V.itf-.i s * vjfec h-\ .% • • • :-:*V :* - .J ".r ., •- ••-*' ^ ' . a: ' ^ , % Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https ://arch i ve . org/detai Is/b2493097 0 THE FOURTH EDITION, CORRECTED, IMPROVED, AND CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED* THE Gentleman’s Stable Diredlory; O R, MODERN SYSTEM O F FARRIERY. COMPREHENDING THE Prefent entire improved Mode of PraBicez LI KEtVISE All the mod valuable prescriptions and approved remedies^ accurately proportioned and properly adapted to every known disease to which the HORSE is incident. Xnterfperfedwith occasional remarks upon the dangerous and almoit obfolete practice of Gibson, Bracken, Bartlet* Osmer, and others. Alfo DIRECTIONS for FEEDING, BLEEDING, PURGING and getting into condition for the chase* To which are now added, USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUYING AND S E LLI NG| WITH AN APPENDIX, Containing experimental Obfervations upon the Management of Draft Horses, their Blemishes and Defects. INSCRIBED TO Sir JOHN LADE, Bart. By WILLIAM T A P L I N, Surgeon L O N D O Ns printed for g. kearsley, at Johnson’s head,* NO, 4 6, IN FLEET STREET, 1/88. T © Sir JOHN LADE, Bart. HE very diftinguilhed charader and eminent fituation you fupport in the J 'porting world, to the great pleafure and admiration of thofe who furround you in the Jield and accompany you in the chafe, will, in the opinion of every experienced sportsman, fufficiently juftify the confiftency and pro- priety of infcribing to you this earned endea- vour to refcue from the frequent and dreadful effects of stabularian ignorance, and em- pirical confidence, the future eafe, fafety, and prejervation , of an animal that not only con- flitutes to every sportsman one of the no- bieft bleffings in life, but, in the fplendour of your Jlud, fables , and equipage , affords ample difplay ( Vi ) difplay of your taste, judgment, and liberality. It is a gratification highly flattering, that I have the prefent opportu- nity to fubfcribe myfelf. With reipedi and admiration. Sir John, Your mod obedient. And very humble fervant. The AUTHOR, Nov. 1 7S7* ( vii ) To the READER ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE FOURTH EDITION. IT would be a tacit acknowledgment of the author’s total infenfibility to every gratification of ambition, was he to omit the communication of acknowledgments that, in their general diffufion, contribute fo very much to his own honour. And he mull ever con- fider it no fmall compliment to his endeavours that the work is univerfaily known to have been crowned with the mod: perfect fuccefs. The very great and almoft unlimited portion of fupport that has fo Angularly fan&ioned its birth, fufficiently demonftrates the abfolute want of fuch publication. This pleafing incenfe to literary vanity could be increafed only by the conftantly accumulating encomiums and moji fabftantial To the READER. hi* vm proofs of private approbation, from fome of the firfi: characters within the circle of The Royal Hut and Favour. Sportfmen, the pro- pitious omen of whofe patronage not only refle&s rays of additional honour, but whole judgment, equeftrian knowledge, and prac- tical experience, jointly eftablilh a criterion of equity , that will ever render the author invul- nerable to the barbed and envenomed arrows of menjlrual criticifm. The rapid circulation of the JirJl , Jecond , and third editions, has forcibly influenced the author to make fuch additions and improve- ments to the fourth , as will, he has every reafon to believe, render it of Hill greater utility t by the introduction of many ufeful obfervations for the prefervation of health and promotion of condition , as well as the treatment and cure of difeafe. The proper management of draft horfes is more particularly attended to, their blemiiKes and To the READER, \t and defe&s are in many inftances evidently accounted for, and the modes of prevention, in general, clearly pointed out. Several effica- cious prefcriptions are likewife added, and a variety of ufeful inftru&ions introduced, for the difbintft and feparate information of metro- politan jockies, juvenile purchajers , and inex- perienced fportfmen j with very interefting hints for the purpofes of buying and felling , including (among many other fcriking and advantageous particulars) a fuperficial furvey of that immacu- late mart of integrity— -a Modern Repoftorj. PREFACE. A PREFACE. IT is a truth generally acknowledged and univerfally lamented that, amidft all the improvements of the prefent age, none has re- ceived fo little advantage from the rgys of re- finement as the Art of Farriery. And, it muft be likewife confeffed, it is an ill compliment to a country abounding with fportfmen , and thofe remarkable for their extreme liberality, that the intelle&ual faculties of many diflinguifhed members of the different learned focieties fhould be abforbed in abftrufe contemplations and intenfe lucubrations upon the antiquity of a coin , the probofcis of an elephant , the genus of an ex~ otic , or the beautiful 'variegations of a butterfly ; whilft a branch of fcience and fludy, involving the health, fafety, and prefervation, of the moft beautiful and efteemed animal this king- dom has to boaftj is negledted as derogatory to A 2 the xii PREFACE, the dignity of a man of letters; and, from this miftaken idea of degradation, a fubjedt of fo much confequence has been for many years fubmitted to the arbitrary didation of the moft illiterate part of the community, without a fingle effort of weight or influence to abolifh the ancient and almoft obfolete mode of prac- tice ; or a fingle attempt made, from proper au- thority y to introduce the modern improvements and difcoveries in every branch of medicine. It is moft certain there is no one period of his- tory where the horfe has been ranked fo high in general eftimation, or rendered of fuch in- trinfic worth, by a difplay of his various powers, as in the prefent age of experiment and refinement. To this caufe may undoubtedly be attri- buted the very great attention paid for fame years paflf to the breed of the diftindf and fe- parate claftes for the turf, field, road, or draft; and as their value has, in a very fhort fpace of time, abfolutely doubled their former worth, Purely we ought to be proportionally anxious for their prefervation, W'hether for [port, con- venience, or emolument. The almoft incredible number of this truly valuable part of the crea- tion PREFACE. xiii tion that annually fall vidfims to the invinci- ble confidence of thofe ruftic fons of vulcan, felf-denominated farriers , (with the thunder of whofe ignorance almoft every village re- founds), has for years feemed to implore the afiiltance of fome intelligent member of fociety to come forward ; and, by blending the ad- miniftration of medicines with a pradlical knowledge of their properties and efeSfs^ refcue the poor fuffering animals from the conflant, invariable, and unrelenting, depredations of illiterate praSHtioners and experimental perfe- cutors. Well aware of the arduous talk of attempt- ing to eradicate vulgar and habitual prejudices in favour of ancient practice, or the improba- bility of reconciling attachments of long Hand- ing to the rational lyftem of modern compofi- tion 3 and the little chance of exploding entirely the heterogeneous and i n con fiftent farrago fo long in ufe, univerfal fatisfadlion is not to be expedted, or approbation obtained. But when a clear, open, and candid comparifon is drawn by the more enlightened, between the accu- mulation of contrarieties in the laboured pre- scriptions “ of Gibson and Bracken,” with A 3 the xiv PREFACE, the indigefted obfervations of the more intel- ligent, though lefs prolix and digreffive, “ Bartlet,” the leaft doubt is not enter- tained but every degree of favour will be (hewn to a fyftem of practice founded on reafon , fup- ported by experience., and juflified by a general knowledge of medicines , their principles, pro- perties, preparations and effects. To difpel the gloom of ignorance from the brow of obftinacy would be a talk of Her- culean labour $ I therefore