3 9090 013 414 319 
 
 WeD^ier Family Ubm,y of Veterins*^ ^M^j 
 
 fufts Uri^ver^^y 
 
 liOQ Vv^astboro Road ,.y^ 
 
 >i^ ^-^..^^ « AAI^ •'L.ii.?'?iS' 
 
THE HORSE 
 
 ITS DISEASES 
 
 JEREMIAH O'lIANLON, 
 
 Late of tlie Royal Horse ArtilK^r.v. 
 
 CORK : 
 
 HENRY & COGHLAX, 3a & 36, GEORGE'S STREET 
 
 T864. 
 
 Price, Two ShiUwgs and Sixpence. 
 

 bi 
 
i^l^t IJarisfj of §0n0ugfjmorf, 
 
 WITH GREAT RESPECT, 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 Poona, East India, October, 1851. 
 
 My dear Farrier Major — I have much pleasure in forwarding the 
 amomit of youi- bill. I beg leave to retiu-n you thanks for the rapid 
 and effectual cui-e of my Horse, which at one time I thought hope- 
 less. I consider that the vicinity of Poona is very lucky in having 
 60 skilful a man within its call. — Yours, &c., 
 
 (Signed,) W. WEBB, 
 
 Civil Service. 
 
 Foona, East India, July I2th, 1852. 
 
 Mr. O'Hanlon — Sir, I enclose the amount of your bill, and beg 
 to tender my best thanks for the great skill and judgment displayed 
 by you in curing my Horse, which I thought would never have 
 been serviceable any more. I intend to make it known to your 
 Commanding Officer. — Youi-s, &c., 
 
 (Signed,) WM. EDWAEDS, 
 
 Sta^f Burgeon. 
 
 Poona, East India, Bee. QtJi, 1854. 
 
 This is to certifj' that Farrier Major O'Hanlon operated on a 
 Horse of mine afflicted with ruptiu-e. He performed the operation 
 in a most skilful manner in the presence of several Doctors. The 
 Horse was perfectly cm-ed in a very short time, and fit for work. I 
 submit this testimonial in grateful acknowledgment of his abilities 
 as a Veterinary practitioner. 
 
 (Signed,) JOHN MILES, 
 
 Lieut. 3rd Bombay Regiment. 
 
VI TESTI^rONIALS. 
 
 Poona, June I8t/i, 185-5, 
 
 I certify tliat Farrier Major O'Hanlon attended this morning, and 
 
 operated on ray Horse tliat had a rupture of the intestines'!^ He 
 
 performed the operation entirely to my satisfaction. I therefore 
 
 strongly recommend him as a most eminent and skilful Horse Doctor, 
 
 (Signed,) ALEXANDER BARNES, 
 
 S/or/con, ^rcl Bombay Regiment. 
 
 Foo)ui, lit/i July, 1855, 
 I hereby certify that I have engaged Farrier Major O'Hanlon on 
 several occasions, in order to attend my Horses during their illness, 
 and he has always displayed an uncommon amount of knowledge 
 and skill in their treatment. I therefore consider that he is worthy 
 of the patronage of any gentleman who may require his services, I 
 shall be happ^ to hear of his welfare in England, where he is about 
 to establish himself as a Veterinary Practioner when he leaves the 
 Sevrice. 
 
 (Signed,) W. DYKE, 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, 
 
 Foona, Nov. 14:th, 1855. 
 I certify that Farrier Major O'Hanlon has proved himself a 
 superior Horse Doctor, for the last nine years, diuing which time 
 he held the above rank in this Regiment. He was also very attentive, 
 sober, and well disposed. 
 
 (Signed,) J. TURNER, 
 Assistant Surgeon, Horse Artillery, 
 
 Foona, Nov. 11th, 1855. 
 I have known Farrier Major O'Hanlon for a period of six years, 
 !ud have great ])leasurein testifying that he is a trustworthy, sober, 
 ,iud respectable man ; and can also state that he exhibits an uncom- 
 mon amount of knowledge and skill in his capacity as Farrier 
 Major. It will ever afford me great pleasure to hear of his welfare, 
 in whatever quarter his abilities may be requLi'ed. 
 
 (Signed,) J. REID, 
 JAeutenant, Royal Horse Artillery. 
 
 Foona, Dec. ith, 1855. 
 I. have much pleasure in stating that I have employed Farrier 
 Major O'Hanlon several times these last two years, whenever I had 
 
TESTIMONAILS. Vll 
 
 ftnything the matter with my Horses that required his professional 
 skill, I hare always found him very attentive and skilful. I can, 
 therefore, strongly recommend him as a most superior Horse Doctor 
 and should be glad to hear of his prosperity. 
 
 (Signed,) EDW. CAMPBELL, 
 
 Captain Srd Bombay Regiment. 
 
 Foona, December btJi.^ I800. 
 This is to certify that I have knoA\Ti Farrier Major O'Hanlon of 
 this Regiment for the last nine years, dm-ing which time he has 
 proved himself on every occasion very skilful, trustworthy, and 
 weU disposed. 
 
 (Signed,) J. TURNBULL, 
 
 Major Eoyal Horse Artillery. 
 
 Fermoy, May, 1861. 
 This is to certify that Farrier Major O'Hanlon has had charge of 
 my Horses for the last two years, during which time they have been 
 infected on several occasions with distemper, and other inveterate 
 diseases, Avhich were speedily arrested by the great skill and judg- 
 ment of Mr. O'Hanlon. He also performed a most skilful operation 
 on a dog belonging to me, that had its head broken by a kick from 
 a horse. The dog was rendered perfectly useless, had frequent 
 attacks of the stagyers, often occurring two or three times in a 
 day. Mr. O'Hanlon introduced a silver plate in the affected part, 
 after having taken part of the fractm-ed bone away. I am happy 
 to say that the dog is now perfectly recovered. I consider this a 
 most astonishing cure, and in every instance he has shown the same 
 tact and judgment in applpng a remedy. I have, therefore, great 
 pleasure in recommending Mr. O'Hanlon to the notice of those 
 gentlemen who may require his services, in full confidence that he 
 will give eveiv satisfaction. 
 
 (Signed,) R. XEVILLE, 
 
 Major 1 1 th Regiment. 
 
 Rathbarry, near Fermoy, May lOfA, 1861. 
 I hereby certify that Mr. O'Hanlon cured a Mare of mine that 
 was blind over three years. I had several of his profession attending 
 her, without success. I was advised to make application to Mr. 
 O'Hanlon ; I am glad I did so — he completely cm-ed her in a very 
 short time, and her sight is now as good as ever. 
 
 (Signed,) JOHN FOOHY. 
 
Vlll TESTIMONIALS, 
 
 Fermoy^June, 1861. 
 It affords me great pleasure to add ray testimony as to the skill 
 of Mr. O'Hanlon, of Fermoy. I had some very bad cases of dis- 
 temper in my stables, which were soon arrested by the remedies 
 employed by Mr. O'Hanlon ; I therefore strongly recommend him 
 as a most skilful man in the diseases of a Horse, also very reputable 
 in his private life. 
 
 (Signed,) T. HACKETT, 
 
 Captain, 28th Regiment. 
 
 Fermoy, \st Becember, 1862. 
 I certify that I have known Mr. O'Hanlon ever since he has 
 been in Fermoy ; he has always had charge of my Horses, and I 
 consider him a Farrier of great abilities. 
 
 (Signed,) E. A. DANIELL, 
 
 Barrack Master. 
 
 Ballymacphilip, near Ballyhooly, Dec., 1862. 
 I certify that Mr. O'Hanlon, of Fermoy, operated on a Colt of 
 mine that was ruptured thi'ough the ignorance of a Sow Gelder who 
 attempted to castrate him. Mr. O'Hanlon opened the Colt's belly, 
 in the presence of several gentlemen, and cut about half-a-yard of 
 his gut away that looked very black. The Colt was perfectly well 
 in three .weeks. 
 
 JEREMIAH LINEHAN. 
 
 Fermoy, lad Bee. 1862. 
 Mr. O'Hanlon (late Farrier Major of the Eoyal Horse Artillery,) 
 has, ever since his arrival in Fermoy, attended my Horses and shod 
 them. Mr. O'Hanlon is a Veterinary Surgeon of great ability, and 
 much experience. I never met a more civil or obliging man, at all 
 times ready, and equal to any emergency, applying his remedies with 
 promptitude, decision, and success. He bears the highest character 
 in his private life, and is much respected by all Avho have employed 
 him. I might add, the shoeing of Horses carried out under his 
 immediate superintendence, is ahvays well executed. 
 
 (Signed,) T. LYNDEN BELL, 
 
 Major ISfh Depot Battalion. 
 
 Fermoy, 3rd Dec., 1862. 
 1 liave much pleasure in being able to add my testimony to that 
 "( many other genilomcn, as to the great skill, attention, and in all 
 
TESTIMONIALS. IX 
 
 respects excellent couduct of Mr. O'Hanlon, late Farrier Major in the 
 Eoyal Horse Artillery, and now practising as a Yeterinary Surgeon 
 in Fermoy, and with whom I have been acquainted o^-er a period of 
 twelve months, diu'ing which time I had some casualties in my 
 stables, which enables me to recommend him strongly, either to 
 treat, or look after sick or disabled Horses. His system of shoeing 
 is the best I have seen in this country, and I am confident Avhoeyer 
 calls on Mr. O'Hanlon for his services, will never regret having 
 done so. 
 
 (Signed,) EDWAED HARXETT, 
 
 Cajitain Wth Hussar ft. 
 
 LicMash Castle, 2nd Jammry, 1863. 
 Mr. O'Hanlon has had the shoeing and Medical treatment of my 
 Horses since my arrival at Licklash Castle, and I can safely say that 
 he is very skilfid in the diseases of Horses. His system of shoeing 
 is superior to anv I have seen. 
 
 (Signed,) W. LAW OGILBY. 
 
 CareysviUe,, 6th Jan., 1863. 
 
 It affords me much pleasure in being able to bear testimony to the 
 efficiency and skill of Mr. O'Hanlon, late Farrier Major in the 
 Eoyal Horse Artillery. The judicious, decisive, and successful 
 treatment adopted by him with regard to a sick Mare of mine, needs 
 no other comment than that I am enabled to say, had I not recourse 
 to his services, the mare must have simk in a few hours Avith the 
 complaint imder which she laboured. I consider Mr. O'Hanlon a 
 perfect master of his profession, and since my Horses have been sent 
 to his shoeing department, I have found the greatest improvement 
 under his superintendence. I have known Mr. O'Hanlon since he 
 came to Fermoy, and never found a more obliging or attentive 
 person in his capacity, and, in my opinion, Fermoy and its vicinity, 
 and especially those who regard the einciency of so valuable an 
 animal as the Horse, are favoui-ed in having so eminent a person 
 residing within their call, as experience will prove to those who may 
 be pleased to employ him. 
 
 (Signed,) E. K. CAEEY, J.P. 
 
 Mocoilop, 7th Jan., 1863. 
 
 Mr. O'Hanlon — Sir, I beg to inform you that I feel grateful to 
 you for having so eifectually cured my Horse of blindness of a very 
 long standing. — I remain, vours, 
 
 FEANCI3 DALY. 
 
X TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 Fermoy, 22nd January, 1863, 
 Mr. O'Hanlon has been the greatest portion of the last nine 
 months attending my Horses, and I could not wish for more 
 judicious treatment than he adopted. He has proved himself to 
 understand his business thoroughly. I would, therefore, recommend 
 any one who requires the ser^^dces of a Veterinary Sm-geon to call on 
 Mr. O'Hanlon. 
 
 (Signed,) FRANCIS COGAN, 
 
 Staff Surgeon ISth Depot Battn. 
 
 Fermoy, \2>th January, 1863. 
 I have great pleasure in being able to testify to the great skill of 
 Mr. O'Hanlon, in curing the diseases of Horses ; I have known him 
 a long time, and employed him in the capacity of Farrier Major and 
 Veterinary Surgeon. I have frequently had occasion to consult him 
 about my Horses, one of which had a disease about two months, 
 his careful and prompt attention was the means of saving my Horse. 
 His system of shoeing is certainly superior to any I have seen since 
 my arrival in Ireland. 
 
 (Signed,) EDMUND SMITH, 
 
 Captain 95th Hcyiment. 
 
 Fermoy, 2Qth January, 1863. 
 
 I have had long acquaintance with Mr. O'Hanlon, (late Farrier 
 Major in the Royal Horse Artillery,) and foimd him satisfactory in 
 the treatment of Horses. I can testify to the great improvement in 
 my Horses feet under his treatment. I may also state that I have 
 ever found Mr. O'Hanlon, civil, obliging, and careful in his duties. 
 
 (Signed,) RICHARD WHITE, 
 
 Medical Officer, Fermoy, 
 
 Fermoy, 28th January, 1863. ' 
 
 I have known Mr. O'Hanlon, (late Farrier Major in the Royal 
 Horse Artillery,) since I have been in Fermoy, he has had charge 
 of my Horses for a period of eighteen mouths. I consider him fully 
 competent in every branch of the Veterinary Art, and testify to the 
 precision and despatch with which the Farriery department is con- 
 ducted under his immediate superintendence. One of my ITor.ses 
 recently exhibited symptoms of farcy, which Avcre promptly arrested 
 by the remedies employed by Mr. O'lfanlon. 
 
 (Signed,) J. J. Hi I, J. CARBEEKY 
 
 \-Uh Itn/niiC/lt, 
 
TESTIMONIALS. XI 
 
 Fermoy, January Mat, IbGiJ. 
 Mr. O'Hanlon has attended my Horses since my arrival in 
 Fermoy, he has proved himself a Veterinary Surgeon of great 
 experience and ability ; he also bears the highest character in his 
 private life. His system of shoeing is decidedly the best I have 
 seen lq this country. 
 
 (Signed,) A. B. C. DREWE, 
 
 Late 'doth Regiment. 
 
 Fermoy, Ath February, 1863. 
 I have known Mr. O'Hanlon (late Farrier Major Eoyal Horse 
 Artillery,) since he first commenced business as a Veterinary Surgeon 
 in Fermoy, and was one of the first persons to send him horses. I 
 have much pleasure in testifying as to his ability and attention, and 
 have ever found him most civil and obliging. He performed a very 
 difficult Surgical operation on a mare of mine, in a skilful and 
 successful manner. My horses have been well and carefully shod 
 under his superintendence. 
 
 (Signed,) E. FAIETLOUGH, 
 
 Captain lith Regiment. 
 
 BalUnalack, near Ruthcormack, May, 1863. 
 I hereby certifj' that Mr. O'Hanlon ciu-ed a Mare of mine which 
 was sufieriug fi'om debility and liver complaint, for nearly twelve 
 months. I am also proud to acknowledge that I applied to various 
 Practitioners in the ^'eterinary art, without success, and the Mare 
 was pronoimced incurable by many of the Professionals above alluded 
 to, as not likely to be of any farther use. I was induced to make 
 application to Mr. O'Hanlon, and in the short space of twenty-seven 
 days, the Mare was perfectly cured, and fit to resume her ordinary 
 work -with perfect ease. I have much pleasure in sending this testi- 
 monial to Mr. O'Hanlon, in acknowledgement of his superior skill 
 as a Veterinary Practitioner. A]" A "R TINT DAT Y 
 
 Ballyclough, June 1863. 
 I have much pleasure in testifj'ing to the able and skilful manner 
 in which Mr. O'Hanlon of Fermoy operated on a Horse of mine 
 that was blind more than twelve months. I applied to several 
 Veterinary Surgeons without the slightest chance of a ciu-e being 
 accomplished on my Horse. I was then advised to try Mr. O'Hanlon, 
 being informed of some wonderful operations that he performed with 
 success. It would be difficult as well as tedious to relate the particu- 
 lars respecting this great cure which he performed on my Horse ; 
 therefore, it will be sufficient to state, that my Horse was perfectly 
 
Xll TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 cured in twenty-one days. A more decided proof of skill and judg- 
 ment is rarely exhibited by any Veterinary Surgeon in the three 
 Kingdoms. I give this testimonial to Mr. Hanlon with many 
 thanks. 
 
