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Ik

COMPENDIUM

OF

PRACTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL

.. FARRIERY,

{Price FIFE SHILLINGS in Boards, ],

Of the PuhliJJiers of this Volume may be tad, by the fame Authic^

The gentleman's STABLE DIRECTORY;

Ok, modern system of FARRIERY.

Comprehending every ufeful inftrii£llon for Equeflrian ma-
nagement in ficknefs or in liealth ; difeafes are traced to their
origin, and the caufes explained; proper modes of prevention
are particularly pointed out, and the direft methods of cure
clearly confirmed. Occafional obfervations ai'e introduced
upon the erroneous treatment, and almoft obfslete prefcriptions
of Gibfon, Bracken, Bartlet, Ofmer, and others; with general
direftions for buying and felling, feeding, bleeding, purging,
and getting into condition, for their various purpofes, horfes of
every denomination. To which are now added, Applicable and
Experimental Remarks on the proper treatment of draught
horfes, the qualifications and dangerous praiPcice of country
farriers, and the deftruftive infatuation of farmers fervants.—
Oftavo. — The twelfth edition, with a portrait of the author. —
Price 6s. 6d. in boards.

Vol. II. of the fanze loork as the /"omer. — Containing Expe-
RiMENTAi. Remarks upon breeding, breaking, JJioeing,Jlabliiig,
cxercife, and rozuelling. To which are added, particular in-
flruftions for the general managem.ent of Hunters and Road
Horses; with concluding obfervations tipon the present
State of theTuRF — Octavo. — The third edition.— Price 6i.
in boards.

i

A

COMPENDIUM

OF

PRACTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL

FARRIERY,

ORIGINALLY

Suggested byREASONand confirmed byPRACTICE,

EqUALtV ADAPTED TO THE CONVENIENCE OF

The gentleman, the FARMER, the GROOM,
AND THE SMITH.

INTERSPERSED

JViTH SUCH REMARKS, and elucidated with such CASES,
AS evidently tend to insure the
PREVENTION,

AS WELL AS TO ASCERTAIN THE

CURE OF DISEASE.

By WILLIAM T A P L I N, Surgeon,

AUTHOR OF

•'The GENTLEMAN'S STABLE DIRECTORY, 2 Vols.-
The Twelfth Edition of which is now published.

BRENTFORD,

PRINTED BY P. NORBURY, FOR

G. G. AND J. ROBINS ON, Pater-Noster-Row;
And G. KEARSLEY, Fleet-Street, London.

M.DCC,XCVI.

APOLOGY

INTRODUCTORY.

TCo account in fome degree for the va-
rious publications upon fo popular a fubjedt,
it becomes indifpenfibly neceffary to take
into the fcale of confideration, the diftin£t
motives actuating the different parties by
whom thofe appeals are io frequently made
to the pecuniary fenfations of a liberal and
indulgent public. Experience has fuffici-
ently fhewn, that from the magnitude, as
well as the universality of the fubjedl,
works of refpe£lability and genius will
always be received with avidity and
ftamped with fuccefs ; as well from thofe

b whofe

APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY.

whofe refearches arc fcientific, as from
that clafs whofe difcoveries and improve-
ments arife from the experimental pages
that fo inceffantly prefent themfelves in

the IMMENSE VOLUME of PRACTICAL

inveftigation,

Thefe are reflexions that might not per-
haps have been obtruded upon the readers
of this tra6l, had they not upon every
principle of justice, become unavoidably
necelTary, to fhield the public from any
and every fpecies of impofition ; but more
particularly where theii: judgement has
been affailed and their pockets attacked by
thofe unprincipled adventurers, who have
with the moft abandoned effrontery rendered
my name the ofteniible inftrument- of de-
ception, in the publication- of a-patnphlet,
(upon the illiteracy or obfolete prefcriptions

of

APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY. vii.

of which it is not my pro-vi?ice to decide )
intitled " Taplin Improved," but with
a degree of impudence hardly to be pa-
ralleled ill the long lift of literary de-
predations, have boldly and villamoujly
annexexl a label of" Taplin 's Farriery"
to the back of each^ as one proof of the
liberty of the prefs, that they fo confcien-
tioufly feem to defpife.

To detedl villainy and to funijlj it, is
the duty of every individual in civilized
fociety, but in the prefent inllance perhaps
the remedy might prove worfe than the
difeafe ; the depredators are therefore per-
mitted to enjoy their plunder Vv^ith im-
punity. As fome fecurity however to the
public, agaiiiil fuch an incredible and in-
famoufy falje mode of attrading attention.
It is become an aft of grateful respect

b 3 to

vlii. APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY.

to hold forth the moH: unequivocal af-
furance, that I am as little known to the
publifhers of that paltry production, as the
work is entitled to the name they have fo
fraudulently afTumed.

Refpe£ling the publication of, and un-
fullied approbatioji beftowed upon my for-
mer volumes, fome few remarks become
abfolutely neceflary for the introduClion of
this ; no one of which can perhaps prove
more happily applicable than

" Frujlra labor at, qui omnibus placer e
fiudet^'*

So confpicuoufly depicted in the front of
my Operative Farriery, that it feems to
fay ( with very little claffical variation)

*' Vain

APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY

IX,

" Fain his attempt who Jirives to pleafe
ye allj^

A motto by no means ill adapted to the
public conduit of any individual in the
kingdom ; particularly to thofe whofe pro-
feffional efforts become dependent- upon
the capricious multitude for the honourable
ilamp of approbation.

Under the influence of this reafoning
it may be conceived, there are fome, to
whom thofe volumes may not have con-
veyed all that might have been introduced
upon each fubjeft individually ; whilft on
the contrary, others may have been infli-
gated to believe, matters of little moment
have been treated with too mAich prolixity :
both promulgating their oppojite opinions
as influenced by caprice or dif appointment.

It

X.. APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY.

It may alfo have been urged, • with at
leall the appearance of plaiifibility , that the
voluminous expanfion and confequcnt ex-
pence of the former work, had rendered
it inacceffible to perfons whofe poffeffions
were below the line of mediocrity; whereby
its intentional utility has been contradied,
and its circulation confined to perfons of ^
certain defcription only.

To wipe away thefe objections by re-
d!ucing the various improvements and ufe-
ful difcoveries of fix years fuccefsful pra6licc
( fmce the publication, of " The Stable
Directory," ) to fuch fcale of moderation
as may come within the reach of every
perfon interefted in its contents, is the
defign of the prefent undertaking ; to in-
troduce a fyflem founded upon the bafis of
reafon, jullified by experience, and con-
firmed

APOLOGY INTRODUCTORY.

firmed by the plaudits of judicious ob-
fervers, to the utter exchiiion of error
and INHUMANITY, has hitherto been, and
will continue the anxious endeavour of
THE Public's

Mod grateful and obedient Servant,

The author,

Equejliian Receptacle
and Operative Farriery,
Edge ware Road,
London,

December \, i''J()^.

EQUESTRIAN RECEPTACLE,
SUBSCRITTION REPOSITORY,
MEDICAL DISPENSARY,
And OPERATIVE FARRIERY,
Edgeware-Road, London,

For Horfes at Livery, Sale upon Commiflion by private
Contraft, courfe of Phyfic for promotion of Condition,
cure of Difeafe, Shoeing in the higheft ftile of excellence,
and every defcription of Operative Farriery, under a Sub-
fcription of One Guinea only for perpetual Admiffion to
all the Advantages. Mr. Taplin continues to give his Opi-
nion upon the Defefts and Difeafes of Horfes, or to render
Affiftance in all Cafes of Difficulty and Danger, upan the
following Terms: — At Home, and within a Mile of the
Receptacle, Half-a-Gidnea; from one Mile to four, a
Guinea; four to ten, a Guinea and Half ; ten to twenty, two
Guineas; and in proportion for any diftance from the
IMetropolis.

For his lift of Horse Medicines and Places of Sale,,,
fee Conclufion.

A

COMPENDIUM

OF

PRACTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL

FAR R I E R Y.

PREFATORY REMARKS.

JT ROM whatever caufe, whether the in-
attention and want of liberality in the
Great, a deficiency in the profeffional emu-
lation of one clafs, or the general illiteracy
of another, it is by no mfeans neceffary
to decide : — But univerfally admitted it
mull be, that the origin, difcovery, and
difcrimination of disease in the horse,
has by no means kept pace with the im-
provements in every art and science for
which the Ifland we inhabit is become
fo eminently diftinguifhed. For this na-

B tional

2 PREFATORY REMARKS,

tional defeS, in which fuch a general apa'
thy and Ignorance feems to have prevailed,
one good reafon, founded in juftice, can
only be affigned — the very trifling and in-
adequate excitement hitherto held out, in
pecuniary compenfation, for whatever fer-
vices may have been rendered in both the
prefcriptive and operative branches of the
practice ;■ — a predominant confideration,
why, (with very few, and thofe recent
exceptions) none but the loweft orders of
fociety, have been induced to embark in
nn undertaking of fo much dangerous la-
hour, with fo fliallow a portion of either
CREDIT or EMOLUMENT. In fa£l it is ge-
nerally known, and muft be as candidly
admitted,, that there is no trade or vocation
that has held much lefs weight in the fcale
of fociety, than thofe called farriers- and
SMITHS ; or whofe accuftomed receipts of
money have been fo ill proportioned to the
fatigue' and danger to which they are eter-
nally expofed — and this is a felf evident
TRUTH, that mufl: bring itfelf home to the
reader of rcfie6Lioa in every pa.rt of the
kingdom^

If

PREFATORY REMARKS. 3

If we advert to collateral aid for addi-
tional reafoniiig, it will prove ftrong in
the recolledlion of every equeftrian ob-
•ferver, that the shoeimg of horses, and
the more da,ngerouS offices of operative
FARRIERY, have feldom or ever been un-
dertaken, or pra6lifed, but by that order
of men, who have never been bleffed
with the advantages of education ; by the
help of which they might acquire a com-
petent knowledge of the property of Me-
dicine, the Animal CEconomy, or the
Anatomical Structure of the fubje6t
before us. The reafon of this to every
rational inveftigator, is too evidently clear
to require a moment's elucidation ; re-
fined fenfations and a folicitation of danger
fo little correfpond, that one prudently
points out the abfolute policy^ not to fay
necejjity^ of avoiding the other.

Under the influence of this confi-
deration it is not only fair to conclude,
but the trial of centuries upon , centuries
has convinced us, • that ' none but thofe
without property, (as well as the means
of pofTeffing it,) and without the exhi-
, B 2 lirating

4 PREFATORY REMARKS

lirating polifh of mental improvement,
have ever yet fubmitted to the moll: dan-
gerous of all manual employments. So
.ftridly conformable to truth is this repre-
fentation, that not one in twenty, in either
town or country, has ever left behind him
a lingle Fifty Pounds, as confolation or fup- .
port to his family. Exclufive of thefe in-
conveniencies, fo difcouraging have been
the profpe6ls to a young man of ftrong in-
telle6ls and powerful reflection, that he
may have declined the idea of embarking
in the bufinefs, confcious that his afTocia-
tion muft have been inftantly deftined to
the loweft clafTes of fociety ; and that when
he had -ftrenuoufly endeavoured to refcue
the art from its original ignorance and bar-
barity, he might then be rewarded with
the contemptuous appellation of " a Horfe
Do&or,'''' from which he could have no
means of extrication.

• Takins: thefe remarks as the o-i*ound-
work of reafoning, to fupport the opinion,
why the -ylrt and PraBice of Farriery has
. remained fo long without cultivation and
improvement, it becomes directly in point,

to

PREFATORY REMARKS, 5

to proceed a litle farther in the fame ftrain,
to corroborate the original fuggeftion. In
fo doing we naturally proceed to confider
the ftate and condition of thofe who volun-
tarily place their children to fo dangerous
and fo unprofitable an employment. It
cannot be difputed that the poor feel equal
iparental attachment with the rich, and
would probably venture as far, or farther,
to prevent their offspring from embarking
in a fervice of danger. In the PAUPERa
adoption of Trade or Callings there is fre-.
quently no one alternative,

Necejfit-as non habet legem^*

Is the preffing fa£l ; the vulgar, but no lef^
expreflive adage, that " half 2. loaf is bet*
ter than no bread,'''' and " a bad trade is bet-
ter than none,'''' are fo truly in point, that
the choice has been, beyond a daubt,
made upon compulfion ; and few have ever
become Knights, of the Anvil, but from
the eaves of a Cottaee or the walls, of a
Work'houfe.

B A variety

6 PREFATORY REMARKS.

A variety of inflances might be ad-
duced to produce convi£lion, that the
more the mind becomes expanded by the
rays of refinement, the lefs it is difpofed to
encounter the fubfervience of drudgery, and
the mortifying fenfations of partial indif-
ference or popular contempt ; from which
refledion it may be fairly inferred, that
very few, if any, who become proficients
in the fludy of Phyfic, Anatomy, and
peculiar property of the different Medi-
cines, will condefcend to blend fuch know-
ledge with the operative part, but confider
it fuperior to the dignity of the leathern
apron, the Vulcanian Jledge, the a6t of
Shoeing, and the long lift of inferior offices
which muft always continue that clafs in a
itate of fubordination.

Looking therefore with the eye of retro-
fpe6lion, to the great combination of ob-
ftacles the profeffion has unluckily had to
encounter, no furprize can enfue that it
has made fo little progrefs to perfe£lion.
Although this circumftance is mofl feri-
oufly to be regretted, yet little expeftation
of reformation can be indulged, till thofe

heterO'

PREFATORY REMARKS. 7

heterogeneous contrafts become reconciled,
or the practical duties refpeftively per-
formed by the prefcriptive powers of the
Equestrian Physician on one part, and
an implicit obedience is exafted from the
Operative Farrier on the, other.

Thus much having been necelTarily in-
troduced upon the unfortunate inability
of thofe whofe confidence has been equal
to their want of Ikill and difcretion, and
tp whofe fuperintendance miferable objefts
are fo unavoidably fubmitted in the dif-
trefling moments of emergency ; admiration
can be but . little excited, when refleding
upon the fcene of deftru6lion that fo fre-
quently enfues, and of which various in-
flances v/ill be necefTarily introduced in
the courfe of the work,

Having taken a fuperficial furvey of the
charaderiftic traits that fo eminently dif~.
tinguifli the Professors of Farriery in
general, (but more particularly thofe en-
gaged in the drudgery of Country Pradice).

in fa£t reflects no difcredit on the parties
B 4 themfelve^

8

DISEASE.

themfelves that they are fo little adequate
to the talk of difquifition, or enabled to,
develope the origin and progress of

DISEASE,

With that nice and diftinguifhing eye of
difcrimination, from which only the plea-
ling profpedt of early relief and permanent
cure can be derived.

For want of this peculiar property, they
have been too much accuftomed to meet
the fubjeft with the eye of anticipation,
and decidins; without the ftricl and deli-
berate examination fo truly neceffary to
the exclufion of hypothejis and attainment
of TRUTH, they frequently hazard a pro-
feffional predi£lion of ambiguity ; moft
contertiptibly promifmg the interpofition
of Miracles, which are not within the
extent of their medical kno w ledge,
or ancient arcana to perform. Thus in-
judicioufly deciding in hafte and pro-
ceeding in error, they conflantly doom
to diifolution a variety of fubjeds, that

with

DISEASE. 9

with very fimple treatment, and a clofc
adhefion to the efforts of nature, might
have probably experienced not only a fpec-
dy mitigation of predominant fymptoms, but
a gradational extrication from difeafe,
pain, and difquietude.

Under fuch circumftancss of profeffional
inability, (in fa6l, under a total want of
thofe leading acquilitions to a fuperiority
of judgement,) there can be no doubt but
too much is introduced upon many occa-
lions, and a vaft deal of medicine errone-
oufly adminiftered, to the evident deftruc-
tion of many valuable fubjedts ; a recent
and Jlriking inftance of which will be
applicably introduced, to corroborate the
idea, in oppofition to thofe profeffionally
interefted, who may be inclined to indulge
a doubt upon the fubjeft.

To point out, without the difpofitlon to
reform, the deficiencies — errors — or indif-
cretions of predeceffors, or competitors,
may perhaps have been a pra6lice too much
in ufe ; whether arifing from the different
paffions with which our frames are fo pow-
erfully

lo SYMPTOMS.

erfully and plentifully impregnated, it is
not the employment of the prefent moment
to enquire. Suffice it therefore to obferve,,
the more humane and difpaffionate defign
of the following pages fhall be to hold out
if poffible, a remedy for the defeft ; by
reducing to the comprehenfion of every
intelligent reader, the means of acquiring,
from predominant symptoms, the difcri-
mination of disease, in accurately afcer-
taining which, he can alone poffefs the
pow^er and hope of adminiftering relief.

SYMPTOMS

O F

DISQUIETUDE, PAIN, or DISEASE,

Are fo different in their difplay, in pro-
portion to the irritability of the fubjedt,
the acutenefs of the attack, or the grada-
tional progrefs of difeafe, that they may,
without the leaft deviation from the line,
of fvftematic inveftiy-ation, be divided into
two kinds ; — distinct, when any one
fymptom becomes the abfolute diftinguifh-

ing

I

SY.MPTOMS. II

ing prognoftic of a particular difeafe ; — and
COMPLEX, where a variety of fymptoms
fo uniformly correfpond, as to prove a
complication of cafes ; as in fome inflances
where one difeafe becomes for the time^
dependent upon another. This is frequently
the cafe with the Strangury, or Supprejfion
of Urine, when the original caufe centers
in a retention of indurated excrementitious
mafs, previoufly locked up in the inteftinal
canal, there producing, (by a preternatural
dillention) excefiive pain and fubfequent
inflammation, of which we iliali have oc-
cafion to Ipeak hereafter. In cafes of this
defcriptlon, appearances beqome fo truly •
complex, and fo critically alarming, that
they require a certain degree of nice dif-
crimination and patient attention, to
avoid even the chance of falling into any
of the Profeflion'al Errors already defcribed.

Symptoms of prefent pain, or approach-
ing difeafe, are included in the following
variety, and denote in their predominance
fuch difeafes as will in our progreffive re-
marks become the fubjed of future ob-
fervation.

A Drowly

J2 SYMPTOMS.

A Drowfy Refllefsnefs and Difquietud©.
in the Stable.

A Languor and difficulty of Refpiration
in A(^ion.

A Fulnefs of the Eye-Lids, and Diftil-
lation of Serum from the Eyes.

A fhort irregular Cough, and Swelling
of the Glands.

A Refufal of Food.

A Clamminefs in, and Flefliy Smell from
the Mouth ; with or without a violent
Heat under the Tongue.

A Coldnefs of the Ears and Extremities.

A Defedlive Languor in, or an excejfive
^icknsfs of the Pulse.

A Heaving of the Flank.

A Palpitation of the Heart.

A Difcolouration of the Liternal Parts
furrounding the Orb of the Eye.

A Swelling of the Sheath or Legs,

A Straining

SYMPTOMS.

^3

A Straining to either Evacuation without
EfFea.

And the more palpable External Symp-
toms, and extravagant Diftortions fo uni-
verfally known in the Staggers, and thofc
acute and dangerous Diforders the Inflam-
MATORY and Flatulent Cholic, paffing
under the general denomination of the
Gripes, or the Fret, without judicioufly
diftinguifhing between the Caufe of one,
and the Dangerous EfFe61: of the other.

To cautioufly examiile, accurately af-
certain, and properly apply any part of
thefe Symptoms to the original caufe
that produced the efFe6l, is the duty of
the Veterinarian Invefrigator ; upon,
the mdifputable certainty of which only,
can be founded any rational hope and ex-
pe6lation of fpeedy extrication.

When we ferioufiy reflect upon the
advantages refulting in difcovery from
thefe indications of Nature, labouring under
depreffion, by Vvdiich alone the leading traits
of each particular difeafe is to be derived.

14 STATE OF BLOOD.

it affords no fmall degree of gratification
to the fcientific enquirer, that much ad-
ditional information may be colle6led from

The state of the BLOOD.

A proportion of which may at all times
be extrafted from the neck vein, in
quantity adapted, to the fize, ftatc, and
general appearance of the fubje(5l difeafed ;
as, a Pint — two Pints — three Pints — or
even two Quarts, from large and ftrong
horfes, as well as from tliofe labouring
under inflammatory diforders, where the
fulnefs of the ve{rels, or the emergency of
the cafe will juftify, (in' fa61: ought to re-
gulate) the fcale of depletion. And here
it may not prove inapplicable to obferve,
that in all cafes where a repetition of bleed-
ing becomes neceffary at the diftance of
twenty-four or thirty-lix hours, no danger
' need be apprehended from tzvice or thrice
the lofs ; provided the fubjed, during the
intervening period, takes a fufficient quan-
tity of nutritive aliment, from which the

oradational

STATE OF BLOOD. 15

gradational fupply of blood continues to
generate.

Having in my former publications fuffi-
ciently reprobated the ridiculous and con-
temptible cuftom of " bleeding on a dung-
hill," without refpe£t either to the quaU'
tity or the quality of blood fo taken, (as
divefled of every idea or intent of ratio-
nality) it remains only to flate demonftra-
tive reafons, why the quantity fo taken,
fhould be entirely regulated by the occa-
lion that fuggefts the propriety of the ope-
ration ; as well as why the blood fhould be
referved fome hours, //// cold^ for the pur-
pofe of ANALizATioN, from which' alone
ttuich ufeful inform-ation is to be obtained,

* The quantity proper to be taken, be-
comes more immediately the objedl of con-
fideration, becaufe, in a great variety of
inftances, blood requires to be drawn
merely to afcertain its property^ as a lead-
ing ftep to difcovering the original caufe ;
whilft on the contrary, ifi the greater num-
ber of praftical cafes, it becomes unavoid-
ably neceffary to the immediate cure of

difeafe.

i6 STATE OF BLOOD.

dlfeafe. As for inftance, in emaciated fub-
je61s, when, from an evident impoverifhed
ftate, and confequent languor of circula-
tion, difeafe is fufpe<Sted to arife from, or
to have originated in an acrimony of the
blood, a very fmall portion will fuffice to
demonftrate, how far the property of fuch
blood is below the ftandard, neceffary to
the prefervation of health and purity of
condition.

To render this examination the more
comprehenfive and intelligible, as well as
to render it lefs liable to error, let us accu-
rately ftate what is the diftindt and almoft
invariable appearance of the blood drawn
from a fubje<fl perfe£l in all the fecretlons
and evacuations, — fine in coat, — clear in
the wind, and abfolutely free from every
trait of cold — pain, or difquietude ; having
in fa£l gone through the medical prepara-
tives, and ready to encounter the bufinels
of the Turf, Field, or Road. Previous
to drawing this blood, let its component
parts be fo far explained, that no mifcon-
ception may arife in the difquifition ; it is
therefore to be underftood, ^^that the blood

confifts-

STATE OF BLOOD. 17

coiififls of Cr.ajf amentum^ Size, and Serum,
exclufive of the imperceptible Spirit and
Salts with which it is fo powerfully im-
pregnated ; a farther elucidation of which
becomes no way inftrumental to our pre^
fent inveftigation, as it can only be re-
duced to precifion by a procefs in che-
miftry, that even in defcription would
lead us from' the direiSt page of indifpu-
table demonftration. ^

Suffice it therefore to have recolledion,
that the Crassamentum is the Coagulum
(or Mafs ;) the Size is the gelatinous co-
lourlefs fubftance which generally, in a
greater or lefs degree, covers the furface ;
and the Serum is the liquid in which the
Coagulum floats. This being the defcrip-
tive ftate of blood in general, a few hours
after it is extrafled, we return to the
infpeclion of blood we are fuppofed to have
taken away from the Horfe of Perfection
juft defcribed ; which wc fhould find to be
nearly jive eighths of Crassamentum, or
folid, to three eighths of Serum, or liquid,
the Craffamentum upon being feparated,
proving of a fine florid appearance, with

C hardly

i8 STAtE OF BLOOD.

hardly a buffinefs, or Ikiii of fize upon the
furface.

Fixing this defcription of the Blood, as
the almoft invariable criterion of perfeftion
in the fubje61, it will be readily conceived,
the greater the deviation (either one way
or the other) from this appearance^, the
more we are above ^ - or belovj the ftate
and circulation neceffarv to the bafis and
prefervation of health and condition. As for
inftance, — In all d'lfeafed fubje6ts will be
found a too great, or too fmall proportion of
Crassamentum, or Serum, with its colla-
teral difproportion of Size ; upon the gra-
dational vifcidity and confequent tendency
to inflammation in which, depends in ge-
neral the mildnefs or feverity of difeafe.

Introducing thus much, to render the
ftate and property of the Blood as clearly
comprehenfive as the nature of technical
difquifition can poffibly admit, we proceed
in the plain and unembelliffied talk of in-
veftigation, by found reafoning and fcien-
tific convidion, to hold forth an unerring
defcription of difeafe from external appear-
i ances ;

STATE OF BLOOD. 19

ances ; and to demonflrate the progrefs of
^ JVIorbiditv, from fuch analyfis of the blood,
as it is the purport of thefe pages to in-
culcate as oiie of the great objeds of reform;
and to eftablifli its heceffity as a leading
ftep to prevention and Cure, in all cafes
where the circulation is concerned.

Having already defcribed the component
parts of the blood, under the three diftind:
heads of CrafTamentum, Serum, and Size,
we proceed to confider the difproportion
of the latter, and the flate of its vijcidity ;
upon the inflexible rigidity of which, ex-
perience daily teaches us to rely, for the
length of time the circulation has laboured
under a preternatural oppreffion, as well
as to form fome rational idea Upon the pro-
bable duration and termination of difeafe :
bearing it in mind alfo, that an additional
ftage of feveritv becomes annexed to the
difeafe, when an extreme vifcidity of the
Sii&e upon the furface is rendered more mor-
bid by an inflamed, or livid appearance of
the Craffamentum underneath.

From-

20 STATE OF BLOOD.

From thefc diftinguifhing marks we
mean to infer, and wifh it to be clearly
underftood, that the greater the proportion
of fizc to the parts already defcribed, the
greater is the tendency to obftrinSled refpl-
ration, and confequent inflammation, ei-
ther partial or univerfal ; and the greater
the vljcidity of that Ji%e, the more is the
danger of difeafe increafed, or the inve-
teracy augmented. Thefe appearances
then laid down as a kind of invariable data,
upon which a firm reliance may be placed
for a proof of prefent, or approaching dif-
ficulty or difeafe, it is diredly and gradati-
onally fyftematic, to examine and report
how the blood becomes pofTefled of thefe
properties, and then to ftate their effeft
upon the Frame and Circulation.

To do this the more circumftantially,
and to infure the accuracy of profefiional
reprefentation beyond even the (hadow of
doubt, let us take a tranfient view of the
caufes that may arife, to pervert the ftate
of the Blood from the purity we have a
fhort time fince, had occafion to introduce.

Whether

STATE OF BLOOD.

Whether from a long expofure to bleak
winds and chilling rains ; ftanding inaftive
in a cold, wet, and dreary fituation ; fud-
den removal from a warm and comfortable
ftable, to its dire£l contraft ; or any of
that long lift of poffibilities from which
fuch revuliiou may occur, the efFe£t upon,
the general Syftem is ftill the fame ; with
fuch variations only, as depend' entirely
upon the c-onftitutional Stamina, (or ir-
ritability") of the fubieft attacked.

From whatever caufe a collapfion of the
cutaneous palTages may enfue, a tranfpira-
tion of the perfpirative matter is prevented,
which being compullively returned upon
the x^NiMAL CEcoNOMY, fooner or later
excites fymptoms of Morbidity , — the
veffels become overloaded and preternatU"
rally diftended — -the circulation is obftruft-
ed — the blood acquires an inflammatory
vifcidity, difplaying itfelf in fome one or
more of the following predominant traits^
which are in a certain, degree gradationally
dependent upon each other, frequently con-
ftituting a complication when neglected in
C 3 ^ the

22 OBSTRUCTED PERSPIRATION,

the firft inflance, or erronqoufly treated in
the fecond.

PERCEPTIBLE EFFECTS /rc;;?
OBSTRUCTED PERSPIRATION

A flaring roughnefs of the coat, which
appears of different hues — cough— heavi-
nefs of the eyes — fuhiefs of the eye-lids,
with or without a defluxion of ferum —
tumefa6lion of the glands — a forenefs of
the throat — a pleurify, or an inflarnmation
of the lungs — -with many latent concomi-
tants equally dangerous in progrefs, anc^
uncertain in their termination.

In any, or all the above fymptoms the in-
dications of cure are invariably the fame ;
and as the great and principal obje£t of
the prefent publication is to reduce, in
all caies, the means of relief to as con-
cife and comprehenfive a ilate as exiting
circumftances will admit, it becomes pre-
vioufly necefTary to have it underftood,
upon the prefent, as well as every future
occafion, that if twenty volumes were

written

OBSTRUCTED PERSPIRATION. 25

written upon the fubje£t, variations from
literary defcription would fo frequently oc-
cur, that fome correfponding affiftance
muft be jexpeded from the Medical. Super-
intendent, or the judicious interpolition of
the parties concerned ; who regulating
their conduct by appearances, will always
be enabled to difcover, whether diforders
are fubmitting to the mode of treatment
previoufly adopted, or whether they are
acquiring a greater or more dangerous de-»
gree of inveteracy.

This accurate attention becomes the
more neceffary, becaufe every experienced
obferver muH: have been convinced, there
are intermediate Jfages of every difeafe,
where the fiibje6t is more or lefs afFedted, as

BAD, VERY PAD, WORSE, — ' WORST, —

where each ftage, the nearer it approaches
to danger, calls for a bold and fpirited
exertion of judgement, in dired grada-
tional perfeverance and conformity wit];i
the ihades of difeafe.

Admittiag

24 MODE OF TREATMENT.

Admitting this beyond the power of
controverfy, we proceed to introduce fuch

GENERAL and SYSTEMATIC
MODE of TREATMENT,

As has been invariably produ61:ive of fuc-
cefs ; leaving it open only to thofe flight
deviations, that a variation in fy mptoms or
circumftances may render either applicable
or unavoidable.

So foon as a fubjeft is obferved to labour
tinder any of the fymptoms or traits of
difquietude before defcribed, (as preven-
tion, if poffble-, is always preferable to the
anxiety and uncertainty of cure) inftantly
unload the veffels, relieve the ll:ri£lure ■
upon the furface, and enliven the obftru£ted
circulation by taking away blood in pro-
portion to the fi%e and fate of the fubjeft,
(as well as the severity of attack,)
letting it be referved 'till cold, for the
analyfis already defined as fo peculiary ne-
ceffary ta afcertain the ftate of the blood
and probable progrefs of difeafe.

The

MODE OF TREATMENT. 25

The bleeding fliould be immediately
/ollowed by gentle walking excercife if the
weather will permit, but if that is pre-
vented by rain above, or the groimd fnould
be too wet below, fubftantial dreffings in the
frabie -muft become the fubftitute Morning
^ — Noon-^and Night, — with adequate leg
rubbing, moderate cloathing regulated by
the feafon of the year, and fuch other ftablc
attention as invalids are fuppofed to require.

In two hours after bleeding, that is foon
after the exercife or dreffing is gone
throuo;h, let a mafh of fine g-round Malt
and clean fweet Pollard each two quarts,
be prepared with boiling water, and after
being well incorporated be given of fuch
warmth as not to offend or create diflike
by any powerful fumes which fome horfes
have an invincible averfion to.

la two or three hours after this mafh,
at whatever time of the day it may have
been offered, a Pectoral Cordial Ball*
fhould be given to invigorate the general
fyftem, Simulate the digeftive powers, and

affiil

• See lift of Medicines at the conclufion.

26 MODE OF TREATMENT.

affift in propelling the blood with an in«»
creafed velocity thro' the obflrvidled vefTels,
for the great purpofe of relaxing the cuta-
neous paffages and promoting infenfible
perfpiration. To expedite which, let the
mafh be repeated at the regular intervals
of fix hours between each ; occafional
fupplies of fragrant hay in very fmall quan-
tities, and frequent offerings of foft water
(two or three quarts) in its natural ftate,
if the weather be warm and open, but with
the chill off if the fe verity of the feafon,
or the afpe6l of difeafe fhould render it
neceffary.

The Cordial Ball fhould be repeated
every Morning, and to this mode of treat-
ment there is hardly one cafe in an hundred
but what will fubmit to three or four days
perfeverance. Should however an excep-
tion occur and a non fubmiffion of fymp-
toms demonftrate an impending feverity, —
repeat the bleeding on the third or jourth
day, and purfue the previous mode with
additional attention to predominant
fy mptoms.

In

MODE OF TREATMENT. 37

In proportion to the heat under the
tongue, clamminefs of the mouth, and
flefhy fmell of the breath, judgement is to
be formed upon the fymptomatic heat, or
original fever that attends, and circum-
ftances varied accordingly. Here it be-
comes neceffary to deviate a little from
the dire6l line of Medical Inftruftion, to
introduce a falutary caution againft the
mifchief that fo frequently enfaes from
an abufe and proftitution of Nitre ; an
article which has for many years, and
wnder the re-echoed recommendation of
every fucceffive writer, been hitherto ad-
miniftered in large quantities, as the grand
Ipecific, ( and anti-febrifuge ) in almofh
every diforder ; and is likely to continue fo
with thofe unapprized of . the difadvantages
with which fo unlimited a ufe of it has
been attended. From an inexperienced
,and ill-confidered motive it has formerly
been introduced fo largely into pra6lice,
and under the fandion of that popularity,
at has for half a century been an arcana
with the infinity of Grooms and Smiths,
who not being poffelTed of its peculiar pro-
perties, have equally loaded it upon all

conftitutions

28 MODE OF TREATMENT

conftltutions and all cafes, withovit power
to analize its virtues, or penetration.- to
difcover its efFeds.

Admitting its utility in a certain degree,
in certain proportions, and under judicious
re{l:ri6lions only^ it is impoffible to fubfcribe
to its Imaginary excellence with all the
energetic fervor of thofe whofe ultimatum
it is, and who either prefcribe or admi-
nifter it as the only medicine of efficacy
for almofl everv diforder to which the
Horfe is fubje£t ; and who invariably con^
tinue to extol it, not only as an atte?iuant
or an alterative, but as a diuretic of fuch
infallible efficacy, that Cracked Heels,—
Swelled Legs, — Greafe, — Defefts of the
Eyes, — and to call in the affifiance of their
own phrafeology, " every diforder arifing
from Humours,''^ muft become fubfcrvient
to its countera6lion ; without confidering
-how frequently they impoveriffi the blood
below the ftandard of health, and by dif-
folving the craffamentum, occafioii the
origin of diforders the very reverfe of thofe
they intended to remove.