wave every idea of animadverfion upon the intuitive knowledge of thofe, whq, wrapt up in the warm and happy confolation of their own wifdom, never fuffer their folid judgments to be warped by the in- trillion of new opinions j and proceed to make the neceiTary remarks upon the qualifications of thofe country practitioners who rank very high in self-estimation. And fuch obfervations as are rendered un- avoidable (hall occafionally appear with all poffible delicacy, wifhing to irritate, as little as may be, the feelings of any individual, whole want of cultivation and improvement muft be confidered PREFACE. xv confidered a misfortune, not a crime j but, in whofe deficiency of profeffional knowledge confids the danger which fo often occurs and expofes him to that labyrinth of perplexity, that dilemma of didrefs, from which no bril- liant fertility of genius, no idea of the druc- ture of parts, no correfponding knowledge of medicines, or their effedts, can poffibly arife to extricate him, whild the fuffering animal (in perhaps the mod excruciating agonies) expires at the feet of this “ learned judge” jury , and executioner. Experience judifies the affection, that nine times out of ten the complaint (if internal) remains a matter of hypothefis and’ conjecture, without one explanatory note, fenience, Jhrug , or ejaculation , by which we may be led to underhand or difcover the caufe ; but, as pro- fefiional dupidity mud be defended, we are at lad told (with a fydematic fimplicity and vacuity of countenance) “ the horfe is in a “ great deal of pain ” This fird point being (not without fome dif- ficulty and feeming depth of thought) at length A 4 difcovered xv i PREFACE, difcovered, the remedy is then to be obtained $ and as, in general, cowards once puflied on become bold in proportion to the danger, fo, according to the exigency, fome powerful “ Mandr agora" of the “ Materia Me die a" is jnflantly procured; and, as reputation mu ft be fupported, fo “ kill or cure" (time out of mind the ancient and modern medical motto) is compulfively adopted, and the whole arcana of equeftrian knowledge is let loole from the very Ample preparation of “ fugar Jops to the more remote, a&ive, and dangerous mercury , till relief is fortunately obtained, or the falling favourite expires, in tortures, a martyr to the ignorance of the pr&Bitioner and the credulity of its owner ! To corroborate this fa£t one felf-evident ob- fervation only is neceftary to give it due weight, in oppofition to a mind even prejudiced againft: the innovations of improvement in pra&ice or redlification in judgment. For jnftance — Is it poffible— can it (after a moment’s refledion) be fuppofed — that thefe men, totally unculti- vated in underftanding and the moft common occurrences in life, whofe minds are as rude and uncivilized PREFACE. xvij. uncivilized as their manners, can be at all con-? verfant or acquainted with the different pro- perties, qualities , operations or ejfe&s, of a long lift of medicines, to all of which they are ftrangers even in appearance j poffeffing no other knowledge of the very articles fpecified but what they have acquired from books and prefcriptions, long ftnce become obfolete and ufelefs from their inefficacy ? Can they be ex- pedited to underftand the chemical proceffes of mercury , antimony , and other dangerous medi- cines they eonftantly put into ufe, without knowing their origins, preparations, combina* tion of principles, or the exadl line of diftinc- tion that renders them falutary remedies or powerful poifons i It is alio highly neceffary to introduce q matter perfe&Iy applicable to the fubjedt of in- veftigation, as an impofition very little known' (except to the faculty); and is a palpable dis- grace to that body, of which every profeffor of medicine conftitutes a member. It is the com- mon and fcandalous adulteration of drugs, a pradlice too prevalent amongft the druggifts in the metropolis, as well as the country; who, from the predominant paffion of gain, fo curi- oufly xviii PREFACE, oufy adulterate, as to deceive even thofe who confider themfelves adepts in deception. And this, to be the better enabled to underfell their competitors, convinced, by experience, the ma- jority of farriers admit the medicines that can be purchafed cheapest to be much the best. Thefe circumftances are not introduced or hazarded as matters of opinion, but as palpable fads that fpeak home to every reader of judge- ment or experience ; and fufficiently indicate the neceffity of circulating, from medical au- thority, the prefent improved fyftem of modern compofition, univerfally adopted and generally approved, to the approaching extermination of empirical praBice and dangerous experiment . This publication being undertaken to render as plain and familar as poffible a fubjed that has, through almoft every ditTertation, been obfcur- ed by the mi/l of ignorance and majk of my fiery ; it is anxioufly to be defired in future, that every gentleman who has occafion to elucidate or illu- flrate his own underflanding, by calling to his affi dance any of the learned tribe before de-» feribed, fo remarkable for their extent of com- munication;) PREFACE. xsx munication, will (previous to their adminiftra- tion of medicine) require an explanatory pre- lude. with fatisfaCtory information upon what operations they frame their expectations of re- lief and luccefs. With the very neceffary and additional recommendation, to be particularly careful to obtain their medicines from Difpen - faries of repute , where the proprietor is report- ed or fuppofed to have formed % fair, honour- able, and equitable contract with emolument and reputation. And this caution is rendered more imme- diately v/orthy confideration, by the multipli- city of fpecious advertifements fo condantly held forth to promote the lucrative fale of innumerable balls, powders, and pafles, indivi- dually infallible for every diforder to which the horfe is incident. But what renders the circumilance dill more extraordinary, is their being prefer! bed and prepared, by thofe very pietropolitan prahliiioners in medicine, whofe equeftrian poffeffions never amounted to a fngle jleed -, whofe journies or experimental practice, never exceeded the diurnal progref- fions of a hackney-coach -, and whofe great anxiety for the general good never furpaffed the XX PREFACE, tlie idea of cent, per cent, in the circulation* This obfervation comes with a much better grace, when I can allure the public one of the very firft advertifers in this way was a medical adventurer, who having failed as a pharmacopolijl at the weft end of the town (as did his fucceffor alfo), they, in rotation , adopted the alternative of necefllty, in pom- poufly advertiiing “ Horfe medicines for the “ ufe of the nobility and gentry;” how well . they fucceeded the creditors of both can tnojl feelingly teftify : and of their competitions the reader will be be ft enabled to form a compe-* tent opinion, when, in the courfe of the work, nojlrums and quack medicines become the no-? ceftary iubje&s of animadverlion. CONTENTS. ( XXL ) CONTENTS. Bfer vat ions. Feeding, Condition, Bleeding, Purging, CLASS I. Splents, Spavins, Windgalls, Lamenefs, Strains, CLASS II. Cracks, &c. Thrufh, Greafe, CLASS III. Hidebound, Surfeit, Mange, P»ge I 29 3 2 34 36 49 55 61 68 76 91 94 99 114 118 125 CLASS xxii CONTENTS. CLASS IV. Wounds, - «• 9 146 Ulcers, - ■" * 161 Fiflula, - 168 Poll Evil, . J73 CLASS V* Tumours, - a 80 Warbles, - 187 Navel Galls, - - 189 Sitfaft, - 194 CLASS VL Colds, - Coughs, * 199 Pleurify, &c. - 21 1 Broken Wind, * 219 Confumption, * - 227 CLASS VII. Fevers, * 23d Worms, ” •a 255 Jaundice, - 266 CLASS VIIL Strangles, * - 27 6 Glanders, - 287 Staggers, &c. 3° 8 CLASS C O N T £ N CLASS Flatulent Cholic, Inflammatory Cholic, Scouring or Loofenefs, Molten Greafe, CLASS Strangury, &c. &c. CLASS Difeafes of the Eyes CLASS Mallenders, Sallenders, Lampas, Quittor, - Curbs, Ringbones, • 2 TS. xxiii IX. m . Pag€ 328 - 335 342 - 353 X. - . 