 JOHN COUGHLAN. 
 
 Eichmond Park, N'ovember, 1863. 
 Mr. O'Hanlon has attended my Horses in some serious cases of 
 illness, and has been successful in his treatment of them. He has 
 shod regularly for the last three years, six Horses of mine, entirely 
 to my satisfaction. I consider that he is a great acquisition in the 
 town, and a most respectable and well conducted man. 
 
 (Signed,) JOHN FUKLONG, J.P. 
 
 January lOtk, 1864. 
 Mr. 0' Hanlon (late Farrier Major Eoyal Horse Ai-tillery) has 
 attended my Horses several times during their illness, and J have 
 great pleasure in stating that he has proved himself on every occasion 
 a man of great abilitv. 
 
 C. LARKING, 
 IStk Regiment. 
 
 Bathcormack, January \2th, 1864. 
 With great pleasure I can bear testimony to the satisfaction given 
 me by Mr. O'Hanlon, late Farrier Major Royal Horse Artillery, on 
 the several occasions I sought his aid. I consider him a skilful, 
 clever operator, and an intelligent man, and one in whom I have 
 great confidence. 
 
 JOHN GEORGE NASON, J.P, 
 
 In addition to the foregoing, the Author has in his possession 
 many other testimonials, (the insertion of which would be superflu- 
 ous) shewing how highly his system is appreeiatedj and the great 
 success that has at all times attended liis Medical treatment of 
 Horses committed to his care, and the skilfid and effect ive operations 
 performed by him on disabled Horses, whereby they were enabled 
 to work, and rendered valuable to their owners, although previously 
 pronounced incm'uble by other Practitioners of the Veterinary art. 
 
TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 Wo, the undersigned, certify that Jeremiah O'Hanlon, late Farrier 
 Major Royal Horse Artillery, has, from time to time, been 
 employed by us in the treatment of our Horses, and we have no 
 hesitation in stating that he has invariably evinced great care, 
 skill, and judgment in such treatment, and given us the utmost 
 satisfaction : — 
 
 W. Diett, Assistant Adjt.-Gen. 
 
 C. E,. Egerton, Colonel, late Com- 
 nianchng 18th Depot Battn, 
 
 J.Moore, Col.Com. 19thDep.Batt 
 
 C. Chichester, Major, Castle Hyde 
 
 G. King, Major, I'Sth Depot Batt. 
 
 L. Bell, Major, 18th Depot Batt. 
 
 R. Xeville, Major, 11th Regt. 
 
 F. Lyster, Major, 11th Regt. 
 
 R. A, Daniell, Major, Barrack 
 Master, Dublin 
 
 J. Stawell, Major, Barrack Mas- 
 ter, Fermoy 
 
 J. Reid, Captain, Horse Artillery 
 
 E. Harnett, Capt., 11th Hussars 
 
 S. Hackett, Captain, 28th Regt. 
 
 P. Collis, Capt., Moimtford Lodge 
 Fermoy 
 
 E. Fairtlough, Capt., 14th Regt. 
 
 R. M. Hall, Capt., 13th Regt. 
 
 R. Fitzgerald, Capt., 69th Regt. 
 
 E. Campbell, Capt. 3rd Regt. 
 
 E. Smith, Capt., 9oth Regt. 
 
 J. Miles, Capt,, 3rd Regt. 
 
 H Light, Capt., 68th Regt. 
 
 W. W. Corban, Capt., 49th Regt. 
 
 B. Bennett, Capt., 19th Dep.Batt. 
 
 C. Long, Capt., 13th Regt. 
 
 H. Thurston, Capt., 13th Regt. 
 A. Tucker, Capt., 68th Regt. 
 A. Vesturme, Capt., 11th Regt. 
 M. S. Morgan, Capt., 14th Regt. 
 A. P. 0. Malley, Capt., 22nd Regt. 
 H. E. Hall, Capt., 13th Regt. 
 S. Head, Capt., 13th Regt. 
 R. S. Morgan, Capt., South Cork 
 
 Militia 
 0. F. H. O'Malley, Capt., 7th 
 
 Lancashire Militia 
 J. Williams, Capt., 28th Regt. 
 
 Y. Gilbert, Capt., 13thLt.Lifantry 
 P. Higgins, Esq., Quarter Master, 
 
 Fermoy 
 H. Carberry, Esq., 14th Regt. 
 J. Cox, Esq., 68th Regt. 
 C. Lee, Esq., 14th Regt. 
 
 C. Larkin, Esq., 13th Regt. 
 J. Davids, Esq., 14th Regt. 
 F. E. Webb, Esq., 28th Regt. 
 W. L. OgUby, Esq., Licklash 
 
 Castle 
 B.Wigmore, Esq., KilbarryHouse 
 J. Hallinan, Esq., Glaudillane 
 
 Mills 
 J. Morragh, Esq., National Bank, 
 
 Fermoy 
 E. K. Carey, J.P., Careys\dlle 
 
 E. O'Brien, J.P., Mitchelstown 
 H. G. Hayes, J.P.j Towermore, 
 
 Fermoy 
 
 D. O'Brien, J. P., Cahir,Tipperary 
 H. BraddeU, J.P , Modoligo 
 
 C. Deane, J. P., Gurrane 
 W. C. ColUs, J.P., Castlecooke 
 J. G. Xason, J. P., Rathcormack 
 A. Devonsher, J. P., Kilshannic 
 M. Hendley, J. P., Mountrivers 
 J. Furlong, J. P., Richmond Park 
 
 F. Bell, J.P., Fermoy 
 
 T. W. White, Medical Doctor 
 P. Cogan, Staff Surgeon, Fermoy 
 C. Creed, Medical Doctor, West 
 
 Cork Artillery 
 J. Downing, M.D., Fermoy 
 A. BjTnes, Surgeon, 3rd Regt, 
 R. White, M.D., Fermoy 
 J.Turner, Surgeon Horse Artillery 
 J. Brady, Staff Surgeon, Fermoy 
 W. Edwards, Staff Sm-geon 
 H, O'Brien, M,D., Kyle Beg 
 
TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 D. Dennehy, Esq., Comn House 
 
 E. Gaggin, Esq., Ballyricliarcl, 
 IMidieton 
 
 J. Eealie, Esq., Lismonnt 
 W, Jermyn, Esq., National Bank 
 J. Perrott, Esq., Upland 
 T. Barry, Esq., Firmoimt 
 W. Corban, Esq., Bettyville 
 R. Pearde, Esq., Coole Abbey 
 P. W. Carey, Esq., Rathbarry 
 H. T. Norcott, Esq., North View 
 J. W. Nasou, Esq., Conua 
 T. Rice, Esq., Solicitor, Fermoy 
 J. S. Green, Esq., Barrister-at- 
 Law, Air hill 
 
 Rev. A. Hill, Chaplain to the 
 
 Forces 
 Rev. D. Dilworth, P.P., Glan- 
 
 worth 
 Rev. J. Donaldson, Fermoy 
 Rev.M. F. O'Mahonv, Glanworth 
 Rev. T. H. C. Finny, Clondulane 
 Rev. M. Riordan, Rathcormack 
 Rev. T. Robinson, LL.D., Fer- 
 moy College 
 Rev. T. Walsh, P.P., Conna 
 Rev. J. 0' Flaherty, Chaplain to 
 
 the Forces 
 Rev. T. Buckley, Castlelyons 
 
 >o>^c 
 
PEEFAGE. 
 
 When tlie number and vai'iety of works already published 
 by competent writers on YeterinarySurgery, Parriery, &c., 
 are considered, little can be expected from a new com- 
 pilation besides a careful selection of the most useful 
 matter, and some degTee of improvement in the mode of 
 adapting it to the understanding of the general reader, 
 in order to render it of practical utility. With these 
 objects in view, the Author has endeavoured to avoid 
 the use of technical exi^ressions, which only tend to 
 embarrass and confuse those who are ignorant of the 
 Teterinary art ; and he has oifered to the public no 
 information or remedy, which has not borne the test of 
 actual experiment, or whose efficacy has not been fully 
 established by a long course of practice, extending over 
 a period of twenty -five years, under the most dis- 
 tinguished Yeterinary Surgeons of the age. Nothing 
 has been left to conjecture or supposition ; no speculative 
 theories have been indulged in, but an amount of solid 
 information has been collected, and presented to the 
 public, in such a fonn as to combine, as far as possible, 
 two apparently opposite qualities — completeness and 
 conciseness. In treating of Yeterinary Science, so inti- 
 mately connected with anatomy and animal physiology, 
 
XVI PREFACE. 
 
 the Author admits the difficulty of conveying informa- 
 tion in this department of medical knowledge, without 
 using scientific expressions, but as this would defeat one 
 of the principal objects of this work, namely, to popu- 
 larize the subject, he has studied to make himself 
 intelligible to every capacity, by using language both 
 familiar and easy, and calculated to make his meaning 
 simple and distinct- How far he has succeeded in this 
 respect must be left to the decision of the judicious and 
 candid reader. In a work professing to be partly a 
 compilation, and partly composed of original matter 
 acquired by the Author's personal experience, it is con- 
 sidered scarcely necessary to apologise for the use which 
 has been made of the labors of his predecessors, or for 
 omitting to insert their names. In some cases the latter 
 could not be done with propriety, owing to the uncer- 
 tainty that exists regarding the origin of some recent 
 investigations in Animal Physiology and Anatomy, 
 leading to important discoveries in Yeteiinary science ; 
 besides in endeavouring to economise space, it was con- 
 sidered necessary to avoid occupying the pages with a 
 too frequent repetition of names and references. 
 
 It is hoped that this treatise on the Horse, his diseases, 
 and the remedies for them, manner of exercise, diet, 
 treatment, training, &c., will enable owners of horses, 
 grooms, and others engaged in the training or manage- 
 ment of this noble animal, to avoid all a^Dplication to 
 quackery and superstition. That these means are 
 frequently used to recover horses from certain diseases 
 is a fact ; that, notwitlistanding the march of intellect, 
 cannot be questioned. 
 
PREFACE. XVn 
 
 Unfortunately, owing to circumstances to which re- 
 ference shall presently be made, the use of "charms" 
 to cui-e the '' Farcy," &c., prevails in Ireland to a very 
 great extent. Ignorant impostors succeed in inducing 
 many owners of horses to believe that they have the 
 power, by repeating some mystic jargon, to effect the 
 cure of the most inveterate diseases. That men are found 
 to take advantage of the credulity of others is not sur- 
 prising, but that rational persons, in the middle of the 
 nineteenth century, should thus allow themselves to 
 become the dupes of such designing knaves, is full 
 matter for wonder and astonishment. In England and 
 Scotland, Royal Veterinary Colleges have been long 
 established, and gentlemen are properly qualified by a 
 regular course of study, and practice for this branch of 
 medical science. Here in Ireland, however, there is a 
 large class of ignorant pretenders, whose knowledge is 
 principally composed of charms and quackery, and who, 
 without having the slightest idea of the physical organ- 
 ization, or the functions of the different parts of the vital 
 system of this noble animal, will presumptuously 
 undertake to cure it of all diseases. When quack 
 medicines fail, charms are resorted to. The latter, though 
 of course monstrously absurd and perfectly inefficacious, 
 do not kill. This cannot be said of the former, for 
 partly owing to the want of a Yeterinary College in 
 Ireland, until very recently, and the consequent 
 ignorance that prevailed, this country has been inundated 
 by a quantity of mischievous works on this subject, 
 written by non-professional men, with reckless indif- 
 ference regarding the nature of their contents, and got 
 
XVlll PREFACE. 
 
 up in England in a cheap form for Irish circulation, 
 anything being deemed good enough for this country. 
 
 As an instance of this animus^ I will quote a circum- 
 stance which, although it occurred many years ago, may 
 still be taken as an example of the general contempt 
 and indifference as to its progress, which Ireland has to 
 endure even at the present day. At one time the 
 medicines sold in Dublin were of a very inferior quality, 
 the worst which the London markets could produce. 
 Charles Lucas called public attention to them in a 
 pamphlet entitled '*A Scheme to prevent Frauds and 
 Abuses in Pharmacy," and met with violent opposition 
 in his endeavour to remedy these abuses. 
 
 The fact of the inferiority of these medicines was 
 notorious, for when some druggists were charged before 
 the British parliament with selling adulterated and 
 unsound drugs to the good subjects of His Majesty in 
 Great Britain, they denied the accusation, and stated 
 that all such drugs were sent to Ireland. 
 
 Ireland has enjoyed the blessings of a free education 
 for only thirty years, yet short as that period is, the tone 
 and habits of the people have been much altered for the 
 better ; many absurd and ridiculous notions and ideas 
 have disappeared before the light of education, as mists 
 before the rising sun. And those superstitious ideas 
 that still obtain regarding the cure of Farcy, &c., would 
 follow their train, if proper steps were only taken to 
 encourage, foster, and propagate a thorough knowledge 
 of Veterinaiy Science. A college has been established 
 in Dublin, but the public are scarcely aware of its ex- 
 istence. The press would not have passed over without 
 
PREFACE. XIX 
 
 due encouragement and encomiums, any steps taken by 
 the authorities in the right direction. The college ought 
 to have the privilege to grant diplomas to properly 
 qualified persons. Public lectures ought to be delivered, 
 and secure a wide circulation, and every exertion used 
 to dispel the alarming ignorance that prevails regarding 
 the proper treatment of one of the most noble and 
 valuable of animals. A.s an example of the worse than 
 ignorance that exists on this subject, the Author thinks 
 it necessary to describe an occurrence which came under 
 his own observation. A Horse belonging to a farmer not 
 many miles from Fermoy, was taken ill. As a matter 
 of course, the disease wa, only aggravated by the use of 
 improper medicines prescribed by those who knew not 
 the nature of the disorder under which the poor animal 
 laboured. An old woman, reputed to possess some 
 mii'aculous influence over sick horses, was sent for, and 
 brought a distance of fifteen miles ; on her arrival she 
 was immediately brought to the stable, and having ex- 
 amined the horse with the necessary degree of mystery, 
 mingled with some perplexity, and, no doubt, regarding 
 the dupes who surrounded her with scorn and contempt, 
 she proceeded to exercise her supernatural power by 
 blowing three times into the nostrils of the animal, 
 repeating, at the same time, the supposed diabolical ex- 
 pressions which constitute what is called the "charm." 
 But the poor animal "heeded not the voice of the 
 charmer, charmed she ever so wisely," and died the 
 next day. 
 
 But the most surprising part of the story is, that the 
 result did not shake the implicit belief in her power, 
 
XX PREFACE. 
 