To

MODE OF TREATMENT. 29

To give this reafoning greater weight
- with thofe who are replete with inclination
to inveftigate, and whofe minds are open
to conviftion, it becomes direftly in point
to obferve, that I have feldom or ever been
called to render affiftance from home in
cafes of inveterate colds, with fymptomatic
fever, but I found upon enquiry that nitre
had been moft unmercifully thrown in ;
and probably not more from the great popu-
larity of its power, than the pecuniary
eafe of attainment.

As the original intent, from the embark-
ation in this Tra£t, has been to elucidate
afTertions by proofs, and to fuperfede the
idea of theory by an accurate reprefen-
tation of praftice, I fhall avail myfelf of
the introduftion of fuch Cafes of danger,
as have occurred, to juftify the fuccefsful
mode of treatment adopted under the fug-
geftions of reason ; in an anxious and
earneft hope, fuch reprefentations may not
only be produftive of much utility in the
improvement of Farriery, but prove in
fome degree fatisfa£lory to thofe who may
do me the honor to caft an eye over the

work,

3^

CASE,

work, whether for amufement, or with the
more flattering expedlation of deriving in-
formation from its contents.

CASE.

On a Thurfclay, in March, 1 794, a car-
riage horfe was fent to the Receptacle,
by Capt. Baker, then of Bentinck-Street,
who having no hope of recovery held out to
him by the medical fuperintendents of his
own neighbourhood, configned him, in a
ftate of defpondency, reeling, to what he
confidered his laji ho?ne ; and the coachman
■who delivered him to the fervants in the
-Yard faid, " it was of no ufe to go to
work with him, for he was very well af-
fured the horfe would be dead by Monday
Upon this pofitive affirmation, it was
thought necelTary to attempt a difcovery,
whether any particular medicine had been
adminiftered, from which danger might be
apprehended ? but the only reafon' he had
to urge in defence of his unlimited fasfa-
city and flrange prediction was, " that
the horfe had taken no kind of fuftenancc

Jincf^

CASE

ftnce Monday^ but what he had beers
drench'd with, and by G-d it was impoffible
for any horfe to live more than a ivgek
without eating or drinking.''''

After an accurate examination of predc^-'
minant appearances, the fubjeft for con-
li deration then was, whether the inadlive
ftate of the digefhive powers, (or in other
words, the relaxation of the internal coat of
the ftomach) was the effect of difeafe, or
of the M^onderful profufion of nojirums^ the
anxiety of the Master, the illiteracy of the
Coachman, or the profejfional interejl of
the Farrier, had found it neceffary to
beftow. But little time became necefTary ~
to "afcertain the fatSl, for the diftindt and
conjunctive efforts of three fuch ftrenuous
advocates for the fpeedy eradication of
difeafe and promotion of purity, had in-
duced them to confer an almoft unprece-
dented accumulation of care and attention,
with fo great a portion of Medical influence,
that the poor fubje6t had nearly fallen a
viftim to the full force of the Materia
Medic A. They had been rotationally at-
tacking an imaginary Fever, Worms, and

Jaundice

CASE.

Jaundice, with large and repeated dofes of
Nitre, — Savin — Turmeric — Tobacco — and
many other medical collaterals ; leaving
only one matter for furprize, how nature
had fo long fuflained, without finking, the
ihock of this joint empiricifm.

It muft here fuffice to fay, that by dint
of induftrious attention, much more than
by medical interpolition, the horfe was
perfedlly recovered and returned to his
work within the Month; and altho' we fhall
again return to the mode of treatment it
is neceffary to purfue in the advanced flages
of diforders arifing from obstructed per-
SPiKATioN and a confequent vifcidity of
the blood, yet it becomes previoufly, in-
deed unavoidably neceffary, to continue
here the thread of difquifition relative to
the effect of Nitre, when indifcriminately
and injudicioufly adminiftered ; and to lay
down fuch demonftrative thefis, as may
place the enquiry beyond doubt, why its
effe6ls upon the ffomach evidently occafion
a deficiency in the digeflive powers, and
confequent refufal of the mofl attrading
nutriment ?

This

1

Nitre, its effects. 33

This circumftance alone (which feems
to have been hitherto totally unattended to)
renders it worthy every consideration ; not
a Gentleman, Farmer, Farrier, or
Groom, but fhould weigh well in his mind
this fubje£t, before he becomes acceflary
to its adminiftfation or ufe in any quan-
tity whatever. For my own part, I have
in a variety of recent cafes, with horfes
the property of Gentlemen (to whom it
might not prove pleafant to fee their names
in print upon this occafion) had fuch con-
vincing proofs of temporary injury from
the improper ufe of Nitre, (the ill efFccls
of which I have repeatedly had to counter-
ad) that I feel not only the neceffity, but
confider it an a<5t of grateful refpe6i:, ho-
nor'd as I am with a certain portion of
public confidence, to hold forth an indif-
putable report of the fa6i:.

Convinced by the moft accurate obfcrva-
tion, of the difquieting fenfations ariiing
from a too free ufe of the article we now
treat on, (particularly by the lower clajfes,
with whom it is fo largely and invariably
brought into ufe,) I have for more than
P the

34 NITRE, ITS EFFECTS.

the three lafi: years of my coniftantly eu-*
creafing pra6tice, made it an invariable
rule never to adminifter, or prefcribe it
in any form, without fuch correftor as
correfponded with the cafe, and prevented
its acrid property from too hafty or fevere
an effect upon the irritability of the fto-
machj or too fudden a check upon the
circulation.

Wiping away any idea of ambiguity,
that may be crroneoufly conceived to attach
itfelf to this declaration under the malk of
frofejfional myjlery, (which my beft and
moft opulent friends know I have an invin-
cible averfion to) I think it neceffary to
add, that whenever 1 feel myfelf juftified
in adopting its aid, and confider il moft
eligible in a liquid form, it is not only in
exceeding fmall quantities, but fo fheathed
with the gelatinous gruel, or (occajionally)
folution of Gum Arabic, in which it is dif-
Iblved previous to its incorporation with
the water in which it is drank, that I en-
tertain no fear of internal difquietude ;
on the contrary, when circumftances ren-
der it^cceffary to be adminiftered in any

other

NITRE, ITS EFFECTS.

35

other form, it is fo carefully guarded with
thofe excellent collaterals Camphire or
Ginger, that the digeftive powers, fo far
from being impaired^ are abfolutely Jlhnu-
lated to a£iion by the junction.

Thus far is introduced to inculcate one
general opinion of an eftablifhed proof in.
hafty, inconfiderate, and erroneous prac».
tice — that the refufal of food in nine horfes
out of every ten, arifes more from the
ftomach's having been vitiated by an im-
proper introduction of Nitre, and an ad-
ditional inconfiftent accumulation of hete-
rogeneous medicines, than the efFe6t of
DISEASE. We therefore now proceed to a
renewal of that part of the fubjeiSl difcon-
tinued fome pages lince, when what might
then be coniidered a digreffion, is novs
proved fo immediately neceffary for eluci-
dating the Cafes under difcuffion.

Admitting therefore the before recited
lymptoms, arifing from a collaplion of the
porous fyftem, not Only to continue with-
out the leaft fubmiffiori to the means before
prefcribed, but to affume a degree of in-
D 2 'flexible

36 INDICATIONS OF DANGER.

flexible rigidity, ' — the fymptomatic heat
and fever increafing — the pulfe quick,-
high, and irregular — Malt tnafhes, fragrant
hay, and fweet clean oats refufed (altho*
no nitrous or naufeating medicine has been
adminiftered) the blood may then be be-
lieved in a ftate of preternatural cffervef-
cence approaching inflammation ; evidently
fending to fix, without early countera6lion,
upon fome particular part from which dan-
ger may be confequently apprehended.

Increafed and violent cough will proye
its progreffive effedt upon the Lungs. — ■
A yellownefs around, and depreffion of the
orb of the eye, to have taken its feat upon
the Liver. — Swelling under the jaws, and
tumefied tenfion of the eye-lids, will de-
monftrate its crilis to thofe parts. — A weak-
nefs of the Lows, wincing upon prelTure
there with the hand, frequent attempts and
trainings to ftale, without fuccefs, are
ftroncT indications that the neck of the Blad-
tier, or the Kidnies are the parts affeded.

To attend with circumfpe£tion to the
very miuutise of thefe traits, is the leading

ftep

INDICATIONS OF DANGER. 37

ftep to profeffional reputation ; a too hafty
decilioii frequently terminates in difap-
pointment^ and not unfrequently in difgrace.
The diftreffing anxiety, the inexpreffiblc
trouble, not to add a word of the expence,
that may enfue from either an inflammation
of the KiDNiEs, Liver, or Lungs, are
reafons fufBciently powerful to urge the
neceflity of very early precaution ; an ulce-:
ration in the firft — tumefa£lion, tubercles
in, or a putrid folution of the fecond — an4
a RAPID CONSUMPTION of the latter, — are
amongft the effeds that daily pra6tice con-
vinces us are moji to be dreaded upon the
pccalion,

Let whichever take the lead of the be- •
fore mentioned alarming iymptoms, the
firft ftep to mitigation is invariably the
fame. Bleed in proportion to predomi-
nant appearances, without the leaft fear
of the patient's falling a vi£lim to debili-
tation from lofs of blood. That the circu-r
lation may be relieved from, and gradually
divefted of its inflammatory vifcidity, and
at the fame time gently ftimulated to
affift nature in her efforts to expel the
D 3 morbific

38.

TR E ATM E NT.

morbific matter to the furface by her dif-
ferent emundoties, it will be proper tc>
give (within an hour after bleeding) a,
Pectoral Cordial Ball, diflblved in a
pint and half of well-ftrained gelatinous
gruel, by means of the horn ; having
ready, previoufly dilTolved in half, or three
quarters of a pint of the fame gruel, Gum
Arabic and Nitre, each half an ounces
to be given immediately after the other,
and in the fame way : both compofitions
being repeated every eight or Jix hours, in
thofe cafes coming under the two firft de-
grees or ** intermediate ftages'* of *' bad,'*
■ — VERY BAD," — but every jive or four^
where from inattention or inveteracy they
afiume the more advanced complexion of
** WORSE," — WORST," — juftifving the ad-
ditional exertions in proportion to the fe-
verity of fymptoms as already defcribed.

Refpe<£ling the common mode of giving
drinks with a horn, fomething may be ad-
vantageoufly introduced at this particular
place, by way of pradical improvement.
Having for a feries of years with concern,
wltneffed the awkward and inconvenient

cuilona

i

TREATMENT.

cuftom of adminiftering drinks compul-
fively, by means of a fhort cord formed
into a loop, and paffed under the upper
jaw, and the head then fufpended by the
fork of 2. prong nearly- as high as the affiftant
could raife it by force of arms, it became
abfolutely necefTary, in a general and ex-
tenfive pradice, to adopt fome plan of wore
eafe to the patient, and more convenience
to the OPERATOR ; particularly where the
apparatus becomes inftrumental to the cpn-
veyance of Food as well as P'hyfic, which
in circumftances like thofe we treat o.f^
will be found frequently the cafe.

To render the bufinefs lefs unpleafant
than in the ufual way, I have an Iron in '
ufe exadtly correfponding with the ftirrup
of a faddle, only of larger dimenfions ;
the flat bar at the bottom is bedded with
foft tow, and to the eye above the circular '
ring is faftened three or four yards of fmali
cord, which running in a pulley fixed iii
the cieling, nearly over, (but rather be-
fore) the head of the horfe, and the padded
bottom being placed in the mouth like a
colt's mouthing bit, the head is raifed to
D 4 any

40 TREATMENT.

any particular pitch in a moment, the'horn
is iiifinuated, the drink difcharged, and
the head occafionally managed with any
degree of dexterity the operator may chufe
to dilplay, by either tightening or flacken-
the cord with his hand ; and thus Medi-
cine or Aliment may be given to any
horfe Jianding or layings with greater faci»
lity than by any other means whatever.

To a want of invention and correfpond-
ing affiduity, may be attributed great part
of the obftacles that have arifen to the im-
provement of Farriery; and to that habitual
indolence and averfion to perfonal exertion
among the lower clafTes, (generally divert-
ed of emulation) do we at prefent ftand
indebted for the fterility of the pradlice :
an idea that need not in this place be re-
peated, but as an apology for any trifling
difcoveries it may be found applicable to
introduce, tending to the firft and leading
objedl of reformation.

Returning to the patient, whofe difeafe
we have taken a progreflional view of to
the ftages of danger (when rejeding what-
ever

TREATMENT.

4-1

ever aliment may be offered) ; it then be-
comes abfolutely neceffary to invigorate
the fyftem, and fupport the frame by the
'interpofition of art. To do this by means
that leaft agitates, the frame and naufeates
the STOMACH, is one of the leading con-
fiderations and diftinguifhing traits of pro-
feffional conliftency.

Previoufly convinced by the reje£lion of
food, that the digeftive powers are weak,
it is a dire6l point of propriety not to over-
load them ; inftead therefore of perpetually
mortifying the animal with eternal alter-
natives of Food or Phyfic without effedl,
it will be highly advifeable, in addition to
the mild and meliorating fyftem before
laid down, to nifinuate the very extraSi of
the moft NUTRITIVE ALIMENT, without
overburthening nature with the fubjiance*
Thus

Have ready a gallon or two of the mofl
fubftantial and well-boiled gruel, as well
as an equal quantity of fine rich fweet-
ivort, expreffed from malt upon which
boiling water has been poured and covered

up,

42

TREATMENT.

up, in the dire6t way of a mafli in brew-
ing ; this being prcffed from the malt, and
mixed with the gruel in equal proportions,
two or three quarts, according to the fize
of the horfe, may be given as a fubji'ttute
for food^ (with the horn, in the eafy way
ju{l defcribed) once in every finje or < Jix
hours ; that is in the exatl middle of the
intermediate fpace of time allotted for the
Cordial Balls diflolved in gruel, fol-
lowed by the folution of Arabic and Nitre.

Thus far I have confidered it both ufeful
and neceffary, to introduce with precifiori
the mode of pradice invariably adopted in
all ftmilar cafes upon my OA'n premifes,
where, by having the fubjedls immediately
under my owti fuperintendance, and hourly
infpe£tion, no deception whatever can be
brought into ufe ; upon the fuccefs of
which, it muft afford no fmall gratification
of profeffional ambition to declare, I have
never yet, in all my conftantly encreafing
concerns, had a Dead Horfe drawn out of
my (tables, notwithftanding the«> variety
fent to the Receptacle in fuch a ftate of

danger.

TR E ATME NT.

danger, as to render their return a matter
of no great expe6lation to the owners.

The incxpreffible advantages that have
arifen from this mild and rational mode
of treatment, become the more accept-
able that its happy efFe6ls may conftitute
a ftriking contraft to the bold, conjidenty
injudicious, and defperate practice of thofe,
who Ihielded by ignorance, and equally
ftrangers to humanity as to the property
of Medicine, deal around them death and
Aevaftalion without remorfe, a finglc figh
of commiferation for the animal they have
annihilated, or a fenfation of forrow for
the lofs of the employer, whofe property
they have deftroyed.

In. fupport of this affertion (which the
jaundiced eye of envy may be fuppofed to
view with no fmall portion of prejudice) a
variety of inftances in my own knowledge
might be introduced ; but as it is not the
purpofe to wage war with the unfortunate,
one only mull: fuffice, particularly when
tranfmitted through the medium of une-
quivocal authority, it may be confidered

44 CASE.

one of the moft extraordinary that ever
occurred in Vulcanian practice.

CASE.

On a Wednefday in one of the laft winter
months, I was haftily called to a valuable
hoffe, the property of a Gentleman, then
ftanding at livery, in the flables of one of
the moft eminent Riding Schools in, or
near the Metropolis. The horfe was in
point of figure and appearance, of the firft
defcription, having coft the owner Fifty-^
Jive Guineas, a very few weeks before.

Proceeding to examine predominant
fymptoms, I found an almoft unprecedented
difcolouration of the internal parts of the
Eye, with a vifible depreffion or Jinking
of the ORB, which I overheard the ftabula-
rian gentry call the black jaundice ; a moft
uncommon heaving of the flank, a corref-
ponding difficulty of breathing, blended
wdth a lingular kind of fingultus, or hick-up,
fomethinsr fimilar to the laft and fruitlefs
ftrainings of a perfon under the operation of

an

CASE.

45

an emetic ; a frothy efFufion from between
the lips, and fuch an excejjive heat beneath
the tongue, that it was with difficulty the
fingers could be continued there to make
the examination : but what rendered the
whole a matter of the greater myftery was,
that the pulfations were fo low and indif-
tinO:, that a fpeedy dijfolution feemed im-
pending*

This complication of fymptoms, (as it
were by a kind of momentary impulfe) in-
fluenced me to believe, they were occaiion-'-
ed much more by the ufe of fome improper
■ medicine, than the effe£l of .difeafe. —
To obtain corre6l information, and to af-
certain that faB to a certainty, was a
talk of no fmall feeming difficulty, and af-
forded but a very diftant profpe6t of fuc-
cefs. Practical Experience with the
Fraternity y who look upon reformers with
at leaft a fufpicious, if not a jealous eye,
had convinced me, an attainment fo defir-
able could only be even hoped for thro' the
medium of th.?! political duplicity, and per-
fevering diffimulation, fo prudently and
pioujly inculcated by the late and great

JLORD

46

C A S

Lord Chesterfield, as abfolutcly neccf-'
fary to the completion of every wijh.

Under the irrefiftible prevalence of this
idea, and the forcible refleftion of rudenefs
and impropriety, of indeed examining the
patient without the prefence of the Prac-
titioner previoufly employed, I was indviced
to enquire if there was no poffibility of
feeing the Farrier, under ■whofc care
he had been from the origin of the attack ?
The reply was — " That the Mafter was
dangeroudy indifpofed, and had been con-
fined to his room for fome weeks, but the
journeyman who had attended the horfe,
might be feen immediately."

A few minutes produced him, and after
thofe little attentions that pafs when Gen-
tlemen of the Faculty meet, I had to
obferve, — " that I never felt myfelf more
concerned, than when called in to give
an opinion upon the patients of other prac-
titioners ; as it placed them in the awkward
predicament of being fuppofed to have aded.
improperly, or without profeffional con-
fiflency, which was very frequently by no

weam

C A S

47

means the cnfe. — I could not entertain the
leaft doubt of his abilities, or the perfe£i
propriety of his condu6l, but as Mr. C — had
done me the honor to require my Opinion
and fuperintendance, it became an a<St of
duty in us both, for the promotion of his
intereft and the prefervation of the horfe^
to avoid ambiguity on either iide, and go
hand in hand for the general good. To do
this with the greater hope and expedlation
of fuccefs, it would be right he fhould tell
me the fteps he had already taken, that we
might not go over the fame ground, to con-
flitute deception or encounter difappoint-
ment."

This happy introdudFioii of afFabiiity
(and equality) fubdued every difficulty,
and obtained a ready acquiefcence on the
part of my Coadjutor ; who, with a con-
fcioufnefs of having done every thing for
the bejl, candidly recounted the cafe, —
" That on the Saturday morning preceding
*4;he horfe was obferved to be ill, and that
he was then let blood about two quarts, —
that at night he had a Pijjing Ball. — On
Sunday two ounces of Nitre^ morning and

night,—

48

CASE.

night, — a Drink m the middle of the day,-—
on Monday another PiJJtng jB^x//,— on Tuef-
day morning Nitre, — but finding him grow
ivorfe and worfe, he had given him of

TARTAR EMETIC,

Half an ounce, oh TCuefday evening, and
followed it up with a repetition (of the
death blow) on Wednefday morning.

Thofe only who know me heji, — befl
know, what were my fenfations at this re-
cital ; and what a fhock it muft have been
to hear the irrevocable fentence thus paft
upon the unoffending fubje61: of invefti-
gation ; and to anticipate, " with what a
meeknefs of fpirit," he would meet that
death it was impoffible he could avoid.
Suppreffing as much as the circumftances
would permit, the agitation of my mind,
and ill afFefting a certain degree of ferenity,
I repeated with mildnejs, " half an ounce f
— furely you make a miftake, you mean
half a drachm.'''' — " No ! he was certain it
was half an ounce, he faw it weighed at

the

CASE.

the ChEmiS'TEr's, and he gave it hhnfclf'"
This decifive ftroke obHterated the laft ray
of hope, which was now " paft redemp-
tion gone."

With what little civility it was poffiblc
to fummon upon the occafion, I thanked
him for his information, and took my leave,
obliquely hinting to the groom, that every
expe61ation from medicine would prove de-
ceptive, and death inevitable. A letter
of explanation followed to his Master,
(to whom I had not then the pleafure of
being perfonally known) recommending,
fiiould the fubje6l furvive long enough to
try the experiment, (which I could by no
means expect) half an ounce of Liquid
Laudanum to be given inftantly, and half
that quantity to be repeated in a horn of
fubftantial gruel, or gelatinous folution of
Gum Arabic, every two hours, till death
clofed the fcene, or unexpected circum-
fiances might arife to juftify a different
method of proceeding. That experimental
effort, to allay irritability and fheath
the ftimulatrng property of the Tartar
Eaietic, was rendered totally imprafti-
E cable ;

T R E A T M E N t.

cable ; for before the return of the mef-
fenger, this unfortunate animal had breathed
his lafl, — 07ie of the very many vidlims
who annually fall a facrifice to ignorance,
illiteracy, and the moft unbounded con-
fidence.

As the art of Medicine, like the art of
Life, fhould confift in knowing what to
avoid as well as what to purfiie, the intro-
du6lion of this Cafe can by no means be
confidered inapplicable, particularly when
recited without the lights and (hades of em-
bellilhment ; with no other motive than to
prevent, if poffible, the inexperienced
from plunging into fimilar fcenes of folly,
anxiety, lofs of profeffional reputation, and
ultimate diftrefs.

That the ori2:inal ufe of this medidne
may be la fome degree accounted for, and
the mind of the impartial enquirer amply
gratified, it becomes dire6lly in point to
explain its properties, as Ibme kind of plea
for the condu6l of thofe adventurous prac-
titioners, who, proceeding upon the fyflem
of ** the more danger the mone honor,"

as

Remarks upon. 51

as well as in adherence to the ancient adage,
that " dangerous difeafes require defperaie
remedies," have brought it fo boldly and
fo largely into ufe.

Some few jears fince, duriilg an au-
tumnal difeafe amongfl: the horfes, which
proved generally fatal in different parts of
the kingdom, and to the mitigration or cure
of which, the fraternity of Farriers was
found inadequate, an idea fuggefted itfelf
to fome one of the Faculty, that as Dr.
James's Powder was an article of fo much
acknowledged efficacy, as to amount to
almoft a Febrile Specific with the Human
Species, it was at lead but a fair and candid-
queftion, why it fhould not bear an equal
portion of fuccefs, if properly admlniftered
(that is \w judicious proportions) to any part
of the Animal Creation ? •

Proof could only be obtained frorn trials
and well authenticated report has given,
reafon to believe, that with thofe who did
not " o'erftep the bounds of modefty," in
its ufe, it may have been given with suc-
cess ; at any rate thofe gentlemen who
E 2 werer

TREATMENT.

were fo fortunate as not to lofe their horfes
by the experiment, of courfe came grate-
fully forward to vouch for its infallibility.
Upon the conftjiency of fuch hazardous pro-
ceeding, I feel myfelf by no means difpofed
to enlarge, perfeftly content with an af-
furance, that '* a Kill or Cure" fyftem can-
not confhitute any part of my pra6lice, and
that for reafons too numerous and too pal-
pable to require explanation.

Altho' the bafis of the juflly celebrated
Powder juft mentioned is nearly afcertained
by Chemical Analyfis, yet no imitation, no
Antimonial preparation whatever (amidfl
the great body of adventurers) has ever
been found to equal its effecls in either the
fafety, purity, or certainty of its operation.
The very great expcnce of (and probable
immenfe profit upon) the article rendering it
at any rate almoft unattainable to the multi-
tude, it became the joint bnfinefs of the
penurious and the necejjitous, to difcover
and adopt a fubftitute for general ufe.

The fubftitute thus adopted is the Emetic
Tartar of the London Pharmacopeia, a

medicine

REMARKS UPON.

53

medicine of the firft clafs in the hands of
the judicious and experienced praftitioner,
but from the circumftances attendant
upon the cafe before recited, we may,'
without being accufed of prefumption or
impertinence, confider its indifcriminate
ufe with the clafs ah^eady defcribed, not at
all diffimilar to a two-edged fword in the
hands of a Madman.

Having taken a concife view of its intro-
du£lion as a fubftitute for what every can-
did and difpaffionate Gentleman of the Fa-
culty will admit to be the firft difcovery
and moft general fpecific in the world of
Medicine, we necefTarily proceed to a cur-
fory farvey of its properties^ for the more
clearly inveftigating its a6tive power upon
different fubje£ls; and by drawing a parallel,
demonftrate how far it may be a medicine .
of confiftency and fafety in one fubje6l, or
an article of inevitable deftruclion with
another : the enquiry being eagerly entered
into, to prevent if pofiibie, the depreda-
tions that are likely to enfue from a conti-
nuance in fuch an unenli2;htened and de-
ftru6tive mode of pra6i:ice.

E 3 Adverting

54

TREATMENT.

Adverting therefore to its effe(5ls upon
the human frame, we experimentally know
the extent of its power either as an Kmetic
— a Purgative — or a Sudorific, according
to the flate, conftitution, or irritability of
the patient, who, it fometimes happens
from a peculiarity of circumftances, be-
comes fubje6t to the operations in toto, tho*
from a fmole dofe ; which dofe in o-eneral
pra6lice feldom varies more than from one
to two grains, unlefs fuch variation is jufti-
fied by cafes of defperation (as where poi-
fon has been accidentally or defignedly
fwallowed) when Jive or even Jix grains,
have been ^iven to excite immediate and
violent vomiting, with fuccefs.

Going however very far beyond what
may be termed the given line of fafety by
the Faculty, in their general and fyftematic
mode of prad;ice, by admitting that Jive
grains of Emetic Tartar may be given
(without apprehtufion of danger) to a man
of fair conftitution ; let us, to ftrengthen
our reafoning, and to enforce our argu-
ment, (as well as to wipe away, if poflible,
every idea in future of fuch infamous prac-
tice,)

REMARKS UPON. 55

tice,) defceiid to a repetition of the enor-
mous and incredible quantity, fo rafhly
given by that prodigy of prudence and me-
dical acquifition, in the cafe' ah'cady de-
fcribed. For by whatever weight we con-
fider it to have been adminiftered, we ftill
find each dofe of the two, to have contained
forty-eight times the quantity ever given
to a man of the moft robuft habit, without
a fear of endangering his fafety, altho' he
poffeffes the chance of the different eva-
cuations ; whilft on the contrary, the fub-
jecl of his experiment not poffeliing the
power of regurgitation by vomit, had not
the advantage of that alternative in the
operation.

, Having proceeded thus far to flate the
error in pra6i:ice, and the difproportions
that prove it, we find it neceffary to take
another gradational ftep in the talk of refor-
mation, by endeavouring to afcertain the
deftruclive efte£l of this medicine, (or in
the prefent inftance, poifon) fo plentifully
thrown into a part fo little calculated to
receive it.

E 4 I will

5^

TREATMENT.

I will firft prefame I am not going a
{hade too far in the conje6lure, but feel my-
lelf fully juftified in fuppoHng, that my
very honeft, well-meaning fellow labourer
in Veterinarian inveftigation, had no one
dejlgn^ or expectation of any particular
operation from this effort of experimental
pradlice and judicious difcrimination, more
than it might make the Horfe fweat^ (or in
fa 61 any thing elfe) and if it did fo — it might
make him well. But as to anv predominant
iymptom, any particular difeafe he meant
to fubdue, I moft readily exculpate him
from every intent of the kind, as a matter
of too much mental magnitude ; and pro-
ceed to what was the probable efFe61: of the
article fo unluckily interpofed.

From the remarks already made, it may
be eafily conceived by thofe not at all
verfed in medical difquifition, that this
medicine, when adminiftered to the human
frame even in proper proportions, muft
come much fooner into a6lion in its various
modes of operation, than it poffibly can in
the fubjeCl we treat of, whofe form is by
no means fo favourably adapted to its fm-

gular

REMARKS UPON.

57

Siilar effefts. For with the former, fliould,
its power rapidly form upon the nervous
irritability of the ftomach, exciting it to
ndion, its force by an immediate continuity
and fympathetic fenfation of parts, may
alfo produce an oppofite evacuation, and
both from a sreneral relaxation be followed

o

by a copious and falutary perfpiration.

It is by no means to be confidered fo with
the horfe, for when we recolleft that he is
prevented (by a valve in the paffage) from
throwing off the leaft particle of offending
matter from the ftomach by vomti, — when
we advert to the conftru6lion and well-
known length of the inteftinal canal, that
prevents the necelTary liquefaftion of the
excrementitious contents to produce pur-
gation in lefs than from twelve to twenty,
and twenty-four hours • — and the extreme
difficulty of producing perfpiration by Me-
dicine,— little need be urged to abolifh a
purfuit in praftice fo evidently replete
with danger, fo very little v/ith a probable
profped: of fuccefs.

Concludins:

58^ T R E ATM E NT, . &c.

Concluding from fuch analyfis of the
medicine and its efFeds, as the abridged
plan of this tradl will permit us to make,
th.it-the jiimulus of the unprecedented and
incredible quantity of the medicine, had
been fo excefiively powerful upon the irri-
tability of the ftomach, that spasms, (in
other words, a preternatural and inceflant
contra£lion,) had conftituted fo great a de-
gree of fermentation in its contents, that
, the fuperflux of indigefled and imperfect
chyle became proportionally propelled to
the different cmun6tories; thefe being over-
charged, were rendered inajdequate to the
offices of fecretion, inflammation of the
liver, (as well as other parts ) probably fol-
lowed— mortification fucceeded — and Death
enfued — but in all likelihood not without
an abfolute rupture of the internal coat of
the llomach, from the violent fpafmodic
exertions to expel its contents by regurgi-
tation, without eifed.

Conceivino; this to have been the dire(5l
procefs by which an obje£b of fo much value
was rafhly deftroyed, the fuggeftion muft,
to evei/ rational invefligator, appear fuffi-

ciently

ACRIMONY IN THE BLOOD. 59

cientiv well founded, to anfwer any en-
quirer who may be induced to afk, — Why
Emetic T artar never has, or ever fliall,
form an article of ufe in pra6lice at the
Receptacle, while the Materia Medica
holds forth flich a variety of lefs dan2;erou$
Alternatives ?

ACRIMONY IN THE BLOOD.

Having in the earlier pages gone over
fuch diftinguifhing traits of difeafe, or
difquieting fymptoms, as arife from Ob-
structed Perspi RATION, and a confequent
Vifc'idity of the Blood, (upon which much
more will be occalionally introduced) we
come to that nice diftindion of Morbidity,
where fimilar effects arife from caufes di-
re£lly oppolite to each other ; and where,
altho' (to fuperficial obfervers) the cafes
in different fubjefts appear direftly the
fame, yet the treatment in both muft con-
ftitute a palpable contraft, to complete a
cure in either.

It

6o ACRIMONY IN THE BLOOD.

It has been before obferved, that the
intent of this p-ublication is to bring home
convi61ion, by the moft incontrovertible
demonftratlon, and to reconcile, without
prolixity, fuch convi6lion to the fcale of
every intelligent comprehenfion. That the
execution may go hand in hand with the
declaration, let it be briefly underftood,
that an acrimonious and impoverijhed ftate
cf the blood, will produce -in one fub]e£t
the very fam.e appearances that a Ji^ey vif-
cidity may occafion in another ; with only
foch flight fhades of variation, as fliall be
accurately explained.

The very nature of the Animal CEco-
nomy holds forth dcmonftrative proof, even
to the lead inquifltive obferver, that the
frequent fupplies of healthy aliment con-
stantly generate the proper portions of
Chyle, Lymph, and Blood, for all the pur-
pofes of fecretion and fupport ; this being
admitted, it dire£lly follows, that a want
of fuch regular fupply in either quantity or
quality^ robs the blood of its craflamentum,
or fuperior property, (in faft the very life
and fpirit of the circulation) giving the

lerum

ACRIMONY IN theBLOOD. 6t

femm the preponderation, by which the
blood becomes impoverifhed — the circu-
lation languid — and the frame emaciate.

To render this idea fully compreheniivej
let it be recapitulated, that as blood is ge-
nerated and flefh formed by the force of
nutritious aliment, and the frame looks
full and fine only in proportion as the veiTels
are diftended with its invig-orating; eifefts,
fo every part becomes proportionally con-
tra6led and diminifhed, as it is more or lefs
deprived of the means of that perfe£lion ;
hence it is inferred, that as much as the
blood of one horfe becomes overcharsred
with fize and vifcidity by a fuperflux of food
and difproportion in exercife, fo another is
equally reduced be/ozu the {laniard neceffary
to HEALTH and PURITY, by taking (in ac-
tion and confequent evacuations) m^ore
from the frame and circulation, than is
contributed by aliment for the fupport of
both.

For the demonftration of this facl fo
accurately afcertaiiied by experience, as
well as to fet at defiance the ciafhing opi-
nions

62 ACRIMON Yin THE BLOOD.

nions of determined cavillers and cynical
dirputants, who exift in perfonal confidence,
we need ohly advert to that prevalent defeft
fo palpably flriking in moft of the public,
as well as very many private ftables in and
round the Metropolis ; where we fee an

ENLARGEMENT of the EXTREMITIES, Or io

plainer language

SWELLED LEGS,

With the ufual concomitants of

CRACKS AND SCRATCHES,

Meet our eyes at all points, in dire6l con-
firmation of the affertions advanced ; and
orig-inatino; as before mentioned, in the
different extremes of repletion in one objed,
Si.vi6. poverty in another.

Dividing therefore the fubjecl we treat
on into the diftindl clafTes it is entitled to,
it will be found, that the swelled legs,
of a horfe low and emaciated, originate in
a fiiperflux of ferum, ati impoveriflied ha-
bit, and too great laxity of the veiTels,

from

SWELLED LEGS. 63

from a M^ant of fufficient contents to inflirc
their diftenfion, and fupport their elafticity.
On the contrary, the horfe of an oppofite
defcription, full in the frame, loaded with
flefli, heavy in the eyes, and foul in the
excrements, labours under the infirmity
from a very different caufe, and of courfe
lays claim to a very different treatment.
Here the veffels are all preternaturally dif-
tended with a vifcid fubftantial matter, ori-
ginating in a fizey ftate of the blood, be-
come ftagnant by time, with a want of
exercife, now locked up in certain chan-
nels by the ftricture upon the furface, (or
tightnefs of the integument) daily af-
fuming greater rigidity by the length of its
duration.

Altho' it has been an almoft eflablifhed
cuftom to treat every fpecies of fwelled legs
dire£lly in the fame way, as if they had
'originated by the Jame means, yet a mo-
ment's refiedtion, and a flight reference to
the foregoing remarks, evidently points out
the abfurdity of the practice, and demon-
ftrates the neceffity of a fyflem more rati-
onally adapted to the exigencies of each

particular

64.