359 XL - 373 XII. - 388 - 390 - 390 392 m • 394 395 THE THE MODERN SYSTEM A Q F FARRIERY. np H E very great difcoveries made in the JL prefent century have certainly extended to every art and fcience that could be mate- rially improved by intenfe ftudy and applica- tion ; and to none more than the adminiftra- tion of medicine, and its effeds upon the human body, by fome of the moft learned men in every part of Europe : and, from the rapid and univerfally acknowledged improve- ments in this fyftem, the moft admirable ad- vantages have been obtained, and incredible cures performed. In fuch general refinement, the ancient mode of pradice is not only ex- ploded, but its origin and advocates nearly buried in oblivion. Thofe ftupendous folios, B the 2 OBSERVATIONS, the voluminous herbals in the libraries of the botanical votaries, have reluctantly given place to various differtations on the diftinguifhed efficacy of thofe grand fpecifics, mercury, opium , antimony bark , See. of which fo many experi- mental and efficacious preparations have been difeovered by chymical procefs, as to render of little ufe or refpeCt any prefeription of ancient date, when put in competition with the rational and approved lyftem of modern improvements. The obftinate and invincible advocates for the andent mode of pradice, whether in phyfic or farriery, are at length obliged to acquiefce in the change j for, what they by inclination were not willing to ac- knowledge, TIME, TRUTH, and EXPERIENCE* have fully confirmed. But, ftrange as it may appear (yet lhamefully true it is !) notwith- ftanding this redifieation of judgment, very little has yet been done to improve, or pro- duce a change in, the long ftanding, abfurd* and ridiculous SYSTEM of FARRIERY j a change as equally necejfary, juft , laudable t equitable , and ufeful , as any that can be adopted for the general fafety and advantage of our own fpecies. And this becomes more necef- fa ily and immediately the objed of ferious confideration, OBSERVATIONS. § fcbnfideration, when circumflances daily evince tb the medical practitioner (or compounder of prefcriptions) the very great danger tb which fome of the finest horses in the world are condantly expofed, by the ignorance and obdi- tiacy of the partied to whofe care they are tod generally intruded 3 every stable boy, aping the groom his fuperior, and the bRooM the felf-tnjlruSled farrier, all have their heads and pockets duffed with the quinteffence of dupidityj cdlle&ed from the Various produc- tions of antiquity, whofe very prescriptions are in themfelvbs fo obfolete* that many of the articles included have been Jong fince re- jected as of hb utility. But, as variety mud be obtained to effeCt the neceffary pufpofe, the invention is indaritly fet at work to fubditute new ingredients, for thofe long fince aban- doned as fuperfiuous and unneceffary, in me- dicinal compofition. Thefe alterations and fubditutes frequently form a mod: curious col- lection of contrarieties— -purgatives and rejirin- gents, cordials and coolers , mercurials , antimo- nials and diuretics , are indifcriminately blended in one mafs, as a fpecimen of thefe wonderful improvements in the ART of FARRIERY! And thofe who are mod acquainted with this B % practice 4 OBSERVATIONS, practice wonder lead how the dog-Kennel$ in every part of the kingdom are fo amply fur- nifh d with horse flesh. As an elucidation of this circumftance, and to corroborate the confiftency of thefe obfer- vations, we need only advert to the treatment of the human fpecies in the time of that lumi- nary, the famous Sydenham, who was fo much the celebrated favourite of his day, it was al- moft fuppofed he could do no wrong. It being then a common practice of his — to order boldly THIRTY ounces of blood to be taken from the arm of a man, without fear of murder , or danger of pumjhment. And this is not altogether likely to create wonder, when we recoiled: there is no taw exiding to hang a phyfician for error in judgment. \ Time and experience has fixed the ftandard, according to cafes, circum- fhnces, and exigencies, from six ounces to sixteen, which is nearly one half the original evacuation ; fo that we find by this change of quantity the modern human body is fuppofed to contain no more than one half the proportion of blood that ran in the veins of the heroes of antiquity, unlefs the whole fyftem is entirely changed, as obferved by Gregory , in the Mock Doctor, OBSERVATIONS. 5 Doctor, who fays “ The heart was for— “ merly on the left fide, but the COLLEGE “ have altered all that, and placed it on the “ right” To produce a cafe exa&ly fimilar in the World of Farriery, let us take a furvey of the medical abilities of Gibson, who cer- tainly wrote much better on the fubjebt than Bracken ; where we fhall find ordered, in a fingle prefcription for a purging ball, two ounces of aloes , with the audition, of the other ulual purging articles, though modern pradfice and experience fixes the eftabhfhed proportion at exadllv half or at moft five eighths , to the ftrongeft hories, with the cathartic aids before mentioned, Healfo moft courageoufly re- commends half an ounce of calomel, or fuhlimed mercury \ in a fingle ball 5 and fpeaks of the internal adminiftration of moft powerful poi- fons, corrofive Jublimate or red precipitate , as a matter of courier the proportion for a -tiofe being curioufiy afcemioed by the fub kne meniuration of a “ fiiver two-pence,” as if a premium had been abfolutely provided by an pel of parliament for the general extirpation of the breed of HORSES, as defruclive to the B 3 interefs 6 OBSERVATIONS. inter ejls of fociety. Though, after prefcribing thefe dreadful remedies, he modeJUy confefles -* in the adminiftration there is great danger j; ?c and, unlefs a horfe is very ftrong, he may not be able to recover from the expert- ment.” This is dodlrine (and dodloring) with a wit- siefs ! Thefe are the kind of experiments, and this the kind of language that has for two penturies been held forth in almoft every trad upon the fubjed : and, under thefe abfurd, ridi- culous, dangerous^ and contemptible burlef- ques upon the application o,f medipine, will any man, who wishes well to the caufe of humanity, fay feme rational iyftem of redid- pation and improvement is not necefTary, to yefeue from the danger of perpetual experi- ments the nobleft and rpoft valuable quadruped |n the creation ! Tfhe palpable neceffity for fuch improve- ment having been univerfally admitted previous fo the firft edition of this work, it is Jpnqe ren- dered more abfolutely needful by the recent re- furrpdion of ancient pradli.ee , modernised in a different form and periodical appearance. It has evidently OBSERVATIONS. 7 evidently undergone a kind of regeneration by its new birth , and is now become the child of adoption \ fanCtioned with the authority of a nominal voucher for the conjijlency of its imper- fections, and the propriety of introducing the moft incredible accumulation of prefcriptive abfurdities that ever diigraced a medical work offered to public infpeCtion for the purpofe of information. And what renders the impofi- tion of ftill greater magnitude, is the very con- fidential manner of proclaiming to the world what every profeffor of medicine will inftanta- neoufly refufe his aflent to the belief of, \\t,. that it is the joint production of an operative farrier, phyficians, anatomifts, and profefl'ors of furgery. The talk of criticifm muft at all times be an unpleafant performance, but much more par- ticularly upon the prefent occafion, where it will be abfolutely impoflible for me to difcharge my obligation to an indulgent public (with the neceflary precifion and impartiality) with- out encountering, by this decifion, the pique or refentment of all parties interefted in the fate of fuch publication, or its effeCt upon the mul- titude. However, the predicament I now B 4 ftand 8 OBSERVATIONS. ftand in compels me to proceed to a thorough explanation, feeling myfelf pledged by a public promife not only to invejiigatey make clear, and endeavour to explode , the cruelties of an- cient pradice, but to point out the equal dan- ger of modern composition even in its infancy } more particularly when ufhered into the world by fuch high founding authority as may give it temporary weight with unthinking injudicious readers, or experimental adventu- rers. Previous to farther animadversion upon the elaborate periodical work in quedion, I fhall, without the lead intentional gratification of my own vanity, offer to the prefent reader one congratulatory fad beyond the power of [ophijlry to confute, or criticifm to condemn. Amidft the paltry productions that have been pbtruded upon the public under various titles (thofe fervile imitations or wretched mutila- tions of what have gone before) it is a mod: flattering circumdance to the author, and no in- different confolation to the publifher, that this • work will ever fupport itfelf upon the balls of its own origin . The great fuccefs and rapid circulation of the former editions have totally exculpated OBSERVATIONS. 