 A^'hicli the simple owner of tlie horse retains to the present 
 clay. Numerous instances of this description could be 
 given. Another method of operation briefly stated will 
 be sufficient for the Author's purpose. A horse is 
 affected with some malady — the owner sends for one 
 of those quack doctors , on his arrival he orders a fowl 
 to be got, which is bled to death — the vital fluid is pre- 
 served, and the animal is compelled to drink of it ; the 
 imposter receives his reward, walks off, not forgetting 
 to carry the fowl with him, on which he enjoys a 
 hearty meal at the expense of the simpleton who em- 
 ployed him. While not hesitating to condemn all 
 impositions, quackery, and superstition, the Author, of 
 course, does not mean to imply that all his countrymen 
 are equally susceptible of imposition, equally credulous 
 or superstitious. E"o, that is very far from his intention. 
 Neither would it be true. That this belief exists pretty 
 extensively is a fact, but it is mostly confined to the 
 least educated part of the community. Men of intelli- 
 gence occasionally try such remedies, but they are 
 induced to it, sometimes by their workmen, often through 
 curiosity, and generally as a last resource. That super- 
 stitious practices of this kind are still in operation, is 
 much to be deplored, as it is a proof of backwardness in 
 this age of progTCSs, but the prevalence of these 
 absurdities the Author believes to be owing to proper 
 means not being used by those whose duty it is to take 
 the initiative in improving and encouraging everything 
 that would tend to the advancement and prosperity of 
 the country, and the spread of enlightened and liberal 
 opinions. The people supply the taxes, and they have 
 
l^KEFACE. - XXI 
 
 a riglit to expect that theii^ interests, both moral and 
 material, will be paternally cared for. It has been said 
 of the Irish that their virtues are their own, while 
 many of their faults are to be attributed to the wayward 
 circumstances under which they were placed. These 
 superstitious notions respecting the cure of horses, and 
 the general ignorance that exists on this subject, are 
 owing to the neglect of the government in not taking 
 the necessary steps to promote and disseminate a correct 
 knowledge of Veterinary art by the same system adopted 
 in England and Scotland. The Irish are always ready 
 to avail themselves of every opportunity of improvement 
 placed within their reach. As a proof of this, I may 
 mention that, notwithstanding the education of the vast 
 majority of the Irish people was not sanctioned by law, 
 and received no support from the State until a com- 
 paratively recent period, there are more, in proportion 
 to the population, able to read and write in Ireland 
 than in England. And even in the higher walks of 
 literature and art, obliged to contend against the pre- 
 judices of country, religion, class, or pai'ty. Irishmen 
 have attained an acknowledged eminence of which their 
 country may feel justly proud. "W"ho has not heard of 
 the ''glory of Grattan and genius of Moore" — the ver- 
 satility of Goldsmith, who wrote on many subjects, 
 and adorned all — the heroism and talent of Curran, 
 Emmet, etc. — the genius of Hogan, Maclise, etc., and 
 last, though not least, the grand old tribune, Ireland's 
 immortal Liberator, who wielded at will the fierce de- 
 mocracy, and who left behind him the sacred deposit of 
 his fame, to be treasured for ever in the hearts of Irishmen? 
 
 h 
 
XXll PEEFACE. 
 
 Being desirous to avoid even the appearance of 
 severity or injustice to his countrymen in endeavouring 
 to point out and rectify certain abuses and absurdities, 
 to wliich he has ah-eady referred, the Author has pro- 
 bably extended these prefatory observations to too great 
 a length, and introduced what may be deemed by some, 
 irrelevant matter : he, however, claims the indulgence 
 of his readers while making a few concluding remarks. 
 
 Although some important works have, from time to 
 time, been published on Veterinary science, yet, being 
 principally intended for professional men, they are like 
 so many edged tools in the hands of the inexperienced. 
 To make a judicious use of such books it requires a great 
 deal of skill, judgment and ability ; so that, notwith- 
 standing the competency of the writer, such works are 
 ■ liable to be abused in the hands of the ignorant and 
 assuming practitioner. Physicians find it often very 
 difficult to determine the disease with which their 
 patient is afflicted, although the sick person explains in 
 what manner he is affected — how much more difficult 
 then, is it to decide in tlie case of a dumb brute, and 
 what a great amount of experience, skill, intelligence 
 and penetration, are requisite in order to treat a sick 
 animal successfully ? The nature of the disease must 
 first be satisfactorily ascertained before such medicines 
 can be used, as chemically combining with the injurious 
 or poisonous matter generated in the system, shall 
 neutralize its effects. 
 
 When a Surgical operation becomes necessary, what 
 a perfect knowledge of the anatomy of the Horse is 
 
PKEFACE. XXlll 
 
 use of the knife ! Yet, how often does it happen that 
 a *' sow gelder" without any more knowledge than that 
 acquired by operating on the pig, is allowed to undertake 
 the most delicate and difficult surgical operations, 
 (generally with fatal effect) on the horse, an animal of a 
 totally different organization !"^ 
 
 Although not professing to impart the necessary sci- 
 entific knowledge, this work, however, being divested 
 of all technicalities in the description of the symptoms 
 of the different diseases, and the mixing and use of the 
 proper medicines, will, it is hoped, in the hands of those 
 not absolutely devoid of a knowledge of the horse, 
 diminish to some extent, the mischievous effects of the 
 present system. 
 
 To accomplish this, even in a slight degree, the 
 Author considers an object worthy of his highest am- 
 bition ; self interest being altogether secondaiy to the 
 gratification to be derived from opening to the public 
 eye, with a friendly hand, existing abuses, and con- 
 tributing, by his humble efforts, to remove them. 
 
 * The successful results of the Author's medical and surgical 
 treatment, in cases which seemed to be hopeless, and where every 
 remedy was tried unavailingly, before application to him, might be 
 deemed too extraordinar)- — too much beyond the boimds of possibility 
 in the present state of Veterinary science in Ireland, were it not for 
 the abmidant and conclusive testimonials given by gentlemen of the 
 highest position and respectability, to whose numerous testimonials 
 published in this Avork, the reader is respectfully referred. 
 
AXJTHOE'S AUTOBIOGEAPHY. 
 
 As a preliminary to the following treatise, I tiust I 
 may, witliout rendering myself liable to the charge of 
 egotism, be permitted to make a short statement in 
 reference to my previous life, adding a. few extracts from 
 the annals of the ancient Irish sept with which my name 
 is allied, for the purpose of shewing — as I respectfully 
 hope it will — that I and my humble little work are not 
 wholly unworthy of the confidence of my fi iends, and 
 of guarding against the attacks of hidden enemies, if 
 any I have. 
 
 Eyincing an early taste for military pursuits, I, at 
 the age of seyenteeu years, joined the British army, 
 taking service in that distinguished corps, the Royal 
 Horse Artillery, where I found myself the companion of 
 men almost all of whom were English and Scotch, but 
 instead of entertaining any feeling of inferiority, as I 
 fear too many of my countrymen in this position do, a 
 strong spirit of nationality was roused within me, and 
 I felt proud that I had now an opportunity of proving 
 to my comrades — and accordingly on every occasion I 
 endeavoured to shew — that IrisWen were not what 
 they had been unjustly represented to be. 
 
 Having completed my regular course of drill, the 
 Hiding-Master reported to the Commanding Officer, 
 Colonel Rowland, that I was the best rider and swords- 
 man under his command, and shortly afterwards Colonel 
 
AUTflOIi S ATTTHOBIOGRAPHY. 
 
 Eowland (now a distinguished General) recommended 
 me to learn farriery, with which recommendation I of 
 course instantly complied. Accordingly I was placed 
 under the instructions of the Veterinary Surgeon, who 
 was directed to initiate me fully into the various bran- 
 ches of the art, which I subsequently studied under him 
 for a period of six years. In the meantime the Sergeant- 
 Major of the regiment, fearing, from the progress which 
 I was making, that at some future day I might become 
 PaiTier-Major, to which rank he was of opinion no 
 Irishman should be promoted, endeavoured by every 
 means in his power to injure my character, and depre- 
 ciate my capabilities, and brought several groundless 
 charges against me, all of which were dismissed; but, 
 notwithstanding his enmity, on completing the sixth 
 year, I was promoted to the rank of full farrier. In 
 this position I continued for two years, discharging my 
 duties to the satisfaction of the Veterinary Surgeon, but 
 still followed by the persecution of the Sergeant-Major, 
 who, on every opportunity, spoke disparagingly of me 
 to the officers, with whom he had more than ordinary 
 influence. About this time a change took place in the 
 regiment, which rendered my prospects, as I, at the 
 time, thought rather unfavourable — Colonel Kowland 
 and the Veterinary Surgeon both left the regiment. 
 Tlic latter was, however, succeeded by a gentleman 
 whom I found to be entirely free from those national 
 prejudices which too often retard the promotion of 
 Irishmen in the British service, and whose impartial 
 qualities soon merited my confidence, as the result slicws. 
 The Farrier-^lajor having been reduced, the other 
 farriers were ordered to prepare for examination, in 
 order that the one most competent to take his place might 
 be chosen, and al'ler a full examination, I was preferred 
 and pi omoted to the vacant rank, which I held until I 
 left the army. I believe I may safely say, that I nm 
 the first Irishman who ever held the position of 
 Tarrier-Major in the lioyal Horse Artillery. 
 
AUTHOK'8 AUTHOBIOGEAPHY. 
 
 I now trust that those friends of mine who might 
 incline to think me hostile to my former — that is, 
 national — ideas, because of my long service in the 
 British army, will not henceforth consider me an un- 
 worthy descendant of my forefathers. The sept of 
 O'Hanlon was amongst the foremost of those who resisted 
 the invaders in the year 1414, when Sir John Talbot 
 was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for the purpose of 
 crushing the Irish chieftains. Sir John having assembled 
 his army, marched first against the O'Hanlon, who were 
 supposed to be his strongest and most inveterate enemy 
 in Ulster ; but, after great slaughter, butcheiy, plunder, 
 and burning, he was obliged to retire from the bloody 
 field of battle owing to the superior bravery and tactics 
 of the O'Hanlon chieftains. In 1474, Sir Edward 
 Poynings was sent over to put down, and, if possible, 
 destroy the Irish people, and we then find that the 
 O'Hanlons and 0']S"eills were the leading clans who 
 opposed him. And in 1515, when the English govern- 
 ment called on the Secretary for Ireland to return the 
 names of the leading Irish rebel chieftains, that of 
 O'Hanlon was the first on the list. Sir Henry Sydney, 
 in a Report made by him in 1575 to the English govern- 
 ment, with Tefcrence to the state of Ireland at that 
 period, says, that he found the O'Hanlons and their 
 county — "Ulster — most obstinate, shewing an unusual 
 spirit of nationality. And in a Eeport of the Deputy in 
 1601, on the disaftected state of Ireland, it is mentioned 
 that Munster was well reduced, and *' began to taste the 
 sweetness of peace ;" that the like might be said of 
 Leinster, except as to the territories of the O'Moores 
 and O'Connors, but that in the northern part of Ulster, 
 the country of the O'Hanlons, they (the O'Hanlons) 
 were collecting in great force, and learning the tactics 
 of war. Again, in 1641, at the time of the great insur- 
 rection and massacre of the Irish in Ulster, when Lord 
 Caulfield resided in the castle of Claremount as Governor 
 of the fort, the O'Hanlons divided their forces, and one 
 
ArXUOllS AUTHOBIOGEAPHY. 
 
 portion having marched on Tanderagee, took it hy storm, 
 while the other marched on Armagh and I^ewry, and did 
 the same with both these places. At the memorable 
 battle of Beubiirb, on the 5th of June, 1646, Owen Roe 
 0']S"eill gave charge of the Irish banners to the O'Han- 
 lons, whom he called the regal standard bearers of 
 Ireland, and with 5,000 foot, and 500 horse, he 
 completely routed General Monroe's army of 6,000 foot, 
 and 800 horse. This is recorded as the hardest and 
 bloodiest battle ever contested in Ireland. In 1650, 
 Sir George Monroe, who was then in Ulster fighting 
 against the Eishop of Down, Lord Enniskillen, and the 
 O'Hanlons, reported very unfavorably to Cromwell of 
 the state of that country, and Cromwell replied that all 
 those found in arms against his authority should, without 
 exception, be put to the sword. In a battle fought 
 shortly afterwards, the Bishop of Down and Lord 
 Enniskillen were slain, whereupon the O'Hanlons were 
 obliged to fly to the woods and mountains for shelter. 
 An order was then issued by the tyrant Cromwell, that 
 two brothers of the O'Hanlons — who were always first 
 in battle— should be taken dead or alive, and they 
 hearing of it, decided on going to Munster, which they 
 did, and arrived at a x)lace called Parrahy, near Kil- 
 dorrery, in the county of Cork, where one of them 
 remained. The other brother (from wliom I claim 
 descent,) proceeded on to Mallow, and tlicnce to Grcnagh, 
 where he resided for some time, but finally settled m 
 the parish of Donoughmore, county Cork. 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 PAET riEST. 
 
 Section I. 
 
 Introduction — Early Eecords of the Horse —The "Wild Horse — 
 The Domestication of the Horse — Horses of Diiferent 
 Countries — The Teeth Characterizing Age .. . ... ... 3 
 
 Section II. 
 
 Breeding of Horses — How to Buy a Horse — Training of 
 Horses — Stable Management and Feeding — Dressing or 
 Grooming — The Feet — Exercise 33 
 
 Section III. 
 
 Names of Medicines used for Horses — Various Forms of 
 Medicine — Balls, and how they act — Powders — Drenches — 
 Clysters — Ointments — Fomentations — Poultices — Bleed- 
 ing — Physicing — Firing — Blistering — Gelding — Eowels 
 and Setons — Shoeing ... ... ... ... ... ... 52 
 
 Section IY. 
 
 ]S"atm'e and Properties of the Blood — Xature and Properties 
 of the Limgs — Inflammation of the Lungs — Natm-e and 
 Properties of the Kidneys — Natui-e and Properties of the 
 Stomach — Nature of the Heart — Natm-e of the Liver — 
 Nature of the Bladder— Natm-e of the Pidse — What is 
 Inflammation? — Digestion— rThe Ai'teries — The Nerves ... 77 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAET SECOND 
 
 DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 
 
 Class I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Tooth-ache — Sm-feit — Mange — Warhles, Sit-fasts and Saddle 
 Galls — Mallenders and Sallenders — Wens — Fistula in the 
 Withers— Poll Evil 103 
 
 Class II. 
 
 Cong-h — Catarrh — Roaring — Wheezing — Piping — Broken 
 Wind 112 
 
 Class III. 
 
 Distemper — Strangles — Megrims — Palsy — Staggers or Apo- 
 plexy — Epilepsy — Worms 118 
 
 Class IV. 
 Ophthalmia — Gutta Serena — Inflammation of the Eye — 
 Deafness — Locked Jaw ... ... ... ... ... 126 
 
 Class Y. 
 
 Jaundice • — Pleurisy — Consumption — Loss of Appetite — 
 Farcy — Glanders— Foul Feeding 133 
 
 Class VI. 
 
 Spa.smodic Colic — Flatulent Colic — Entanglement of tlie 
 Gut — Stone in the Intestines — Hernia, or Rupture — Sup- 
 pression of Urine — Profuse Staling 141 
 
CONTENTS. 
 Class YIl. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Elieumatism — Hide Bound— Chest Founder — Fever — Diar- 
 rhea-- Falling of the Fuudaraent— Falling of the Penis ... 146 
 
 Class VIII. 
 
 Bone Spavin — Bog Spavin— Blood Spavin — Curb — Capped 
 Hocks — The Thorough Pin — Swelled Legs — Lameness in 
 the Shoulder 154 
 
 Class IX. 
 
 String Halt — Broken Knees — "Wind Galls — Splints — Strain 
 in the Back Sinews — Grease . , . ... ... 1 58 
 
 Class X. 
 
 Contraction of the Feet — Tread, or Over-reach — Xavicular 
 Joint Disease — Sand Crack — Quitter- Corns — Bite of a 
 Mad Do? 164 
 
PART FIRST 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 
 SECTIO:?^ I. 
 
 INTRODUCTION — EARLY RECORDS OF THE HORSE THE WILD 
 
 HORSE — THE DOMESTICATION OP THE HORSE — HORSES OP 
 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES — THE TEETH CHARACTERISING THE AGE. 
 