SWELLED LEGS.

particular occafion^ Diuretics . and Al-
teratives have been hitherto confidered
the granJ Jpecijics in all cafes of the kind,
and thofe not working wonders, the
Groom's great fheet anchor, Nitre, has
been the ne plus ultra of ccnfummation ;
till by fuch an eternal attenuation, the blood
has been fo much impoverifhed, as to ren-
der the remedy worfe than the difeafe.

Avoiding farther animadverfion upon the
erroneous praflice of the pajl, we advert
to the more rational and enlightened prin-
ciples of the PRESENT, endeavouring to in-
culcate fuch rules as may (with pund:ualit)'
and perfeverance) be expedted to infnre a
certainty of fuccefs ; having previoufly in
recollection, the excellent adage, that" the
mafter's eye makes the work light^'' and
the additional confolation that feeing the,
procefs will in all probability go a great way
towards effedting the cure.

Bleeding naturally precedes every other
confideration ; that operation cannot too
foon take place, not more to relieve the
vefTels from their load and ftridure, than

to

SWELLED LEGS: 65

to afcertain the ftate of the blood ; which
being found fufficiently above the ftandard
already defcribed^ to demonftrate the en-
largements to have been produced by a
fizey vifcidity, proceed immediately in the
following wav :

Take of Camomile Flowers, Rorhan
Wormwood, Rofemary, and Lavender
leaves, each a double handful ; boil in two
gallons of water, ftirring occaiionally to-
gether, for near half an hour ; then let
the legs that are fwelled be well fomented
with a lar^e fponge, or pieces of flannel,
"alternately dipt in the deco^lion, as hot as
It can be ufed without injury to the hair,
for a quarter of an hour every night and
morning. This part of the operation fliould
be immediately followed by half an hour's
leg rubbing, with foft feparated hay bands,
and that in fuch perfevering fucceffion, as not
only to get them fpeedily dry, but to enlivea
the circulation by the artificial warmth ex-
cited by fridion.

After each morning's ceremony, if the
weather permits, the fubjedt fhould have
F from

€6

Swelled legs.

from one to two or three hours walkingr ex-
ercife, according to the ftate, ftanding,
and inveteracy of the defe6ts ; and when
brought in (previous to dreffing the body)
the leg rubbing (hould be again carefully
and perfijftingly attended to.

In the evening, after the fomentation,
when the legs have underg-one the long;

O too

and patient friftion fo frequently menti-
oned, and fo ftrongly recommended, have
ready flannel rollers about two full inches
wide and two yards long, with which let
the fwelled parts of each leg be bandaged
moderately, (but not feverely) thefe to
remain till taken off for the fomentatioi*
of the foUowino; morning;.

DIGRESSION.

During fourteen years pra£lice in Physic
and Surgery, aided by a friendly domefti-
cation with families of the firfl refpedla-
bility, it was my ambition to fhake off the
mafk of Medical Myftery, and to-confider
every Patient an individual Friend of the

firft

DIGRESSION.

fir/I magnitude, - — a Friend who had not
only done me the honor to entruft me with
the management of his purse, (in the fu?n
total of my bill) but with the care of his
conftitution alfo. Under the impreflive in-
fluence of this refledion, it was the grateful
maxim of every vifit never to leave a lingle
patient, till I had reconciled them to a proper
opinion of their own cafe ; and poflefTed
them not only of the property of the me-
dicines intended to be introduced, but the
operations from which they were to obtain
relief. The fame uniform principle pervades
my pre/eni purfuits, and I feel no fmall fhare
of gratification in confeffing, I retain too
much refped: for that great body of diftin-
guifhed characters, in whofe fervice I am
retained ; as well as the caufe of general
expeftation I am engaged in, to hazard or
hold forth any prefcription, or peculiar
mode of pra£lice, but what I fliall always
confider myfelf happily bound to e-xplain.

INSTANCE.

Returning therefore to the procefs jull: re-
commended, let us endeavour to difcover
F 2 and

68 PURGATIVES AND DIURETICS.-

and demonftrate its intended and probabld
effefts upon the frame in general, and the
feat of difeafe in particular. Fir ft, It is toi
be readily conceived, that the flridlure
upon, and diftenfion of the veffels muft be
confiderably relieved, and the obflruiSled
circulation enlivened by the bleeding
propofed. Secondly, That the ftagnant
matter fo long locked up in the extremities,
becomes gradationally rarefied by the heat
of the FOMENTATION ; — that it is proporti-
onally raifed in the vefTels (or tubes) by the
reftored elafticity afforded to the folids in
the fridion of leg-rubbing ; and being by
thefe means abforbed into the circulation,
is ultimately carried off by fuch evacuants
as the mildnefs, or feverity of the cafe may
render it necelTary to adopt, of which we
now proceed to offer the moft fatisfadory
elucidation.

PURGATIVES AND DIURETICS,

Are the only two that can prefent them-
felves to our fervice upon the occafion ; not
but that in the early ftages of flight cafes, a

fliort

PURGATIVES AND DIURETICS. 69

Ihort courfe of Alteeatives, with fuch
change of aliment as may tend to alter the
PROPERTY of the BLOOD, Will, before the
veffels are preternaturally diftended, gene-
rally efFed a fpeedy obliteration. To fecure
this, one of the Alterative Powders
Ihould be given in the corn, (firfl: fprinkled
with water to infure adhefion) every night
and morning ; which, with one ounce of
Nitre given each morning in the water,
may in a fortnight be expelled to have
carried off fo recent an accumulation, if
by long {landing it has not acquired fuch
vifcidity, and occafioned fuch diftenfion of
the veffels, as to require means of greater
power and perfeverance.

Should, by the joint inattention of the
Master, and the fhameful negle6l of the
Groom, this have taken place, a different
mode muft be unavoidably purfued, to avoid
the mortification of difappointment. Ii^
addition to the Bleeding and Fomentation
fo accurately defcribed, a Strong Diuretic
Ball, if a Jiout horfe, 'a Mild if a fmall
one, fhould be given every morning for the
firfl three, and every other morning for the
' F 3 laft

70 PURGATIVES and DIURETICS.

laft, with an Alterative Powder every
night in the corn, till half a dozen balls and
a dozen powders are confumed, before
which time vifible amendment, if not a
total removal may be expe£led ; unlefs an
unforefeen feverity has taken place, when
a little longer perfeverance in the fame
plan muft be adopted, for the completion
of cure.

Thefe are the certain and fyflematic
modes of practice that never fail tinder
ftridt care and unremitting attention ; and
are properly adapted to the wants of thofe
who find it unavoidably neceflary to ufe
their horfes in gentle work during the cure ;
but in all cafes of long landing, dilplaying
an inflexible rigidity of the Ikin, and want
of pliability in its contents, a courfe of
Phyfic, with intervening Alteratives are
immediately prefented to your confideration.
•—Thus :

Having the fecond day after Bleeding
prepared your horfe with mafhes, on the
third give your Purging Ball, either the
•« Mild," " Strong," or Cordial Rhu-
barb,'*

PURGATIVES AND DIURETICS. 71

barb,** as may be thought moft applicable
to the kind of horfe labouring under the
infirmity. The fubjedt having been well
cloathed and managed during the operation,
let him on the firft night after the phyfic is
completely fet, (that is when the laxation
has totally fubfided, and the excrements
become firm) have one of the Alterative
Powders given in his corn, which may be
continued every night for the fix ; on the
feventh or eighth morning the Purging
Ball will be repeated ; after which is fet,
the powders are to be continued for fix
nights as before.

The third dofe of phyfic, and a far-
ther repetition of the powders becoming
abfolutely dependent upon- the necefi!ity
of their ufe, and that necejjity to be con-
fidered and determined upon, by either
the Master or the Groom, whoever
luckily polTefles the power of control,—^
a matter that it is much to be regretted
in the prefent era of polite refinement,
does not always attach itfelf to the privilege
of the former.

A very

GREASE,

A very advanced and long negleded cafe
of this kind, degenerates to, and gradati'f
onally difplays fymptoms of

GREASE,

Becoming the more inveterate and lefs
likely to be curable, the longer it has been,
permitted to remain without a check. In
all cafes of this kind or defcription, the
indications of cure are precifely the fame *
as already recited, requiring only perfe-»
veriug exertions in proportion to the ex-
ternal appearance and internal progrefs of
difeafe ; v^'hich in almoft every cafe of
difficulty has aflumed the complexion of
feveriry from a degree of negle61 in xhtjirji
inflance, or an expeftation of miracles
in the fecond, where the parties concerned
who (not adverting to the effeds of Me-
dicine, or the operations of nature) grow
impatient ia their expectations, and: relax

in

* Only varying the Purging Balls for '* Strong or
mild Mercurial" according to the fize and ftrength of the
hoifc, and foftening the parts dailv with camphorated
Sperpna^oeti Ointment.

CRACKS AND SCRATCHES. 73

Ip. their endeavours at the very moment
that power and perfeverance fliould jointly
accumulate to eradicate tjip foundation of
difeafe,

CRACKS AND SCRATCHES,

Are fubje£ls upon the management of
which very little need be introduced ; they
,fre generally much more the efFe6l of in-y
dolence in the Groom, (by leaving them
wet and dirty in cold or frofty weather)
than any tendency to humours, or difeafe
jn the horfe. As they are univerfally al-
lowed to be engendered by iitattention, they
fhould be as cautioufly counteracted by a
ftrenuous exertion of indefatigable induftryf
Cleanlinefs in the extreme is ' the leading:
ftep to fuccefs, therefore wafliing clean
with a fponge, foftened in 1' warm gela-
tinous gruel, wiping gently dry with a
pliable linen cloth, and laftly meliorating
^11 the lacerated parts with a fuperficial
impregnation of Camphorated Sperma-
cceti Ointment, feldom or ever fail to
efFe6l a fpeedy obliteration.

But

74

THRUSH.

But fhould any fwelling of the legs, any
foetid ichorous difcharge from the cracks,
or callous appearance of the edges difplay
evident figns of even probable feverity, it
will be better to anticipate the poffibility of
compulfion, by adopting the ufe of half a
dozen Mild Diuretics, and the fame
number of Alterative Powders, in the
way already defcribed ; upon which fuch
reliance may be made, as with proper care
and attention will not open the door of
deception and difappointment.

THRUSH,

Is frequently the caufe of much trouble
and dilbuietude, becoming like many other
defeats we treat of a matter of more or
lefs concern, according to its progrefs and
permanence, if not judicioufly obferved,
and properly counteracted in its infancy,
before the Frog becomes mutilated by the
corrofive property and acrimonious foetidity
of the difcharge ; which varying in different
fubjedl-s, according to the grofsnefs of the
fubjeft, or the peculiar coaformation of the

foot, j

THRUSH.

75

foot, renders it a matter of inconveniencre
and vexation, in proportion to the deflruc-
ition of a part to which the mind fo naturally
adverts, as the feat and fafety of adtion.

In all flight and fuperficial cafes it is a
matter of but little confequence, and eafily
remedied by proper ftable care and atten-
tion ; but when by neglc6t it has been fuf-
fered to corrode and perforate the frog, it
frequently generates into an habitual per-
manence, and alleviation is all that can be
expe6ted. This is the cafe too in a variety
of inftances where the defeat is inveteratel^
hereditary, and abfolutely tranfmitted from
lire or dam ; in both which cafes the
mouths of the deep feated Vefifels continue
to get more putrefied by the foetid and cor-
rofive property of the matter difcharged,
and acquire a callofity that from its remote
fituation from the furface, it is impoffible to
effeit by any external application, without
evident injury to the parts that furrouud
the feat of difeafe.

Spirituous Styptics and Vitriolic In-
jections have been recommended by for-
mer

THRUSH.

tner writers, and are beyond a doubt fre-
quently brought into ufe, particularly by
thofe honejl indujirious fervants, who wifli
to eiFedluaily hide from their Masters the
fruits of their previous care and unremitting
attention. The practice however is replete
with danger, and ought to be carefully
avoided ; for certain it is, to this mode of
treatment we are indebted for the number
of bad eyed horfes we fee in and round the
Aletropolis, which cannot create momentary
furprize, when we recolledt that fertile
fpot abounds more in Quackery and itg
Profeffors, than every other part of tliQ
Kingdom.

Nature in this bufinefs may be foliclted^
but fhe will not be driven ; rational and
fimple methods are therefore the mofc likely
to be produ£live of fuccefs. Cleanliness
in this particular inftance is the very fheet
anchor of hope ; from which confideration
arifes the indifpenfible neceffity of extract-
ing every kind of extraneous fubftancc
after work or exercife, by means of water
mildly warm, and a water bru{h (in pre-
ference to the injurious introduction of the

picker)

I

1: H R tJ S H,

77

picker) as the inlinuation and retention of
dirt, /and, or gravel, are always to be
dreaded as enemies that irritate and encreafe
the caiife of difeafe.

After the horf^ is completely dref^^d,
and the frog perfe£lly dry from the eiFe61:
of the wafhing, two or three tea fpoons-
full of Tincture of Myrrh maybe poured
upon the part, and the foot held up till a
fufEciency is abforbed into the feat of injury;
"Where it is not intended to a6t as a repellent,
or to divert the difchafge to other channels,
but to ftimulate the mouths of the veffels,
that by fuch irritation they may be encou-
raged to throw off the load of ofFenlive mat-
ter with which they have been overcharged;
thereby cleaning the interftices of the pu-
trid filth that continues to corrode, con-
flituting fuch feparation of parts as may
tend to obliterate the old and promote the
growth of new.

Altho' this fubjefl may not in general be
thought of fuflBcient magnitude to juftify
farther animadverfion, yet it becomes in
fome degree necelTary to add, that where

fuch

78

THRUSH.

filch cafes (as it frequently happens) havtf
been permitted to reach fuch advanced
ftage as may bear the appearance of non^
fubmiflion — where the cleft or aperture in
the centre of the fros o-ets worfe inftead of
better — the difcharge increafingly offenlive
and the heel contracted in confequence — it
affords every reafon to believe the juices
are vitiated, and require internal counter-^
a6lion,

However it may be believed that in re-
cent or flight cafes, a few Diuretic Balls
may have been adequate to expe6lation in
their efFe£l ; yet in thofe of confirmed ob-
-ilinacy, there can be no doubt but two or
three dofes of Mild Mercurial Phyfic
Ihould have the preference, as a fyjftematic
prelude to fuch courfe of Alteratives,
as may conftitute a falutary change in the
property of the blood.

Having defcended to fuch minutiae as the
preceding heads feemed to demand, we
confequently return to the proper manage-
ment of Swelled Legs already defcribed,
when becoming the concomitants of an

emaciated

THRUSH. 79

emaciated frame, and evidently arifmg
fronci a laxity of the folids and an impover-
iflicd ftate of the blood. Thefe, as they
are derived from a very different caufe, fo
they require a very different mode of treat-
ment from thofe originating in a vifcidity
of the blood, and confequent ftagnation of
the fluids, the particulars of which have
been clearly entered into under their diftinct
heads.

The leading obje<5ls here are to invigorate
the fyftem, to enliven the circulation, and
^eflore the folids to their original elafticity.
That this may be done with confiftency,
and afcertained to a certainty, every idea
of parfimonious precaution muft be fuper-
ceded by the undifg-uifed hand of diftin-
guifhing liberality ; a conflant and judicious
fupply of the beft and moft nutritious ali-
ment, will ahmji preclude the officious in-
terpofition of Medicine.

Nightly mafhes of two thirds ground
malt and one fine pollard, — foft v/ater in
fmall quantities three or four times a day,
followed up by fimilar fupplies of nice fra-
grant

85 HIDEBOUND, &c*

grant hay, — good found oats morning and
noon, — regular exercife, (but that gentle
and under rather than over the horfe's
ftrength,) with patient leg rubbing at every
opportunity to affift in reftoring the veffels
to their proper tone, with a Cordial Ball
every other morning for Jix^ will, beyond
a doubt, or the fear of difappointment, foon
promote the objeft to a ftate of the moil

PERFECT CONDITIONi

Upon the fubjedt of Acrimony in the
blood, to prevent a renewal of it in a
different part of the work, we may conti-
nue to obferve, that there are other diforders
arife from its uncontrouled continuance, as

HIDEBOUND,

S U R F E I

And MANGE,

They are all of the fame family, and in a
great degree dependent upon each other, as
may be readily conceived by giving the
matter a concife elucidation.

The

HIDEBOUND, &c.

8i

The Blood acquiring a certain difpro-
^ortion of acrimonious ferum, by the means
of Jloort and bad ALIMENT, as already ex-
plained ; we are not erroneous in ftating,
that the longer it continues in the habit,
without counteradion, the o-reater muft be
Its eiFedl in vitiating the original purity of
the blood. Its power becomes confequently
progreffive, in direct conformity with the
" gradatioiial fliades of difeafe, as bad —
VERY BAD — WORSE — WORST," promulgated
in the earlier pages of remarks, and may in
the prefent inftance be thus comprehended;

■ A horfe faid to be fIidebound, has an un-
common contracted. tightnefs, and want of
healthy pliability in the Ikin, which felt
on either fide, feems clofely adhering to,
and almofl infeparable from the ribs ; the
coat is alternately fmocth and flaring in
patches, and looking at it in fome diredions
it appears of different hues ; the fLibje6i:
bearing the appearance of unmerited po-
verty, and by the ufual hollownefs of the
eyes and dejection of fpirits, difplays evident
{igns of internal difquietude^

G

Great

J-r^ HIDEBOUND, kd.

Great part of the former fyftem prudently
appertains to this, — Bleeding in a moderate
proportion is premifed as the unavoidable
prelude to altering the property of what
remains by changing the quantity, we
gain one point towards altering the qua-
lity. Mafhes of the nutritive and com-
fortable kind follow of Gourfe ; thofe men-
tioned in the preceding article, or in their
ftead if inconvenient, or hard to obtain,
equal parts of Oats and Bran may be ufed,
with fix ounces or half a pound of Honey in
each : great exertions being made in regular
dreffings, to affdl the circulation and opeii
the pores for the transpiration of infenfiblQ;
perfpi ration^

The above appearance long neglefted,
afTumes a different afpe6l, difplaying fome
of thofe cutaneous eruptions, or partial
lofTes of hair, that are difhinguifhed by the
appellation of Surfeit ; to go largely into
the inveftigation of which, would very far
exceed the limits allotted to this fubje6l,
in a work contra6led to a fpace for univerfal
convenience. It muft therefore fuffice to
fay, like many other diforders, it varies in

different

HIDEBOUND, &c.

83

different objeds, afting with more fc verity
upon the habit of fome than of others ;
the puftules, the irritation, and little lace-
rations increafing with the length of time
it has been lurking in the frame, which
|)rogreffion of fhades gives it to many the
appearance of different diforders, tho' they
are in fait only more prominent and ad»
vanced features of the fame difeafe;

However the coniplexion may vary, the?
mode of cure is directly the fame, it may
be rendered complete by the leading traits
juft mentioned, throwing an Alterative;
Powder into the corn in the morning, and
the mafh at hight for ten days or a fort-
night ; wafhing the lacerated parts, or'
puflules, every day with the following
LOTION : — ^Take,

Oil of Tartar per deliquum, fix ounces,
Soft water, two ounces. — Mix and keep
ftoppedi

Should the diforder have rained fo much
ground as to hold forth a probability of
permanence, it will be right to continue the
G 2 fyfteni

84 HIDEBOUND, kc.

fyftem of invigoration, till the fubjed is
enough above the line of mediocrity to bear
EVACUANTS previous to his being put into
work or ftrong exercife. In which cafe,
two or f^ree dofes of the Mild Mercurial
phyfic if a Jl'ight or blood horfe, or the
Strong Mercurial if a draft or heavy
horfe, had better be brought into ufe, than
encounter the chance of farther difquietude*
And this is a matter the more worthy at-
tention when a previous remark is recon-
fidered "that the longer fuch acrimony
remains unchetked in the habit, the more
fevere muft be its elfe6ls.'*

In conformity with the confiftency of
this idea there cannot be the leaft doubt,
but a cutaneous eruption, paffing under the
appellation of Surfeit, (or iij fa6t any
other denomination) will, from its in-
creafing power in every advanced ftage^
become doubly deftrutlive in its progrefs,
and foon de2;enerate into fuch o;eneral ftatc
of external morbidity, — excoriation or lofs
of hair, as is confidered a rank and inveterate
Mange, however it may be differently
named by dijFerent practitioners, in com-
pliment

HIDEBOUND, &c.

85

pliment to the fenfations of their employ-
ers ; fome of whom perhaps may with dif-
ficulty reconcile it to their own ideas of
liberality^ to have fo degrading a diforder
appear upon the premifes.

As it has been before obferved, and will
no doubt ftand generally admitted, that
thefe gradational (hades of difeafe are all -
collateral branches of the fame family, fo
it may be reafonably inferred, that the
Mange is, (Death excepted) the very ne
plus ultra -of Poverty ; and as it feldom
happens but to fubjeds of the morl: trifling
value, fo it is natural to conclude, very
little expence indeed is encountered, or at-
tention beflowed upon fuch occafions.

Conceiving however that much explana-
tory matter, and fatisfaftory information
may be derived from the preceding ftages
and their annexed mode of treatment ; it
remains only to render fuch additional af-
fiftance as may prove proportionally pow-
erful to counteract the fame fpecies of dif-
eafe when advanced to fo srreat a des^ree of
inveteracy. Total, extirpation cannot he
G 3 expeded

86 HIDEBOUND, Sic,

cxpefled by the ufe of internals only, where
the integument has acquired a rigid callo^
{ity Ipj thp acrimonious irritation.

To obtund the former and allay the latter,
are the leading fteps to earl^ obliteration.
To efFedl both,— Take

Antimony, finely powdered, twelve

ounces.
Sulphur, eight ounces.
Cream of Tartar, four ounces.
Mix well together, and divide ijiito twelve
papers of two ounces each ; of thefe let
one be given in the feeds of corn, (or
rnafhes) every night and rnorning.

During which courfe of alteratives,
let every part of the frame, where thqre
is the leaft appearance of eruption or ex^
coriation, be patiently, and plentifully
rubbed with a proper portion of the fol-
lowing unguent every other day. — Take

Sulphur Vivum, fix ounces,

White Helebore Powder, four ounces,

Black Pepper powdered fine, two ounces.

Stir

PURGING.

Stir thefe into twenty ounces of Hog's
Lard, melted, but barely wann ; and
before it is quite cold add Oil of Tartar,
per deliquum, four ounces, and let it be
kept tied over with a bladder for ufe.

Thefe means are fufficient to cure this
difeafe without the leaft collateral aid and
are calculated for thofe who wifh to avoid
expence, and to extend it only in pro-
portion to the value of the objedt con-
cerned ; it is therefore neceffary to obferve,
that where the fubjedt is of confiderable
value, and a wifh is entertained to hazard
the lefs probability of a relapfe^ by altering
the property of the Blood, when the
horfe has acquired a renewal of strength
and VIGOUR, no good reafon can be advanced
againft a courfe of gentle Mercurial phyfic,
with the neceffary care and attention fa
frequently mentioned.

PURGING.

The unavoidable neceffity for occafionally
recommending this important operation,
G 4 in

83 PURGING,

in fuch a variety of cafes as will confl:antly
occur, is alone fufficient to demonftratc
the propriety of its utility, its effect, aud
its DANGER being perfe6i;ly uiiderftood.

As there are many, who piqueing them-
selves upon a cynical fuperiority, an aitecled
cunning, or inflexible obftinacy, confidently
teli you, " they never phyfic their horfes^
and yet they are always "judl ;" fo there ia
another happy colle6iion, who falling into*
the fame opinion, are (to conftitute the
contrail: ) equally unfortunate^ by a fuc-
eefiion of /// luck, in hardly ever having a
found or healthy horfe in poiTefiion ; while
we well know the permanent advantages
derived from the pra(5lice, by thofe who
eleanfe their horfes at proper feafons with
care and confiftency, infuring to themfelvesr
the confolation, in return for a little ex-
tra expence and trouble, of {lables in a
ftate of unfullied perfection,

Altho' fcientific inveftigation and tedious
difquifition was originally intended. to take
as little room as circumilances would ad-
mit, yet it is impoliible to pafs over this

very

ITS PROPRIETY. 89

rery materiai article, without affording it
every experimental remark, every praftical
occurrence, and every medical minutia;
that can at all tend to fuch general eluci-
dation, as may render it more univerially
acceptable.

To reconcile jarring opinions, to en-
counter oppofite principles, and to eftablifh
incontrovertible proofs of its falutary effe6ls
(either as a preventative or cure,) may
perhaps make the fubjeft feem long and
uninterefting to thofe, who already in pof-
feflion of reason and truth, ftand not in
need of conviction ; but when it is taken
into .the fcale of conlideration, how very
fmall a portion of the multitude fuch en-
lightened lift contains, no farther apology
need be offered for going an explanatoiy
length into the magnitude of the fubjed.

The fuperficial comprehenfion of purging
in general, goes no farther than a mere re-
petitional difcharge from the inteftinal
accumulation, without adverting to aH the
confequences of its latent effeds upon the
Ijftem at large ; or a relative confideration

to

90

PURGING,

to its more remote influence upon thofc
parts that are but little fuppofed to be at all
afFedled by the operation. To bring this
loofe idea a few degrees nearer to every
comprehenfion, is the entire bufinefs of this
inveftigation, whidh may with very little
application be univerfally underflood.

Without a pra6lical knowledge of the
anatomical ftructure it may be readily con-
ceived, that the internal coat of the fto-
mach is fo plentifully fupplied with nervous
ramifications, that it becomes a joint and
ferious feat of irritability, evidently de-
pendent in action upon whatever may be
taken or forced into its vacuum, either as

FOOD or PHYSIC.

Exclufive therefore of the afting ftimulus
of Cathartic Medicines upon the extreme
fenfibility of the nervous fyflem, thus dif-
perfed by collateral branches th rough every
part of the frame, they aft alfo by irri-
tation upon the mouths of the lymphatics,
exciting a proportional regurgitation of
their contents into the intellinal canal, lb
long as the flimulative property of the me-
dicine

ITS PROPRIETY. 91

dicine may have power to a6l ; during
which, fuch abforptioii of lymph and regur-
gitation of chyle intermixes with and is
carried off by the excrementitious difcharges.

Were the obflinate, or incredulous, at
all difpofed to argue the propriety of, or
indeed the necessity for occafionally
purging horfes, either for the preser-
vation of health, prevention of

DISEASE, or promotion of CONDITION,

fuch fads lhall be ftated to prove its utility
as muft inevitably fet the moft fubtile
difputant at defiance. To critical ob-
fervers it may have often happened, (in the
accumulating occurences at the Recep-
tacle it conftantly does,) that a horfe
fliall during the operation of his phyfic,
continue to be loofe in his excrements for
jive or Jix hours, that the evacuation fliall
ti)eu have refumed its original firmnefs,
the horfe fliall dung twice or thrice as folid
as in his ufual habit, ( when no medicine
whatever had been adminiftered ) that the
laxation fliould then return and the phyfic
continue to operate 'till its termination.

PURGING.

as tho' no obftruclioii or vai-iation had
taken place during its entire operation.

Had this been only a fingle inftance in
pra£:ice, it might not have been thought
entitled to attention ; but it is a cir-
cumftance that fo .frequently occurs, it
leaves no room for conjefture, on the
contrary amply demonftrates a fact, —
That balls of indurated excrement form
in the inteflines, v^'here ( being permitted
to remain too long without folution ) they
by their cruftaceous concretion conflitute
a mafs, diftending the inteftine beyond its
elafticity, when inflammatory cholic, and
mortification prefently enfues ; affording a
powerful reafon why fo many of thofc
very horfes ( draft in particular ) are car-
ried off in the moft excruciating affonies,
v/ho are well known never to have had a
dofe of phylic, tho' for years they may
have been fubiifted upon the coarfeft and'
moft unwholefome food that could poflibly
be obtained.

That this repreferntation may however
be extended beyond the idea of theory, .or

the

CASE.

93

j:he accufation of profeffional hypothefis,
the reafoning muft be fupported by the
introduiSlion of iiidifputable authority.

CASE.

Some time fince a valuable coach horfe,

the property of the Rev. Mr. D

near Wooburn in Bedfordihire, was ob-
ferved to lay extended in the paflurc
( where he was turned out for fome hours
every day ) in a ftate of feeming infen-
fibility ; upon being roufed no indications
or predominant fymptoms of pain ap-
peared, but when left he alraoil immedi-
ately refumed his former fituation. After
patiently waiting for fome hours and per-
ceiving no difpofition to adion, he was got
up and rem^ovcd to tlie ftable, where he -
foon became ~ attacked with excruciating
pains, which airorded intervals of eafe and
alfunied a periodical appearance.

He declined food almoft entirely for the
firft few days, drank but little, was obferved
to vc;id no ex^-rsm-nt, r,.-. ■• .- .{lal^'-but ia.

ver/

94

CASE.

very fmall quantities. The pains Tre-
quently returning with increafed feverity,
raking^ — glyftering and the whole fyfterri
of village pradice was brought into ufe
and perfevered in 'till the rectum was an
entire vacuum^. The fubje6t feemed re-
lieved from violent pain, but totally re-
fufed both food and water. Nature was
now fupported by the efforts of art, in
drinks of broth, gruel, ale, &c. that a
neighbouring fuperintendent from his
Grace of B's. had judicioufly adopted as
moft applicable to prefent appearances.

In this ftate of the cafe, when the Horfe
had evacuated no excrement for three
weeks and Jive days, a letter arrived from
Mr. D. requeuing my advice and Medical
interpolition upon the occafion ; when a
parcel was difpatched by one of the long
Jiages, " Carriage Paid,'* with a hope they
would come to hand the fooner, withoiit an
obftacle, and afford fome mitigation. This
it unfortunately proved could not have
happened had they been delivered ; the
fa61: is they were totally loll, and the fub-r
je6l dying a few days after, the body was

opened,

CASE.

95

opened, when the inteftines were found
violently diftended, and that part neareft
the re6lum plugged up with a ball, that
when taken out weighed two pounds three
ounces ; the inteftines were overloaded
with more than a large barrow full of ex-
crement, totally prevented from paffing
into the rectum by the obftruftion the
ball had occahoned. The Ball was in-
cruilated with a fubftance like ftone, and
appeared within when feparated like hard
dry dung ; which was manifeftly the
bafis of concretion, and ultimate caufe of
his death. This might undoubtedly have
been prevented by a little more attention
to occafional evacuation ; as evidently ne-
ceffary in the animal world as in the hu-
man fpecies.

Having introduced one only of the many
forcible arguments that might be adduced
to demonftrate the abfolute neceffity for
Purging (if health and condition are ob-
je£ts of importance) ; the next confider-
ation is to adapt the ftrength of your Me-
dicine to the lize, ftate, fiefh, age, pro-
ijiifed perfedionj or prefent foulnefs of the

horfe.

96 CASE.

horfe. For inftance^ to a flight or de-
licate blood horfe the " *Miid Purging
Ball " will be fufficient; to a ftout roadfter
or carriage horfe the ^'Strong" may be
given ; to a horfe flightlj afteded with
foulnefs, fuilnefs of the legs, heavinefs in
the eyes, cracked heels, or threat'iiing
Greafe, either the " Mild or Strong Mer-
curial Purging Balls " may be given^
making your choice by the lize and
ftrength of your horfe, as juft defcribed,
in the ufe of the TVlild or Strong Purging ;
where they are brought in only as eva-
CUANTs to prevent difeafe, and not as in
the cafe of Mercurials, with a curative in-
tention. "Cordial Rhubarb Purging" is
proper for horfes of ftrength and fize, but
at the fame time of a delicate conftitution ;
and the " Purging Balls for Worms," it
will be found impoffible to take into ufe
without the dehred effect*

Admitting; the neceffitv of occafional
evacuations to be promoted by the means
already defcribed, it becomes diredly
ill point to ftate the danger to which the

animal

* Sec Conclufioni

CASE,

97

animal is expofed by a want of proper
care and attention during the Operation;
To a palpable want of this, as well as to
the innate indolence, invincible obftinacy,
or malicious neole<5i: of thofe worthy, indus-
trious fervants and faithful dependents,
to whom the fuperintendence of fuch valu-
able objects is fo conftantly and unavoidably
intrufted ; in cofroboration of, and the:
more to enforce the abfolute and indif-
penfible necefiity for a ftri(5t obfervance of
the rules I fhall hereafter lay down under
this head, (and which in twenty years
practice I have never known produdlive of
ill,) I muft claim permiflion to introduce
two (of many) cafes that have recently
occurred in pra61:ice, as warnings to grooms
and fervants in general^ to avoid that rock
of inattention and careleffnefs, by which fo
many valuable horfes in Phyfic have been
difpatched to the hounds.

CASE.

Some tirne fince I was called to give
an opinion in the neighbourhood of High-
H QATE,

CASE.

GATE, upon ihe flate of a horfe then la-
boring under excruciating in^cjiinal fpafms,
the lafl efFeds of a Purging Ball, (admini-
fl:ered three days before) prepared at a
Druggift's in the City, and from a written
prefcription fent to the fliop.

' . In the courfe of a very accurate invefti-
gation, (if the information given by the
Servants in queftion was authentic, and
might be relied on, which by the bye, is in
all cafes of the kind exceedingly doubtful^)
the phyfic had operated far beyond the line
of confiftency; and exclufive of the confc-
quently increafed ftimulus that excited in-
effe6lual ftrainings, (when the inteftinal
canal was effectually cleared) had beyond a
doubt wiped away the very mucus that was
fo evidently intended as a o-uard to the in-
ternal ccat of the intestines.

In fuch ftate it would be difficult to de-
cide, whether the imprudence of fervants,
(by an adminiftration of the frigid element
from the pum.p, or. the admiffion of a cur-
rent of EXTERNAL AIR in the then relaxed
ftate of the whole fyftem, might not

fuddenly

CASE.

99

luddenlv collapfe all the cutaneous paffages,
and throw the perfpirative matter (thus
obftrufted,) inftantaneoufly upon the Vi-
tals, lb as to conftitute thofe spasms, that
in oppofition to every effort of art, (in
Cordials blended with Anodynes, and fub-
jftantial Gelatinous Glyfters, having an
adequate portion of Laudanum) ended in a
Mortification, and carried off the fubje6b
in lefs than four and twenty hours after ths
attack.

CASE.

In three days after fo diflreffing a fcene,
I was called at five in the morning to a
fimilar cafe, in the ftable of a gentleman
of fortune, at the fafhionable extremity of
the Town. Here I had to encoui^ter a
System of Purging, a fpecimen of extra
care and attention, that " beo-g-ars all def-
cription;" it " harrows up the foul of hu-
manity," and leaves the fertile mind to
lament the infenfibility of one clafs, the
penury (or inability) of a fecond, and
Ha the

lOO

CASE.

the wretchedly fhameful inattention, Want
of care, and palpable cruelty of d third.

