarnation of the flesh } It must create astonishment in every mind calm by time, or cool "'by experience, that men have lived, who, from a want of know^ ledge in the properties of medicines, could so prostitute their uses ; or others prove so weak as to transmit that prostitution to pos- terity 1 But so deeply has the injurious and dangerous system taken root among the illi- terate, who stick to a rustic maxim never to be obliterated, that '' old laws, old times, " old songs, and old books, are best,'' and consequently fly to the latter upon every occasion ; in whose instructions they have so much faith, and to whose contents they pay such implicit obedience, that the verij DEVIL, however great his influence be ia FARCY. 139 other respects, will never prevail upon that class to change their system. That MERCURIALS and antimonlials in-* ternally^ with necessary and occasional caus- tics externaUij , will (dictated by jadgment, and proportioned with discretion) work wonders, experience and indefatigable at- tention from men of the most extensive abi- lities have sufficiently proved. But the abundant, unlimited, and injudicious appli- cation of such destructive /?(;/^o/25, either ex- ternally or internally, no reason can justify, or prudence direct. And what confirms it a danger of still greater magnitude is, the pre- dominant desire to increase the doses and applications, upon a most contemptible but very common supposition ; '' if a small or *' even a moderate dose does much, a lar^^e *^ one will certainly do a oreat deal more.'* o The very frequent application of caustics and repellents is a custom evidently too ab- surd to require animadversion. Every com- mon observer must instantly perceive the folly of repelling a morbid and malignant putrid matter to be again absorbed into the circulation, at the very time nature has ar- 140 FARCY. rived at the critical effort of relieving herself from the morbid affection or preternatural load with which she is oppressed. To pre- vent therefore a misconception, let it be once for all understood, that in diseases of the blood or juices, however externals may oc- casionally alleviate as au;siliaries, the very fountain of relief must take its course from the effect of medicines internally adminis- tered. But sorry I am to believe, and have every reason to declare, penury on the one side, and a want ot common humanity on the other, has in general countenanced and pro- moted the burning practice formerly adopt- ed ; a few ounces of oil of vitriol, turpen- tine, aquafortis, or red-hot iron, being, in the difference of expense, much more appli- cable to the constitution of the POCKET than a regular course of alterativ^es. These observations being made to point out the danger and deter the practice, more than to condemn the authors, who, to their exculpation be it remembered, wrote in times of less refinement ; I shall conclude them for this class with one REMARK — That w^here the cure is not to be effected by the course of bleeding, purging^ mercurials^ antimo- FARCY. 141 nials, and alteratives, hereafter described, I perfectly coincide in opinion with a writer before quoted, who says, '' When the dis- *' ease is so inveterate as to resist every appli- *' cation, that the symptoms not only con- *^ tinue predominant, but evidently increase, '' it is incurable/' And to this information I suspect he meant (but omitted to recom- mend what I now most heartily do,) the putting a period to a scene of pain and mi- sery, by taking away a life that every degree of assiduity and effort of art cannot render worthy preservation. In respect to cure, upon the very earliest appearance take away blood in quantity as before described, and after so doing attend minutely to the quality, which circumstance will enable you to form a very decisive judg- ment how soon, and to what proportion, the subject will bear this evacuation, should it again be necessary ; for, according to the extra proportion of the crassameiitum (or coa^ gulum), and the size (or gelatinized substance upon the surface), with the disproportion of the serum, or watery part, it may be very readily ascertained how much the blood is certaiuly above or befow the standard of me- 142 FARCY. .1' diocrity necessary for the absolute preser- VATioN of health. If the horse is in a hi2:h state of condition, and full of flesh, give him mashes through the day of bleeding, and the next ; on the following morning let this purg^ i?i2; ball be ^iven : Take succotrine aloes ten drachms ; Of calomel and jalap (in powder) each two drachms; Ginger and oil of aniseed each a drachm ; Sjnip of bnckthora of roses sufhcieiit to form the ball. Let it be carefully attended to, and work- ed off as specified under the direction for purging. If the physic works favourably, and sets well, let his feed (if his appetite is keen), for four clear days, be plentiful ; and on the fifth, or sixth at forthest, repeat his purging ball, conducting the operation as be- fore» If the distemper has attacked him with violence, or makes rapid progress, a third dose must be given in like manner; on the contrary, if the disease is mild and early discovered, the two may do. In two days after you course of physic is completed, begin upon the following aiitimonial alteratives , assisted by a regular administration of nitre; both being continued a month without the most trifling intermission ; FARCY. 143 Take of prepared antimony one pound ; Common sulphur twelve ounces ; Cream of tartar eight ounces ; Cinnabar of antimony six ounces. Incorpomte well in a mortar, and divide into hcenty equal parts, giving one every night in the corn, first sprinkling with water to insure its adhesion ; give two ounces of nitre in the water every morning, at which time he will generally drink it with the greater avidity, as being most thirty. This proportion is meant for the distemper in its mildest state ; when the buds or swelling, upon their first appearance, may be w^ell washed with the following lotion twice every day: Take extract of Saturn two ounces ; Camphorated spirits of wine eight ounces; Distilled vinegar a pint ; Mix well together and keep close stopped for use. Should the distemper be in a more ad- vanced or inveterate stage, bleeding should he repeated, in proper time, between the physic, in a moderate degree ; and upon the scabs or eschars peeling from the buds, with a degree of inveterate malignity, wash them well occasionally with the following : 144 FARCY. Take corrosive mercury two drachms, dissolve in half a pint of Briiihh brandy; then add of white wine •vinegar a pint ; half a pint of spring water, and two ounces of tinciure of myrrh ; shaking well to- gether. Or, Take sugar of lead and white vitriol each an ounce ; Distilled vinegar and spring water each one pint; Styptic tincture three ounces. — Mix together. Should the ulcers continue foul, and their edges become callous, very small quanties of the strong mercurial ointment must be gently rubbed into the centre of the most inveterate, once in three or four days, cleans- ing them occasionally with one of the washes before mentioned. In this case one of the following mercurial alterative balls must be given regularly every morning for a month, or longer if necessary ; altering your pro- portion of nitre to three ounces, which must, in the arrangement of this course, be given in the water every evening, upon the visible necessity of introducing your ball in the mornins^ : Take iEthiop's mineral four ounces ; Of milk, of brimstone, prepared antimony, cream of tartar, and cinnabar of antimony, each five ounces. FARCY. 145 Honey sufficient to make a mass ; divide in^o a dozen equal balls, and roll up in liquorice or aniseed powder. These remedies are founded upon a sys- tem of certainty to effect all that alteratives can do; and are directed in such proportions as may be given with the greatest safety, and calculated to bear some additions to tlieir more active ingredients, at the discretion of the prescriber, should an unexpected resist- ance render it necessary. And upon the in- troduction of such additions, and a perse- verance in the alteration for a proper length of time, should the whole mass prove so vi- rulently corrupted as to display no sign of submission to such treatment, there can be no doubt but death would put a very desir- able period to the business, and had much better be solicited than rejected. *^* For a singular case and ciircj see Supplement. TOL. I. ( 145^ ) CLASS IV. WOUNDS, ULCERS, FISTULA, AND POLL EVIL. WOUNDS Are a species of injury to which horses are not only perpetually liable, but of so many different kinds, and requiring such f arious modes of treatment, {according to the cause, appearance, situation, depth, and state of the wound, or habit of the subject) that, to' enumerate the whole, with all pos- sible or probable circumstances, would be to write a volume on the article alone; which is certainly entitled to every degree oi atten-- tion and instruction, from the simple and com- plex cases that so frequently occur. And though it may naturally be supposed that wounds of size, depth, or danger, must con- sequently come under the immediate care WOUNDS. 147 / and inspection of the operative farrier^ whose judgment or experience should direct him upon all cases of emergency, as time Ivili not admit of reference to books ; and even \tith such assistance, much more will depend upon bis experimental dexterity, or expertuess in manual operation, than any in-** formation he may derive from literary in- struction when a sudden exertion of judg- ment or fortitude is immediately necessary. WotJNDS may be divided into such a va- riety, that to enumerate the list of probabi- lities would be to encounter the work of an age, and serve more to peiplex than enlighten those not altogether adequate to the task of defining technical terms or professional de- scriptions. To enlarge upon every probable means by which a wound may be received^ and from the variety of weapons, or stable instruments, is an absolute impracticability ; we will therefore " take up the mangled matter at the best,'' and endeavour, by a very fair and extensive explanation, to give such DIRECTIONS as shall enable the prof es^ iional superintendant ^ or occasional assistant^ to form a proper idea of the business, and make l2 148 WOUNDS. such effectual applications as may prevent the necessity of calling in extra assistance, or running into any extremes of practice not xcarranfed by reason or justified by ne- cessity. ■ Finding how very difficult it is to describe the multiplicity of wounds that may pro- bably occur, and the many changes to which they are liable, I shall be studiously atten- tive to inculcate such information and direc- tions as will, I am induced to believe, ex- culpate me from the accusation of treating the subject worse than it deserves. In all wounds the dam>;er is greatest, or the cure most difficult, where large bloodves- sels are separated, the tendons injured, or the xVCixX parts affected. The regular process of nature constituting the cure of wounds, is the suppression of blood, the subsequent di- gestion, or discharo'e of matter, the incar- nation or tilling up Avith flesh, and the cica- trization or skinning over. To effect the ^V^^, if the injury sustained has separated anv blood vessel of sufficient magnitude to produce a hirmorrhage or bleeding of conse- WOUNDS. 149 quence, let the mouth be taken up, by pass- ing a proper needle underneath, furnished with a waxed thread, and made fast accord- ing to art or professional knowledge. The person, whose immediate province it is to execute this task, should, nd doubt, be am- ply furnished with the necessary apparatus, (as a variety of needles both crooked and straight) ready provided for the faculty by every instrument-maker in London, This operation depends so much upon pro^ fe^Hional skill and experimental practice^ that it is in vain to enlarge upon a subject, to com- prehend which would require an entire knowledge of the blood vessels, an acquisi- tion only to be obtained by theoretical study and practical experience. When the mouths of the bleeding vessels are obscured, or so surrounded with soft parts that it is impossible to secure the orifice by the assistance of the needle, (which must be absoUitely accomplished if an artery is sepa- rated) applij immediately a pledget of lint or tow, plentifully impregnated with tincture of myrrh. Friar s hahamy or camphorated spirits ; relying in tliis instance upon th(2 advantage 150 WOUNDS. and safety of a bandage (judiciously adapted^ and properly applied) as much as the me- dical efficacy of styptic applications. NA- TURE in this business (as in most others) is, in a great degree, adequate to her own work ; ^nd will, by the very balsamic pro- perty of the blood, do more in nine super- ficial cases out of ten, than a long list of ill-f formed unguents, reported to have effected the most miraculous cures. In addition to this circumstance it must be remembered, that a speedy cure depends upon bringing the edges of the wound into early contact, which should (particularly if the case is alarming) be immediately performed, by tak- ing up the necessary stitches at proper dis- tances (according to circumstances and dis-* cretion) with such needles as the case may- require ; an operation so very trifling, that it may be most readily executed by any per-- son not at all proficient in the practice, should an emergency render such exertion unavoidably necessary. Taking great care, in large zvounds, not to draw the edges too close to each other, and hazard the breaking out of the stitches, or bringing on an inflam- mation by an accumulation of confined mat-r WOUNDS. 151 ter, ill not leaving sufficient room for a pro- per digestion. But in general, where the edges are expeditiously secured and brought into tolerable contact, the wound is very little trouble ; the soft parts unite favourably by the adhesive quality of the blood, and the cicatrix is speedily formed, without applica- tion to the elaborate preparations of art. In cases of this kind the dressings should not be taken off in less than eight-and-forty hours ; and, if a large wound, (where the bleeding was difficult to suppress) not less than three days, unless the part has begun to digest, and a perceptible discharge is come on ; or the parts surrounding the wound are very much inflamed ; in which case the following mild POULTICE may be applied : Take of bread and barley-meal equal parts ; Goulard's vege to- mineral water sufficient to make it of a proper consistence ; and add Lard four or six ounces, at least enough to keep it jBufficientlj moist. Let this be renewed twice every day till the swelling or inflammation subsides, and the wound bes;ins to digest or dischar^^e fa- vourably. 152 WOUNDS. To make the Vegeto-IMineral Wateh. T/. K p. extract of S itiirn one ounce ; Campliorafefl spirits of wine two ounces ; Mix together, and add of* rain or river water one quart. So soon as the swelling subsides, and tlie woand begins to display favourable signs of digestion, dress with the foUovving, which may, with >ut more mention, be always un- derstood as the ijeneral stable digestive oint^ menf, and is thus prepared : Take olive oil one pint ; Yellow wax ml black rosin each four ounces ; Burg ;e vessels are affected. For most superficial wounds, or simple lacera- WOUNDS. 153 tions, proceeding froui what cause soever, may in general be very soon niacie perfectly sound, by a single application of the tincture or balsam befoi'e mentioned ; or equal parts of camphorated spirits and vineoar, banda^yino- up properly, aiul not opening for some day s^ that the mouths of the vessels may be sulfi- ciently constiinged and hardened before they are exposed to the air; using every precau- tion to prevent a relaxation of the parts, by the admission of water or applications of ointment. On the contrary, should a slight discharge come on, keep the wound clean, and dress with the digestive in very suiall quantities till the cure is complete. The spirituous or restringent applica- tions, by their sti/pticiti/, so constringe the mouths of the smaller vessels near the sur- face (actmg in concert with the natural cement of tlie bloody, as to rendei, in many instances, the officious intrusions oi art totally unnecessary: but this method of cure is fre- quently rejected as too easy, and the sam- tary course of nature is often obstructed anJ perverted by the self-sufficient sagacity of those proficients in QUACKERY, v\hj, 154 WOUNDS. piquing themselves upon ?l family receipt ^ or nostrum of antiquity, had rather prolong the complaint for weeks or months, merely to obtain the reputation of curing what^ in^ trusted to nature, would have absolutely cured itself. Should wounds happen from complicated causes, where the adjacent or surrounding parts have received additional injury (from a fall or bruise), an inflammation and larger discharge of matter may consequently ensue, than from a simple wound where no sudden pr violent impression upon the vessels or soft parts has taken place : large wounds pro- ceeding from any cause, where an evident destruction and loi^s of parts has been occa-' sioned, can only receive substantial cure from the regeneration and incarnation : being a work of nature, and to be effected only by the co-operation of time, it must be waited for with care and patience ; as it can origi- nate in no other feature than granulations of new flesh, which, with proper application, will daily continue to increase till the wound or cavity is entirely filled up : when the cica- trix is soon formed, and the cure complete. WOUNDS. ^p5 In wounds of this class, the first object is to extract any foreign or extraneous substance, and promote a good digestion ; by which not only every degree of foulness is carried off, but the ragged and injured parts them-^ selves putrefy and slough off, being brought away with the dressings so soon as the wound is in a healthy promising state. Here the granulations begin to form and sprout out ; and a proportion of judgment is required, but little possessed or exerted upon these occasions ; for instead of nourishing an ap* pearance so much to be solicited (and with- out which you can obtain no cure) it is often most injudiciously mistaken for fungus, and scouted accordingly : instead of a bed of dry hut to sooth and er>courage this effort of na^ ture, caustics and escharotics are loudly called for, and plentifully bestowed ; the very basis of cure is thus destroyed ; the mouths of the vessels are imprudently closed by the worst means; the di.->charge contri-r buting to the constant improvement is most unnaturally suppressed ; and callosities or eschars follow of course. Ignorance now becomes foikd with its owii 156 WOUNDS. weapons, the operator standing bewildered in a labyrinth, from which he is in possession of no clue to escape. No day produces a change but for the worse; the wound is dressed, dressed, and DRESSED AGAIN! still no sign of relief, no favouring power presides, nor any prevailing genius ap- pears, but the predominant GENIUS of DULLNESS, wlio, anxious to increase the ''mischief she has made/' prompts him to finish with fortitude what lie had commenced in stupidity ! To confess the least degree of inability would be degradation of dignity; therefore, on he goes [Ranger like), " neck OR NOTHING !" stroug digcstivcs (and those scalding too) follow, but follow in vain. No improvement, no enliv-ening ray, longer to keep np the farce of professional infalli- biiii}': no lucky alternative but mercuri/y vitriol, and all the family o( Jire renewed, till the serious ceremony terminates in an inveterate ulcer, or confirmed fistula, as will be separately treated on under those heads. There are certain wounds that occur mAich more frequently than any other ; and though in themselves not at all dangerous, yet some- WOUNDS. 157 thing may be expected upon a treatment proper to be adopted in cases that so con- stantly happen. Among these are broken knees, over-reaches, and lacerations between hair and hoof. In respect to the first, it is a misfortune whenever it happens, that not only reduces the horse very much in his vahie, bnt is considered an indehble stigma of imperfection, that (with connoisseurs) renders him at first sight unworthy a second consideration. This being a circumstance universally understood and admitted; there is no doubt but every prudent man will think a certain preventative preferable to a doubtful cure, and admit the propriety of a short observation, without any unfair di- gression from the subject before us. Not ihdulging the shadow of fear, by offending the shallow EQUESTRIAN HEROES o"f ROTTEN-ROW, or the more expert and courageous, wdio (for once in their Hves) have joined the roval chase ; includino" that set who reach London in an hour 'dudjifteen mi- nutes, '' All Lombard-street to an e si^:- shell T I will venture to atfirm, that nineteen of every twenty are brought to the ground by unfair and most unmerciful usage. i5g WOUNDS. ^For those doubtful compositions, whose heads are as lio;ht as the heels of their horses, and whose form, by the hurry of conception and ambiguity of generation, are destitute of the more noble parts necessary to the power of reflecting!;, can form no idea of the strength of the animal they bestride ; but each con- cluding his steed a Pegasus, formed of ^ Substantial material called labour everlasting, and gifted with perpetual motion, they con- tinue to ride or drive the oppressed object, till nature being (after a thousand spirited exertions) at length quite exhausted, can move no farther. And I am convinced it requires no imcommon share of penetration, at least no magical assistance from Breslaw,- or his cotemporaries, to discover so great a palpability, as that all things certainly fall when, being deprived of support, they can stand no longer. From this trifling digres- sion I infer (and enforce my opinion) that more horses are thrown down and irreme- diably injured by the carelefrsness and shame- ful inattention of bad riders on bad roads, and over rolling stones, or when they are most cruelly exhausted with labour and fa- tigue, than by any other means in the whole list of accidents. WOUNDS. . 159 From what cause soever this misfortone may arise, the^r^^ sfep^ to relief will be still the same. Wash the parts well with a sponge and warm water, thoroughly cleans- ing the wounds or lacerations from every re- tention of gravel or sand ; for these will evi- dently irritate and inflame the tender parts, and be productive of a discharge which may often be entirely prevented by gent]y wiping dry after the use of the sponge, and plenti- fully embrocating the parts with either of the liquids before mentioned, bandaging over a pledget of tow wet with the same, repeat- hig it once or twice, if circunlstances should render it necessary. This should be con- tinued, that an eschar or cicatrix may be formed to render unctuous or greasy appli- cations unnecessary ; but should the wound or laceration be so violent as to produce great inflammation, suppuration must ensue, and ought to be encouraged ; to this end apyly a poultice of the ingredients befurq mentioned, and let the cure be afterwards performed by regular application of the stable digestive ointment. OvER-REACHES are the injuries sust?ined 160 WOUNDS. by the throwing in of the hind-toe upon the back part or heel of the fore-foot, in the hollow below the fetlock joint, and above the hoof. They are sometunes very violent, and subject to great discharges from the bruises and laceration in conjunction ; at others they are merely superficial ; and the treatment must be exactly the same as laid down for other wounds, making such allow- ances and alterations as circumstances may require, or emergencies dictate. The same system must be adopted in all injuries sustained between hair and hoof, except where a horse has been stubbed in hunting, as sometimes happens in a leap or in covert ; when a stump coming in imme- diate contact with the upper edge of the hoof, a laceration or penetration is effected, in which case the membrane is almost in- stantly protruded ; and unless speedily pre- vented, soon constitutes the origin of what is afterwards denominated a QUITTOR. To eifect this, dissolve a drachm of corrosive sublimate in one ounce of camphorated spi- rits ; and, after touching the prominence well with the solution, bind up firm, (cover- ULCERS. 161 iiig the protruded part with a- small piece of card or thin sheet lead) and repeat it once a day for three or four days^ not neglecting the bandage, and taking care the foot be not immersed in water.. As this subject will come under farther discussion in the article of TUMOURS or iMPosTHUMES, we procccd now to treat of both, w^hen, by improper treatment, or bad habit, they are degenerat- ed into ulcers. ULCERS Are wounds or abscesses become inflexible either by an imprudent course of manage- ment, ^ an indifferent habit, or an acrimo- nious disposition of the juices: Init in ge- neral much more the effect of the former than either of the other two. It has been a practice with farriers of almost every de- nomination, upon a wound's not inclining to heal so soon as expected, to iiicrease the strength of the digestive applications, as if the very tendons were to be extracted. This effort of art not succeeding, is followed by a corrosive, that, increasing the evil, a caustic in general crow^ns the whole of cmm^ry VOL. I. M 162 ULCERS. practice. The wound (that perhaps at first required only the necessary time for incar- nation, and the most simple treatment) not having kept pace in its cure with the ima- gination or impatience of the Doctor (for so we all are from tlie pirsident in Warwick-^ lane to the: thill-horse of the worst team in the {Parish), is destined to undergo the changes in treatment just described. Thus the zcoioid, that would in all proba- bility have submitted to a degree of regular and consistent treatment, is retarded, or ra- ther obstructed in its natural progress and proper discharge, by means directly opposite to the dictates of reason and discretion. The application of a corrosive (that is gene- rally made with a heavy hand of iron) in- stantly collapses the mouths of the finer ves-* sels, and destroys tlie sprouting; o-ranulations of new flesh; Nature being thus checked, displays an evident change for the worscy and the doctor is now (to make use of his own expressive language) " out of the frying " pan into the fire!'' By this new disappoint- ment his indignation is excited against both disease and the diseased : in the fervour of his ULCERS. 163 wrath he determines, as it won't submit to *' fair means, it shall to foul." The whole body of caustics before mentioned become subservient to his purpose ; and are so libe- rally poured in as to constitute so great a degree of callosity upon the surface, that a considerable length of time and portion of judgment are absolutely necessary to remove what ignorance and obstinacy have so firmly estabhshed. To extirpate the callosity) and procure a proper discharge, are the leading indications, and must be obtained before the cure can proceed to your wish. To effect this, fo- ment with a decoction of camomile and mal- lows, as hot as can be conveniently applied ; then scarify superficially the whole part, both longitudinally and transversely, with a fleam or abscess lancet, so as to entirely penetrate the callous substance upon the surface ; after whicji it must be dressed with the following ointment twice every day ; the fomentation and superficial incisions to be repeated oc- casionally, if necessary, till the callosity is quite sloughed off, and comes away with the dressings : M 2 164 ULCERS. Take of yellow basilicon two ounces ; Turpentine and black Hnsilicon of each one ounce ; Red precipitate (powdered very fine) half an ounce. The two basilicons to be melted tooether over tiie fire : when taken off stir in the tur- pentine ; and, lastly, when cool, add the precipitate (very finely powdered), and let them be minutely incorporated upon a^^tone or marble slab. So soon as this obstacle is perfectly re- moved, and the discliarge comes to its pro- per consistence, dress in general with a small portion of lint, thinly covered with either of the basi/ico7is, placed under a pledget of tow, spread with the stable digestive mentioned in the last article. Should the wound incar- nate too fast, and fill with fungus (commonly called proud flesh) slightly touch such parts with a piece oiunslacked lime, regulating the mode and application by the necessity, re- peating it as occasion may require. When the cicatrix, or skinning over, is nearly ac- complished, the cure may be completed by hardening the surface with a little tincture of myrrh. ULCERS.* 165 This is the direct and rational mode of €URE estabUshed in every kind of ulcer, as well as those originating in the cause already enlarged on ; but where the obstacle to cure arises from some defect in the constitution, or acrimony in the fluids, the assistance of mercurial physic and subsequent course of mild alteratives must be caiied in, to insure effect from the whole. Without descending to a particular formulce for this purpose alone, I refer the reader to a variety (prescribed under the distinct heads of GREASE, SUR- FEIT, and FARCY) for such selection as may best coincide with his opinion upon the constitution and bodily state of the sub^ ject diseased. It is a rule established in surgery, and should be in farriery, where there is a sinus or cavity leading to a remote or hidden cause of complaint, and from whence a palpable discharge issues, the course and depth should be accurately ascertained by the probe ; and, if no tendinous parts present to forbid the operation, the sinus cavity^ or vacuum ^ should be instantly laid open (with a his- tory) to its utmost extent, and properly 166 ULCERS. filled with a pledget of lint, well impregnat- ed with warm digestive, and plentifully co- vered with tow spread with the same. After a second or third dressing, should the inside of such cavity prove callous, or hard in sub- ^taiiCe, it must be taken away by the knife^ or destroyed by the means before described. If it be so situated that the parts forbid an entire separation, sound with the probe, and at its extremity make a counter incision through the integuments to meet the probe, till by passing through, it removes any lodg- ment that may haye been left for the matter to corrode, which it will very soon do, so as in many cases to affect the bone itself. As a very good detergf:nt wash for the cleansing inveterate ulcers, or injecting into such passages as from the disposition of the parts cannot be laid open, I have reason tq recommend the following, it retaining every advantage, without one of the prejudicial qualities so predominant in the mercurial and yitriolic compo'sitions : Taile honey and vinegRr each two ounces ; Xiiquefy oyer the fire ; and when cool, add tincture of myrrh and tincture of cantharides each on^ ounce. — Mix. ULCERS. 167 When the ulcer is by these means divested of its virulence and cadaverous smell, the callosity is sloughed off or extracted, and a favourable appearance of incarnation come on, the dressings may be changed from the precipitate digestive, before described, to pled- gets spread with Locatellns's haham, or the following EPULOTIC CERATE. Xake of white diachylon plaster and olive oil, each two ounces ; Locatellus's balsam^, ai>d baltam of capivi, each one ounce ; Melt tlie plaster and Locatellus in the oil over the fire ; take off, and when nearly cool, stir in the capivi, a little at a time, tijl it is all incor|K)rated. In short, case^^ of this kind come so fre- quently under the hands of the farrier, that little might have been thought neces- sary upon the subject : but I have been thus explicit, for the information and advan- tage of those who are strangers to both THEORY and PRACTICE; that being *' forewarned they may be forearmed/" and not suffer a simple accident to be gradually ripened to a serious misfortune ; but, avail- ing themselves of this requisite instruction, so dcstro}j the prevalence of mystery and 168 FISTULA. power of PREJUDICE, as to insure a cure under their o^yn superintendence upon a basis rational, clear, and comprehensive, di- vested of the folly of experiments and cruelty of ancient practice. FISTULA. A FISTULA is the palpable consequence of general neglect in more instances than one ; first, in not perceiving the saddle's being too wide in the tree, and suffering the inside of the pummel to press so much as not only to pinch, but, by its constant friction, to bruise the part-s, and render an imposthumation or forniation of matter inevitable. I am very sorry to observe, this is seldom taken notice of in time, till the evil has been repeated, and constitutes bruise upon bruise, when an in- flammation and swellino- ensue, threatenino: an- unavoidable suppuration. To this a still greater error succeeds ; for, during the time the process of nature is going on, and the matter contained in the tumour is under- going concoction, or change from inftem- matory or grumous blood, and extravasated lymph, to its state of systematic perfection FISTULA. 169 for discharge (in general termed a proper de- gree of ripeness), strong repellents or power- ful spirituous composifions are brought into constant use ; and, by their pecuhar pro- perties, from one universal obstacle to the sjreat effort of nature for relief. Here be- gins a terrible struggle between the contending powers of NATURJE and ART ; for those applications failing in their intentional effect of repulsion upon the contents, distribute their properties upon the integuments, where, by their repeated application, an induration is effected very unfavourable to the abscess in its more advanced state. Nature at last effects her purpose, the tumour is at length brought to suppurate, and a discharge comes on ; but without one of those advantages that would have been acquired, had the ef- forts of nature been attended to and properly (encouraged, instead of opposed. From this inconsistent mode of treat- rnent the edges of the wound, when enlarged, become unkind, the seait of a foul or callous complexion ; and, instead of a substantial, favourable healthy matter, the discharge is a complication of blood, sanies, and a kind of no FISTULA. indurated half-concocted matter, intermixed with an acid or corrosive ichor. This is in general the origin and progress of what (with additional bad treatment) con- stitutes'a conjirmed fistula, and conies directly under the very method of cure described in the last article ; with renewed instruction, and remembrance to lay open all sinuses or cavities into which the probe can be passed, taking care to make no transverse opening across the withers to divide the ligament, but making the" incisions longitudinal ou either side or both, as occasion may require. Should the discharge continue sluggish or incomplete, enlarge the proportion of tur^ pentine ov precipitate in the ointment, adding an ounce of the spirit of turpentine, if the matter is very offensive ; make also a consi- derable addition in the tincture of myrrh and cantharidcs to the detergent lotion before prescribed. When the applications are re- quired to exert their digestive powers more effectually, in consequence of any particular languor upon the part, or deficiency in the discharge, let the ointment be applied with ^ degree of warmth sufficient to insinuate it- FISTULA. 171 self into the interstices or openings, but not so hot as to scald or harden the surface. Incisions, or scarifications, must be made whenever necessary, and the callo>iUes extir- pated exactly as before (iescribed ; using nei- ther corrosives or caustics, but adhering to the method of keeping dovv^n fungus, or exr crescences, by the application of unslacked lime in the lump (for a few minutes), or pre- viously powdered, where the wound will not admit of its use in the other form. This method should have the preference on ail occasions ; for which a predominant reason may be urged, that receiving its power only from the moisture it iaibibe3 from the part, it immediately performs the purpose it is in- tended to execute, and becomes directly inactive; whereas the favourite articles of aqua^^orfisy oil of vitriol, ^wA. mercury, not only absolutely cauterize or burn all the part, but raise a great degree of injiamination upon the surrounding vessels, and evidently in- crease the mischief they were intended to, prevent. The detergent wash before-m^n^ tioned, cannot be too frequently used till tlie wound bears marks of amendment ; and care 172 FISTULA. must be taken in the separation of all fistu- lous sinuses to leave the orifice or opening as much declining as possible, that the matter may naturally pass downwards, w^ithout being subject to a probability of retention. Thus much by way of INSTRUCTION for CURING, what may mostly be prevent- ed by a very moderate share of care and attention, or, more properly speaking, an exertion of that reason generally distinguished by the appellation oi common sense. Let it BE REMARKED, the vcry application of re- pellents is a palpable absurdity, unless in an early state of the swelling, before the vessels are sufficiently bruised and inflamed to eject the fluids that, becoming extravasated and stamant, form the tumour ; which beins^ once accumulated, is too viscid in substance, and large in quantity, to be again rarefied and absorbed into the circulation. The swelling being too far advanced to admit a hope of repulsion, should be promoted by softening poultices (as will be particularized in thJ next class, under the discussion of tu- mours) ; the course' of suppuration will then go on in the natural way, the concoction will POLL evil: 175 "be perfect, and the discharge consequently effectual. Upon its first rupture of break- ing' the orifice from which the matter oozes will be but trifling ; this should be imme- diately discharged, as much as is necessary, for the discharge and admission of applica- tions. If in the usual method of insinuation a tent is found at all necessary, never let it by any means be too long continued, lest the parts, by a tedious separation, become divested of their disposition to unite, and the edges o-row callous from their constant depression. The judgment may be much assisted upon the subject by the frequent re^ ferences to the two preceding articles of WOUNDS and ulcers; remembering in all, after the necessary and proper discharges, to conduct the cure according to the variety of circumstances clearly pointed out in this and the subjects last treated on. POLL EVIL. Although this comes most probably un*« der the unavoidable inspection, occasional dressings, and intentional cure, of the opera- tive farrier^ and consequently rather out of the line first drawn for the plan of this work > 174 POLL EVIL yet as the subject has been so infamously treated by an author before quoted, that in- dignation becomes too justly excited to pass it over without Such animadversion as may tend to enUghfcn the mind, and rectify the judgment of such as (from absolute want of comprehension or reflection) pay an implicit obedience to every absurdifij^ folly, or falsehood.