9 exculpated every page from the lead: accufa- tion of plagiarifm, as it will be found to differ very materially from other publications upon the fame fubjed, and the exaB reverfe of thofe in v circulation. The ftudious inquirer will be mod feriouffy difappointed if he expeds to find in theje pages a literal imitation and repetition of Gibson’s anatomical ftrudure, with the identical plates and correfponding references, or a dan- gerous combination of deftrudive articles hete - rogeneoujly blended and cruelly applied. Saying thus much to corroborate the intent and meaning of our own work, it becomes immediately applicable to repeat our affertions refpeding the danger of others j particularly in thofe truly 'wonderful preferiptive parts, fo mo- deftly affirmed to be the conj undive efforts of learned phyficians, Jtudious anatomifis, and pro- ficients in furgery. That the pradioal know- ledge of thefe nominal phyficians “ in buckram” has far exceeded every thing preferibed before their time, the magnitude and almoft unlimited number of dangerous articles introduced in their recipes will fufficiently demonffrate to thofe who are fo truly unfortunate as to have the perufal fail to their lot ; but more particu- larly IO OBSERVATIONS. larly thofc who dill more unfortunately falj into the pradice. It is impoffible (without taking too much time from the reader, or too much room in the work) to indulge a moft predominant wifh of enlarging upon the unaccountable abfur di- ties and aftonifhing proofs of ignorance in the properties, power, and ufe of medicine, that might be juftly quoted (from this monjlrom prodigy of modern inftrudion) to refcue from the rapacity of literary impofition that clafs of mankind who fo frequently become the dupes of fpecious plaufibility. As it would afford but little information or amufement to enume- rate the follies or copy tjie illiterate preemp- tions tojuflify my own obfervations, or court a coincidence from others, I fhall content my- felf with one afiurance to the public, that, hav- ing taken the opinions of fome of the faculty, (upon the recipes already promulgated in the trifling part of the produdion hitherto gone forth) they perfedly agree with me— -there are a variety introduced that would in a very few hours inevitably relieve the fubjed from every pofjibtlity of future pain, [offering, or difquie - tude» I (hall OBSERVATIONS. 11 I (hall only convey an oblique hint at thofe catchpenny fhifts, or abridgments, from the authors before fpoken of, publifhed under the titles of Ten Minutes Advice ‘ ■ The f‘ Pocket Farrier,” &c. &c. and proceed to a few obfervations upon the 'wonderful difcove - ries, prolix defer ipt ions, tedious digrejjions, and fjlonijhing tales , of Henry Bracken (medi- cine dodor), who, to his diploma, which he boafts of in his preface, adds the ftrangeft com- plication. of language, for a medical author and phyfidan, that ever difgraced a candidate for critical diffedion. However bad the com- pliment may be to my own underftanding, or largely it may tend to difplay my want of talle, I can neither condefcend to imitate him in the fublimity of his flyle or the fertility pf his medical invention : nor fhall I prefume to copy fo great an original, by introducing A Tale of a Tub” in every page foreign to the matter in queftion, merely for the purpofe pf fwelling this work to a fize that may con- tribute to its difgracej referving to myfelf one confolation — if it does not become entitled to approbation for its utility , neither pique or pre- judice fhall have juft caufe to condemn it for its prolixity. h 12 OBSERVATIONS. It has been hitherto cuftomary, in the in- troductory part of traCts upon this fubjeCt, to enlarge upon the ftiape, make, figure, and qua- lifications, of a horfe for the turf, field, road, &c. And all this might be very applicable and proper, even now , could we for a moment fuppofe that a fportfman does not know a horse from an ass, or that a gentleman at- tends a repofitory, fair, market, or fale, with a book in his hand, or his pocket, by way of remembrancer. Exclufive of this confidera- tion, in the prefent ftage of refinement, we are become fo truly enlightened, that every juvenile devotee to Diana , who has juft efcap- ed from the tender anxiety of his mamma , and the fuccefsful attention of his tutor , talks loudly and confidently of the “ full eye” “y mall ear ” “ deep chefi ,” “ clofe fillet ,” “ Jhort back ” iC firong pafiern” “ Jound hoofi9” &c. In fhort, all thofe qualifications that are at prefent unh- verfally underftood, and in conftant requeft, by the beft judges, are very hard to obtain ; and it is by no means an uncommon thing to obferve a horfe with very few good points, in the pofleflion • of thofe we are apt to believe (from a combination of circumftances) have ir OBSERVATIONS. 13 it in their power to be much better accom- modated. Since the original publication of this work objections having been ftarted to the above mode of explanation, as not only too concife for the magnitude of the fubjed, but equally inadequate to the expectation of the young and inexperienced, who become inquirers more from the motive of information than amufe- ment j I fhall endeavour to obviate that difap- pointment by entering more minutely into the defcriptive qualifications, and clearly point out the advantages arifing from circumfpedion to juvenile adventurers in the equeftrian field of fortune. Exclufive of the before mentioned clafs of enlightened pupils, who have improved their theoretic knowledge by pradical expe- rience and difquifition upon the well-worn hacks of Eton , Oxford , and Cambridge, (en- abling themfelves to animadvert upon fplents, fpavins, windgalls, and ftrains), it muft be confefled there are innumerable inferiors who having unluckily no experimental knowledge to improve upon, no advantage to avail them- felves of but literary inftrudion, or dear bought experience, it is undoubtedly juft fuch advice Ihould 4 OBSERVATIONS; Ihould be inculcated as may tend to prevent their becoming dupes to the various traps of impofition eternally open to plunder the un=> Wary. In refped then to the abfolute Jhape, make 3 and figure , of a horfe, fuch rules lhall be laid down for the feledion, or choice in purthafe, as it will be indifpenfably necefiary to adhere to, if Jpeed, Jlrength, or beauty , (commonly termed falhioo) are the objeds of confidera-^ tion 3 though it may be juftly believed an al- moft entire impoffibility to procure a horfe with all thofe points and advantages the eye of saurian and experience conftantly has in view; In fuch iurvey the primary and predominant confideration (if found) is the date of age, but much more particularly if required for imme- diate ufe, at leaft that kind of ufe termed con- Rant work ; as no horfe whatever tan be fup- pofed adequate to ftich talk at an earlier age than riling fix years; To the very necefiary ConviSlion of age Ihould follow a moil minute and attentive infpedion/ t>r rather firid examination, of thofe points confiituting the diftindion between imperfec- tion^ OBSERVATIONS. 