Here I found two valuable horfes (one
an extreme favourite of the owner) under
the full operation of Physic, in the fol-
lowing way. Firft, a pair of carriage
horfes in a large lofty ftable with the doors
wide open at the cold and chilling hour
beforementioned ; next flood expofed to
all the chances of fpeedy diffolution, one of
the fubjedls in queftion, with very little
cloaths, and lefs litter, (for he flood lite-
rally upon the bare flones,) his covering
*' the remnant of an old ftriped hanging,'*
with part of a fack '* thereunto apper-
taining,'* as fuperlative fpecimens of opu-
lent wretchednefs.

In the next flail lay the objedl of danger
and accumulated dijlrefs, with the head
beyond the hinder extremity of the flail,
and in her convulfions (which were almofl
unceafino;) her fore feet beatins againfl the
hind legs of the objed: lafl defcribed. From
what motive is not known, (unlefs from the
whim and caprice of the Coachman,

Groom,

CASE.

lOI

Groom, call him which you pleafe, oi-
neither) this unfortunate favourite mare of
his mafter's had her ball of a different kind
from the former, which proved to be one
of my OWN Preparation, Seal, and Sig-
nature, purchafed at Kearsley's, in Fleet-
Street ; on the other hand the ball for the
mare in queftion was prepared from a
prefcription taken to a fhop of no fmall ap-
pearance, not an hundred miles from either
Great- Queen-Street, or St. Martin's-Lane.

Whether (as the prefcription was taken
from a book, and contained one drachm of
Calomel) any miftake had happened by
the introdudtion of Corrojive Sublimate^
inftead of Calomel, where the ball was
prepared ; or that the efFc<ft had been pro-
duced by the fhameful negle6t and inat-
tention refpefting cold water, or the expo-
fure to damp and chilling air, it will never
(from the felf-fufficiency of the parties and
their invincible averlion to reform) be
poffible to afcertain. Suffice it to fay,
that from the leng-th and increafmg ftrensth
of the convulfive paroxyfms (during which
in a feemingly flight exertion, ftie fradtured

H 3 the

t02

CASE.

the Helper's arm), it was thought prudent
to put an end to her mifery, there not ap-
pearing the moil: diflant hope of her
recovery. Thefe lofTes, fevere as they are
fo individuals^ open a flattering field of in^*
formation to the world at large, who are
eventually interefted in whatever may be
communicated from indifputable authority
for the general good, : • \

A great variety of fimilar cafes are per-
fe£lly within recolleftion, but the infcrtlcn
of thefe only are fufficient to demonftrate
the dang;er of fubmittins; fo ferious an
operation to the effect of chance \ as well as
to refcue from ignorance, illiteracy,
and incredible obstinacy, an animal, that
it is anxioufly to be hoped is, under the
prefent predominance of modern refine-
ment and fyflematic inveftigation, be-
coming gradually pofTelTed of the attention
and tendernefs he has been for ages equally
entitled to.

That a fubjedt of fo much importance
may receive every ray of improvement
from the advantages of experimental pract-

tice,

INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING. 103

tice, it has been thought prudent to in-
troduce fuch circumilances as - are pro-
dudive of DANGER ; and having fo done,
it becomes equally applicable to hold out
the means moft likely to avoid it: by
minutely reciting fuch inftruftions for the
treatment of horses in physic, as, (>under
the fandion of unfullied fuccefs) is entitled

to PUBLIC APPROBATION.

INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING.

The day of admin ifteriiig the ball hav-
ing been determined on, let the horfe have
TWO mashes the preceding day (at noon
and night), of fweet bran and clean oats j
equal parts, upon v/hich pour boiling v/ater
and ftir them well together, letting „the
compofition ftand 'till of a very flight
warmth, before it is placed in the manger,;
as by being offered too hot, fome horfes are.
alarmed at the fumes, or fcald themfelves
by attempting it too eagerly, and ever after
become averfe to mafhes. in any flgte
whatever.

On

104 INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING.

On the following morning early, let the
ball be given in the manner now defcribecj,
avoidincr the ufe of that abfurd, ridiculous,
and cruel invention the " balling iron,"
calculated only to lacerate the parts and
render the horfe fhy about the head and
mouth upon every future occafion. Let
the Groom or Servant who moft conftantly
attends the horfe (and to whom he is of
courfe bell: known), flip the fingers of his
left hand into the off fide of the horfe's
mouth, and taking gently hold of the
horfe's tongue, draw it out on that fide ;
when, affifting a little with the other hand
to get a firmer grafp, the mouth is kept as
defirably and fafely open, as if the bailing
iron was abfolutely in ufe.

The operator having previoufly placed
the ball in his right hand waiflcoat pocket,
now takes it into that hand, and fur-
roundino- it with his fingers and thumb in a
conical form, conveys it (with a proper
degree of resolution) to the very root of
the tongue, where with a little exertion of
the fingers, in propelling the ball, it pafTes
the curve at the entrance of the Gullet ;

when

INSTRUCTIONS tor PURGING. 105

when withdrawing his right hand, /«-
jiantly letting go the tongue w^ith his
left (and placing it under the jaws fo as to
lift up the head) he fees the ball pafs with- ]
out encountering the leafJ: difficulty.

This done, give him a couple of quarts
of foft water to take oft the naufea, put 011
an additional flieet, throw a handful of
fweet picked hay into his rack, let him
have a good leg rubbing for a quarter of an
hour, then (hake up his litter and leave
him undifturbed for three or four hours ;
at which time make your mafh as on the
preceding evening, and when cool enough
go to ftable. After fettling the litter,
rubbing his legs and flank again for a few
minutes, and wiping the manger exceed-
ingly clean, (always taking away any mafli
that may have been left or refufed) offer
the mafh, which leaving before him, fhut
up again foryowr i6oz/ri ; when you again
•g(5 ^ through the former ceremony of
*' fetting fair," give about fix quarts of
foft water with the chill taken off (but
not enough for fumes to arife), after
which, fhake into the rack a few handfuls

of

io6 INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING.

of hay well picked and fliaken, locking up
as before.

From the great length of the inteftinal
canal, phyfic is in general fall or near
twenty hours before it operates ; this is not
however by any means an invariable rule,
for it in a great degree depends upon the
conftitution of the horfe and the ftate of his
body. For this reafon, after the firft
twelve hours, it becomes the more ne-
ceffary to attend frequently to the flable,
and obferve the progrefs. Some horfes
bear purging with much more courage
than others, many feel the regurgitating
naufea and aloetic erudtations to a certain
degree of difquietude, lofs of appetite, and
loathing of water, neither eating or drink-
ing fatisfa^torily during the operation ;
while others eat mafli, corn, and hay, as
well as drink water warm or cold, with the
greateft avidity fo foon or often as it is
placed before them.

This is to be confidered an almofl inva-
riable proof of fcrong constitutional
STAMINA, and fuch horfes will bear a pow-
* erful

INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING. 107

€rful courfe of three dofes, (fliould their
foulnefs or infirmities render it neceffary,")
better than thofe of a dehcate habit or weak
conflitution, will throw off two of a much
more moderate proportion. It fhould be
held in rtiemory that care miiil be taken fo
-foon as your ball is given, to exclude the
admiffion of external air by any particular
door or window^ as well as to ftop any cre-
Mces in the liable with feparated hay-b^nds,
by way of preferving an equal degree of
temperature and preventing any chilling
.air that may infinuate itfelf from obfcure or
indire^ openings.

. It will be naturally obferved from the
remarks jufl now introduced, that as the
phyiic operates much fooner and^ more
powerfully with fome horfes than wilih
others, it is the more neceflary to be pa/rti-^
cularly attentive at the critical time alluded
tOj^and to fupply the fubjedt with drink and
mafhes, not only in fmalb quantities, but
^in .dire£l conformity with the inclination
and difpolition you obfejve him difpiay.
At any rate it will be highly proper (and by
lio means to be omitte4) that he is attended

to

loS INSTRUCTIONS for PURGING.

to the very laji thing that night, and /ro-
portionally early in the morning ; when the
ceremony of the preceding day is to be re-
peated, with the addition of frequent fup-
plies of water, given in the ftatc before
defcribed, and maflies at the ufual hour of
feeding with corn, when the horfe is not iti
a courfe of phyfic.

If the feafon is warm, the weather dry,
and the days long, he may be led out three
times in the day, about a quarter of an
hour or twenty minutes at each time,
(having a hood and an additional fheet
more always out of the Jiable than in ;) on
the contrary, fhould the feafon be cold, the
weather ijoet or damp, and the days fhort,
TWICE for a quarter of an hour each time
will be fufficient, as a horfe frequently gets
'languid and debilitated under flight ex-
ercife in phyfic. Exercise in moderation^
with a ftridt attention to circumftances, is
produiSlive of this convenience, it cxpedi-
tioufly affifts in promoting the folution of,
and carrying off the load of foeces that may
have been a long time accumulatino; and
becorne proportionally indurated in the

inteflines ;

I^^STRUCTIONS FOR PURGING. 109

inteftiaes; which is ftill more affiled by
giving him three or four quarts of water
before bringing him out of the ftable, a
matter of no fmall confequence, as it ex-
pedites the operation, and prevents its
being protracted for two or three days, a
circumftance that fometimes happens, parti-
cularly when a fucceffion of wet weather
prevents every poffibihty of motion abroad.

In fuch difappolntments, the only fiib-
flitute is, to wifp the head, neck, and breaft
Veil in the ftable thrice a day, turning up
the body cloths upon the back, (without
taking off" the roller and Gripping the
carcafe,) working well at the flank, belly,
and hind quarters, moving him by fo doing
from fide to fide in the ftall, and finifhing;
each time with good leg rubbing as before
directed ; which will not only prevent a
tardinefs in the circulation, but bring the
llagnant fluids into a ftate of flu6luation to
be the more readily carried off by the
forced evacuations. »

In about thirty, or fix and thirty hours
in fome, from the beginniiig of the opera-
tion,

\

no INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURGING.

tion, the phyfic begins to fet, (that is, the
excrements begin to acquire their original
form and conliflence) nor can it be flip-
' pofed to have effected the purpofe for which
it was given unlefs it has kept the body
perfedlly lax for fuch length of time,
thou£i;h there arc not wanting; inftances of
the operations continuing full two days and
two nights, without any ill confequence, or
even the appearance of debilitation, where
the nutriment taken has been proportion-
ally adequate to the continuance of the
difcharo'e.

o

This is a clrcumftance not altogether
dependent upon the ftrength of the me-
dicine, (to which it would undoubtedly be
attributed,) but might proceed merely,
from the accumulation of excrement,
having become acrimonious by long reten-
tion in the inteftines. In fituations of this
kind, whether caufed by what is premifcd,
or the naturally weak conftitution of the
horfe, »it will be advifeable to give one of
the Cordial Balls each morning, for
th ree in lucceffion, to invigorate the fyflem
and reftore by warm and gentle llimulatiou

the

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURGING, iii

the tone of both ftomach and inteftines. To
horfes of this defcription, tv/o dofes of
phjfic will be always fuiiicient ; for how-
ever foul or defe£live they may be, it mud
certainly be much better to effe6t obliter-
ation bv a fhort courfe of alteratives
after the two dofes, than to hazard the
chance of weakeaing the frame too much
by the rafh interpoiition of a third.

To the judgem.ent and difcrimination of
the Owner, Groom, or Medical fuperin-
tendent it mufi: be fubmitted, at what
diftance of time to repeat the dofes, (whe-
ther two or three are given) having the
following criterion in mind to decide by.
However moderate the operation" m.ay have
been in the preceding dofe, a fecond miift
never be given in lefs than JIx clear days
from the complete fetting of the dofe that
has gone before ; which fix days muft be
protracted to seven, eight, or nine, ac-
cording to the mildnefs or fevsrity of the
previous operation : adding to, or dimi-
nilhing the dofe, as the flate of fcrength,
conftitution, or difeafe of the fubjeft may
require.

Between

112 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURGING.

Between the dofes, exercife is an article
of too much confequence to be negleded '
when the weather will permit ; fhould
which be fevere in either rain, froji, or
f?iow, the deficiency mull: be compenfated
for by extra dreffings in the ftable. This
exercife fhould be exceedingly gentle for
the firfl ten days after the lajt dofe, (as well
as between the former) and may upon the
whole be properly regulated by the follow-
ing flandard. For each of the tvjo Jirjl days
after the phyfic is completely fet, and the
excrements become firm, halj an bourns
\yalking exercife will be fufficient, with
flibftantial dreffing and proportional leg-
rubbing in the ftable. The third and fourth
day (with good weather) may be extended
to one hour ; the fjth and /ixth to one hour
and an half ; the feventh and eighth to two
HOURS. About the tenth day he may go
into a fhort, moderate, and eafv canter,
which may be gradually increafed every
day ; when at the end of three weeks, he
may in mild and gentle exertions, appear
with the hounds, and undergo a burft or
two (provided he is not diftreft) with
harriers or fox hounds ; but it will be im-
prudent

ACUTE DISEASES. 113

]prudent to take him to flag hounds, with a
good running deer, in iefs than a month
after he is out of his phyfic.

Having laid down fuch invariable rules
as become unavoidably necelTary to go
through a courfe of phylic with fafety,
a few additional remarks fhould be invari-
ably retained in memory; that during the
operation, a horfe fhould never be moved
out of the ftable in rain-, ftripped of his
cloathing from the time of giving the ball
to the fetting of the phyiic; or expofed to a
cold and darnp air by any means whatever.
Either of thefe by a fudden collapfion of
the porous fyffcem, may not only lay the
foundation of difeafes in which the eyes,
lungs, or circulation may become danger-
oufly affefted, but of unforefeen and unex-
pedted calamities, terminating in the way
already defcribed in the cafes previouflj
introduced.

GRIPES AND FRET

Are in general conception received and
conlidered as one and the fame diforder. —

I The

114 ACUTE DISEASES.

The fa6l however is not fo, for altho'
they are in external appearance nearly the
fame, the original caufes are very differ-
ently to be defined. Thefe diforders are of
two diftinft kinds, the former proceeding
from an accumulation of excrement in the
inteftinal canal, become indurated by time,
exciting pain in proportion to its retention;
which continuing unrelieved produces in-
flammation and not unfrequently mor-
tification enfues, fpeedily ending iii

DEATH.

After the firft attack there is very rarely
any celfation of fymptoms, on the contrary
they almoU; invariably increafe, in propor-
tion to the time they have continued with-
out counteradtion. The fubje£t is in fuch
extreme agony that he becomes infenfible
to every degree of danger, and totally dif-
obedient even to thofe he is moft accuf-
tomed to ; he is alternately up and down,
rolling over from one fide to the other,
beating his head and legs aoainft the

O DO

ground, ftall, or wall, and continues in
fuch flate of extravagant diftortion as feems
nearly allied to madnefs or convulfions.

The.

ACUTE DISEASES. 115

The Wild fulnefs of his eyes, the pricking
t)f his ears, the heaving of his flank, the
involuntary groanings and {trainings to
dung and ftaie without effe6l„ (in addition
to the profufe fweat that the excruciating
pain occafions,) are a coiledion of fymp-
toms fufficient to demonftrate the fpecies
of difeafe without a probability of being
deceived.

It has been before obferved, that the
jprincipal obje6l of this work, is immediate
relief, without the previous talk of literary
difquifition and fcientific inveftigation ; to
promote which without unneceffary delay,
(and while the collateral means are in pre-
paration,) let two or three incifions with
the phleme be made in the fourth and fifth
bars of the mouth, fo as to occafion a plen-
tiful bleeding, which will not only con-
tribute to a redudtion of the general ftric-
ture, but in its effe61: upon the internal
piafTages conftitutc a prelude to the relax-
ation that is to enfue.

This cafe is one of thofe where the pro-
bable extrication from impending danger
I 2 , depends

ii6 ACUTE DISEASES.

depends entirely upon the expeditious
mode of communicating alleviation ; to
take off the painful fpafms from the in-
teftines, by an immediate folution of their
contents is the inftantaneous objedl of con-
fideration. This point mufh, if pofiible,
be carried by an accumulation of the moft
energetic efforts, without waiting hour
after hour for the effedl of any Jingle admi-
niftration. To promote this by every pof-
iible means, let the following laxative
glyfter be prepared, and thrown into the
re6tum without delay : — Take

Thin Gruel, two quarts,
Common Salt, four ounces,
Tindure of Jalap and of Senna, each one
ounce,

Olive Oil, a quarter of a pint ; mix and
give of a moderate warmth.

During this operation let there be going
on in preparation the following purgative
drink, which may alfo be given with a
horn, fo foon as the various circumftances
and concurring difficulties will permit : —
Boil

Senna

ACUTE DISEASES. 117

Senna Leaves, one ounce and a half,
Race Ginger and Carraway Seeds bruifed,
each half an ounce, with Cream of
Tartar, one ounce, in a pint of Water
for a few minutes, in which' diffolve
Glauber Salts, fix ounces, then ftrain
and add Tincture of Jalap, one ounce.

To give the greater and more expe-
ditious efFe£l to thefe endeavours, as well
as to keep the horfe [landings four perfons
(two on each fide) fhould be employed in
fevere and inceffant fridlion, on the back,
jfides, flank, under the belly, and betv/een
the fore legs, to keep him in fuch motion
as may forward the wiflied for evacuations,
as well as to keep him from falling to the
ground, or laying dovv^i, when a fcene of
diflrefs injiantly enfues. He may alfo be
trotted occafionally in hand, an attendant
following brilk with a whip to keep him
in a&i07i, a work of fome care and trouble,
for if not ftridly attended to he cannot be
kept upon his legs.

In fome cafes a fingle evacuation, or two,
with plentiful flal'ng, produces almjli: in-
i ^ flantaneoiis

ii8 ACUTE DISEASES,

fl^atitaneous relief, and leaves the fiibjeft
only labouring under fuch degree of fore-
nefs and laflitude as may be fuppofed to
refult from the extremity of pain, and the
feverity of bruifes that are fo frequently
fuflained. It may therefore be readily con-
cluded, that as relief can only be obtained
by perfeverance in a repetition of either or
both the above, it is unneceflary, in com-
pliance vidth cuftom, to introduce a long
lift of alternatives, to embarrafs the mind
and perplex the judgment ; as however iii
fome places and in fome fituations, the
prefcriptions already introduced cannot be
prepared, obtained, or adminijtered but with
the greatefl: difficulty and delay, it may not
be inapplicable to obferve (totally divefted
of every idea of felf intereft) that the
Ball for GpvIPEs, in the lift of medicines
at the conclafien, is the pradlice of the
Author, where the fecond ball, at the ex-
piration of one hour, has never (in more
than an hundred inftances) been known
once to fail ; of which the moft flattering
and difi:in2;ui{hed teftimonies mi2;ht be
adduced, did they ftand in the leafi: need of
fuch recommendation to public eftimation.

Suppofmg

ACUTE DISEASES. 119

Suppoiing however relief to have been
obtained by whichever mode may be
thought moft applicable or convenient, the
road to invio;oration is ftill the fame ; na-
ture will be found to have coniiderably
fufFered by the fhock, if the attack has
been tinftured with feverity, warm and
nutritious aliment (fo foon as it can be
taken) will be therefore found welcome to
the ftomach and inteftines. A comfortable
mafli of malt, with juft bran fufficient to
difunite its clammy vifcidity, will moft
probably be taken with avidity ; this may
be followed with fuch portion of thin gruel
and of fuch warmth as the ftate or feverity
of the cafe may have feemed to juftify.

Admitting it to have been equally long
and doubtful, bordering upon danger, the
frame debilitated and the food refufed after
fufficient time for reft, fome mode muft be
adopted to ftimulate the ftomach to adion,
and none can be fo proper as a Cordial Ball,^
which may be repeated in fix or eight
hours if the langour ftiould continue un-
relieved. As the cafe itfelf will have held
forth fufficient demonftration that the in-
I 4 teftines

I20 ACUTE DISEASES.

teftines have been powerfully overloaded,
and as fuch preternatural accumulation,
muft moil probably have originated in an
obftru6tion of long Handing, it is fubmitted
to the confideration of every owner of a
valuable horfe, as well as every rational
fuperintendent of a ftud, whether it is not
always the moft fafe, at any rate moft
prudent, fo foon as a horfe has recovered
his ftrength, to put him under luch courfe
of gentle phyfic as may at leaft prevent the
fear of a repetition.

The fret,

Is alfo an acute and painful diforder, va-
rying little from the former in its predomi-
nant fymptoms, carrying with it in every
trait, an equal appearance of diftrefs and
immediate danger ; to thofe who may ne-
ver have witnefTed it, it may be confidered
one of the moft aweful and im.preffive
fio;hts in the great volume of calamity.
The Fret (which may with great propriety
be termed the Flatulent Cholic) is that
fpecies of inteftinal pain, occafioned by an

accumulation

ACUTE DISEASES. 121

iiccumulation and retention of wind ; this
(in a conftant fluftuation and effort for dif-
charge) diftends the ftomach and inteftines
beyond their original elafticity, when com-
ing into diredl oppofition with the contrac-
tive power of the abdominal mufcles, pain
is excited in a g-reater or lefs deg-ree, accord-
ins: to the circumference and extenfion of
the parts, the colleftion of confined air,
and the proportional fpafms produced by its
£ffe6ls.

Diftreffing as a cafe of this kind is in it-
felf, it is an additional mortification to be
perfeftly convinced, that nine times out of
ten, it is occafioned m.ore by the inexpe-
rience of lads, or indifcretion of fervants,
than any other of the long lift of difeafes to
which the horfe is incident. Pra6lice and
accurate obfervation fafficiently prove, that
aimoft every occurrence of the kind pro-
ceeds from the previous and uncertain
quantity of water inconfiderately given,
(or permitted to be taken) either when the
fubjeft is exceedingly hot, and the blood in
an increafed circulation, or after being kept
a long time without food or water.; when

in

122 ACUTE DISEASES.

in either cafe, it is generally known they
will fwallow large quantities with the great-
cfl avidity.

To the major part of fuch cafes as I have
been profeffionally called, fufficient proof
has been adduced, that the diforder in its
utmofl feverity has occurred by the means
already mentioned ; and the circumftance
is recited, merely to have it kept in memory y
that fcenes of fo much trouble, diftrefs,
and difquietude, are known to arife evi-
dently more from Inattention and negled:^
than the efFe£l: of chance.

The Cholic of this kuid comes on very
fuddenly, and in general within an hour
after the water has been drank ; and the
diftin61:ion may be in fome degree affifled,
by attending to the rumbling of the impri-
foned air throu2:h the inteftines for vent or
difcharge.

There is no gradual progreffion in this
complaint from flight to fevere fymptoms,
its appearance is moftly fudden and attack
violent ; the fubjed becomes in great mea-

fure

ACUTE DISEASES. 123

fure outrageous ; he flamps, ftrikes his belly
with his feet, looks wildly on either fide
towards his hind parts, drops down unex-
pededly, rolls, groans, and rifes as fuddenly.
When the pain is excruciating, vibrations
of the whole frame are perceptible ; to
thefe a fweat or clammy moifture fucceeds
but not of long duration ; a fevere and
alarming rigor or fhivering follows the
perfpiration, and if permitted to lie down,
will, after the moft wonderful exertions,
extend himfelf as if life had left him.

The leading and principal ftep to bodily
fafety is to keep him upon his legs by the
affiftance and wifping recommended under
the laft head, that he may be prevented
from the very great danger of beating him-
felf to pieces when down ; a poiition which
fometimes once taken, it is no eafy matter
to extricate him from. The next confi-
deration mull be immediately regulated
by the eafe or difficulty of procuring the
articles moft applicable to the cafe in
queftion. If the fituation is contiguous to
any Agent, where the annexed medicines
are in circulation, let one of the Balls for

Feet

124 ACUTE DISEASES.

Fret be given inftantaneoufly, and re-
peated in one hour if lymptoms are not
fufficiently fubdued ; they are already fo
high in efcimation, and infalHbly efficacious,
that a long- lift of certificates mi2;ht be ad-
duced, did circumftances render them at
all neceflary to increafe their reputation.

If however they fiiould not be eafily at-
tainable, and diftance fliould render a more
extemporaneous remedy defirable, procure
from the firft flioD the followino; commoa
articles with the utmoft expedition, and
prepare as follows : — Take

Race Ginger, Carraway and Coriander
Seeds, and Jamaica Pepper ( called
Allfpice), each one ounce,

Bruife in a mortar, and boil in a pint and
half of Strong Beer for a few minutes ;
then ftrain and add of Brandy or Ge-
neva, a quarter of a pint, and give
with a horn of proper v/armth, with-
out delay.

In Farm-FIoufes, Villages, or remote
fituations this v/ill prove no inconfiderable
fubftitute for the more powerful medicines

not

ACUTE DISEASES. 125

not then to be readily obtained ; and may
be repeated in an hour, or an hour and half
if the gloomy and diflreffing profpeft is not
proportionally difpelled. After a repetition
of either of the beforementioned remedies,
fliould it fo unexpectedly happen, that
alarming appearances have not fubfided, or
that eafe has not been obtained by expulfion
of wind, or evacuation by Jiool ox urine, the
mind muft then be turned to collateral and
ftill more efficacious aids. Persevere and
CONQUER is the very life and fpirit of prac-
tice ; fuccefs frequently depends upon ener-
getic and unceafing exertion, under the in-
fluence of which happy confolation, forti-
tude and HOPE fhould ever fuperfede the
dreary clouds of defponJency ,

Encourage the attendants by liberal and
proper rewards to continue their fridion,
with alternate motion followed by the
ivhtp as before recommended ; have in pre-
paration the GLYSTER prefcribed, and let
the DRINK lafi: mentioned be repeated, with
the addition of Liquid Laudanu?n, two table
Ipoonsful. Should this combination of en-
deavours to relieve fail in efFeft, and the

attendants

126 ACUTE DISEASES.

attendants begin to flacken in their per-
leveiance, no llich weaknefs muft be in-
dulged. Liquor ^ ■ — fiiOJtey, — foltc'ttat'ion^^

PERSONAL PRESENCE, PERSONAL EXAM-
PLE, and PERSONAL exertion does WON^
DERs; and fo every reader would acknow-
ledge, had he feen with the Author what
wonders they have worked. Ac any rate
the methods prefcribed muft be perfevered
in without relaxation ; no deviation need
be adopted, a repetition only of each is to
be obferved, every two hours at farthejty
till relief is obtained.

After which the fubje6l fhould be in-
dulged with rejl^ undifturbed by frequent
and unnecefTary obtrufions, as well as oc-
cafionally affifted by fuch invigorating food
and little attentions as his ftate of laffitudd
may feem to require ; all which are fo ge-
nerally comprehended in the routine of
ftable difcipline, that they ftand in need of
but little enumeration. Majhes of ground
Malt, or fcalded Bran and Oats, with the
addition of fix or eisrht ounces of Honev. —
Well boiled gelatinous gruel, mixed with
foft water in preference to water alone are

amongft

ACUTE DISEASES. 127

amongft the principal confiderations. Good
warm cloathing and great friction in dreff-
ang are not to be forgotten, they enliven,
the circulation, open the pores, give a pli-
ability to the furface, and greatly tend to
take off the ftiffnefs occafioned by the pi:e-
vious ftruggling and painful exertions.

As a confideration collaterally annexed
to either of the heads juft recited, it be^*
comes diredly in point to take a concifc
viev^^ of

The STRANGURY;
Or, Suppression of Urine;

Which frequently becomes fymptoma*
tically attached to both, but is oftener oc-
cafioned by the inflammatory than the
FLATULENT CHOLic ; aiid whcn fo maj
then be confidered totally dependent upon,
the original, and will confequently fubmit
to the means by which the caufe is fubdued.

On the contrary, when it is a diforder
within itfelf, fuch obftru6lion, total fup-
preffign, or difficulty of ftaling may arife

from

128 ACUTE DISEASES.

from different caufes, as bruifes upon the
fpine, or ftrains in the loins by carrying,
or drawing too great a weight, — inflam-
mation in the kidnies, — tumefaftion or ul-
cerations there, — fpafms upon any of the
particular parts neceffary to the fecretion
or evacuation of urine, — inflammation of,
or concretions in the neck, or ftone lodged
in the bladder itfelf. To afcertain the de-
licate difcrimination of which, fome deg-ree
of patiencc and judgment muft be exerted.

The predominant fjanptoms of a fup-
preffion of urine, are too palpably flriking
for even a young obferver to be miftaken ;
the fubjecl is almoft inceffantly endeavour-
ing to ftale, with- frequent firain'ing and
■groaning without evacuation ; a few drops
or dribbling is only perceptible, and that
feems to come away with acute pain. ' Af-
ter which he refumes his ufual pofition,
but foon returns to the former attempt at
ftalinsf without effe6l. It becomes un-
avoidably neceflary to reprobate the pradlice
of throwing into the frame loads of tur-
pentine, and fuch other violent ftimulants,
as foon inflame the parts, and excite in the

fubje6l

ACUTE DISEASES. 129

fubjed additional agony ; as they abfolutely
increafe, by their exceffive property, the
very caufe they are weakly or ignorantlj.
intended to remove.

The primary fuggeftion is to take oft
flrifture, v cducQ prefent, and prevent future
inflammation by reducing the momentum
of the blood. In fhort, bleed largely with-
out delay, fecond that effort by emollient
internals, promoting the fecretion and eva-'
cuation of urine by very gentle ftimulants
and wann diuretics. A " Ball for the
Strangury" if it can be obtained with ex-
pedition, may be given either before or
after Bleeding, according to the difficulty
or delay in its being procured. If one of
the advertifed balls cannot be obtained in
the neighbourhood, adopt the following,
which may be procured at any medical
fhop in the country.— Take

Caftile, Brifl:<)l, or Yellow Soap, two
ounces.

Nitre, one ounce.

Ginger in powder and Camphire, each

three drachms,
Oil of Juniper, fifty drops.

K Divide

130 ACUTE DISEASES,

Divide into two Balls, and giving one
immediately, let it be repeated in two
or three hours at fartheft, if the firft
fhould not prove fufficiently fuccefsfuL

That not the leaft time may be loft, but
alleviation obtained without unnecefTary
delay, the following Glyfter fliould be
thrown up by means of a bag and pipe pre-
pared for the purpofe, all which might be
going on at the fame time, to expedite the
general intent of expeditious relief.

CLYSTER.

Take Gruel, of moderate confiftence, full

three pints,
Gum Arabic and Nitre, in powder, of

each one ounce.
Oil of Juniper, two drachms.
Liquid Laudanum, half an ounce,
Olive Oil, a quarter of a pint.
Incorporate thefe well together, and let

it be injedled as warm as it can he,

without injury to the internal parts.

As

ACUTE DISEASES. ip

As it has been already obferved, that
(iafes of this kind fometimes happen from
fconey concretions, fo they are frequently
occafioned by going long journies without
Jiopping ; not only producing the temporary
inconvenience of fupprejfion, but a perma-
nent weaknefs of the parts, that renders
the fubject at all times the more liable to
repetition. That the obftrudiion, or caufe
of difficulty may be more efFe6lually re-
moved, and that the tone of the urinary
pafTages may be perfe611y reftored, it will
be; advifeable to give one dunce of Gum
Arabic, and half an ounce of Nitre, in thd
water every morning for a week or ten
days, thereby infuring a removal of any
trifling remains, as Well as fheathing the
pafTages that may have flightly fufFered by
the feverity of fuch fymptoms as have oc-
curred during the cafe,*

Havinsr sone through fuch acute cafes as
alarm w^ith the apprehenfion of immediate
danger, we naturally advert to thofe that
are not fo rapid in appearance, but are ne-
verthelefs equally deftrudive in their termi-
txation ; upon which, did we find the leaft
K a well-

132 ACUTE DISEASES.

well-founded reafon to entertain doubt, a
variety of inftances might be adduced, to
denjonftrate convi6lion : adherins; however
as clofely as poffible, to the original plan of
contracting each article to as concife a fpacc
as its nature would permit, one cafe only
will be found fufficient to vanquifh the
moft obftinate incredulity.

CASE.

In little more than two years after the
appearance of " The Stable Directory,
my affiftance was required at the ftables of

C. M , Efq. at Caversham-Park, in

Oxfordshire, where I found a fine and fa-
vourite carriage horfe, laboring under
every feeming fymptom of a complication
of diforders ; an enumeration of predomi-
nant and diftinguifhing traits would prove
fuperfluous, the poffibility of nice exami-
nation was totally precluded, for he abfb-
lutely laid down with a groan ofrefignation^
and breathed his laft in a very fhort time
after I had entered the ftable.

Havmg

ACUTE DISEASES. 133

Having for a feries of years (previous to
this circumftajice) determined upon imme-
diate diffedion whenever it could apply to
the improvement of the Veterinary art,
I proceeded to a minute infpe£lion of the
Viscera in general, and what is truly re-
markable, (as almoft unprecedented) found
nearly the whole in a ftate of decay. One
lobe of the liver was tumefied and loaded
with tubercles, the other in a ftate of apparent
putrcfadion (or abfolute rottennefs) ; with
one of the Kidnies ulcerated nearly to per-
foration. Upon opening the ftomach a new
and uncommon fcene prefented itfelf, for
one half was completely covered with
EOTS, as clofely adhering to the internal
coat of the ftomach, and to each other, as
a hive of bees when they fwarm ; the other
half was a meer vacuum, which they had
abandoned fo foon as the internal coat, or
lining of that part had been previoufly de-
ftroyed.

The digeftive powers, (or in other words
the elaftic property of the ftomach) having
been , thus completely deftroyed by thofe
inveterate enemies to health and condition,
K 3 very

134 ACUTE DISEASES.

very little introdii<5tion can be neceffary to
convince the humane or intelligent, how
ufeful and falutary it mull: be to lay down
fuch rules as may become infallible for thp
total eradication of

WORMS,

Which are of different forts, as the round
white worm, from fix to ten and twelve
inches in length ; in itfelf fo pellucid or
tranfparent, that the great number of young
may be feen through the Ikin fo fopn
voided with the excrements.

Another fort bear fome affinity to a fmaU
earth worm, but of flatter formation, of a
greenifh colour, and with fuch an infinity
of legs as may rank it in that refpe6l nearly
allied to the millepedes, pr wood-loufe ; as
the extremities of the feet, viewed through
a microfcope, are exceedingly fharp, and
capable of giving great pain when irri-
tating the internal coat of either ftomach
or inteftines. Thefe are never feen but in
the dung, which is at the time of their

ejeftion.