^ sanctioned with the authority of the press r^ and conceive a certain degree of infallibiUty appertains to whatever makes its appear- ance in print. That these are the sentiments of the lower class, is too well known to re- quire corroboration ; and I am induced to introduce a few REMARKS upon this sub-^ ject by the inconsistent and unmerciful (not to add infernal) advice held forth to practice, in 2i pub lie a fie n that would alone entitle it to the FLAMES and perpetual oblivion. We are there told, '' the poll evi/h an abscess *' near the poll of a horse, formed in the si- ^' news between the noil bone and the upper- ^' most vertebrae of the neek.'' You are then instructed to scald with a compound of ^' oil ^' of turpentine, corrosive mercury, verdi- " grease, Roman vitriol, green copperas, '' and train oil :" these are to be poured POLL EVIL. 175 '' SCALDING HOT into the wound, and ^' stitched up for several days ; and if matter '' Hows in great abundance, it must be '' scalded ao-am ;'' &c. &c. This ignorant unfeeling attempt to arrest the judgment, and Impose upon the understanding, is ahnost too ridiculous to excite contempt ; but, in comphment to the less informed reader, it is impossible to pass it over without branding the very thought with the epithet it is so justly entitled to. What are we to think of the professional knowledge or abilities of an author, who could sanction with his NAME the recommenda- tion of a practice so infamous and detestable^ that no one rational or consistent idea can be produced or pleaded to prove its pro- priety ! Will any advocate for such infer- nal PRACTICE, (and infernal it certainly is in every meaning of the word) venture to affirm the writer conceived or possessed a competent, or even a tolerable knowledge of the structure of parts or property of medi- cine ; that when the membranous system is locally injured, and the lacerated vesseb ren-* dered highly irritable, could venture to pro- 176 POLL EVIL. miilgate the consistency of gkitting them with the most powerful P(^isons, as if he felt some invincible antipathy to the species, and had attentively studied tlie most likely means of-eiTecting their total extirpation ! For the compieti'on of this business, lest the most destructive poisons should prove inef- fectual, you are instructed to add fuel to their natural fire, by combining their whole force, and pouring them '^ scalding hot,'* nearest to one of the most vital parts (nay nearest the original nervous seat of pain), even the brain itself. Sor^y I am to ac- knowledo;e this <>:enuiiie and unadulterated specimen of the immaculate perfection of the - PRACTICAL TREATLSE^' has been re- peatedly put in practice by fools or knaves, whom ignorance has misled or con- fidence betrayed ; to the evident destruction of numbers that have died in the most ex^ cruciatini;^ a^-onies, sinkino; under the load of accumulated misery and persecution, devot- ed victims to a sy>stem replete with the most unparalleled cruelty that the heart could dictate, ox the hand direct. Need I, can it be possibly necessary for POLL EVIL. 177 me, to point out for the information of even the most superficial or least considerate oh^ soever, the destruction of parts that must ine- vitably ensue ; no combination of nature can stand against this accumulation of cruelty and infliction of punishment. ^ The finer ves- sels, the veins, arteries, muscles, nay, the ossified structure or bony parts themselves, must nearly submit to this elaborate and studied work of devastation. The humane render, whose judgment is not biassed by prejudice, or his reason blinded by an ad- herence to custom, and whose feelings move in concert with my own, will shudder at the reflection ; and to every sportsman looking with the eye of extreme pleasure upon the excellencies of the animal (whose sufferings I lament) do I appeal for a justification of the warmth I have been naturally promoted to display on the occasion. And in PITY to a species so eminently entitled to every degree of MERCY, care, and attention, let us hope (as we are now become more re- formed in our minds, and rectified in our judgment) that this DAMNABLE doctrine may be universally exploded and buried in ETERNAL OBLIVION. VOL. J. N 178 POLL EVIL. Let it then be understood the^;o// evil ori-^ ginates in a tumour situate as before de- cribed ; and generali}'^ proceeds from injuries sustained on that part by blows, braises, or such frequent and excessive friction from large or heavy harness as may sufficiently irritate the part to provoke a formation of matter, as has been explained in the preced- ing* article. Jf it is early observed, let the seat of pain be very frequently fomented with vinegar made v*'arm, for at least a quarter of an hour, rubbing upon the part immediately after about an ounce of cam- phorated spirits of winfe, and then bandag- ing over the part a double flamiel dipped in the vineo'ar, warm as before. \Should the swelling' refuse submission to this treatment, after a regular perseverance for eight-and-^forly hours, continuing to in- large itself, and display invincible symptoms of maturation, make no farther attempt by REPELLENTS to opposc the progress of Na- ture ; such obstinacy will never prevail; therefore contribute your early and cheerful assistance to promote a speedy suppuration. For this purpose let the following* poultice POLL EVIL. 179 be immediately applied and repeated twice every day, till an aperture or opening is effected in the abscess. Take of camomile flowers, turnips, and coarse bread, about equal quantities; boil the camomile and turnips in a sufficient quantity of water, till the latter are soft enoui^h to bruise altogether ; then stir in four ounces of white lily root, (beat to a paste in the mortar;) and, lastly, add, while hot, three or four ounces of lard, and two of common turpentine. This application should be made a§ warm ^s the nature of the case will admit, that it may the better fulfil the intent of relaxing the vessels, increasing tlieir circumference, and promoting the speedy flux of matter to this particular part. So soon as an opening appears, let it be enlarged sufficiently to en- sure a discharge, and prevent the retention of any improper portioji of matter ; and con- tinue to proceed with the cure according to the state of the case, collecting your mfor- mations from the variety of directions ex- tensively given, under the different heads of zvoiuids, ulcers, Jisttda, and tutnGurs ; to the last of which we now proceed, N 2 ( 180 ) CLASS V, TUMOURS, WARBLES, NAVEL GALLS, AND SITB^ASTS. TUMOURS Are of nianv and various kinds, accord-^ ing to their difterent causes and situations; as the oedematous, steatomous, encysted, and scrofulous ; but as the separate and dis- tinct explanations of these would lead the reader into anato??ncal d'lsquhitions foreig?i to, and very far beyond the /i??iits prescribed for the completion of this work (which is in- tended for general Comprehension), I shall make a cursory uemark upon each, and proceed to a minute investigation of the SIMPLE TUMOUR coming so constantly under common observation and management. The cede mat oils and encysted tumours are nearly synonimous, originating in a cyst or bag. TUMOURS. 181 containing a kind of ichorous bloody sanies, or gelatinous fluid ; which being evacuated, the cyst does not always submit to diges- tives or escharotics, but must be extirpated with the knife, and cured as a common wound ; for the completion of which, ample DIRECTIONS may be found in the preceding class under that head. The sTEATOMOUs are those tumours that form on different parts, and pass in general under the denomination of wens, containing, when opened or extracted, a substance not unlike suet in its early state, when hardly cold ; neither of the above are expected to submit to any topical application, unless upon the very first observation ; when an attempt may be made by the most powerful repellents, specified in many of the preceding pages, and a small portion of the strongest mercurial ointment rubbed in every night, for a considerable length of time ; but even to this there is no hope of submission, unless in the first stage of its infancy ; nor can any RADICAL CURE be in general obtained but by instrumental extirpation. As this must be unavoidably attended with loss of time. 183 ^TUMOURS. and a proportioned share of danger, if seated upon or intersected by the muscular parts, perhaps it may be most prudent to omit the experiment and submit it to chance. Scrofulous Tumours are such as ori- ginate in scorbutic or hereditary taints, and increase or diminish, according to the state or acrimony of the blood, they are therefore more than any of the others dependent upon- externai apphcation, and particularly the inercurial iwgucnt just before described, as- sisted by a course of mercurial or anthnonial ALTERATIVES, as may be discretiohaily se- lected from the chapters on those subjects. As the mercurial ointment has been re- peatedly recommended, it may not be inap- plicable to introduce the mode of prepa- ration : Take quicksilver two ounces j Lard six ounces; Baitain of sulphur half an ounce. Rub llie qnicksilver W\W\ the balsam in a metal mortar lill the globules disappear; then add the lard by degrees, first made warm, and keep in a pot for use. I now proceed to the exj^lanation-oi a sim- TUMOURS. 183 PLE TUMOUR, or ABSCESS, taken in its single view, as one effort of nature to relieve itself from the weio;ht of an extra vasated fluid collected, and (the cause b,eing inflamma- tory) become too tenacious for transpiration through the cutaneous passages or pores of the skin, and too viscid to be again absorbed or taken into the circulation. This is the principle of action, M^hether proceeding from the orumous state of the blood obstructinoj the finer passages, accumulating aiul acting by its stimulus upon the irritable parts, from an extravasation of fluid ejected from the veins or lympathics, in consequence of lace- ration from bruises, or ruptures from strains. It has been a predominant and established practice to attempt repulsion, even after the decisive formation of matter, by the most powerful spirituous apphcations, thereby in- flaminoj the integuments and indurating the contents ; not without a very great proba- bility of producing an inveterate ulcer, or iono'stcmdifio' fistula. In all applications, whether external or in- ternal, REASON will prove a very uselul assistant; pay due i^espcct to th^ indication 184 TUMOURS. of NATURE, solicit the interposition of REASON, and in conjunction they will be found most admirable aiLxUiaries to the judi- cious EXERTIONS of ART. All tumours (pro- ceeding from what cause soever) tending to certain maturation, should be expeditiously assisted with very warm foimntafions, com- posed of camomile, 7iun\sh mallows, rosemary, lavender, xcormwood, elder flowers^ or any two or three of the whole, the properties of stimulus and heat being still the same, and to be eifected by a part as well as the entire. After each time of using the fomentation, apply vincing, whether there is any defect from which a warble may speedily ensue; if sq. NAVEL GALLS. 189 upon the first appearance, or earliest disco- very, bathe three or four times a day with the followino- repellent : Take extract of Saturn half an oufice ; Camphorated spirits of wine two ounces ; Soft water a quarter of a pint. Mix the extract with the spirits, bj shaking well to- gether, and then add the water ; or if these cannot be easily procured, just at the time, substitute, for the moment, of vinegar and brandy equal parts ; but the strongest must be obtained so soon as pos- sible, and persevered in till the tumour is dis- pelled. The original cause of the warble must be likewise discovered and removed, to prevent a repetition upon the same part, from which, or the continuation, a sitfast will inevitably ensue. NxWEL GALLS Are, in the first instance, tumours formed upon the vertebrce or spi?ie, and caused by a deficiency (or scarcity of stuffing on each side the pad) at the back of the saddle: wdiich, letting the tree come into close con- tact with the back-bone, the parts become bruised by the severe pressure and constant J90 NAVEL GALLS. friction ; an iiiflamiiiation succeeds, and pro^ duces a swelling of the encysted kind, con- taining a gelatinous fluid, which, if not treat- ed with frequent repetitions of the following repellent lotions, upon the earliest disco- very, will not submit to this mode of ap^ plication. Take Mindererus's spirit, Campliorated spirits, Common brandy, And verjuice or best vinegar, of each equal part?. Or, Take sal ammoniac three drachms ; Distilled vinei^ar four ounces ; British brandy half a gill. — Mix. Should these fail of success, the evacua- tion must be solicited by gentle emollients, as warm fomentations (before described) and softening poidtkes. Upon its arriving at a proper degree of maturity, let the necessary incision be made superficially (not in the style recommended by Gibson, of '^ cutting down to the quick''), and the cyst or bag extracted with its contents, if easily prac- ticable : if not, the present extraction (men- tioned by some a^s necessary) is in fact .super* NAVEL GALLS. 19I fluous and nugatory ; as it becomes imme- diately extraneous, and of course putrifies and- sloughs off with the dressini>;s. After all the various instructions laid down for the different apphcations, under a multiphcity of preceding articles, forming a regular chain of connexion, any farther addition must be unnecessary, one liiut only excepted, viz. in the treatment of any, or all, where the va- cuums are laroe and the discharo-e sluoo'is}i from the mouths of the vessels beina* piuoor- ed by a viscidity of the matter ; or thin and ichorous, from a languor and coldness of the parts, a frequent use of the following deter- gent will both cleanse and stimulate, so as to remove the obstruction in the first in- stance, and promote a proper discharge in the other : .^ Take of white vitriol and sugar of kad each three dracbras ; Spring water half a pint ; Tincture of mj^rrh one ounce. — Mix. And in all cases, where the fungus or proud flesh does not submit to the precipit^ite ointment, pledgets of dry lint under the di-r gestives, or applications of the above lotion, a small portion of the red precipitate^ white 192 SITFAST. or blue vitriol (very finely powdered), must, be occasionally sprinkled over the excres- cence, but not with the usual hand of indis- cretion, otherwise your corrosive in that case becomes a caustic ; a callosity is conse- quently occasioned, and your imprudent and misapplied remedy becomes worse than the disease. A SITFAST Is the inteo'ument or hide of a horse be- come entireiv callous or insensible, after the tumour called a warble is repelled and taken up into the circulation, or has tran- spired in a natural evacuation or circular oozing, surroundiiig the callosity termed a SITFAST.- In some little time the hair comes off, and it bears the appearance of a foreign solid substance, fixed in the centre of what seems to be a superficial wound. For this simple and very trifling complaint there is but one certain and expeditious cure. All applications to soften the eschar will prove of no utility ;, A'carj^ca//o7Z5 will be tedious, and often ineffectual ; to prevent, therefore, a loss of time by such fruitless attempts, let it SITFAST. 193 be clearly and finally understood it can be effected mily by EXTIRPATION; an ope- ration so very trifling it will not admit of a moment's hesitation and may be taken off with a common penknife, and healed as a superficial wound. But the most ready and least painful method of taking it off is by just raising either edge till it can be taken hold of with a pair of common pincers ; when, by leaning them to any side, you have an immediate fulcrum, or lever, and sepa- rate it instantaneously without pain or in- convenience. After the extirpation it may be treated as a simple superficial laceration, and may in general be healed by a frequent application of Friar s balsam^ tincture of myrrh ^ or, in very trifling cases, with a little common brandy. But after the cure, care should always be taken to guard the cicatrix in its infancy, and prevent the buckle of the girth from coming into direct contact with the injured part, not only till the surface is sufficiently, hardened to render a repetition unlikely, but upon all future occasions/ And here it can- not prove inapplicable to remind every horse^ VOL. I. O 194 SITFAST. man, the buckle of the girth should Jiever be permitted below the pad of the saddle on either side ; a circumstance that never oc- curs with experienced sportsyneji, who well know, from the extreme pressure, and con- stant friction of so sharp a body upon the integuments in hard chases, or long journeys, warbles or sitfasts must inevitably ensue. ( 195 ) C L A S S VI. 1 COLDS, COUGHS, PLEURISY, IN- FLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS, BROKEN WIND, AND CONSUMP- TION. COLDS Are a species of disease not only acquir- ed by different means, but likewise very dif- ferent in their effects ; both which we sliall endeavour to elucidate in a manner much more extensive and satisfactory than any that have gone before us. Colds are in general more frequently the effect of neglect than chance, and are mostly acquired by the stu-^ pidify or inattention oi those to whose care the horse is unavoidably intrusted. The va- rious means by which colds are caught, in either man or beast, we naturally suppose to be so well understood, that a minute inves- o2 196 COLDS. tigator of the operations of nature would conclude any explanation upon this subject entirely superfluous. But as there doubtless are many juvenile sportsmen, who, in the very zenith of sublunary enjoyment and con- stant pursuit of pleasure, never afforded the subject a moment's consideration, I shall point out such CAUSES as are most likely to produce the variety of effects we shall afterwards proceed to explain. When a horse, after being rode hard, and in a high state of perspiration, is suf- fered to stand still, (particularly in the winter season, or in bad weather) to drink cold water in this state ; placed in an open stable in such situation ; left after a wet and dirty journey to dry in that condition; or his clothing left off at an improper season ; it is very natural to conclude the groom is a KNAVE, the ostler a FOOL, or the master a MADMAN. And although these cir- cumstances seem little likely to occur by the frailty of one, or the folly of the other, yet the experienced sportsman and traveller, who seldom move without the eye of obser- vation, will convince you they (among a va- COLDS. 157 riety of additional impositions) happen every- day. Having here obliquely remarked what I naturally conclude is almost universally known, I shall be studiously anxious to ex- plain the nature of colds and their different effects, so as to urge the necessity of their being perfectly understood, that preven- tion in future may become an object of at- tention . The process of Nature we allude to, in the appellation of cold, is a general ob- struction of the cutaneous passages or pores of the skin, formed for the transpiration of perspirable matter, proportionally emiited from every part of the frame, and intended to expel that superfluous moisture by an al- most insensible evacuation. But this exer- tion of Nature being totally suppressed, by a sudden collapsion, or closing of the pores, from one of the causes before described, the perspirable matter is prevented in its na- tural course, and returned lipon the body in a preternatyral and niQrbid state. We now come to the mischievous eifect, according to the degree of inveteracy or ia- 19S COLDS, fection of the attack. The most penetrat- ing and acrimonious particles immediately make their passage to the blood vessels ; and, intermixing with the mass, produce dif- ferent degrees of disease, acting differently upon different subjects ; the injury sustain- ed being in some respects regulated by the degree of heat or perspiration the horse was in at the time of being exposed to the ori- ginal cause. This circumstance, once col- lected, upon the foundation of such inqui- ries, some idea may be formed of its pro- bable duration and severity. The effects of cold are not only soon discovered where there is a constant attention and care, but an ob- servation may be very early made to Avhat part it more immediately directs its attack. Tor instance, if the nervous system is the most irritable, you speedily perceive it in the EYES ; if the glandular, upon the neck, THKOAT, under the ears, or in the head ; if more particularly upon the blood (in which both the vessels and their contents are con- cerned), the whole system of circulation being affected, you soon discover its seat to be taken upon the lungs ; and will per- ceive it displayed more or less in aCOUGH^ COLDS. 199 or difficulty of breathing, according to the severity of attack, from the proportion of perspirable matter repelled (become morbid), and compulsively absorbed into the circu- lation. So soon as the horse is in this state a symptomatic fever attends, which is to be understood no more than a degree of febrile heat, or irritability dependent on the ori- ginal cause, which gradually ceases as the primary disease is found to decline. The blood in all these instances becomes languid and enfeebled by its increase and in- cumbrance, whilst its velocity is pieternatu- rally compelled in the structure of the vessels, upon their over-accumulated contents, which palpably constitute the obstruction and pro- duce the fever. Having traced the very principle of colds to their original cause, and pointed out their difterent effects upon the eyes, glands, lungs, and circulation, I shall proceed first to that kind of cold fixed on the lungs, distinguished by COUGH, and its consequences, enlarging upon the other two, when we come to treat on their separate classes, under the disorders of the eyes and strangles, or tumours upon the glands. I shall therefore take this complaint in its first 200 COLDS. stage, when it is early discovered by an in- dustrious servant or attentive master, and generally submits to immediate care and sim- ple remedies; particularly if proper respect is paid to the excellent maxim of'' never *' letting alone till to-morrow what may be ^' done to-day ;" for blood should be- in- stantly taken away according to symptoms, size, state, and condition. Be accurate in quantity, and preserve it a few hours to as- certain its state ; if livid, or black, with a coat of size upon its surface, you have evi- dent demonstration of its viscidity and obstructed circulation throusfh the finer ves- sels of the LUNGS. In three or four hours' after bleeding, give a mash of bran and oats equal parts, upon which pour boiling water surlicient ; then stir in unadulterated aniseed and liquorice powders each one ounce, and of honey four. In two hours after the mash, give a gallon or six quarts of soft water mo- derately warm, in which have been dissolved two ounces of nitre. Let the mashes be continued every night and morning, giving a moderate feed of dry oats in the middle of the day, good sweejt hay in small quantities, and the same prop )rtion of nitre to be re- peated in the water after each mash. To COLDS, 201 these must be added the necessary regula- tions of GOOD dressing and gentle exercise, which in oeaeral soon effect the cure of such COLDS as are couuteracted upon the fir^t attack. On the contrary, should time or circum- stances have prevented those early advan- tages, the attack has been neglected, and the disorder made a rapid progress ; should the COUGH be violent and constant, the horse very dull and heavy, declining his food, and the symptomatic fever run high, the blood will consequently prove as before described- In such case the symptoms will perhaps not immediately submit to the above plan so soon as may be wished or expected, tlierefore repeat your bleeding in two or three days at farthest, according to the state and necessity, altering the mashes to equal parts of malt and bran, scalded with boiimg water ; Avhen nearly cool enough for the mauger, stir in of elecampane^ aniseed, and liquorice powders, each one ounce ; let this be repeateu every night and morning, continuing the noon- feed dry, and the nitro' two ounces in the water^ as before directed. 202 COLDS. Let it be remembered, for consolation, that COLDS or coughs thus treated, before they have been suffered by neglect or penury to become obdurate by long. standing, gene- rally subuiit to a very short course of trouble or expense; whilst tardiness in procuring expeditious relief is often productive of events that no futiu'e assiduity can relieve. By immediate bleeding the obstruction is con- sequently reduced, and the circulation pro- moted ; rarefaction is effected, and the stric- ture upon the vessels removed by the warm mashes, and cordials ; the irritating mucus engendered by the inflamed glands is like- wise divested of its acrimony, and the pres- sure upon the lungs reduced by relaxing and lessening the contents of the body. Under these advantages you are eased of the com- plaint almost immediately, or a critical dis- charge comes on at the nostrils, and termi- nates, in a few days, what neglected soon constitutes a confirmed cough, asthma, ]|?ROJiEN WIND, or CONSUMPTION. In respect to these disorders, their de- scriptions (or rather the different conjec- tures) have been so extended, turned, twisted. GOLDS. 503 and mutilated, in their transmissions from one author to another^ that it is natural to suppose no true state of either could be as- certained, or any thing satisfactory advanced upon the subject. We have the authority of a century past to prove they are caused by '' the impetuosity of the blood's rushing '' into the lungs," or, '' in the air vessels,'' or, *5 in blood vessels," or, " in tubercles or *' in ulcers," or, '^ in too full feeding," &c. Bartlett quotes from Gibson, who refers you to Markham, or Solleysell, and Bracken to Burdon, and ^o o\\ ad infini- tum. We are likewise told *' the three last '' distempers are in general incurable:" you are then instructed to proceed with mer- curial physic, giving, in the intermediate days, the '^ cinnabar balls: if they fail, try *' alterative pun]!;es ; to these follow cor- *' dial balls, with balsams of Peru and sul- *' phur, flowers of Benjamin, squills, tar, &c, ^Vone to be continued a week or ten days, " another a fortnight, and a third for two *' months, or lon^^er!' When havinoj made this hopeful and expensive tour through al- most all the MATERIA MEDiCA to curc what is '' in general incurable/' you may enjoy 204 COLDS. the pleasing sensation of knocking your horse on the head, and most feeUngly acknowledge *^ theremed}^ worse than the disease." * I shall endeavour to avoid this beaten track of duplicity, and not amuse my readers in every page with ^* Gibson directs this/* or *' Bartlet the other,'' but communicate some instructions from the dictates of NA- TURE and REASON, who have been hi- therto most infamously treated, and most shamefully abandoned through every system of equestrian medical practice. In conjunc- tion with this, it may not be inapplicable to introduce a few observations respecting the mode of administration I have long since adopted, and endeavoured to strengthen upon every opportunity. For instance, to condemn and explode upon every possible occasion the old and slovenly method of giving medicines of almost every kind in DRINKS, and the equally favourite admi- nistration of GLYSTERS, where they can by any means be avoided (which forty-nine times out of fifty they very well may) ; always preferring their incorporation with a mash, or tlieir contents in a bal/, where cir- cumstances will permit. COLDS- 205 But this plan generally meets opposition from the VULCANIAN ADVOCATES for ancient practice, who would as soon re- linquish their leather aprons as their opi- nions. The prodigious and consequential ceremony of providing the ale, powders, izmfch, horn, and apparatus, with the addi- tional pleasure of wasting or spilling half the contents, are professional dignities not to be readily given up ; more particularly the (Operator s privilege of drinking a part of the ale or sfroyig beer, to be perfectly convinced it is not TOO STALE for the purpose. To bring this digression to a speedy crisis, I shall only beg leave to add, that twenty years since, observing the general plague in giving drinks, the constant and unavoidable waste in the operation, added to the palpable absurdity of giving the most nauseous medi- cines in a liquid form, to constitute an unne- cessary sickness to the animal, made- me re- ject the practice, determining to adopt a method more rational, neat, and consistent^ so far as my own advice or influence extend- ed. To this circumstance may be attributed the very few drinks prescribed or recom-* mended in the course of this w^ork ; the aukward administration of glysters is like- 206 COLDS. wise rejected, but where they are palpably- necessary, and even then the bag and pipe should be the vehicle for injection : the Syringe being an invention of absolute absur- dity, and fit only for such practitioners as are professed advocates for FUNDAMEN- TAL ELECTRICITY. We come immediately from this digres- sion to the treatment of obstinate coughs, of which there are two distinct kinds in effect, though proceeding from the very same cause ; whether the result of neglect at the original attack, or inflexibility and non-submissioii to the mode of practice before recommended, and regularly persev^ered in. The one may be considered a loose and almost continual cough, increasing to violence upon the least motion, whilst the distinction is easily made by attending to symptoms ; the other is a short dry cough, preceded by a husky hollow kind of wheezing, as if respiration was shortened or obstructed by fragments of hm/ or corn retained in the passage. This is the kind of cough called asthma by those writers who have preceded us, and for which •mercurial purges have been recommended, and many perhaps come forward with more COLDS. 207 propriety after the administration of a course of the following balls, should they fail in the desired effect. BLEEDING must be first performed, and occasionally repeated in small quantities, till the glandular inflammation and irritability is reduced, and the blood is so attenuated or divested of its viscidity, by the constant and invariable repetition of the nitre, that the circulation may be more freely promoted through the finer vessels of the lungs ; as from the obstructions in those finer passages all the difficulties proceed. Bleed^ ing having been performed with the neces- sary circumspection as to quantitj^, let your two ounces of 7iitre be given without the most trifling remission every night and morning in the water, as particularized in the first stage of the disorder, continuing one of the follow- ing balls every morning for a fortnight or three weeks, that a fair and decisive trial may be obtained. DETERGENT PECTORAL BALL. Take of Caslile soap, aniseed, and liquorice powders, each five ounces ; Barbadoes tar six ounces ; Gum ammoniacum three ounces ; Balsam of Tolu one ounce ; Honey (if required) to make a mass; which divide into a dozen balls. 208 COLDS. If the complaint should continue predo- minant in all its symptoms, notwithstanding these efforts to reheve, bleeding mu.^t be repeated ; two doses of mercurial physic may be given eight days apart, and prepared by the addition of a drachm and a half of ca- lomel to either of the balls (under the arti- cles of purging) best calculated for the horse's strength and con lition. After which repeat the above pectoral balls, with the addition of gum myrrh, Benjamin and Venice turpen- tine, each two ounces ; dividing the mass into balls of two ounces each, repeating them every morning till the above proportion (with these additions) are totally consumed. The long loud hollow cough that is al- most incessant, and continually increasing upon MOTION, or the least hurry in exercise, proceeds equally from irritability and the ac- tion of the slimy mucus upon the glands in respiration, as well as the viscidity and cohe- sion of the blood through the finer passages. This kind of cough I have ever observed to submit with much less difficulty than the ASTHMATIC, requiring only steady and re- gular perseverance in the plan now laid down to obtain a certain, and, in all probability^ COLDS. 209 a speedy cure. The improvement upon the cordial ball of Bracken, (so rigidly adhered to by all those advocates incapable of leav- ing the beaten track, or judging for them- selves) will be cheerfully acknowledged by every judicious and impartial observer, who will readily coincide with me in rejecting the brimstone, turmeric, and sugar^candy, as articles very little adequate to the task they were assigned. In this case, as in the other, bleeding must take the lead, followed by a mash compounded of equal parts of bran and oats, into which must be stirred and dissolv- ed, while hot, honey four ounces; and this repeated every night, with the two ounces of nitre in the water, (as repeatedly directed) without intermission, every night and moru- ino' PECTORAL .CORDIAL BALL. TAKKr Turkey %s, Spanish liquorice, aniseed, and 11- qirorice powders, each four ounces; Carraway seeds, elecampane, and anisated balsam, each two ounces ; Saffron, ginger (in powder), and oil of aniseed, each six drachms ; Honey suihcient to form the mass ; and divide info twelve balls, of which let one be given every morning. VOL. I. 210 COLDS. The figs and saffron are to be beat to a paste in the mortar, previous to their incor- poration with the other articles ; the Spa- nish liquorice is to be softened over the fire, by boiling in a small quantity of spring wa- ter, and the whole of the ingredients mixed in a manner well understood by those gene- rally concerned in such preparations. These balls are powerfully cordial and restorative ; they promote glandular excretion, Varm and stimulate the stomach to the expulsion of wind, enliven the circulation, and invigorate the whole frame, as has been sufficiently as- certained by their instantaneous effect in the chase, where their excellence has been re- peatedly established ; but more particularly in deep swampy countries, when, after a se^ vere hurst, or a repetition oi strong leaps, the horse has been so off his wind, or, in fact. Nature so exhausted, as not to be able to proceed a stroke farther; then immediate administration of a single ball has not onlv afforded instant relief, but the horse gone through the day with his usual alacrity. To say precisely in wliat time the cure will be complete, is absolutely impossible ; the treatment here laid down, and the class of PLEURISY. 211 medicines prescribed, will, with care and proper attention, perform all that can be ex- pected from warm cordial pectorals. PLEURISY, AND INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. To avoid those unnecessary distinctions generally made to swell the work, as well as the tedious repetitions introduced to form a plausible but fallacious difference be- tween diseases bearing the strictest affinity (not only originating in the same cause, but depending on the very same treatment for cure), I shall, in^this class, proceed to the necessary observations upon what is termed PLEURISY, INFLAMMATION of the LUNGS, BROKEN WIND, and lastly, consumption. The gradations or circumstances of connec- tion are so regular from a simple cold, in the first instance, to the disagreeable effects of the latter, as to form a sufficient reason for bringing the whole into rational investi- gation. To steer clear of the trammels of imita- tion, I must avoid the beaten -track of Bart-^ p 2 212 PLEURISY. LET, who tells you, '' Gibson says the pkii-^ *^ mj/ is an inflammation of the pleura ;" but, as '' no ghost need come from the grave to '' tell us that/' we will go a little farther, and, instead of diversifying and mutilating the symptoms to form a deceptive appear- ance of two distinct diseases, I shall clearly prove them to be not only of the samefa^ mily, but very nearly related ; for, as the ■pleura is in the medical world universally known to be the membrane immediately co- vering the lungs, every reader may instantly form his own judgment whether the lattei* can become the principal seat of inflamma- tion without \\ie pleura sh€\\\^ proportionally affected by the distention. I have not the least doubt but this tliem will sufficiently establish its own weight, to prevent a diver- sity of opinions. \ To exclude occasion for more medical or anatomical definitions than are absolutely unavoidable, it must suffice to say, the dis- tinction between the diseases are too nice (in this animal) for certain discriminations ; tither displays symptoms common to both ; and, as the treatment is exactly similar in PLEURISY. 215 each^ no inconvenience can arise from not de- cisively fixing it upon one or the other, as in general they are both affected. I shall, in treating of both, enumerate the certain prog- nostics ; but cannot so far attempt an im- position upon the judgment as to form a string of imaginary symptoms, and say (as some have done) that ''^he looks to the right '^ with \he pleurisy , and to the left with the '^ peripneumony \ that he tries to lie down, '' then he starts up \' and a multiplicity of certainties equally curious. But as MEN or WOMEN, labouring under the most acute diseases, do not display the same attitudes, or indulge in the same positions, no more do the different animals of w^hich we now treat ; but there are other predominant symptoms, and certain prognostics, that sufficiently en- able us to ascertain the seat of disease, par- ticularly in the inflammatory disorders be- fore us. \ For instance — the horse is exceedingly dull, heavy in the eyes, drops his head, is restless, perpetually shifting his legs alter- nately ; the fever comes on suddenly, and in- creases rapidly ; his breathing is extremely 214 PLEURISY. difficult, the cough short and laboured, ex- citing great pain. The mouth at first is par- ched and dry ; but when a critical discharge issues from the nostrils, in consequence of a reduction of the symptomatic inflammation upon the glands of the head and throat, a slimy moisture appears in the mouth like- wise; his whole frame bearing evident proofs of universal oppression, that seriously indi- cate the necessity of expeditious relief. Having taken a concise but accurate view of the distemper in its external appearance, it becomes immediately necessary to go out of the usual track, and explain the cause as well as the symptoms of disease. As the LUNGS are known to emit in health a greater proportion of perspirable matter for tran- spiration than any other part, it conse- quently follows that, upon either a partial or universal obstruction or suppression, they become (by the compulsive absorption of that very proportion) the immediate seat of disease ; and, where the blood is previously viscid, or in an indifferent state, its ten- dency to inflammation is instantly promoted by the morbidity of the obstructed perspir- PLEURISY. 215 able matter, which being thrown back upon the lungs, they are so overloaded as to be rendered incapable ofperforming their func- tions, and passing it into the circulation: inflammation is then produced ; which, ac- cordino; to the nature of the case and cer- tainty of circumstances, must terminate in suffocation, if suffered long to continue its progress, without effectual attempts to re- lieve Nature from the burthen she has ac- cumulated. This disease may also be pro- duced by violent exercise upon the turf^ or exertion in the Jield, when the increased ra- pidity of circulation (by the action of the solids upon their contents), propels the blood to the smaller passages with so great a de- gree of velocity as not only to produce im- mediate inflammation, but sometimes to rupture some of the finer vessels, from which BROKEN WIND or CONSUMPTION frequently proceeds. A sufficient quantity of blood must he m^ sianfli/ taken away, to unload the vessels as much as the strength will bear. After this operation, have ready some bran and very sweet hay cut small, and scalded together. 