15 (tons, blemijhes, and defeBs ; in general doubt- fully implied, and not always perfedly under- flood, by the common afturance of “ Sound wind and limb.” To afcertain the veracity of which technical phrafeology much nicety of dif> crimination appertains. Amongft fportfmen (who are juftly entitled to the appellation of gentlemen* and polfefs a high and proper fenfe of honour and the prin- ciples of equity) the general acceptation of the word “ found" has ever been , and Jiill is, in- tended to convey an honourable , unequivocal af~ furance of the perfed date of both the frame and bodily health of the fubject without excep- tion or ambiguity. It is meant to imply the total abfence of blemifhes as well as defeds* (unlefs particularly pointed out and explained); and is really intended to confirm a bona Jide declaration of the horfe’s being (at the time) free from every imperfeBion, labouring under no impediment to Jig hi or aBion . This is the eftablifbed intent and meaning of the word found' amongft gentlemen and fportfmen ; its explication and various ufes, for the convenient purpOfes and impofitions of grooms , dealers, black legs, and jobbing itinerants , is too perfedly underfitood 16 OBSERVATIONS. underflood (by thofe who have run the gaunt- let of experience and deception) to require fur- ther animadverfion. However, as you can but very feldom pofi* fefs the good fortune to purchafe of a gentleman , it will prove no contemptible practice to adopt the fage old maxim, and {< deal with an honejl man as you would with a rogue ” this pre- caution may prevent a probable repentance, and palpably urges the neceffity of putting your own judgment and circumfpedtion in competition with the integrity of your oppo- nent, however he may be favoured by fortune or Sanctioned by Jituation . The prudent or experienced purchafer confcquently commences his talk of infpeClion with care, caution , and circumfpeblion, firft ac- curately ascertaining the Jhape, make , bone , and Jlrength ; collecting Sufficient information from fuch observation, whether his qualifications are properly adapted to the purpofes of acquifition. He fees him go all his paces, and forms his own opinion upon each or perhaps moreji^di- cioufly avoids every poffibility of trick or decep- tion) by riding the horfe and thoroughly inves- tigating OBSERVATIONS. ligating his properties? thereby efcaping bad action, lamenefs, (farting, reftivenefs, and other incidental imperfections. He then mofit atten- tively proceeds to the more minute and necef- fary examination of the date of the eyes , windy knees , fplents , /pawns, windgalls, ringbones , quittors, cracks or greafe ? defcending laftly to the feet, thereby avoiding corns , running thrufht canker, and additional defeCts that young and inexperienced purchafers frequently fuppofe unworthy confederation or reflection, facrificing the whole at the (brine of figure and fajhion. In the choice and purchafe of a horfe, fe- leCted for whatever purpofe, it is an invariable and e(tabli(hed cuftom with the bed; judges to come as near the following points and advan- tages as circumftances will permit, thereby gaining in each an additional (tep to the fum- mit of perfection. For the defired or intended height, (ize, and figure, being afcertained and procured, all other neceflary points fo flriCtly correfpond (in a certain degree of uniformity,) that what gives /peed and Jlrength to a large horfe will proportionably contribute fimilar ad- vantages to a fmaller. C To i& OBSERVATIONS. To conftitute that uniformity the head and ears fhould both be fmall and fhort, with a large full eye and open extended noftril; a long well proportioned neck, riling gradually upon the withers, forming what is generally termed “ a fine forehand,” having great depth from! thence to the point of the breaft, which being wide affords ample proof of firength, as does the neceffa:ry declination of the fhoulder (or blade bone) to the point of the withers another of fpeed. This combination forms a well made horfe before, which is continued to the remaining parts of the frame, by the backs being Ihort and even, not Jinking at all in the loins, or rifing higher behind , upon what is termed “ the crupper bone j” the carcafe fhould be round, and well ribbed up to the hip bones* (forming as- trifling a hollownefs or concavity in the flank as poffible) thefe being by no means pointedly prominent. The legs fhould not be too long for the height of the horfe, but fhort in the joints, and particularly fo upon* the patterns. Thefe inftrudtions relpedting Jhape> make and figure , will (with very few exceptions) prove leading traits to the neceffary and defirable qua- lifications.. OBSERVATION S* 10 J locations. To afcertain the whole of which, no invariable rules can be laid down as an in- fallible guide to certain perfection ; for there are many inflances of very well fhaped horfes hav- ing proved indifferent goers, and others fo en- tirely crofs made as to poffefs hardly a good point, being equal in aCtion to fome of the fined: figures in the kingdom. Rules or in- ftruCtions thus liable to exception, (though they are eftablifhed by cuftom, and in a great degree juftified by experience), have yet fome claim to contribution from the perfonal obfervation and deliberate judgment of the purchafer ; for furely it can require no extraordinary portion of genius, or extent of penetration, to diftin- guifh between “ a good goer ” and a bad one ; if fo, the adventurers may as probably ftand in need of an inftrudtor to point out the dif- ference between a horfe and a mare . Notwithftanding thefe inftruCtions may con- tribute to form the judgment of a juvenile and inexperienced purchafer, yet he fhould never attempt to obtain a high priced horfe from the hammer of a modern repofitcry, without the advantage of an affiflant, perfectly adequate to the arduous talk of difcrimination. C 2 Let 2d OBSERVATIONS. Let it be remembered, at jfuch mart of mte - grity, a horfe is feldom, if ever, difplayed in a ftate of nature ; he is thrown into a variety of alluring attitudes, and a profufion of falfe fire , by the powerful intermediation of art — that pre- dominant incentive the whip before, and the aggravating ftimulus of the ginger behind, (bet- ter underftood by the appellation of “figging”) giving to the horfe all the appearance of fpirit, (infaSi fear ) that the injudicious fpedator is too often imprudently induced to believe the fpontaneous effort of nature. During the ftrperficial furvey, in thofe few minutes allowed for infpedion and purchafe, much fatisfadory inveftigation cannot be ob- tained } for, in the general hurry and con- fufion of “ Shewing out,” the fhort turns and irregular adion of the horfe, the political and occafional fmacks of the whip, the effed of emulation in the bidders, the loquacity of the orator, and the fafcinating flourifh of the ham- mer, the qualifications of the objed is fre- quently forgotten, and every idea of perfediors buried in the fpirit of perfonal oppofition. Such OBSERVATIONS. 2 1 Such a combination of circumftances, tending fo much to perplex and confufe, urges the ne- ceffity of care, caution, and circumfpedtion. The eyes of Argus would hardly prove too nu- merous upon the occafion, a bridle being as neceflary upon the tongue as a padlock upon the pocket ; for, amidft the great variety of profeflional manoeuvres in the art of horje deal- ing, a purchafer muft be in poffeflion of a great (hare of good fortune, ox found judgment, to elude the ill effeds of deception and imposition j a circumftance fo univerfally admitted that go- vernment confidered a fubftantial tax no im- proper compliment to their iniquities. The inftitution was undoubtedly originally good, and for fome years proved of the greateft public utility 5 whether, like many other of the mod valuable inftitutions, it has been profti- tuted to the worf of purpofes, remains with the opinion of every reader to decide. For my own part however highly they may be ex- tolled, or extensively puffed, by the parties in- terefted in their fuccefs, I muft confefs I am never included within their walls but I con- ceive myfelfin the very centre of Chefterfield’s “Jink oj iniquity ,” and confider a found horfe C 3 from 22 OBSERVATIONS, from a repofitory equally rare with a capital prize in the lottery. In the mid ft of thefe very neceftary con fe- derations it rnuft be remembered fuch heb- domadal Tales are not without their acknow- ledged conveniencies ; for although they are by no means calculated to buy at, they are moft admirably adapted for felling. Here you may, in compliance with cufom and the full force of fafhion, get rid of the blinds lame , ref he, broken •winded, fplented, fpavined, or glandered horfe, without remorfe or fear of punifhment. The feller, whether a nominal gentleman without ho- nour, or the dealer without principle , is entitled to every degree of duplicity he cap bring into pradice; they lay equal claim to the privilege of obliquely puffing their own horfes (as ftan- ders-by prailing their unequalled qualifica- tions), and bidding for them with an affeded enthufiafm, thereby inducing the unwary to proceed in the purchafe very much beyond the intrinfic value. The credulous dupe becomes in a fhort time convinced of the bubble, and is in pofleffion of no confolation but the law of re- taliation, by a lepetition of transfer ; neceffity compels him to fell at the fame or a fmilar market OBSERVATIONS. 