ACUTE DISEASES. 135

cje<fl:ion, generally lax (as during a conrfe
of .purgation) and a fure proof of their
power of irritation. When obferved (be-
ing too fmall to be readily perceived with-
out examination ) they are inceffantly
writhing; and twirlinsr about in the foft
dung with the utmoft rapidity; in a6tion
not at all unlike a fmall eel, when com-
pulfively drawn from its element and
placed upon land.

The laft and moft deftru6live of thefc
internal enemies, are the B9TS, between
the two forts of v/hich there is fome little
diftindion, but not of magnitude fufficient
to render it matter of prefent difqurfition ;
particularly as the mode of oblitevation for
one, is precifely the fame as for the other.
Suffice it therefore to fay, that by whatever
means they may have taken pofleffion,
whether they may have been engendered
by a vifcid flimy mucus, or accumulation
of foulnefs in the interftices of the in-
teftinal canal ; or that the Animalculce or
origin of formation may have been im-
bibed with the aliment, and brouoht to
maturity by the heat of the body is not
K 4 matter

136 ACUTE DISEASES,

matter of prefent enquiry, which intenti-
onally goes no farther than to afcertain to
a certainty fpeedy eradication.

In conformity with this idea, we pais
over (only with a flight remembrance) the
great danger horfes are expofed to by being
neglected in fuch ftate, that even in the
infancy of the bufinefs the fubje£l betrays
figns of poverty and difquietude ; his ali-
ment, tho' of the befh kind, feems totally
thrown away, not affording even the ufual
external effe6t of nutrition. Symptoms and
circumftances vary in different fubjeds,
fome displaying proofs of an internal defe£t
much earlier than others ; fooner or later,
however, he begins to appear low in his
flefh, rough in his coat, and hard in his
hide, he feems dull and difquieted in the
ftable, inaftive when out ; he fweats much
with very trifling exertion, and that fweat
of foul and unhealthy appearance.

The two kinds of worms firji defcribed
are of but little confequence when com-
pared to the deflru£tive ravages of the laft,
whofe incredible increafe, and power of

exciting

ACUTE piSEASES. 137

exciting pain almoft exceeds belief, parti-
cularly with thofe not in the habit or con-
venience of making the neceffary obferva-
tions. Exclufive of the feemingly infen-
fible coat of mail with which they are co-
vered, they are armed with two large, and
a fmaller prominent kind of tooth (or
tufks,) having wonderful power of com-
preffion in proportion to their fize, and fo
exceedingly fharp at their points, that
when accurately examined admiration
ceafes at the excruciating pains they have
power to excite.

Some horfes are permitted to continue
in fuch ftate till the rectum becomes a
perfect refervoir^ and abfolute bunches of
them are feen adhering to each fold or in-
terftice at every evacuation. This iitu-
ation is by no means fo replete with danger
as when they have taken firm hold of the
ftomach and fubfequent paffages ; here they
prey upon the irritability of the frame, pro-
ducing fuch variety of fymptoms in dif-
ferent fubje6ls, as frequently perplex the
moft judicious praditioner, by holding forth

the

138 ACUTE DISEASES.

the appearance of a palpable complication
of diforders.

It is to be regretted that in almoft every
cafe of the kind little is attempted beyond
the talk of mitigation ; honey ^ oil, favitty
box, and a variety of articles difpropor-s
tioned in their quantities and uncertain in
their efFeds, are the nostrums induftri-
oufly tranfmitted from one generation to
another, without the leaft data, or eftab-
lifhed proof of excellence and efficacy to
recommend them. One only apology can
be introduced for the weaknefs and incon-
£fl:ency of thofe who become the dupes of
deception, viz. the very little expence and
trouble by which thofe articles are always
to be obtained.

As there are different clafTes of people to
whom the neceffary courfe of purgation
M^ould become not only exceedingly trou-
blefome, from a want of their horfes in
bufinefs, but alfo obvioufly dangerous from
the want of accommodation and care to
fubje£ls in fuch flate ; it becomes the more
applicable to point out the means by which \

an

ACUTE DISEASES.

'39

an obliteration is frequently obtained, Cpar-
ticularly of the two firft defcribed,) without
adverting to what is confidered by fome a
matter of fo much expenfe and trouble.

POWDERS.

Take Crude Antimony, levigated to an
impalpable powder, and Sulphur, each
twelve ounces, let them be incorporated
well in a mortar, and divided into papers
of two ounces each, one of which may be
given in the corn every night, in flight af-
fections ; but every night and morning
where there is reafon to believe their poir-
feffion has been of longer duration.

This mild mode of extirpation cannot
boafi: of infallibility, but it very Jre-
quently fucceeds, , and is well calculated for
the ufe of thofe whofe horfes are deftined
to all fervices and in all weathers; not
being produdive of danger, however the
fubje£): may be expofed to the feverity of
any feafon. For thofe who wifh to em-
brace a more expeditious, at any rate a

more

140 ACUTE DISEASES.

tnorc certain mode of relief, the following
is offered as an article of great fuccefs and
eftimation, by thofe who have proved its
utility : — Take

Half a dozen " Peaoral Cordial Balls,'*
iEthiop's Mineral, four ounces and a
half, beat well together with fuch
fmall portion of Honey as may be re-
quired, and divide it into fix equai
•■ parts-.

One of thefe mufl be given every morn-
ing for three in fucceffion, and every other
morning for the three remaining; taking
care that the horfe is not expofed to rain,
chilling winds, or rode into water during
their ufe. There is little or no doubt but
either of the two kinds of worms firft def-
cribed may be readily diflodged, and their
very eggs (admitting them to be there),
or means of propagation totally deflroyed
by this fummary mode of treatment, yet it
is not fo with the bots ; their hold as well
as their havock, exceeds defcription. Of
this nothing can give greater proof than
when taken hold of in their adhefion to the

SPHINCTER

ACUTE DISEASES. 141

SPHINCTER of the RECTUM, thcy will fuffeif
themfelvcs to be pulled afunder rather than
relinquifli the part to which they are fo
firmly attached.

Experience (in a variety of intentional
trials) has given demonftrative proofs that
they (ubmit not to all the force and inter-
pofition of naufeous aloetics only ; they
^re feen at every evacuation as much ««-
moved from the folds of the rectum as if
no purgative had been adminiftered.
Hence arofe the palpable neceffity for the
introduction of mercurials, they are abfo-
lutely the only fpecifics from which a cer-
tainty of fuccefs can be derived, and fhould,
with every intelligent fuperintendent, and
rational pradlitioner, never be delayed.

The " Mild and Strong Mercuriai,
Purging," as well as the "Purging Balls
FOR Worms," of the medical lift at the
conclufion, are all equally adapted to the
purpofe ; either being adopted according to
the fize, ftrength, and condition of the
horfe, the firft being one fixth weaker in
j;^rgative and mercurial particles than

either

i^i ACUTE DISEASE^;

either of the other two. Where thofe are
not to be readily obtained, or the parties
prefer a perfonal preparation of their own
medicines, the following will be found
Angularly efficacious ; with the precaution
of being exceedingly careful not only in the
quality^ but the weight of the different in-
gredients, to prevent fuch fcenes of anxiety,
diftrefs, and ultimate deftruftion as have
been already defcribed under the different
heads to which they became applicable.

MILD PURGING BALL for WORMS.

Take Barbadoes Aloes, in powder, fix
drachms,

Jalap, in fine powder, three drachms^

Caftile Soap, two drachms.

Calomel and Ginger, in powder, each

one drachm,
Oil of Anifeed, fixty drops, and Syrup of

Buckthorn fufficient to make the ball.

For the intermediate fpace of time be-
tween the dofes, and the mode of manage-
ment during the operation, reference muft-
i)e made to the pages of accurate inftru6lio»-*'

previo\«%

ACUTE DISEASES. 14^

previouily inferted under its particular head.
The diftiiift proportions in the ball juft pref-
cribed, accurately afcertained for a horfe
of delicate habit, or that has been reduced
n^ery low before the caufe of emaciation has
been difcovered or attended to. For horfes
of a STRONGER defcription the following
may be prepared, and as the right and fafe
fide is the beft to lean to, it may, perhaps,
be the beft policy not to increafe the pro-
portion of any one article in the compo-
lition ; much more particularly in the
hands of thofe but little accuftomed to the
management of horfes under a courfe of
mercurial phylic.

STRONG PURGING BALL
FOR WORMS.

Take Barbadoes Aloes, in powder, nine
drachms.

Jalap, in powder, and Soap, each twa
drachms,

Calomel and Ginger, each a drachm and
half.

Oil of Anifeed and Juniper, each thirty
droDS,

Syrup, fufficient to make the mafs.

144 ACUTE DISEASES,

Previous to the final difmiffal of this
article it may be ufeful to obferve, that
where, (as in two or three recent inftances
with a Major General's horfes, then ar-
rived from the Continent), the redium is
fo overloaded that they are conflantly feeu
£rmly adhering to the anus^ at each con-
tradion of the fphin&ery after every evacu-
ation, fomething more requires to be done,
that a total extirpation may be pofitively
cftefted, without even a chance of decep-
tion or difappointment. That this may be
rendered complete, prepare the following
glyfter, and let it be thrown carefully into
the re£lum, in fix or eight hours after each
purging ball has been adminiflered. — Boil

Two double handsful of Roman Worm-
wood, cut fmall, and a fingle handful
of common Sea Salt, in five pints of
Water, (keeping the Wormwood welt
llirred below the furface) for a quarter
of an hour,

Strain off the liquid, and when fuffici-
ently cool add i quarter of a pint of
Linfeed Oil, and let the whole be
given without wafte.

This

ACUTE DISEASES. 145

This, by its power of ftimtilation, will
afford fbme affiftauce in difuniting them
from the interftices, or folds of the intef-
tines, previous to the enfuing operation of
the phyiic ; which coming on immediately-
after, their expuhion becomes not only the
• more probable, but moft likely a matter of
certainty.

The lungs,

From a variety of caufes is the immediate
feat of defeft, when occalioned by a fadden
- change from one extreme to another ; for
inftance, from a warm and comfortable
liable, to the reverfe, — a long expofure to
a cold and chilling rain, — ilanding v/et and
dirty after a journey in the dreary months
of winter, — or any of that very long lift of
probabilities by which the perfpirative
matter is not only locked up from tranf-
piration, but compuhively thrown upon the
circulation ^

At this period is formed the £rft link of
what frequently conftitutes a long chain of
L difquietude ;

146 DISEASES

difquietude ; for the circulation being thus
overloaded by an incorporation with extra-
neous matter, (that it was neither calculated
or prepared to receive,) foon acquires a fizey
inflammatory confidence, which becomes
gradationally vifcid, in proportion to the
length of time it is permitted to continue
without medical counteradion.

As it has for centuries been admitted,
that " delays are dangerous," fo no one
perfon will prefume to deny, that preven-
tion (if pojfible) is always preferable to
CURE. Therefore upon the earliefl convic-
tion by Cough, of fuch cold having beea
caught, bleed immediately to three pints in
a fmall horfe, two quarts in a larger, and
five pints in a powerful carriage horfe of
whatever defcription ; follow up this oper-
ation by gentle exercife in a warm and dry
fituation, then half an hour's fcvere friilioii
(in fubftantial dreffing) to enliven the cir-
culation ; to this add an extraordinary
cloathing, that a pliability of the integu-
ment may be excited, to induce an infen-
fible perfpiration, by which only the tem-
porary

6f the lungs.

porary obftru6lioii can be removed, and
the impeded circulation relieved.

- Give frequently a fmall mafli of half
malt, half bran, or in want of the former,
equal parts of oats and bran, fubftantially
fcalded, with tile addition of fix or eight
ounces of honey, which with a Cordiai.
Ball every morning, thin fweet clean
made gruel for drink, in preference to
water, fubftantial dreffing, warm cloathing,!
and moderate nurfing, will in a very few
days, (with the extra care and attention
expe6led upon fuch occafions) difpel every
lymptom of Coijgh arifing from, a Cold of
fdOrt flanding ; when the extra cloathing^
&c. muft be reduced with great caution^
depending upon the ftate of the weather,
and collateral confiderationSi

On the contrary, a want of this early
precaution is very frequently produ£live of
fepentant trouble and much proportional
expence ; the Cough acquires different de-
grees of feverity by every additional day of
negle6l ; and when become in fome meafure
habitual, is very difficult to be fubdued.

L 2 When

148 DISEASES

When fuffered (by an inattention much to©
^ frequent ) to arrive at fuch pitch, pre-
ceding efforts muft be ftrengthened, and
perfevered in without remiffion to remove
the caufe.

In fuch advanced frage, fymptoms of dif-
quietude will become more predominant,
and the Cough more oppreffive, particu-
larly as the ftomach is diftended with occa-
lional fupplies of food and water ; the finer
velfels of the Lungs becoming more
violently obftru61ed, the more the blood
advances in its ftages of vifcidity\ all which
are the more evidently increafed, the more
the fubje6i: is brought into a6lion, and the
more clearly perceptible the longer he is
continued in thofe exertions

In fuch cafe a repetition of bleeding is
firft premifed, and an increafed continuance
in the methods before prefcribed for a few
days, with the addition only of Nitre and
Gum Arabic, in powder, each half an
ounce, to be given in the thin gruel, or
gruel and water, twice or thrice in every
twepty-four hours. Let the exercife andl

friction

OF THE LUNG S.

149

friiflion be regularly attended to, hay given
in very fmall quantities, and that the
fweeteft and beft that can be felefted.

Upon a non-fubmiffion to the mode of
treatment fo accurately defcribed, after a
perfeverance of ten days or a fortnight,
adopt the following alternative. — Take

Haifa dozen of the Perioral Cordial Balls,
Gum Ammoniacum, Myrrh, and Balfam
of Tolu, of each, in powder, one ounce,
Ginger, in powder, fix drachms,
Barbadoes Tar, three table fpoonsful,
And Honey, if neceffary to form the mafs;

Which divide into nine halls, and let one
be given every morning early, wafhing
down with a little gruel or foft water, the
fubjetl to be kept fafting for two hours after.
The Nitre and Arabic to be alfo continued
during that period, when little doubt need
be entertained of a complete cure ; unlefs
from an almoft unprecedented negle£l, long
{landing, peculiar vifcidity, or old age, a rup-
ture of fome of the vefiels, or tubercles in
the lungs may have occafioned broken wind,
L 3_ Avhen

150

DISEASES

when nothing more than alleviation from
palliatives can be expeded, and friiitlefs
expence with deceptive expe(5tation had
better be avoided.

That however the wifli of every anxious
expedtant may be gratified, it is not inap-
plicable to obferve, that fome profpe6l of at
leaft temporary, if not permanent relief is
held out by the interpofing power of Mer-
curial Purgatives in cafes of obstinate
ASTHMATIC CouGHs, as Well as in fubje<Sl5
that are palpably broken winded ; for as
the prelfure upon the lobes of the lungs is
reduced, bv leiTenins; the contents of the
ilomach and inteftinal canal, fo the adhefive
vifcidity of the blood is in a certain degree
broken and difunited by the penetrative
power of the mercurial particleS; which en-
tering into conta6t with every part of the
frame, holds out (by its procefs) an in-
ducement to trial, v/hen all the more ex-
temporaneous and concife methods have
failed of cffedt.

Exclufive of what has been ah-eady inr
troduced under this head, it remains to be

pbferved.

OF THE LUNGS. 151

obferved, that the moft alarming cafe in
which the Lungs can be dangeroufly af-
fefted is by inflammation. The predo-*
minant fymptoms of which are only the
diftinguifhing traits of a cold and cough m-
creafed to an alarmino; deo-ree of violence ;
not only by a certain degree of negle£l and
inattention in the infancy of difeafe, but
by the horfes having been brought impro-
perly into action, and compelled to en-
counter great and fevere exertions without
adverting to the ftate of the blood ; which
being, from its fizey and vifcid confidence,
rendered incapable of circulating through
the finer vefTels, in proportion to the ve-
locity with which it is propelled, obftruc-
tions naturally arife and inflammation
^nfues.

In refpe£l to fymptoms it will fufiice to
fay, that as the ftages of danger are ap-
proaching, every external appearance be-
comes more alarming. The cough, — the
heaving of the flank, — the difficulty of ref-
piration, — the heat in the mouth, — con-
fequent thirfl, — extreme pain and deje61ion
of fpirits, all feem to indicate a fpeedy
L 4 difTolution.

152

DISEASES

diffolution. In this diftrefilng fcene not a
moment is to be loft, plentiful bleeding
takes the lead of every other confider-
ation, and even a repetition of that in ftx^
eighty or twelve hours, if a non-fubmiffion
of dangerous fymptoms fliould render it
iiecellary.

Boil immediately a decoftion from a
double handful of each of the fragrant
garden herbs, Lavender, Hosemary, and
Cammomile., with this perfedly hot, let
the noftrils be well fumigated, to take off
the inflammatory ftrifture from the part
afFeited, and excite a critical difcharge if
ppflible, As no expe6tation need be formed
of the fubjecl's taking nutriment volunta-
rily in the extremity of fuch cafe, the
preparation of a fubftantial fubftitute fhould
be going on in the following way :

Take Water Gruel, a gallon, Turkey
Figs, fliced, and Raifins of the Sun, fplit,
each four ounces, Honey and Cream of
Tartar, each half a pound, boil for twenty
minvites, then ftrain, and let half an oimce
pf Nitre be given i{i a horn of it (as def-
er ibed

OF THE LUNGS. 153

pribed page 39) every two hours, wafhing
it down with a pint apd halfj or quart
more of the decodion.,

A mafh may be alfo made of two quarts
of Bran, a double handful of Malt, and
four ounces of Honey, whenever the fub-
jecl difplays the leaft inclination to take
food without compulfion_; a matter that
feldom happens 'till fymptoms of danger
fubfide, and may confequently be confidered
a favorable indication. On the contrary,
fhould circumftances continue without a
better profpe6i: of relief, exertions muft be
made in proportion, a common emollient
glyfier of Gruel, Sugar, and Olive Oil may
be thrown upjuft to relax the inteftine.and
excite a difcharo;e without a^itatino; the
frame.

The nutritive deco6lion with the Ttgs^
Honey^ &c. mufl; be plentifully fupplied,
but not fo often as to harrafs and debilitate
the frame unnecefiarily ; if the mouth,
however, fliould be exceffively hot and
parched from fymptomatic fever, a Iponge
impregnated with the liquor may be fre-
quently

DISEASES

quently fqueezed in the mouth, a part of
which will be certainly fwallowed. Should
alarming fymptoms gradually fubfide, the
cafe becomes then the mere concomitant of
a coldy and mull be fo treated to its ter-
mination.

The liver,

Is fubje6l to inflammation, tumefadlion,
fchirrofity, tubercles, ulceration, preter-
natural enlargement, and adhefion ; to
which alio may with propriety be added,
the JAUNDICE or yellows. Of the major
part it is perhaps impoffible to lay any
thing vj'ith certainty refpefting the caufe ;
nor is it, indeed, at all material to the mofl:
inquiiitive or fcientific inveftigator, when
it is recolle6ted that the laji is probably the
only one, where an expectation of cure
may be formed without difappointment.

It is remarkable and well worth atten-
tion, thathorfes who have fuftained injuries
in long chafes, of which there have been
numerous inflances with the King's

HOUNDS,

OF THE LUNGS. 155

HOUNDS within the laft few years, (parti-
cularly one where nine horfes loft their
lives on that and the following day,) have
beeii found in every part of the viscera,
the liver excepted. Horfes dying in, or
foon after the chafe, have had their livers
.difteilded to a very large fize, and propor-
tionally iumejied', thofe who have lingered
from fourteen to one and twenty days or
longer, have, upon opening, been found
with the fame part in a ftate of ulceration
or palpable putrefa&ion. From which
circumftance repeatedly attended to, it is
to be inferred, that very little hope of cure
or mitigation can be entertained with pro-
priety when once an inflammation has
taken place.

With the JAUNDICE or yellows it is
not fo ; little fear need be entertained of a
fafe and fpeedy eradication. The caufe is
no more than an obftru£lion in the gall
PIPE or DUCT, whofe province it is to affift
in the fecretion of bile from the blood; this
paflage being rendered impervious by fome
vifcid mucus, the fluid thus impeded in its
ufual progrefs, regurgitates, and becoming

extravafated

156

DISEASES

cxtravafated, not only incorporates itfelf
with the blood, but by the means of cir-
culation difplays itfelf in every pai t of the
frame,

, Tha fymptons are too well known to re-
quire the leaft explanatory animadverfion,
an univerfal yellownefs pervades the eyes,
MOUTH, TONGUE, and SALIVA, dcmon-
ftrating the diforder at Jirji fight even to
thofe who have never feen the cafe before.
It has been' the cuftom to confider the
JAUNDICE a matter of too much magnitude
with the VETERINARIAN PROFESSORS in ge-
neral, who have made it their pra6lice to
bring medicines of too much power to their
aid, and in fo doing have not unfrequently
rendered the rem^edy worfe than the difeafe.
They are exceedingly fond of a felf created
phrafeology " the black jaundice," a
diforder they contrive to conftitute ( fecun-
dejnartem) from the yellows, of which we
have fpoken largely and given fufhcient
proof in the early part of the work, under
the head of "emetic tartar" and the
following pages.

Cases

THE LUNGS. i57

Cases that fo feldom occur need take but
little time from the reader m a tedious rou-
tine of fcientific difquiiition or medical
elucidation; fuffice it to fay, mild deob-

STRUENTS with ALTERATIVE COLLATERALS

will, when taken in time, render the cere-
mony of Purgation totally unneceffary.

Take away a little blood by way of
revulfion, relax the inteflinal canal by a
few opening mafhes, gentle walking exer-
cife, moderate fridion, two ounces of
Cream of Tartar boiled in a quart and
added to the water, twice a day. Soft
water fhould be o-iven often and in fmall

a

quantities, hay in fimilar proportions. In
addition to what feem but ' trifles, adopt
the following ; — Take

Caftile or Yellow Soap, fix ounces,
Rhubarb, genuine Turmeric, and Ginger,

all in fine powder, each one ounce.
Salt of Tartar, one ounce and an half;
mix the Powders with the Salt of
Tartar, then add the Soap, and Honey
fufficieiit to make the mafs, and, divide
into fix equal parts.

Of

158 DISEASES

Of thefe let one be o-iven three morninos

o o

ill fucceffion, on the fourth, v/ith a horn,
give Oil of Castor, half a pint, well
fhaken together with the fame quantity of
thin warm grueL On the followins; night
a plentiful and comfortable Malt mafli ; the
three fucceffive mornings the three re-
maining balls ; on the fourth a repetition of
the Oil of Castor with the gruel, fol-
lowed by the Malt mafh, affified by every
extra care and attention that the • cafe
may require. This in all ^ight cafes, or
recent attacks may be confidered infallible ;
but where it has been of lonsier ftandino;
or by negledl permitted to affume the afpedt
of feverity, a little longer patience and per-
feverance mufl: be fubmitted to.

In all fchirrofities, tumefa£lions, enlarge-
ments, and ulcerations of the Liver, little,
very little hope can be entertained of era-
dication. Neceffitous adventurers may
prey upon the liberality of the credulous,
by a profulion of promifes that may dupe
their employers, and contribute to their own
wants by the deception ; but every cool
and deliberate enquirer will find upon re-»

fle6lion.

OF THE LUNGS. 159

fie£tion, very little expe£lation can be
formed, particularly when adverting to the
feat of difeafe fo remote in JitiiaUon and
€afe from the a6iive power of medicine.

Could any flattering idea of permanent,
relief be entertained, it muf!: only be from
the grafid fpecific (in certain cafes) Mer-
cury, where the particles are fuppofed to
enter into conta6t with the offending pro-
perty of the blood ; but here it is natural
to conclude, that no interpofition of this
powerful medicine can prove fufficiently
a6live (or penetrative) to diffolve or ex-
tirpate either swelling, schirrosity, or
TUBERCLE, upon the part in queftion.

Admitting however not only the 'impolicy
but the CRUELTY of doomino; to death
every fubje6t fuppofed to labour under thefe
hidden infirmities, it is highly neceffary
fuch means (hould be laid down, as arc
fuggefted by reason and juftified by con-
sistency. As Mercurial purgatives might
too much agitate the frame, and admit of
too great a fpace of time between the
dofes, to fupport a hope of fpeedy efFedt,

the

i6o DISEASES

the poflibility of a gradual foliition by Mer-
cuBiAL Alteratives, feems to hold forth
the more promifing alternative.

To give this arrano-ement a fair chance
of fuccefs, great patience and much per-
feverance muft be adopted. Half an ounce
of JErmoFS Mineral may be given, in-
corporated with a Cordial Ball, (by means
of a little Honey) every morning. At
night in the corn, an ounce of Sulphur,
previoufly mixed in the mortar with Cream
of Tartar half an ounce, and prepared Steel
two drachms. Half an ounce of Nitre
may be alfo given in the evening water
only.

Mercurial Purgatives are alfo open to
thofe who chufe to make their fele(Slion,
being totally dependent upon the judgement
of the parties, who fuperintending the va-
rious cafes, will be moft adequate to the
talk of deciding upon the mode of treat-
ment applicable to fuch predominant
fymptoms as may come before them.

Previous

OF THE LUNGS. i6t

Previous to the difrniffal of this article,
a few hints may not prove -unacceptable.
In all cafes of a tumejied, fchirrous ^ enlarged
LIVER, an adhefion, or a dropsy of the
CHEST (commonly called a dropfy of the
lungs), one fymptom may always be relied
on ; the fubjefl invariably ftands with one
or both legs before him, dire£lly in the ftils
and manner of a cheft foundered horfe,
and upon being led to the top of the moft
trifling afcent to be rode or led down, he
turns with incredible pain and difficulty;
when completely turned and brought for-
ward, his fore legs are dijlended as tho' he
had an enormous fubftance included in his
cheft, and he feems afraid, in every ftep, of
falling to the ground. This will receive
farther elucidation by an introdudion of
the following

CASE.

In January, 1794, a valuable well-bred
horfe, that had the year preceding run in.
good form, at Stockbridge, was configned
to the Receptacle, (by G. H. Eiq.) from

M the

i62 DISEASES

the lower part of Devonshire, and was
abfolutely. three weeks upon his journey.
The flibje£t required no more than a mo-
mentary infpe6:ion for an unequivocal de-
cifion ; the almoft unprecedented diftention
of the legs in the ftable, as well as the la-
bour in aflion, the roll from fide to fide to
aflift in getting one leg before the other,
the perpetual difquietude in the ftable, and
palpable endeavour to relieve the fore parts,
held forth evident proof that fome preter-
natural fubflance, fome enormous weight
was feated in or preffed upon the chest ;
but whether extravafated Jluld, a tumefac-
tion, or adhefion of the liver, it was im-
poffible for any man living to afcertain.

Invariable in my determination never to
put my friends to unneceflary expence, and
experimentally convinced, that

*' To know the worft is fome degree of
eafe, "

I ftrenuoufly recommended a period to his
painful exiftence, but without efFe£l ; the
humanity of the owner was fuperior to

every

OF" THE LUNGS.

ev6ry confideration but the fafety of fa
great a favourite, and confequently deaf to
every remonftrance that tended in the leaft
to militate againft his flattering expe6tation
of cure. To accommodate which, to gra-
tify his anxious fenfations, and ftill more
to hold forth demonftrative proof of the
cafe, the utmoffc force of long and repeated
FOMENTATION was brought into ufe, with
treble cloathing over the breaft. tEthiops
Mineral fnji^ and laftly Calomel, each
blended with the Cordial Ball, were in-
troduced asMEKCtTRiAL Alteratives, and
at the requeft of the owner continued for
near three weeks, when perceiving nature
to be more and more opprefTed, the very
dejeftion and appearance of the emaciated
animal feeming to folicit dijfolution as a
relief " from this world of woe," Mr. H.
at length, tho' reludantly, fubmitted to
the expofliulation, when it unluckily be-
came my province (but not without the
concern and mortification that every fportf-
man muft unavoidably experience when,
fentencing fo noble an cbjed to immediate
death) to confign, or rather to attend him
to the place of execution, where with one
M 2 blow

164

DISEASES, kc.

blow of the axe, and a fingle ftroke of the
knife, an inftantaneous period was put to
his miferable exiftence.

Upon opening the body, appearances
juflified the original prediftion, fo far as
refpe£led the unnatural weight fuppofed to
have taken its feat in the chest ; the entire
vacuum of which was nearly filled with a
difcoloured water, of about seven gallons
in quantity, difplaying upon the furface by
its ebullition^ a kind of effervefcence, and
of fuch extreme heat that the viscera
floating in it had the appearance of having
been boiled. Going into the origin of the
difeafe, would be einbarking in a fcientijic
tour ill adapted to the purport of a com-
pendium; it muft therefore fuffice to fay,
that a DROPSY in the breaft, once clearly
afcertained, might with ftridt propriety
have an experiment made to draw off the
water by an inftrument formed for the
purpofe, and with the greateft probability
of fuccels ; but how far it might be likely
to fill again from the ruptured velTels (by
which the fluid became extravafated), is a

matter

SHOEING, &c. 165

matter that muft entirely depend upon the
refult of the experiment.

SHOEING,

AND

MANAGEMENT OF the FEET.

The Feet, as the very bafis of the franie
and inftruments of aftion, may, with the
il:ri6tefl: propriety, be deemed a fubje6l of
equal if not fuperior importance to any
that can poffibly come before us ; and it is
not only a circumflance of extreme regret,
but matter of admiration, that it fhould
feem they are abfolutely lefs attended to,
and in general (with fome few exceptions)
worfe fhod, if pojfible^ in the Capital, than
in many other parts of the kingdom.

This paradoxical declaration may per-
haps be candidly explained, at leaft fairly
and impartially accounted for, by taking a
concife view of the praftice in moft of the
ihops appropriated to that purpofe. As it
has been before found neceffary to obferve^
M 3 £0

i66 SHOEING, and

fo it becomes direftly in point to repeat^
that unfortunately for the animal we treat
on^ Smiths, Grooms, and the lower order
of Operat/^e Practitioners have never
yet been (and in all probability never will
be) remarkable for any Jinking efFuficns of
tenderness, arifmg from a fuperflux of
refined fenfations.

Admitting this, and that they were pro-
bably deftined by a fuperior Power to make
others feel much more than to feel them-
felves, we fupprefs fuch remarks as natu-
rally arife and might be introduced, to
make room for plain unembellifhed rea-
Ibning, why the art of Shoeing (which
Should be the firft and moft diftinguifliing
mark of excellence) is fo JJjamefully exe*
cuted^ fo wretchedly negle^ed, as to com-
pletely ruin the feet of a great number of
excellent horfes, in a very few fhoeings
after their firfc appearance amongft the
VuLCANiANPROFicjENTsof the Metropolis ?

That this afiertion may not bear the
accufation of conje^ure, but carry with it
the unfullied fanclioii of veracity, let us

advert

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 167

advert only to the date of the feet of fuch
horfes as we happen to obferve ftanding in
the ftreets in our common pedeftrian ex-
curfions ; where, upon the moft moderate
calculation, we fhall find at leaft one third
entirely thrown upon the toe, /without half
2i heel to (land upon : — a very palpable and
incontrovertible reafon, why there are fo
many more horfes with broken knees to be
daily feen in and round the city of London,
than in any other part of the Kingdom.

The caufe of this genera] deficiency is
not to be attributed fo much to the want of
julDGEMENT as the want of difcretio-a,
which evidently refts upon a point that has
moft probably never been confidered ; at
any rate, never fubmitted to the tell of
public refleftion, and may perhaps receive
fome elucidation from the following re-
cital of falhionable fadls. It is univerfiilly
known to thofe in the habits of equeftrian
obfervation, that the Smiths and Farriers
in extenfive practice are too anxioufly con-
cerned in matters of magnitude, to attend
perfonally or minutely to v/hat (in shoeing)
M 4 they

j68 SHOEING, and

they conceive to be a mere mechanical
procefs, and of little or no confequence.

The necejjitous Master is generally en->
gaged in an arduous undertaking of a dif-
ferent kind, amufing himfelf with 2.. pot of
porter in one hand, a jug of crank in the
other, at the neareft houfe of hofpitality, in
fervile attachment to Coachman or
Groom ; indulging earnefl hope and full
confidence that they will upon all occafions
gratefully endeavour (as good and faithful
fervants) to promote his intereH: in return.
In both cafes fo oppofite in their diftin6l
caufes, the efFe£t is ftill the fam.e ; for the
journeymen in either abfolutely become
the principals, and afting without dictation
or controul, proceed as vjhim^— caprice^ — ■
cruelty^ or ill- nature may fuggeft or in-
fluence ; cynically conceiving, they are by
the feverity of their fituations, compelled
to earn a livelihood " by the fweat of their
brow," they fee svith the jaundiced eye of
difcontent, are feldom difpofed to be eafily
pleafed, and bare civility can rarely be ex-
pe<3:ed from them, without the all-feducing
medium of pecuniary interpofition.

Fraught

MANAGEMENT of thj; FEET. 169

Fraught with the common place idea
that *'fervitude is no inheritance," that
they " may be here to day and gone to-
morrow," and having no reputation of
their own to fupport, they grow totally in-
fenfible to their Master's ; in fuch flate of
fullen indifference they take up the foot,
half unclinch the nails, and then tear off
the fhoe with a fudden and powerful
wrench on each fide, as tho' it was the de-
termined intent to feparate the hoof from
the coffin, or the coffin from the coronary
bone at a fingle exertion.

This effe61:ed, the profcffioival appetite is
eagerly afloat for devaftation, and the but-
TfiRis (fo frequently Jharpened for the pur-
pofe), that paffive enemy to the efforts of
nature becomes the proftituted inflrument
of inceffant deftruftion. Here it m.ay be
neceffary to obferve (by way of rendering
the matter better underftood), that in ge-
neral praftice, the gradational fhades of
fubordination are contemptuoufly adhered
to, even in the (hop of a common shoeing
SMITH, to the palpable injury of the animal
and the public. For inftance, the taking

ofF

170

SHOEING, AND

off the fhoe, the clearing out the foot, and
the ACT of SHOEING is the office of the
inferior', while the "fireman," who is
the fuperior, is only the *' fitter out," and
having fo done relinquifhes his part of the
bufinefs ; declining, by cuftom, the very
difl:in<5l office, where all the danger is, and
in avoiding which all the excellence de-
pends, viz. the FORMATION of the foot, and
the SETTING on the shoe.

On the contrary, the official fubordinate
(whofe qualifications we have previoufly
analized) having taken off the Jhoe in the
way already defcribed, proceeds to a difplay
of his MANUAL DEXTERITY in the art of
cutting ; the two firfl flrokes generally take
away a pretty large portion from each ex-
tremity of the heel, where nature has been
peculiarly kind in forming a firm and fub-
iTantial bafis for the weight and a£lion of
the frame fhe has fo beautifully formed.