216 PLEURISY. which place hot in the manger, that the FUMES may be imbibed as an internal fomen- tation, to relax the rigidity of the glands, and excite a discharge from the nostrils so soon as possible. The very nature of Hhis case, and the danger to which the horse is exposed, sufficiently point out the propriety and consistency of exerting all possible ala- crity to obtain relief, or counteract the dis- ease in its first stage ; therefore let the fumi- gation of scalded bran and hay be repeated every four or fiv^e hours, and the following decoction prepared without delay : Take pearl barley, raisins split, and Turkey figs sliced, each six ounces; Stick liquorice bruised, two ounces; Boil in a gallon of water till reduced to three quarts, strain ofF; and, while hot, stir in one pound of ho ley, and, when cold, a pint of distilled vinegar; giving an ounce of nitre in a pint of tliis decoction every four, five, or six hours, according to the 5tate and inveieracy of disease. If relief is not obtained so soon as expected, and the horse is costive, give a glyster, with Two quarts of common gruel ', Co use sugar six ounces ; Glauber salts four ounces ; PLEURISY. 217 Tincture of jalap two ounces ; And a quarter of a pint of olive oil. This must be repeated in twenty-four hours, or oftener, if necessary. Should (notwithstanding these efforts to relieve) the symptoms continue equally pre- dominant and alarming, not displaying the least tendency to submission, after waitino- a proper time for the desirable effect of pre- vious administrations, let the blcedino- be re- peated, and that in quantity proportioned to the necessity or severity of symptoms, continuing the decoction and nitre every three or four hours, repeating the gli/ster, if plentiful evacuations have not been obtained by the former injection. The diluting drinA\ before described, is in- troduced here in preference to a ball, that its medicinal efficacy may be expeditiously con- veyed to the seat of disease. So soon as the wished-for advantages are observed, and the predominant and dangerous symptoms be- gin to subside, when he labours less in re- spiratioYij is brisker in appearance, heaves less in i\\Q flank, dungs frequently , stales freely, runs aj: the nose^ eats his warm mashes of scalded 218 PLEURISY, bran, with four ounces of honey each, an3 will drink thin gruel for his common drink (in each draught of which should be dissolved two ounces of cream of tartar) \ in short, so soon as every appearance of DANGER is dispelled, the management may be regu- lated in every particular by the instructions given under the article of COLD, in its earliest stage; giving one of the following halh every morning for a fortnight, leaving off the mashes and diluting drink by degrees ; varying the mode of treatment as circum- stances may dictate, or occasion may re- quire. Take Castile soap six ounces ; Gum aramoniacum two ounces ; Anise and cummin seeds (in po\vder)cach four ounces; Honey sufficient to form the mass, which divide into a dozen balls. To prev^ent any ill effects that may arise from the viscidity of matter that has so Ipng overloaded the vessels of the lungs, or its acrimony, that may, by its retention there,, so corrode or lacerate as to form an ulcer ^ or promote the growth of hiots or tubercles^ the best method will be, so soon as the horse (with great care, gentle exercise, moderate BROKEN WIND. 219 and regular feeding) has acquired a tolerable proportion of his natural strength, to put him upon the following gentle course of phjiic. . And it will become more imme- diately necessary, where the horse bears about him remnants of the distemper, either in a gleet from the nose^ rattling \\\ his throat, difiiculty of breathi?ig, or heaving in the Jlanks, Take succofrine aloes nine drachms ; Rhubarb, jalap, gum araraoniacura, calomel, and ginger, each a drachm; Oil of juniper sixty drops ; Syrup of buckthorn sufficient to make a ball. Six clear days or more, if the horse is weak, should be allowed between each dose, aud^ the mode of management regulated by the instructions' given under the article purging. BROKEN WIND Is a defect in the part of which we last treated, so that the transition from one to the other is both quick and natural ; and sorry I am to acknowledge, that amidst all the dissections and minute investigations that have taken place, no IMPROVEMENTS 220 BROKEN WIND. or DLSCOVEllIES have been made that can at all [elucidate to a certainty the opi- nions lono' since mne forth and cominuni- cated upon this subject. The most eminent writers, as if determined in tliis particular to let us remain in '' darkness visible/' tell no more than that all their strict inquiries, all their attentive assiduity and inspection, will furnish them with no better information, '' they BELIEVE or SUSPECT the lungs, *' by some means, are too large for the ca- *' vity of the chest, or the chest too narroxv " for the lungs'' If this cwrio^^^ hypothesis can be once admitted, the preternatural en- largement of the lungs, is, by such reasoning, confirmed a paradoxical natural deformity. An attempt to establish so frail an idea would be ridiculous in the extreme ; for horses are in general so little seen with external defor- mities, that it would be a palpable proof of sterility in intellect to suppose a constant and invariable deformity upon any part of the viscera ; particularly upon the same in every horse labouring under this defect, and the very, part so immediately necessary to all the offices in life. It is an opinion I shall never accede to, but am inclined to believe, by BROKEN WIND. 221 examining the matter a little more atten- tively, two A^ery probable reasons may be adduced, tending to lead us to a much more RATIONAL opinion of the cause. For instance, whether horses who have been in the habit of yk// or /bw/ feeding, with a very trifling portion of exercise, and with- out any internal cleansing from evacuations, compulsively obtained hy purgatives or diure- tics, may not constantly engender a quantity oi viscid, tough, phlegynatic matter; which ac- cumulating by slow degrees may so clog and fill up some of that infinity of minute pas- sages with which the lungs are known to abound, as probably to obstruct the air ves- sels in their necessary expansion for the office of respiration. And whether this very probable obstruction, or partial suppression, may not in sudden, hasty, and long-con- tinued exertions, rupture ^others, and by such local deficiency affect the elasticity of the whele? The probability, and indeed great appearance of this progress, has ever in- fluenced me most forcibly to believe that such obstructions once formed, the evil ac- cumulates, till a multiplicity of the vessels 222 BROKEN WIND, becomes impervious, and render the lungs by their constant accumulation and disten- tion, too rigid for the great and necessary purpose of respiration. How far this probable system of obstruc- tion may come into immediate contact with the judgment of others, I am yet to learn; the conjecture naturally arising from a se- rious and attentive investigation of the case, , i . . . . is submitted to public opinion, as a far more rational mode of explanation than to trum- pet or RE-ECHO an absurdity, that '' the '' lungs are tob large for the chest,'* or still greater, that ''foul feeding has made the '' lungs fat,*' when a survey of the subject shall instantly demonstrate the carcase to be evidently poor. Whichsoever conjecture may be right re- specting the cause, one opinion is universal upon the cure, if it originates in a natural deformity ; for, should (according to the cre- dulity of former- writers) *' the lungs be too *' large for the chest,'' or *' the chest too *' narrow for the lungs,'' the effect being di- rectly the saaie, it is not in the power of art BROKEN WIND. 225 to furnish a cure ; the expense to obtain it being therefore superfluous, it had better be avoided. That such a defect may sometimes occur, as a chest too iiarrow for lungs of an uncommon extension, that constitute na-- turally what are called thick-winded horses, cannot be denied ; and in those cases very httle is to be expected from a hope of miti- gation or cure. It cannot but be observed what an anxious desire a broken-winded horse always dis- plays to obtain xoater — a self-evident con- viction he is rendered uneasy by some glu- tinous adhesive internal substance, that instinct alone prompts the animal to expect drinking may wash away: on the ^contrary, if, as Bartlet and Gibson suppose, ""^ the ^^ lungs are too large for the chest," every thing that increases the bulk ^of the abdomeny or viscera (and consequently the pressure upon the diaphragm) must increase the dis- quietude, which is natural to believe, from the sagacity of animals in other instances, they would in this most carefully avoid. . If my HYPOTHESIS is founded in fact. 224 BROKEN WIND. (which circumstances will not allow me the least reason to doubt) a cure may certainly be expected, provided the attempt is made upon the dawn of the disease ; bat I Avill by no means admit the prohahilltx) where the Oric;inal cause has been of lono' standing' and no attempts made to relieve. A little deli- beration will convince every reader, that a cure can originate only in such administra- tions or class of medicines as are evidently calculated in their operations or effects to reach, cleanse, and remove obstructions in the very remote seat of disease. Bleeding naturally arises out of this ob- servation, and must be repeated at proper intervals,* in moderate quantities, till divest- ed of the coat of size and livid appearance, that are certain prognostics when the Imiga are obstruc^:ed either by visciditij or hiflamma' tion. To promote the necessary evacuationsr in the first instance, to attenuate the visci- dity of the glutinous obstructed matter, and to detei'ge the passages by a stimulus of the solids, are the only foimdations upon which the hope or probability of a cure may be formed ; therefore after bleeding, go through BROKEN WIND. £25 a regular course of the mild purging balls (prescribed after the horse's recovery from the article last treated on) ; they are slightly impregnated with mercurial particles, and blended with the gums, form a most excel- lent medicine for the purpose. In three days after the operation of the third dose, begiii upon the following detergent balsamics, and continue to give one ball every morning, so long as may be thought necessary, to form a fair opinion whether the advantage is gain- ed, or relief likely to be obtained. Take of (he best whi(e soap eight ounces j Gums guaiacuni and ammoniacum each three ounces ; Myrrh and Benjamin, aniseed and liquorice, each two ounces; Balsam of Peru, Tolu, and oil of aniseed, each half an ounce ; Barbadoes far sufficient to make a mass, which di- vide into twenty balls. It is necessary to be strictly observed, that during this course, hay and xvater are to be dispensed with a very sparing hand, so Sis to prevent too great an accumulation in the stomach or intestines^ that an observatioa inay be made with the greatest certainty, VOL. I. Q 226 BROKEN WIND. whether any hopes of success from medicine may be justly entertained ; if not, farther ex- ' pense will be unadvisable, as it will appear, after such trial, an incurable malady at all events. The better to reconcile us to which, such PALLIATIVES may be occasionally put into use as will naturally be suggested by an attentive perusal of this class, in which the diseases of the lunga are the principal ob- jects of investigation. At all events, Avhen a cough is become of long standing, or the horse peiceived to la- bour under any of those wheezings in exer- cise, or violent heaving in the flanks, that indicate an oppressed state of the lungs or difficulty of respiration, the mode of feeding should be regulated accordingly ; upon a proper attention to which circumstance, many of the consequences evidently depend. For, whether as a preventive or cure, mashes should be occasionally given, and gradually declined, till the food becomes regularly to say, what might be very well justified, the impossibilify) of discovering, by no other means than silent symptoms and ocular inspection (amounting to no kind of demonstration), the origin, cause, or indeed distemper itself, to which there is no certain distinction, or palpable proof of existence. And when it is remembered there is no agency in the animal by which the particulars of his pain or distress can be communicated, every judicious and candid reader will admit the impracticability of discrmiinating between the variety of symptoms, by which alone all this FAMILY OF FEVERS are to be ascer- tained. It niav also be taken into consider- 234 FEVERS. ation, that animals of tliis class, from their simple diet and regular mode of living, can- not be subject to such complicated disorders, most of which, in the human species, evi- dently result from irregularit}' and indiscre- tion. Bringing this combination of circum- stances into one point of view, I shall avail myself of the advantages naturally arising from observations upon tUepo/ifica/ abstru- sity of one, and the paradoxical brightness of technical obscurifi/ of the other; reducing the whole class of febrile disquietudes simply to two kinds, the symptomatic and inflamma- tory only. A symptomatic fever is a degrce of inflam- mation and increased circulation, occasioned by some distinct or local pain, and is not a disorder fab origincj within itself, but pal- pably the effect of, and dependent upon, some other for its production. This fever is &o influenced by the cause, and so entirely regulated by its changes, either for bctta^ or worse, as to be constantly reduced by an alle- viation of the original complaint, and totally dispelled by a removal of the disease, to •which it is a concomitant. This fever beinii FEVERS. 235 only a symptom of some other (the mere effect of preternatural heat excited by ex- treme pain) and not a distinct disease, stands in need of no ehicidation ; let the original cause be removed, and the effect will cease of course. It has been repeatedly urged by authors of repute, that every fever is one and the same disorder, appearing differently according to the various circumstances it meets with in different constitutions. Much may be ad- vanced iu favour of this assertion ; but, it not being our present purpose to enter upon the discussion of so extensive a subject, we will contract it as much as the nature of the disease will admit, and venture to affirm the fever to which horses are most subject is that distinct kind called inflammatory. To pro- duce that preternatural heat or increased cir- culation, constituting what is termed fever, there must be some pre-existing cause, to discover the true seat of which great nicety of discrimination is unavoidably necessary ; here is no information to be collected, but by the hand and the eye\ the first should be sanctioned by JUDGMENT and EXPE- 236 FEVERS. RIENCE, the, latter recvulated by REA- SON and OBSERVATION. For want of due attention to these salutary considerations, many fine and valuable horses have been hastily and dictatorially sentenced to pass that '* bourne from whence no tra- ^' veller returns!" And here it can neither be thought inapplicable or intrusive to re- ijiind every person employed in the practice, under the denomination of farrier, that frequently upon his learned decision ahne de- pends the LIFE or DEATH of this most va,luable anin^al. He should not only be ac- curately nice in the discrimination of dis^ ease; but, b}- attending minutely to circum-^ Sjtances, endeavour to develope the mysteri- ous indications of nature, cover all her wants, and strengthen every effort ; for she is tena- cious of her many powerful privileges, and will not bear too '' insolent a monitor/' To become the more adequate to this task of in- tegrity, he should be anxiously careful to improve his judgment, and adopt the known qualities of medicines to the expectation of their eftects ; to have in view, upon every emergency, the operations from which cei;"r FEVERS. 237 tain or probable relief is to be obtained ; and to promote those ends by every foir and gentle means that may be justified by circumstances or dictated by discretion. To enter into a tddions medical disquisi- tion upon the origin of fevers, their different degrees and effects, would exhaust the pa- tience of the most patient inquirer; I shall consequently avoid so unentertaining a de- tail, and adhere to such explanatory parts as become more immediately the objects of information. To enumerate the possible causes in which a fever may originate, would be, in this work, equally impracticable ; they are so much more symptomatic than self- existino", that circumstances and careful at- tention only must lead to the discovery. There is not the least doubt but a c^eneral cutaneous obstruction, or sudden constric- tion upon the perspirable pores (proceeding from what cause soever), will constitute the foundation of every fever to which the ani- mal can possibly be subject : the matter destined for perspiration, being forcibly re- turned upon the vessels, is absorbed into the circulation ; the passages are evidently 238 FEVERS. overloaded, and nature, b}' an increase of circulation in the velocity of the blood, en- deavours to relieve herself from the oppres- sion, which in this disease she so evidently labours under. In respect to symptoms, the inspection should be made with care and attention ; the 2;eneral modes of inquiry are SUPER- FICIAL, and the decision often FALLA- CIOUS. The pathognomonic, or certain si in general so prejudi- cial to the frame when once they have gained admission, or secured their seats: respecting which such a diversity of opinions have been broached, and nothing finally satisfactory ascertained of their origin, either in the hu- man species or brute creation. Some avow their animakulcty or eggs^ to take place in the VOL. I. S 258 WORMS. impurities of slimy mucus, accumulated in the stomach, and thei^ brought to perfec- tion ; othersassert their formation and con- sequent progress to be carried on in the in- testines ; and many are not without belief that the animalcidce , or eggs, are conveyed into the body with a part of the vegetable world upon which they subsist, and there brought to their state of perfection. I shall barely venture to hint at the po^^ sibilify of their undergoing (in shape or ap- pearance) in the different parts of the body, as the stomach, intestines, or rectum, those changes that we well know take place in the silk-xoorm, caterpillar, &c. seeming to con- stitute a different species, thocigh the con- trary is universally proved by even ocular demonstration of the very act of mutation. As enlarging upon the great consistency and probabihty of this circumstance can only extend the field for imagination, without add- ing at all to the utility or elucidation of the subject, that indeterminate point shall re- main undisturbed, Avhile we proceed to the more material investigation of consequences and cure. WORMS. 259 Whatever doubts or opinions may have been held, or gone forth, respecting their origin or different kinds, one opinion has been long universal upon their effects ; that is, where they have taken possession for any length of time, or in any great degree as to number, no care, art, or attention^ can oive your horse the appearance of hilarity^ HEALTH, and CONDITION. He is in perpe- tual anxiety for a constant supply of either food or water, and in return but poorly re- pays the gratification ; for, in the midst of all, he seldom or indeed nerer, looks well ; after having 'been some time a prey to them he gets low in flesh, hard in his hide, his coat stares, he always seems dejected, sweats upon trifling exercise, and that sweat per- ceptibly unhealthy, and remarkably foul iii effluvia. The smaller kind of bots, and the asca- RIDES, or small round worms, are attended in general with no other symptoms or in- conveniences than the last described ; on the contrary, the bots, whose station is sup- posed (hitherto) to be confined to the sto* mack, when strong in number and come to 260 WOKMS. maturity, and so severe in their operationir that the great irritabihty of the part occa- sions the most excruciating pain and pre- dominant appearance of distress. The horse is not only distressed with all the before- mentioned proofs of bad state of body and internal decay, but likewise with violent periodical pains, approaching to convulsions or seeming madness ; he displays all the ex- ternal symptoms of gripes, spasms in the sto- mach, strayigwy, nay, even of a compUcation of disorders ; but where the evacuations of stool and urine are not suppressed, the original complaint may be attributed to this cause. Of all the various methods that have been adopted in rational and regular practice (or the experiments under adventurous sanc- tion), none can lay such claim to approba- tion as that certain and indubitable cure — a course of mercurial ^hy^'xc* Antimonials and preparations of tin have had each their ad- vocates, as well as those botanical decep- tives, rue^ garlic, tansey, savin, and box ; all calculated to amuse, but none to convince. Experience lias determined the specific effects of ??iercurials in this case absolutely WORMS. , 261 infallible; before the power of which every species of worms^ and their oviparous remains, indiscriminately fall, and are totally extir- pated without admitting the shadow of doubt. So soon therefore as they are suspected, or at least so soon as they are ascertained, to have taken possession, it will be prudent to prevent a horse being hurt in appetite, reduced in flesh, or altered in condition (by their constantly preying upon the internal coat of the stomach, and injuring those mi- nute passages through which the cliyle or nutritive parts of the aliment is conveyed into the circulation, for the general support of the frame), to proceed upon some one of the following courses without delay. Prepare your horse for the course of phy- sic by the instructions given under that head, page 35; and let your dose be adapted to the strength, size, and condition of your subject, by these rules ; if the horse is thorough bred, and delicate in shape and make. To the purging ball, No, J, add calomel one drachm. 262 WORMS. If the horse is beyond this pitch of de- licacy, stronger in make, and more entitled to the appellation of HUMTER, shewing some proportion of blood. Take the purging ball, No. 2, to wliich add calomel four scruples. Should the subject be of a still stronger make, constituting what we term a stout llOAD HORSE, To the purging ball, No. S, add calomel one drachm and a half. If on the contrary very large, strong, foul, WAGGON HORSES, Or pOWeiful COACH HORSES, 4 should become the subjects, they will very well bear the following, to produce the pro- per and desired eitects : Take the purging ball. No. 4, to which add calomel two drachms. By the operation of the first dose upon either subject, obocrvation may be made -whether diminution in tl^ purgative articles is required, or any addition found necessary. Proper care mu.st be used to avc^id every probability of taking cold, and the regular course of three doses gone through, at the WORMS. 263 distance of six or eight clear clays between each. But, as the prevalent love of novelty may with some produce the expectation of an alterative, the following purging ball will be as certainlv efjicacinus; observinsj to add of jaiap two drachms to the present pre- scription, if the horse should be either of the two last classes described. Take of Barbadoes aloes ten drachms ; ^Uiiop's mineral half an ounce ; Soap, India rhubarb, and ginger (in powder) each orve drachm; Oil of aaiseed and savin each thirty drops ; Syrup of buckthorn or roses to make the ball. The course of operation to be managed with the same care and precaution as those before described ; the least doubt of their efficacy need not be indulged as a course of either will certainly obliterate them from every part of the intestinal canal, and the subject will, in a very few days, with proper care, attention, food, and exercise, evident!}^ demonstrate his advantage in being peifectly relieved from such disagreeable company. But as there will most undoubtedly be horses troubled with worms in the possession of those, who, from the nature of their avoca- y 264 WORMS. tions, cannot submit them to so long a re-i spite from business as is necessary for a re- gular course of purging rnedichies, it will na- turally be expected an effectual substitute should be held forth for the gratification of all parties. To those therefore who cannot render the administration of mercuuial purgatives a matter of perfect convenience, the following course may be adopted with the greatest cer-? tainty of equal efiect : Take of /Fihinp's mineral six ounces ; Lcvificated antimony four ounces ; Sulphur, prepared steel, and aniseed powder, each tlirre ounces ; Honey sufficient to make a massj Mhich divide jntQ nine balls. Of these let one be given everij iiiorniug for three in su cession : tlien omit three, and re- peat for three more in succession ; then omit for three mornings, a second time, and repeat your remaining balls on the three successive mornings, when the ivhole nine will be con- sumed, and certainly productive of the pur- pose for which they are intended. The great advantage attending this method of destroy- WORMS. 265 ing WORMS, is the horse's being enabled to pursue his constant work, but care should be taken he is not too much exposed to severe cold or rainy weather during the time of tak- ing the balls. For the accomodation of those to \vhom the business of giving a ball may be a work of trouble or difficulty^ the Jwney may be omitted ; and the other ingredients, being well incorporated in a mortar, must be di- vided into nine equal parts, and mixed M^th the night or morning feeds of corn, (it being first sprinkled with water, in the manger, to insure adhesion and prevent waste) being given with the same distinctions and varia- tions in respect to time, as specified in the above instructions, when given in the form of balls. { iw > T « T-X- arc- XH£ YTILOWS. of Ac fiver k » to»sist i hi thejii—fcp JAUNDICE. 967 rc^urii^ltates. becomes immediately incorpo- rated \fith the blood, and, through the sys- tem of eirculatio:i. ditViises itself to evoiy part of the fi-ame, denoting its presence by an early appearance of yellowness in the cr/f. plainly perceptible ; a foul foint sweat appears upon the least exer- cise; and the urine is of a dark saffron tinge, resembling an infusion of that articVe ; the duno' varies much in diiYerent subjects, but is IN ALL manv degrees paler, and more in- digested, tlian the excrements of horses iu high condition. The indications of cure naturally arise out of the verv description of the disease ; to ef- feet which th.ere will be but little difiiculty, provided it is taken upon its first appearance, ( 266 ) JAUNDICE, COMMONLY CALLED T H E Y E L L O AV S. This is a disorder common to horses of every description, to which they are subject from various causes ; the most material of these we shall accurately explain. The more simple and least dangerous complahit, pass- ing under this denomination, arises solely from an obstruction in the biliary ducts, or in the gall-bladder, situated between the two lobes of the liver ; whose immediate purpose it is to assist in secreting the bile from the blood, and promote its conveyance to the intestines, where (by its acrid and sti- mulating property) it is destined to excite the peristaltic motion, by which they expel their contents. In the jaundice arising from this cause, the ducts or pipes for the passage of bile are ob- structed by slime, mucus, or viscid coagiilum ; the fluid, thus impeded in its usual progress, JAUNDICE. 267 regurgitates, becomes immediately incorpo- rated with the blood, and, through the sys- tem of circulation, diffuses itself to every part of the frame, denoting its presence by an early appearance of yellowness in theei/es, rnoiith, tongue, and saliva. To the.^e patho- gnomonic or invariable symptoms may be added those not altos^ether so certain in its earliest state ; t!ie horse generally seems heavy, dull, and dejected, with loss of ap- petite and consequent rejection of food, more than will barely subsist nature; a slight symptomatic fever soon comes on, and keeps pace with the disease ; a sluggishness or aversion to motion is plainly perceptible ; a foul faint sweat appears upon the least exer- cise ; and the urine is of a dark saffron tinge, resembling an infusion of that article ; the dung varies much in different subjects, but is IN ALL many degrees paler, and more in- digested, than the excrements of horses in hi^h condition. The indications of cure naturally arise out pf the very description of the disease ; to ef- fect which there will be but little difficulty, provided it is taken upon its first appearance. 268 JAUNDICE. when it may most probably be totally re- moved by the following interposition of MILD DEOBSTRUENTs, v/ithout recurring to a course of purgatives, which may not at all times be perfectly convenient. If, on the contrarv, the disorder should have been ob- served some time, a course qfplysic must pre- cede other intentions of cure, as will be hereafter explained. If discovered in its earliest state, let two or three mashes of scalded malt be given at proper periods, to relax the indurated contents of the intes- tines ; these being assisted, if necessary, with an emollient, or the domestic laxative ghjster, as mentioned in page 239- The body being sufficiently relaxecf to remove every proba- bility of obstruction, let the following plan be adopted and regularly persevered in : Take Castile soap eight ounces ; Turmeric (in powder) six ounces ; Soluble tartar three ounces ; India rhubarb two ounces ; Long pepper (in powder) one ounce ; Saffron half an ounce ; Syrup or honey sntficient \o make the mass ; Which divide info, ten balls, and give one every nijorning. During this course;, every requisite atten- JAUNDICE. 269 tion must be paid to appetite , food, and gentle exercise ; mashes of 77ialt and bran may be given every, or Q\evy other night, to keep the body properly lax, and regular in evacua- tion ; to assist which two ounces oi cream of turtar may be added once a day, in the mqrn- ing or evening water, being previously dis- solved in a pint over the fire, and added to the remainder. The disease, if arising from the cause be- fore-mentioned, and attacked in its infancy, will generally submit to the above course and treatment only ; but in more advanced cases double the quantity may be found ne- cessary, with the addition of mild physic or moderate bleeding. This is certain, where the complaint has not been attended to in its early state, and symptoms are so high as to substantiate a degree of virulence, the physic^ and a repetition of the above proportion, had better be adopted. Although there is no very predominant reason to be urged in fa- vour of bleeding, yet a small quantity may be lost, not only to ascertain its present state^ but to promote a slight change in the circu-t Jation. Two or three ?nashes must be given on the two successive davs after bleedino; : 270 JAUNDICE. on the third morning give the first of the fol- lowing PURGING BALLS, repeating it at the distance of six or ei^ht days between each dose, till three are teiken, regulating the whole course by the treatment so often repeated, and the precaution necessarily urged to avoid cold ; more particularly where the cathartics are impregnaled with mercury^ as in the pre- sent instance : Take succotrine aloes one ounce : Indian rhubarb, jalap, and saffron, each two drachms; Calomel and ginger each a drachm ; Syrup of safiron sulficient to form the ball for one dose. This ball is so accurately proportioned as to be nearly applicable in strength to any sub- ject for this distemper, where no violent effects are to be required ; but should any altera- tion in force be desired for a horse remark- ably strong, or delicate in constitution, in- crease or diminish its strength, by an addition to, or diminution of, the jalap ; the other ingredients remaining in their present pro- portions. In three days after the last dose is com- pletely set, and the horse recovered his ap- petite, begin upon the followin^v course of JAUNDICE. 271 warm deobstrueni restoratives, giving one every morning Avithout remission till the whole are taken. Take Castile soap eiglit ounces ; Turmeric and filing of iron each four ounces; Aniseed and elecampane each two ounces ; Vitriolat^d tartar one ounce and a half; Oil of aniseed three drachms. — Honey sufficient to make the ma^s 5 and divide into a dozen balls. During tlie time of taking these, let the former instruction relative to food, exercise, dressing, &c. be strictly adhered to, with such other little attentions as circumstances re- quire ; remembering to relinquish the me- dicines by gradations, as every other morn- ing, or once in three, but not to discontinue them entirely, till a/l symptoms totally dis- appear. The distinct kind of this disease, arisiag from a remote and very discouraging cause, is that species originating in an induration of (or schirrosities upon) the liver. I say discou- raging, because little or no hope of per- manent relief can be entertained, as may very naturally be concluded from even a super- ficial consideration of the case, not only by its remote situation, so distant from the £72 JAUNDICE. poAver of the most active medicine ; ttie great certainty of no advantage being obtained but by the circuitous communication through the medium of the blood, and the additional re- flection, palpably clear to the judgment of every reader, that no solvent can probably be conveyed through the circulation otili/, sufficiently powerful to resolve or extirpate either szvelling^ schirrosity, or tubercle, upon a part so distant from the seat of action as that we now treat oL As the necessary steps for palliation of symptoms, or hope of cure^ will consequently be expelled, bleeding {?> oi course premised, to reduce the contents and take off some degree of stricture from the vessels ; remove ob- structions in the body by mashes of ;;^a/^and bran and for two or three days, as before directed, then proceed to the course of mcr^ rwm/ purging balls here recommended, at- tending to the mode of treatment so often repeated : Take Barbadnes aloes one ounce ; Castile soap half an ounce ; Jalap and calomel each two drachms ; Ginger one draclim ; Oil of jumper and art'sced each twenfy drops ; Syrup safficient to form the ball for one dose. JAUNDICE. 275 This course (of three doses) and their ope- rations being minutely attended to, let no care or attention be omitted to bring him as near his former pitch of strength^ appetite, and appearance, as possible ; so soon as he has resumed which, a beginning may be made upon the last resource, and from these only can the most distant hope of mitigation or CURE be formed. Take of Castile soap ten ounces ; Gum ammoniacum and turmeric eacli four ounces ; Salt of tartar three ounces ; Extract of black hellebore and oil of savin each six drachms ; Syrup of honey sufficient to make twelye balls. Of these let one be given regularly every other morning; on the intermediate days give one of the folio win cj mercurial alterative powders, calculated to give joint assistance without delay, and promote every advantage that can be expected by all pssible means, adapted to this distant cause of com- plaint : Take ^thiop's mineral, prepared antimony, sulphur, and cream of tartar, of each three ounces. — Mix together in the mortar, and divide into twelve pa* TOL. r. T 274 JAUNDICE. pers, givinor one, with the feed of corn, every other morning, sprinkling the corn with water to pre- vent its waste in the manger. The above balls are calculated (by their peculiar efficacy) to strike at the very root of disease; the reputation of each article having been long established either as a 50/- "cenf or deobsfruent, and evidently adapted to act in concert for the general purpose ; no farther experiments or changes need be at- tempted or undertaken, as this course will absolutely effect all that is in the power of medicine to perform. And should they fail (after fair trial) in the intent for which they may be given, a rupture of the tumour, and its becoming ulcerated, or a schirrosity of the liver constantly increasing, will (in opposi- tion to all art and every human endeavour) usher in death to close the scene, and de- monstrate the fallibility of kll our boasted sj)ecifics. Horses are said also to be subject to a re- gurgitation of bile, from an inflammatory affection of the liver, when occasioned by the bite of any venomous insect or animal, as the viper, slow- worn, land-eft, &9. whe- JAUNDICE. m ttlei' such inflammation or bilious appear- ance is produced by the bite or not, if there are other local symptoms, as swelling, pain, and inflammation^ bleeding becomes imme* diately proper ; then let the part be well washed w ith soap and w^arm water, so as to raise a substantial lather ; wipe dry with a clothj and bathe the surrounding parts for some minutes with equal portions of fine oilve oil and white wine vine2;ar; afterwards apply a poultice of emollient ingredients^ as may be selected by referring to the index, and let it be repeated twice a day till the swelling or symptoms subside. Should tlie horse be attacked with a violent sympto- matic fever to a great degree, adopt the me- thods recommended in that class ; at any rate give one ounce of 7iitr€ twice a day in his water, and assist in cooling the body by fnashes to relax, prepared with jjiaU, and bran equal parts, or oats^ hran, and a few <©unces of Aone?/. Y 2 ( 276 > CLASS viri. THE STRANGLES, GLANDERS, STAGGERS, AND CONVULSIONS, STRANGLES. Not one feasible reason has ever been ad- duced "vvhy this disease is so general that any- horse is hardly known to escape ; they are even subject to it at all times of life ; but the periods of attack are mostly when rising three y four, oy Jive years old. Soleysell and Gibson vainly conceived they threw great liglit upon the subject, by comparing it to the small-pox, " because/' say they, ^' young horses are generally its subjects," '' For," says Gibson, " the blood of young ^' horses may reasonably enough be suppos- ^* ed unequally fluid, having not as yet beea *^ sufficiently comminuted by frequent circiL'^ STRANGLES. 