 Introduction. 
 
 If the animals domesticated by man are essentially- 
 necessary to his comforts and convenience, no apology 
 need be offered for attempting to reduce into a system 
 the arts of preserving them in health, and of removing 
 their diseases, both of which must be founded on a 
 knowledge of the structure and functions of the animals 
 in question, and it is these therefore that form the 
 groundwork of what is called the art of Farriery. The 
 principal hindrance to its advancement has been its total 
 confinement in the hands of persons proverbially ignorant. 
 Custom reconciles the grossest absurdities, and hence, 
 though the value of the animal in question is a theme 
 that has exercised in every age the pens of thousands, 
 yet, the knowledge of the means of preserving them in 
 health, and of curing theii' diseases, has been regarded 
 as a subject beneath the dignity of a gentleman. But 
 at length superior to vulgar prejudices, and aware of its 
 great utility and importance, mankind are content to 
 consider this among the liberal arts, and to regard the 
 
 A 
 
4 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 profession and practice of it as no longer incompatible 
 with, the pretensions of a scholar, or the rank of a gente- 
 man. The generality of Farriers unfortunately are not 
 willing to be put to the trouble of learning, nor to the 
 mortification of owning that they need it ; hence they 
 obstinately maintain that nothing is necessary, but what 
 is known, and that there is a mechanical art learned by 
 initiation, in common with every other handicraft 
 pursuit. But Parriers should be aware that there is no 
 mortification in candidly pleading ignorance ; on tlie 
 contrary, ingeniousness would enoble them. In the 
 first place, it should be understood that there is no 
 honorary distinction between the Yeterinarian and 
 Parrier. The terms should be well explained. Farriery 
 is a branch of Veterinary medicine only ; Yeterinarian 
 is not an assumed term, simply it is a definite appellation 
 to which the Farrier has an equal right, if he professes 
 and understands the diseases of animals in general ; that 
 though the Yeterinary College holds out the means of 
 attaining this art by scientific progression, yet, the same 
 means that they pursue are within the reach of other 
 persons ; they possess no secret arts — the book of nature 
 is equally open to the meanest Farrier if he pursues 
 investigation upon equally excellent principles. 
 
 Outlines of the Art of Farriery. 
 Man, ever ready to improve surrounding objects to 
 his advantage, would not be long without subjecting to 
 his use such animals as his reason led him to suppose 
 would prove most usjful, or his experience had proved 
 were the most tractable. And it is possible that the 
 practice of that branch of it called Farriery was of later 
 date, inasmuch as the subjugation of the horse himself 
 was subsequent to that of other domestic animals. At 
 what exact period this took place is not necessary to 
 inquire, yet, that it was very early cultivated, we have 
 sufficient testimonies ; indeed reason would convince us 
 that as man beheld liis own disease removed or lessened 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 5 
 
 by the application of means, he would be led to make 
 similar attempts upon the complaints of the horse. The 
 term Farrier was derived from the French verb ferrer^ 
 to shoe a horse, which seems to be derived from the 
 word ferrum, iron in Latin. And as those persons who 
 shod horses in former days were the only Horse Doctors, 
 the term Farrier came to signify the art of curing the 
 diseases of horses. Homer, who flourished 900 years 
 before Christ, celebrates the management of the Greeks 
 with regard to their horses. 
 
 Xenophon, a Greek philosopher, poet, and warrior, 
 wrote a treatise on equitation, De re Equestri, nearly 
 500 years before the birth of Christ, in which he quotes 
 several authors who had written on the same subject 
 before, hence, we may naturally conclude the treatment 
 of the diseases of the horse had been attended to before 
 this. We have not heard of any other writer on Farriey 
 until after the Christian era, from the beginning of which 
 we have several fragments. Valerius Maximus mentions 
 one Herophilus, a farrier, who had written JEqiierius 
 Mediais, but his work has not been preserved. It was 
 only fifty years after the biiih of Christ when Columella 
 wrote his celebrated treatise, in which he mentions an 
 eminent cotemporary author, Palagonius, of whose work 
 I believe we have no remains. 
 
 It was about 300 years after the birth of Christ when 
 the true father of this art appeared, the Veterinary 
 Hippocrates, who wrote his Vegetius De Arte Veterinarian 
 which was the oracle of many succeeding ages, and 
 upon which many of the future improvements were 
 built. Vegetius likewise gives an account of all the 
 most celebrated authors before him, among whom the 
 most worthy of notice are Columella, Apsyrtus, Chiron, 
 and Pelagonius. The art appears to have gained little 
 in addition for several centuries subsequent to this, 
 though some writings on the subject appeared, of which 
 we have only extracts handed down to us, and for which 
 we are indebted to Const an tine. Porhyrogenet, who 
 
b THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 commanded that all the works on this important subject 
 that had appeared, should be collated, and the substance 
 of them formed into one body for the future guidance of 
 practitioners, and the preservation of the ancient opinions. 
 Prom this period we may date the improvement of 
 Farriery, and during this century many treatises upon 
 the subject appeared in different parts of Europe. Among 
 those to whom the science was indebted, maybe reckoned 
 the celebrated historian, Gessner, who compiled from 
 Aristotle, Pliny, Allian, Oppian, Varnon and many 
 others. During the seventeenth century, the art advanced 
 and numerous were the publications on the subject that 
 appeared in every country. In 1654, the Grand Mare- 
 schal, Francois, appeared ; a very large and meritorious 
 work, said to be composed by several hands. In 1675, 
 Gerard Blazius, a Dutchman, published in Amsterdam, 
 a treatise on the anatomy of the horse. 
 
 The eighteenth century will ever make a distinguished 
 figure in the annals of history, for the great advance 
 that took place in the art. The names of the most 
 celebrated were Garsault, who translated Snape into 
 French in 1734. In the same year, T. and G. Saunier, 
 two Dutchmen, published their celebrated work. In 
 1749, Linnaeus published his Pan Succus, which is 
 rather an account of the habits and manners of domestic 
 animals, than any treatise on their disease. It was 
 about the middle of this century also that several of the 
 continental countries, opening their eyes more fully on 
 the importance of this branch of science, established 
 seminaries for the purpose of teaching it scientifically. 
 Monsieur Eourgelet, was a volumnious author. In 1750, 
 he published his elements of Farriery in 3 volumes; 
 in 1765, his Materia Medica, for the use of the Yeterinary 
 pupils. As a cotemporary Avith Bourgelet, the elder 
 La Fosse (a name that will ever be respected in the 
 annals of Veterinary medicine) made numerous improve- 
 ments and discoveries, which he usually communicated 
 in tlie form of memoirs to the world. In 1766, La 
 
THE nORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 7 
 
 Fosse, jiiinor, wlio occupied tlie same situation his father 
 had held (that of Fan-ier to the lesser stables of the 
 King) presented his guide du Marechal, a work well 
 known in Europe. After the death of Bourgelet and 
 La Fosse, we hear of no character of any eminence for 
 some years. Blunderille appears to have been one of 
 the first Veterinary writers in England — he lived in the 
 reign of Elizabeth. His work appears chiefly a compila- 
 tion from ancient authors, of which he translated several 
 into English. His ideas were fettered with his attach- 
 ment to the manege^ and consequently introduced the 
 errors and absurdities with which that system was then 
 prevalent. 
 
 Kearly about this time, also, lived the celebrated 
 Gervasi ATarkham, whose treatise on Farriery, though 
 strictly eccentric, and grossly absurd, went through 
 numerous editions, and became the guide and way-post 
 of almost every practitioner. Solly sel's celebrated work 
 was translated from the French, which had, in some 
 measure, an influence in refuting the general errors at 
 that time prevalent, for at this time it was very customary 
 in some diseases to tie or bar the veins ; the foundered 
 legs were tied, that the inflammation might not proceed 
 upwards. A cough raised the supposition that the horse 
 had swallowed feathers. A stumbling horse had his 
 nose split. It is therefore evident that Sir "William 
 Hope's translation of Sollysel. must have contributed 
 greatly among the intelligent to place these errors in a 
 proper point of view. Mr. Gibson was also a very good 
 Farrier. Doctor Bracken, who was a physician of great 
 abilities and extensive knowledge in his j)rofession, a 
 man of considerable erudition, a sportsman, and a wit of 
 peculiar cast, his works have been as much admired and 
 read for the peculiar style in which they are written. 
 Bartlet was likewise a physician, who formed himself on 
 the model of Gibson and Bracken, collecting all their 
 excellencies, and giving the sum of their treatment in a 
 much more compenduous form, and wholly practical. 
 
b THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 To him succeeded Osmcr, who was likewise bred a 
 surgeon, but practiced the Veterinary art in Oxford 
 street, London. Mr. Clarke, of Edinburgh, the King's 
 Carrier for Scotland, soon after this gave the world his 
 excellent treatise on shoeing and diseases of the feet. 
 Nearly the same time, the public were indebted to Lord 
 Pembroke for his work, which, thougli professedly 
 written on the management of Dragoon horses, contains 
 some excellent observations on shoeing, and the general 
 treatment of the animal. 
 
 In 1790, Prosser, a gentleman engaged in the practice 
 of physic, advertised his intention of practising Farriery, 
 and as a previous step to it, published a treatise on the 
 strangles and fevers of horses. 
 
 In 1796, appeared a very elegant work, in quarto, the 
 production of S. "Freeman, Esquire, a gentleman of 
 fortune, learning, and great ingenuity. A Mr. John 
 Laurence about this time published a small volumn con-^ 
 taining extracts from M. St. Bel, Osmer, Clark, and 
 Lord Pembroke. 
 
 In 1800, Mr. Morecroft published a small pamphlet, 
 entitled, '^A cursory account of the various methods of 
 shoeing horses," with incidental observations. 
 
 In 1801, Mr. White published a very good work on 
 Farriery, called "A compendium of the Yeterinary art." 
 The year 1801, likewise, produced a Avork of consider- 
 able elegance from the pen of Mr. Eichard Laurence, 
 of Birmingham, Yeterinary Surgeon. 
 
 In 180:5, appeared in a large volume, quarto, Mr. 
 John Feron, Yeterinary Surgeon to the 1 3th Dragoons. 
 
 1805, if size constituted merit, this year would have 
 been a memorable one for bringing forth a volumuious 
 production in the form of a Yeterinary Directory, from 
 the pen of Mr. Thomas Boardman, Yeterinary Surgeon to 
 the Old llogiment of ])ragoons. 
 
 In 1806, xMr. Francis Clater, a (chemist and druggist, 
 published an octavo volume, entitled, " Eveiy man his 
 own Farrier." It consisted of old Jargon, a little 
 leavened with the new. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 9 
 
 In 1809, Mr. Bracy Clark, of London, favored the 
 pnblic with the first part of his dissertations on the foot 
 of the horse. About this time Mr. Delabere, Veterinary- 
 Surgeon, and professor of animal medicine in general, 
 wrote a splendid work called the '' Outlines of the 
 Yeterinary Art, or the Principles of Medicine, as applied 
 to the sti'ucture, functions, and economy of the horse." 
 I have gained more information from this great work 
 than from the others that I have studied. 
 
 Earliest Records of tlie Horse, 
 
 The native country of the horse cannot with certainty 
 be traced ; it has been found varying in size, form, and 
 utility, in most of the sultry, and in many of the northern 
 regions of the old world. "W^e are told — so early as 
 1650, before the bii'th of Christ — the horse had been 
 domesticated by the Egyptians. " When Joseph carried 
 his father's remains from Egypt to Canaan, there went 
 up with him both chariots and horsemen" — Genesis i. 9. 
 
 One hundred and fifty years afterwards the horse 
 constituted the principal strength of the Egyptian army. 
 " Pharoh pursued the Israelites, with six hundi^ed chosen 
 chariots" — Exodus xvi. 7. 
 
 It was 1920 years before the birth of Christ, when 
 Abraham, having left Aaron in obedience to the Divine 
 command, was drawn into Egypt by the famine which 
 raged in Canaan — Genesis xii. 16. Pharoh offered sheep 
 and oxen, asses and camels ; horses would doubtless have 
 been added, had they then existed, or had they been sub- 
 dued iuEgypt. The Greeks affirm that l!^eptune struck the 
 earth with his trident, and the horse came forth. Six 
 hundi^ed years after the time just alluded to, Arabia had 
 no horses. " Solomon imported spices, gold and silver, 
 from Arabia" (2 Chron. ix, 14), but he supplied the 
 horses for his own cavalry and chariots from Egypt. 
 
 In the seventeenth century after Christ, when 
 Mahomet attacked Koreish, neai- Mecca, he had but two 
 horses in i\is whole army. The horses of Arabia, 
 
10 THE irORST': AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 and of the south-eastern i^art of Europe, were clearly 
 derived from Egypt, but whether they were imported 
 from the south-western part of the world, or, as is more 
 probable, brought from the interior, or northern coast 
 of Africa, cannot with certainty be determined. 
 
 The Wild Horse. 
 
 Troups of wild horses are found on the plains of 
 Great Tartary, and also in several parts of South America. 
 All travellers who have crossed the plains, extending 
 from the shores of La Plata to Patagonia, have spoken 
 of numerous droves of wild horses, which roam at large 
 over these extensive plains. Some affirm that they 
 have seen ten thousand in one troop ; they appear to be 
 under the influence of a leader, the strongest and boldest 
 of the herd, whom they implicitly obey. A secret 
 instinct teaches them that their safety consists in their 
 union. The lion, the tiger, and the leopard are their 
 principal enemies. At the sound of some signal, intelli- 
 gible only to themselves, they eitlicr close in a dense 
 mass around Iheii' enemy, and trample him to death, or 
 placing the mares and foals in the centre, form themselves 
 into a circle, and welcome their enemy with their heels. 
 Their leader is the first to attack the common foe, and 
 when prudence dictates a retreat, they follow him in his 
 rapid flight. 
 
 In no part of America, nor of the more newly dis- 
 covered islands of the Pacific, was the horse known until 
 it was introduced by Europeans ; and the origin of the 
 horses of Tartary is traced to those who were employed 
 in the siege of Azophe in 1657, but which were tiumed 
 at large for want of forage. Troops of wild horses are 
 occasionally met with in Central Africa, the island of 
 St. Domingo, and in the deserts of Ai-abia. 
 
 The wild horses of Tartary, although easily domesti- 
 cated, differ in character from those on the plains of 
 South America ; they will not suffer a stranger to join 
 them. If a domesticated horse comes in their way. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 11 
 
 unprotected by its master, they will instantly attack him 
 with their heels and teeth, and thereby speedily destroy 
 it. Among the Tartars, the flesh of the horse is a 
 frequent article of food, and although they do not, like 
 tlie Indians of the pampas, eat it raw, yet their mode of 
 cooking would be very uninviting to the European 
 epicures; they cut the muscular part into slices, and 
 place them under their saddles, and after having galloped 
 thirty or forty miles, the meat becomes tender and fit 
 for use ; even at all their feasts, the first and last, and 
 most favored dish, is a horse's head. When water was 
 not at hand, the Scythians used to draw blood from 
 their horses and drink it. The Dukes of Musco%y, for 
 nearly two hundred years, presented the Ambassadors 
 from Tartary who attended their courts, with mares' milk. 
 
 The Domestication of the Horse. 
 