23 market with an equal degree of deception, in which he now becomes initiated ; and the per- petual routine of crippled hofpital horfes is thus fupported by the very predominant plea of Self-prefervation . Thefe faCts being well eflablifhed, and amongd the experienced univerfally known, it is generally admitted that the mod probable method of acquiring a young , found, perfeB horfe, mud be by purchasing in the country, before they have made a “ trading voyage” to the metropolis j where, with the joint effects of indifferent riders , indolent grooms or oftiers, hot fables, irregular feeds, and the plentiful hay and water fydem that frequently conditutes livery Subsidence, we icon perceive fluctuating hu- mours, depraved appetite, inflamed eyes, Swell- ed legs, cracked heels, tender feet, and a mul- tiplicity of thofe fable comforts that indantly Strike the eye of an experimental obferver, when taking an occasional Survey of the public Rabies in London ; where they conceive they execute every degree of equeflrian duty in the highed perfection, though a lad, of even the fecond clafs , from a comrnon hunting flabie in C 4 the 2 4 OBSERVATION S. the country would inftantly demonftrate the contrary. My very worthy and learned predeceftbr Bracken, in his digreftions for the public good, has introduced dories and fimilies of all defcriptions and denominations, from the funeral of his favorite mare with ale and “ rofemary,” to the comparifon between a te rider of jixteen Jlone and a Scotchmans “ pack-d' ftri&ly enjoining every man (who had not a rational idea of his own corpulence, or circumference) to be careful in adapting the ftrength of his horfe to his own weight j with many other obfervations of equal faga- city and penetration. But, as I indulge a much higher opinion of the underftandings of thofe to whofe ferious infpedlion this trea- tife will become fubjeft, I {hall not irritate the feelings of any fportfman, who unluckily rides a great weight, by reminding him what kind of horfe is moft likely to reconcile the inconvenience, but naturally conclude every sjreader will exert his judgment for the pro- curation of fuch purchafe as will prove moft likely to become adequate to the purpofes for which he is intended. He OBSERVATIONS. 25 He alfo (from an univerfality of genius, no doubt), animadverts upon the art of riding and qualifications of horfemen, their tempers, dif- pofitipns, agility, alacrity, fear, fortitude, “ wry “ jaces , and lofing of leather j” defcants largely upon the apparatus of bits, bridles, faddles, &c. entering into the very minutite of the riding fchool, which now would be not only degrading the experimental knowledge of every fportfinan in the kingdom, but abfoiutely fmug- gling a fubjedt the acknowledged property of Angelo , AJl ley , Hughes , and Jones. In refpedt to the anatomical ftrudure of a horfe, nothing can be added upon that fubjedl to excite attention ; it has been already fo minutely inveftigated and accurately explained by Gibson and Snaps, that the lead room for addition or enlargement is not left for any fucceeding writer who does not (as before ob- ferved) admit the capacities of the folids to be more enlarged, the fluids increafed, or the heart changed from one fide to the other, fince the days of thofe authors, who fo well ful- filled to the public the talks they had under- taken. And as the operative part of farriery is not intended to come within the purpofe of our prefent plan, but is entirely fubmitted to thofe 26 OBSERVATIONS. thofe whofe immediate profeffion it is to be moft clearly informed of ; to the excellent ana- tomical works of the above writers I refer them for a completion of their ftudies, and come to fuch a fyftem as it is abfolutely ne- cefiary for every fportfman to underhand, that he may be not only enabled to prefcribe for his own horfes upon emergencies, but to judge of •the propriety of their treatment when, by the feverity of circumftances, fubmitted to the fu- perintendence of others. Much multifarious matter has conftantly been introduced relative to the age of a horfe by his mouth ; where (after all the obferva- tions upon the fubjed) it becomes an acknow- ledged fad, by every writer, each fign is doubt- ful, and liable to deception in the various arts and defigns of the dealers, who, by engrav- ing and burning artificial marks in fome teeth, and totally extracting (or beating out) others, render the horfe of any Jeeming age mod; ap- plicable to their purpofe. And thefe faults cannot be eafily difcovered but by grooms or judges who are in the conftant habit and prac- tice of making fuch remarks and cbfervations. Nor OBSERVATIONS. 27 Nor is there any matter in a horfe requiring a nicer difcrimination in judgment than to afcertain to a certainty the age of a horfe by his teeth only, having abfolutely feen two men of abilities and experience, on the oppofite fides of a horfe’s mouth, at the fame time declare him of different ages; when, by exchanging Tides, each changed his opinion, and the horfe proved, by the common rule, to be coming a year older on one fide than the other. Thefe doubts in refpedt to the certainty of age being admitted, one fixed rule is incontrovertible — that, after the mark (which is the general guide) is obliterated, the longer the teeth are, and the narrower the under jaw is towards it$ extremity, the more the horfe is advanced in years. But, as the age of the horfe is fo diftin&ly abftraCted from, and unconnected with, the defcription of difeafe which becomes more immediately the fubjeCt of djfcufiion, I fhall leave the former to the fubtle decifion of the liable difputants, tp whofe province it may be faid to belong, and whom it more materially concerns. There 28 OBSERVATIONS. There can be but little doubt that whoever becomes a purchafer, at the prefent high price of found, frejh , and fafhionable horfes, will proportion the price to fuch deficiencies as times and circumftances render unavoidable ; and make pecuniary allowances for advanced age , broken wind , bad eyes, fpavins , fplents, and a long detail of incidental imperfections. But, as fuch neceifary circumfpeCtion does not al- ways take place with the young and inexperi- enced purchafer, a concife hint not to acquire too many infirmities at a high price, merely to gratify a little perfonal oftentation in an ex- ternal difplay of blood and fashion, cannot be amifs. More particularly when we fo fre- quently fee an accidental fall, and confequent laceration upon the knees, prove the tranfient value of what was (a few minutes before) the objeCt of admiration and pofleffion with every beholder, now become blown upon, and of no greater eftimation than to be unrelentingly torn to pieces, by that moil merciful and humane invention A MAIL COACH OF PALMERI AN MEMORY. Previous to the treatment of difeafes, it cannot be inapplicable to point out fuch things as 29 FEEDING. as are ftri&ly neceflary, and abfolutely con- ducive to the prefervation of health, though perhaps not at