To this leading fl:ep of inftrumental def-
trudion, fucceed a profufioii of fiourifhes
tqually oppoftte to the great caufe of con-
fillency fo evidently pointed out by the

RAYS

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 171

HAYS of REASON, and confirmed by the
sreat volume of observant experience.
The pavement is almoft inftantaneonfly
covered with fufficient proofs of expeditious
execution,' — the outer sole and frog
equally contribute to the lliew of excellence
in the operator^ — and a greater feparation
of PARTS is frequently made iwjive minutes^
than all the efforts of nature are adequate to
the talk of reftoring in as many months.

In dire£i: proof of this affertion let us ad-
vert for a moment to what follows the fajh-
ionable Jlices, of solid hoof taken from the
extreme points of the heel, (where itfhould
feem thefe expert operators afFe£l to be-
lieve nature has egregioufly erred in
placing too much,") and- trace with " the
mind's eye," the procefs of the operation,
and the progrefs of the butteris at the fame
time ; when we fhall inftantly recolledt
thofe repeated parings of the outer sole,
that fo evidently deprive the inne?' of its
prote6lion. The frog is equally doomed
to a variety of ampiitat'ive flourifhes, and the
fharp corners of the deftrudive inflrument
are fo often and fo dangeroufly infinuated

withii?.

172 SHOEING, AND

within the centrical cleft of that part, that
a foundation is very frequently laid for fuch
fevere and inveterate thrujijes, that nothing
but time and a regeneration of parts can
obliterate.

This part of the bufinefs called " clear-
ing out the foot,*' having been gone
through without controul from either
MASTER or foreman, the Jetting of the fhoe
is generally concluded with a fimilar degree
of confiftency and collateral refpe^t to re-
"Dutation. The fhoe having been previoufly
fitted out by the Jireman, (during the oper-
ation of trimming, paring, and rafping by
his fubordinate), is decifively thrown down
as diBatorially applicable to the purpofe,
and too large or too fmall is a matter of too
trifling a nature for rectification. In veri-
fication of the ancient adage, " of two evils
chufe the leafl:," the form.er is certainly
the leafi: evil of the two, and difplays in its
appearance the only apology that can be
made for the operator, who confidently and
cunningly affures you, " it was left fo on
purpofe, to give fufficient room for the
growth of the hoof."

Mx\NAGEMENT op the FEET. 173

On the contrary, fliould all his efforts in
reducing the foot have rendered the Oioe
too narrow in the extent of the web, or too
Jhort at thejSEEL, he reconciles fuch fuper-
ficial inconvenience in a moment by the
happy confolation " of the foofs being
much eafier fitted to the shoe, than the
Jhoe to the foot and as his principal ob-
je6i: is the difpatch of bujinefs, the fhoe is
fet on without the nice and neceflary at-
tention to the line of difcrimination be-
tween the OUTER SOLE and the wall or
cruji of the hoof, for want of which fb
much mifchief enfues, and fo many ex-
i;ellent horfes are conftantly feen hobbling
to be drejt at the different petty /hops of the
-Metropolis.

Admitting the fhoe to have been thus
fet (as is without exaggeration frequently
the cafe) the foot then becomes fitted to
the SHOE, by the friendly intervention of
the rafp and cutting knife^ both which
render their afiiftance to take away all
fuperfiuous projediions of the hoof, beyond
the outer edge of the flioe ; thereby forming
a FOOT perfectly adequate to the wants, and

well

t74 SHOEING, and

well adopted to the comprehenfion of thofe
EQUESTRIAN Jcjfaimes with which the roads
round the Metropolis are fo plentifully
impregnated.

Having, with the ftrideft adhefiOh to
truth, given fuch accurate outlines of the
prefent fyftem as will be readily fubfcribed
to by every experienced and unbiaffed ob-
lerver, it becomes unneceffary and would
appear fuperfluous, to animadvert farther
"upon that part of the fubjedl, than merely
to introduce fuch remarks as become un-
avoidable to prove the Jolly and inconjijiency
of a MODE of SHOEING recommended, and
in fome faint degree brought into ufe by a/i
ALIEN to THIS COUNTRY, (under a tempo-
rary celebrity,) who to fport a paradox of
VERACITY, died juji in time to fave HIS

REPUTATION.

However ftrarige this circumftance may
appear, it is too ftrictly corre6l for the
ftrono;eft and moft able of his advocates to
controvert ; fo true it is, Gallic theory will
but ill accord with English practice.
Nor would even an oblique allufion to the

latter

MANAGEMENT of the tEET. ly^

latter unlucky occurrences of his life have
been made upon paper, but that they be-
come fo immediately inftrumental (by
their errors) to eftablifh fuch chain of
principles upon the propriety^ the con- '
ftjiency^ in facl, the very excellence of
SHOEING, tliat no THEORY can ^veaken, — no
SOPHISTRY contaminate, — no assertion
difprove,- — or any dictatorial difquiiition
wipe away.

Setting at defiance any accufation of in-
tentional ambiguity, it becomes candidly
proper to ftate, that in the laft few weeks
of the life of the profeffional gentleman al-
luded to, dif appointment and mortification-
frequently fucceeded each other ; and the
celebrated concave Jhoe doomed fuch num-
bers (particularly tender footed horfes) to
pain, difquietude, and palpable lamenefs,
that they were gladly configned by many of
their opulent and diftinguiflied owners,
from the fcene of temporary celebrity, to a
variety of eftabliflied praditioners for
immediate relief, and a future inforance of
fafety.

It

176 SHOEING, AND

It is a well known fa<fl, that the prefs ha5
in the courfe of a few years only, produced
Hich a fucceflion 6f Tradis upon the Art of
Shoeing, that it is very natural to con-
clude, if one te?ith part had been atten-
tively read, that has httwjudicioujiy written,
it ought long ere the prefent period, to
have reached the very summit of Perfec-
tion, and rendered totally unneceffary any
farther inveftigation of the fubjeft. The
truth mufl be candidly admitted, too much
theoretic abftiufity, — too much affected
fublimity, — too much technical phrafeology
has been introduced, (as- influenced by the
feelings or motives of the different writers)
to render the matter a fubje6l of even Pro-
feflional attra6lion ; more particularly when
it is perfe£lly within recolle(£lion, that one
half of thofe who Ihould become the in-
ftruments of reform, canU, and the other
half won't read : — fo that little chance or
hope of IMPROVEMENT caii be expedled,
but by the exertions of thofe who being in-
dividually interefted in the event, conde-
fcend to a general and perfevering effort of
perfonal inculcation.

Somo

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 177

Some of thefe Authors who have pro-
bably 'Written much and roDe but little,
are extravagantly fond of the idea, that
*' horfes can go without fhoeinsf at all
and altho' they have urged its propriety
with the full force of their energy, it may
be boldly affirmed thev never yet made one
permanent convert to the pra61:ice. Others
have as ridiculoufly recommended the

half-moon fhoe," which covering only
half the foot, leaves the remainder without
a fupport, even where the weight of the
animal mof requires it.

To cavil with the opinions or promulga-
tions of others, is not the objed of the Au-
thor, was he fo inclined, he might extend
his remarks very very far beyond the limits
of the prefent pages ; it muft therefore fuf-
fice to offer fuch remarks (affifted by the
annexed plate of Shoes in general ufe at
his own Farriery) as may concifely tend to
eflablifli the criterion of ease and safety.

Upon the original ftate of the Foot it is
only neceffary to obferve, that nature
has in general done her own work too well

N to

178 SHOEING, AND

to require much re6i^ihcatlon. That therr
is fome difference in the conformation, the
texture, (if it may be fo termed) and the
excellence of the various fubje6ts, cannot
be denied ; and it is equally true, that a
proper degree of care and neceffary cir-
cumfpedlion, will (without a profujion of
Cuttings parings and rafp'ing) in a very few
months totally repair thofc injuries, and
regenerate thofe devajiat'tons that fo evi-
dently " denote a foregone conclufion.'*

Experience daily convinces us, that nei-
ther the internal formation or external ap-
pearance of every horfc's foot is the fame,
and confequently that fome little variation
muft be introduced in the management ;
dependent however in accuracy upon the
JUDGEMENT and difcriminating powers of
the OPERATIVE AGENT, who may take the
diftinguifhing traits of confiftency from
the following remarks :

The toes Ihould never be permitted by
growth to attain in length an unnatural
proportion ; nor on the contrary fhould
they (as is too much the cuftom) be fo

mucK

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 179

much reduced by the paring knife, as to
render the infer tion of the nails a matter of
danger in the cruft, (or Wall of the hoof)
where there fhould be always left fufficient
fpace, without even a probable chance of
injury to the edge of the inner fole : — z,
matter that not only inevitably muft, but
very frequently does happen, when by a
want of necelTary care and attention, the
hoof is wantonly or indifcrectly trimmed
round too near the quick.

The better to dcmonftrate this fyftem,
for the advantage of thofe who may for
years have kept horfes, but never concerned
themfelves in their fafcty, let us for a mo«»
ment advert to the bottom of the foot,
where we fhall inftaatly obferve, that Na-
ture abfolutely feems to have interefted
herfelf in the proficiency of the Art, by
voluntarily holding forth inftruftions for
the execution. In dire<5l proof of this fup*
pofltion, we find the line of articulation
diftinftly formed between the wall of the
hoof (where only the nails are to . be in-
ferted) and the outer fole, (which is the
intermediate fpace between the frog and
N 2 the

i8o SHOEING, AND

the feat of infertioii) holding forth a pal-
pable injunction to the inadvertent, *' so
FAR {hail you go and no farther."

This fliould be a very predominant confi-
deration why the hoof lliould never be un-
necejfarily reduced ; becaufe every redu6lion
however trifling, either by parings cuttings
or rafping, lays open a larger field for dan^
ger, by gradually taking away the original
means of safety. So great is the variety
of opinions in refpe6l to shoeing, and fo
diverfified our difpofitions (as influenced by
caprice, pride, or Jingularity) that one ge-
ISTERAL and ESTABLISHED mode of fhoeins:,
adapted to the different feet of the different
fubje£ls we cannot, at leaft in the prefent
age of refined folly, expe6l to fee ; but if
there is one aflurance that can be traufmitted
to the Public with greater claim to atten-
tion than another, it is, that from the firft
embarkation of the Author in the fervice
of the Public, more than two years fmce,
(and conftantly fhoeing for more than two
hundred fubfcribers,) not a fingle horfe has
been pricked, lamed, or fuftained an injury ;
which circumftance is only promulgated to

juftify

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. i8i

juftify the privilege of laying before the
public, fuch mode, as feems entitled, by
its reputation, to their approbation and
imitation.

I may here venture to affirm, that it is
not abfolutely necefTary for any man to ac-
quire anatomical knowledge of the jftruc-
ture of the Foot, before he is qualified to
4ire6i: in what rational way he chufes to
have his fhoe formed or fixed. A general
knowledge is for him fufficient ; it will
fuffice, that he is well informed of the ge-
neral points, - — that the Foot is not per-
mitted (by growth) to extend itfelf to an
enormous and preternatural length at the
/Of, — that the heel is not to be narrowed
down on either, or both fides with the rafp^
or fliced away at the extreme points with
the butierisy — that the outer fole is not un-
mercifully pared away to rob the inner of
its PROTECTION, — that the web of the shoe
is properly adapted to the breadth of the
foot, — that the heel of the fhoe is long
enough to prevent indentation, and wide
enough to admit the gradual growth at the
HEELS — with a flrift injundlion that each
N 3 ' ■ point

l32

SHOEING, AND

point of the heel of the horfe, ftands dl-
fc6lly upon the center of the heel of each
web of the flioe.

This latter remark becomes the more
neceflary, when it is re-confidered, that
great tendernefs, if not palpable lameness,
is frequently caufed by the fhoes being
formed too fhort, as well as too narrow at
the heels ; where the extreme points of the
hoof not having proper and fubftantial
bearing, it may be obferved, that in a
very few days the heels of the fhoes
■continue to make gradual impreffion,
and conftitute the very indention jufl: de-
scribed upon the edge of the fole^ and di-
re611y over the line of union with the wall
of the hoof : producing to a certainty upon
repetition the firft formation of Corns, or
in good found footed horfes, only a tempo-
rary ftridlurc or flight lamenefs, which is
commonly got rjd of by removing the
fhoc.

Corns are in general occafioned by this
flovenly mode of fhoeing, much more thai^i
by any defe6t in Nature, and are permitted

(by

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 183

(by a want of attention) to acquire a rigid
callofity, approaching offification, before
the leaft attempt is made for extirpation ;
during which they become fo inflexibly
firm and fixed in their bafis, that they are
not cafily to be eradicated, though great
care and perfcverance will materially pro-
mote a tnitig-ationy if not eftablifli their
CURE. To cfFe6l either of thefe the only
certain mode is, to reduce the rigid pro-
perty of the part as much with the drawing
knife as is confident with fafety, and the
thickncfs of the sole will admit ; care-
fully obferving not to penetrate the part too
deeply, thereby conftitutnig a protrufion of
the INNER SOLE, which would inevitably
render the remedy worfe than the disease.

When the hard and horny fubflance is
thus -carefully extracted as much as the
nature of the furrounding parts will ad-
mit, let the entire deftruftiun of the ori-
ginal formation of defeat be attempted, by
the occafional infuiuation of a few drops of
Oil of Fitrwlj Spirit of Sea Salt, or finglc
Aqua Fortls over the furface ; this will
effedlually fupprefs a renewal of the prefcnt
N4 growth.

i84

SHOEING, AND

growth^ and may, if neceflary, be occafi-
cnally repeated to prevent the future.

There is a defed in certain horfcs, call'd
CUTTING, either before, behind, or both,
which is by the owners generally attributed
to an error in fhoeing ; tho' it is very fre-
quently the efFeil of natural formation, and
occafioned by a weaknefs in the paftern
joints, particularly where the fubjefl is
obferved to turn out the toes. It cannot be
denied but it fometimes happens in con-
sequence of an indifferent mode of fhoeing,
particularly where the shoe is evidently too
moide in the heel^ or an unneceflary weight
of iron affixed to the foot ; the mode of
rectification in all which muft depend upon
the eye^ the hand, and the superior judge-
ment of the OPERATOR, the particular
points being too truly conditional to admit
of defcription, thro' the medium of either
the pen or the prefs.

It will perhaps appear fingular to hold
forth an idea^ that may not hitherto have
been either much conceived or much fup-
ported ; but it cannot be either unreafon-

ablc

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 185

able or unnatural to fuppofe the defe£l of
cutting has been ocafioned in many horfes
by conftant and fevere riding when too
young ; of which there are not wanting
inftances of corroboration, by adverting
to the very circumftances of their never
repeating it when a year or two older.

It is alfo equally confident in reflexion
to conceive, that many a valuable fubje<£t
has been compulfively brought to this ftate,
by long, repeated, and unmercijul journies ;
with the weary legs warping and twifting
tinder the impatient weight of a humans
Master, or the galling fpur of an honeji
fervant\ v/ho on the following morning are
fo totally forgetful of their own indifcre-
tions, and the exhaufted fi:a,te of nature in
the animal, that they become clamorous
expoftulants with the Smith, endeavouring
to fix upon him. the Jligma, that they alone
are fo eminently entitled to.

It becomes here dire6ily neceffary to ob-
ferve, that the annexed Plate of the
Shoes in ufe at the Receptacle, is intro-
duced merely to communicate the general

principle

SHOEING, AND

principle of Shoeing with fcientific neat-
ness, EASE, and SAFETY ; fiibjeft to fuch
trivial variations, as defers or conting-en-
cies may require ; adhering only to the
plain and incontrovertible fyftem of con-
fiftency, evidently perceptible upon a view
of the fhoes fo accurately reprefented.

It will here be found, that the JIat and
ev^n furfacc of the " front" is rationally
calculated to correfpond with the Foot in a
ftatc of nature, and to come into the more
uninterrupted contact Math the furface of
the earth ; on the contrary, the " back
view'* holds forth a dire6t line for an
equal bearing of the hoof, into which only
the infcrtion of the nails can be made with
fafety ; while the concave part a6ls as a
powerful protcdtor to the outer sole of
the foot, where no bearing upon the iron
fliould, or can take place without a chance
of immediate lamenefs.

Thefc SHOES being fubmitted to public
infpe6lion as criterions of excellence, they
become fubjeft only to fuch little difference
in formation, as the fize of the foot may

require

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 187

require, in either enlarging or contra61:ing
the whole, and narrowing or v/idening the
web of the fhoe in proportion to the weight
of iron the Tiorfe is calculated to carry, as
well as what may be neceflary to infure
the prefervation of the foot. Steeling at
the TOE is a matter of the greateft utility,
particularly to iveak and thin footed horfes,
as well as to thofe who have been fo un-
feelingly reduced at the heels ; as they (by
lafting fo much longer in wear) prevent
fuch frequent repetition of shoeing, and
confequently give greater time for the de-
£r2.ble growth of every part of the hoof.

Upon the fubje6l of *' corking " (as it is
called), or railing the fhoes at the heels,
fomething requires to be introduced ; to
thofe in the ferious habits of rumination it
muft have afforded this obfervation, parti-
cularly in the ftreets of the Metropolis, that
altho', according to the affertions of fome,
fuch corking may keep the fubje61: from
flipping, yet where the prominencies in
the pavement are fo numerous, how in-
ceffant muft be the fhocks to the animal,
where the projedions in the fhoes and the

floncs

iSS SHOEING, AND

ftones are eternallv comino; in conta£l with
fo much force, and how painful muH: be
the fudden diftortions. Of the truth of
this fuggeflion there cannot be a greater
proof, than a fingle inftance of laft winter
only, in the intenfc froft, when one of the
firfl job and hackneymcn in the Metropolis
had abfolutely fevcnty horfcs lame at the
fame time.

Two other flight remarks upon the ge-
neral fyjiem feem only neceffary previous
to an entire difmiffal of this fubje6l ; one of
which is, to recommend a total difufe of
the erroneous cuftom of forming the groove
(or fullering) in the web of the fhoe, nei-
ther wide or deep enough to receive the
head of the nail ; for the entire reception
of which, fuch cavity was originally
formed, though very feldom if ever^ ren-
dered fufficiently large for the purpofe it
was intended. The difadvantage is this,
not only eternally throwing the foot (upon
a Hone pavement) into a variety of difcorted
pofitions, but by the heads of the nails be-
ing unequally high, they are fo inceffantly
battered with action, that the clinches are

all

Management of the feet,

all in a ftate of projeftion in a few days,
and fuch marks occafioned upon the fet-
lock by cutting, that fometimes they arc
a great length of time before they are
obliterated.

The other is to difcountenance the pre-
vailing praftice of furniihing the horf©
with a much wider web and a greater
quantity of iron than the foot can poffibly
ftand in need of, as well as the forming a.
flioe with fuch a palpable convexity,
arifing from the edge of the fhoe, all round,
to conftitnte an abfolute bulge in the
center. It may, perhaps, in fome few
cafes of flejhy footed horfes poiTefs its points
of utility, but never can be entitled to fuch
general pra»5lice as we daily perceive in al-
moft every smith's fliop in the Metropolis.

By this convexity round the inner edge
of the web, the fupport of the frame be-
comes unequally partial, and even in the
conftant weight of the horfe forms an op-
pofition to its original purport ; for the in-
variable prelTure upon the centrical and
projecting part of the fhoe only, muft con-

ftitutc

igo SHOEING, and

flitute in the furrounding parts an evident
counteraction, which being the feat of the
nails infertion, the fafter the horfe moves
^nd the harder he bears in adion, the more
it muft tend to force the nai/s from their
Jbo/d, and injures the hoof proportionally.
In fuch flate we fee many draught horfes
limping through the ftreets, tho* not abfo-
lutely /ame^ yet in fo great a degree of
iendernefs and dif quietude^ that it were *' de-
voutly to be wilhed " fo erroneous a mode
could be univerfally abolifhed, where no
one advantage can be obtained from its
continuance.

One opinion fhould become general rc-
fpeding the time of shoeing, a matter
that is too frequently protrafted by the con-
temptible penury of one clafs, or too often
unnecefTarily anticipated by the impatient
career and unthinking extravagance of
another ; the former permits an indentation
of the Jhoe upon the fole, as well as a pro-
bable deftrudlion of the frog and introduc-
tion of Thrujh ; while the latter by its fre-
quency batters and breaks the hoof, (par-
ticularly

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 19 1

ticularly if of ihe, brittle kind) to a percep-
tible degree of injury,

A fair and even going horfe will with
moderate work carry his fhoes a Months and
feldom vary more than two days of that
time at each want of fhoeing ; one of a
contrary defcription, who beats out and
wears the (hoes exceedingly at the toe, will
go but a day or two over three weeks in
fimilar conftant work ; with Jleeling they
go about one third of the time over, which
is more than compenfation for the trijling
additional expence.

Upon this fubjedl one more obfcrvation.
only becomes at all applicable to the pur-
pofe, and that perhaps, if properly attended
to, may poffefs an influence fuperior to the
whole of what has been hitherto introduced;
but as it has before appeared in print with
the fandtion of my name to recommend the
praftice, I can only prefume to give it
as a quotation from what has been fb
highly honored with the ftamp of public
approbation*

"Having

S H O E I N G, AND

Having for twenty years previous to
my prefent embarkation in the fervice of
the public, ever confidered the eafe and
fafety of my horfes one of the leading com-
forts of my life ; I beg permiffion to re-
Commend for their deliberative imitation,
a part of my invariable cuftom, that hap-
pily left me without an injury fuftained
from flooe'ing for the number of years be-
fore mentioned. This has always been, to-
let the manual operator (in fa£l the jour-
neyman, whom I have ever confidered
the MAIN SPRING of the machine,) enjoy
fome pecuniary compenfation, in addition
to the profeffional emolument of the
mafler; not more from a confcientious
conviftion of its being greatly merited by
the trouble, care, and danger of fhoeing
refractory and high fpirited horfes, than
experimental demonftration, that gene-
rosity, founded upon the bafts of equity^
will inevitably infure its own reward.'*

The trifling attention, the humane bene-
fa6lion of a cooling beverage, to allay thirft
in the exceffive heat of fummer, or the fa-
lutary interpofitioa of aa iavigoratiag cor-
dial

Management of the feet. 193

dial, to countera£l: "the extreme feverity of
frojt ox fnow in winter, are offices of kind-'
nefs that in their vifible eiFedt upon the
hand and ..the hammer, infure beyond a
dovibt the fafety of the horfe and the repu-
tation of the owner. The philanthropic
influence of " doing fls you would be done
unto " i.s repaid with the moft flattering
intereft ; the fame care and attention be-
flowed upon the feet in flioeing, are ex-
tended in general- tendernefs to the fafety
of the v/hole frame upon all other pro-
feffional occafions ; if refratlory or vicious,
he is foothed by kindnefs, not provoked by
violence; in fhort, whatever fatigue en-
fues, v/hatever difficulty occurs, the exe-
cution is cheerfully completed with a
grateful and retrofpeitive reference to the
perfevering liberality of the mafter, who
never can, (it is evident under thefe confi-
derations) better afcertain the fafety of his
horfe, than by one of thofe voluntary tax-
ations that poor Sterne (whofc hand and
heart invariably moved in unifon ) in-*
fl:in6);ive]y beftowed upon the wj-etched and
the necejfitous.

O Thus

f94 SHOEING, ANEf

Thus far the a6l and ART OF shoeing,
tjpon which fo much might be introduced,
did the Umits of this publication permit
the extenfion ; that being impra6ticable, we
proceed to make fuch remarks upon the
farther management of the feet, as it is
•earneftly to be wifhed may be produdlive of
proportional utiHty.

All thofe in the habits of obfervationy
know the neceffity of defcending (in pur-
chafe) to a very nice and accurate exa-
mination of the feet ; as well as how t»
diftinguifh between the excellence of a
good found fubftantial blacky and a narrow
heeled brittle white ; or a foft fpongy foot
with a palpable projedlion of the fole^ even
beyond the wall or hoof that furrounds it^
The firft of thefe is fo evidently the fupe-
rior, that unlefs by fome bad management
it feldom or ever becomes fubjed: to defeat.
Not fo with the fecond, which is, by fome
means or another, generally defective ; if
they happen not to be the feat of thrujhes
(which nearly nine times in ten is the
cafe) they arc fo remarkable for a want of
natural adheficn^ that the outer fole is

eternally

Management of the feet. 195

fcternally fcaling off and leaving the lowef
edges of the hoof without the mutual fup-,
port expe£ted from each other; rendering
the hoof liable to fplit and break with the
infertion of the nails only, and is the very
reafoh why the feet of horfes with white
hoofs bear fo much the external appearance
of being tnore battered and in worfe ftate
than any others that come before visi

The latter is a preternatural or unr
Common growth and enlargement of the
flefliy or infier fole, which by its own powej:
fo preffes upori the weaknefs of the outer,
as to conflitute the prominence we fpeak
of ; this frequently exceeds in projeclioii
the furrounding furface of the hoof itfelf,
and requires not only a judicious eye and
fkilful hand in the operation of shoeing,
but likewife fome ftable care and attentiori
to affift: in promoting and encouraging the
growth of the hoof (to overcome the pro-
jeftion of the part already defcribed) by
means that will hereafter be accurately
explained.

A great

196

SHOEING, AND

A great variety of opinions have not only
been promul2;ated from the prefs, but arc
in eteinal verbal circulation, upon the pro-
priety or impropriety of flopping, oiling,
&c. the different kinds of feet ; and fo true
is the fcholaflic copy,

Every fool's wife in his own conceit,'*

That we find the Groom an echo of his
Master, or the Master of his Groom, in
holding forth a long lift of irrational infal-
libles, without the happy power of com"
municatins: a fino-le scientific or sys-
TEMATic remark, to ftrengthen their re-
commendation or juftify their mode of
adoption.

Well aware of the great diverfity of opi-
nions upon this topic, it can anfwer no
fatisfaftory purpofe to embark in the te-
dious talk of counteradlion ; but powers
fully convinced of the numerous advantages
arifmg from long and attentive Experience,
when put in even a momentary competi-
tion with deliijive theory and deceptive
SPECULATION, I caii feel no hefitation in

ftating

MANAGEMENT of the FEET. 197

ilating the general pradice of my own
STABLES ; leavins; to the mduftrv of the
READER to fuggeji^ OF to coUe£i from the
various pages, (under different heads,)
fuch deviations as different circumftances
rnay render unavoidably neceffary. The
falutary effe6ls of plentifully oiling and
nightly stopping feet of the jivji and fecond
defcriptioii, are too fully confirmed bv fleady
perfeverance and accurate obfervation, to
render oppofition (from any authority
whatever,) worthy a moment's confider-
ation, or a condefcending reply,

The difference, upon examination, be-
tween a hoof managed in this w^sy,- (parti-
cularly in the hot and dry months of fum-
mer,) with one in a fiafe^ of nature, will
.evidently denote the advantage of fuch care
and attention. Whenever they have occa-
fion to be fhod, the hoof and outer fole of
one is fure to be in a ftate of uniform pli-
ability, and of proper texture to bear fuch
ufe of the inftruments as may be neceffary
and unavoidable ; the other frequently in a
harili, brittly, irregular fcaling of th^ fole,
an inflexible rigidity of the hoof, accom-
O 3 panicd

198 SHOEING, ANB

panied fometimes with large and dry'
enormous clefts on each fide the frog, not
at all difiimilar in caufe or appearance to
the cracks we lb conlliantly perceive in the
earth during a dry fummer ; when the
chafms in both prove the contraction of
each to have originated in a want of
moifture ; an abforption of which will
evidently expand and diftend either one or
the othcr^

Admitting a plentiful impregnation of
the whole with what is called the droppings
of (or fecond ) Spermaceti Oil, to con-
flitute and fupport a regular growth of the
hoof, fomething becomes neceffary upon
the fubjed]: of nightly Jlopping; particularly
where fo great a variety of opinions ever
have, and probably ever will be fupported.
Confcious of fuch contrariety proceeding
perhaps from the perverfenefs of nature,
and the not all being equally difpofed to be
pleafed ; we fhall only lay down (without
farther explanatory matterj as concifely as
pofTible, fuch rules as have been found per-
fedly fuccefsful with the different kinds of
feet already defcribed.

The

MANAGEMENT OF the FEET. 199

The found fubftaiitial black firm hoof
firft mentioned, may be invariably flopped
with moift cow dung ( totally -unmixed
with any other article ) collected from the
fields, and kept in a stopping-box, with a
wooden fpatula for that purpofe.-

The white fcaling lpi*ittle hoof requires a
peculiar and much more troublefome and ex-
penfive mode of management. The flopping
£0 remedy which inconvenience fliould be
made as follows : Take Bran, three dou-
ble handfuls. Mutton Suet, two pounds,
and fecond Olive Oil, one pint and half;
melt the two laft over the fire and let them
be well incorporated with the bran, 'till
cold, and the feet flopped every or every
other night, as the harfli and brittle flate of
the hoof and outer fole may require.

The lafl or foft, fpongy flefhy foot, (from
its particular laxity) ftands in need of a flill
different treatment. Take Cow-Dung,
with its moiflure confidcrably exhaled by
the fun, or by being placed in a dry fpot,
and frelh Horfe-Dung, equal parts ; let
them be exceedingly well mixed together,
O 4 and

200

DEFECTS

and then ftir in as much good White Wine
Vinegar, or old Verjuice as will render it
of a proper confiftence for conftant nightlj
ufe. Having gone through, with as much
precifioii as the limited confines of this
Compendium can poffibly admit, fuch
mode of management as with propriety ap-
pertains to the FEET; we come now to
what is of at leaft matter of equal mag-
nitude, and proceed to confider the various
<lcfe6ls of

The 'EYES,

Upon which it has been the invariable
cuftom, with moft writers, to introduce fo
much profeliional difquifition and technical
phrafeology, fhall now be divefted of fuch
ambiguous jargon; and the fubje£l:be brought
nearer to the ftandard of general compre-
lienfion, that it may, as it ought, be a little
better underltood. To render this the more
efFedual, we will pafs over as unneceflary,
ANATOMipAL Structure (equally abftrufe
and wonderful) and without further gre-
kide proceed to a plain unembeilifhcd dcr

fcription

OF THE EYES.

2Q1

fcription of fuch defedts as frequently occur,
with fuch extemporaneous means of relief,
as juftly ftand the higheft in eftimation ;
jcarefuliy ardhering to the original intent of
rendering the elucidation equally adapted to
the conception of " The Gentleman, —
The Farmer,- — The Groom, — and The
Smith."

To do this with the greater probability
,of fuccefs, all complex and remote allu-
fions fliall be carefully avoided; that a llib-
je6l of fo much confequence in conftant
|)ra£tice, may have the advantage of every
improvement, and fuch improvement
brought into univerfal circulation, for the
promotion of a general good. Diseases
and defects of the eyes, are evidently and
properly reducible to a very few diftinct
heads, as

1. Inflammation from Cold, or ex-
ternal injuries.

2. A thickening of any one coat or HU-
jviouR of the Eye.

3' A

DEFECTS

A FrLM, covering the entire Orb of
the Eye ; — and

4. A gradational Loss of Sight, by a
conlra&ion of, (or comprejfton upon) the Op-
^-ic Nerves.

Tlie firft, if from a blow, generally dif-
plays itfe.lf by fvvelling, in proportioia to
the force vi^ith which the blow was given ;
and is accompanied by a difcharge of ferum^
attended with great heat and conliderable
pain.

Horfes it is fuppofcd (but it is natural t6'
Conclude erroneoufly) are feverely attacked
in the Eyes from the effedt of Cold ; but
were we to decide with unfullied imparti-
allity, we might attribute fuch appearances
to the tnterpojing power of the back of the
Curry-comb or Brujh, equally handy to
beftow the indignant blow of revenge, upon
any little excitement of diflike or refent-
ment. Nor is this obfervation the refult
of conjecture alone, it having been too fre-
quently confirmed by obfervation ; to re-
cpncile which the better, to thofe who do

aiot

OF THE EYES, 203

not enter into the minvitiaj of human occur-
rences with fo much accuracy, it may not
be inapplicable to ftrengthen the circum-
ftance with a confiftent remark, — that if
fuch defedt fhould have been occafioned by
Cold, it is moft probable botlj Eyes would
fuffer ; when on the contrary, nine times
cut of ten, we find one Eye only affedled.

Faffing over this oblique hint as a matter
more worthy the future invefligation of
thofe GENTLEMEN who do not condefcend
to fuperintend their fervants, than thofc
who do ; we come to the mode of treat-
ment to be adopted, which in almoft every
cafe without exception, will be found pro-
duftive of the mofh expeditious relief. If
the injury fuftained is pofitively afcertained
to have originated in a blow, or from any
other external caufe, the leading flep to an
early redudion of temporary inflammation
is by an immediate bleeding, in proportion
to the fize of the horfe, and the circum-
jflances of the cafe. After which let the
eye and furrounding parts be gently bathed
with a fmall piece of tow, plentifully im-
pregnated-

204

DEFECTS

pregnated with the following Lotion, for a
few minutes, three times a day. — Take

Goulard's Extra£l of Saturn, one hundred
and fifty drops.

Camphorated Spirits of Wine, four tea
Ipoonsful; mix, then add of rain or
pond Water, half a pint, wine mcafure,
and lhake well together at each time
of ufing.

Should fuch inflammation of the eyes be
perceptibly the effe£l of " cold, and ob-
ftrufted perfpiration," bleed immediatelj
as beforementloned, and for farther in-
flru6tions, reference muft be made to the
early part of the work, (p. 22,) where par?
ticulars will be found under that head,

A creamy cloudinefs, pervading the
whole orb of the eye, is exceedingly com-
mon with horfes deemed out of condition^
particularly thofe who have fome time
fubfifted upon indifferent aliment ; by
which means the blood has acquired a
iizey vifcidity, and, the circulation a lan-
guor that impedes the adion of the fluids

and

OF THE EYES.

and conftitutes obftru61ions in the finer
veffels, where the impetus, or propuliioii
receives the leaft fupport. To unload the
veffels by a moderate bleeding is the prepa-
ratory ftep; to ftimulate the fecrctions by a
Ihort courfe of " Diuretic Balls," (either
mild or Jirong^ according to the ftate of
your horfe,) every other morning, is the
next confideration ; and to promote a gen-
tle difcharge from the overloaded velTels of
the eye, that the paffages may be perfe6lly
cleared from the obfbu61ions, (before they
acquire a ftagnant rigidity,) are the dire6l
and fyftematic means by which relief is to
be obtained. — To expedite which, Take

White Vitriol, thirty grains.
Sugar of Lead, twenty grains,
Camphorated Spirits, half an ounce.
Spring Water, half a pint.

Rub the two firft articles exceedingly fine
in a glafs mortar, add the Water by de-
grees, and laftly the Camphorated Spirits ;
with a fmall ivory fyringe throw a tea
fpoonful into each eye (if both are afFedcd)
every night and morning.