277 *^ latiom'* His meaning may be possibly- right, but most unhappily expressed to make clear his intention : to demonstrate this, let us dissect the phraseology, not assumincf the unpleasing task of criticism, but as a pre- lude to the establishment of our own system hereafter explained. He says, '* the blood *' having not as yet been sufficiently com- '' minuted," that is, in plain terms, or sound English,, not properly jow/ym.zet/ or reduced to powder ; however, I am willing to give him credit for a meaning he did not think fit to explain, and acknowledge he intended to have said (had it not smelt too strong of vul- garity) '■ gufficiently mijied/* To this re- mark, notwithstanding its sublimity, I entex' my PROTEST ; and cannot avoid express- ing surprize, that any professional, consider- ate author, could suppose the blood should incessantly flow, for three, four, or five years, without the crassarnejitum and serum being sufficiently incorporated or *^ com^ minuted*'' I will, upon the occasion, so far suppress my resentment at this feeble attack upon the system of circulation, as to forecjo the GTeat 278 STRANGLES. inclination I feel to enlarge much more upon so preposterous a position, and acknowledge, as no one sound reason has ever been given for the cause in question, I shall not pre^ sume to introduce any thing dictatorially decisive upon the subject, but submit to the consideration of others, what appears to me to contain every just reason that can be aSf signed for the appearance of a distemper at- tacking each subject to a certainty, at dif^ ferent periods, without contagion, or any cause hitherto estabhshed, but that it is so. For my own part, after affording it every de- gree of consideration, there is absolutely but ONE rational cause* to be offered why horses, at the periods before mentioned, become the?i subject to this distemper in a greater or les- ser degree^ according to circumstances; as for instance. Those horses (or colts) that have been constantly well fed without restraint for three, four, or five years, must, with their food, have imbibed an accumulation of impurities ; these having never been once agitated by evacuations, excited by art, or perspiration promoted by exercise, must consequently STRANGLES. 279 remain stagnant in the blood, till the horse being brought into use for the purpose he is intended, when the grossness and viscidity that has so Ions lain dormant soon becomes perceptible ; the fluids are too thick, slug- gish, and heavy, for their distinct appro- priations ; the lungs are first overloaded, a languor follows, to that a difficulty of breath- ing or short cough succeeds ; and, lastly, the great effort of nature displays itself in the disease before us: and that is most judici- ously made in the glandular parts, where she is nearly adequate to her own work. This rational progress of the morbid matter has ever affected me so forcibly with the idea of conviction, that nothing but a judicious, clear, and comprehensive elucidation (di- vested of surmises and conjectures), demon- strating an opposite cause, can never recon- cile me to another opinion I appeal, without subterfuo;e or ambiguity, to the professional and enlightened reader, whether this is not the regular process ; if this lurking viscidity, this glutinous impurity, is not roused from its latent communication with the juices, and called into action, by bringing the frame 230 STRANGLES. into sudden exertions and constant exercise, loaded (in circulation) with the weight that has been so long accumulating without in- terruption, from either purgatives, diuretics, or even perspiration ? If this is not the truf cause, why does it not appear before they come within the tree of the saddle, or the trammels of harness ? for experience demon- strates the truth of this observation, that tiventy horses for either saddle or cart have this distemper after being taken into work, to every one attacked with it previous to their being broke and brought into use. Having introduced thus much to gratify the expectation of every reader anxious foy the elucidation of the cause, it becomes ne- cessary to advert to the disease itself; the first attack of which is perceived in a dull, sluggish heaviness and inactivity ; the horse becomes dispirited, loses his appetite, is seized with a hoUow husky cough, occa- sioned by the irritability of the inflamed glandular parts in the throat and about the roof of the tongue ; to excite a degree of moisture in the mouth that may allay this disagreeable sensation, he is often picking STRANGLES. 281 his hay, but eats little or none ; a degree of symptomatic heat comes on, and a conse- quent clamminess and thirst is perceptible. As the distemper advances, he becomes pro- portionally languid and mattentive ; a swell- ing (sometimes two or three smaller surround"- ing) is now discovered to have formed itself underneath the jaw, and in general midway between the bones, which is at first very hard, exceedingly painful, and visibly in- creasing; he now swallows with difficulty, heaves in the flanks, and his whole appear^ ANCE evidently urges the necessity of an im- mediate attempt to relieve nature from the oppression of her own weight. The first object for consideration is the state of the subject: if the evacuations are regular (as they generally are) and the fe- verish symptoms moderate (not approaching to violence), let the swelling be examined, and its suppuration promoted. First clip away all the long or superfluous hairs^ that cover or surround the part, then foment with small double flannels, dipped in a strong decoction of camomile, marshmallows, or rosemary, for ten minutes, as hot as can be 282 STRANGLES. conveniently submitted to, and prepare the foWowing poultice. Take of coarse bread, barley meal, and camomile or elder flowers, each a handful ; boil over the fire in a sufficient quantity of milk, or the decoction for the fomentation ; into which stir about a third (of the 'whole quantity) of white lily root, washed clean and pounded to a paste ; adding tluereto of linseed and fenugreek (in powder) of each an ounce, stir- ring in, while hot, of turpentine two ounces, and of lard four, laying it on moderately warm, an4 bandaging firm, ^ This proportion is meant for two poul- tices, as the fomentation should be repeated, and the application of poultice renewed, every night and morning, till an opening in the swelling is effected ; upon which appearance of discharge let the aperture be a little en-i- larged with a history, or the point of any sharp instrument adequate to the purpose ; afterwards dressing witli tow, spread with the stable dio[estive ointment, or common yellow basilicon, first made warm, and some of the unguent (in preference to a tent), plen-» tifuUy insinuated within the orifice, to faci- litate its effect. Over this digestive, for the first two or three dressings, ccritinue thepoul^r tice ; by which treatment, though attended STRANGLES. 28 o with a little more trouble, you may most assuredly shorten the disease : by this me- thod your discharge wUl be copious, every symptom will gradually decline, and the cure, under the following aid^ and regulations, becomes speedily complete^ Though bleeding is in general a very in- different practice, where a flux of matter is solicited to any particular part of suppura- tion, yet circumstances of danger (some- times) not only justif)^ but powerfully direct a deviation from the path of custom. For instance, should the fever run high, and all other symptoms equally violent, either in the beginning, or during a more advanced state, bleeding must be certainly submitted to, but not in too large quantity. Mashes must be the constant food, in small proportion, to prevent waste; in each of which put of //- quorke and aniseed powders half an ounce, and about two ounces of //(??2^j/, unless a quart oi malt is introduced, when the honey may be omitted. The drink should be given little and often, impregnating the warm water with a portion of scalded bran or water gruel ; the head to be kept well covered with a boodp or other temporary substitute, as th§ 284 STRANGLES. warmth will greatly tend to assist in promot- ing the necessary discharge. When circum- stances and weather will permit, the horse should have the advantage of air and short gentle exercise, regular dressing, and the ac^ customed course of stable discipline, only iq a less decree than usual. ■ • \ It is a consolation in this distemper, that a symptom of danger seldom occurs, unless from neglect or absolute cruelty in using or driving a horse to extremity in the height of disease, so as to produce great fever and \\\^ flammation. The disorder generally termi- nates with a running at the nose, in a greater or less degree, which should be frequently cleansed from the inside of the nostrils, by means of a sponge sufficiently moistened in warm water to prevent its acquiring an adr hesion to those parts, or a foulness and foeti- dity that would shortly become^ acrimonious and corrosive. When the wound is entirely healed, the horse has regained his appetite, and may be considered perfectly recovered from the languor and debilitation which this complaint constantly produces, he should be put upon a gentle course of mild ynevcurial physic, if there are no circumstances to for- STRANGLES. 285 bid it : this should be prepared with due attention to his state and condition, selecting it from 2i Y2LT\ety oi purging prescriptions, af- forded by the index under that head. And this becomes the more immediately neces- sary, should a copious and offensive dis- charge continue from the nostrils after heal- ing the abscess, and leave room to suspect the cause is seated upon those internal parts hereafter described in the next article of Glanders. The disorder nearly related to tkis, and passing under the denomination of Vives, is no other than the same species of disease, attacking the subject in an infinitely less de- gree ; the juices being less corrupted, inflam- mation is not so readily excited, nor does it arrive at the pitch necessary to produce sup- puration. The swellings thus fixed, continue some time in a dormant state, the symptoms often light, and indicating no certainty of conclusion by maturation or absorption. If these swellings evidently increase (however slowly) and seem to threaten a discharge, it is a critical effort of nature, and must be pro- moted by the methods already pointed out^ On the contrary, should they recede and be- 286 STRANGLES. gill to disappear^ embrace the first oppof- tunity to cany off any ill effects that may arise, by a dose or two of physit ; avoiding, by all means, the ill-advised method of driv- ing them into the circulation by an external application of mercurials. But should such a ridiculous custom be adopted, in com- pliance with old books or ancient practice, palliate the impropriety by physic^ or a course of alteratives. Where the glandular parts are affected from the palpable effects of cold, and a slight obstruction of the pores by a sudden check in perspiration (as in removing from a warm stable to a cold one on a journey, or some such circumstance that is not always dis- coverable,) constituting small tumours (call- ed kernels) under the ears or throat, bleed in proper quantity, clothe moderately, give warm comfort able mashes for a few nights, and an ounce of nitre every night and morning in the water. It is necessary to be remarked and well remembered, that the disease we now treat of, by neglect and inattention, sometimes de- 2;enerates to a confirmed glanders ; a dii- GLANDERS. 287 temper well known to be attended with the inconveniences of difficulty, certain expense, and inevitable danger ; and where the cir- cumstance does really occur, from the above cause, if the sufferings of the animal were not involved in the event, the loss of the horse would be a very applicable punish* MENT to the inhumanity of the master. GLANDERS. This disease has ever been to the frater- nity oiTavners what the gout^ stone, and co/z- sumption, have proved to the faculty, a never-failing source for constant attendance, long bills, and large sums total. And though, like all other distempers, considered incur- able, ** too serious to make a joke of,'' I must be indulged in the effusions of fancy naturally arising from a very minute inves- tigation of the cause and its consequences. We are told by those who have preceded us, thkt *^ the cause and seat of the glanders '^ have been till lately so imperfectly handled, *^ and so little understood by Vy riters of this *^ distemper, that it is no wonder it should *' be ranked amono' the incurables : but a nez^ *^ light having beeu throvrn upon the whole 288 GLANDERS. '' affair by the study of M. La Fosse, the '' King of France's farrier, \i^ho has been at *• the pains to trace out and discover, by " DISSECTIONS, the source and cause of this ** disorder, we hope the method he has pro- ** posed with some farther experiments and *^ improvements, will soon bring to a cer- *' tainty of cure (in most cases at least) a ** distemper so dangerous to our horses, and ^^ that hitherto has eluded the force of art." We are then informed M. La Fosse's work ^^ has the approbation of the Royal ** Academy of Sciences*/' that *' he has dis- '* tincfuished seven different kinds of glan- '^ ders, four of which are incurable ;" much more is introduced to corroborate his opi- nions, and give weight to the very nice dis- tinctions that constitute this great variety of glanders. He then introduces a most ela- borate description of the necessary operation of trepanning, with an explanatory plate so invitingly finished, that the appearance of the apparatus is almost sufficient to induce any man to have his horse's head perfoi^ated (or laid open), merely to indulge in the happi- ness of becounng a voluntary dupe to M. La Fosse's experiments. GLANDERS. 289 HTs cures, almost incredible^ are then enu- merated ; you are told oi three liorses he tre- panned, each in two places: the internal parts were constantly syringed, and they were perfectly recovered ; '' the wound and '' perforation filling up in tWenty-six days, "' the horses suffering; no inconvenience from '^ the operation, though after this experi- '' ment they were PUT TO. DEATH/^ ]\Iany quotations might be introduced upon which I could much enlarge, but in so do- ing, such observations would unavoidably extend to too great a lengtli ; and, as some just satire upon such unaccountable absur- dities must appear, I shall endeavour to render it perfectly applicable to the subject before us. In the fust instance, it may not be amis.'^ to make proper acknowledgments to the French King's farrier, and his trumpeter , Jslw Bartle^, for dividing and subdividing c^e into scveh distinct (or imaginary) diseases : in short, upon accurate investigation, we find tlie fertile M. La Fosse (and his echo) have defined six different discharges from the nos- trils to constitute so many (nominal) glan- TOL. I, t OQO GLANDKiib, ders, and then describe a seventh, and tell us that is the ^^ real glanders/' It is im- possible to pass over the Jinesse of the French- man, or the kindness and credulity of his copyist, without saying somethinc; in ani- madversion upon this attempt to impose upon the world in general, without even the basis of consistency for a foundation. To take this business a little methodicallv, it may not be inapplicable (without any of- fence to M. La Fosse, or the Royal Academy of Sciences, who so generously patronized his great discoveries) to introduce a short story, many years in circulation, of the celebrated witty dean of St. Patrick, who, holding in great contempt the learned acquisition of F. R. S. addressed a letter to the president, ** requesting ^him to take the sense of the *' body upon the peculiar properties of he?np, *^ that it should, upon application, im?ne^ *^ diately cure a fractured leg !" This letter (from so great a man) being communicated to the'' FELLOWS,'' in full assembly, was productive of sequestered studies, nocturnal lucubrations, and various experiments to alinost every individual ; numerous meetings GLANDERS. 291 were held ; but consultation and emulation producing no discovery, at the end of three weeks a second letter arrived from the Dean *^ soliciting pardon for an omission in his ** last, which was to inform the society that ** the LEG was of wood.'' I introduce this circumstance not as a burlesque upon so great and learned a body, but to prove that such, as well as individuals, are liable to error and misconstruction. My predecessor (as I have before remark- ed) then says, ^' with some farther experi- ^' ments and improvements he hopes this dis~ *^ temper will be brought to a certainty of ** cure.'* Now wiiat he can wish or desire by '' farther experiments and improve- ^' ments,'' is beyond my abilities to disco- ver : lie descends most minutely to the ope- ration of trepanning ; or, in plainer terms, taking two pieces of bone out of different parts of the scull by perforation, then plen- tifully soaking with detergent lotions, adding, a variety of instructions for injections, dress^ ings, &c. to complete a cure of what, tillthen, had been considered incurable. To keep up the farce of inconsistency, we are at last con- u 2 292 GLANDERS. fideiitly assured that snch operations being performed, " after opening the cavities should '* it by probing be discovered that the bones '' are carious (or, in other words, rotten), the '' best M^ay then will be to dispatch the horse, ^' to save unnecessary trouble and expense/* I cannot resist the temptation I feel to trans- pose this language^ and display it in plain English thus. In fact, deprive the horse of half his head, in compliment to the peciiniafy feelings of the farrier, and if you find the re- maining half will not answer the purpose of the whole, cut his throat, or shoot him through the head, to save the operator's credit. Previous to the serious investigation of this case, I must beg permission (in imitation of my learned predecessor II. Bracken, M. D.) to introduce a second story not altogether in- applicable to this complicated chapter upon heads. - , A certain chemist having dedicated much time, trouble, and expense, to the preparation ^of a balsamic elixir, brought it at last to so great a degree of perfection, that it would, upon the first application, instantaneousljr incarnate, cicatrize, and cure a wound of the GLANJ3ERS, 29,3 most dreadful appearance. Having con- firmed tJie discovery by a nund^er of inCerioi instances, he applied to his friend and ser- vant John to sit down and liave his head taken off and r^?^placed with the elLvir, to de- monstrate its efficacy. But John, knowing his duty better, declined, in compliment to his master, who, he ?/?.?/' 5* .W upon it, was erj-- titled to the prefekf.nce, as the original inventor, and consequently to ^// the credit ■and emolument ; the master, i^but not with- out some reluctance) submitted to the eqnity of John's decision, whso separated his mas-- ter's head from the J^ody most chirurgicaUy ; when, having plentifully hasfedhoth Amr/and tnui],: with the ^/aVr of all e/ivirs^ he instantly replaced it ; when, to the happy admiration of both master and man, the former (after a temporary torpitude) reeovejing, v/alked to- wards the lookin^-o'lass, where, iindina* his face turned towards the shouhlers, accused his confidant of having put his liead on the WRONG way; who most prudently and jur diciously repKied, he had so placed it to in- sure his master's credit ; for lie v\'as very cer- tain if he had not, the world would nevtr J^jave believed it had been off. ?9i GLANDERS. I am induced once more to solict pardoii af the Academy of Sciences, M. La Fosse, and the admirers of Bartlet's theory, for the introduction of this '' experiment and *' improvement/' submitting the inference entirely to those gentlemen who have (un- luckily at this moment) gkndered horses in their possession. It would be rather inattentive and remiss in me to pass over the imcharitableness, or rather cruelty of dooming to death the three horses so trepanned, syringed , and completely cured by M. La Fosse '' in twenty-six '' days;" unless we are to conceive i\\Q j)os^ sibilify of putting '' them to death" on the tweiity-sixth day, to avoid their natural dis- solution on th tivenfy -seventh, the better to insure the honour of the boasted discovery, and the additional '' approbation of 'the '^ Royal Academy of Sciences." This possibility may be very probable, and indeed is no unjustifiable or unfashionable policy in physician, farrier, or quack, as every newspaper amply testifies ; they daily abound with singular, miraculous^ incredible GLANDERS, 295 (imaginary JcnvQS constantly effected by mer- curial or antiaionial nostrums, but not a dngle zvord of the HUNDREDS that an- nually fall victims to the necessities of me- dical adventurers, who, with forfune su^cient to pay for an advertisejiient^ half a score /?/z/«/.v, a solution of mercury, or a quart of soap-kes, boldly commence their depredation upon the public ; and this they are now the mere e/i- titled to do by their extensive contribu- tions to the exigencies of government, whose STAMP of approbation they are in posses- sion of; and a report is in circulation, that one is at present preparing at the office for their sole dispensation, with the very em- phatical inscription of '^ Kill or cure by act ^^'of Parliament/' A long experience, and a want of fashion- able flexibility, have established in me so great a degree of incredulity, that I am to- tally insensible to the novelty of a man in a quart bottle^ a ghost in Cock-lane, the taking ofi one half of 2i horse's head to relieve the other, or curing every f incurable J disease to which human nature is liable, by a 7nercurial drop, an antimonial pill, a vegetable syrup, or an ^therial spirit : I shall descend therefore from 296 GLANDERS. the sublimity of so miicli eminence, and, i>ently gliding into the vale of reason, re- sume the original path from which it will be undoubtedly thought by some I have di- gressed MUCH too long. It consequently becomes necessary to ob- serve, that upon whatever part this disease lias taken its seat, it has been considered by almost all parties, and through almost all experiments, absolutely incurable. To cor- roborate an opinion so universally received and admitted, it does not appear to me that a tedious technical description of its true seat, ascertaining it to be in '*' the pituitary '•' membrane, the nraxillary sinuses; the fron- '' tal sinuses, or cavities above the orbits of "the eyes," can give additional weight, or enlisjhten the understandimx of the reade'\ The duli discouraging description of a mis- fortune, to evade the ultimate force of which there is no probable (or indeed po,ssible) ap- pearance, can prove but a very slender con- solatfon ; I therefore disclaim the idea of attempting imposition upon any application that may be made to this work for informa- tion, and heartilv condemn the ridiculom belief of seven distinct kinds of glanders^ GLANDERS. 297 and the still more ridiculous diseriminatioii by which they ^ve pretended to be brought about. They are so truly puerile and miga- tori) that a medical man may (with as much appearance of truth and reason) madly at- tempt to justify the absolute existence of seven kinds of small-pox, or measles, according' to their different staoes*br gradations. The true state of his representation (divested of its necejisarj/ ambiguity) \^ plainly this ; he has mutilated, separated, and complicated, ' a variety of symptoms, endeavouring to form distinctions that may keep up the farce, and support the opinion he adv^ances, v> hich nei- ther the cavse or circumstances will admit; for the obtruding penetration of any profes- sionist instantly plucks oft' the mask of spe- <:ulation, and the intentional deception re- coils upon the autiior with additional dis- grace. To demonstrate the case more comprelien- sively or clearly, the fact appears, that any corrosive matter discharged from the nostrils, and suffered to continue for a length of time, so as to constitute ulcerations and corrode the bones, v>ill inevitablv degenerate into, and constitute the disease generally under-^ 298 GLANDERS. stood by the appellation of glanders ; e\^ery stagnant, acrimonious, or putrid matter, is possessed of this property, and more parti- cularly when lodged (or by sinuses confined) upon any particular part. Divested of pro- fessional TRICK, CHICANEilY, and DECEP-r TioN, this is the incontrovertible explana-^ lion, whether proceeding from an ulceration of the lungs, or the inveterate glandular dis- charges from the head (where the case is of long standing, and the bone carious) they are equally incurable. Persevering in my opinion, long since quoted, ihdit prevention is preferable to cure, I shall point out such methods as are the most eligible to adopts upon the bare apprehension of such com- plaint, or any disorder that may be likely to terminate in a disease of so much difficulty, expense, and danger. In respect to the medical and domestic manac^ement ; where the lun^s are the seat of disease, as in the first attack of coughs, &c. directions so clear and explanatory are laid down through the whole of the sixth class, that there is not the least room to add a single addition upon the subject ; to that class, under its diiferent heads, I refer the GLANDERS. 299 reader for any instructions that a variet}^ of j^mptoms may render necessarj^ But where a swelUng or tumour gives ocular proof that matter is forming under the ears, jaws, or between the bones (about the roof of the tongue), take every possible method to pro- duce a suppuration and discharge of matter ; for in most cases, an external evacuation becomes the crisis, and greatly preferable to the chance of mischiefs that may be the result of repulsion, 'particularly where the matter is in an unhealthy statu, and calcu- lated to communicate its morbid effects with virulence wherever it takes its seat ; which, upon being repelled and compulsively ab- sorbed into the circulation, it will of course be empowered to do, if not speedily carried off, by mercurial or antimonial preparations. Should cough or difficulty of breathing at-r tend, draw blood from a remote vein in mo- derate quantity, to mitigate either of those symptoms ; but neither being present, let the operation be omitted, unless particu- larly urged or indicated by a great degree of inflammatory heat. So soon as the swellings about the neck, head, or throat, have ac- 300 / GLANDERS. ' quired a palpable prominence, foment twice a day with the follow ing decoction : Take camomile, wormwood, marshmallows, and elder flowers, of each a lar^e handful ; boil in three quarts of water for a quarter of an hour ; then strain off, and foment the swelling well with flannels dipped in the hot liquid, and apply the herbs warm hy way of poulHce to the parts, confini^ig them on, and repeating the ceremonjpfor two or three days. . By tliis time some degree of observation may be made whether the tumours teiwl to suppuration, if so, they will increase in size, become pliable or soft to pressure in the middle ; in which case apply the poultice, ^nd proceed as directed in the Strangles, p. 282. On the contrary, should the swell- incrs continue hard and immoveable, a run- nin;htest deoree, when attacked with colds, coughs, strangles, a run- ning at the nose, or indeed any other com- plaint that may, either by a rapid or gradual progression, degenerate to a disease of so much trouble, difficulty, and danger. The rational system of practice in this disordei' may be forcibly repeated, and inculcated in a very few words. So long as the attack con- tinues in its early and simple state, be in- dustriously attentive to the execution of such instructions as are given under the different heads of those symptoms that are then most predominant ; but should patience and fair > GLANDERS. 30/ trial demonstrate the non-submission of dis- ease and ineJ0Bcacy of iiiedicine, the glands or kernels under the jaw-bone continuing dur- incj; the whole course inflexible* the matter first tinged with blood, then becoming, deep in colour and most offensive in smell, the carcase emaciated, and the whole frame sink- ing under universal depression, the Jirst loss will be ultimately best, in a resignation of his hide to the collar-maker, and his remains to the hounds. Before I close my observations upon this disease, let it be well understood, that during^ the whole course of management, the head of the horse is to be kept as warm as pos- sible, and in. proportion much more so than the body, either in a double kersey hood, or a single external, and a flannel (or seat-cotton) one underneath ; for, it may readily be con- ceived (without much information) nothing can contribute more to a solution of the humours and promotion of their discharge, than a critical relaxation of the pores, parti- cularly upon the ver\^ seat of disease : from this consideration arises conviction, that as- sisting circumstances co-operate wath and 308 STAGGERS. are as necessary as the external or internal administration of medicine ; experience hav- ing afforded ample proof that a combination may effect what is not in the power of indi- viduals to perform. The strong mercurial ointment directed for the repulsion of Glandular tumours under this head, as also iu the Farcy (p. 144), may be procured at any medical dispensary by that name, or thus prepared : Takh quicksilver four ounces ; Hog's lard balf a pound ; Balsam of sul[)hur (or lurpentine) half an ounce. Rub the quicksilver well in a mortar, with the ba'l* sum of sulphur or turpentine, till they are so ivell incorporated that the globules disappear, then add tlie lard (just warm and liquefied) by small quantities that it may be sufficiently smooth, Viud let it be kept close covered for use. STAGGERS AND CONVULSIONS. A MULTIPLICITY of long standinij distinc- tions, constituting a variety of different dis- eases in former practice, have, by nice atten- tion, in modern improvement, been nearly reduced to the two heads under which we now write ; that is, such disorders as prin^ STAGGERS. 309 cipaliy affect the head, having their seat in the brain or vessels leading thereto. In this description are included those that have been formerly distinguished under separate heads, as Apoplexy, ConVu4sions, Epilepsy, Stag- Evil, Palsy, &c. but as such investigations (founded as they must be mostly upon con- jecture) will evidently extend the thread of information to an indeterminate degree of refinement, I shall decline entering into the explanatory parts, so minutely and tediously defined upon former occasions, reciting only the general system upon which the cause is founded^ and then proceed to quote from other circumstances that may justify the bringing such a variety of disorders into ^ jingle point of view. How far the pretended accuracy of formerly distinguishing one of these diseases from another may be reconciled to modern com- prehension, or generally credited, I know not; but confess, where the whole formation of judgment and decision is to rest upon the penetration of the observer only, and no in- formation come from the patient, circumr stances could or can but very seldom conar l^ine to form so singular a distinction. Exr ., 310 STAGGERS. perience and observation may undoubtedly do much in a collection of similitudes and probabilities, but never enough to ascertain the distinct invariable causes and effects of diseases, where the most trifling difference is hardly acknowledged ; more particularly when it is reconsidered that the cause of nearly all these disorders is in the original seat of nervous irritability, the brain ; or in those parts connected with, or dependent upon, its structure and purposes; except when they are understood to be sympto- matic, or dependiiig upon some original re- mote cause ; as the effect of bots preying upon the stomach or intestines ; internal ulcerations, or complaints not immediately discoverable ; these may sometimes happen, but very rarely to aftect the frame with symptoms so truly alarming. To avoid entering into new descriptions and unentertaining definitions, that must be technical to be accurate, and consequently extended to a lenoth that can neither sfra- tify the expectation or improve the judg- ment of the general reader, I shall, in as concise a way as the subject will permit, in- troduce an abridgment from the opinions of STAGGERS. 311 Gibson, which is in fact furnishing the whole advanced by his successors ; who, without exception, generously transmitted his ideas, and informations, forgetting (or omitting) to elucidate the subject with any brilliant observations of theirown. '' APO- '' PLEXY (says he) is usually defined a pri- '' vation of sense and motion, excepting only ^^ a languid one in the heart and breast, and '' this either proceeds from a cause without " the vessels, viz. when the blood or any '' other fluid liappens to break out of some '' vessel within the brain, or when there hap- " pens to be preternatural bones or tumouis *' bred and contained within the skull, or *^ any other extraneous matter that may, in *^ any sort, press upon the soft substance of '' the brain, causing those deadly disorders* '^ But this is a specie's that is incurable, and, " for the most part, seizes suddenly, without /^ any foregoing tokens or warnings. Thus., '* in an apoplexy sense and motion are in " a manner quite lost, because of the pres- '' sure that is made upon the origin of all the '' nerves that arise from the head : but, in " a VERTIGO, objects that are at rest appear *' as if they were turning round, and by that '*. means occasion any creature to reel and Sl£ STAGGERS. '' stagger ; and this proceeds froin the vibra-- '' tions and tremors of the optic nerve, " whereby the images falling not directly '• but successive!}^ upon the different parts " of the retina, an object that is at rest will '' therefore appear as if turning round; and ^' this may be occasioned either when an ani- -' mal is fearful of falling, or from a reple- ^^ tion or over- fulness of those arteries which '' are situated near the optic nerve, which, *' by pressing upon the brain, will cause a ^' shakino- in that nerve. " No\r (says he) if we examine a little '' carefully into all the different appearances ^Vof that distemper which farriers call the ^' staggers, we shall find them reducible to *' one of these maladies above described-*' He then proceeds to prove that the staggers may be the effect of either ; then mentions an attack when the horse is first turned to grass, after a day or two's full feeding, and defines that apoplectic ; and a fourth, that is, '' either a true apoplexy, or a vertigo, or '' perhaps both/' I omit enlarging here upon these palpable absurdities and direct contradictions, quoting them to demonstrate the inconsistency of followiiig him through STAGGERS. 313 all these turnings and windings, to establish a professional mystery in deceptively at- tempting to ascertain distinctions where none can with truth or certainty be formed, *^ The following evil, or convulsions, (he says) '' is that which, in the physician's *' terms, comes under the denomination of *^ an Epilepsy, and seems to be no other than '^ an APOPLEXY or vertigo, accompanied ^^ with convulsions, either as the cause or *^ effect." This being a kind of synonimous ambiguity^ I shall so consider it, and revert to his definition of convulsions at large ; where he says, ^^ The cause of convulsions is, first, ^' whatever wastes and exhausts the body, or ^' any of its parts ; as the taking away too ^- much blood, violent purging, hard labour, '' or long sickness. Secondly, whatever fills '* the body too much, and give* origin to *^ obstructions in the blood vessels or nerves, " or brings a debility and weakness into the *' stomach ; and, lastly, wounds, or what- ^' ever else causes pain and inflammation : '■ as to the cure it is the same with that of ''apoplexy and vertigo." He has thus technically and abstrusely laboured through a multiplicity pf close written pages to per- 514 STAGGERS. plex the mind and confound the judgment, misleading his readers by repeated attempts to prove the distinct existence of all these separate diseases ; though at the conclusion of each description, he acknowledges they are nearly synonimous, and come directly under the same methods of cure. This is absolutely the fact brought into the compass of truth, and will exculpate me from the accusation of neglect or deception in not treating separately upon such diseases ; and by introducing a train of imaginary symp- toms, endeavour to give the appearance of weight to what must be termed a mere matter of conjecture. As they are disorders that luckily happen but seldom, I shall confine myself to their description and treatment as the staggers and convulsions only ; the in- structions necessary for the manageirient of those beiiig universally admitted adequate to the intentional cure of the long list of et cceteras. Horses, upon the approach of any of those disorders, whose seat is directly in the brain, or nervous system, display a previous weak- ness and inactivity, seeming to move reluc- - ^ STAGGERS. 315 tantly, reeling or staggering in their walk, frequently blinking their eyes, as feeling some auk'.yard depression or uneasiness from the effect of light ; thej^ are averse to handling, and brough: out of the stable '\vith difficulty : in time, a vi'sible tremor comes on, and after reeling (or frequently turning round, if loo^se) they fall almost lifeless to the ground, hav- ing the perceptible power of breathing on\y, but that in a des^ree of violence and aijita- tion : this is termed the apoplexy, or stag- gers, admitted synonimous and similar in cause, symptoms, and effects. The great variety of symptoms that have been hitherto worked up to a pitch of extra- vagance, excited a degree of credulity to the discrimination of these diseases, would ren- der it a palpable burlesque upon the subject to go over a similar ground ; they having in- cluded and enumerated every possible symp- tom (common to all distempers) in the de- scription of this class, determined to include the zclwk, that no one circumstance might be wanting to justify their assertions, or con- firm their judgment. Whether it is Epilepsy, Palsy, Convulsions, or Stag-evil, symptoms are amply furnished : we are repeatedly told 516 STAGGERS. *' The horse reels and staggers ; his eyes are ^* fixed ill his head ; he has no sense of what *' he is doing ; he stales and dungs insen- ^^ sibly ; sometimes he is immoveable^ with ^' his legs stretched out as if he was dead, ^' except only a quick motion of his heart '' and lungs, which causes a violent working '" of his flanks ; sometimes he has involuntary *' motions and shaking' of his limbs so strons;, *' that he has not only beat and spurned his *' litter, but the pavement with it/' Here is ample proof how much I might indulge myself in playing upon the alternatives they admit, so caustiouslij guarded with iheiv adverb of possibility ; I could introduce a very long chain of quotations in the same style of am- biguity or duplicity, "plentifully interspersecl with their favourite safeguard '' sometimes he *' is up, and sometimes he is down ; and some^ *' times he is hot^ and soJiietimcs he is cold ; " sgrnetimes they recover, and sometimes they *^ prove mortal," &c. but it Jms ever been the iatent of this work to make the cause, SYMPTOMS, and cure of every disease, as clear as the nature of each case will admit ; being unavoidably interspersed with medical remarks and occasional explanations, where tecl^nical terms could not be evaded ; I shali STAGGERS. 