 The domestication of the horse may be regarded as one 
 of the most important acquisitions made by man from 
 the animal kingdom; without this most useful quadrupid, 
 civilization must have made comparatively little progress. 
 The horse contributes largely to our luxuries, pleasures, 
 and services — he facilitates and lessens the labours of the 
 field — he transports burdens, and man himself, to the 
 most distant parts with certainty, celerity, and ease — he 
 is ever the most faithful and obedient servant of his 
 master — his form, temper, and sagacity have been most 
 admirably and wisely adapted to our use ; whether we 
 contemj^late the powerful and symmetrical structure of 
 his frame, the elegance of his limbs, evincing strength 
 and speed in their movements — his large and sparkling 
 eyes, which either beam with mild intelligence, or flash 
 with energetic fire, or the docility and tractability of his 
 disposition, we cannot fail to regard him as one of the 
 noblest of animated beings . In addition to these qualities 
 he possesses the most intrepid courage ; he has been the 
 bearer of man in the bloody field of battle, where he 
 feaiiessly meets every danger; the most appalling die- 
 
12 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 charges of musketry, and tlie thunders of cannonading, 
 he faces with fortitude, as dauntless as a lion, and seems 
 to enter into the spirit of the attack. This has heen 
 his character from the earliest ages, and his sagacity is 
 no less remarkable. 
 
 "When an Arabian falls from his horse, and is unable 
 to rise, he will immediately stand still and neigh until 
 assistance arrives ; if he lies down to sleep, as fatigue 
 sometimes compels him in the midst of the desert, his 
 horse will stand still, and watch over his safety, and 
 neigh to arouse him when danger seems approaching. 
 
 The whole stock of an Arab of the desert consisted of 
 a mare ; the French consul offered to purchase her, in 
 order to send to his Sovereign Louis XIV. The Arab 
 would have rejected the proposal at once with scorn and 
 indignation, but he was miserably poor, he had no means 
 of supplying his most urgent wants, or of procui'ing the 
 barest necessaries of life, still he hesitated ; he had 
 scarcely a rag to his back, his wife and children were 
 starving; the sum offered was great, it would render 
 himself and family the greatest luxuries. At length he 
 reluctantly consented, and brought the mare to the 
 dwelling of the consul ; he dismounted, and stood lean- 
 ing on the mare, gazed at the proffered gold, then at his 
 favorite, and sighed, and Avept, and finally exclaimed — 
 *' To whom am I about to yield thee up — to Europeans, 
 who will tie thee close, who will beat thee, and render 
 thee miserable — return with me my jewel! my beauty, 
 and rejoice the hearts of my children," and so saying, he 
 vaulted upon her back, and was out of sight in a moment. 
 
 An English envoy was returning from his mission, 
 and encamped near Bagdad. An Arab rode a bright 
 bay marc of extraordinary beauty before his tent, until 
 he attracted his attention. On being asked if he would 
 sell her — '' what will you give ?" was the reply ; ^' that 
 depends upon her age." '^ I suppose she is past five ;" 
 ''guess again," said the Arab; ''look at her mouth," said 
 he with a smile. On examination, she was found to be 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. . 13 
 
 rising thi^ee ; this, from her size and symmetry, greatly 
 enhanced her value. The envoy said, *' I will give thee 
 fifty tomas" (a coin nearly of the value of a pound), " a 
 little more" said the Aarab, *4f you please ;" ''eighty" — 
 ' ' a hundred." The Arab shook his head and smiled. The 
 offer at length increased to two hundi-ed tomas ; " well," 
 said the Arab, "you need not tempt me any further," 
 " it is of no use." " You are a rich elche" (nobleman) 
 "you have fine horses, camels, and mules, and loads 
 of silver and gold." " I^ow," added he, " you want my 
 mare, but you shall not have her for all you are worth." 
 An Arab and his tribe had attacked in the desert, the 
 Damascus caravan ; the victory was complete, and the 
 Arabs were already busy in packing up their rich booty, 
 when the cavalry of the Pacha of Acre, who had started 
 to meet this caravan, suddenly poured down upon the 
 victorious Arabs, killed a great number, and captured 
 some prisoners, and having bound them with ropes, they 
 led them to Acre, in order to present them to the Pacha. 
 Abow-el-!Marsch, the leader of the party of plundering 
 Arabs, had received a ball in his arm during the sker- 
 mish ; the wound not being mortal, the Turks tied him 
 on a camel, and took possession of his charger, and led 
 away both the horse and his rider. The night previous 
 to the day they were to enter Acre, they encamped with 
 their prisoners in the mountains of Saphadt. The 
 wounded Arab had his legs tied together with a thong 
 of leather, and was streatched near the tent where the 
 Turks were sleeping. During the night the pain of his 
 wound kept him awake, and he heard his own horse 
 neigh amongst those of the Turks, which, according to 
 oriental custom, were shackled together around the tent. 
 He recognized his horse's voice, and could not resist the 
 desire he felt to speak once more to the companion of his 
 life. He dragged himself painfully along the ground, 
 by the aid of his hands and knees, and at length managed 
 to reach his courser, saying, "my poor friend, what will 
 you do among the Turks ? thou wilt be imprisoned 
 
14 THE HORSE Al^B ITS DISEASES. 
 
 beneath tlie vaults of a Khan, along with the horses of 
 an Aga or Pacha. The women and the children will no 
 longer bring thee camels' milk and barley, and doura, in 
 the hollow of their hand. Thon wilt no longer range 
 freely through the desert, like the Egyptian wind, neither 
 will thy breast ever more cleave the waters of the Jordan. 
 If I am to live in slavery, do thou at least be free. 
 There, go, return to the well-known tent, to lick the 
 hands of my little children." While speaking thus, Abou- 
 el-Marsch had gnawed with his teeth the goats' hair rope 
 with which the horse was shackled, and the animal was 
 free ; but on beholding his master bound and wounded 
 at his feet, the faithful and intelligent courser instinct- 
 ively understood what no language would have been able 
 to explain to him, he lowered his head, snorted over his 
 master, and then seizing him in his teeth, with the 
 leathern girdle which encircled his waist, instantly 
 started off at full gallop, and carried him as far as his 
 own tent, when the faithful animal immediately fell 
 dead with exhaustion. 
 
 Horses of different Countries. 
 
 The Egyptian horses are preferable to the Earbary 
 ones in size, beauty, and goodness ; the modern horse of 
 this country has little to recommend him. The disposi- 
 tion under which the inhabitants groaned, altogether 
 discouraged the rearing of a valuable breed for theii' 
 profession, and were completely at the mercy of their 
 Turkish oppressors, and the choicest of their animals were 
 often taken from them without the slightest remuneration 
 for the wrong. It was therefore a common practice with 
 the owners of superior or good horses to blemish or to 
 lame them, in order that they might not be robbed of 
 them by order of the Bay. The testimony of Eurckhards 
 is to this effect : — '* The Egyptian horse is ugly, of coarse 
 shape, and looking more like a cart horse than a racer ; 
 thin legs and knees, and short and thick necks, are 
 frequent defects among them. The head is sometimes 
 
THE HORSE A^D ITS DISEASES. 13 
 
 fiue, but I never saw good legs in an Egyptian horse. 
 They are not able to bear great fatigue, but when well 
 fed their action occasionally is more brilliant than that 
 of the Arabian. Their impetuosity, however, renders 
 them peculiarly valuable for heavy cavalry, and it is 
 upon this quality alone that their celebrity has ever 
 been founded." 
 
 The Dongola, or Arabian Horse. 
 
 It is very doubtful what figure these horses would 
 make in point of swiftness, their form being so entirely 
 different from that of the Arabian ; but if beautiful and 
 symmetrical parts, great size and strength, the most 
 agile, nervous, and elastic movements, great endurance 
 of fatigue, docility of temper, and, beyond any other 
 domestic animal, seeming attachment to man, can 
 promise anything for a stallion, the JSTubian is above all 
 comparison, the most eligable in the world. Pew of 
 them are less than sixteen hands high. The Dongola 
 horses are the most perfect in the world, being beautiful 
 and symmetrical in their parts, nervous and elastic in 
 their movements, and docile and affectionate in theii- 
 manners. The Dongola horses are usually of a black 
 color, but their are some bright bays and sorrels. The 
 slender but finely set neck, the noble crest, the elevated 
 withers, the beautiful action and bearing of the animal, 
 are admirable ; but the long and slender legs, the weak- 
 ness of the fore-arm, the narrowness and want of depth 
 of the chest, and even deficiency of substance about the 
 flank and quarters, could not escape observation ; such 
 an animal might have speed, but his endurance must be 
 doubtful, and it is difficult to suppose that any breed of 
 English horses could be materially improved by it. 
 
 The Horse of -Ethiopia and Abyssinia. 
 
 The number of horses in ^Ethiopia must have con- 
 siderably decreased, for Cyrtacus, a former King of that 
 country, entered Egypt at the head of 100,000 cavalry. 
 
16 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 The horses of this country are strong, nimble, metUe- 
 some, and mostly black ; they are used only for war, 
 and in the chase ; they travel no long or fatiguing 
 journeys, and all the drudgery of every kind is performed 
 by the mule. 
 
 The Toorkoman Horse. 
 
 Turkistan is that part of South Tartary, north-east of 
 the Caspian sea, and has been celebrated from very early 
 times for producing a pure and valuable breed of horses — 
 thoy are called Toorkomans — they are said to be prefer- 
 able to the pure Persians for actual service — they are 
 large, from 1 .5 to 1 6 hands high, swift and inexhaustible 
 under fatigue ; I knew some of them to travel nine 
 hundi'ed miles in eleven successive days ; they are, 
 however, too small in the barrel, too long in the legs, 
 occasionally ewe-necked, and always having a head out 
 of proportion large, yet they are so good that one of the 
 pure blood is worth two or three hundred pounds iu 
 that country. 
 
 Spanish Horse. 
 
 The Spanish horses, for many centuries, ranked next 
 to those of Barbary and Arabia ; they descended from 
 the Barbs, or rather they were the Barbs transplanted 
 to a European soil, and somewhat altered, but not 
 materially injured by the change. The common breed 
 of Spanish horses have nothing particular about them. 
 The legs and feet are good, but the head is rather large, 
 the forehand heavy, and yet the posterior part of the 
 chest deficient, the crupper also having too much the 
 appearance of the mule. Berenger thus ennumerates 
 their excellencies and their defects — ^' the neck is long and 
 arched, perhaps somewhat thick, but clothed with a full 
 and flowing mane — the head may be a little too coarse — 
 the ears long, but well placed — the eyes large and full 
 of fire — their carriage lofty, proud and noble — the 
 breast large — the shoulders sometimes thick — the belly 
 frequently too full and swelling, and the loins a little 
 
THE II0K8E AND ITS DISEASES. i( 
 
 too low, but the ribs round, and the croup round and 
 full, and the legs well formed and clear of hair, and the 
 sinews at a distance from the bone, active and ready in 
 their places, of a quick apprehension, a memory sing-u- 
 larly faithful, obedient to the utmost proof, docile and 
 affectionate to man, yet full of spirit and courage." 
 
 The Portuguese Horse. 
 
 There was a time when the Lusitanian of Portuguese 
 horses were highly celebrated. The Roman historian, 
 Justin, compares their swiftness to that of the winds, 
 and adds, that many of them might be said to be born 
 of the winds, while Berenger, who lived at the time 
 when the glory of the Spanish horse had not quite faded 
 away, says, that the Portugal horses are in no repute, 
 and differ as much from their neighbours, the Spaniards, 
 as crabs from apples. 
 
 The French Horse. 
 
 According to the survey of 1829, Trance contained 
 2,400,000 horses, including those of every description; 
 the number of mares was 1,227,781 ; the greater part 
 of these were employed in the breeding of mules, and 
 perhaps not more than the fourth part were used for 
 keeping up the number of horses. Besides these, nearly 
 27,000 horses are annually imported into Prance, either 
 on speculation of immediate sale, or for the express 
 purpose of improving the breed. Two-thirds of the 
 Prench breed are devoted to the purpose of light work, 
 and possesses a certain degree, and that gradually 
 increasing, of Eastern blood. It must be supposed that 
 so extensive a country as Prance, possesses various breeds 
 of horses. AuvergTie and Poiton produce good ponies 
 and galloways, but the best Prench horses are bred in 
 Limousin and jN'ormandy. Prom the former district 
 come excellent saddle horses and hunters, and from the 
 latter, a stronger species for the road, the cavalry service, 
 and the carriage. Prance, in the year 1837, hand 215 
 
18 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 stallions of pure English and Irish blood, imported into 
 France ; 266 Arabs, Earbs, Persians, or Turkish horses ; 
 274 English and Irish mares, of true blood, and 41 
 Eastern mares. Their progeny is also traced so far as 
 it was practicable. 
 
 The Sardinian and Corsican Horses. 
 
 They are small, well made, and capable of enduring 
 much fatigue. The horses that come from Sardinia and 
 Corsica have short bodies, are bold and courageous, and 
 unquiet in their pace ; they are so nervous that they 
 will stand still in no ground, and therefore, this kind of 
 horse requires a discreet and patient rider. 
 
 The Austrian Horse. 
 
 The following account is given by the Duke of Hagusa, 
 of the Imperial establishment, for the breeding of horses 
 at Mesohagyes, near Carlesburg, in Austria : — *' This is 
 the finest establishment in the Austrian monarchy for 
 the breeding and improvement of horses. It stands on 
 40,000 acres of land, of the best quality, and is sur- 
 rounded in its whole extent, which is fifteen leagues, by 
 a broad and deep ditch, and by a broad plantation 60 
 feet wide. It was formerly designed to supply horses 
 to recruit the cavalry ; at present its object is to obtain 
 stallions of a good breed, which are sent to certain depots 
 for the supply of the various provinces. The whole 
 number of horses at present here, including the stallions, 
 brood mares, colts and fillies, is 3,000." 
 
 The German Horse. 
 
 The German horses are large, hea^-y, and slow. The 
 Hungarians may be an exception, being lighter, speedier, 
 and giving greater proof of Eastern blood. They are 
 generally of a dark bay color. 
 
 The Italian Horse. 
 
 The Italian horses were once in high repute, but they 
 have sadly degenerated ; one circumstance has mainly 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 19 
 
 contributed to this falling off in reputation and value, 
 Tidelicet — that the breed has been kept up by occasional 
 intermixture, not of Eastern, but of European blood. 
 
 The Flemish and Dutch Horses. 
 
 The Elemish and Dutch horses are large, strong and 
 heavy. The English are very found of having recourse 
 to them for keeping up the breed of large cart horses. 
 
 The Finland Horse. 
 
 Finland horses are small, not more than twelve hands 
 high, beautifully formed, and very fleet. The peasants 
 take them from the forests when they are wanted for 
 travellers ; although apparently wild, they are under 
 perfect control, and they trot along with ease, at the 
 rate of twelve miles an hour. 
 
 The Iceland Horse. 
 
 There are numerous troops of horses in this cold 
 country, descended, according to some writers, from the 
 "N'orwegian horse, but, according to others, as being of 
 Scotch origin. They are very small, strong and swift. 
 There are thousands of them in the mountains, which 
 never enter a stable ; but instinct or habit has taught 
 them to scrape away the snow, or break away the ice 
 in search of their food. 
 
 The American Horse. 
 
 There are several breeds of horses in America. The 
 horses of Canada and the jN'orthern States are supposed 
 to be of French descent, and many of the celebrated 
 American trotters are of this breed. The Correstga 
 horse is found in Pennsylvania, and the middle states. 
 They are long-legged and light in the carcass, sometimes 
 rising 17 hands high, used principally for the carriage, 
 but when not too high, and with sufficient substance, 
 useful for hunting and the saddle. The Irish and 
 English horse, with a good deal of blood, prevails in 
 
20 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Virginia and Kentucky, and is found to a greater or 
 less degree in all the states. The Americans have, at 
 different times, imported some of our best horses. The 
 celebrated '' Shark," the best horse of his day, was the 
 sire of the best Yirginia horses, and '' Tallyho," a son 
 of " High Flyer," peopled the Terseys. In the back 
 settlements, and in the south-western states, is a horse 
 resembling the wild horse of the Pampas. 
 