A FILM

DEFECT^

A FILM covering the entire orb of the
EYE, we frequently fee arife not only from
the caiife jlifl recited, but alfo from a Jlick
with the lajh of a Coachman's whip (at
which they are exceedingly expert in
paffing), or the moft minute touch or
pundure from a pointed inflrument; in
which cafe you obferve a white fpeck at
\vhat may be called the feat of infertion,
that frequently increafes 'till the pupil of
the eye is entirely obfcured : and a variety
£)f inftances have occurred in pradice,'
where the entire film has been obliterated
In three weeks, or a month, by no other
application, internal or external^ but the
iotion above recited.

The lofs of fight, from what is called
*' a contra61ion or waflingr of the Optic
Nerve," has defied all the accumulated
fagac'ity and united force of the faculty,
who, if they hotiejlly fliake off their load of
profejftonal ambiguity^ will acknowledge,
they never yet knew a Jingle cafe of this
kind fubmit to any one of the innumerable
feledions made from the Materia Me-
DJCA. It mufl be admitted, that not more

OP THE EYES* 20j

than two years fince, A gentleman, de-
fervedly high in the eftimation of the
PUBLIC, as well for his ftrenvious endea*
vours, as his profeffional pre-eminence,
had indulged a hope that Mercurials?
would prove a fpecific^ and every advantage
would have been derived from their infalli-
bility. So confcious were his friends of
his having .difcovered this philosopher's
stone, that they re-echoed his fuccefs in
every part of the Metropolis; unfortu-
nately for thofe interefted in fo happy %
difcovery, one relapfe upon another (fol-
lowed with TOTAL blindness) ferved only
to convince us, that when combating with
the difpenfations of a Superior Power^
however we may " endeavour to defervCf
we cannot command fuccefs.'*

This peculiar kind of blindnefs is by na
means fudden, but may be perceived im-
pending long before its final termination;
and is, even to a flight obferver, imme-
diately difcernible by a contraction in the
brow, and a vifible indentation in the
centre of the eye-lid, juft above the orb.
This may to a certaipty be deemed /Wyra^/<f,

2o8 DEFECTS,

in oppofition to every expenfive eiidsavoiTr
OF fcientific difqiiifiticin upon the fubjefti
There is alfo another kind of cafe, exceed-
ingly common, feldom enlarged iipon by
any preceding writer, and hitherto re-
maining unexplained. It is where the
objeci: goes totally and almojft fuddenly
blind; but without any film, difcolouration^
or diftinguifhing trait by Vv'hich the defe61
may be obferved, unlets by thofe who are
ill the , habit of makins: nice exftminationa
As no caufe has been afii.oned for fuch

O

cafe, no name has been annexed to it,' I
have, therefore, in every inftance, termed
it " a folution of continuity," from a con--
yi<9;ion that it is originally a relaxation, and
•ultimately a rupture of fome one of the
interior coverings of the orb ; relief in
which is very much beyond the utmoft ef-
fort of art to efte6t.

FOMENTATION, and its EFFECTS.

The repeated occafions we fhall have to
recommend this procefs, renders it neceffary
to introduce fome few remarks upon its

UTILITY,

FOMENTATION, &c. 269

UTILITY, a matter that has hitherto been,
but little agitated, and lefs brought into
ufe. Whether this may be attributed to an
habitual indolence^ or profejftonal objlinacy
in VuLCANiAN PRACTICE, it may not be
flridlly proper for me to decide ; but cer-
tain it is, and it will be univerfally admitted,
that in the general occurrences of the day,
in SHOPS and Jheds of the firft eminence, fo
extraordinary an operation as the hmple A£i
of Fomenting, is hardly ever heard of.
The true (late of the cale is this, the felec-
tion of the herbs ^ the boiling of the deco&ion,
and the patient ufe of the fomentation,
conftitute a procefs too ceremonious, and
too replete with medical minutiae, for the
Jliblime genius, the intelle£iual brilliancy^
and perfonal volatility of any practitioner;
of the Old School ; who, relying more
lipon the penetrative power of inflammatory
fpirits and cauterizing oils, than any lenient
modes of mitigation, can never condefcend
to derive advantage from the more enlight-
ened page of experimental inftrudion.

Notwithfianding this determined Jlerility^
this declaration of ivar againft improvement ^

P it

2ie

FOMENTATION,

it becomes a matter of abfolute charity to
inculcate with all poffible force the necef-
fity of introducing a pra£lice, that of all
others feems to promifc mort general utility
than any hitherto fan<5lioned in the whole
SYSTEM of Farriery.

The ridiculous and contemptible practice
of " rubbing in hot oils to every injury,
every lamenefs, every laceration 'without
exception^ is too abfurd to admit a fingle line
of animadverfion ; the cuftom is now too
well known, and becoming too generally
fcouted, to require here the reprobation to
which it is fo ferioufly entitled.

Blistering is likcwife a favourite re-
medy Jirjl reforted to, by thofe, who eagerly
feizing the anchor of Hope, omit the ne-
cefiary talk of deliberation, and forget to
.diftinguifh between a tendinous lamenefs and
a ligamentary diftortion. Thefe errors are
too fcandalous and too notorious to be palTed
over without remark, and too ferious not
to be guarded againft by the too credulous
pwners of horfes of value, particularly
when it is declared from unequivocal au-
thority,

Ind its £FF£: Ct^.

ill

thority, that horfcs have been, very fie-
quently and haftily blijiered in one part^
■^vhen the lamenes6 has been dccifivelj
proved in another.

Such a Variety of inftances have occured
I'Vithin the laft twelve months, that it is
impoffible to refill: the prefent recolle6;ioa
and communication ; particularly of two
recent and lingular cafes, one of which,
(an Officer's horfe) had been thrice bliftered
in the fetlock joint behind, tho' the injury
was evidently in the roundbone ; and the
other had been placed upbn a bar Jhoe, wet
slay, &c. by the moft eminent pra6litioners
of the prefent day, for a defedt in thefoot^
tho' it was a palpable lameness of the

SHOULDER.

Thus feeing the ill cfFe6ls of a too hally
decilion, it fhould be the firft care, and it
is moft earneftly recommended to the pro-
feffion in general, never to hazard a too
eager predi6lion, either upon the case or its
cure. To a man of fpirit it is a lingular mor-
tification to have faid to-day, what his own.
error compels him to contradi6l to-morrow ;

P 2 9t

^12, FOMENTATION',

or to implicate a promife that he feels hirtt-
felf unable to perform, — a failing that is be-
come as it were an intuitive badge of the
|)rofeffion.

Thefe olDferVations hive been brought
forward, as introdudlory matter to a few
remarks upon the falutary efFeds and great
advantages derived from the ufe of Fomen-
tations, in direct confirmation of the idea
previoufly fuggefted, that the " declaratiork
of war" againfl improvement in practice^
is the refult of habitual indolence ; in de-
clining any preparation produftive of per-
fonal trouble, when fo many old /ianding
prefcriptions can be extemporaneoujly and
cheaply prepared from " Spirits of Turpen-
tine^' — " Oil of Spike,'''' and the well known
lift of VuLCANiAN combujlibles*

Previous to the intended difcuffion, \%
becomes direftly in point to recoiled, that
fome of the boldef dabblers in medical-
difquifition, have prefumed to affert, that-
" every advantage in Fomentation is derived
from its heat, and confequently one kind
of Fomentation, (even milk and water)

ift

AND ITS EFFECTS.

2J3

Is as good as another." To this reafoning I
l)y no means fubfcribe, as the affcrtion is
pofitivcly too much replete with theory^ to
render any prudent practitioner a convert to
its PRACTICE. If we admit that very
flrong cffential oils can be extracted from
the herbs principally concerned in the pro-
cefs, as Roman Wormwood, — Rosemary,
— Lavender, &c. &c. we mufl alfo admit,
that aftrono; decodion of thofe articles muft
]be impregnated with the property of thofe
very virtues that may be extrafted by other
means ; and confequently retain a greater
power of penetrating through the cutane-
ous pafTages, than can ever be expected
from the heat of any fimple fluids, where
po STIMULUS whatever can be contained.

Admitting (what we prefume will neither
be denied or difputed) the great power of
Fomentations in aflifting the efforts of na-
ture, whether to relax and take off the ftric-
ture from the integuments in all inflamma-
tory tumours, toproinote a fpeedy repulfion
or gradational formation of matter; to re-
duce enlargements in lamenefs of different
kinds preparatory to the ufe of powerful
P 3 ftimulants.

FOMENTATION, &«i

ilimulants, and various embrocations, we-
may look up to it with confidence, and it
will as certainly be found in perfeverancc
the very external arcana of reformation.

To render unneccffary a repetition of the
fame prefcription, inftru6lions are here in-
troduced for a preparation of the Emollient
Fomentation, a reference to which may be
made upon every future occafion, where
fuch procefs may be recommended ; as this
leading part is precifely the fame, altho*
circumftances in a variety of cafes^ may
require embrocations ( or applications )
of a different property, to follow the prc-
paratojy part of the operation,

EMOLLIENT FOMENTATION.

Take Roman Wormwood, Lavender and
Roiemary Leaves, Cammomile and Elder
Flowers, of each four ounces ; boil in
three gallons of water for half an hour,
keeping the herbs ftirred below the furface,
and let the affeded parts upon all occafions
fomented with fponges or flannels for a

confiderabk

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 215

confiderable length of time, as hot as it
can be ufed without injury to the hair.

THE

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS,

Contains fuch a variety of pages, and fo
long a Hft o{ probable contingencies, (blend-
ed with, pojjtble deviations) that the extent
of this work is not adequate to the expec-
tation (if fuch there fhould be) of prolix
defcription. The general mode of treat-
ment upon EACH KIND OF CASE muft bc

therefore neceffarily contraBed to fuch fo-
cus, as may refieft its rays of conditional
regulation ; fubjedl to thofe little variations
that unforefeen circumftances may require,
and reafon naturally fuggeft.

Under this head, it is intended to include
not only thofe that are really termed Acci-
dents, from their ftridly being fo, but all
thofe inferior cafes and cafual occurrences,
that are not of fufficient magnitude to claim
long and tedious difquiiition, and yet are
P 4 produdivc

«i6 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS,

prodii£livc of confiderable anxiety to thofc,
who qniuckily, (and equally unexpectedly)
fall under the mprtification of fuch mental
difquietudes.

BRUISES AND SWELLINGS,

Proceed much more from carelefTnefs,
Inattention, negle6i:, or ill ufage, than any
other caufe it is poflible to introduce as a
■a plea for their frequent appearance. By
the three former are included the injuries
fuftaincd in too hailily and brut 'tjhly turning .
horfes in their ftalls ; by which means their
heads are often ftruck againfl: fome one part
or another, and a foundation laid for the
future lofs of an eye. Similar eiTeifls are
not uncommonly produced by a fine foHd
headed fellow (generated /'<?ri6<7^,f when the
Father was drunk^ and the Mother ajlcep)
of a favourite fervant, dragging the horfc
againft the door poft^ in either bringing
him out, or taking him into the ftable ;
a circumftance occurring hourly in the Me-
tropolis, where lh.e foporijic property of the
" liquor of life'''* fo perceptibly abforbs the

faint

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 217,

faint and gl'mmering rays of reafon, as
often to leave very little more than chance
for the fafety of the obje^l at prefent ill
contemplation.

We are not now to be taught that hlowi
of refentment as frequently happen as blows
by accident; and that the poor harmleis in-
offenlive animal fuffers many a kick^ bnafe,
or bajling*^ horn the Servant, as a re-
M'ard for the penury.^ — caprice^ — or puti^iu-
(iUty of the Master,

Cafual brilifes mufl: alfo happen at times,
from the fri61ion' of harnefs, the prefiiirc of
carriages, the bearing of badly fitted or ill-
ftuffed faddles, v/ith a variety of canfes too
tedious to enumerate ; the treatment, hov/-
ever, is in fome degree the fame, unlefs ac-
companied by a laceration, excoriation, or
wound, when its treatment mufi: come into
a future defcription: taking it, therefore, as
a fmple bruife, unattended with any com-
plicated injury, and in its recent ftate,
previous to the formation of an inflam-
j\4ATORY TUMOUR, procur? the following
without delay:

Take

iiS CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

Take

. Extra6l of Saturn, one ounce and half.
Camphorated Spirits, one ounce; fhakc
well together and add, of the befl:
White Wine Vinegar, half a pint,
with a neceflary portion of which
(according to the (ize and extent of
the injury), let the part afFefted be
gently bathed for a few minutes, three
times a day.

Should appearances indicate a fpeedy
fubmiffion, the treatment fhould be per-
fevered in; but fhould it threaten, by its
enlargement, a tumour and confequent
formation of matter^ no attempt need be
made to couriteraft nature, but (he muft
be affiftcd in her efforts in a way that wili
be hereafter defcribed as we proceed. No
bruifes in general occafion more vexation
and difappointment than thofe produced by
the faddles juft mentioned, fo conftantly
ending in warbhs^ — -Jitfajis, and frequently
that moft alarming and diftreffing of all
thefe cafes, a fistula.

To

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 219

To obliterate the two firft and totally
prevent the latter, . eternal attention be-
comes neceffary (by way of precaution,) as
well as immediate afliilance when once the
injury has taken place. Wherever fuch
hurt has been occafioned by the faddle,
either upon the Jide or wither^ it will be
perfedlly right to foment the part with a
piece of flannel impregnated with hot
Vinegar^ for a few minutes previous to the
life of the Saturnine Embrocation jufl
prefcribed.

If the hardnefs of the ftuffing of the
faddle, the edge of the pad, the corner of a
girth buckle, or any other caufe that con-
flitutes a warble^ a fecond or third repe-
tition inevitably renders it an abfolutc
cauterization of the integument, endins: in.
A siTFAST ; this is a palpable eiciiar, be-
come infenfible in itfclf, but fo 6rmly ad-
hering to its interior, that no m.eans of ex-
tirpation can be adopted, fo lafe and fo cer-
tain, as by tenderly raifing the upper edge
with a BiSTORY or penknife exceedingly
fliarp, then taking hold of the edge fo
jaifed with the forceps, diffed till the fe-

paration

220 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS,

paration is effeded, when a few days
dreffing ^with the following, fpread upon
lint, and covered with flicking diachylon,-
cither upon leather or linen, will certainly
efFe6l a curcc

PRECIPITATE DIGESTIVE'
OINTMENT.

Take Yellow Bafilicon, one ounce anci
half. Red Precipitate, reduced to an impal-
pable powder in a glafs mortar, three
drachms ; mix upon a marble flab for ufe.

As WOUNDS in horses conftantly throw
out a great portion of fungous, commonly
called proud fieflo^ which is never fubducd
with fo much eafe and certainty as by the
Precipitate Digeftive, it may be found ne-
ceffary in wounds of more magnitude, to
give it additional ftrength, in which cafe
one ounce of precipitate may be incorpo-
rated with three ounces of the basilicon,
and may be fo underflood by the appellation
of "Strong Precipitate Digestive,'*

when

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 2.21

ivhen we have hereafter occafion to re'»
commend it#

FISTULA,

Originates from the fame caufe upon the
extreme point of the Wither, as a warble
upon the hde ; — FrtSiion-heat, — Pain, — ■
Inflammation, (v/ith or without laceration)
fuppuration and ultimate wound ; which it
has been, and forry I am to affert, Jiill is,
in common pra6tice, the cuflom to attack
with the moft powerful and inflammatory
repellents; till what, if properly treated in
its infancy, would have proved of little or
no confequence, becomes a matter of the
moft alarming tendency and ferious dif-
i^uietude,

If obferved in its early ftate, before any"
laceration has taken place by a repetition
of the injury, the treatment already laid
down in bruises and warbles may be per-
fevered in, and with the greateft expecta-
tion of fpeedy repullion ; but if the part
has been repeatedly bruifed by the fevere

preffurc

izz CHAPTER of ACCIDENTS'.'

preffure and proportional frl(9:ion of thd
faddle, fo as to threaten a formation of mat-
ter, however unpleafing the tafk may be, it
had much better be expeditioufly encou-
raged, by the ufe of the Emollient
Fomentation" with herbs; poultices of
Bread, Milk, White Lilly Root pounded to
a Pafte, (with a httle Olive Oil in addition,)
daily, 'till the oozing from a partial open-
ing, gives warning for a more general dif-
charge ; when the aperture may be made
with an abfcefs lancet^ or a bijiory, in fuch
way as will be moft likely to promote a
plentiful flux of matter from the part. The
wound mav then be drefs'd with the com-
mon Yellow Basilicon, fpread upon
lint, and covered with the poultice for
a dav or two, 'till the contents of the
fwelling is perfeSly liquified, and has all
xun off ; when upon minute infpe6lion and
accurate examination v/ith a probe, fome
fmall Jinus, perhaps, may be difcovered,
that has been formed (as is frequently the
pafe) by the corrofive property of the
.matter, and muft be treated in the fol-
Ipwing way :

To

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 2^3

To thofe in the habits of veterinarian
practice it is well known how very ra-
pidly FUNGOUS ox proud flejh difpiays itfeif in
the wounds of horfes ; to countera6l and
fiibdue this with confijlency is the ex-
cellence of the art of healing. Upon its
firft appearance drefs with the " Pre-
cipitate Digestive ;" not fubmitting in
two days, immediately exchange for and
adhere to the " Strong," ihould which
not fucceed in fuppreffing its luxurlancCy
flightly fcarlfy the furface, tranfverfely and
longitudinally with the edge of a lancet
or BI3TORY, daily y and drefs as already def-
cribed, 'till a cure is complete by this mode
only, which may be infured to a certainty,
even in wounds of the greateft magnitude.

Wherever there are Sinuses formed
which run in various dire6lions from the
POINT of the wither J and are cavities of
different dimenfions in which the probe
may be infinuated two, three, or four
inches, no method is fo truly confiftent,
fo fafe, and invariably fuccefsful, as fy-
ringing the part at every dreffing with a
long necked ivory fyringe, charged with

Tincture

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENT^.

TiNCTUEE of Myruii aiid Friar's' Balsam^
equal parts, which conftantly ftimulating
the remote parts to a diicharge of their foul
contents, is produdlive of a found and
Ipeedy incarnation. Nor has a fingle cafe of
Fistula occurred within the pradice of the
Author, that has not fubmitted to, and been
Completely cured by this treatment alone,
without recourfe to the elaborate prepara-
tions, (" to be poUi'ed into the parts affe6led
boiling hot,") fo forcibly recommended by
tbofe who have formerly promulgated theii:
opinions upon the fubjed.

To prevent unnecelTary repetition, which,
it is the peculiar purport of the prefent
work to avoid, it mull fuffice to obfervc,
that in all swellings, — tumours, — and
WOUNDS, arifmg from whatever caufe, the
very ground work and gradational progrefs
of cure is ftili fyftematically the fame.
The conftitutions, the blood, the juices, the
tendency of all habits and all fubjeds, it is
well known are not alike ; a greater degree
of refiftance and inveteracy will be found
in fome than in ot/jers, confequently where
t\i,c perfevering aid of Fomentations,

Poultices,

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 22^

Paul free, Injections^ and Drejfmgs are re-
quired, they miifl; be continued; and where
the aliiftance of Evacuants or Altera-
tives become evidently necelTary to unload
the veffels or correQ: the property of the
blood, they miift be obtained.

QJJ I T T O R,

Ts a formation of matter on fotrie part of
the circle between hair and hoof, originally
caufed by bruife, tread, punfture by the
erroneous infertion of a nail in fhoeing, or
fome one of thofe accidental injuries where
fuppuration is the inevitable confequence.
As the matter cdllefls, it difplays itfelf ia
the conftantly increafing magnitude of the
TuMouE, and by at length forcing its way
through the integuments in a variety of
ivays, (as in one, two, or more openings)
proves itfelf one of the moft ferious and
imprcffive cafes in the whole pra£lice of
Farriery.

Reformation ih this^ feems to have made
as little progrefs, as in many other parts of
Q the

226 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

the profeffion ; for the old and objlinate
mode cauterization^ — -burning *' difFerenti
holes with a red hot iron," — infinuating
plugs of Corrojive Mercury^ — Roman Vitriol^
and a long lift of equally mild and Jafe de-
tergents, feems by much too prevalent
amohgfl the unenlightened, to hope for a
very fpeedj obliteration.

Different inftances of recent fuccefs might
be adduced to recommend and eftablifh a
more humane, more certain, and more ex-
peditious mode of cure ; but as the recital
of fuch cafes can only become tedious to
an anxious and eager enquirer for the fpee-
dieft means of relief, it becomes merely ne-
ceffary to lay down fixed rules for the dif-
tinSl modes of treatment when taken in
its infancy, as well as when it has unluckily
and inattentively been permitted to con-
tinue unobferved, to an advanced and fevere

ilage of INVETERACY,

When'even the indication of fuch a defeat
is early obferved, (as it always muft be by
an experienced prudent Servant, or a judi-
cious Master) the whole fuccefs of the

cafe

CHAl>TER. OF ACCIDENTS. 2^7

eafe depends upon the propriety or incon-
iiftency of the jirji fteps that are taken. So
foon as a fwelling (and concurring lame-
nefs) in the part is perceived, the idea of
counteraBion by spirituous repellents is
fo truly inconfiftent, that it cannot lay claim
to the indulgence of a moment ; fuch mode
once adopted, doubly and trebly delays (in
its event) the progrefs of fuccefs.

The fooner the effort of nature is en-
couraged, and the fwelling brought to ma«»
turation, the more concife and fuperficial
is the termination of the cafe ; poultices of
Bread and .Milk, a fmall portion of Barley
Meal, and plentiful impregnation of White
Lily Root, pounded to a palte, with about
half an ounce of common Turpentine dif-
folved in each, fhould be placed upon the
center and furrounding parts (of a very
confiderable heat) every night and morning..

When there is a perceptible fluctuation
of matter, make an incifion unon the low-
eft part of the fvv^elling, that the matter
may more eafily difcharge itfelf and run off ;
this becomes the more abfolutely necefTary,
0^3 as

228 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

as the longer it remains in the Tumour j
the greater its property of corrojion, and
power of devaftation in forming finiises of
tranfverfe and longitudinal dire6lions, not
only to the injury of the capfular ligament,
but the articulation of the CoJi?i with the
Coronary Bone,

However, admitting the means to hav6
been taken already recommended in the
early ftage, no fuch diftreffing fccne is to
be apprehended ; whatever vacuum may
have been occafioned, muft be daily fy-
ringed with Compound Tincture of Myrrh,
to cleanfe the wound and ftimulatc the
veffels to throw off the load that furrounds
them ; a pledget of Lint, impregnated
with *' Precipitate Digestive Oint-
ment," (fee page 220) muft be infinuated
loofely into the mouth of each wound (if
there are more than one) and having then"
a pledget of Yellow Digeflive upon the fur-
face, the whole muft be covered with a
poultice, not only to form a proper and eafy
bed to the part, but to foften the uncon-
co£led contents of the Tumour, and affift in
promoting the iieGeffary difcharge : this

being

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 229

being the truly fyftematic mode of pro-
ceeding 'till the cure is efFefted. When
the furface is perfedly cicatrized and free
from pain upon prelTure, it may be hardened
by touching night and morning with a
dojfil of tow, impregnated with Aloetic
Tin6lure, or Traumatic Balfam, inftrudlions
for preparing which will be found near the
conclufion.

Thus flir is underftood to be only a con-
oife, eafy, and certain^ mode of cure, in all
cafes attacked and counterafted in their
earliefl appearance ; but where from inat-
tentio?i^ PENURY, or pufillanimity^ it affumes
a different complexion, and burfls forth
Math redoubled violence, it inftantly be-
comes a matter of the moft ferious dif-
quietude, and is, to thofe unacquainted
with the confequences, proportionally
alarming. After forming, in its grada-
tional progrefs, a coUeftion of matter that
has acquired additional power of corrolion
by the length of its retention, it difplavs
its virulence in a fpontaneous but partial
opening in fome particular part, and is
0^3, frequently

230 CHAPTER of ACCIDENTS.

frequently followed by a variety of openings
for the efFufions of matter previoiifly pent
up in the different pipes (or finufes) al-
ready defcribed.

In fuch ftage of feverity and danger i]i&vs
is no alternative but to ftrike at the very
rooti)f the defe&, with an unremitting de-
termination to effeft a perfe6l and fpeedy
eradication ; this can only arife from a
fteady perfevcrance and bold exertion of
the Manual Operator and Personal
Superintendent. Poultices, as beforfe
defcribed, are to be continued in the way
already mentioned ; as each remote pipe or
Jtnus, has acquired its different degree of
internal callolity, fuch calloiities can only
be reduced by fuch corrojives and detergents
as become fuperior to that rigidity.

What cannot be done by external ap-
plication, muft be efFefted by the force of
applicable infmuation ; whatever openings
there may be with a hard, fiiiulous, or
horney edge, let them be enlarged by a
few flight and delicate fcarifications from

the

CHAPTER oT ACCIDENTS. 231

the lancet or the biftory, having ready pre-
pared the following

INJECTION;

Take of

Prepared Verdigreafe, two ounces.
White Wine Vinegar, one pint.
Compound Tin dure of Myrrh, lix ounces.

^ Let the Verdigreafe be previoufly reduced
to an impalpable powder, in a metal mortar,
then add the Vinegar by very fmall quan-
tities ; when in the bottle, let the Tindlure
be fh^ken with the whole and kept flopped
for ufe,

A long necked pewter fyringe being ob^
tained for the purpofe, and charged with
the above injeftion, the neck muft be in-
troduced diftindly to its full depth in each
wound or finus ; into which it muft be dif-
charged with a fteady force, that its con-
tents may have the power of ailing upon
fuch reniote palTages, as may probably
0^4 (fron>

232 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

(from the external ftate of appearance) not
be fufpe6ted.

Previous to this part of the operation,
(which muft take place dailj without a
iingle omiffion), the Poultice, — Pledgets,
— Dreffings and Bandage fhould be all
prepared, that a chilling expofure to the
air may continue no longer than fo difficult
a procefs renders unavoidable.

Suffice it to obferve, that the applications
of Pledgets^ Ointments^ Poultices, &c. are
precifely the lame as in cales of leis feve-
rity, the necefiary incijions, fcarijications,
ajid different injediinn being the only varia-
tions upon which the certainty of fuccefs
muft be founded ; and altho' all cafes of
whatever kind, do not fubmit fo foon in
one fubjeft as in another, yet no one Quit-
tor has ever occurred in the practice of
THE Author, but what has been completely
cured by this m.ode of treatment, without
any collateral afiiftanee whatever : except
in a very few inftances, where a courie of
Mercurial Physic has been introduced
during the cure, more to infure the future

good

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 233

good condition of the horfe, than any mat-
ter of prefcTit neceffity.

SPAVIN S,
BLOOD, AND BONE.

The fituations of thefe are too well
known to every Equeftrian Iiwefllgator, to
require a lingle page of elucidation ; the
former proceeding from a relaxation of the
velTels by too great and long continued ex-
ertions ; the latter from fuch caufe, with or
without a ligamentary diftortion, confequent
frotriifion^ gi'adational callofity^ and ultimate
OSSIFICATION. The former in its earlieft.
ftate might probably be fubdued by the
force of reflringent fomentations, fol-
lowed by powerful fpirituous repellents,
particularly when a plentiful Bleeding Ijad
taken the lead ; but a relapfe would be evi-
dently likely to happen when brought into
a repetition of ufe.

Under this confideration it would perhaps
be the, moft prudent, without delay and the
chance of difappointment, to adopt the

means

Jij4 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS,

means that experience points out as the
readied mode of obtaining probable relief
and permanent fafety. That is, for either
Blood or Bone Spavin to proceed in the
following way : — for three days let the part
affected be fubftantially fomented with the
Emollient Fomentation" (Page 214)
hot as it can be ufed without injury to the
hair, for full half an hour night and morn-
ing ; this to be fucceeded by the moft pa-
tient fri6lion in hand rubbing downwards,
for a confiderable time, wrapping the parts
immediately round with a flannel roller, to,
infure fome chance of abforption.

On the fourth morning rub in a mo-
derate portion of the Blistering Oint-
ment, leaving the hair over the part well
impregnated, by rubbing or rather drawing
the hands gently upwards when finifhing
the operation, At the end of eight and
forty hours, hold your Bliftering Ointment
before the fire 'till in a ftate of liquefa61ion,
then with a doflil of tow, re-touch the
whole (by dabbing, not rubbing) till the
feat of defe6l is moft plentifully fuppHed ;
if at the end of two or three days n^ore the

efFea

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS. 235

effe£t does not fecm fatisfa^tory, this cere-
mony may be repeated, and for the Blood
Spavin fuch procefs may probably prove
cffe(2:ual.

Not fo with the Bone Spavin, where
the obliteration will entirely depend
npon the ftate and {landing of the
OJftfication. The treatment, however, is
critically the fame, with thefe few varia-
tions, the ufe of the Fomentations mufl
be continued with a more unremitting
perfeverance ; the previous applications of
the Blijiering Ointment muft be followe,d
up with a repetition at the expiration of
eight or ten days, fo foon as the Jiimulus of
the firft procefs has fubfided, or when the
fcurfy efchars begin to fall off, to which a
proper portion of reft fucceeds by t\irning
out as a matter of courfe.

Thefe Operations not fuccceding, tho*
gone through vv^th proper care and atten-
tion, there is then abfolutely no alter-*
native can be adopted but the heat of the
Iron^ paffing under the denomination of

Firing ;

236 CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

Firing ; which diftreffing as the execution
is, frequently deprives thi^ part of its pre-
dominant irritability, but not without
leaving a perceptible peculiarity in the gait^
as well as a palpable biemifh upon the
part,

S P L E N T S

Are protuberances upon the Shank Bone,
that lb inftantaneoully flrike the eye of
every juvenile difciplinarian, they require
hardly a hngle line by way of explanation.
To thofe lefs learned in Jlabularian myjieries
and horfe dealing fecrets, it may afford iome
gratification to be informed, that a Splent,
in either young or old, originates in a blow
or bruife, by which forfie of the finer vef-
fels are ruptured underneath the inte-.
gument, from which oozes an extravafated
fluid, forming in its next ftage a callofityy
its lafl an ossification.

Two modes of <;iire prefent themfelves,
each of which may perhaps retain their

diftincl

CHAPTEU OF ACCIDENTS. 237

diftinct adherents; the one fo re-echoed
from one writer to another " of hammering,
bruifing, burning with hot irons, cutting
-out/' &c. &c. and the more humane and
rational pra6lice of obhteration by gradual
folution. The following, it is to be ob-
served, are not to be abfolutely confidered
the means of infallibility, as fome few
cafes have occurred, where the offiflcatioii
has not only proved too large, but of too
great duration to admit a hope of extir-
pation; yet fo many complete cures have
occurred -in recent pra6lice, that they am-
ply juftify fuch recommendation to atten-
tion and trial.

Let the Splent be fomented with a
fponge impregnated with the hot decoftion
of herbs mentioned under the laft article,
for at leaft ten minutes daily ; then the
part moiftened with a fmall portion of the
following Solvent, wetting a fmall pledget
of tow with the fame and binding it Jlackly
upon the part with a fmall flannel roller ;
remembering when the horfe goes out, or
to his cxercife, that the application is

renevv-ed \-'

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENtS.

renewed (after being dreffed) upon h?s
return to the flable*

SOLVENT FOR SPLENTS.

Take Extradl of Saturn and Oil of
Origanurn, each half an ounce, Campho-
rated Spirits of Wine, two ounces and a
half, fliake the two laft well together and
add the Extra£l ; letting the bottle be well
and conftantly fhaken at each time of ufing,
if which precaution is not invariably ufed,
the Oi/ of Origanum will, by difuniting
itfelf from the other articles, fwim upon
the furface, and bv comino- out alone occa-
lion /ofs of hair, which never does happen
when the compofition is brought properly
into ufe.

Altho' this, by dint of perfeverance in a
variety of inftances does efFe6l the purpofe,
yet at the end of a Fortnight Ihould fub-
miffion not be evident, a little addition of
the two firft articles may be made in equal
proportions ; particularly where the Oil of
Qriganum proves to be adulterated and not

of

CHAI^TER OF ACCIDENTS. 239

t)f a proper and genuine ftrength, as muft
fometimes be expeded in retail fliops of no
great eminence.

To thol*e whofe volatile difpofitions may
render patience, trouble, and perfeverance
matters of mental perplexity , one alter-
native is held forth for their confolation ;
and as that clafs are in general, as well ad-
mirers as reporters of Miracles, both paf-
lions may probably be rewarded by the ex-
periment : in rubbing in every other, or
every third morning, (according to the?
cafe) a fufficiency of Bliftering Ointment
to moiften the furface, and excite a ftimulus'
thro' the cutaneous palTages, but by no
means in fuch difproportion as to occafion
inflammation amounting to temporary lame-
nels, thereby rendering the remedy worfe
than the difeafe.

The STRANGI^ES,

Is a diforder too common to Colts and
Young Horses, by obftruftions arifing
from au increafed circulation when brought

into

i4o CHAPTER of ACCIDENTS.

into life, that hardly one in an hundr d is
known to efcape. The firjft fymptoms are
injiafnmatory-, and the moft predominant
miift be fubdued by the only evacuant
that can with propriety be admitted in
this cafe. Altho' Bleeding in a variety
of cafes, where the crifis depends upon
a FORMATION of MATTER, would be ^r-
roneous, yet in this, for reafons too prolix
for introdu£lion here, it becomes diredly
in point to relieve nature from the op-
preffion under which fhe is found fo evi-
dently to labour.

The mode of treatment necelTary to pur-
fue upon a difcovery of the cafe, is pre-
cifely the fame as laid down in 24 and the
following pages, under a defcription of
" Obftru6led Perfpiration, and its Effbars,'*
with no other difference whatever, than an
adherence to warm emollient poultices to
the glandular fwellings under the jaw, that
ilippuration may be promoted. W hen the
contents are fufficiently foftened, and an
effort of nature is dbferved in a fmall open-
ing (which is generally the cafe) it will
be prudent to enlarge the orifice a little,

when

Lameness. 241

when with daily dreffings of the Yellow
Digestive Ointment, covered with a
proper poultice, the wound foon heals and
the diforder terminates, not unfrequently
without the leaft medical affiflance.

It may, however, not prove inapplicable
to obferve, that there are many young
horfes fo prone to a vifcidity of the blood
and confequent diflenfion of the folids, as
to difplay it in fvoelled legs, cracked heels,
&c. immediately after a recovery from this
diforder; in which cafe either Mercurial
Phyfic or a courfe of Alteratives fliould be
adopted. Such mode of re6lifying the pro-
perty of the blood, mujft, however, be left
entirely to the pecuniary fenfations of the
parties interefted in the event.