3i7 therefore revert no more to a succession or repetition of symptoms, where enough has been already pointed out to explain to any rational observer a case originating in the causes we now treat of ; and whichever it is, or to what denomination it is most properly entitled, the seat of disease being the same, the cure must be corresponding : but in these, and in all other disorders, a little jadgment must be exerted to regulate the treatment by circumstances, as symptoms cannot on every occasion be collected from books, or be found in one distemper always the same. Diseases oriojinatinsj in the most abstruse recesses of nature, and that will admit such a complication of constructions, may proceed from a variety of causes, clearly compre- hended ; as^ in all probability, they may likewise from many that we are entirely un- acquainted with. Among the former is that cause originating in the preternatural increase of the velocity of blood, instantaneously af- fecting the brain; as is annually confirmed by the loss of hundreds, in madly exceeding the bounds of humanity, and exhausting the strengtli and power of an animal made by 318 STAGGERS. nature sufficiently strong to bear almost every task the degeneracy or avarice of man could be supposed to invent. In corrobora- tion of this circumstance, of the premature deaths occasioned by increasing the velocity of the blood beyond the limits prescribed by nature, I present to the reader^s imagination that iufinitv of most beautiful horses that upon every principal road in England con- stantly fall victims to the rapidity of MAIL COACHES, FLYING MACHINES, DILLIES, and POST TRAVELLERS; more particularly in the extreme heat of summer, when they are seen daily dying martyrs to the eagerness of impatient travel- lers, or the innate cruelty of inhuman driv- ers. To these some (but a very few) of private property may be added, hard drove -upon long and speedy journeys, and others imprudently jode, and improperly managed, during chases of great length, in strong deep countries, with fleet hounds. Others become the subjects of these dis- orders from great irritation (with severe and excruciating pains) in the stomach and bowels ; the powerful effects of worms or STAGGERS. 319 bots in the intestinal canal ; sharp acrid me- dicines ; a repulsion of any morbid matter from the surface, without its beino- carried off by proper evacuations ; or wounds, dis- locations, &c. They are frequently known to attack very suddenly^ and terminate in death very speedily : at others the approach is indicated by the symptoms before recited. The most rational methods of cure will be to correct or discharge the primary cause, to allay the spasms, and to reduce the extreme degree of irritabihty, by strengthening the nervous system ; the causes of irritation are not only remote but various, and relief must consequently be occasionally obtained by dif- ferent means. The first step to cure will be, at all events, to draw blood, and that in quantity accord- ing to exigencies and the state of your sub- ject. In cases of real alarm and danger bleed in two veins remote from each other, to cause the «;reater revulsion. Althous^h it becomes absolutely necessary to stimulate and rouse the animal powers after the paroxysm, little can be done during the fit ; however, a glyster may be prepared, according to the 320 STAGGERS. following directions, and given as soon aa possible. If the cause is ascertained (or supposed) to proceed from an increased velocity of the blood, and consequent inflammation upon the brain, bleed immediately, and give the glyster prescribed in page 43 : if from ex- treme irritation in the stomach and bowels, give the domestic glijster, p. 239, with the ad- dition of liquid laitdanum half an ounce. If the continual preying and depredations of bots, or worms, are the cause, give for the present the following glyster ; and so soon as the horse is sufficiently recovered to go through the course, proceed as directed un- der that head : Take of rue, savin, and wormwocil, each a handful ; boil a quarter ofanhourin two quarts of water, with four ounces of common salt; then strain and add tincture of assafoetida two ounces, olive oil a quarter of a pint, and let it be thrown up mode- rately warm. If the complaint proceeds from a too free use of sharp or acrid medicines, make an ad- dition of two Qiinces of Venice treacle, and three drachms of liquid laudanum to the STAGGERS. 321 tomnion do??iestic gli/ster before specified. For sill) liar coiiiplaints, proceeding from indeter- minate causes, tiie gfyster, p. 45, will be un- doubtedly applicable^ Should spasms or convulsions prove so violent that, bv a contraction of the mus- cles, the jaws are locked, or fixed, for any considerable length of time (the fit being of long duration)^ recourse must be had to iiu** tritive glysters, that the frame may be sup- ported, notwithstanding its inability to re- ceive aliment by other means. These may be prepared of diiferent kinds, as broths, gruel, milk pottage, calves' feet jelly, thin ; or a decoction of ground rice, mixed with starch. So soon as the fit is sufficiently oflf, to admit the advantage of medicine, give the following BALL, if it can be conveniently administered : Take rnjrrli, ammoniacum, and assafoetida, of each three drachms ; Russia casior, and camphor, each a drachm ; Syrup sufficient to make the ball. This should be repeated every ten or twelve hours, for two or three days, or till the ab-^ sence of the fit leaves no apprehension of re^ VOL. I. . y 322 STAGGERS. turn. Where circumstances or symptoms may render a drink more convenient, the following may be prepared and given at the above stated intervals : Take of valerian root and horse-radish root (scraped or sliced) each two ounces ; Virginian snake root and mustard seed (bruised) each one ounce ; upon these pour three pints of boiling water ; let tliem be cov cnt causes, and still less to establish a con- sistent method of cure. This deficiency, it must be acknowledged, has not arisen from a want of prescriptions ; on the contrary, they have been most liberally dispensed ; but when the great variety of recipes tha^: have been offered to public experiment, be- come subject to the accurate inspection of the enlightened practitioner;, they may per- CHOLIC. 329 Jiaps appear to be more the collected effu- sions oifancy than the effects oi'judg?nenf. As it is not^ however, the present intention to divert the mind to former modes of prac- tice, let us endeavour to make the distinct causes of complaint properly understood, previous to the introduction of such course pf medicines as experience has clearly demon- strated most safe and applicable to the re- lief of diseases, upon which we proceed to treat. The disorders to which horses are most 3ubject in the stomach and bowels (exclu- sive of those occasioned by worms and bots, already separately treated on) are those kinds pf Cholic which it will be necessary to dis- tinguish as the Jiatulent and injiammatovy. The Flatulent Cholic is that species of in- testinal pain, occasioned by an accumulation and retention of wind, which, by its expand- ing force, in a constant fluctuation and effort for discharge, extends the stomach and in-r testines to a certain degree (or perhaps their utmost elasticity) ; when coming into direct opposition with the contracting power of the abdominal muscles, certain pain is excited in a \ 330 CIIOLIC, a greater or less degree, according to the circumference and extension of the parts, the collection of confined air, and the pro- portional spasm produced by its effects. This kind of Cholic comes on suddenly, and may, in general, be readily distinguishr- ed by the rumbling of the imprisoned air through the intestines for vent or discharoe. It is occasioned by hasty and full feeding after long fasting; drinkmg cold water when hot, or in too large quantity ; or when the obstructed perspirable matter is thrown im- mediately upon the bowels by a powerful revulsion, effected in a change from heat to extreme cold, &c. There is no gradual pro- gression in this complaint from slight symp- toms ; its appearance is mostly sudden, and attack violent ; the subject becomes in a greater measure outrageous ; he strikes his belly with his feet, looks w^ildly on either side towards his hind parts, lies down unex- pectedly, and rises as suddenly. When the pain is excruciating, vibrations of the whole frame are perceptible ; to these a palpable moisture or sweat succeed, but not of loni£ duration ; a rigor or shivering frequently CHOLIC. 331 follows the perspiration ; he repeatedly lies down, rolls himself upon his litter; and, seeming exhausted with pain, stretches him- self out as in a dying state. The first step to relief must be regulated, in some measure, by the ease or difficulty of obtaining those articles that are rendered by circumstances most adequate to the purpose. If in or near a town where the medicines can be readily procured, let the following ball be prepared and given so soon as possible : Take aniseed powder one ounce ; Pliilonium half an ounce ; Grain of Paradise and ginger, (both in powder) of each two drachms ; Oils of juniper and aniseed each a drachm ; Syri^p sufficient to make the baU. This ball to be repeated in tw^o hours, if the urgency of the case should render it ne- cessary ; on the contrary, if the circum- stances are much alleviated by the first, re- peat it in four or six hours, as circumstances may require. Where a drink is thought preferable, or the administration more con- venient, and the ingredients can be easily obtained, prepare the following : 333 CHOLIC. Take coriander, sweet fennel, aniseeds, and Jamaica pepper, bruised, each an ounce and half; grains of Paradise half an ounce ; ginger two drachms. Bruise separately in a mortal ; then boil in three pints of thin gruel for tea minutes ; strain, and add of compound aniseed water, or, in want of that, Geneva or brandy, half a pint: of this composi- tion, let half be given so soon as possible, an I the remainc'er ia tv,o, four, or six hours, as the miti- gation or severity of symptoms may dictate. If the distance from a town, or difficulty of obtaining the above preparations, should render a substitute unavoidable the follow- ing attempt to relieve should be instantly ladopted ; Takc of ginger, caraways, nutmegs, Jamaica pepper, (or in factof any two apices the house afibrds in the emergency,) each an ounce; bruise together in a rnorlar, and boll a few minutes in three quarters of a pint of gruel or ale, with two or three ounces of sugftr; then strain and add a gill of Geneva or trandj', giving i]}Q drink moderately warm. This, in country places, and remote farm- houses, may be found an useful and conve- nient substitute during the time unavoidably jiecessary to procure more powerful ^n4 efficacious remedies. CHOLIC. 53S After a repetition of either of the two for- mer compositions, should the horse not be relieved either by evacuations of stool, urine, or expulsion of wind, let the body undergo a gentle motion, by leading about for a quar- ter of an hour (or longer}, if it can be justi- fied by circumstances. Should this combination of endeavours to relieve fail in effect, the thoughts must be immediately diverted from a continuation of warm cordial stimulants to a relaxation of the intestines ; to promote which the follow- ing glyster should be prepared and adminis- tered with the greatest expedition. - \- Take camomile, marsli mallows, wormwood, elder flowers, or rosemRry, of any two most convenient, each a lafge bandfdl ; Jamaica pepper and senna, of eacii one ounce ; ginger (bruised with the pep- per) half an ouijce : boil in two quarls of water, for a quarter of an hour, strain ofl', pressifjg the ingredients ; then add of olive oil and geiieva, or brandy, each a quarter of a pint, and lot the whole be thrown moderatel}^ warm into the passage, by- gradual and gentle pressure. This is to be repeated in three or four hours, if by the evacuation of foul indurat- 334 CHOLIC. ed excrements and expulsion of wind a pro- portion of relief is obtained, but the subject not perfectly at ease ; on the contrary, should no relief be obtained, and the horse continue in extreme pain, recourse must in- stantly be had to the following laxative drink, which, if circumstances require, must be oc- casionally repeated till relief is obtained, by great expulsions of wind or plentiful evacua- tions. Take senna two ounces : boil a few minutes in three quarters of a pint of water, with three drachms of ginger bruised ; then strain and dissolve in the liquid four ounces of lenitive electuary, and six drachms of soluble tartar ; adding three ounces of tincture of senna, and one of the tincture of jalap. So soon after this as the horse is inclined, supply him frequently with small quantities of substantial gruel moderately warm ; and when he is so much relieved that the pains have evidently subsided, in conssquence of either of the above modes of treatment, let him be supplied with comfortable mashes, and warm water (slightly impregnated with gruel) at proper intervals, for a few days : confirming the cure and strengthening the stomach and bowels, by giving, for a few mornings, one CHOLIC. 335 of the restorative cordial balls ^ prescribed in p, 209. The judicious inquirer will observe, the former fiery practice (of pepper, gin, turpentine, brine, and a long list of et cce^ teras), -is rejected, as founded upon the basis of uncertainty and danger ; consequently not entitled to a place in the Modern System of Farriery. The wonderful variety of pre- scriptions commonly obtruded for the par- ticular purposes of appearance, are here in- tentionally avoided to prevent deception : the above method of treatment, with the progressional alteratives, being absolutely adequate to every possibility of relief, where the collection and retention of wind are sup- posed to constitute the disorder passincr under the ^e/z^ra/ denomination of fret, or CHOLIC. THE DISTINCT KIND OF CHOLIC I NOW proceed to explain, is distinguish- ed, in common practice, by the appellation of Gripes ; but for the better comprehension of all parties, I shall consider it an Inflam- matory Cholic without reverting to the lan- guage of others, terming that ^' bilious,'* to m CHOLld. which, ill my humble opinion, there can id this instance be no bilious explajiiation ap- pertaining, In the predominant symptoms of these kinds ofChoIic, there is but little difference ; in the inflammatory, of vvhich we now treat, they however run higher, or, in other terms, more violent ; the pain is evi- dently excruciating, and proceeds from cos- tiveness, with great accumulation of indu- rated faeces, or hardened excrements. The rectum seems loaded, and visibly pressed to the fundament, which appears prominent ; a constant straining and endeavour to expel dung, with no other discharge than a dis- coloured, hot, sharp, liquid ; a frequent po- sition is formed for staling without success ; and the extreme pain soon produces symp- tomatic fever, w^ith short breathina', heaving in the flanks, extravagant actions, and ge- neral exertions, that very much alarm with the apprehension of immediate danger. To allay which, it will be advisable to take off the spasm or stricture from the intestines, by an expeditious solution and dischar2;e of their contents, thereby preventing inflam- mation and its certain, if not immediate, con- sequences. This desirable event must be CHOLIC, 337 solicited by a combination of efforts, with- out inconsiderately waiting, hour after hour, for the result of a single administration; a junction of aid must therefore be formed for the occasion, and the following g*/t/5^er pre- pared and injected without delay : Take of common gruel three pints ; Epsom salts four ounces ; Tincture of senna and olive oil each a quarter of a pint. This being administered, let a laxative drink be prepared with the following ingre- dients, and given so soon as circumstances will permit : Take senna one ounce; Carraway seeds bruised, and cream of tartar, «acli half an ounce. — Boil for ten minutes, in three quarters of a pint of water, in which dissolve four ounces of Glauber salts, then strain, and add tincture of jalap one ounce. If relief, and plentiful evacuations, are not obtained by these means, so soon as may reasonably be expected, prevent (if possible) the increase of inflammatory symptoms, by taking away a moderate proportion of blood from the neck ; for, in the advanced stage VOL, I. z 338 CHOLIC. of the disorder, appearances of danger can only be subdued by a removal of obstrut- tions. It may, therefore, be naturally in- ferred, (without introducing, in compliance with custom, a multiplicity of prescriptions, to embarrass the mind and perplex the judg- ment), that these effects can only be pro- duced by perseverance in a repetition of either or both the above, as exigencies may direct or dictate, till the necessary discharges are obtained ; without which, inflammation and mortification will inevitably ensue. Glys- ters must consequently follov/ each other, without much intermission, till the point is carried ; to promote which, let small quan- tities of warm thin gruel be frequently of- fered, with one ounce of nitre in each : warm mashes may also be given, if the horse should be inclined or enabled to receive them. Immediate ease generally succeeds the ne- cessary evacuations, the subject then only labouring under the lassitude that is so con- stantly the concomitant of extreme pain. All obstructions, therefore, being removed, and plentiful discliarges obtained, contribute the support that nature will so evidently CHOLIC. 339 stand in need of^ by preparing a comfortable warm njash of oats and bran, equal parts ; into vvhieii stir of aniseed, liquorice, and ele- campane powders, each one ounce. In two or three hours after this mash is consumed, give the following cordial stomachic ball, or drink, as may be most applicable to the in- tent or opinion of the operator or superin- tendant ; washing down either with two or three quarts of very thin gruel, if the horse be inclined to take it : Take mithridate and aniseed (in powder) of each half an ounce ; Saffron and London philonium each two drachms ; .Oil of aniseed one drachm; Syrup (if necessary) to make the ball. THE CORDIAL CARiVlINATIVE DRINK. Take anise, coriander, and sweet fennel seeds, of each one ounce ; carrav/ay seed and ginger each half an ounce. Juti them all be reduced to a gross pow- der, and boiled in a pint and half of gruel till re- duced to a pint ; then strain, pressing the ingre- dients, and let it be given of a proper warmth. This will prove, upon most occasions, all the medical assistance the subject will fe- quire ; but after recovery, his state and con- z2 340 CHOLIC. dition shouM be attended to ; no strong ex- ercise, or cold Mater, can be proper for the first two or three days ; his feed should like- wise be regulated by appetite or inclination ; rather feeding often, and in small quantities, than to hazard a relaxation of the tone of the stomach, and a debilitation of the digestive powers, by large feeds at distant periods. If there are any indications of weakness, languor, inactivity, loss of appetite, heavi- ness, and aversion to motion, or slight symptoms, of pain, proceed to a course of the cordial balls, p. 209. giving one every morning, or every-night and morning, should any of the above recited circumstances ren- der it necessary. Previous t© the final dis- mission of this article, it cannot be inappli- cable to enforce an exertion of the attention absolutely requisite in the management of horses, where cases of imminent danger (as in the present instance) may almost instantly krise from what at first may appear trifling and superficial. Invariable resolutions should, therefore, be formed and adhered to, strictly avoiding whatever may constitute the foundation of €HOLIC. 341 either trouble or danger. A horse should never be sulFered to stand long in a wet and dirty eondition after chase or journey ; to drink cold water when hot, or spring water from well or pump, when pond or river can be obtained ; his feed should likewise be re- gularly dispensed, with proper respect to .equation and time, and proportion in quan- tity. The quality, as well ^s quantity, of both hay and corn, must ever be held in con- ;Stant remembrance, these being jointly and individually necessary to a permanent esta- blishment of health, strength, and condition. To possess all v^^hich in a high degree, and to proceed for strong and povv^erful exertions in the field or on the road, his regular con- sumption should be two bushels of oats and two trusses of hay per week. The state of the body respecting evacua- tions should not be neglected ; regularity in these will be equally necessary with punc- tuality in food : the state of a horse's booty may be most accurately ascertained by the appearance of his duno- ; if it is ejected c fine bright colour (inclining to that of a nev/ guinea), moderate in consistence, regular aiid 342 SCOURING. adhesive in form, coming away without great efforts and an extension of the fundament, approaching to pain, the body may then be considered in a proper and healthy state ; but when the dung comes away with seem- ing labour, is remarkably hard in substance, very dark in colour upon falling, and strong or foetid in smell, it may be fairly conclud- ed, the contents of the intestines are indu- rated, and nearly approaching a state of dis- ease. When they are observed to be in this condition, a gentle promotion of evacuations, or course of purgatives, may be premised, as very salutary preventatives of danger, ex- pense, and trouble. SCOURING, OR LOOSENESS. An aphorism of the jiistly celebrated Boer^ liaave^ that '* Nature never purges herself but '' when she wants purging,'' is so firmly fix- ed upon the basis of truth, that it has been very seldom subject to exception. But as there are, in fact, so few rules (either phy- sical or moral) that w^ill not admit of some, it can create no surprize that the maxims of so great a man should be entitled to their SCOURING. 343 trifling proportion. To elucidate a text from the authority so truly respectable;, and brine: the matter into a fair discussion for every comprehension, it will be unavoidably necessary to enlarge a little upon the subject we wish clearly to explain. The fact is, when a quantity of gross food and collected impurities are accumulated and pent up withm the confined limits of the in- testinal canal, whether obstructed in the first or last passages, the inconvenience (though different in symptoms) may be ultimately the same in effect. For the aliment, by the obstruction in its natural progress through the stomach or intestines, and preternatural iretention there, acquires a degree of acri- monious malignity, that at a certain period (depending upon the habit and constitution)^ stimulates and begins to act upon the inter- nal coat of the intestines, till, by the stimulus of one, and the irritability of the other, a solution of the excrements ensues ; and na- ture is enabled to relieve herself, by throw- ing off that load which the attention of the master, and the interposition of art, would sometimes do Avell to remove. And this is 344 SCOURING. the most necessary to be retained in memory, when it is recollected, that where nature fails in, or is inadequate to, the production and completion of this effort, in her own defence, she becomes gradually overpowered ; the in- testines are enormously loaded, and the over- repletion at length inevitably constitutes the Gripes or inflammatory Cholic, on which we last treated. But where nature is fortunately adequate to her own work, and the accumu- lation is spontaneously carried off, Boer^ haaves maxim is strictly verified; and it becomes palpably clear to every observer, nature does not purge herself till she wants purging. This kind of Lax or Looseness, is most readily distinguished from such as arise from other causes ; the horse is previously dull, heavy, and inactive, seemingly oppressed, and visibly overloaded, though without any appearance of extreme pain, but subject to a general disquietude ; the dung first comes away with a degree of solidity ; the evacua- tions then become more frequent, and at last loose ; the discharges are at length rapid in succession, large in quantity, dark in co^ SCOURING. 345 lour, foetid in smell ; bearing the appearance of impregnation with grease, as if with some foul oily substance in the intestines, similar to the last discharge after the injection of a glyster. Nature, in the present instance, ge- nerally performs her own work with so much ease, that the least appearance of pain is hardly perceptible. In preference to the custom of waiting day after day for its termina- tion, thereby giving it an opportunity, by its acrimonious quality, (which may irritate and affect more or less, accordino* to circum- stances and the state of the subject acted upon), to debilitate the frame, it will be most prudent to give the following laxative drinks and assist nature in carrying off what it would be highly improper to retain : Take senna and cream of tartar each two ounces^ Epsom salts three ounces ; Ginger bruised half an ounce. — Boil in a pint of thin, , gruel for ten minutes ; then strain and let it be given a little warm, and the gentle operation en- couraged by frequent small quanlities of gruelf "water. On the contrary, should this plan be re* . jected as unnecessary, and the looseness or ^4:ouring continue for any length of time, so 346 SCOURING. as not only to expel the accumulated con- tents, but, by its sharp and acrid quality, to stimulate the intestines, and cause an expul- sion of the mucus (with which they are in- ternally guarded) with ineffectual strainings and painful sensations, warm cordial restrin- gents will be highly necessary, and may be administered in the following form : ♦ A CORDIAL RESTRINGENT BALL. Take diascordiura six drachms ; gum arable, prepared chalk, and arraenian bole, each half an ounce ; ginger (in powder) one drachm ; oil of aniseed forty drops ; syrupy a small quantity, to complete the ball. This may be repeated in six, eight, or twelve hpur^, as the severity of the case may require ; the restringent mash (p. 46) may be occasionally brought into use. If solid food is refused, a gruel should be given for drink, made so thick as to be but barely liquid. If the expected relief be not so soon ob- tained, and the subject is aifected with spasms or twitchings in the intestines, add to the above ball two drachms of liquid lau- danum, or ten grains of opium. If the horse is inclined to drink frequently (as in all pro- bability he will be) give one ounce of gum SCOURING. 347 arable dissolved in a small quantity of water, and added to his gruel once every five or six hours. Where ^ hall is found inconvenient, or a drink is preferred, let the following be pre« pared : Take calcined (commonly called burnt) hartshorn three ounces ; Gum arable one ounce ; Cinnamon half an ounce ; pinger two drachms.— Boil in a quart of water till it will produce a pint clear of the ingredients ; then strain and add tincture of Japan earth one ounce and a half; liquid laudanum two drachms. The above ball and drink are powerfully restringent ; and, with the cordial aromatic assistance, are admirably calculated to re- store the tone of the intestines, and reduce their irritability. No larger field for relief need be explored ; increase or diminish any of the different ingredients, as circumstances may require or judgment direct ; and bring the doses of either nearer to each other, if appearances of danger justify the necessity. Should the predominant symptoms refuse 548 SCOURING. submission to a repetition of the medicines here prescribed, prepare the following anq^ dyne glyster, and repeat it once in eight or twelve hours, till success attends the joint admijiistration : THE ANODYNE GLYSTER. Take linseed two ounces; gum arable one ounc.c. — Boil in two quarts of gruel for some time ; then strain and add of diascordium one ounce and a half; liquid laudanum half an ounce; and cold drawn linseed oil four ounces. Let it be^ thrown into the body with a proper ba^^ and pipe, usin^ith even those who might to be the best enabled to form a decisive opinion (or rather a certain conjecture) from their course of extensive practice. The strangury is sometimes a concomitant to the inflamma- tory choiic, and is then the effect of pres- sure from the indurated fences or hardened dung retained in the recti|m, or straight gut, "^VhcLi it arises not from this cause, it may proceed nom inflammation in the kidneys, ulcerations there, spasms upon any particular part, or inflammation, of the neck, or fihe blailder itself. When it is the consequence of Cholic, and proceeds only from that origi- nal cause, it may be considered merely symp- tomatic, and will be entirely subdued with the first complaint, to which the saline me- dichies and stimulus of glysters there pre? scribed will very much contribute. The signs of this suppression are too pal- pable to be mistaken : the subject is (after ^ STRANGURY. 361 long retention of urine) in an almost per-r petual position to stale without effect, indi- cating by action and attitude the expecta- tion of an unusual discharge ; when, after frequent straining, the effort terminates in a groan of seeming disappointment. The horse in general is now in a o;reat desiree of acute pain, appears full in the flank, somewhat de-' jected, and, to a minute observer, seems not only conscious of his inabiUty, but to sup- plicate assistance and rehef. The ancient practice of inflaming the parts by an imme- diate use of violent stimulants, as cantharides, turpentine, and large quantities of camphor, is, with the strictest justice, exploded ; having been experimentally found, upon most oc- casions, to increase, by their powerful sti- mulus and irritation, what they were in- tended to remove ; by such ill-advised and mistaken application of medicine, frequent inflammation has been produced and much mischief ensued. The most rational and certain means of obtaining speedy relief will be to lessen the stricture upon the parts, by a moderate loss 562 STRANGURY. of blood ; then reduce inflammation by eniolr lient internals, promoting the secretion and evacuation of urine by very gentle stimulants and mild diuretics. This systematic method of obtaining a cure v/ill not be so satisfactory to many of the rustic learned practitioners, who, closely adhering to old customs, old rules, and old books, would rather attempt to force the very blood unsecreted through the urinary passages, by a course oi Spanish Jlies, or oil of turpentine, than adopt any method, however improved, in the formation of which their extensive abilities haye not been con- sulted. By this abominable and infamous practice the lives of many valuable horses have been taken away, the proprietor attributing to dis- ease what nine times out of ten is the effect of ignorance. From an observation so just, or, in fact, a reflection so alarming, arises the palpable necessity of this work, and the pro- bable utility of its publicatiqn, to the very great number of gentlemen and sportsmen, who, residing in remote spots, or distant parts of the kingdom, cannot have constant re« STRANGURY. 363 course to farriers of judgment, extensive practice, and nice discrimination. To pre- vent, therefore, the frequent dreadful effects of confidence and ignorance on one hand, or an injudicious use of powerful and dangerous medicines on the other, every man will do well to interpose his authority, and be well and clearly informed of the cause and in- tended method of cure, previous to the ad- ministration of a single medicine for any complaint whatever. On the contrary, in the more populous and enlightened parts of the kingdom, far- riers are known, whose abilities and practice rank them high in estimation ; but as these ^re certainly not the growth of every soil, or produce of every parish, most owners of horses constantly in their possession will not find either their time or attentiou entirely wasted, by endeavouring occasionally to form a tolerable acquaintance with the subject matter of the work before us. In a conve- nient or proper time, after bleeding, throw up the following emoUient glyster : 564 STRANGURY. Ta«:e of thin gruel three pints ; Nitre two ounces; ^um arable aiie ounce and half; Olive oil four ounces ; Let it be injected moderatelj warm, and retained ia the body as long as possible. So soon after this gTyster as the horse is inclined, by appetite to receive it, give a mash of two parts malt, and onebr^n, they having been scalded together, and stirred till of a moderate warmth ; after this, if the sub- ject have not staled in consequence of bleed- ing, glyster, and mash, have the following balls expeditiously prepared to forward the evacuation : Take Castile soap ten drachms ; Sal prunella one ounce ; Aniseed powder six drachms ; Camphor two drachms ; Oil of Juniper one drachm and a half; Sjrup of marshmallows sufficient to make the mass, •which divide into two equal parts, giving one in four hours after the other, if the former is not successful. These are very safe, mild, and efficacious, in general producing the desired effect, with-' out any uneasy sensations. Where a drink is' STRANGURY. 365 prelened, as coming into a more applicable mode of administi:ation, the following will prove equally serviceable: Take juniper berries (bruised) two ounces ; boil in a pint and a half of water, for some time, then strain, {to produce by squeezing the berries three quarters of a pint) ; to this add of nitre and gum arable (in powder) each one ounce. This drink, or the above ball, to be re- peated at distinct periods of four hours each (if a repetition of the first at the end of four hours does not effect the desired pur- pose) till relief is obtained by plentiful eva- cuations. Thus much by way of instruction where itrangiirij is occasioned by spasms, or inflam- mation of the bladder or neck ; but it may also proceed from an inflammation or ulce- ration of the kidneys, and the paralytic af- fection or palsy of the same parts : in either of which symptoms are frequently doubtful, and seldom certain ; circumstances may con- sequently vary in different subjects, so as to render the true seat of disease a matter of conjecture onlv. 566 STRANGURY. The only symptoms to Avhicli some cer- tainty may be attributed are the following : if proceeding from spasm on either part, there may be frequent periodical relaxations that will permit the urine to flow in small quantities for a very short time, when it may as suddenly stop ; in this case the urine will be of its usual colour, br at times rather deeper, as if not perfectly complete in its se- cretion from the blood. In such case the treatment is exactly as already pointed out ; but with the additional directions to repeat the glyster and bleeding occasionally, till the point is carried. The gentle diuretic medi* cines must be likewise continued at less dis- tant periods ; that is, their distinct dOses must be brought an hour nearer to each other, till the purpose is effected ; this me- thod being found greatly preferable to the '• kill or cure" practice, frequently produc- ing inflammation, convulsions, and all their dreadful consequences. But where the cause originates in a palsy of, or ulceration upon, any parts necessary to the offices of evacuation, no great expec- STRANGURY. iGf tation of cure can be indulged ; but more particularly in the former, with which ap- proaches certain death. When the kidneys become totally inadequate to their general purpose, a suppression and general stagna- tion consequently ensue^ the loss of the ani- mal becoming inevitable ; and although re- lief is sometimes most expeditiously obtain- ed, in an inflammation of the parts, by a gentle method above directed, yet in an ul- ceration much is not left to hope. In this case there is visible pain and disquietude, the evacuation, is not totally suppressed, being only at times temporarily obstructed ; it frequently alters its appearance, beinsj sometimes thick, depositing a turbid sedi- ment, as if impregnated with membranous matter ; at other times tinsfed with bloody the evident effect of a corroded solution of the diseased part. In this instance the fol- lowing balls or drink only can be relied on, for any expectation of permanent relief or probable mitigation : Take of myrrh one ounce ; Castile soap aud Locatelli^s balsam each three ounces; nitre and aniseed (in powder) each two ounces ; balsana of Peru, six m STRANGURY. drachms. Mix togetlier y/iih syrup of marsli^* mallows, and divide into six balls, giving one every morning. The diet should be both nutritive and bal- samic, consisting of warm mashes impreg- nated with honey or malt ; both or either of which will «reatlv contribute to the o;eneral purpose. If symptoms are mitigated, and rehef obtained, by these means, surely far- ther instructions must be unnecessary to re- commend a perseverance till the cure is com- pleted ; to which rest, gentle exercise, and stable care, will prove very useful aids. When an obstruction, or partial suppression of urine, arises from spasm, convulsion, or stricture upon any of the parts necessary in secretion or evacuation, they can only be al- layed or removed by time and opiates, to re- lax the seat of disease, and reduce the irrita- bility. The following 6^// will be applicable to that intention, repeating it at such times as the circumstances of the case may render necessary and unavoidable : Take of Castile soap half an ounce ; nitre, rosin, and compound powder of gum tragacanth, each two . STRANGURY. 369 drachms ; opium (in powder) ten grains ; oil of juniper thirty drops. — Mix ; The following drink may be substituted, if a liquid is required, as it will prove equally efficacious : Take thin gruel three quarters df a pint ; gum arabic, and nitre (in powder) each one ounce ; liquid lau- danum six drachms. — Mix. This (as the ball abt?ve) may be occasionally re- peated; Horses iare likewise liable to, and often sustain, injuries upon the parts we now treat of, by being overloaded with solid heavy substances upon the loins, strains in draw- ing great weights, and many other incidental circumstances, to which they are constantly subject in their different employments. The defects arisinc]^ from such causes orio;inate in a relaxation or rupture of some one or more of that infinity of membranous fibres, that in such case constitute the seat of disease. These injuries display themselves by an evi- dent wincing and local debility, perceptible upon the least motion to the most common observer ; they are also attended with great VOL. li B B ' 370 STRANGURY. variations in the evacuation of urine, cither by temporary suppression or partiarl ob- struction, according to the original seat of pain and its effect upon the neighbouring parts. In these disorders the urine is sel- dom copious, its discbarge frequent, but in small quantities ; generally of a very high colour, and in many cases tinged with blood. Arising from whichever of the before-men- tioned causes, a revulsion may be made by -drawing blood from the neck ; not more to prevent stagnation, and consequent inflam- mation (if from a bruise), than to con- strino'e tlie mouths of the finer vessels, if lacerated or ruptured. The following: balsamic restoralkcs, blended with gQ,x\t\e diuretics, maybe then proceeded upon, with the assistance of stimulative cor- roborants ; as an externai application, if the muscular parts are suspected. to have suf- fered some degree of relaxation, by any of tlie means before described, an embrocation follo^vs : STRANGURY. 