all times properly attended to. , For inftance, no fubjedt is more highly entitled to a diftinct and feparate inveftigation than the article of FEEDING, as a peculiar attention to the qualities and quantities of aliment is particularly neceflary to fecure the horfe in a Hate of health and con- dition, fit for the immediate purpofe to which he may be deftined. To produce him at all times ready for the turf, field , or road, be- comes neceflary the complete ftyle of clean - line/Sy drejjing , exercife, and various minutite, that conftitute the prefen t perfedl ftate of liable difcipline ; which never arofe to fo high a pitch of excellence, and can have originated only in a laudable emulation, that feems (by a kind of fympathetic infpiration or enthufiafm) to have taken pofleflion of every groom in flables of repute, and renders unneceflary the moll trifling obfervations upon this ceremony, where So FEEDING. where the horfes are thought worthy the at* tention of master or man. And it is equally fo in refpedt to the articles of food. Horfes are as often out of condition (in inferior flables) from the effcdt of improper food as from natural difeafes. Refpecting the moft proper food to a horfe in health, no di- verfity of opinions can be fupported unlefs by FOOLS or MADMEN. Experience, that inevitable touchftone of truth , demonftrates, to an indifputable cer- tainty, the acknowledged preference of fpring- grafs in the field ; or fweet oats, found beans t and fragrant hay , in the liable j to every other article that imagination can invent or novelty fupply. And here it becomes unavoidably neceflary to introduce a circumllance that conllantly oc- curs in the courfe of obfervation ; at leall to thofe who, entering a multiplicity of llables, wifh to enlarge their information or exercife their judgment. How very common is it to find a confultation held upon the appearance of a favourite horfe, who, to the furprife of the FEEDING. 31 the parties, lofes flefli, becomes dull and heavy in the liable, languid in aftion, fickly in coat? and foul in excrement j doomed to a courfe of purgatives^ then diuretics ; and, laftiy, a tedi- ous adminiftration of alteratives , as fickly and unfound ! And all for what ? — becaufe the poor emaciated animal, being deftitute of the powers of fpeech, could not better inform his perfe- cutors than by his emphatical and mifinter- preted looks, that his hay was mujiy, and con- fequently laying the foundation of many difor- ders. For, being thus deprived of more than half his fupport, the trifling quantity he did take (being againft the difpofition of nature and appetite) afforded little nutriment; nor of courfe could, when fourteen pounds of hay only had perhaps pafled the inteftinal canal in four days, inftead of fifty-fix ; the accuftomed and proper proportion being rated at fourteen pound for twenty-four hours, where horfes are regularly corn fed. To bring this defeat in the quality and quantity of this part of the aliment home to every comprehenfion, let any reader conceive the idea (or try the experiment) of fitting down with an excellent appetite (after a more excellent chafe) to a beef fteak nearly approaching putrefaction , with no fauce but hungers 32 CONDITION. hunger , no alternative but necefjity , and I be-* lieve I may venture to aflert — the feelings of the man and the beast will not be diffimilar on the occahon. Thefe circumftances attending both hay and corn I have repeatedly been witnefs to ; and do affirm, in oppofition to any opinion that may be formed againft me, moil horfes will fhew, in lefs than a fortnight, both in their j Hejlo, coat and Jpirits , when hay or corn do wot yield or convey tf^ir proper nutriment , if given in fair and juft proportions. I confe- quently avail myfelf of this fadt, to urge the neceffity of found cortt,fweet hay, foft water, re- gular feeds, and as regular exercife , if a horfe is defired or expedted to appear in good CONDITION. The word condition, in the phrafeology of the turf, is fuppofed to imply a horfe’s being in fuch a ftate of perfection, and in ftrength and power fo much above the pur- pofe he is deftined to, that he difplays it in figure and appearance. Fine in coat, firm in CONDITION. 33 in flejh, high in fpirits , and frejh upon his legs. To be in this defirable ftate, if a young horfe, and flranger to hard work, may be readily ex- pected, and naturally concluded ; but, on the contrary, where a horfe has been fubjedt to a proportion of duty, either on the turf, field, or road, a great degree of good fortune muft have attended him through all his journies, not to have fuffered from fame one of the many dangers to which he has been fo repeat- edly expofed. By way therefore of introduc- ing directions for getting a horfe into condition, it will be moft proper to fix the criterion of commencement at that feafon when a hunter, having had what is called a fummer’s run, is taken up with an intent to get him into pro- per condition for the field. The horfe being taken up, if he is free from lamenefs, and there is no blemifh, infirmity, or any other obftaele, to forbid fuch proceedings, put him firffc upon a very moderate proportion of hay and corn, and increafe it gradually, according to the fize and conflitution. At the expiration of three or four days, when the hard food may naturally be fuppofed to have diflodged the grafs, and fupplied its place, a proportion of blood may be taken away according to the D fize. 54 BLEED I N G. iize, ftate, ftrength, and temperament of the horfe, with due attention to the flefh he may have gained, or the impurities he may have imbibed with his pafture, And here let me particularly caution the operator and the owner againft that JlovenlyT infernal, and contemptible (not to add danger- ous) pra&iee of fuffering the blood to fall indifcriminately, in refpetft to quantity and quality, upon the ground or dunghill. This felf-fuffieient manner of BLEEDING the farrier always- confiders a ftriking proof of his confequence, and a never-failing mark of his infallibility ; but it never can be too much difcouraged, and in fail ought by no- means to be countenanced, or indeed per- mitted. If no particular plethora or fulnefa appears, to render large evacuations neceftary, three pints will prove Efficient fop a flenderor delicate fubjedt ; two quarts for the more ad- vanced in ftrength or fize j but from the very large and ftrong, or remarkably foul horfes^ may BLEEDING. 35 may be fafely drawn full five pints. However thefe diftindtions fhould be carefully made by meafure, to avoid the inconvenience and dan- ger of too much relaxing the whole fyftem; an impropriety in conduit that may not be fo ealily remedied as imagined. After this eva- cuation let the fame regular iyftem of food, and gentle exercife, be continued for three clear days j and on the fourth prepare his body for the phyfic intended to be taken on the follow- ing morning, by giving him in the courfe of the day three majhes of equal parts of bran and oats, fcalded with boiling water, and given, at a proper degree of warmth, morning, noon, and night; putting on the neceffary body clothes, at the time of giving the firft mafh, to prevent the lead: hazard of cold from the relaxation of either body or pores. In the morning give one of the following purging balls , of which four different proportions are fpecified, and calculated for the horfes before mentioned, in refpedt to ftrength, fize, and conflitution. But as we fhall, in the courfe of the work, have occafion to introduce refe- rences to thefe cathartic balls, under the heads of various difeafes, it will be more convenient to diftinguifh them by numbers', D 2 and. 36 PHYSIC, &c, and, beginning with the weakeft, the refe- rence need not only be made to the number in future, without a repetition of the ingre- dients. PURGING BALL. ( No. i. ) Take of fuccotrine aloes one ounce; India rhubarb two drachms ; Jalap and cream of tartar each one drachm ; Ginger in powder two fcruples ; Efiential oil of cloves and anifeed each twenty drops Syrup of buckthorn a fuflkient quantity to form the ball. ( No. 2. ) Take of fuccotrine