LAMENESS,
TENDINOUS AND LIGAMENTARY,

Includes fuch a vaft variety of poffibilities
with their collateral confiderations, that to
include «//, volumes might be obtruded
R. upon

242TENDIN0USandLIGAMENTARY

upon the fubjefl ; nor could thefe when
written, probably point out all the means
by which lamenefs might be occafioned, or
the different degrees of injury which might
be fuftained. Suffice it to obferve, that it
has hitherto been almoft invariably the
cuftom with the professors of Farriery,
to treat all lamenelTes in one and the fame
way ; without adverting for a moment^ to
the difference between a tendinous relax-
ation on one hand, or a ligamentary dif-
tortion on the other.

Previous to every other confideration, it
becomes dire»5lly in point to communicate
fuch information refpe6ling a true difcovery
of the feat of defe£i, as may prove itfelf of
fome utility. It is well known, that by a
too rafh and hafty decifion, errors of the
lirft magnitude have arifen, and applica-
tions have been made for months to one
part, when the lamenefs has ultimately
proved to have been palpably in another.
To prevent miftakes arifing from fuch
grofs inattention, it is much to be wiihed
that one particular mode of inveftigation
might be generally inculcated, where the

refult

LAMENESS.

refult is to centre in the promotion of a
general good.

To the diftin£l and acciirate oblerver
there is only one way of fixing (to a cer-
tainty) upon the feat of defe6l, without a
great chance of being deceived ; at leaft in.
fiich lameneffes or injuries where there is
no external enlargement^ no diftinguifhing
trait, by which the judgement is to be im-
mediately informed. This is to fee the
fubje6t go all the paces (if he is able) of
uuaik^ — trot, — and gallop, with the ftridefl
attention ; during which, kt the eye al-
ways drop to the hoof of each leg, and
come ohfervantly up every joint in fuG-
cellion, when you will, time times out of
ten, inftantly perceive the part that fails :
one point gained, that may then receive
corroborating affiflance from manual ex-
amination. This neceffary inftruftion at-
taching itfelf only to fuch cafes as do not
diredly difplav themfelves to flight ob-
fervation, but require a more deliberate
invefligatiou.

Confidering,

244TENDINOUSandL1GAMENTARY

Confidering, however, fuch lameneffes
as do not come under the denominations
previoufly treated on, as either the effe<5t

of RELAXED TENDONS, or LIGAMENTARY

DISTORTIONS, arifmg from fudden jerks,
• — twijis, — or concujjions of the different
joints ; an adherence to the original plan
of contra61ing each fubje£t to its limited
proportion of " a Compendium,^'* renders it
unavoidably neceffary to reje6l the preflmg
temptation of farther difquifition, for the
concife introduction of fuch inftru£tions as
experience amply juftifies for the feparatc
treatment of the two diftindt kinds of
lamcnefs upon which we are now engaged.

To prevent the poffibility of mifcon-
ception, let it be well underftood, that ten-
dinous lamenefs is meant in all cafes where
the mufcular fvftem is alone concerned ;
and ligamentary, where the caufe is more
remote and confined to the joints. In the
former there is generally a fwelling attends,
occalioned by the temporary inflammation,
and that inflammation in proportion to the
feverity of the injury iuftained. Much

mifchief

LAMENESS.

mifchief is frequently done by blijlering in
this ftate.

The firft ftep to expeditious relief, is to
bleed, by way of unloading the veffels and to
affifl in taking off the painful ftridlure upon
the part. — Foment with fponges dipt in
White Wine Vinegar, as hot as it can be
ufed without fcalding, for twenty minutes
night and morning, following up that
operation with ten minutes bathing of the
Saturnine Embrocation, and let the part be
covered with a flannel roller of fufficient
length and breadth for the part ; the fubje£l
having the advantage of a loofe Jiahle (if it
can be obtained) in preference to a Jiall^

STRENGTHENING SATURNINE
EMBROCATION.

Take Extra£l: of Saturn and Camphorated
Spirits of Wine, each half a pint ; mix
and ufe as above directed.

In mofl: flight injuries, particularly when
early obierved and immediately adopted^
R 3 this

246TENDINOUSandLIGAMENTARY

this mode of treatment is feldom known to
fail, and a mitigation or cure is obtained in
a fortnight or three weeks, v\^ith additional
reft ; on the contrary, where by neglect,
inattention, or inhumanity one injury has
been heaped upon another, Blistering
and turning out are the only means upon
which reliance can be made for permanent
extrication. The painful operation of Cau-
terization (or Firing) is the fafhionable
practice with fome, and like the infernal
fyftem of Cropping, (or in fa£t any other
act of cruelty) has its different votaries ;
but with no fmall fhare of perfonal gratifi-
cation let it be promulgated, that thofe
dreadful inftruments the Firing Irons, in
the Operative Farriery of the Recep^
TACLE, feem to be excluded froiTJ any fhare
of the practice : upon experimental convic-
tion, they efFe6l no purpofe but what may
be obtained by a repetition Blijier, if pro-
perly applied when the ftimulus of the for-
mer has but jufl: fubfided.

Upon the fubjeft of Ligamentary
J^ameness a variety of inflances might be
adduced to demonilrate the Jafety, cer^

tainty.

LAMENESS. 247

tatntyy and utility of the following prac-
tice ; one recent cafe will however fuffice,
as a fpecimen for the unequivocal authen-
ticity of the whole, where the treatment
was fyftematically the fame, and as uni-
formly fuccefsful.

In an early month of the prefent year, a
Carriage Horfe of the fet belonging to Sir
H. G. C. Bart, was brought to the Recep-
tacle, abfolutely dragging one of his hind
legs after him ; holding forth, at jirjl Jighf,
the fear of an incurable injury. Accurate
examination foon proved the Lameness to
be feated in the articulation of the round
bone ; which being not only in fomc degree
deep feated, but covered and furrounded
with the foft parts, it was natural to con-
clude, nothing but great heat, penetrative
power, and unremitting perfeverance,
could excite fufficient ftimulus to afford
even a diftant hope of permanent advantage.

To effe6l this, the feat of injury and fur-
rounding parts were fomented (fee page 21 4)'
with the moft unprecedented patience for
more thar^. half an hour every mornnig,
, R 4 then

248 TENDINOUSandLTGAMENTARY

then as hajiily wifped till dry ; when the
whole was plentifully bathed for fome time
with the following Liniment, frequently
fliaken for an equal incorporation of the
articles, and gently rubbed in to infure pe-
netration. During the time of cure, both
Sir H. and his Coachman were alternately
witnefTes to the progrefs, and at the expira-
tion of three weeks the horfe was returned,
took his rotational work in the carriage,
and has continued ever iince perfeftly
found, and without the leaft indication of
tendernefs or relapfe.

STIMULATIVE LINIMENT,

Take

Camphire, one ounce and a half,
Re6lified Spirits of Wine, one pint; fhake
together, 'till the Camphire is dif-
folyed, then add ^therial Spirits of
Turpentine, half a pint, and laftly of
Baf.badocs Tar, three ounces ; let all
w-hich be iliaken well together, and
kepf.jclofe flopped for ufe in the way
already defcribed.

In

LAMENESS.

In the ufe of this compofition, it muft be
remembered to have the bottle well fhaken
at each time of pouring a fupply into the
hand ; for almoft immediately after the
previous fhaking has fubfided, the Turpen-
tine difuniting itfelf from the other articles,
inftantaneoufly floats upon the furface, and
if inadvertently applied in that way, may
■unnecefiarily inflame the part, and occaflon
a lofs of hair : a circumttance that never
occurs when the application is properly
performed.

Of all cafes occurring under this head,
none can be fo truly difcouraging as thofe
pafling under the denomination of " Shoul-
der Cases ;" for whether they originate
in an injury fuftained by a relaxation of
the ScAPULARiAN MusCLEs, or a ligamen-
tary dijiortion at either junction of the
Ihoulder bone, (viz. with the blade above
or leg below) it is much to be regretted fo
little profpect of relief is held forth by the
utmoft exertion of Medical Interpofltioii :
and when it is coniidered hov/ little can be
effeded by Art^ and how much raay be'pto-

duced

250 LAMENESS.

duced by Rest, fo forcibly affifted by the
efforts of Nature, it becomes a matter of
ferious deliberation with parties interefted
in the event, how far it may be prudent to
fet ProfeJJtonal affiftance and fiiperfluous
expence at defiance.

Before we clofe this fubjecl, let a few
words of expoftulation and advice be be-
il:owed upon the cruel, the unthinking, and
the unwary. It is a fa£l not to be contro-
verted by the ifnpudence of one clafs, or the
ignorance of another, that more horfes are
lamed by indifcrefion in one month, than by
Accidents with good usage in ■kwhnlcyear.
The affertion requires no qualification, no
melioration to reconcile it to the caprice of
interefted individuals, who confidently feel-
ing only for themfelves, own no wrong ;
but to the HUMANE Master, the diurnal
obferver of refle61:ion, and the common
Paffenger in and round the Metropolis, let
the cruelties eternally prafticed upon this
unoffending animal, be placed in rotational
rumination, and mental impartiality will

foon acknowledcre to what caufes are to
o

be

TRIFLES. 251

be attributed that great accumulation of
injuries fo conftantly fuftained.

CURBS

Come fo immediately under a fimilitude
to, and the treatment . of Bone Spavins,
that not a (ingle line is required in eluci-
dation. Fomentation — Repetition
Blister, — and upon non-fubmiffion flight
cauterization with the Firing Irons, is all
that can be introduced upon the occafion.

L A M P A S,

Are nothing more than a preternatural
growth of the roof or upper arch of the
horfe's mouth, which becoming too luxu-
riant, proje£ls below the teeth of the upper
jaw, and coming into conta£l with the low-
er teeth, prevents the perfeft a£t of mafti-
fication without pain, by which means the
horfe taking nutriment irregularly, is fre-
quently difpirited, — low in flefli, — inade-
quate

252

TRIFLES.

qiiate to his work, &c. Extirpation by
burnings is the regular practice, and when
both neatly and expeditioufly performed, is
not to be objected to ; the only inconveni-
ence attending that mode is, the great paf-
fion the Operator in general has for
*' cutting deep enough," thereby laying
the bones bare, and rendering the horfc
fliy for many months, before the recoU
le(5lion is fhaken off.

Modern pra£lice recommends, and expe-
rience juftifies the more merciful mode of
drawing the edge of the phleme tranf-
verfely and longitudinally acrofs the flefhy
prominence, which will contraft in pro-
portion to the blood extracted, and leave
the fubjed without a painful remembrance
of fo flight an operation.

CANKER IN THE MOUTH,

Is one of thofe difquietudes to the owner,
and injuries to the animal, that never ori-
ginates but in the ill ufagc of fome unprin-
cipled

TRIFLES. 253

cipled brutiih fervant, or more brutal
paffionate mafter. Whenever fuch cafe
occurs, it nineteen times out of twenty
happens from thofe extravagant exertions
in jagging the horfe's mouth with either the
bits of Weymouth Bridles, or the port
bits of harnefs. Upon examination in moft
cafes of this kind, the jaw bone has fuf-
tained injury, and exfoliations (fplinters of
of the bone) generally follow ; when
which is the cafe, and all are extracted, a
cure is very foon completed, with a daily"
Walhing with Tincture of Myrrh only.

On the contrary, fhould any fuch lacera-
tion have acquired a foulnefs and rigidity
at the edges, unaccompanied by any palpa-
ble fplinter, or threatened exfoliation, touch
the edges with a lancet in various places,
two or three, days in fjcceilion, to deftroj
the fiftulous callofity ; then wafh the part
daily with a fponge, dipt in the following
folution : — Take

Burnt Alum and Borax, each one drachm,
rub to a fine powder, and diiTolve in

fpring

254

TRIFLES.

fpring water a quarter of a pint ; then
add Tin£ture of Myrrh, one ounce.

SANDCRACKS and RINGBONES,

For permanent relief or fubftantial cure,
fubmit only to the Operation of Firing,
and that in the hands of thofe perfonallj
qualified to execute the truft with a proper
degree of manual dexterity ; the great art
of decifion depending upon the line of cri-
terion^ doing neither too little, nor T09

MUCH.

MALLENDERS and SALLENDERS,

Are too well known in their fituation and
appearance, to ftand in need pf much de-
fcription ; they confift of acrimonious fharp
difchaj-ges, or dry harfh fcurf or fcabs at
the backs of the knees, and the infide of
the hocks behind, and are only to be got rid
of by the following means. If recent and
but newly obferved, frequent fubftantial
wafliings with thin gruel and daily impreg-
nation

FARC Y.

255 j

nation with equal parts of camphorated
Spermacoeti Ointment and Mercurial mixed
together, may effed a total obliteration ; but
if either cafe is of long (landing, fubmiffion
-can only be expecled to a perfeverance in
the Mercurial Ointment alone.

FARCY.

From the fuppofed verfatility of its ap-
pearance comes thus late under confidera-
tion ; not from a want of refpefl to the
magnitude of the fubjeft, but becaufe the
nature and contra6ted extent of this publi-
cation would not admit of fuch explanatory
matter as might tend to fwell it beyond the
bound originally propofed, and which it
is intended to adhere to.

The predominant points which the moft
curious or interefted enquirer can poffibly
wifli to afcertain, is its dtjiinguijhing traits^
'—whether it is infs£iious f — as well as whe-
ther it is bona fide and abfolutely inciirahle f
If we were to indule the temptation, and
embark in definition, we might perhaps

fairly

256

FARC Y.

fairly and fyfliematically divide it into two
claffes of partial and univerfal Farcy ;
which would in the event lead us to much
theoretic as well as pra&ical reafoning : that
being however rendered impradlicable for
the reafons juft mentioned, we proceed to
fuch remarks only, as can be introduced
upon the prefent occaiion.

It is well known, that under the judicious
and infallible diftation of Vulcanian Pro-
fessors, every " formation of matter'''' \%
denominated " Farcy more particularly
if fuch circumftance has happened without
any diftinft or known caufe for its appear-
ance. So many of which conftantly occur-
ring, as meer efforts of Nature to difbur-
then herfelf from an accumulated load of
MORBID MATTER, and being as conftantly
cured with fafety, furnifhes us with fuffici-
ent reafon to difmils fuch part of the fub-
je6l, without a fear of its being at any time
either i}fe&ious or incurable.

It is not fo with refpc61: to the well-
known and confirmed Farcy, making one
' univerfal attack and general appearance

upon

WAkCY. 257

lipoil the whole frame ; that it is infec-
tious, recent experience has demonflrated
to a certainty, how far it is to be declared
abfokitely incurable, a little longer time
inuft be allowed to afcertain*

This diforder is announced by a greater
or lefs proportion of puflules upon dif-
ferent parts of the frame ; varying a little
in property and progrefs, according to the
ftate of the blood at the commencement of
difeafe. In fome the eruption is hard and
warty, in others a fcurfy efchar is eafily fe-
parated from the furface, and is then fol-
lowed by either an acrimonious ichor, or
an adhefive glutinous ofFenfive matter, car-
tying with it every appearance of inveteracy.

To inveftigate the caufe, or to reafoni
fcientifically upon effedl's, is not the prefent
obje£l ; to reduce the difeafe d blood, and
to alter the property of what remains by a
'Variation in food, are the leading fteps to
alleviation. To correct acrimony by al-
teratives, and countera£t the tendency of
the whole fyftem by external applicatiofty
,S as

258

FARCY.

as well as attempt a general revulfion by a
courfe of Mercurial Purgatives, is all ,
that can be adopted upon the occafion ;
having in coiiflant remembrance, the per-
fe£i: affurance, that from a reliance only
upon the excellent monitor, " Perfevere
and Conquer," can be entertained a hope of
fuccefs.

Bleed upon the firft appearance, in pro-
portion to the ftatc and fize of the horfe,
and repeat it in four., Jive., ox fix days, ac-
cording to the ftate of the blood. Put him
upon a different nutriment to what he has
been accuftomed for the three months pre-
ceding ; give a few malt mafhes at night,
and a few old beans in the corn of a
morning.

If the puftules are of the hard and
warty kind, rub in a moderate quantity of
the Mercurial Ointment upon the moft pro-
minent every other day for thrice ; which
follow with a daily waftiing of the follow-
ing lotion for a week : obferving, that
where the puftules are of the moift and fcurfy

kind.

FARCY. 259

kind, they may be daily wafhed with the
Lotion only. — Take

Corrodve Sublimate, two drachms,
Redified Spirits of Wine, half a pint.
Spring Water, one pint.

Let the Mercury be rubbed in a glafs mor-
tar to an exceeding fine powder, then add
by degrees the Spirits, and laftly the Water;
with which fhaken together, every part
afFedted may be plentifully moiftened, by
means of a fmall piece of fponge conftantly
impregnated with the compofition.

During the time thus employed, a courfe
of Mercurial Phyfic, either " Mild or
Strong," adapted to the fize and ftrength
of the horfe, fhould be going on, allowing
feven or eight clear days between the dofes ;
.during which clear days, from the fetting
of one dofe of phyfic, to the adminiftratioii
of another, one of the " Alterative Pow-
ders" may be given nightly in the malt
mafh, and the fame plan perfevered in be*
tween the different dofes.

S 2 Should

26o

INCURABLES,

Should any collateral affiftance be ftill
required, recourfe may be had to the Mer-
curial Alteratives defcribed page 140,
where iiiftrudions will be found for their
preparation.

INCURABLES.
BROKEN WIND,

AND

The glanders.

Broken Wind is a dcfe£l: originally oc*
cafioned by a foul and vifcid ftate of the
blood, which remaining unattended to in
its infancy, degenerates to an habitual
RIGIDITY ; the lungs become preternaturally
diftended by the conftantly accumulating
obftru6tions in the finer vefTels, conftituting
fuch perceptible difficulty of refpiration,
(particularly during increafed exertion) as
to hold forth convidion, that fome of the
infinity of impalpable paiTages liaving be-
come impervious, by an evident obftru61:ion
arifing from a vifcidity of the blood, fo
others have become ruptured by the pow-
erful

INCURABLES.

261

crful fpafmodic afFedion of coughing, in
an endeavour to fhake it ofF.

Cure in fuch cafe is not, nor cannot be ex-
pe6led. That Tar Water, fo induftrioufly »
circulated and credulouily fw allowed as a
fpecific, may (like any other Pe6lpral De-
tergent) contribute its aid to the great hope
of mitigation, fhall not be denied ; but that
or any other promifed cure can only prove a
prelude to difappointment. The more the
lobes of the lungs are preffed upon by the
contents of the ftomach, the greater mufl •
be the difficulty of refpiration ; hence arifes
the neceffity for fmall quantities of hay and
' WATER at each time of fupply, and parti-
cularly previous to any increafed or brilk
adion.

As fweet, found, healthy nutriment is
known to generate blood, fo blood (if the
horfe is a fair feeder) may be taken away
in moderate quantity whenever the malady
is obferved to become more diflreffing.— ^
Such fteps may be followed occafionally
( particulai-iy in cafe of cold caught ) with
two or three " Pectoral Cordial or De-

S 3 TERGENT

262 INCURABLES.

TERGENT Balls" for fo many Mornings
in fucceffion, — Mafhes at night, with ho-
ney, or in fa6t any of thofe invigorating
articles that tend to enliven the circulation
and overcome obftrudlions.

GLANDERS

Originates in a tumefaftion of the glands
and a fubfequent difcharge from the nos-
trils, which in its firft appearance is rather
periodical than perpetual ; being on fome
days exceedingly copious, and on others
hardly perceptible. In this early ftate a
kind of coagulum is frequently thrown out
"with fudden exertions of fnorting, as if it
was an effort of Nature to difburthen her-
felf from the accumulating load of morbidity.

When the fubjeft has been fome time
affefted, the difcharge becomes conftant ;
and fooner or later, according to the ftate
or peculiar conftitution of the obje<51:, he
begins to difplay lymptoms of inveteracy,
by a depreffion of fpirit, and bodily laffitude,
indicating as it were a confcioufnefs of his

impending

INCURABLES. 263

impending diffolution. The dilcharge then
appears vifcid and (limy, inclining to a tinge
of yellow, but not yet offenfive ; this is
gradationally followed by trifling and fiiper-
ficial ftreaks of bloody imperfeftly blended
with, or rather trickling upon the furface
of the matter ; to which fucceeds a kind
of grey or afh coloured difcharge, that in-
creafes fo much in the quantity^ the varie-
gation of colour^ and the offenjive eff.uvia
from the whole, that it is impoffible (after
the defcribed progrefs) for any rational in-
vcftigator to give an erroneous dccifion.
\ipon the cafe.

Whatever experiments may have been
hitherto humanely interpofed with an
anxious and laudable defire to prevent fo
many valuable animals from inevitable de-
fl:ru6l:ion, the moft indefatigable exertions
of Profeffional individuals have not yet
been crowned with the moft dijlant profpeil
of SUCCESS. On the contrary, this fevere
and inexplicable dilbrder ftandijig confirmed
an incurable calamity, horfes are prudently
doomed to death, (as the only relief to their
fufferings) fo foon as they are known to

S 4 Jiave

264. MEDICINES, AND

have become the Victims of fo diftreffing
a Fatality ; and this fentenct (however
rehiftantly) is paffed with the greatefl pru-
dence, when it is recolleded, that the in-
fe5iious property is fo predominant, that
(hke the vibrating power of an ele6lrical
fhock) it communicates its defi:ru£live
miafma to every fubjedt that comes withiii
^ts reach.

MEDICINES,

AND

Their ADULTERATION,

Is a fubje£l of fo much magnitude in its
deceptive eifefts, that a great variety of
explanatory matter might be introduced in
direft corroboration ; but as it cannot be
expe£led that anv expoftulatory admonition
here J can be happily produftive of one ge-
neral reformation in the Professional
Practice of Adulteration, or the
equally infamous cuftom of fabftituting

one

THEIR ADULTERATION. 265

one article for another in the preparation of
Medical Prescriptions ; little more can
be done by even the beft and moft powerful
advocates, than to warn the Public of fuch
want of integrity, and to prevent if poffiblG
every individual from contributing to a fup-
port of fuch iniquity, by purchafing medi-
cines not pofTefiing a fourth part of the
Genuine article, under which appellation,
they are d^imn^Wy palmed upon the Public in
the retail trade, in almoft every part of the
three kingdoms.

In direcl proof and by way of fpeeimen
may be held forth the rubbijh eternally dif-
penfed for Liquorice — Anifee d-^Turmeric — -
Fcenugrec—Diapente — and a long lift of
ct ceteras compounded with ground horfe
beans — flour — peas — meal, &c. impreg-
nated with enough of the original (whofe
name it bears ) to give it the neoeffary
effluvia that may fandion the deceit ; but
which articles, if they were genuine-,
v/ould coft nearly double the fum at the
fountain head of commerce, for what they

are

a66 MEDICINES, and

are difpenfed at the counters of the mer-
cenary and the necessitous.

It is perhaps to be lamented that hu-
man depravity fhould ftand in need of
a compulfive excitement to the pra£lice
of honesty; in which perfuafion if wc
indulge even for a moment, the natural
fuggeftion prefents itfelf, that no one

LEGAL INJUNCTION COuld be morC AC-
CEPTABLE, more salutary, than an act
to prevent the fhameful adulteration
of medicine, from which alone fo much
villainy, fo much /o/r, and fo much di-
urnal deception enfues.

Thus much only by way of holding forth
a ufeful hint to thofe fugacious Solomons,
who are in eternal purfuit of bargains^ —
cheap Ihops and rare medicines ; having
communicated which, it now only remains
to particularize a concife lift of fuch ufeful
articles as are evidently neceiTary for gen-
tlemen refidiug in remote parts of the
country, to prevent laying themfelves open
to the before recited impofitions upon every

Dccafion,

THEIR ADULTERATION. 267

occafion, or the neceflity of difpatching
meffengers to country towns or village
farriers upon every trifling emergency.

Tincture of Myrrh, — Friars Balsam,
■ — Extract of Saturn, — ( commonly
called Goulard,) Camphorated Spirits
of Wine, — Liquid Laudanum, — Olive
Oil, — Yellow Digestive, as well as
Camphorated Spermaceti Ointment,
— Fomentation Herbs, dried in the fum-
mer and preferved for the winter, — a
Glyster Pipe, or two, of proper dimen-
fions, as well as an Ox Bladder or two to
correfpond, — a few Purging, — Cordial,
- — • and Diuretic Balls, as well as for
Gripes or Fret, with fome Lint, — Tow,
— and Flannel rollers of different lengths
and breadths; all or any of which will be
configned to any part of England, by tranf-
mitting an order to the Medical Dispen-
sary of the Receptacle.

That however gentlemen may poffefs
the advantage of perfonally preparing fiich
articles as are eafy of compohtion; the

formula

268 MEDICINES, and
»

formula of thofe are fubjoined, as obje£ls of
convenience, and confequently worthy
attention.

CAMPHORATED SPIRITS.
Take

Camphire one ounce and half, cut to
pieces and diiTolve in a pint of Rec-
tified Spirits of Wine ; which keep
clofe flopped for ufe.

YELLOW DIGESTIVE OINTMENT.

Take

Bees Wax, one pound.
Yellow Refin, twelve ounces.
Burgundy Pitch, half a pound,
Olive Oil, tv/o pints.
Lard, half a pound.
Common Turpentine, fix ounces.

Melt the Wax, Rcfm, and Pitch with
the Oil gradually, then take it from

the

•THEIR ADULTERATION. 269

the fire, add the turpenthie, and ftir 'till,
cold*

CAMPHORATED SPERMACGi.Ti
OINTMENT.

Take

Spermacceti, half a pound.
White Wax, four ounces.
Sweet Olive Oil, one pint and half,
And Camphire, one ounce.

Melt the firfi: articles over the fire in the
'Oil, which take off and ftir in the Cam-
phire previoufly powdered, (with the af-
fiftance of a few drops of Spirits of Wine)
in a Metal Mortar.

In addition to whatever the accurate
and attentive experience of the Author
has enabled him mofl: refpedlfully to com-
municate for the much wifhed for im-^
provement in the long negledted art of
FARRIERY, he bcgs permiffion to fay, that
the very flattering marks of approbation,

that

270 MEDICINES, AND

that have fo conftantly reached him from the
moft diftinguifhed characters, m dired: co-
incidence with the preffing perfualions of
others equally high in the sporting world
(upon the unprecedented fuccefs and cir-
culation of his " Stable Directory") firfl:
induced him to render the whole a com-
plete chain of convenience to the Kingdom
in general, by the perfonal preparation of
his moft EFFICACIOUS prefcriptions ; apian
fo evidently calculated to eradicate the
foundation of Empirical Imposition and
Medical Adulteration, it can create
no fiirprize (after a conftantly increafing
ordeal of feven years ) that their eftablifhed
reputation fhould have been fo highly
honoured with the ftamp of public
approbation.

FINIS.

E 271 ]

INDEX.

A

ANIMAL CEconomy, p. 60, 80.
Acute DIfeafes, 113.
Alterative Powders, 139.
Accidents, Chapter of, 215,

B

Blood, the ftate of, p. 14.

, the acrimony of, 59.

Balls for Strangury, 129.

, Mercurial Alterative, 140.

; ^ Mild Purging, for Worms, 14?.

— — , Strong ditto, ditto, 143,
-— , for Gripes and Fret, 118.

, for obftinaie Cough, 149.

Blows, 202, 217.
Bliftering, 21©. ,
Bruifes, 216.
Broken Wind, 260.

C

Craflamentum, p. 17.

Cracked Heels, 28, 73.

Cafe, 30, 44, 93, 97, 99, 13a, i6r, 247.

Cordial Balls, 42.

Curious Meeting, 46. '

Cough, Cold, &c. 25, 146.

, Pectoral Decoftion for, 152,

Malhes for, 25, 153.

27a INDEX.

Cafior, Oil of, p. 159.
Corns, 182.
Curbs, 251.
Canker, 252.

D

Dlfeafe, progrefs of, p. 8»

, fyniptonis oi, 10. •

Defperate Prai^lice, 45.
Dr. James's Powder, ^t.
Diuretics, 6g.
Drink for Fret, 124.
— — , Purgative, 1 1 7.

E-

Eqiieflrian Phyfician, p. 7.
Emetic Tartar, effects of, 48,
Eyes, the defeds of, 200.

F

'Farriers deficiency, caufe of, p, 2.
Farriery, profeffors of, 7.
Fomentation, 65, 20S, 214.
Fret, 113, 120.
Feet ruined, how, 169.
Fiftula, 221.
Fungus, 223.
Farcy, 255.

Grooifli jiulgment, p. 27.
Greafe, 72.
Gripes, 113.

Glyfter for Gripes or Fret, 116.

for Strangury, 1 30,

for Bots, 144.

Gentrofijy, 192,
Glanders, 262.

INDEX.

H

Horfe Doftor, ftigma upon, p. 4.

Hidebound, 80.

Hoofs, difference in, 194.

J-

Jaundice, p. 155.

, Balls for, 157.

Injeftion, Detergent, 231.
Incurables, 260.

L

Liquid Laudanum, p. 49, 125.
Lungs, the DIfeafes of, 145.
Liver, the Difeafes of, 155.
Lamenefs, 241.

; , Tendinous, 244.

, Ligamentary, 246,

, Shoulder, 247.

Lampas, 251.
Lotion, Mercurial, 259.

M ,

Medical Myfteryj p. 66,
Mafhes, 79.
- Mange, 80, 85.
Management of the Feet, 177, 199.
Mallenders, 254.
Medicines, remarks upon, 264.

N

Nitre, its elFefts, p. 27, 33.
Nutritive Aliment, 41,

O

Ointment, Precipitate Digeftive, 220.

, Yellow Digeftive, 268.

, Camphorated, 269.

P

Perfpiration, p. 22.
Purgatives, 68.

T

^ N D E X.

Purging, neceffity for, p. 87.

, inftruftions for, 103.

Poultices, 222. I '
Proud flefli, 223.

Quittor, p. 225.

R

Ringbones, p. 254.

S

Symptoms of Difeafe, p. 10.
Strangury, 11, 127.
Size and Serum, 1 7.
Swelled Legs, 62, 79.
Scratches, 62.
Surfeit, 80.
Shoeing, 165.
Spermacceti Oil, 19S.
Stopping for Feet, 199.
Swellings, 216.

Saturnine Embrocation, 218, 245.
Sitfaft, 219.
Sinus, 223.
Spavins, Blood, 233.

, Bene, 235.

Splents, 236.

, Solvent for, 238.

Strangles, 239.
Stimulative Liniment, 248.
Sandcracks, 254.
Sallenders, 254.
Spirits Camphorated, 368.

T

Thrufh, p. 74.
Tumours, 1 1 8,

w

Worms, p. 134,

, Powders for, 139.

, Purging Balls for, i^^.

Warbles, 219. GENUINE

GENUINE

AND UKIVERSAI^LY APPROVED

HORSE MEDICINES,

O F

The AUTHOR'S

|*REPARATION, SEAL, and SIGNATURE,
are sold at
The receptacle,

ALSO BY

G. Kearfley, No. 46, Fleet-Street;
Peake and Co. No. 27, Hay -Market;
Vade, No. 46, Cornhill ;
Pope, Blunt, and Co. Southwark;
And by no other Perfon in London,

Adams, Loughbro'.
Bailey, Calne.
Billinge and Co. Liverpool.
Blakeney, Windfor.
Boult, Egham.
Briftow, Canterbury.
Browne, Tolzey, Briftol.
Burnham, Nortliampton,
Byrne, Grafton-flreet, Dublin.
Clachar, Chelmsford.
Cole, Fakenham.
Cook, Farnham.
De Lamotte, Weymouth,
Eafton, Salilbury.
Edwards, Cork.
Gedge, Bury.

Goadby and Co. Sherborne.
Gumm, Guildford.
Hazard, Bath.
Higman, St. Auftell.
Holl, Worcefter.
Jackfon, Dartmouth.
Jamefon, Ofweftry.
Jones, Bifliop's Stortford.
Xanyon, Loftwithiell,
Laurance and Trafh, Oxford.

Lidddl, Bodmin.
Marfliall, Lynn.
Newbury, Benfon.
Nicholfon, "Wifbeach.
Norbury, Brentford.
W. and G. North, Brecknoclq
Payn, Saffron- Walden.
Phillips, Leicefler,
Raikes, Gloucefter,
Rickman, Maidenhead.
Sandford, Shrewsbury.
Scott, Edinbui-gh.
Simmons, Thame.
Sketchley, Burnifton.
Smith, Bedford.
Stevens, Bicefter.
Stone, Shepton-Mallet.
Trewman, Exeter.
Tymbs, Worcefter.
Walford, Ware.
J. & T. Watfon, Cambridge,
Wetton, Chertfey.
Whitgreave, Stourbridge.
Williams and Co. Sj\'anfea,
Wright, Wainfleet.-

And one Agent in moft Cities and Towns, To foon as an
Arrangement of fuch extent can be properly formed.

HORSE MEDICINES.

Mild Purging Balls, is. 6d. each.

Stronger Ditto, - -- .- -.--2S.
. Mild Mercurial Purging Balls, - -
Stronger Ditto,- -------

Cordial Rhubarb Purging Balls, - - - ^2S. 6d.
Purging Balls for Worms, - - -
Mild Diuretic Balls for Cracks, Scratches, 1

Surfeit, Hidebound, or flu6luating > 6s. per dozen.

Humours, - -- -- -- - y .

Stronger Ditto, for perceptible Foulnefs,

Defeds of the Eyes, Swelled Legs, and > 8s.

Greafe, - -- -- -- -- j

Peftoral Cordial Balls, for recent Colds orl

Coughs, and to be given after fevere > 8s.

Chafes and long Journies, - - - - y
Peroral Detergent Balls for obftinate Coughs, 1

or Afthmatic and Thick Winded > gs.
- Horfes, J
Fever Balls, - - - - - - -- is. 6d. each.

Balls for Loofenefs or Scouring, - . - is. 6d.
Balls for the Flatulent Cholic, or Fret, - - 2s.
Ditto for the Inflammatory Cholic or Gripes, zs.
DittofortheStrangury,orSuppreffion of Urine, is. 6d.
Bliftering Ointment for Lamenefs, Spavins, ?

Splents, or Curbs, ^S^-perpo.
Embrocation for Lamenefs or Strains, - - 2S. 6d. per bottle
Alterative Powders, for Cracks, Scratches, 7 ^ j

Surfeit, Hidebound, Mange, or Greafe, S P^*"

*^.* Mr. Taplin begs to add his mofl: grateful acknow-
ledgements to the many eminent charadlers, from whom he has
received penniffion of reference for the efficacy of his Medicines ;
and that every plan may be adopted to render the arrangement
more acceptable, he wifhes it to be univerfally known, that
gentlemen refiding in remote parts of the country, who are de-
lirous of keeping a fmall alTortment of Medicines for unexpected
emergencies, may always poffefs the privilege of exchanging
them for new preparations, at any feafon of the Year, provided
theCharaderiftic Seal has not been broken.