371 TAke Locatelli's balsam, ten drachms; myrrb, (m powder,) three drachms : balsam of Tolu, a drachm and a half; oil of juniper, a drachm ; liquorice powder to make a ball. This to be given every other morning for a fortnight or three weeks, assisted with an ounce of gum arabic, dissolved and given in the water a little warm, and well impreg- nated with gruel, twice every day. -If the case is so severe as to require (by its visible debility) external aid, let a portion of the following embrocation be gently and patiently bathed upon the part affected, twice or thrice every day ; Take opodeldoc and camphorated spirits, of each three ounces ; oil of origanum, two drachms; extract of Saturn, one ounce ; mix theextract with the spirits, then add the opodeldoc ; and, lastly, the origanum, shaking well together every time of using. j The medicines in this class are particu- larly efficacious, an.d will (by bringing the doses nearer to each other in respect to time as occasion or exigencies may require) be found greatly preferable to the dangerous i^ystem of powerful stimulants, so forcibly ]5 B 2 372 STRANGURY. recommended in former practice, when the administration of medicines was destitute of the numerous advantages resulting from the indefatigable investigations of modern im- provement. ( 373 ) CLASS XI. DISORDERS OF THE EYES. There is no one part of this tract more entitled to serious investigation than the subject now before us ; for as no blemish or defect can take so much from the original value of a horse as the loss of his eyes, so it unluckily happens, there are few cases less understood or more improperly treated. The rays of information can be but trifling to the general reader, from a dull anatomi- cal description of the globe tunica cornea ; the aqueous crystalline^ and vitreous humours ; the distinct anterior or posterior chambers ; the action of the muscles, or the optic nerve. The elaborate study of so complicate and deli- cate a structure (in the formation of which §uch an infipity of parts and technical ternis 574 DISORDERS are included) can afford but very slender in- telligence to the literary inquirer; as such a wonderful variety of minute distinctions can- not be comprehended by description, a just and accurate discrimination of parts being only to be acquired by attentive and re- peated dissections. We shall, therefore, for the advantage of general comprehension, consider the eye in its external appearance only, with the dis- eases and injuries to which it is liable, revert- ing occasionally to the great delicacy of its str^icture, and the exquisite sensibility of the ^ parts that constitute the whole. The su- perficial description, taken into considera- tion, becomes divested of technical jargon, and distinctly comprehended by every indi- vidual in possession of the blessing of sight; \ipon which basis may be formed a very fair idea, blendinoan occasional reference to their own sensations ; with such explanations as will be introduced to make the different de- grees of disease sufficiently understood. Previous to every additional observation, it becomes indispensably necessary to intro- OF TllE EYES. 375 ducesome few remarks upon the cruelty and inconsistency of ancient practice ; submit- ting such conclusions and inferences as will naturally arise to those readers who recur to this work for information, amusement, or to sink a tedious hour in the serious task of criticism. It has been before mentioned how exquisitely sensible this organ is of irrita- tiou ; and it must be admitted, no argument whatever can undergo a more candid discus- sion than in an application to our own feel- ings, inconveniences, and disquietudes. To the sensations tlicrefore of every individual I submit the reflection, and venture to be- lieve, there are none who may honour me with a perusal of these pages but will, by a momentary retrospection, communicate to memory the recollection of some acute pain, or excruciating anguish, he must, in all pro- bability, have experienced from either the obtrusion of an almost impalpable par- ticle of dust, or the attack of an invisible insect, E-evolviniy such circumstances for a few o moments in remembrance, I claim his atten- tion to the following eorroboratioii of that . 375 DISORDERS ii.famous practice I have, in the course of this work, so repeatedly, and (I flatter my- self^justly, condemned. For instance, Gib- son directs an intusion of unslaked iniie, powerfully impregnated with sal ammoniac \ and tells you at the same time '' it is an ex- '^ cellent wash for all old obstinate ulcers." Let any patient reader draw an imaginary parallel between the almost inexpressible ir- ritability of this delicate structure and the callous surface of an " obstinate ulcer;" he "Will then, no doubt, form a proper judg- ment to decide upon the coiisistency of the practice. With a wonderful variety of al-^ ternatives, prescribed in all possible forms, we are directed by Bartlet '' to take off ^^ the film, by blowing into the eye equal '^ parts of white vitriol and sugar-candy /^finely powdered." And Bracken most ■judiciously recommeiuls '^ glass finely pow-^ ** dered, mixed up with honey and a little ^^ fresh butter." A number of similar instances might be introduced, from different authors, to jus- tify the observations already made upon a practice so strange in its original adoption^ OF THE EYES. 377 and so infamous in its effect: I shall how- ever draw the attention only to a few re^ marks; first upon the prescription of Gib- son, whose composition must possess incre- dible virtue to prove equally applicable to an organ of such exquisite sensibility, and the foul surface of an inveterate ulcer. Bartlet's v/onderful nostrum of white vitriol and sugar- c an fhj is also most singularly en- titled to admiration ; for the corrosive quality of its ingredients, and the mode of applica- tion taken into the consideration, will ren- der it unnecessary forme to obtrude a single thought of my own upon the occasion. But the infaUihle specijic of Bracken cannot be suffered to pass without ^ro/^er respect^ as it must afford matter of speculation to the cu- rious, to enquire by what means an esta- blished composition, for even the destruction of rats, shall be so magically divested of its pernicious effects, as to be admitted a salu- tary application to that part of the frame endowed with the greatest portion of sensi- bility. These remarks submitted to public con- sideration, wa proceed to expatiate upon the 37B DISORDERS different diseases of the eyes, whether as na- tural blemishes, hereditary defects, or pro- ceeding from external injuries. Such list might be very much extended by enlarging distinctly upon the remote and separate dis- orders ; as the giiffaserena, cataract, Jibiiy &c. but as relief is rarely obtained in these cases, a very minute and extensive description of the component parts that constitute the cause, can add but little, if any, to the ge- neral informatioKL The gutta serena is a partial or universal loss of sight, where no palpable defect or fault appears in the eye, except^ that the pupil n a little more enlarged or contracted. The appearances of this blemish are various, ' as well as the causes and effects, some of ifs subjects being totally blind, and others barely enabled to distinguish between light and darkness. The signs are a^ blackness of the pupil of the eye, its size being larger or less than usual, according to the cause, and its not contracting or dilating upon a sudden exposure to any degree of light. In order to the cure, attend to the cause as the first step to an administration of medicine, from which. OF THE EYES. 379 in truth no great expectation can be formed either internally or externally ; more par- ticularly from the former, as the seat of dis- ease is so very remote from the centre of me- dicinal action. If the defect should origi- nate in a contraction of, or compression upon, the optic nerve, very little can be done with an expectation of success ; and much less if it arises from a palsy of that or any neigh- bouring part. A cataract, like many other diseases, is attributed by different practitioners to dif- ferent causes, though the greater part coin- cide in opinion that the defect is in the crys- talline humour of the eye, which, becoming opaque, prevents the admission of those rays upon the retina that constitute vision. To enter at large into the professional definition of these distinct diseases, and most minutely into the probable or possible means of relief, would be to extend this subject beyond the limits or couipass of the work itself. I shall therefore reconcile to myself the communi- cation of a fact ahnost universally acknow- ledged — that little, even in the human species, is now expected from the famous operation 380 DISORDERS ofcoucliing; an experiment that is, taking it '' all in all," productive of advantages so very trifling, the recommendation of it here can avail but little, particularly, as the ex- penses, added to the hazard and uncertainty qf cure, could gain but few proselytes to the practice. In all blemishes or defects^ where a thicken- ing of some one of the coats, membranes, or lunnours of the eye, has formed an appear- ance of rato-^c^ or////;?, it has been an estab- lished and n)ost contenjptible custom to bestow a plentiful application of corrosive powders, unguents, and solutions, for the purposes of obliteration ; without a single reflection upon the absurdity of endeavour- ing to destroy by corrosion, what is abso- lutely separated froni the surface by a variety of membranous coverings, according to the distinct seat of disease; with wliich it is im- possible to bring the intended remedy into contact, witliont first destroying the inter- vening or surrounding parts by which the inner ddi(.:ate structure is so numerously guarded. It may not be inapplicable to strengthen this remark, by reverting to the OF THE EYES. 381 great difficulty of solving a stone in the hu- man body, to effect which so many unsuccess- ful attempts have been made ; the mere solu- tion of the calculus out of the body is a matter universally known to the faculty ; but the great and difficult object of cure is, to dis- cover a solvent that will act upon tlie stone in the bladder of the patient without injury to the parts in its passage, or where it is con- tained. This is a blessing too great, I fear, ever to be obtained by even the noblest exertions of human study and application. Seeing, there- fore, the cause just treated on in nearly a similar point of view, with the almost palpa- ble impossibility of removing such obstacles, without increasing the malady, I am conse- quently prevented from introducing a chain of prescriptions that can positively only amuse or deceive, as the methods hereafter pointed out for the relief of different causes or external injuries may be in the above cases adopted as palliatives, according to circumstances ; but sorry I am to acknow- ledge, that in such instances nature will, 382 DISORDERS in all probability, prove the least dangerous and expensive FARRIER. The cases that most frequently occur re- quirhig medical aid, or topical application, are generally the effects of cold,^blocv3, bites, or other external injuries. In those proceeding immediately from cold, you perceive a visible inflammation upon the globe of the eye, and internal surrounding parLs, as the edges of the eye-lids, &c. The eye seems divested of its former transparency, bearing a thick cloudy appearance upon its outer covering, and is constantly discharging an acrid serum or sharp water that in a short time almost excoriates the parts in its passage. The horse drops his ears, becomes dull and slug- gish, frequently shaking his head, as if to shake off the cause, becomes low and de- pressed, displaying, in every action, pain and disquietude. Here a revulsion of the perspirable uiatter has by some obstruction (either partial or universal) been thrown upon these parts, to the effects of which thev become more liable OF THE EYES. S83 from their extreme delicacy and consequent irritability. To remove which, bleeding (in proportion) must precede every other con- sideration ; to this succeeds a speedy adop- tion of, and perseverance in, the methods directed, p. 198, with occasional references to p. 243, and the following pages for instruc- tions, should symptomatic fever attend. To cool the parts and allay the irritability oc- casioned by the scalding serum, prepare the following lotion : Take sus^ar of lead one drachm ; v White vitriol two scruples ; Spring water a pint ; Brandy or camphorated spirits one ounce or two table- spoonfuls. J jet the eyes and surroun^ling parts be gently washed •Willi a sponge, or tow, impregnated with the above solution, twice or thrice every i]dy. Should the infla.mmation not seem likelv to subside, but contiuue fixed on the part, threatening violence, have recourse to a dozen of diuretic halh, p. 106, using gentle work or moderate exercise. The effects arising from blows or bitej^ may be displayed by different appearaiK-es^ according to tlie severity of the injury sus- 384 DISORDERS tained. Should inflammation and s\ve11in£r proceed from either cause, bleeding will be a preparatory st^p to an early reduction of both : a repetition of which, at proper dis- tances of time, may always be justified by a non-submission of symptoms. The follow- ing preparation from Goulard's Extract, for the purpose of external applicatioi?, be- comes immediately necessary, and is accu- rately proportioned for this particular oc- casion : Take extract of Saturn (commonly called Goulard's) three drachms ; River, or pond water, one pint ; Camphorated spirits, one ounce ; Mix the extract with the spirits ; then add the water, and let the parts affected be plentifully embrocated three or four times a day, according to the emer- gency. If a large swelling, laceration, or wound, attends, after washing with the above, apply a warm poultice of bread, milk, and a little of the lotion, softened with a smalt portion of lard or olive oil, bandaging on, and co-^ vering with a hood, to secure its position. In cases of less danger, and in remote situa- tions, distant from towns, and the easy pro- OF THE EYES, 385 CUration of medicines, the following may be substituted, and plentifully used. * Take best white wine vinegar balf a pint ; Spring water a quarter of a pint ; Best brandy a wine glass or balf a gill. Mix. A wound upon any of the external parts, occasioned by an instrument or severe bite, must be treated as directed under that head. The above compositions are properly adapt- ed to every purpose for which they are pre- scribed ; nor can more powerful or efficacious repellants or astringents be applied to those parts, unless by the rude hands and ruder heads of uncultivated adventurers and des- perate practitioners. The former elaborate and destructive com- position of corrosive powders, blended with greasy substances, in the form of unguents, as well as the poisonous lotions, are long since exploded, as totally inadequate to the purposes for which they were so learr,edly dis- played ; even that infallible of all infallibles, the great secret of Sir Hans Sloane, is at length buried in oblivion, and has given place to more modern improvements. In all cases TOL. I, c c 386 DISORDERS where the globe and pupil of the eye retain their transparency, subject only to surround- ing inflammation, that, not seeming inclined to submit, occasional bleedings, a course of diuretics, as before prescribed, or three doses of mild physic may be adopted ; assisting the whole with a frequent use of either lotion^ as most applicable to reigning symptoms. The HAWS are a preternatural enlargement of the corners of the eyes, become horny, and,, being overgrown, approach the pupil, giving the eye the external appearance of bad for- mation. The instrumental extirpation of these substances has been a favourite prac- tice of long standing; and, like all others, has had its alternate proportion of faikire and success. After separation has been effected by the hand, needle, and instrument of the operative farrier, any simple styptic or astringent is generally applied, and it is then just an even bet, or chance, whether you succeed in the intentional effect of your ope- ration ; for, having seeing it repeatedly pro- ductive of inflammation, and, lastly, total blindness, I cannot conscientiously recom- mend the practice; on the contrary, to OF THE EYES, 387 establish my own want of taste, confess I would encounter the lesser evil of the two, and rather (for my own riding) prefer a horse with large haxos to one zmthouf eyes. This opinion may appear singular to the professors oi farriery^ to whom I have so particularly addressed a variety of passages in the early part of this work, and indeed to whose ap- probation it cannot lay claim, being in direct contradiction to the pecuniary prepondera- tion of their professional judgment and exe- cution. c <^ 2 ( 388 ) CLASS XII. MALLENDERS, SALLENDERS, LAMP AS, CURBS, QUITTORS, AND RINGBONES. MALLENDERS. Are cracks, or oozings, situate directly upon the back of the knee joint, occasioned^ in general, more by neglect than any casual or constitutional defect in the subject. The matter they discharge is, in some, thin and acrimonious, in others it forms a glutinous accumulation in its oozings, and bears the appearance of small scabs or scurvy eschars upon the surface, constituting a want of flexi- bility, or seeming lameness in the joint. The first step to cure is, to have the parts well washed with soap and warm water (forming a substantial lather, repeating the operation night and morning till the eschars relax from MALLENDERS. S89 t'heir. rigidity, and separate themselves. And this will be more readily promoted by rub- bing in a proper proportion of the following ointment, in an hour after the washing, when, by time and wiping, they are tolerably dry. Take campborated s|3ermaceti ointment, two ounces ; Cinnabar of antimony and oil of tartar, per deli- qiiium, eacli half an ounce. Mix, and use plen- tifully twice a day. So soon as the cracks are perfectly free from scabs or scurf, a cure may reasonably be expected, by washing with equal parts of vinegar and tincture of myrrh, moistening the surface occasionally with the ungueyit be- fore mentioned. Rut where, from loiig ne- glect, or an acrhiiony of the juices, they have acquired a degree of virulence, not subiriit- ting to the above treatment, let them be dress- ed twice a day with the strong Jiiercurial oint^ inenf^ previously washing them well with a compound of vinegar, water, and soap lees, equal parts. Should a perceptible foulness in the subject justify the measure, take away a proper quantity of blood, and giye announce oi nitre dissolved in water, twice a day for a fortnight, or short course of the diuretic balls, 390 LAMPAS. p. 106. Where humours are attendant upon other parts likewise, a gentle course of mer-' ciirial phj/sic, succeeded by antimonial altera-, tives, may be preferred ; selecting both from the variety of prescriptions under those heads, taking care to proportion your quantities to the strength of the subject. SALLENDERS AjiE upon the inside of the hough, or hock^ what the Mallenders are upon the back- side of the knee ; they originate in the same cause, and are cured by the same means, rendering unnecessary and superfluous any farther observations under this head. LAMPAS Is an enlargement of the rqof of the mouth, particularly in young horses; and sometimes becomes so proniinent as to project below the teeth of the upper jaw, preventing the teeth of the lower from coming into contact for the purpose of mastication. The hoj'se is, by these means, not only deprived of a great proportion of the uufruiient neces.s.ary to his LAMPAS. 391 support, but becomes poo)\ weak^ dejected, and out of condition. Custom has established an useful and expeditious extirpation, by the actual cautery or RED-HOT IRON ; and though I am no advocate for ^wohjiery re- medies, where they can be avoided, yet this is a cure so speedily effected by an expert operator, and the horse*s suffering is so very trifling, that when a comparison is drawn between the temporary inconvenience, and the immediate advantage, no hesitation can be made respecting the operation. It is admitted, against the operation, that the LAMPAS appearing in young horses, the roof constantly continues to flatten and the teeth to rise, consequently time alone may, and consequently would, surmount the ob- struction ; but where they are very promi- nent, the poor animal must patiently wait many months for a good meal ; and will soon prove, by his emaciated appearance, the ap- plicable transposition of the ancient adage that " while the teeth grow the steed *' starves.'' When the operation is performed, wash 392 QUITTOR. the part twice or thrice with the follow-? iiig : Take honey of roses and tincture of myrrb, each one ounce. Mix. QUITTOR. A QUITTOR may originate in a blow, bruise, laceration, or what is called a stub be- tween hair and hoof. An injury sustained, likely to constitute this blemish or defect, cannot be too soon submitted to the inspec- tion of a FARRIER of extensive practice, whose conduct will be consequently regu- lated by a proper respect to his own repu- tation. I mean such application should be early made where the CASE is alarming: or, in more superficial concerns, \vhe\\ by cir- cumstanQes or neglect it becomes the imme- diate business of the operative FARRIER. As injuries of the kind open a large field for instructions, many of which must conse- quently depend upon the appearances of the parts when injured, I can impart such direc- tions only as correspond with the defect in its state of infancy : — so soon as the accident QUITTOR. 393 ^s discovered (which it ought soon to be, in the general examination of a Jiorse's feet, that should always take place upon his jeturn from chase or journey), wash well with'' a sponge and warm water, to insure a thorough cleansing ; then apply a pledget of tow, moistened wdth friar's balsam, tincture of myrrh, or camphorated spirits, rtpeating it once in twenty-four hours, covering the ex- act spot with a portion of sheet tea-lead, inclosed in a small piece of linen, bandaging firm. All unctuous or greasy applications should be avoided, and great care taken not to immerse the foot in dirt or water till the part is perfectly united, and the surface suf- ficiently hardened not to admit particles of sand, gravel, or any other extraneous matter. And this caution becomes the more neces- sary, when it is remembered that real QUITTORS have originated from this very want of attention more than in any other circumstance ; many having been formed and CQufirmed in what, properly managed, would have been merely a superficial and temporary inconvenieace. See p- I6O, S94 CURBS CURBS. A CURB is too universally known to re- quire a minute desgription ; it is a coasider- able swelling below the hough, rather on the inside and back part of the hind leg, and seems to have been formed by an accumula- tion of extravasatcd flujds that^, in Iheir stagnation, have acquired a callosity. It is productive of perceptible pain in action, and soon establishes different degrees of lameness in different subjects. In its early state at- tempts may be made with some of the power-? ful repellents, p. 80 or Bf}; but, upon non- submission, after fair trial, recourse luust be had to one of the following blisters, care being taken to secure the application by bandage, the better to insure a probability of success. Take mercurial ointment six drachms ; Cantharides andeuphorbiiim (ii> powder), each tvyo drachms,; Oil of origanum, a dracbm and a half; Corrosive mercury, one drachm ; Mix the oinlmciit viiih the powders, and add the oil. RINGBONES. 394 Or, Take spirit of furpentine and olive oil, each one ouncec Euphorbium and cantharides, each two drachms ; Oil of origanum, three drachms. Mix* Where these applications are unattended witli the desired success, the ceremony of firing by an expert and judicious operator, with the additional aid of long rest, are the only alternatives that can be adopted. RINGBONES- The extirpation and cure of these come so immediately into the line of description and mode of treatment with the last article, as to render animadversion entirely unnecessary : they constitute an inconvenience very rarely to be surmounted in priv^ate practice, conse- quently fall to the inspection and manage- ment of the OPERA! I VE FARRIER. Docking, cropping, nicking, and shoeing, are so immediately the concerns of the sinifh ^uqI J'arrzer, that they claim no part of pur attention in this publication, being totally 396 UINGBONES. unconnected with the investigation of dis- ease or method of cure. It has been the in- tention, through the course of this work, to render both the original cause of complaint, and necessary administration of medicine, as clear as the nature of each case would admit ; such explanatory passages hax^ing been blend- ed WMth the different parts as must perfectly reconcile the whole to every comprehension. Enough has been said under the distinct heads of GREASE, HIDE^BOUND, SUR- FEIT, MANGE, and FARCY, to incul- cate not only a just idea of the blood's circulation, its changes and effects, but to establish a clear and perfect conception of all those causes that constitute the founda- tion of diseases so long sagaciously distin- guished by the denomination of '' HU- MOURS,'' in failure of a more scientific or satisfactory explanation. Influenced originally in the plan and for- mation of this work by no other motive than the general good ; and after twenty years experience and observation, being more per- fectly conviviced of the grov/ing necessity for feuch publication, it is now submitted to public RINGBONES. 397 inspection, as a prelude to future improve- ment ; with an anxious wish that it may prove an excitement to some more powerful jfgent, whose superior abiUties may do the subject greater JUSTICE. ( 398 ) ADDITIONAL REMARKS; The author having found it liiost appli- cable to the intentional utility of the fol- lowing work, to form the different diseases^ consequent effects, and resulting observa^ lions, into distinct classes, rendering the whole a chain of unprecedented convenience to the inquirer anxious for information ; yet there remaining a variety of very useful ob- servations and instructions that cannot with propriety be blended with either, it becomes absolutely necessary to elucidate the whole by such additional re?narks as must render the work of much greater and more general utility. ' A circumstancie no less worthy observa- tion than any of those already enlarged on, is the very little respect paid to neatness REMARKS. 399 and consistency in the management of draft horses^ w1k>, beyond every possibility of con-^ tradiction, not only earn their living more laboriously, bat contribute more to the opulence and support of the natives tliaii any other breed of horses in the kins?;dom* When I advert to tlie management of draft horses, I wish not to be understood the pampered carriage-horses of the great, sup- ported in the style of hunters, for tiie va- rious purposes of public parade and personal ostentation ; but that infinity of useful ani- mals universally employed in agriculture^ road waggons, the barge and coal trade, as w^ell as many other purposes equally labo*^ rious and equally advantageous to commerce and the community* These horses have un- doubtedly the greatest portion of labour^ and most probably the least of care and at- tention ; from the extensive concerns of the proprietors, they are more generally intrust- ed to the very indifferent management of ser* vants; to whose accounts may be justly placed a majority of those defects or misfor* tunes that so fiequently occur fi om blovrs, bruises, and a long train of probable indis-* cretions. From such a variety of careless- 400 ADDITIONAL iiGss, inattention, and improper management, proceed bad eyes, brohen-xvind, grease, choUc^ and many other incidental disquietudes: but what renders it a matter of still greater re- gret is, their falling under the unavoidable medical supvirintendance of those very vil- lage farriers whose brilliancv of imao;ina- lion, and fertility of invention, are so par- ticularly displayed in different parts of the work. Diseases so evidently resulting from ne- glect and bad management, may be as cer- tainly prevented by proper care and atten- tion ; taking them, therefore, in rotation, we may venture to affirm, that by far the greater part of those defects in the ej^es, fre- quently terminating in a loss of sight, are more the effect of external injuries than internal deficiencies. The multiplicity of horses, particularly of thec^r^ kind, whose re- spiration is attended with so much difficulty upon all occasions, (but singularly so upon increased exertion), as to be termed '' broken- ^' winded," may be most readily and clearly accounted for in the following; manner. Ex- elusive of what has been already said upon this REMARKS. 401 subject under its distinct head (and to wliich the reader is referred), a few additional ob- servations become immediately applicable upon a subject of so much consequence, which cannot be too clearly explained, or too perfectly understood. For ti?ne, ohserva^ thn, and experience, having sufficiently de- monstrated how ver}' much the viscidity of the blood is increased by coarse, full, dind foul feedino;, there need be no hesitation in af- firming the state of the lungs, (or, in a more familiar phrase, the state of the zcind), to be more or less affected by the large or s?nall quantities of chaff*, or gross latter crop of clover hay, consumed by this breed of horses during their constant work ; particularly in fmrmers stables, where a great part of their aliment consists of those articles with a small proportion of corn. Of chatf thus used and intermixed v\^ith the corn, let it be under- stood there are different kinds, as the chaff oixcheaf, oats, and a compound of hay and wheat straw cut together ; of all which it is hardly possible to ascertain the most pre- judicial. To these the winter consumption of peas-haum and barley-straw may be rec- koned no inconsiderable additions, the urcat VOL. I. D D 402 ADDITIONAL . quantity masticated to gratify the appetite affording so little nutriment in proportion to the accumulation, that the stomach is per- petually overloaded with gross and < heavy impurities, whi^ch, by its evident pressure upon the diaphragm, not only affects the elas- ticity of the lungs, (see p. £21.) but engen- ders a large portion of viscid glutinous mat^ ter, w^ith which the finer vessels of the lungs;r in broken-wiiided horses, are fomid to abound, upon inspection, after death. To such stransfe and inconsistent manner of feeding may be added an absurdity of equal magnitude, in constant practice with the rustic world in general, but farmers' ser- vants in particular, of permitting their horses to drink an immoderate and unrestrained quantity of water after full feeding, and the usual rotational abstinence of twelve hours ; by which mode of practice the tendency to this defect is very much increased. In respect to the similar failure in horses of a superior class, I will, without the least cause for hesitation, venture to pronounce more have been injured in this respect by REMARKS . 403 ilie carelessness of boys, or inadvertency of servants (in that infernal system of hard GALLOPING imniediately AFTER water), than by any other means whatever ; in fact, it is a plan so palpably contradictory and de- structive, that it should never be permitted by the master or adopted by the groom. And there can remain no shadow of doubt but this complaint in every class of horses may be mostly prevented by proper care and at- tention in the superintendants ; the irregu- larities, in food, ivater, and the inconsisten- cies already pointed out, contributing much more to the original cause of such defect than the erroneous formation of parts so %- pothetically asserted by those who have wrote before upon this subject. Another circumstance requiring the mi- nute inspection and attentive observation of every proprietor of draft horses is, that in- jvu^ious practice of country servants (called carters) in giving large quantities of aniseed, diapenta, fenu-greek, elecampane, and other powders, intermixed with ihe'iv food, upon a weak and ill-founded opinion that those ar- ticles make their teams appear line in coat D 2 404 ADDITIONAL and full in flesh : indeed, so strongly are they bigotted to the opinion in many (but par- ticularly the western) parts of England, that they expend (unknown to their employers) a very considerable portion of their earnings to gratify this strange infatuation. But the evil does not rest here ; mischievous inven- tion has gone still further, and they fre- quently npp]y oil of vitriol, and even aquafortis, upon the tongue of the horse, to prevent, as they say, '' his taking cold by the use of the *' before-mentioned ingredients/' However absurd, inconsistent, cruel, or unnatural, this practice may appear, to such as are unac- quainted with the low cunning or rustic finesse of those employed in the management of what are called '* cart stables,"' I aver the fact, as repeatedly brought home to personal knowledge and experience ; asserting liJvC- wise its having occasionally cost me much trouble m endeavouring to deter the parties from so injurious and destructive a prac- tice^ by which alone many fine and valuable liorses have been doomed to disquiet ude^ disease, and sometimes death, the cause re- maining a matter of mystery to all l^ut the inhuman perpetrators. So palpable a fact REMARKS. 405 stands in need of no farther animadver- sion, being introduced merely to prove that '' such things are/' and how evidently neces- sary the eye of circumspection becomes in the master, to counteract the mischievous imprudence of the servant. We now come to a cause of disease very fully treated upon, and clearly explained, in the second class ; and as there are few dis- eases productive of more trouble, expense, and disappointment (or so frequently relin- quished as incurable), the necessary advice by way of prevention cannot be considered obtrusive. For minute observations upon the grease in cart horses, the reader is referred to page 100 of the work ; in continuation of which it is absolutely necessary to recom- mend a total reduction of the enormous quantities of hair that is (iti compliment to ancient custom) permitted to remain upon the legs and heels of horses of this descrip- tion, that does, beyond every decree of doubt, contribute greatly to the original cause of this disease. For such jn^edominant reason it is earnest ij^ recommended to the- proprietors of all draft liursc>> whatever, to 406 ADDITIONAL keep their heels as closely trimmed as pos- sible ; the advantages are numerous and Striking; the harbour for dirt and filth in winter, aud the formation of sweat and dust in summer, will be equally avoided ; to which considerations may be added, the legs being more readily and perfectly cleaned at all seasons of the year, and the indolence oi: neglect of servants will, by these means, be more particularly counteracted. No just cause can he assigned by the most obstinate why the heels should not be kept equall}^ clean with the carcase ; it is a mode of conduct universally adopted with horses of a superior class, and reason justifies the assertion — that it is as absolutely proper and conducive to health with the one as the other. In addition to this precaution, there is another equally necessary upon the least appearance oi crack, scratch, or eruption ; the parts should be immediately washed well wath a substantial lather of soap and soft water, then wiped dry, and managed as di- rected, p. 93? assisting with a course of diu- retic BALLS, selected from the index ; for which purpose no medicine can be more ad- REMARKS. 407 mirably adapted, as they generally stimulate and gradually promote the secretions, carry- ing off, by the mildness of their operation, those slua^ish viscidities that found die oriiJjin of disease. It is also a circumstance of material consolation to the owner, that during this course, the horse is perfectly adeqnate to his ordinary employment, free from the restraint he must be consequently laid under by the usual purging medicines ; and the least doubt need not be entertained but such seasonable admmistration will ob- literate the foundation of much disquietude and trouble. The last subject we shall enlarge upon of this kind is very frequently both dangerous and alarming, being in general caused more by the inexperience ox' 'indiscretions of boi/s, neglect of servants, or want of knowledge in the master, than any other compiaint in the long list of diseases to which the horse is in- cident. Experience and accurate observa^ tion fully justify the declaration that nineteen out of every txventy, attacked with the fiacu- lent cholic, or fret, become so from the pre- vious and uncertain quantity of water incon- 408 ADDITIONAL siderately given or permitted to be taken, either when they are exceedingly hot, and the blood in a state of increased circulation, or after being kept a considerable time in extreme thirst ; when, in either case, it is ge- nerally known they will swallow very large quantities Mith the greatest avidity. And it may not be considered inapplicable to ob- serve, that since the former editions of this work appeared in public, I have been twice requested to give m}^ opinion and advice in different cases of the Jfatuknt cholic, occasion- ed by the inadvertency of servant boys, who had unluckily brought on the complaint in its utmost severity by the very means be- fore-mentioned, as well as a singular case of the strangury, by the horse's being continued liis round in a mill, without permission to stale, notwithstandmg his indications and frequent attempts for that purpose. These allusions are introduced merely to prove the indubitable fact, that such instances occur nmch more from inattention and neglect than the effect of chance. Having communicated such information upon the cause of these diseases as may prq- REMARKS. 409 bably contribute, in some degree, to their prevention, it becomes equally necessary to introduce a few additional remarks upon casual inconveniences tliat very frequently occur, and yet could not possibly be rankecj in any of the particular classes that consti- tute the body of the work. The disagreeable consequences that sometimes happen from the common oj>,eration of btecdiug (by an injudicioiis and inexperienced practitioner seem first entitled to observation ; more par- ticularly as instances are not wanting of very alarming swellings forming imme- diately on the part of incision, some of which terminate very imfavourably, either in an indurated tumour, a painful inflamraa-r tion, tedious suppuration, and consequent discharge of matter ; a loss of the vein ; or (by nnprudent and injudicious treatment) more distressing invents th;Mi either. Such crises should always be particularly attended to upoii the earliest appearance, when there is little doubt but they will soon submit to the following mode of management, which I liave never yet known ojice to fail in a great variety of cases. 410 ADDITIONAL Take extract of Saturn (coinmoiily called Goulard) one ounce ; Poi)d, or river water, half a pint ; Camphorated spirits two ounces. The extract and camplioiated spirits to be first well shaken together, then add the water, letting the tumour and surrounding parts be most plentifully bathed with the composition three times a day, bandaging on a flannel or substantial pledget of tow wet with the same, till the swelling sribsides and is nearly oblite- rated . The opposite opinions that have been con- fidently promulgated, upon the properties of Goulai'd's extract of Saturn, afford applica- ble opportunity to venture a few words upon its qualities, and the estimation it is held in, and entitled to, ainonii those whose exten- sive practice nuist have enabled them to de- cide upon the cei tainty of its effects. Every valuable discovery unavoidably meets its op- ponents from either pique, prejudice, obsti- nacy, or ignorance; the virtues of this me- dicine as an external may therefore not be universally acknowledged ; but, so far as a long and attentive experience will permit me REMARKS. 