 The Turkish Horse. 
 
 The Turkish horses are descended from the Arab, 
 crossed by the Persian and other bloods. There is no 
 horse more gentle, nor more respectful to his master, or 
 the groom that dresses him ; the reason is, because they 
 treat their horses with great kindness. They are longer 
 in the body than the Persian, and the crupper more 
 elevated — their general height is from 14 to 15 hands 
 high. 
 
 The Persian Horse. 
 
 I have ridden a Persian horse for thousands of miles, 
 oftentimes twenty-four hours in the saddle, without 
 coming off, and I eandidly say, that I see no difference 
 between them and the Irish horses, only they run a 
 little smaller than the Irish. I have also ridden Arabian 
 horses, for hundreds of miles, but I prefer the Persian, 
 as the Arabians are very apt to stumble. The native 
 Persian horse was so highly prized, that Alexander 
 considered one of them the noblest gift he could bestow ; 
 and when the Kings of Parthia would propitiate their 
 divinities by the most costly sacrifice^ a Persian horse 
 was offered on the altar. 
 
 The Arabian Horse. 
 
 The Arabian horses deservedly occupy a very high 
 rank. A few wild horses are yet seen on some of the 
 deserts of Arabia ; they are hunted by the Bedouins for 
 their flesh, which is considered a delicacy of the animal 
 
THE HOKSE AXD ITS DISEASE^. 21 
 
 in young, and also to increase their stock of inferior 
 horses, which they often palm on the merchant as des- 
 cended fi'om the sacred hreed. There are three breeds 
 or varieties of A rabian horses — the Attechi, or inferior ; 
 the Kadischi, literally horses of an unknown race, 
 answering to our half-bred horses, a mixed breed, and 
 the Kochlain horses, whose genealogy, according to the 
 Arab account, is known for two thousand years. Many 
 of them have written and attested pedigrees, extending 
 more than four thousand years. The Arabian horse 
 would not be acknowledged by every judge to possess a 
 perfect form ; his head, however, is inimitable. The 
 broadness and squareness of the forehead, the shortness 
 and fineness of the muzzle, the prominence and brilliancy 
 of the eye, the smallness of the ears, and the beautiful 
 course of the veins, will always characterize the head of 
 the Arabian horse. 
 
 The Russian Horse. 
 
 It may well be supposed that this animal will be 
 a very different character in various parts of this 
 immense empire. The heavy cavalry, and the greater 
 part of the horses for pleasure, are descended originally 
 from Cossack blood, but improved by stallions from 
 Poland, Prussia, Holstein, and England. It has been 
 supposed that no horse, except the Arab, or the Irish 
 horse, could endure privation like the Cossack, or had 
 combined speed and endurance equal to him. In 
 Southern and Western Eussia, and also in Poland, the 
 breeding of horses occupies the attention of great landed 
 proprietors. The stud of the Russian Countess Orloff 
 Shoesmensky, in the province of Walonese, contains 
 1,320 horses — Arabs, Irish, English, and native horses; 
 the gi'ound attached to it amounts to 1,100 acres. 
 
 The Worwegian Horse. 
 
 This horse is larger than the Swedish or Finland, but 
 is equally hardy and attached to his owner= The roads 
 
22 THE HORSE AI^^D ITS DISEASES. 
 
 in Norway are the reverse of what they are in Sweden ; 
 they are rough and almost impassable for carriages, but 
 the sure-footed jN'orwegian seldom stumbes upon them. 
 Of the horses of the island of Fervestill, belonging 
 to the Danish crown, Berenger speaks in terms of much 
 praise. He says that they are small of growth, but 
 strong, swift, and sure-footed, going over the roughest 
 places with such certainty, that a man may more surely 
 rely upon them than trust to his own foot. 
 
 The Prussian Horse. 
 Prussia has not been backward in the improvement 
 of her horses. The government has established some 
 extensive and well-regulated studs in various parts of 
 the kingdom ; and many of the Prussian noblemen have 
 establishments of their own. In some of the marshy 
 districts, and about the mouth of the Vistula, there is a 
 breed of large and strong horses, suited to Agricultural 
 purposes. 
 
 The Lapland Horse. 
 
 This animal is small but active, and willing, some- 
 what eager and impatient, but free from vice. He is 
 used only in the winter season, when he is employed in 
 drawing sledges over the snow, and transporting wood, 
 forage, and other necessaries, which in the summer are 
 all conveyed in boats. During the summer these horses 
 are turned into the forest, where they form themselves 
 into distinct troops, and select certain districts from 
 which they rarely wander. 
 
 Swedish Horse. 
 
 This horse is small, but nimble and willing ; he is 
 almost entirely fed on bread, composed of equal parts of 
 rye and oatmeal ; to this is added some salt, and if he 
 is about to start on a long journey, a little brandy. The 
 affection of the Swedes for their horses is so great, that 
 they often shed tears when they have driven them 
 beyond their strength. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 23 
 
 The Tartarian Horse. 
 
 Tartary comprehends a vast extent of country, reach- 
 ing from the Eastern Ocean to the European dominions 
 of Russia, through the central parts of Asia and Europe. 
 Eastern Tartary belongs chiefly to China, and the tribes 
 which inhabit this immense space are dissimilar in their 
 appearance, manners, and customs, but with a few 
 exceptions, the character of the horse is nearly the same. 
 
 The wild horse is found in various parts of Tartary, 
 but nowhere can it be considered as the remnant of an 
 original race that has never been domesticated. The 
 horses of the Ukraine, and those of South America, are 
 equally the descendants of those that had escaped from 
 the slavery of man in 1657, when employed at the seige 
 of Azof. 
 
 The East India Horse. 
 
 We will now travel eastward, and examine the breeds 
 of horses in India. They are small, and although some 
 have considerable endiu-ance and courage, they ware the 
 general character of degeneracy from a noble stock. 
 First in value is the Toorky, originally from Tuorkastan, 
 and a Persian, beautiful in his form, graceful in his 
 action, and docile in his temper ; when skilfully 
 managed, his carriage is stately and grand ; his spirit 
 rising as his exertions are required, he exhibits to his 
 beholders an appearance of fury in the performance of 
 his task, yet preserving to his rider the utmost playful- 
 ness and gentleness ; they are from 14 to 15 hands high, 
 and have the common defect of the East India horse, 
 smallness and length of bone below the knees and about 
 the hocks. Next comes the Iranee horse, well-limbed, 
 and his joints closely knitted, and particularly powerful 
 in the quarters, but large head, and hanging ears, and 
 deficiency of spirit. 
 
 The gentle and docile Cozakee, is deep in the girth, 
 powerful in the fore-arm, but mth hirge head, and cat- 
 hammed, hardy, and calculated for long journeys. 
 There are studs in different parts of India, in which 
 
24 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 some valuable stallions are kept, for the pui^^ose of 
 improving the various Indian breeds, 
 
 Tlie Australian Horse. 
 
 The eastern coast of A^ustralian horses were derived 
 from Cape of Good Hope, and from India ; very little 
 judgment was employed in the selection, and very few 
 horses of good quality could have been procured fi'om 
 either place. They have an incurable habit of shying, 
 and they are not very sure-footed. 
 
 The Cape of Good Hope Horse. 
 
 Nothing is certainly known of the western coast of 
 Africa, descending towards the south ; but arriving 
 at the Cape of Good Hope, we find that a horse, if a 
 native of that country, is only occasionally seen in its 
 wild state. The horses that were introduced by the 
 first colonists, the Dutch, were mostly procured from 
 Batavia, Java, and South America. At the very com- 
 mencement of the colony, many horses were imported 
 from Persia ; these were mingled together, and crossed 
 in every possible way, except that not one notion of 
 scientific improvement seems to have entered the head 
 of the Dutch boor. They are a small hardy race, 
 capable of enduring a great deal of fatigue, but in every 
 way sadly neglected, never groomed, and badly fed. 
 
 The Circassian Horse. 
 
 The Circassian horse, although inferior to the Persian, 
 does not often find his equal among the predatory hordes 
 with which this part of Asia abounds. Almost every 
 family of distinction aims at possessing a peculiar breed 
 of horses, excelling in their estimation that of any other 
 tribe — each breed is distinguished by its peculiar mark. 
 The most valuable breed of all is in the possession of 
 the reigning family, and its distinguishing mark is a full 
 horse shoe. These horses possess great strength and speed. 
 
THE HORSE klf^D ITS DISEASES. 25 
 
 The Birman and Chinese Horses. 
 
 In Siam, the horses are few and inferior to those of 
 the Eiiinan Empire. In Cochin China, on the eastern 
 coast of the Peninsula, the horses are still small, but 
 they are better formed and more active, and stronger 
 than they are in Siam. In Sumatra, and Java, the 
 horses have not increased in size, but in form and 
 usefulness, they scarcely yield to any in the south-west 
 of Asia. In Borneo, they are few, and scarcely 
 deserving of notice. The horses of China are, generally 
 speaking, small, ill-formed, weak, and without spirit. 
 
 History of the English Horse. 
 
 During the occupation of England by the Romans, 
 the British horse was crossed to a considerable extent 
 by the Roman horse, and yet, strange to say, no opinion 
 is given by any historian, Eoman, or English, as to the 
 effect of this. After the evacuation of England by the 
 Eomans, and its conquest by the Saxons, considerable 
 attention was paid to the English breed of horses, and 
 we know, that after the death of Alfred, and under the 
 reign of Athelstan, several running horses were imported 
 from Germany ; this being the fii^st historical intimation 
 we have had of running horses in England. 
 
 Shortly before the J^orman Conquest, a horse was 
 valued at thirteen shillings, a mare or colt at twenty 
 shillings, and an untrained mare at five shillings. 
 
 William the Conqueror took great pains to improve 
 the English breed, introducing many fine steeds from 
 Normandy, Flanders, and Spain. This Monarch owed 
 his success at Hastings to his cavalry. During the 
 Conqueror's reign, the then Earl of Shrewesbury, Roger 
 De Belesme, brought a number of Spanish horses to his 
 estate. The breed issuing from these is highly eulogized 
 by Giraldus Cambrensis, and Drayton. 
 
 In the reign of Henry the First, we have an account 
 of the first Arab horse imported into this country. It 
 
26 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 was presented by Alexander I., King of Scotland, to the 
 church of St. Andrew's, together with valuable accoutre- 
 ments, and a considerable estate. History, however, is 
 silent as to the purpose to which this animal was 
 devoted, or as to what became of him. 
 
 King John paid great attention to the improvement 
 of horses for agricultural purposes, and to him they 
 should be indebted for the origin of their draught horses. 
 He chiefly imported Flemish horses, and such was his 
 anxiety to possess the finest stock from those, that he 
 would accept horses as rent for crown lands, and as fines 
 for the renewal of leases. 
 
 Edward III. purchased a considerable number of 
 Spanish horses, the off'spring of the Arabs, which had 
 been introduced into their country by the Moors. 
 
 Prince Edward, son of Henry III., was not deficient 
 in that acumen, which has subsequently characterized 
 the adherents of racing. Being taken prisoner with his 
 father, at the battle of Lewes, by the Earl of Leicester, 
 during some of the time he was in captivity, he was 
 permitted to enjoy equestrian exercise, escorted by 
 soldiers. Till the reign of Henry YIL, we have few 
 other accounts of the progress of the English horse. 
 
 The principal ancestors of the English race horses, 
 were the ''Byerly Turk," ridden by Captain Byeiiy, as 
 charger in Ireland in 1689; the ''Daiiey Arabian," in 
 1712; the ''Godolphin Arabian," in 1753; '' Elying 
 Childers;" '' Goldfinder," another great horse foal, in 
 1764; ''Eclipse," "King Herod," and several other 
 great horses. 
 
 The English Dray Horse. 
 
 This horse is the largest of his species, standing 17 
 hands high. He is unquestionably a gigantic brute, and 
 by no means a useful one. They form the princijoal 
 obstruction in the streets of London ; their slow move- 
 ments, and the ponderous vehicles to which they are 
 attached, compelling all carriages in their rear to move 
 
THE •HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 27 
 
 in the same slow pace, to the great annoyance and 
 inconvenience of the public. 
 
 The Scotch Horse. 
 
 This horse is met with in both countries, north of Dee, 
 and is a favorite horse in England ; their stature is from 1 5 
 to 1 6 hands high. They are strong and hardy, yet active ; 
 the breed was originally from Planders. The Clydes- 
 dale is larger than the Suffolk, and has a better head, a 
 longer neck, a lighter carcass, and deeper legs ; strong, 
 hardy, pulling true, and rarely restive. The southern 
 parts of Scotland are principally supplied from this 
 district. 
 
 The Irish Horse. 
 
 The Irish horse is so well known to my readers, that 
 it is needless to say much about him ; but as all English 
 writers on horses, have the effrontery to proclaim to the 
 world that the Irish horse is a weedy-leggy, ragged- 
 hipped, large-headed, worthless brute, although well 
 aware that the best hunters in England are Irish horses. 
 I would ask those gentlemen, was it not an Irish horse 
 that won the great St. Leger in 1820 — the great J^ew- 
 castle cup in 1836 and 1837, and the Doncaster cup in 
 the latter year ? and it is well known, that from the year 
 1820 to 1837, hundreds of races have been won by Irish 
 horses in England. Was it not an Irish horse that won 
 the Newcastle and Goodwin cups in 1838 ; and were not 
 the Newcastle and Goodwin cups, and Csesarwitch 
 stakes, won by an Irish horse in 1839, and the Doncas- 
 ter cup in 1840 and 1841, and also the great Derby in 
 1841, and the Doncaster and Chester cups in 1842 — and 
 again the Doncaster cup in 1843 ; the great St. Leger 
 and CjEsarwitch stakes in 1844 ? Was not the great 
 St. Leger again won by an Irish horse in 1845, and the 
 C£esarwitch stakes won in 1847, by " Cawrouch," an 
 Irish horse, the property of Doctor John O'Neill, of 
 Fermoy ; and in 1848 and 1852, were not the Chester 
 cup, the great Derby, and the Oaks won by the Irish 
 
28 THE HOliSE A?^D ITS DISEASES. 
 
 horse '* Daniel O'Rourke;" and again in 1856 and 
 1857, were not the great St. Leger, the Yorkshire 
 handi-cap, and the Ebor stakes won by an Irish horse ? 
 
 1 could, if necessary, give the names of numerous other 
 horses that have beaten the best English horses. I may 
 add, that the French sportsmen, witnessing the great 
 perfomiance of Irish horses all over the world, bought 
 some of our best racing sires. The great horse, " Faugh- 
 a-Ballagh " was one, after winning the great St. Leger, 
 and Csesarwitch stakes in 1844 ; '' Irish Eirdcatcher," 
 a horse that was never defeated, was another ; the 
 " Earon," by '' Irish Eirdcatcher," was also bought by 
 the French, at a most incredible price, having won 
 many races in 1844, and the great St. Leger in 1845. 
 
 The gets of the above-named horses, won the principal 
 races in France, Germany, Austria, Eussia, and England, 
 for the last sixteen years. It was one of '' Faugh-a- 
 Eallagh's gets that won the great race at Eois-de- 
 Eoulogne, in Paris, last May — prize of 100,000 francos, 
 beating the great English horse " Elair Athol," winner 
 of the Derby, and the enthusiasm of the French specta- 
 tors rose to such a height, that the French press 
 designate it a real political event. A few days after. 
 Count F. de Legrange brought over to England another 
 of "Faugh-a-Eallagh's" gets, a chestnut mare, 15 hands 
 
 2 inches, called "Fille d' Hair;" she was entered for 
 the great Oaks race, and won at her ease, beating the 
 best horses in England ; also the great Liverpool steeple 
 chase for 1864, where 30 of the best horses in Europe 
 started — five out of the first seven were Irish horses, 
 and it was the courage and speed of an Irish horse, 
 bought at the fair of Cahirmee, County Cork, that saved 
 iN'apoleon III. in 1859, at the bloody battle of Magenta, 
 from being an Austrian prisoner. 
 