aloes ten drachms ; Of rhubarb, jalap, and ginger, each two drachms ; Cream of tartar three drachms, and fyrup of buckthorn to make the ball. No. P H Y S I C, &c» 37 ( No. 3. ) Take Barbadoes aloes nine drachms j Jalap, Caftile foap, and cream of tartar, of each two drachms ; Diagrydium and ginger (in powder) each a drachm ; Syrup of buckthorn fufficient to make the ball ( No. 4. ) Take Barbadoes aloes ten drachms ; Caftile foap and jalap (in powder) of each half an ounce j Cream of tartar and ginger each two drachms ; Oil of anifeed forty drops ; of cloves twenty drops ; which form into a ball, with fyrup of rofes or buckthorn. It is almoft unneceflary to obferve thefe balls are gradually increafed in their purga- tive qualities , fo as to be feledted by the judge- ment of the reader, according to the ftate of ftrength and foulnefs the fubjedt may be in ; and are fo carefully guarded with warm aro- piatics, that the operation will (by a ftridt ad- P 3 herence 38 P H Y S I C, &c. herence to the following rules) in general pro- ceed without the lead alarm or danger. The ball being given early in the rooming, let it be washed down with a quart of water flightly warm, to take off the waufea as much as pof- lible j leave in his rack a little fweet hay 3 and, in about three hours after, give a warm ma(h of Jcalded bran, containing one fourth of oats ; upon which let the water he poured boiling hot, and idand a proper time to cool, before it is put into the manger $ as by placing it there too hot the fumes produce an an- tipathy which the horfe does not eafily get over j on the contrary, by touching the majh , and being burnt, will not be prevailed upon to attempt it in future. In cafe of a fxed averfion to mafhes, a feed of bran may be given at the dated periods, in which may be mixed one quart of ground oatmeal. Water proportionally warm may be given him to the quantity of half a pail thrice in the day $ and let his majh be repeated twice that day alfo, and early on the following morning, about which time the phylic may be expeded to begin its operation \ but if the malh ihould be refufed, a pail of warm water may be fuh- ditutedj and in two hours after the horfe (well PHYSIC, &c. 39 {well clothed) walked out for half an hour at leaf!. Frequent fupplies of warm water mull be given, and two other mafhes at their pro- per times,; by no means omitting to take him •out, and walk him gently twice or thrice in the courfe of the day. But, as purgatives adminiftered to quadrupeds of this defcription cannot, from the great continuation of the inteftinal canal, be expedted to commence their operation in lefs than twenty-four hours, no hurrying or forcing methods muft be taken to agitate the animal, or produce preternatural effedls. So foon as the medicine begins to operate, kindly and patiently affifl: the work by the means before mentioned, at Hated pe- riods, or at fuch times as the appetite will permit them to be taken; continuing the •mafhes no longer than the phyfic is faid to be fet, or (in other words) the excrements become firm, and refume their original form. Indeed the management of horfes, during a courfe of phyfic, is at prefent fo well under- ffcood, that little more need be added upon that fubjedt ; excepting the very neceffary pre- caution to avoid cold during thefe operations, by a proper attention to the variations of the P 4 weather. 40 JP H Y S I C, &c. weather, and proportional clothing to the horfe : for a cold caught at the feafon we fpeak of, and particularly during a courfe of phyfic, by fixing on the eyes or lungs, becomes an inveterate enemy to fport, and fometimes for the whole winter. Six clear days fhould be allowed between the firft and fecond dofe, and the fame fpace between the fecond and third. The entire Courfe being regularly gone through, it will undoubtedly remove every degree of foulnefs, refulting from full feeding at grafs : and, un- lefs fome palpable defect or latent obdacle indicates the contrary, he will (in little more than a fortnight) by his flejh, coat , and [putts , prove his ability to undertake any moderate chafe in which hjs rider may be inclined to engage. Though in the attainment of this date of perfection much depends upon the care and punctuality of the groom or fuperintcndent ; the increafe in food and length (as well as drength) of exercije, fhould be very gradual from the fetting of the lad dofe of phyfic j as for indance, the he>rfe diould be regularly taken PHYSIC, &c. 41 taken out (if the weather permit) morning and evening, walking him half an hour before his water, and the fame after ; which fhould be taken at a pond of foft water, in pre- ference to a fpring or running ftream, if pofi- fible. His dreffings fhould be as conftant and regular as his exercife, which having been gradually lengthened for the firft five or fix days ; he may then, after walking his ufual time, have a moderate gallop (increafing it daily in length and fpeed, according to (late and ftrength) before he is taken to water; walking him a proper time, both before and after ; by no means adopting that mod ridicu- lous., contemptible , and pernicious practice of galloping your horfe immediately after, in fer- vile fubjedtion to the illiterate opinion of warming the water in the horfe’s belly ;” a cuftom that has, through the ignorance or folly of fervants, proved the abfolute ruin of many hundreds , as will be clearly explained in the courfe of our future remarks, when we come to fpeak of broken winded horfes. This mode of exercife mud be conllantly per- fevered in without relaxation; his gallops night and morning ihould be increafed as well as his. walking 42 PHYSIC, &c. walking exercife, which fhould by this time be lengthened to a full hour in the morning, and the fame in the evening ; not only during the time of promoting conditiont but regu- larly continued to preferve him fo ; if the owner is prompted by the leaft fpark of emu- lation to appear in the field with a portion of that eclat y fo very much the ton in every ^porting county in the kingdom. A proper refpedt to the abilities of Bart- let (who has very confiderably improved and modernized the fyftem of Gibson and Bracken) induces me to give a literal copy of his preparation for “ a cooling purging ** drink which, as he obferves, “ is cool- ** ing, eafy, and quick in its operation, and *c greatly preferable, in all inflammatory cafes, *c to any other purge, as it paffes into the “ blood, and operates a!fo by urine." The ball being given, is twenty-four hours in its gra- dual dilfolution in the domach, and fubfe- quent paflage through the intedinal canal ; this, by its gentle and regular folution of the excrements, and lubrication of the parts, ac- counts mod readily for the great eafe any of the preceding balls work off with in general, without the lead neceffity for all that alarm and apprebenfion betrayed by fo many, who prefer the chance of fpoiling, or at lead in- juring, a capital horfe, to feeing him under the temporary difquietude of a falutary courfe of phyfic. The fame eafe is not to be expe&ed in the operation of a cathartic medicine conveyed in a liquid 44 P H Y S I C, &c. liquid form i for, the joint qualities and force of the different ingredients being let loofe at the fame moment upon the internal coat of the ftomach, without their flimulative powers being covered by aromatic or carminative in- gredients, may (exclufive of the difagreeable fenfation excited by their adion upon the irri- tability of the ftomach) be produdive of fpafms, or very fevere griping pains, previous to the laxation of the hardened faeces in the inteftines. And where fuch pains are evidently predo- minant, the (proper time being more than ex- pired,) and there is no palpable fign of the phyfic’s beginning to operate kindly, (which, for the confolation of thofe unacquainted with the ceremony, is very feldom the cafe, par- ticularly if the medicines are carefully and ac- curately prepared) fo far from applauding the rafhly recommended fyflem of oiling “ afmall “ hand,” and extrading the excrement from the fundament, I relinquifh every expedation of finding