411 io decide, I feel myself fully justified in con- tributing my mite of approbation to the extent of its efficacy upon numerous occa- sions. Particularly as a very powerful cor- roborant in deep-seated strains ; a repellent in the early stage of inflammatory and pain- ful swellings ; as well as a general specific in most injuries to the eye, by blows, b/iiises, or external accidents : its peculiar property of preventing gangrene or mortificatix3n, by plentiful incorporation with poultices, or other topical applications, will be fully prov- ed by those who have occasion to make the experiment. By this small and disinterested tribute to its excellencies, I mean not to be considered its immaculate panegyrist, extolling its ef- ficacy to a degree of unUmited infallibility, yanking it with the nostrums of the day, and publishing ?i fasluonable certificate of its pos- sessing the property of banishing every pos- sible ill ; but to bring its properties fairly into the scale of public investigation, upon the foundation of my own recommendation, justified by accurate observation, affording me every reason to believe that where it has 412 ADDITIONAL been brought into use Avithout any good effect being produced by the appHcation, it has failed more from the injudicious dilution of the prescriber, or inferior quality of the pre- paration, than any want of efficacy in the medicine alone ; and this I am the more readily induced to believe, by the repeated discoveries of erroneous proportions in com- position, even upon the confessions of those Avhosc want of practice had left them totally inadequate to the task of forming a compe- tent opinion upon the different cases they had undertaken. From this medical animadversion we re- turn to the consideration of tumours before described, which, having taken a view of in their early state, we proceed to consider in the more advanced and danjicrous stajzes. Upon their non-submission to the treatment already explained, a tendency to induration or suppuration may naturally be expected, and in iact discovered upon close examina- tion ; this being perceived, the latter had better be solicited by every possible means, beginning with the poultices and fomentation selected fi'oiu the Index : whtre a variety REMARKS. 413 may be found under their different heads. If appearances are fav^ourable, promising speedy maturation, let the treatment be re- gulated by the directions, p. 183, the pro- gress and cure being promoted by the very means so minutely described. But, should these endeav^ours be productive of disap- pointment, and no step gained towards a discharge of matter, the swelling rctaininir its original firmn.ess, without the least indica- tion of fluctuation, an induration of the tumour may be apprehended ; to prevent which, stimulating spirituous applications become immediately necessarv, and should be plentifully bestowed : Take spirits of nine half a pint ; Campbor six drachms ; Oil of origanum two drachms ; Dissolve the camphor in the spirilsof wine (by fre- quent sljuhinii;), then add (lie oil of ociganuni. The part tumefied to be well bathed with a sullicient proportion of tliis liniment twice or thrice a day, leaving a flannel or pledget of tow upon the part wet with the same, ban- daging up warm; this, by its penetrati\'e property, will so resolve and rarefy the con- UtnU of the tumour, and stimulate the ves*^ 414 ADDITIONAL sels, as to leave but little doubt of a gradual repulsion. Should that, however, not take place so soon as expected, two drachms of the strong mercurial ointment had better be well rubbed upon the part every morning, about tvro hours preceding the use of the spirituous application before prescribed. If the swelling has been permitted to remain so long unattended to, that this mode of treat- ment becomes ineffectual, there is very little hopes of removing the blemish by any other means, and in all probability, they had better never be attempted. There are other instructions necessary to introduce upon certain complaints, that, like those before-mentioned, have not been de- finable under any of the distinct classes that form the body of the work. Of these a canker in the foot seems entitled to prefer- ence, as a defect or misfortune attended with great pain and dis([uietude to the horse, as well as constant anxiety and loss of labour to the master. This complaint is in general occasioned by neglect, in suffering the thrush (by its unchecked continuance) to assume a degree of inveteracv, corroding the sur- REMARKS. 415 rounding parts and consuming the frog by its acrimonious and penetrative property ; promoting tlie growth of fungus in propor- tion to the destruction of parts originally sound. The safest and mo.^t expeditious method of reducing which, will be by occa- sional applications of lint, well impregnated iv^itli the following lotioiv and properly se- cured upon the part, till, beinii; entirely sub- dued, the cure may be effected with dress- ings of the precipitate digestive (p. 1()4), and the surface afterwards hardened by washing with tincture of myrrh : Takk of corrosive sublimate and Roman vitriol, of cadi one drachm ; Spirits of wine one ounce ; Spring water half a giU. Let the sublimate and vitiiol be reduced to a vcrv fine powder in a mortar : then add iho spirits hy small proportions ; and, lastly, the water, keep- ing- the whole closely stopped for use. To prevent defects in the feet, good stable management is- at all times necessary, but more particularly that kind of management distinctly adapted to the foot of the horse ; for every experienceil sportsman or judicious observer must have perceived how much the state of the feet vary in different subjects ; 410 ADDITIONAL the hoofs of some horses being exceedingly hard and brittle, others equally soft and^ spongy. It is worthy observation that the feet of all horses are generally managed in the same way, without revertini*; to this ma-- terial consideration ; that is, by stopping the bottom and oiling the hoof; a mode of treat- ment exceedingly proper with the hard-footed liorse, but by no means with the other. Horses whose hoots are soft and spongy, or the frog impaired, should have their feet stopped, as directed in p. 95, and the hoof frequently hardened with vinegar, chamber-lye, or salt and w^ater. A canker in the mouth is frequently very troublesome from its situation, and some- times productive of great disquietude by the length of its continuance; it originates in anv excoriation or wound in the mouth be- coming foul, and containing a corroding slouch (in the nature of a siffast) that must be brought away or destroyed before a ci- catrix can be formed to perfect a ciire. Various ancient rules and prescriptions liave been transmitted from general ioji to gene- ration for the performance of this elaborate REMARKS. 417 business ; some totally inadequate to the in- tent, and others so efficaciously powerful as to render the remedy worse than the disease. To remove every degree of suspense, as well as prevent trouble and disappointment in the pursuits of uostrums and far-fttched re- medies, the following method of cure may be relied upon : Take borax and burnt alum, of each half an ounce; let them be reduced to a very fine powder, and dis- solved in a quarter of a pint of boiling water ; when cold, add one ounce of styptic tincture, and lettlie parts be plentifully touched with the solution twice every da}', till the slough comes away ; when tlio cure may be completed, by touching occasionally ■with tincture of myrrh and white wine vinegar equal parts. Sandciiacks are cavities or cracks in some part of the hoof that are in general longitu- dinal, and the effect of a spontaneous sepa- ration, occasioned by the hardness of the hoof, or some external injury upon the part. Such defect, whether from chance or acci- dent, should be well examined so soon as perceived, and tlie mode of management re- gulated by appearances. The leading points are to prevent the admission of dirt or gra- vel, and to harden the surface with fre- VOL. I. E E 418 REMARKS. quent applications of tincture of myrrh ; avoiding all unctuous and greasy applica- tions till the cure is completed. On the contrary, should the case prove internal and deep seated, the assistance of an operative farrier of extensive practice cannot be too soon obtained, to prevent, if possible, those blemishes and defects of the feet that inevit- ably reduce a horse to little or no value whenever they happen. The necessary and unavoidable remarks . upon the management of draft horses in the Appendix, and the additional observations interspersed with the work, render unneces- sary every apology for their introduction ; particularly when it is known to have ori- ginated in an anxious desire of the author to vender the whole as perfect as possible, in gratitude for its very flattering reception through several lari>;e editions. ( 419 ) SUPPLEMENT TO THE GENTLEMAN S STABLE DL^IECTORY, OR MODERN SYSTEM OF rAtlRlERt. The unlimited approbation of an indul- 2;ent public having ranked the Directory very high in i^eneral estimation, it would display an evident want of gratitude in the author not to render, the work as perfect as a constant accumulation of experimental re-- marks will permit, and to further increase its acknowledged utility, by the addition of every professional improvement that can in the least tend to enlighten a subject so eagerly investigated even by those who formerly af- fected to neglect the superintendance of both studs and stables, as tnatters too trifline; for personal consideration. Such indifference is no longer to be ob- served, or complained of, among the most F. E 2 420 SUPPI.KMENT. opulent or fashionable; for the wonderful avidity witli whicli the ninnerous editions of tlie Stable Directory have been purchased in this, and repcafcdhj printed \n a neighbour- ing kingdom, are demonstrative proofs that the subject has acquired neiv life from sucli ])ubHcation, and that tlie )?iedical and chirur- irjcal parts of Farriery are emerging very rapidly from the rude and illiterate hands in Avhich they were originally placed. Upon this flattering improvement the au- tlior has to congratulate tlie public, as well as his own sensations, upon a series of such uninterrupted success; for the great purport of his pid^lication niuy be considered in a certain degree gratilied, wlien the first for- tunes and abilities no longer silently and im- plicitly submit the nol)lest and most valu- able animal on earth to the ignorance and obstinacy of every unenlightened adventurer, but with a generous emulation condescend to investis^ate the origin of disease, and com- prehend the rational method of cure. This palpable conviction has arisen from the very great i-unber of noblemen and gentlemen of the first eminence, who have not only ho- SUPPLEMENT. 421 noured the author with tlieir confidence and correspondence, upon the utility of his Di- rectory, and the great efficacy of his Afedi- cines, but called in his assistance upon cases of the greatest difficultx] and dan^^cr, wliere a strict attention to his instructions lias been attended with the ?rfosf perfect success. In a work of so inucli extent, involving such variety, and aiming so nuich at general reformation, perfecti(jn atjirsfwa.^ not, coii/J not, beexpected; constantly increasing prac- tice and experience, with incessant ap[)lica- tion and attention, must perpetfta//^ throw new lights upon many parts of the whole, and render perpetually applicable the com- munication of such remarks as may tend to make complete as possible, a tract, in which the public at large have proved themselves 60 immediately interested. Thus far by way of apology for introduc- ing, under the appendage of a Suppk?/vent, what became in fact a matter indispensabk^ ; for to its necessitij such a combination of cir- cumstances bear powerful evidence, that it was no longer to be avoided: the /itera^v 422 SUPPLEMENT. complaints of some, and anonymous expostu- lations of others, upon the subjects we pro- ceed to treat, as well as the personal super- intendance and assistance the author has been required to gi\'e, in these very cases, singular; alarming, and even fatal, where na- ture has been ridiculously checked, or ob- stinately opposed, render superfluous any farther defence for its introduction. Although the subject matter of this flrf- dition is supposed to constitute a mere ani- madversion upon lameness proceeding from thorn- wounds, and punctured or lacerated tendons, yet there are variety of experi- mental observations, (however inferior, in- dividually considered) that become equally iiecessary to our present design of rendering the work as nearly applicable as possible to the wants or wishes of so very numerous a body of readers. To justify, in a great measure, the mode of practice to be inculcated, and hereafter laid down ; to counteract the malicious or prejudiced remarks of the interested or dis- satisfied, as well as to establish, upon an in- SUPPLEMENT. 423 controvertible basis, the rational, proper, and successful methods of treatment, rece?it cases in point will be quoted; and however im- proper it may be to introduce the names of characters too eminent for such publication, yet no kind of secrecy will be at all neces- sary respecting the parties, whenever those subjects become the professional topics of conversation between the author and his friends. Such cases will be likewisje illustrated to demonstrate the consistenc}', proprietv, and success of ?nodern practice, in opposition to the ancient system, so repeatedly enlarged upon in the course of the work. A very great number of literary applicatichis having been addressed to the author, from different parts of the kingdom, requiring a further explanation upon ???a?i2/ subjects, and a con- tinuation oi others, it is hjs earnest desire to f^lucidate eieri/ passage, so. as to render it perfectly clear, and to descend to such f?ii- nntiw, for the gratification of inquirers, as did not appear so inunecliately necessary in the first formation of the Directory. ^ut the doubts of some^ and the timidity 424 SUPPLEMENT. (added to the inexperience) of o/Ae/'^/hav^ng thrown difficulties in tlie way of the most simple operations, it becomes a duty incum- bent to obviate tliose complaints, and leave in future (if possible) little room for opposi- tion from the interested or dissatisfied. These observations are only made to pre- vent surprize at tlie occasional introduction of some remarks in the course of this addi- tion, tnat may, to the more experienced and enlightened reader, seem very much inferior ^o the magnitude of the subject, not coi;- sidering how many thei^ are whose infantile judgment must receive everij instruction fro^n the pages before them. Under the influence of this consideration it becomes (particularly after the frequent opposition from servants or grooms) per- fectly applicable to introduce a few instruc- tions upon the very simple d^ci oi ncatlij dc^ Vtfering a ball to the horse, ^vithout a fear of regurgitation ; a circumstance that very fre- quently happens to those who are little ac- quainted with the proper mode of operation : and these directions will not (to many) ap- pear so immediately necessary, unless Igom* SUPPLEMENT. 425 uiunicate what will hardly be thought possible^ but by those who know the circuuistances to be well authenticated, iu my own neigh- bourhood, where it very lately occurred, A valuable horse, the property of Captain W , having been under a course of the Pectoral Cordial Biills for a severe cold, eleven had been givei; without the least dif- ficulty ; but in giving tlic t\y'elfth and last of the course, the servant not perceiving the ball pass the gullet, erroneously conceived the ball was lodged in the throat, and (ridi- culous as it may seem) absolutely set most uianfully to work with half a /jroi^fj; handle to dislodge the ball, till he had so brujsed and lacerated the surrounding parts, that ^ vio- lent inflammation ensued, and it was not till after the industrious efforts of a fortnight, that the poor animal could be pronounced put of danger from this neio and very extra- ordinary mode of operation. To obviate such trouble, and to render unnecessary the use of the idivntvs favourite instrument, " a balling iron,'* (only calculated to increase the ditficulty), 1 presume to in- troduce such instructions for the adminis- 426 SUPPLEMENT. tration of a ball as will enable the operator to deliver it with the greatest ease to him- self and safety to his patient. First holding the ball in the right hand, longitudinally and equally surrounded by the fingers and thumb, let the left be insinuated on the off side of the mouth, when, taking gently hold of the tongue, draw it steadily out between the tusk and the grinders, then grasping it with great firmness, introduce the right hand with the ball, and passing it up with a proper de-* gree of resolution, to the highest possible point, lodge it upon the root of the tongue, instantly pushing it forward with your fin- ders, and withdrawing your hand, place it under his jaw, let loose the tongue, and raise his head, where, holding it for a very short space, the ball is perceived to pass without the least diiBculty : while, on the contrary, a horse, either timid or refractory, is made much more so by the painful use of an iron that, from its very shape, appearance, and method of introduction, is evidently calcu- lated to promote or increase the difficulty it was intended to prevent. These particulars, trifling as they may ap- pear to those expert in the practice, are net- SUPPLEMENT. 427 vertheless more partkularh' necessary in the present improving state- of meaiciiie, where reformation is making such rapid strides, that the adventurous opinions of rustic far- riers, and the dangerous compositions they provide, bid exceedingly fair to encounter a partial oblivion: and as numbers of the first sporting eminence have publicly declar- ed their unalterable determination to com- mence and continue their oicn farriers, such directions cannot be too clearly explained or universally known. It will, previous to a continuation upon the subject, be perfectly in point to observe, it was not till after a very rapid sale of the third edition of the Stable Directory, that I entertained the least idea of preparing my most efficacious medicines for the accommoda- tion of the public in general ; and even then the thought occurred not more from the fre- quent supplies required by noblemen and gentlemen at remote distances, than an ob- servation of ^eat weight, made bv one of the most opulent sporting characters in the kingdom. ^ That having repeatedly purchased his 428 SUPPLEMENT. * Purging Balls ready prepared, he was eter- * nally perplexed and disappointed in their * effects' ; some being exceedingly violent and ^ dangerous, while others under the same * na?ney price, and description, were scarcely * perceptible in the operation, and this fre- * quently happened in the same subject ; a * contrast so opposite lie could no way re- * concile, but by a supposition that so large ' a quantity might be made together, as to ' render impracticable a regular incorpora-. * tion of the ingredients/ A remark so perfectly apposite and appa-t rentlyjust, immediately determined me upon the personal preparation of my most effica- cious prescriptions, under the seal and sig- nature of '' Taplin's genuine Horse Me- ** DJCiNEs,'' as a counteraction to the adul- teration so fully explained in the preface ; and it is no small recommendation to the un- dertaking, or gratification to the proprietor, that, from the first hour of embarkation, amidst the incredible consumption in the metropolis, and almost every part of Eng- land, to the amount of 7nany hundred dozens, not a single complaint of the inefficacy of purgatives^ pectorals, diuretics, or any of th^ SUPPLEMENT. 429 whole list of his advertised medicines, has ever reached the author. On the contrary, innumerable congratulations upon their va- rious good eftects are constant in arrival ; but as declarations bearing so much the appear- ance of fashionable attachment to self^inte^ rest, will not be universally believed pal- pable proofs of their genuine utility, the applicable introduction of a few concise in- stances of their acknowledged efficacy can- not be considered obtrusive, when evidently and equally adapted to the promotion of public good. B'jfore I proceed to the investigation and proper treatment of thorn-wounds, punc- tured or lacerated tendons, and their dread- ful effects, it becomes absolutely necessary I refer the reader to my conclusive remarks upon WiNDGALLS, in the class under that head, in the early part of the Stable Di- rectory, where it will be found how very emphatically I have represented the hazard^ the danger (not to add the/b//j/) of attempt- ing their cure by perforation, and endea- voured to inculcate, mod forcibly , X\^q only 'probability of succeeding in the effort, by 430 StJPPLEMENt. * performing the operation with a history^ and ^ the motion oi elevation! After such cautions, so earnestly urged, it is strange to relate, that within the circle of my own practice, I have been required to give my assistance in tioo cases, where very tine and valuable horses have been irretriev- ably lost, and doomed to the hounds they had so nobly folloAved, by the rash and im- prudent officiousness of two of the faculty^ who, presuming most certainly more on their confidence than their judgment, sacrificed to self-consequence and the destructive lancet, hunters oi figure^ fashioji, speed, and value, not to be exceeded in the kingdom ; strengthen- ing by their imprudence the ol)*ervation of a celebrated writer, * that more have died * by the improper use of the lancet than the ^ point of the sword.* To prevent in future (if possible) such contemptible efforts of professional sterility, to guard the unwary from becoming dupes to their own credulity, and the dangerous efforts of hazardous' experiments, is much more the motive of inducement to recite SUPPLEMENT. 431 such cases, than' any promised expectation of permanent rehef from the mode of treat- ment most appHcable to the predominant symptoms of either, which will nevertheless be accurately explained. -CASE Of A PUNCTURED TENDON. In the month of August, 1788, I was ap- plied to by a character of great eminence, to give my opinion upon one of the first hunters in England, for which he had been repeatedly offered a hundred and twenty guineas. Upon my arrival, I found the horse labouring under the most excruciat- ing and indescribable agony, totally unable to set his off hind foot to the ground, and^ from the highest possible condition, very much emaciated in a few days with the ex- tremity of pain. Investigating by inquiry the cause of complaint, I wo^ informed that a student in surgery^ from one of the hos-* 43? SUPPLEMENt. pitals, had lately been upon a visit to the family; he was frequently in the stables, and perceiving an e:ilar^en:fent just above the footlock joint, winch denoininathig a icind^ gall, he displayed a great de.sire to obliterate bv pcrforafioji. This being too kindly (too inadvertently) permitted by the owner, lie attempted the operation wiiJi ■: cafnmo?i laticct, but with so little f)rtitude and success, that in making his incision, the natural motion and rejecting effort of the animal, fascinated the inexperienced operator in his fust at- tempt, and deprived liim of hi^ instrument (which was the next day found in the litter), but not till he had given a destructive proof of his inability,, and afforded a most striking corroboration of the remarks before alluded to in ** The Directory,*' upon this unlucky mode of extirpation. Proceeding to minute inspection, I found the whole joint and surrounding parts in the hi<^hest state of tension and inflammation ; the orifice of the injury so very trifling as barely to admit the end of a probe, and so exceedingly painful as not to bear the least pressure, but by much difficulty and perse- SUPPLEMENT. 433 verance ; from every predominant symptom (and they were all equally violent) I could not entertain a momentary doubt, but the extensor tendon was as much punctured, lace- rated, or divided, as the diminutive size of the instrument used, and the obstructive motion of the horse would admit. This ap- parent fact I was induced to believe (by the severity of pain, and almost uncommon vio- lence of symptoms), that the point of the lancet was broken off in the attempt, and re- tained in the wound ; upon premising this fear to the groom, he assured me that was not the case ; for the instrument was perfect %i'h€7i found. How that could be, after re- maining under a horse in his litter for twenty- four hours (as the lancet was not produced) \y\\\ never be clearly reconciled to my ozvn opinion, who have so constantly such an in- strument in my hand. To return ; finding the orifice (small as it was) discharge, upon pressure, a bloody ichor, or indist unprecedented growth of fun- 'lus bidding defiance to everv consistent a>r- riMtie caustic, or escharoffc, I Iiad no alterna- tive to effect my purpose but l)y the edi^e of the knife ; to this never-failing resource I daily applied for extirpation, rept^ating tlie superficial scarifications longitudinally and transversely, so as not only to excite ^ plentiful discharges of grumous inflamma- tory blood, but to disunite and destroy the vjerv foundation of this obstruction to cure. After these scarifications, the wounds were dressed with the precipitate ointment, and covered with warm digestive, a mode of treatment that soon gave the whole a very healthy appearance, and promised gradual improvement. As, I have before observed, the ^inuse:^ were so situated amidst the muscular and li^amentary parts, that ins*trumentai sepa- ration was not only dangerous but impo^ SUPPLEMENT. 443 sible; a cure could therefore culy be ob- tained by a perseverance in the mode of treat- ment best adapted to the exigency of the disease. AvaiUng myself of experimental obser\^ation, I continued to cleanse them thoroughly at every dressing with the injec- tion of tincture of myrrh (by means of a long-necked ivory syringe), the best ba/samic detergent for foul wounds, inveterate ulcers, or deep-iieated siiiuses, I have been able to discover in the.whole class of externals, dur- ing a long and attentive practice. Proceeding regularly in this track, with a punctual administration of the internal me- dicines before recited, and tlie external ap- plications so minutely described, the mare, in little more than six weeks, was com- pletely cured, perfectly free from every ap- pearance of eruption, la??ieness, or disease, and is now in foal by a celebrated Arabian of the lloyalstud. To those who may wish to have farther animadversion upon the distinct aud acting properties of the medicines internally ap- plied, 1 can only observe;, such explanation 444 SUPPLEMENT. would very far exceed the limits originally prescribed f(Ti' the extent of this addition ; it must therefore suffice to say, if I had form* ed a hope of reducing in/Ia?n??iation, correct' ing acrimoni/, and rescuing the whole mass of blood from an inveterate and dangerous state of yiiorbidify, by the use of the alterative poxcders, hark, and jiitre, I must consider my- self exceedingly fortunate, that they com- pleated, in eonjunction, what perhaps, might never have been effected by any part of the whole. A SUCCESSFUL CASE OP LIGAMENTARY LAMENESS. The former case was succeeded by a se- vere ligamentary lameness in the carriage- horse of a gentleman, within three miles of my own residence, that had sustained con- siderable injury in the articulation of the hip-joint y by a violent fall, in suddenly slip- ping up when wantonly exerting himself (at liberty) with his companion returning from SUPPLEMENT. 445 pasture ; the lameness was so very severe that it was with the greatest difficulty he could draw the near hind leg after him, and felt great perceptible pain in being obliged to move it forward, which he did with palpable reluctance, not bearing the least weight upon it, or hardly permitting it to touch the ground. In four days after the accident, I was re- quired to give my assistance, and found, by the external appearance, that the article called opodeldoc had been very plentifully used, till the soap it contained had so caked and accumulated upon the surface (cement- ing the hair into such a solid mass) as to render the penetration of any spirituous ap- plication absolutely impossible. The fact I clearly demonstrated to the owner, aud was not at all surprized to hear he had reaped no advantage from his industrious application. It was unavoidably necessary to adopt a very different mode of proceeding ; I there- fore recommended the immediate and fre- que^it use (three times a day) of a strong and 44(5 SUPPLE^fENT. hot fomentation with a sponge, as before di- rected, not only to thoroughly cleanse the surrounding parts from the sapoiiaceoits ob-- struction. of corroborants, but to take oif the stricture from the part, and relax the porous system, preparatory to the rubbing in of the following stimulants, that their penetrative properties might obtain the readier powers of action upon the internal parts atlected. After the use of the fomentation for full ten minutes, I ordered half a gill (two ounces) of ccmiphoratcd spirits to be gradually rubbed over the whole, immediately following it up with the same quantity of my advertised *' embrocation for lameness or strains/* rubbing it in with such a degree of perseverance, as to leave no doubt of its penetration, and to let these be repeated after each time of using the fomentation. Having superintended this ceremony at the first operation, I was requested to give my opinion, ''how long I imagined it might be before the horse would be able to bear his (post-chaise) part of a journey to Southamp- ton, which the family was under promise to SUPPLEMENT. 447 make?'' — To which I undoubtedly replied, the task of decision was too arduous to un^ dertake, but in less than a month or six weeks was not to be expected. — On the fourth day, however, the servant was dispatched for a supply of camphorated spirits, and another bottle of the embrocation, with information from his master, that '^ the horse was mend- " ing surprizingly." In a few days after, having a professional journey to tlie same • neighbourhood, 1 made inquiry a matter of convenience, and found at the house that the horse had set out upon his journey with the family, in about ten dai/s after my being call- ed in, from whence he returned as perfectly sound as before the accident. From the circumstances of this case (amidst many others), I am induced to bring forward an observation I have repeatedly made upon the use of opodeldoc on animals, wiiere its most essential parts cannot come into im- mediate contact with the skin, as is evidently the state of the case with horses, cattle, dogs, &c. where the hair, in greater or less quan- tities, upon the integument, so entirely ab- sorb the soap in the first operation of rub- 448 SUPPLEMENT. bing, as to form an adhesive obstruction to porous admission, and a consequent rejec- tion of the more penetrative ingredients in every future application. And I cannot in- dulge the shadow of doubt, but those who have tried the experiment, or made the ob- servation, will easily recollect the saponaceous mass and obstruction upon the surface I have endeavoured to explain. Under this con- viction (and the best of conviction, incon- trovertible experience) I will venture to af- firm, however applicable and useful it may be universally acknowledged for various com- plaints of the human frame, I shall never subscribe to any pre-eminence of efficacy in its application to quadrupeds. ( 449 ) CASE OF A PUNCTURED OR LACERATED TENDON. In the month of November 17^9? I re- ceived a letter of solicitation from a gentle- man very high in a certain royal establish- ment, requesting my immediate attendance in London to give my opinion upon a horse that, from a mere superficial defect, and cojn- plicated experiments, was rendered a perfect cripple, without hope or expectation of cure. In such predicament, it became a determined decision with the proprietor, that my per- sonal investigation should conclude the scene of anxiety, by dooming the subject to im- mediate death, or producing a plausible ray of hope for his recovery. Upon my arrival in town, and introduction, to the owner, I received [information^ that about three months before, a kind of flatu- lent or fluctuating tumour appeared upon the inside of the near hough, displaying great yOL. I. Gr Gr 450 SUPPLEMENT. tenderness upon pressure, and considerable pain in action: notwithstanding^ uhich, it was observed to vary so much in effect, as to be productive of lameness at one time and not at another. These circumstances were communicated by tlie groovn to his master, and by him in casual conversation to one of the faculty, a surgeon of no small eminence, who kindly offering his assistance, a chirur- gical inspection took place, which termi- nated in the daily application of different poultices to promote suppuration ; these were continued till the joint opinion of surgeon and groom pronounced the matter *' perfectly ripe" for expulsion. Under sucl* consultation, in the absence of the owner, the incision was unluckily made, and still more uirhidvily, innnediately upon the Jicxor toidon, and directly upon the part where it lay nearest the surface. To the disappoint- ment in this operation, succeeded di."5trusts^ discontent, and cavillings, between the pro- jectors ; for no matter^ no sanies, digested or indigested, following the instrument of sepa- ration, mutual consternation ensued, and lan- guage little short of reproach prevailed with either party. This contrariety of opinion (^something similar to the frequent opposi- SUPPLEMENT. 451 tlon between doctor and nurse) soon effected tlie intire abdication of the superior, and left the Ejroom to an uninterrupted exertion of his own judgment and medical abilities. To prove the extent of which he prepared an artificial probe, and continued its constant introduction for two inches or more, directly upon the tendon, thereby abrading and ren- dering more irritable a part already injured, and consequently susceptible of additional pain upon every erroneous application. His master was still absent (in a distant port of the kingdom), and the case became every day more alarming, not only in its constantly increasing enlargement of the joint, but per- petual and incessant pain, from which he had no relief. Nature had, in opposition to the interpositions of art, closed the ori- fice and healed the wound ; notwithstand- ing which, the lameness was greater than before. Tliis was matter of additional per- plexity to the scientijic superintendant, who \Vas now convinced nothing but a. practice entirely new could succeqd. The better to establish which (upon a vulgar and generally received opinion, that G G 2 452 supplement: mercury is a specific for every ill, he pro- cured a pot of strong mercurial ointment y and persevered in its constant use by friction, till finding every effart to succeed abortive, he obliquely covirted the examination and ad- vice of a popular farrier, standing very high in public estiniatio4i, whose sublimity of ex- planatron- certainly entitles him to general confidence, lie nK)st sagaciously dhcovered 3-nd observed, ' a vein was losf, ^hich could only be reco- ' vered by the application of a strong blister/ However strange or ridiculous a proposed remedy, so violent and extraordinary, may appear to the judicious or experienced reader, it met no opposition from the party concern- ed ; for, comincT from tlie hio;h-soundin£; au- thority of so much eminence, it was hastily procured, and as rashly applied. I doubt not its efiects may be much better conceived than described ; external fire upon internal contraction could but add to the excruciat- ing pain, or rather wanton persecution, of a subject suffering under such a succession of cruel and inconsiderate experiments. Thie account having, been given me in SUPPLEMENT. 453 fecital, as well as the present state of the liorse, I could not entertain a doubt of the flexor tendon's being punctured by the ori- ginal operator, or lacerated by his successor, in the daily probings that were to effect so ex- peditious a cure. Proceeding, however, to the stables, I found the patient upon three legs, in a stall barely five feet wide, in a state of the greatest agony ; his leg in an almost con- stant contractive motion, absolutely <>;roan^ ing with the extremity of pain, tlie whole limb perceptibly wasted, the frame ema- ciated, the joint much enlarged, the cica- trix exceedingly tender, bearing no pressure iupon the tendon, and an uncommon stric- ture upon the surrounding parts, wherever the blister had taken effect ; and, to render the business of inquiry complete, I found circumstances had varied very little for near two months, but that symptoms had con- tinued nearly in the same state. Every action, every predominant trait tend- ing to corroborate my first opinion upon the <:ase, I could not hesitate a moment to pro- iiounce, that whatever had been the oriain Qf the simple tumour fperhaps a blon) that had. 454 SUPPLEMENT. however, never been ascertained), tlie cause of the present distressing scene was absolutely and beyond all possibility of doubt or con- tradiction, a puncture or laceration of the tendon. Obscured as the case was, by what is too much the practice, complicated opinions and various experiments^ in addition to the length of time since the injury had, been sustained, great or sanguine hope of success was not to \)t entertained. I nevertheless observed, if the owner wished to adopt such system as alone seemed calculated to alleviate symp- toms and afford relief, giving the whole a fair and persevering trial of three weeks or a month, without any perceptible advantage, I should then, .(however disagreeable the of- fice may be) certainly not hesitate to advise the propriety of pa:>sing the only sentence that could extricate the subject from a life of extreme pain and perpetual misery. My proposal having been instantly and most cheerfully acquiesced in by the great liumanity aud anxious wish for preservation ia the owner, I ordered, without dclav, ^ SUPPLEMENT. 455 .eoaclT^house, or open stable, to be procured (which was very luckily obtained in the same ■yard) and covered with Utter, for his im- mediate reception, a parcel of hay being sus- pended at each end, to excite his alternate motion from one ^ud to the othe:% wheu either bundle was consumed. Ingredients were directly procured for the following decoctio.n : Take rosemary leaves, Roman -wormwood, laventlev flowers, marshmallow leaves, and camomile flowers, each four ounces ; boil in ten quarts of watg: till reduced to eight, then strain. The whole limb was then fomented (with two large pieces of sponge alternately, as hot as the decoction could be brought into use without danger) from the very stifle to the footlock joint, continuing it for a quarter of an hour at least, each time of usini^j the fo^ mentation, and repeating it three times a day at equal distances of time, rubbing in after every operation, upon the hough joint and neighbouring parts, a two-ounce phial full of the following anodyne solution. Take spirits of wine, one pint ; Camphor, an ounce and a half ^ Opium, two drachms. 