 It is said that a good horse has fifty-four properties, 
 that is to say, two of a man, two of a badger, four of a 
 lion, nine of an ox, nine of a hare, nine of a fox, nine of 
 an ass, and ten of a woman. It is also said that a good 
 
THE HORSE AND TT8 DISEASES. 29 
 
 horse should have three qualities of a woman — a hroad 
 breast, round hips, and a long mane ; three of a lion — 
 countenance, courage, and fire ; three of a bullock — ^the 
 eye, nostril, and joints ; three of a sheep — the nose, 
 gentleness, and patience ; thi^ee of a mule — strength, 
 constancy, and foot ; three of a deer — head, legs, and 
 short hair ; three of a wolf — throat, neck, and hearing ; 
 three of a fox — ear, tail, and trot ; three of a serpent — 
 memory, sight, and turning; and three of a hare — 
 running, walking, and supleness. 
 
 Galloways and Ponies. 
 
 Ahorse between 13 and 14 hands high is called a 
 galloway, from a breed of little horses, once found in the 
 south of Scotland, but now degenerated. There is a 
 tradition in that country, that the breed is of Spanish 
 extraction, some horses having escaped from one of the 
 vessels of the Grand Armada, which was wrecked on 
 the neighbouring coast. This district, however, so early 
 as the time of Edward the First, supplied that monarch 
 with a great number of horses. There are very good 
 galloways in the county Galway, and also in Kerry. 
 In 1754, Mr. Croker's galloway went 100 miles a day, 
 for three successive days ; a galloway belonging to Mr. 
 Sinclair, performed the extraordinary fete of 1,000 miles 
 in as many hours. ^ 
 
 Some of the Connemara ponies are very handsome ; 
 they have a small head, high withers, deep round barrel, 
 short joints, and flat legs ; some of the Welch ponies are 
 ill-made, large-headed, short-necked, ragged-hipped, but 
 safe to ride. The new Forester ponies are generally 
 badly made, but veiy sure-footed. The Exmoor ponies, 
 although ugly, are hardy, and useful. The Dartmoor 
 pony is larger than the Exmoor, and if possible uglier. 
 
 The Highland pony is far inferior to the Galloway ; 
 the head is large, he is low before, long in the back, 
 short-legged, upright in the posterior, slow paced, and 
 
30 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 unpleasant to ride. The Shetland pony, called in 
 Scotland, Sheltic, is a very diminutive animal, some- 
 times not seven hands and a half high ; he is often very 
 handsome, with a small head, good tempered counten- 
 ance, a short neck, fine towards the throttle, shoulders 
 low and thick — one of them 3 feet high, carried a man 
 of 12 stone, 40 miles in one day. It has been disputed 
 whether the pony and large horse were, or could have 
 been originally from the same stock ; the question is 
 difficult to answer. The Arab ponies are very fast. I 
 had a chestnut pony in Poena, East India, that carried 
 me half a mile in one minute. I matched him against 
 a celebrated pony (the property of the King of Persia) 
 in 1855, at the above distance, which he accomplished 
 on that occasion in 57 seconds, beating his opponent by 
 three lengths. 
 
 The Ass. 
 
 This animal belongs to the same natural genus as the 
 horse, and has been under the dominiou of man from the 
 earliest ages of which we have any account. He seems 
 to have been sooner domesticated than the horse ; for 
 we find asses mentioned in the 12th chapter of Genesis, 
 as domesticated 1920 years before the Christian era, 
 although nothing is said of the horse. 
 
 Tlfe Mule. 
 
 It is not known where mules were first bred. The 
 first mention of them in the Sacred Writings, is 1740 
 years before the Christian era. In the book of Genesis, 
 it is said, '' This was that same Anah that found mules 
 in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Libeon, his 
 father !" It is disputed whether he was the first breeder 
 of them ; Aristotle and Pliny were of opinion that he 
 was ; however that may be, mules do not appear to 
 have become common in India, until the reign of David, 
 which was about 300 years after the death of Anah. 
 
THE HOESE AXD ITS DISEASES. 31 
 
 We think it very improbable that wild mules were 
 found, as hybrids are only known to be generated under 
 the influence of domestication, or, if the manner of 
 engendering mules were known to the Israelites, that 
 people probably desisted from breeding them, in conse- 
 quence of the Diyine law against their propogation ; for 
 it is said, "Ye shall keep my statutes, thou shalt not 
 let thy cattle gender with diverse kind." It is therefore 
 likely, that the mules which David and his nobles rode, 
 were imported from other countries. In Greece and 
 Cappadocia they abounded in early times. 
 
 Teeth Characterizing the Age. 
 
 The teeth of animals are formed or fitted for the food 
 on which they live. There are three sorts of teeth — 
 cutting teeth, canine teeth, and molar teeth. Man has 
 thirty-two teeth ; those in the front are cutting teeth, or 
 incissors, these behind, and with which he grinds his 
 food, are molar, or grinding teeth, and the sharp pointed 
 teeth on each side of the incissors, are the canine teeth. 
 The canine teeth are best seen in the mouth of the cat, 
 the dog, the lion, and some others. In each jaw of a 
 man there are four fi^ont teeth, or incissors, two canine 
 teeth (called also eye teeth), four small grinders, and 
 six huge grinders — in all sixteen teeth. Children have 
 but twenty teeth at first, or ten in each jaw ; these are 
 called milk teeth, because they appear, for the most part, 
 while the child lives on milk. The teeth of the mole 
 are fitted to crush the hard horny coverings of insects, 
 and to knaw the roots of plants where worms are found ; 
 while dogs, cats, bears, and others of this family have 
 teeth foimed for cutting the flesh on which they feed. 
 The Greenland whale has no teeth, but fibrous horny 
 plates, which are fringed, and known as whalebone. 
 Gnawing animals have two long teeth, which project 
 forward from each jaw, and which have an edge like a 
 chisel, while the horse and ass have to seize and crush 
 tlie grass and grains on which they live. Man can tell 
 
32 THE nORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 from the teeth, what are the habits of an animal. A 
 lion with the teeth of a horse, could not subsist ; and a 
 horse with the teeth of a lion would starve. 
 
 A colt is usually foaled with six grinders in each 
 jaw, three on each side ; in ten or eleven days, he puts 
 out two nippers in front, above and below ; in a fortnight 
 after, the two middle ones appear, and in three months 
 from this, the corner nippers are pushed out ; from this, 
 until he is a year old, no great change takes place, 
 except that the cavity in the nippers begins slightly to 
 fill up, and appears worn ; he has likewise now four 
 grinders on each side, above and below three of the milk 
 set, and one permanent ; at a year and a-half, the cavity 
 in the nipper is nearly filled up, and he has now three 
 milk, and two permanent grinders in each jaw, above 
 and below. 
 
 At two years the mark in the nippers is wholly effaced, 
 and they appear like the same teeth in an eight years 
 old horse. At this time also, the first milk grinders, 
 above and below, fall. At about two years and a-half 
 old, the two front nippers fall out ; and as the permanent 
 ones are some little time coming to perfection, a colt 
 may experience some difficulty in grazing. Between 
 three and a-half and four years old, the two next nippers 
 appear, above and below. About four and a-half years, 
 the two corner nippers fall out to give place to the last 
 set ; soon after this the tusks appear ; from this period, 
 he is no longer a colt, but a horse, and if a female, on 
 the falling off the corner nippers, she drops the name of 
 filly, and assumes that of mare. At five and a-half, in 
 a natural state, the internal wall of the corner nippers 
 is on a level with the rest, and the tusks completely 
 come out. At six years old, in general cases, the black 
 mark, or cavity, in the two front lower nippers, which 
 was before wearing, is completely effaced. At seven 
 years old, the same mark or cavity in the two next, or 
 intermediate teeth, of the posterior jaw, likewise, is 
 completely worn out. At eight, the cavity in the lower 
 
THE H0H8E AND ITS DISEASES. 33 
 
 corner teeth is lost, and now a horse is said to be aged. 
 Total number of teeth 40. Some horses have been 
 known to live to 47 years. 
 
 The following comparison was drawn between the 
 ages of man and horses, by Mr. Blaire. That it is at 
 these several periods of comparison the constitution of 
 man and the horse may be considered as in an equal 
 degree of perfection or decay, according as youth or age 
 preponderate ; thus, the first five years of a horse may 
 be considered as equivalent to the first twenty years of 
 a man, i.e, that a horse of five years may comparatively 
 be considered as old as a man of twenty ; a horse of ten 
 years, as a man of forty ; a horse of fifteen, as a man of 
 fifty ; a horse of twenty, as a man of sixty ; a horse of 
 twenty-five, as a man of seventy ; of thirty, as a man of 
 eighty, and of thirty-five, as a man of ninety. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 BREEDING OF HORSES — HOW TO BUY A HORSE — TRAINING OF 
 HORSES — STABLE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING — DRESSING OR 
 GROOMING — THE FEET — EXERCISE. 
 
 Breeding of Horses. 
 
 From its general magnitude, prevalent fashion, and 
 great utility, is certainly entitled to precede every other 
 subject upon which we shall have occasion to enlarge, 
 and will afford ample opportunity, to introduce such 
 remarks and instructions, as may evidently tend to 
 improve what has now become so universal, that 
 the world at large, either in pleasure, agriculture, or 
 commerce, seems interested in its success. Previous to 
 embarkation in so extensive a field for investigation, it 
 may be applicable to observe, that whatever opinions 
 may be promulgated as matters of recommendation, they 
 are not to be considered the delusive effect of speculative 
 rumination, but the result of long experience and 
 
34 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 attentive observation, among horses of every country, 
 from brood mares and colts, to every description, wbetber 
 for the tnrf, field, road, or di^anght. 
 
 Although some of the subject upon which we proceed 
 to treat, may have been slightly mentioned by writers 
 who have gone before us, it is generally known to have 
 been in a superficial and unconnected way, that little 
 information or instruction could be at all gleamed from 
 their endeavours. 
 
 Breeding, though a subject of palpable importance to 
 the improvement of this most useful animal, seems to 
 have received less assistance from literary exertion than 
 any that has ever attracted the time or attention of 
 those naturalists, who have in other respects contributed 
 largely to the advantage of the public. It will come 
 home to the remembrance of every reader, when taking 
 a mental survey of his rural neighbours, amongst whom 
 he will perfectly recollect some one or more so invincibly 
 attached to the merits of a cheap spider-legged stallion, 
 or the virtues of his own ring-bone mare, destitute of 
 judgment, and deaf to remonstrance ; he ranks (in 
 imagination) the produce of a prodigy, even in embiyo, 
 and proceeds year after year increasing the number, 
 without a single addition to the improvement of the 
 species. 
 
 These are the kind of hypothetical breeders that 
 surround us, who calculate doubly in error, without a 
 single reflection upon loss, ridiculously supposing a 
 mare in foal, after delivery, can support her own frame, 
 and that of her offspring, upon less food than any other 
 horse or mare in constant work, and begin breeding 
 under an idea, that it will be attended with little or no 
 expense ; thus, totally inadequate, (or indifferent) to the 
 generating of flesh, blood, and bone, by the effect of 
 nutrition ; they penuriously and inhumanly adopt a kind 
 of temporary poverty, and after a year or two of artificial 
 famine, seem greatly surprised, that air and exercise 
 alone could have not produced a colt of equal size, 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 35 
 
 strength, and perfection, with those who have omitted 
 no expense, or necessary acquisition, that could in the 
 least contribute to the formation of points so very 
 desirable in objects of such tedious expectation, and no 
 little anxiety before their merits or deficiencies could be 
 at all satisfactorily ascertained. 
 
 Those who succeed best, and render the business of 
 breeding a matter of importance, adhere closely to the 
 plan of producing a distinct stock, for either the turf, 
 field, or draught, by a direct systematic union of the 
 requisite qualifications in both sii^e and dam ; for 
 although it remains, and in all probability ever will, a 
 matter of ambiguity why an unblemished horse and mare 
 may produce a colt or filly full of disease or deformity, 
 it by no means follows, that a diseased or deformed sire 
 and dam are equally to produce a progeny of perfection. 
 This being unequivocably admitted, (as by every impar- 
 tial investigator of nature it certainly must be), it will 
 undoubtedly prove an act of consistency to evade so 
 palpable a chance of disappointment, by forming an union 
 of propriety, appai'ently calculated (from every external 
 appearance,) to transmit such original purity to their 
 produce. 
 
 To eff'ect this, the mare having been obtained, corres- 
 ponding in size, frame, bone and strength, with the wish 
 of the breeder, and found, upon accurate examination, to 
 be perfectly free from the blemishes and defects so fre- 
 quently mentioned, the choice of a stallion becomes the 
 object of serious attention ; in him should be accumulated 
 all the points and good qualities it is possible tor a single 
 object to possess, upon a proof exceeding all speculation, 
 (and this every observant natui'alist will allow) that the 
 produce, whether male or female, much more frequently 
 acquires and retains, the shape, make, marks, and 
 disposition of the sire, than the dam; and although 
 such assertion may not obtain immediate credit with 
 many, yet, rigid observation has long since demonstrated 
 the fact, and justifies the gTcat consistency of rejecting 
 
 c 
 
36 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 stallions with the least appearance of disease, blemish, 
 or bodily defect, indicating even the slightest probability 
 of transmission to the offspring. 
 
 Supposing a neighbouring stallion, and such there ■ 
 generally is in every part of Ireland, to have great 
 recommendation in his favor. As to the matter of 
 common inquiry, and fashionable figure, it is still neces- 
 sary to descend to the minutiae of symmetry in the 
 head, neck, shoulder, fore-hand, ribs, back, loins, joints, 
 and pasterns, attending to a strict uniformity in the 
 shape, make, and texture of the very hoofs, and were it 
 possible, (which in almost every case it certainly is not) 
 even to ascertain the temper and disposition of both sire 
 and dam, rather than be accessory to a procreation of 
 vices, or imperfections, that by a more judicious election 
 may be so easily avoided. After all that can possibly be 
 written (and if it were probable that all could be univer- 
 sally read) upon this subject, every reader possessing the 
 power of free agency, has still the privilege to reject 
 any opinion not perfectly coincident with the plan he 
 may have adopted, and to enjoy the uncontrolled right 
 of persevering in his own decision ; but presuming on the 
 task I have undertaken, I strongly recommend a proper 
 examination to discover the state of the wind, spavins, 
 curbs, tendency to cracks or grease, bad confirmation of 
 the feet, as corns, thrush, or long and narrow-heeled 
 hoofs, either of which would furnish sufficient foundation 
 to prejudice me against him as a sire, however well I 
 might be pleased with his other most promising perfec- 
 tions. The necessary qualifications for both sire and 
 dam having been fully investigated, and the blemishes, 
 defects, and local contingencies, that tend to forbid the 
 attempt fairly explained. "We come now to the crisis of 
 delivery, or tlie mare's bringing forth, an event so 
 wonderfully accomplished by the unerring efforts of 
 nature, that upon the fairest calculation, not one mare 
 in a hundred suffers in any respect (more than the 
 temporary disquietude) from an exertion of so much 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 37 
 
 magnitude, although in the moments of reflection it 
 absolutely becomes a matter of admiration how the shock 
 is sustained, without a much greater frequency of the 
 danger that so seldom happens. 
 