456 SUPPLEMENT. The <:ainphor and opium were reduced to small pieces then frequently shaken in the spirits till dissolved, and close stopped for use. That no part of my plan mij^lit he omit- ted, tending in the least to promote a pos- sibihtv of success, I continued in town a day extraordinary, to superintend tlie com- mencement and regulate the proceeding ; wa.s present during the first operation, leaving him at full liberty i» tlie loose stable I had recommended (as the finst jirobable step to improvement), not wilhout some degree of hope, upon seeing hiip enjoy a seeming tem- porary suspension from pain, during the Avarmth of thie fomentation, \\ Inch he abso- lutely leaned to. and courted the applica- tion of, in a very particular manner. From these ap[)Iications (liowever well adapted to predominant symptoms and the exigency of the case) infal/ihle cipecfatians could not be formed ; nevertheless I had ex- perimental reason and conviction to believe, the properly regulated heat, and frequency of the fomentation, might not only gradually reduce the rigid callosity of the integument SUPPLEMENT. 457 and stricture upon the part where the blister had been applied, but also relax the porous system, giving admission to the anodyne for the reduction of hTitabihty, and the corro- borants to excite a deary to obtain a discharge by such 7neans alone', I, in almost every case of tumours, or inflammatory swellings, adopt the use of very ^carrn fomentations for a considerable length of time preceding the application of each poultice (which should be renewed nig4it and morning), and am pcrfectl}^ convinced oftlie advantages gained by the practice. No professional animaflversion is required to elu- cidate or justify this assertion; the describ- ed state of the parts, and conespouding pro- perty of the application, sulliciently demoor strate the certaintj^ of success dependent upon the execution ; for the good effect of such mode of treatment is not on]\" evident in an earlv relaxation of the inteanment aaxl porous system, but in a gradual communi- cation to the seat of inflaimnation, being in- dul)itably calculated lo promote, mo:^t poiccrf fnllij, a speedy anr! plentiful evacuation. During a perseverance in tliis pra^tice^. it will be found no uncommon circumstance in such formations (moie particularly in large infiammatorj' tumours)^ for Nature to make her efforts in tvfo or three distinct places at the same time, where oozin^s njav be per-? 4?0 SUPPLEMENT. ceived from the different apertures; it will now be proper that every attention is paid to the nature of the discharge, to ascertain the state of maturation, whether it \s partial or inuversaL' if the suppuration is perfect,^ and evidently ready for evacuation, let a superficial incision be made in length adapt- ed to the size of the tumour, and that at the lowest or most depending orifice (or situation of the part), that the discharge may become the more spontaneous, and impeded by no obstruction. But such operation should by no means, (as is very frequently the case,) be attempted till the part is properly prepared, and in need of assistance ; over ofBciousness and eager impatience in counteracting or an- ticipating the indications of Nature, are often productive of those very disquietudes it is now our interest to prevent. Should the discharge consist of a bloody ichor, or a kind of watery indigested sanies, the maturation may be deemed partial, and exceedingly unfaTourable. The swelling in such case is generally hard in one place and pliable in another, the wound (or different ' apertures, as it may be) displaying a fistu-r SUPPLEIMENT. 47 1 lous appearance, that threatens more conse- quence and inconvenience than a case of urnr-^ xersal suppuration. These appearances will require an increas- ed perseverance in the repeated use of fomen- tation and poultice, adding more heat to the former, and emollients to the latter, con- tinuing each twice a day without remission. Increase the circulation and invigorate thQ system by an ounce of bark in powder (o'iven in gruel), or a pecfofai cordial ba// every movn-r ing, and correct the acrimony in tjie blood and juices by one of the alterative powders m the feed of corn every evening: these atten^ tions will generally eftcct a salutary change in the constitution, and produce a promisirjg dischar2;e of healthy matter. •CD » Too much caution cannot be introduced to prevent the opening of tumours or sv/ell-^ ings of any kind, before the contents are suf- ficiently softened (or ripe) for discharge. Such premature operation never fails to give a rigid callosity to the edges of the v/ound ; and they cannot unite so favourably as when the case is more judiciously conducttd. 472 SUPPLEMENT. Where shitises are superficial (as for in- stance, from one aperture to another of those l)efore described), and the^ integument is be- coming putrid by the corrosive quality of the mjatter, an immediate separation with the history, or dissecting Imifc and director is the best practice, as tlie divided parts soon slough off with the drcssingr,, and make way for succeediuijj incarnation. Should sinuses lead to remote parts, or so surround the joints as to forbid (or render dangerous) the use of an instrument, let them be daily syringed with tinctifre of yiyrrh, so long as the wound continues foul and unfa- vourable ; when it is thoroughly cleansed, and assumes a promising aspect, let the in- jection be altered to half tincture and half warm water, continuing its use at each dress- in^, which should be regularly persevered in niuht and mornini^;. In wounds of this description, the rapid growth oi fungus (commonly called proud flesh) is ahnost incredible: this should be carefully attended to in the infancy of its appearance, and^ if at all luxuriant, must Ue SUPPLEMENT. 475 repeatedly touclied i?i various directions, with the edge of a lancet, history, pen-knife, or any other applicahle instrument, exceedingly sharp ; then dressed with asuhstantial pled- get of the following precipitate ointment, covered with the warm stahle digestive, and ^ bandage best adapted to the part affected : Take red precipitate, finely powdered, half an ounce; yellow basilicon, two ounces ; and let them be well incorporated upon a marble slab for use. When the fungus is entirely subdued, and the cure nearly completed, this ointment may be omitted : but I believe it can be very rarely laid aside with propriety ; for I find in my general practice, it is almost impos- sible to relinquish it totally, the excrescence continuing to shoot, in many cases, till the ivound x^yerftctlxi healed. The mode of treatment will also be found miost strictly applicable to broken knees of any considerable consequence, without dis- tinction, some very remarkable cases of which have fallen under my inspection, tiiat have had their different terminations : of the most §inprcss, if possible, so ab- surd, so inconsiderate, and contemptible a practij^e, tliat, it is natural to conclude, can be continued but from a motive of inherent obstinancv, determined iwt to he conrinccdi amidst all its dreadful conse(]uence. I am, however, most earnestly induced to hope, from an anxious and unalteiable desire to improve the subject and reform the practice, that the ancient ada^e of ' l)C!tter late than * never,' and due reflection, w ill be produce tive of a gradual reforniation, jmrticularly when it is now universally known, and ac- knowledged by every impartial observer, that the instn:ctions in the former part of the Di- rectory for management in Physic, have umlergonc the ordeal of public investiga- tion, and been honoured with general ap- probation. ( 481 ) THE DISEASE IN THE CANINE SPECIES CALLED THE DISTEMPER. There can be no doubt but the infe- riority of this subject, to the magnitude of the former;, will prove matter of observation to those whose principal inquiries are di- rected more to the discovery of defects, than the applause of perfections. These /ere? will, however, bear no proportion to the large body of liberal-minded sporisinen to whom it is principally addressed, and for whose use itisalmost solely communicated. Nor would it even now have been obtruded upon public opinion, but at the particular request of gentlemen who, liaving profited by the in- structions, were anxious for the promotion of general utility. It may, with the strictest justice, be per- mitted to boast some degree of affinity to the subject so largely treated on, when it i^ VOL. I. II 482 SUPPLEMENT. considered how very common an appendage one animal is to the other ; so much so, that in field sports their safety and perfections seem not only to go hand in hand, but it is difficult (out of the metropolis) to find the possessor of a horse, or horses, that thinks himself at all equipped without hounds, grey hounds, pointers, spaniels, or terriers, in his train also. Under the influence of this observation, I can possess no fear of its favourable recep- tion among those who fairly investigate the rationality of medical iimovation, or con- descend to court and patronize experimen- tal improvement; presuming upon the nu- merous and flattering plaudits bestowed upon my former publications, I can hesitate but little in submitting to inspection the obser- vations I have made upon a disease, whose annual destruction is generally known in every part of the kingdom, with no other description or definition in origin, cause, or effect, than "^ the distemper-/' of which having endeavoured for some years to form an opinion with such accuracy as predomi- nant symptoms and appearances would per- SUPPLEMENT. 483 mit, I shall transmit them, with the mode of treatment that has hitherto (particularly vmder my own execution) proved successful, vv ithout a single loss, to justify a doubt of the practice, when properly persevered in. It is now near twenty years since I com- menced my observations upon the nature and indications of the disease in question, and found, by my inquiries from others, and my own occasional remarks, the remedies generally adopted and esteemed infallible spe-' cifics were calculated so little to counteract or remove the predominant symptoms of distress in the animal, that it produced no surprize, not more than one in twenty should recover when attacked with the usual se- verity. In my eadeavours to form some rational idea of the origin or cause of complaint, I could furnishy;om others not the least assist- ance ; from all the information I could col- lect, (even from the most confident and self- sufficient) was, that the disorder was in the ' heady and a green (or seton) in the poll, in * ' the manner of an issue, was the only re- I I 2 484 SUPPLEMENT. ' medy to be relied on/ Of this general con- cise explanation and cure I so far availed myself, as not to omit the inspection of a single subject in my own neigbourhood, where the received opihiofi might be justified or disproved by the event. And I must candidly declare, after months of the strictest attenticHi, I never could perceive a greater proportion than one in fen recover from the supposeed effect of this iiifallible green or seton ; and therefore we may very fairly infer, those who recover under this practice derive their cure much more from the assistance ^nd efficnts of Nature, than the effect of so urj* certaiti and inapplicable a remedy. Finding so little satisfaction or truth in this part of the general opinion, I became more anxious to discover how far ' the head,'' as before- mentioned, was the seat of disease; but, after everv minute attention, and inces- sant observation (even with my own point- ers and spaniels in succession), I could dis- cover no one trait of conseauence, to justify the idea, nearer than a tumefaction of the glandular parts on each side the throaty which, in a greater or less d^r-gree, affected SUPPLE:MENT. 485 the different subjects, according to tlie mild- ness or malignity of disease. Previous to the more particular descrip- tion of prevalent symptoms in the animals labouring under the complaint, a few gene- ral observations mav be introduced without the least digression. I plainly perceived the disease to be much more epidemic than infec- tious, and that the time of attack varied in the different kinds ; but that the ratios of nineteen in twenty were affected before they were txoelve^month^ old. I observed hounds, greyhounds, pointers, and the larger dogs, were usually attacked between eight months old and twelve ; while spaniels, terriers, and the smaller kinds, suffered between four months and nine. I also remarked the fe- males were in general much less afflicted than the males, many escaping entirely, and those that did not, were neither so severely affect- ed, nor for so great a duration. Havincf, about the exact time of forming my predetermined chain of observations, young pointers, and spaniels in my posses- sion, upon whose breed I had every reasoa 486 SUPPLEMENT. I to fix considerable estimation, they not only soon gave me opportunity to become exceed- ingly accurate in my remarks, but to adopt such remedies as I should find most appli- cable (in my opinion) to the symptoms of disease. Of these, a pointer, of nearly eight months old, was the first attacked. The earliest symptoms of disease were dulness, loathing of food, frequent sickness, and constant vo- miting : these producing in a few days great depression and lassitude, were soon followed by perpetual huskiness in the throat, and difficulty of respiration ; the nose remarks ably dry, and mouth exceedingly hot, with occasional strainings to evacuate by stool without discharge. Not having been able to reconcile to my- self the least prospect of success, from the usual operation of ' burning a green in the ' poll with a red-hof iron,' under an idea of the complaint's being in the head, and hav- ing from hourly attention, as well as the most accurate observation, every reason to believe the disease particularly affected th^ SUPPLEMENT. 487 throat, stomach, and intestines, it was natural I should advert to such remedies as were m-ore immediately adapted to those parts. Aly first intent was to promote evacuation, under a perfect conviction there must be a ver)^ vio- lent obstruction in the stomach or some part of the intestines; to remove which, I pre- pared a small ball with a scruple of Jr/Z^yj, four grains of calomel, and two of ginger, forming it into a proper consistence with con- serve of hips, then covering it with a small portion oi fresh butter to facilitate its passage, gave it in that form ; where it remained no lon«;er than durins^ its solution in the sto- mach, almost instantly returning in a state of liquefaction, entirely unaccompanied by any other substance whatever : this I re- peated five or six times in less than three days, with no better success. As the disease advanced in respect to time, the general symptoms became more violent ; the animal, from the first attack, having never taken any food but warm milk (and that in the most trifling quantities), was incrediblv emaciated : there was a very me^,t contraction and hollowness of the flank, oc- easioned by a perceptible stricture of the 4a8 SUPPLEMENT. muscles, that, producing an hourly increas- ing weakness of the loins, seemed to indicate the approach of inevitable dissolution ; the hinder parts had absolutely declined, and could no longer perform their office ; when hfted up he could not stand without support, his hind legs sinking under him ; and, by the frequent twitchings and convulsive spasms, he seem- ed encountering the agonies of vnmediate death. No refinement of thought, no sublimity of expression, is necessary to convey a descrip- tion of the present dilemma. Every sports- man, whose mind is embellished by the nicer sensations, and whose heart is instinctively open to alleviate the sufferings of these part- ners of, and contributors to, our pleasures, these nocturnal protectors of our property, ^s well as the many (though no sportsmen) who have their favourites of the different species, and are no strangers to their attach-- ment, jidelity, and gratitude, have no doubt, some time or other, stood in a similar predica- ment. Convinced, by the state of the extended subject, nothing could be expected h\xi death. SUPPLEMENT. 489 any rational experiment, that could be put into immediate practice, was perfectly justi- fiable, to promote a further investigation of the cause, or very slender and improbable change of the mitigation or cure of disease. Almost hopeless of even time sufficient to administer the medicine ; I prepared a ball, containing three grains of emetic tartar, and ten oi jalap, forming the mass, and passing it as before. I also incorporated one ounce of the spirit of hartshorn (by frequent shak- ing) with a quarter of a pint of olive oil, and bathed all the affected parts of the throat, so as to leave the hair underneath the neck plentifully charged with the composition. For rather more than ha^lf an hour, dOring thejsolution of the ball, and its consequent effect upon the stomach, the subject seemed to undergo the most painful sensations ; agi- tating vibrations (or tremblings) of the whole frame were very frequent; his eyes, nearly dosed, seeoaed totally fixed, and the foam issuing from both sides of his mouth (as he lay extended at his utmost length), left not the least expectation of ever seeing him even once more upon his legs ; when suddenly rising 490 SUPPLEMENT. (after repeated efforts) a perfect frame or skeleton, and reeling three or four feet from the carpet he was laid on, threw up (with very little exertion or straining) near half a pint of viscid limpid coagulumj so tenacious and adhesive that there was not the least possibility of partial separation. After this emotion, he could not return to the spot he had arisen from without assistance ; to which, being carried and laid down, he appeared somewhat more at case, Still convinced no satistactory termination could be obtained, or even expected, with- out farther exertions; and not entertaining the least doubt, by symptoms before describ- ed, but the intestines were equally the seat of disease, and principally concerned in the orii^in of complaint, without the power of reaching that cause by any other means, I was determined to persevere in my experi- ments, and proceeded accordingly in the fol- lowing preparation : Strong decoction of rue, lialf a piid ; JKinitive electuary, and connnon salt, of cacli a quartet of an ounce ; 0\\SQ oil; tsvo table-spoon fuLs. SUPPLEMENT. 491 These being properly mixed were admi- nistered as a glyster, of warmth sufficient to stimulate the internal parts to action, This was however expelled almost instantly upon its injection, with great rapidity, as having met some obstacle in its course through the intestine, which served only to excite an unremitting perseverance to obtain relief; particularly as I had sufficient reason to believe, by every look and endeavouring action of the animal, that he had already found some degree of mitigation by the eva- cuation from his stomach and the relaxation of the intestine. The glyster was repeated in two hours, with an almost immediate ejection, producing no other advantage than additional alleviation of predominant symp~ toms ; the subject became evidently more at ease, displaying in his looks certain marks of relief; the stricture upon the abdominal muscles was considerably reduced, and I had little doubt but that the state of the stomach and intestines was in some decree altered bv the salutary discharge from the former, as well as the good efliect from and warmth of the internal fomentation upon the other. 492 SUPPLEMENT. Appearances so highly gratifying (and those produced in a few hours by experiments new and uncertain), afforded me the best encou* i*agement to exert every endeavour that could tend to crown the event M'ith success. In about an hour after the last operation, a plate of bread and milk was offered, boiled well together; supporting the head and fore parts from the ground as he lay, in hopes h^e might be able to take a small portion of nu- triment, that would assist exhausted nature and support the frame ; he however, after giving proof of his inclination so to do, failed in the attempt from absolute rveakness, and was compelled to decline it. Notwithstanding this failure, every other circumstance tended to convince me the dog was in some decree mendiui]: : confirmed be- yond a doubt, where the obstacle lay, and firmly persuaded the foundation of relief was already communicated, I, for the first time, became enlivened with a ray of expectation it midit be totallv removed. To accom- piish this very desirable point, I was deter- mined no time, no trouble on my part, should be omitted, and therefore dedicated SUPPLEMENT. 494 the folloiving night to a verification of that excellent motto and excitement to industry, '^ Persevere and conquer.^' The subject con- tinued to become much less disquieted, not a symptom but appeared less violent, and he even dosed without extreme pain. In the middle of the night I repeated the glyster, which was then retained a considerable time, and again discharged, as thrown up, with- out the least appearance of, or mixture with, excrement. After this retention and evacuation of the injection, he tottered, unsupported, to his bed, and lay down evidently better. In less than an hour after this effort and emo- tion, he took, with some degree of eagerness, the bread and milk that had been prepar- ed (previously warmed) ; about eight in the morning I renewed my injection, which, after beins retained for at least ten minutes, came away with a large portion of discoloured cru-^ difieSy as if brought from the interstices of the intestines by the repeated washings of the injection. — This produx:ed additional and very striking advantages: Jie ^vas seemingly relieved in all respects, the stricture of the muscles upon the intestines, and the contrac- 494 SUPPLEMENT. tion of the loins were both evidently better, and the violence of every former symptom promised gradually to subside ; he soon took, and continued to take, occasional supplies of the bread and milk well boiled, of thin con- sistence, for the purpose. The glysters were repeated every four or five hours, without remission, with little va- riation in advantage and appearance, till ten or eleven had been given, their good effects being plainly perceptible in every repetition ; when after a succession of severe trials and repeated strainings for many minutes, one entire mass was voided, composed of every kind of extraneous substance such an animal could have been supposed to swallow with food during its puppyism. It clearly con- csisted of grass or hay, wonderfully matted or interwoven with hair, and particles of sand or gravel cemented together so t\r- ccedinglij hard, that it might be fairly sup- posed to have been prepared by art, and passed through a mould by some instrument or powerful pressure. This extraordinary expulsion occasioned no surprize; on the contiary, it removed SUPPLEMENT. 495 cveiy suspense, confirmed every suspicion, and left no one doubt of tlie cause of com- plaint or certainty of cure. The animal, al- most from this moment, became a new sub- ject, demonstrating in every action his change of situation; notwithstanding which, the ope- ration, in a few hours, was once more repeated^ and in its effect brouglit away some loose remains exactly corresponding with the sub- stances before described. From this time he suffered no farther inconvenience but Avhat was the result of previous pain, want of nu- triment, and bodily debilitation : he con- tinued daily to improve, not only in his re- newed establishments of health, but, the en- suing season, in his expected qualifications ; after which I parted with him, for a very valuable consideration, to a gentleman going to Scotland, who purchased him with an avowed intent to improve the breed, lie being perhaps as fine a figure, with size, bone, speed, and perfection, as ever entered the field. To this succeeded, in a very short space of time, the case of a young spaniel, in every respect the same, but with much less severity; the symptoms, in fact, were not violent to 496 SUPPLEMENT. alarm, and being exceedingly slight, were immediately counteracted by the same means, with a veiy slender portion of perseverance. Perfectly successful in these attempts, and gratified in the effect of experiments plan- ned only upon my own private opinion and observations, with an intent to insure (if possible) the certainty of cause and proba- bihty of cure, it will not be thought extra- ordinarv, I wished for, and even courted, opportunities to justify, or render nuga- tory, the discovery I was so anxious to as- certain. I soon fou^id it impossible to succeed in my investigation and pursuit with subjects the property of others; there I could only advise or recommend (without the power of absolute dictation), where, probably, various circumstances, the pride, indolence, or pe- cuharities of the parties, might prevent the performance of either one or the other. During my increased desire to proceed in such speculative iriquiry. a brace of pointer puppies were brought me by a gentleman SUPPLEMENT. 497 from Banbury in Oxfordshire, of so good a breed, and so high in estimation, that the sirev/2iS sent for from 'NeicportPagncl in Buck- zngha?nshire, to the dam at Banbury, merely for this single act of procreation. These were both attacked in theh' se-centh ?no)ith, and within a few days of each other ; one bein^ in figure, shape, marks, and promising ap- pearance, very much Hke the dog before described, had ah'eady, and perhaps froni that very reason, become a great favourite ; and to this every attention, every ceremony and operation hitherto explained was rigidly performed, as no two cases could ever be more strictly alike, with no alteration in form, no variation in effect, but exactly cor- responding in every particular with the case first recited : the symptoms were all equally violent, the danger as great, the cure as improbable, and the recovery as perfectly complete. This case occurred in the summer, of 1781, and the dog is now in possession of a gen- tleman at Binfield in Windsor Forest, who has repeatedly declared he should ^zer^r change VOL. I. 2 K 498 SUPPLEMENT. his nyxster : and it may not be inapplicable to add, he even now possesses all the perfec- tions of a young dog : and when he was my property, a neighbouring friend repeatedly ' offered to hunt him in the field, and oppose his good qualities against -any si?igk pointer in the county for a hundred guineas. Thus were two of the finest dogs in the kingdom preserved by the effect of experiments, that had they not been brought into trial could never have proved successful. Whatever might have been my predomi- nant wish respecting the other subject of dis- ease, professional engagements totally pre- cluded every possibility of bestowing the same personal attendance upon Lofh, had , they been equally high in my estimation : this very want of opportunity had never- theless its convenience, so far as it contri- buted to establish the practice I had adopt- ed with so much promised success. The usual symptoms continued to increase v/ith the violence so particularly described in the case, till the fourteenth day, when the slight spasms and twitchings produced convulsions 3» SUPPLEMENT. 499 of some duration ; from these he sometimes continued perfectly free for four or five hours, when they returned with increasing severity, but frequent intermission ; on the eighteenth day they became incessant, rendering the sight truly distressing, and closing the scene, after a convulsive lit of near four hours, without the least deviation or relief. From the event of this unassisted case, (as well as many others among my ^sporting friends), in direct contrast to those already recited, I had a very fair and undoubted plea to congratulate myself upon a discovery that had hitherto promised every hope of f^uccess upon repetition, and justly laid claim to the test oi farther trial, when time should afford an opportunity for additional demon- stration. Such proofs have since occured as leave no room to doubt, the propriety of the prac- tice; iirijt in a pointer, son of the dog whose recovery is before-mentioned, and now in a gentleman's possession at Biniield, who was attacked when about nine months old ; and^ 2 K 2 500 SUPPLEMENT. though not affected with the severity of the two pointers, whose cases have gone before, (perhaps in consequence of the remedies being brought very early into use ; yet he snifered so much from the disease, as to render his recovery for some days a matter of great uncertainty. The mode of treat- ment so particularly explained was punc-^ tually adhered to, in both the emetic, ball, and repetition of the glysters ; tlie effect proved equally favourable ; and although the evacuations were not critically the same, they were nearly similar to those in the cases of recovery before described. This dog proved equally valuable in field qualifications Avith his sire ; and was disposed of at the re- quest of a gentleman of fortune in the neighs bourhood, to whose generosity I stood in^ debted for innumerable instances of his par-^ tiality, If I had the least reason to entertain doubts of the success of my endeavours, and ear-^ nestly wished another case to establish the point beyond all cause of controversy, such additional proof soon occurred, leaving every SUPPLEMENT. 50i instance in favour of the attempt and prac- tice, without a single counteraction to justify a doubt of its consistency. The constantly increasing claims upon professional attention to objects of greater importance, having induced a suspension of the gun, with the disposal of my pointers, an inviolable (or rather invincible) attachment to the species soon procured me an epitome of the fashion, in a brace of terriers ; and such being obtained in preference from a palace^ (rather than the cottage), w^re equally re- markable for their breed and beauty, soon becoming, as pointers had been, objects of adequate attention. Of these the male was attacked under six months old, in every re- spect as all the others that had been subjects of my observation, and with so much con- tinued severity, and increasing violence of symptoms, that I did not entertain either expectation or idea of its recovery. The same plan of operation was pursued as with all the rest, varying the proportions only to age, sf^e, and strength ; by reducing the com- position of the ball to two grains of emetic 502 SUPPLEMENT. tartar, and eight of jalap, and the glysters to half the quantity given to larger dogs, till his recovery was ascertained to a certainty, and he is now in my possession, with the fe- male, that l^s never been at all attacked, at least to become perceptible. This was the fifth successful trial upon animals under my own inspection, and not to be controverted by the pique or prejudice of those who may conceive the matter too trifling for the press^ or the species too insignificant for the pro- ces!^. Having, however, speaking from experi- mental sensations, every reason to believe there are of all classes great numbers who would most readily encounter not only fa- tigue, but difficulty and expense, to extri- cate from disease and threatening death favourites of this species,, it is from the flat- tering hopes of their plaudits, that I have gone entirely out of the line of literary ambi^ tion, and descended to the descriptive mi- nutise of a subject that may, from the more SUBLIME and DIGNIFIED practitioner, un- dergo every possible accusation of profes- SUPPLEMENT. 50S sional degradation, from which I court no exculpation, solicit no acquittal^ make no a/;- peal, but to the more decisive and honourable opinion of the sporting xvorld in general, to whose encouraging partiaUty it is solely ad- dressed, and to whose consideration and par- ticular use it is most respectfully submitted. THB END INDEX. A. Additions to this Edition, Introduction^ &c. page 6 to 1 1 12 to 24 ; 40 to 42 — 52 to 54, 59 to 61, 67 68 to 76, 77 > 89^ 90, 95, 96 112, 19], 22@, 231, 232, 241 Additional remarks, from page 398 to 418, both inclusive Age^ certain signs of, 27 — proper for work, 14 Air, 284 Aliment, proper quantity 32, 341 . Of cart-horses, 401 Alteratives, 112, 124, 129, 130, 143, 144, 274 Ancient practice, 5, 50, 175. Resurrection of, 6 Angelo, 25. Astley, 25 Apoplexy, 315 Appetite, 32, 269 Asthma, 204 B. Bag and pipe, for glyster, 45, 206 Balls, purging, 36, 37, 111, 124, 142, 219, 26l, 262, 270, 272 restringent, 46, 346, 350 diuretic, 106, S 68, 369 alterative, 112, 144 ' detergent, pectoral, 218, 225 • cordial pectoral improvement upon Bracken, 209 fevers, „244, 252 stomach restorative, 254, 325 mercurial alterative, 264 for the jaundice, 268, 271, 273 nervous castor, 321, 32a, cordial carminative, 331, 339 cordial diuretic, 358, 364 Balsam, traumatic, the use of, 66, 193 Bandage, 52, 55, 65, 84 Bartlet, remarks upon, 42, 47, 54, 99^ HB, 132, 167, 204, 211 220,223,230,243,289 Bites, poisonous, 274 INDEX. f.leeding, directions for, 35. Ill effect from^ 40Q^ ii^ Blistering liquid, 56, 74, 82 , ^ ointment, 83,304, 395 r Boerh.iave, apho:isni ot, 342 f Bracken, remarks upon, 5, 1 1, 24, 206, 242, I92 Breslaw, l^S •* ^ Burdon, mentioned, 203 >! -^i? C Cambridge, pupils of, 14 .Canker in the nioutb, 4l6 -» in the foot, 414 Cataract, 37g Caustics, how misapplied, 128, 13/, 161, 1/1 Cerate, heaimg, IO7 Chemist, story of, 2y2 Cholic or fret, 328. How occasioned, 407 — - symj)tonis, 330 ' — treatment and cure, 33 1 to 335 . '■ — or gripes, 335 Circulation considered, 2/7 Cold charges, remarks uix>n, 84 Cold water, effect of, 121, igd, 330 Colds, principal cau:>eb of, lyrt effects explained, 198 how cured, 200 Comparison of Bracken, 24 in aliment, 34 Condition, what, 33 Convulsions, 308 . — — symptoms of, 3 78 Coughs, different kinds, 20() ■ — - consequence of, 202 Cracks, what, and how cured, 91 Criticism^ task cf, 7 Curbs, e94 JD. Decoction, pectoral, 2l6 Digestive, 152, 165 Dillies mentioned, 318 Dish-clout, greasy, use of, burlesfjiled, 187 Doctors, how numerous, 16 Doctrine, and doctoring, 6 Dog-kennels, now supplied, 4, 123 Draft horses, management of, 399 Drink, anti-putrescent, 252 nervous stimulative, 322 — — nervous anodyne, 323 ■ cordial carminative, 332, 33« INDEX, Drink, diuretic, d65 anodyne, 351, 369 purging, 42 laxative, 334, 33/, 345 " ■ fevers, 243. Acidulated, 24* E. Econohiy, Sadler's, 187 Electricity, fundamental, 204 Embrocation, strengthening, ys, 80, 89 — — stimulative, 324 Empirical confidence, 137, ^74 Eton, pupils of, 13 Exercise, 33, 117, 201, 269, 284 Expense, remarks upon, 4/, 140 Eyes, a wound upon, 3S5 F. Fallibility of specifics, 274 Farcy, 131. Case of. Supplement Farmers' stables, remarks upon, 40k servants, conduct upon, 403 Farriers' infallibility, 35 ' — operative, 26, 5g judgment, 121, 24^ • dilemma, 156, l62, 246 » •— privilege, 205 of eminence and abilities, 59, 363 Feeding, 29 Fevers, 230 ■ explained, 237 ^ epidemic, 250. Treatment, 252 Figging, 20 Firing, remarks upon, 8^, 89 Fistula, 166 Flntulent cholic, or fret, 329 ■ how occasioned, 407 Fomentations, 153, 184, 300 Former practice, cruelty of, 136 Fosse, M^ La, remarks upon, 28i, 29O, 294, 304 Fumigation, 300. Fungus, J91 G. Genius of dulness, 156 Gibson, remarks upon, 5, 9, 26, 52, 137, 304, 212, 2ai, 27S, 311 ' . Glanders, 287 — , infectious, 303 -—"— — incurable, 304 INDEX, Glands, induration of, 228 Clysters, laxative, 43, 21^,33/ domestic, 239 against worms, 320 anodyne, 320, 348, 351 carminative, 333 emollient diuretic, 364 Goulard's extract of Saturn, 56, S6, 6g, lOS, 143, 152, ISOy 384, 410 its properties explained, 4 JO Grease, C)(), 405 cause of, 101, 1 10 Grooms, indolent, 24, f|2 ;- ill iuimours of, 103 ^daty, 188, 192, 403, IO7 Gutla serena, 3/8 H. Unvrs, whnt, and how extirpated, 396 Hay, niListy, 31 •^ sparing in, 225 proper (|nantity, 341 Health, remark on, 30 Hercules, strength of, 13/ Heroes, equestrian, ()3, 15/ H'nle-bouucl, 1 14 Horse-dealers, a tax upon, 21 Horsemen, a caution to, 194 . Horses exposed to danger, 3,316 Hughes, mentioned, 25 Humanity enjoined, 63 Humours, 118, 354,396 I. and J. Jaundice, 266 Ignorance, stabularian, 138, 174- Injection, detergent, 301 Instructions, janous, 17, 19, 63, 341, 354 Joues, mentioned, 25 K. Kill or cure, system of, 137 Knees broken, 28, 157 ^ treatment of, 159, and Supplement L. Lameness, 68 ligamentary. Supplement Lampas, oi Lamparcts, 39O le Btush, Captain, quoted^ 118 INDEX, J^iniment, repellent, 56, 65, 143 Liver, the, schirrosity of, ^/l Livery subsistence, 23 London stables, comforts of, 24 Lotion, detergent, 105, 143, 41/ • repellent, 8d, 413 for the eyes, 383, 3 S5 drying, 105 — -— — mercurial, 1 60 Lungs, the inflammation of, 211 Machines, flying, mentioned, 31S Mail coaches, 28, 318 Mallendcrs, 383 Mange, 125 Mars, fire of, 137 Mash, restringent, 46 • balsamic, 200 Medicines, quack, remarks on, 2Q5 Mercurial solution, l60, 415 Mercury, remarks upon the use of, 5 Mock doctor quoted, 5 Molten grease, 352 ■ — symptoms, 353 I treatment and cure, 356—8 Myrrh, tincture of, l64, 1C)3 N. Nature considered, 1 50, 204 Naval galls, 189 New publication dissected, 7 Nitre recommended, 124, 129, 143, 200, 207, 217, 240, 246 its properties explained, 241 Nostrums, infallibility of, ridiculed, 295 O. Observations, various, 11, 16,23,30 Ointment, emollient, IO6 — anodyne, 108 ' for the mange, 130 stable digestive, 152, 185 = precipitate digestive, 164 mercurial, 18^2, 308 detergent emollient, 389 Osmer quoted, 59, 89 remarks on, 76^ 231, 241 Over-reaches, 159 Oxford, pupils of, 13 INDEX. • P. Palsy, 323 Penury of some, 140 Physic, 36 - I management of, 38 operation explained, 43 Plagiarism, remarks on, 9, 1 88 Pleurisy, 211 Poisons, 5, 143 Poll-evil, 173 poultice, emollient, 80, 151 . supperative, IO9, 179, 184, 282 Powders, alterative, 124, 129, 143, 27g — ~ worm, 265 ' pernicious, given, 403 Practice, ancient, modernized, 8 remarks on, 50, 174 Practice, infernal, 175 Prevenlion, preferable to cure, 62, 399 Publications, modern periodical, 7> H Punctured tendons. Supplement Puppies, remarks on, 63 Q. Quack medicines, stamp upon, 295 Quackery, the danger of, J 5'd Quittor, original cause of, I6O . explained, 302 R. Raking, bad practice of, 4B Reason to be consulted, 183, 204 Receipts, obsoltie and dangerous, 3, 10 Repellents, mild, I89, lyO Repositories, •..nark upon, 20 true picture of, 2 1 institution good, 22 ' Proper to sell at, 22 Rest in strains recommended, 8J, 83, 66 Riders, advice to, 62 Ringbones, 390 Rowel recommended, 253 S. Sallenders, 39O Sandcracks, 417 Saturnine solution, 39O, 383 INDEX. Scouring, from repletion, 343 trom weakness, 34c^ Scriitches, pi ( ure of, 93 stopping of, gS Scruo'a allusions, 131 Shape and make, necessary, 12, 14, l§j i3 SIoant*'s, Sir Hans, ointment, 335 Snape, mentioned, 20 Sollt-yseli mentioned, 204 '' Sound wind and limb," explained, 15 Spasms, 323 Spavins, blood, 55 " bone, 58 treatment, 56, 5g Spirits, repellent, 65, I89 Splents, expL'.ined, ol cure of, 5^, Sportsmen, an appeal to, 1/7 Stables, London, remark upon, 23 Stagger, 308 general cause of, 317 Strains, y6 causes of, explained, y^ Strangles, 276 ■ — cause of, 2/8 cure of, 281 Strangury, 3. 39 Surfeit, 118 — true cause of, 122 Swift, Dean, story of, 29O Sydenham, remark upon, 4 T. Teeth, age by, 27 Tendon, punctured. Supplement Thorn wounds, ditto ^ Thrush, running, 94 Traps for the unwary, 14 Tumours, 180, 2So', 307. I/. Vade Mecum, Farriers', 118 Veriigo, 313 Vives, explained, 285 XJicers in farcy, 144 in general, }6l Vulcr.nian adijocates, 205 INDEX. w- Warbles, 187. how repelled, ISy Wash for ulcers, 1 QQ , detergent, IQl Water, vegeto-mineral, 152 cold, effect of, 121, 19^,330, 403^ and Supplemrj sparing in, 225 Wind, broken^ 219 ■■ ' — how occasioned, 41 Windgalls, 6I -. cause explained, 62 — — cure of, 64. • by perforation, 60 Worms, different kinds of, 255, 25^ cure of, 260 Wounds, 146 Printed by T. Gillet, Crown-court, Fieet-street, London. ' -.: r J, -■' ■ ■