 The mare having been freed from her burthen without 
 inconyenience, and no circumstance arising to forbid it, 
 let her be immediately removed to a healthy and luxu- 
 riant pasture, calculated to furnish not only a sufficiency 
 of support for her own frame, but affording a superfluity 
 for the nutritious support of her young. 
 
 How to buy a Horse. 
 
 The first thing to be attended to is the form of the 
 animal ; the head should be fine, and broad between the 
 eyes, and tapering towards the nose — the jaws clean, and 
 not possessing to much flesh — the eyes full, sparkling, 
 and bright — the nostrils large, open, and of a clear red — 
 the space underneath between the jaws should be roomy, 
 and free from lumj)s or swellings — the ears small, set 
 well into the head, and pointing forward — the neck well 
 curved, lightly formed, and rather muscular, also well 
 arched beneath, i.e. at its union with the jaws — the 
 shoulder high and sloping — the withers of a medium 
 breadth, and not to high, as it will be found that high- 
 withered horses are narrow in the chest, which is a bad 
 point, inasmuch as it does not allow sufficient room for 
 the lungs to play — the back should be short, and a little 
 arched across the loins — the chest deep, and the ribs 
 expanding, especially between the last rib and the hip, 
 so as not to permit of a hollow betwixt them — the thighs 
 should be muscular to the hocks. See that the fore- 
 legs are muscular to the knee, and the feet nearly 
 circular, gradually increasing as they descend towards 
 the sole. 
 
 The position of the legs and feet, or what may be 
 termed their setting-on, is a most important point; 
 viewing the horse in front, his legs should be as nearly 
 straight as possible, and his feet neither inclining to the 
 
38 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 right nor left ; feet turned outwards are very liable to 
 cut and trip, and the action is seldom good or agreeable. 
 Horses with an inward inclination are pigeon-toed, and 
 have a labored action. The fore-legs should be set well 
 under the shoulder, affording ample support to it — such 
 as have their legs placed forward, possess neither power 
 nor action. The hind legs should either be straight from 
 the hock downwards, or have a slight inclination under 
 the belly, but not too much. That horse is sound in 
 which there is no disease, or alteration of structure in 
 any part, that is likely to impair its natural usefulness. 
 The term natural usefulness should be understood. One 
 horse may possess great speed, but no power of endu- 
 rance ; another will work all day, but cannot be urged 
 beyond a slow pace ; one with a heavy forehead, is liable 
 to stumble ; another, with an irritable constitution, and 
 washy make, loses his appetite, and begins to scour if a 
 little extra work is exacted from him. The term 
 unsoundness, cannot be applied to either of these, it has 
 reference only to disease, or alteration of structure. 
 Any of the undermentioned defects will constitute an 
 unsound horse, i.e. broken knees, (if a stumbler) capped 
 hocks, contractions of the foot, corns, chronic cough, 
 roaring, wheezing, high blowling, grunting, broken 
 wind, crib, biting, enlarged hock, lameness, ossification 
 of the cai"tilege, pumiced feet, quitter, sand crack, splint 
 (if interfering with the action), thickness of the back 
 sinews, thi'ushes, wind galls (if large), ringbone, spavins. 
 JBe also particular about the crown of the head, to 
 ascertain if he has the poll evil ; examine his nostrils, 
 and if there is a fetid discharge, he is glandered, or 
 otherwise affected with a nasal gleet. To be sure of 
 this, the nostrils should be pinched together for about 
 a minute, to prevent him from breathing, and on removing 
 the hand, he is sure to snoit, which will blow out any 
 matter if he is diseased. The tongue should also be 
 looked to. Examine the eyes for gutta serena and 
 blindness. See that the withers are not fistulous. 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES, 39 
 
 Carefully examine the knees, because a horse with broken 
 knees must be suspected for stumbling. See that there 
 is no splint below the knee, or grogginess in the region 
 of the fetlock, nor ring-bone of the pasterns, or thorough 
 pin of the hock joints ; attend to the hocks in case they 
 are capped ; notice also that there is no symptoms of curb 
 a little way below these points. Examine the inside of 
 the hock in case of bone-spavin ; descend to the feet, and 
 see if there are symptoms of grease. See that there does 
 not exist smid orach in the horny substance of the hoof, nor 
 canker separating the horny substance from the sensitive 
 part of the foot. Be very particular about examining the 
 teeth ; take care that he is not bishoped, or had a tooth 
 extracted. A horse with an upright shoulder is more 
 fitted for harness than riding, and a sloping one is best 
 adapted for riding, from having generally better action, 
 and less of his own weight to sustain on his fore-legs. 
 Horses that stand with their hind legs much under them, 
 may be suspected to be diseased in the spine, or kidneys, 
 and should be carefully examined on these points, and 
 while doing so, do not permit the dealer, nor his servant, 
 to hold up the horse by the bridle, or to stand on rising 
 ground. Dealers' servants take care to bring horses to a 
 stand with their fore-legs on rising ground, and thereby 
 conceal any knuckling of the knees or pasterns, and 
 will give a groggy animal all the appearance of sound- 
 ness. To ascertain whether a horse is a roarer, piper, 
 or whistler, place him with his side against a wall, or the 
 side of a stall, take hold of the bridle, near the mouth, 
 and hold his head high, then give him a smart blow on 
 the ribs with your fist, and if he grunt at each blow, he 
 is a roarer; on the contrary, if he dances about in 
 consequence of the blows, sobbing, and drawing his 
 breath quickly, he is sui'e to be a whistler, or a piper ; 
 but for testing all diseases of the lungs and air ceils, 
 nothing is better than a gallop, or a smart trot. 
 
 A man should consider no time lost that is spent 
 in thoroughly investigating all points connected with 
 
40 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 the health of the horse. In looking at the action of a 
 horse, see that his fore feet are lifted well, and that he 
 completely clears the ground, and throws his legs out 
 freely and lightly. In trotting, see that the horse does not 
 lift his feet too high, and that he replaces them firmly 
 and flatly on the ground, for if the toe first touches the 
 ground, he is liable to stumble or to trip. If the shoe be 
 examined, it will indicate the part which first comes to 
 the ground, by being most worn down. 
 
 Training of Horses. 
 
 Kind treatment and caresses, are the only sure 
 methods to obtain obedience, attachment, and confidence 
 in man. This maxim should be applied to horses even 
 of the most stubborn temper, for assuredly, if gentle 
 measures will not render them obedient, harsh treatment 
 never will. In short, most of the vices in horses, may 
 be traced to their being only instructed by persons of 
 brutal disposition, who destroy their temper by cruelty, 
 and injudicious severity ; others again are taught all 
 manner of tricks, for the gratification of idle folly. 
 Tractability, steadiness, and good temper, are the 
 qualities for which a horse is chiefly valuable to man, 
 so that the utmost attention should be paid by breeders, 
 to points on which depend so much of the safety and 
 comfort of those who may become their owners. 
 
 After the colt has been partially broken in, the next 
 thing to teach him is implicit obedience to his instructor ; 
 this should be eff'ected by steadiness, and firmness, while 
 severity should be carefully avoided. He should bo 
 spoken to in a soothing, rather than in an angry tone of 
 voice — he must be taught to know the eftect of the whip 
 and spur ; but then, these must be used with great 
 caution, and only showing him that we have the power 
 of enforcing submission. If a young horse refuses to 
 allow the bit to be placed in his mouth, it must not be 
 accomplished by force, because this will only redouble 
 his resistance ; coaxing, and gentle trials day by day, 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 41 
 
 will be the quickest means of accomplisMiig the object. 
 He must be first taught to obey the action of the rein, 
 and after he has become obedient to it, he must next be 
 led roimd a ring on soft ground ; when he has acquired 
 his paces, and become obedient to this action, he should 
 then be trotted round the circle, but at an easy rate, and 
 only for a short time at once. When stopped, he should 
 be caressed — ^he should be accustomed to go both to the 
 right and left ; if any circumstance occur which may 
 frighten a young horse, and he refuses to proceed in 
 consequence, another horse ought to be led before him, 
 and he is almost sure to follow him. In performing these 
 revolutions, he should be frequently stopped by the 
 trainer, and pulled up gently, to show him that no injury 
 is intended ; he ought to be caressed at the same time. 
 Should he become restive or frolicsome, let the person 
 who holds the whip crack it, to show him he is 
 there, but on no account should he touch the horse 
 with it. If he happens to hold his head too low, shake 
 the caveson to remind him to raise it. When the 
 colt becomes tractable, and obedient in all his lessons, a 
 crupper should be attached to his clothing, to accustom 
 him to it, that he may not be afterwards tickled, and 
 become restive by the rider's coat-tails. The regular 
 riding bit should now be applied to his mouth ; it ought 
 to be large and smooth, to which should be attached the 
 reins, buckled to the ring on each side. The trainer 
 should occasionally stand in front of the animal, and take 
 hold of each side near the mouth ; gently press upon it, 
 and thus begin to teach him to back, by the pressure of 
 the rein, always rewarding obedience with caresses. 
 
 The colt should be taken to the street or road, and 
 led about to accustom him to meet carts and other objects 
 without starting or shying, but if he does start or shy, 
 he should not be allowed to pass on, but ought to be 
 quickly led up to the object of his fear, and shewn that 
 it will not harm him ; but on no account should he be 
 beaten on such occasions, and should he still be shy, let 
 
42 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 him be taken past the object of his fear, first at a greater 
 distance, and then nearer, until he may be quietly led 
 close to it ; it is only by patience on the part of the 
 breaker that these difficulties are overcome ; whereas, 
 if the animal is forcibly and suddenly taken up to the 
 object before fear has subsided, a habit may be established 
 which will never afterwards be eradicated. The next 
 thing to be attended to, is to apply the saddle, which 
 should be put on his back with great caution. The 
 breaker should place himself at the head of the colt, and 
 by caresses, and patting, divert his attention. Let one 
 assistant on the off side put the saddle gently on his 
 back, while another on the near side gets hold of the 
 girths, and slowly tightens them, but not too much. 
 On or about the third day, the trainer must then attempt 
 to mount — at first, two assistants will be necessary. 
 His first business will be to remain at the head of the 
 animal, patting and caressing him, while the person 
 who intends to mount, must first pull the left, or near 
 stirrup, pretty heavily, with both hands, while the man 
 on the off side presses gently on the other stirrup, and 
 after having repeated this several times, the person on 
 the near side must put his left foot into the stirrup, and 
 gradually apply pressure to it, the man on the off side 
 pressing on the other stirrup as before, until the colt will 
 endure the whole weight of the rider mounted and 
 leaning his hands upon the saddle, but if the animal 
 proves very refractory, no further attempt must be made 
 at that time ; if this is in the morning, the same course 
 may be pursued in the evening. During the operation, 
 a handful of corn should be occasionally given to the 
 colt, and when he becomes quite reconciled, the rider 
 must apply pressure with his legs, and also a gentle 
 touch with the heels, when he desires to quicken his 
 pace, which will finish the progress of training. I would 
 caution all those who ride horses occasionally used to 
 harness, to keep a firm bridle hand, that is to feel the 
 mouth constantly, because they are accustomed to depend 
 
IKE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 43 
 
 for support on the wheel carriage, and thus have a 
 tendency to lean forward, and come down upon the road. 
 
 Stable Management and Feeding. 
 
 It is impossible for any man living, who has made the 
 horse the object of his contemplation, not to feel the 
 greatest mortification, when chance or choice brings him 
 to a survey of the bad stables some horses have to live 
 in, with all their horrid inconveniences. To those 
 totally unacquainted with the superior and systematic 
 management of stables in general, it may all bear the 
 appearance of propriety, consequently paves no way for 
 the corroding reflections of vexation and disappointment, 
 but to the experienced and attentive observer, whose 
 sensations move in direct union with the feelings of the 
 animal he bestrides, and the accommodation of whose 
 horse is held in equal estimation and retention with his 
 own, they excite the joint emotions of pity and surprise. 
 Horses in general produced from stables of this descrip- 
 tion, all bear the appearance of temporary invalids, from 
 living, or rather existing, in a scene of almost total 
 darkness ; they approach the light with reluctance, and 
 every new object with additional apprehension; they 
 walk out of the stable in a state of debilitation and 
 stifihess of the extremities, as if threatened with universal 
 lameness ; the legs are swelled from the knees and 
 hocks downwards, to the utmost exhaustion of the 
 integuments, which, with the dry and contracted state 
 of the narrow-heeled hoof, bears no ill affinity to the 
 overloaded shoe. Upon more accurate inspection, we 
 find the list of happy effects still increased with those 
 usual concomitants, inveterate cracks, running thrush, 
 very frequently accompanied by a husky short cough, or 
 asthmetic difficulty of respiration, in gradual progression 
 to a broken wind. 
 
 The disadvantages arising from horses standing in 
 perpetual darkness, or with a very faint and glimmering 
 
44 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 light, must be too palpably clear to require much eluci- 
 dation ; for in such state, with the full and increased 
 power of hearing, they are incessantly on the watch to 
 discover what so constantly affects one sense, without 
 the expected gratification of the othar. To this eternal 
 disappointment may be attributed the alternate stare and 
 twinkling of the eye-lids, so common to every description 
 of horses that stand in the most remote part of dark 
 stables, at each time of being brought forward to face 
 the light, as well as the additional observation, that 
 being accustomed to see things but imperfectly in 
 the stable, when brought into action upon the road, 
 they are so much affected by the change, that they 
 become habitually addicted to stop or start at every 
 strange or sudden object that approaches ; the stiffness 
 of the joints, the swelling of the legs, the severity of the 
 cracks, the frequency of the thrush, the contraction of 
 hoofs, the difficulty of respiration, the want of general 
 cleanliness ; the want of pure air and regular exercise, 
 may be justly attributed all the ills we have just recited ; 
 and that such assertion may lay impartial claim to proper 
 weight, in the scale of reflection let it be first remem- 
 bred, that horses in the situation I allude to, are 
 constantly living in certain degrees of heat, not only 
 beyond the state required by nature, but very far 
 exceeding even the stable temperature of horses in 
 regular training for the turf. That this may be better 
 understood by those whose situation in life has precluded 
 the chance of such inspection, and that body of readers 
 in various and distant parts of Ireland, who never have, 
 and perhaps never may, make a survey of public stables, 
 I think it necessary to introduce an exact representation 
 of systematic inconsistency, perfectly exculpated from 
 even the slightest suspicion of exaggeration. 
 
 As I have observed, and it is universally admitted, 
 that there is no rule without some exception, so the 
 following description may have some, but very few, to 
 boast of. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 45 
 
 Upon entering the major part (particularly if the door 
 has been a few minutes closed, and is opened for your 
 admission) the olfactory and optic nerves are instantly 
 assailed with the volatile effluvia of dung and urine, 
 equal to the exhalation from a stock bottle of hartshorn ; 
 here you find from ten to twelve, or twenty horses, 
 standing as hot, and every crevice of the stable as closely 
 stopped, as if the very external air was infectious, and 
 its admission must inevitably propogate a contagion. 
 Thus surrounded with the vapours constantly arising 
 from an accumulation of the most powerful volatile salts, 
 stand these poor animals, a kind of patient sacrifice to 
 ignorance and indiscretion ; and that the measure of 
 misery may be rendered perfect by every additional 
 contribution of folly, each horse is loaded with a profu- 
 sion of body clothes, but perhaps more to gratify the 
 ostentation, or display the opulence of the owner, than 
 any intentional utility to the horse. In this state horses 
 are found, upon critical examination, to be in an almost 
 perpetual lanquid perspii^ation, so debilitated, depressed, 
 and inactive, for want of pure air and regular exercise, 
 that they appear dull, heavy and inattentive, as if 
 conscious of their imprisonment and bodily persecution. 
 
 The eftects of this mode of treatment soon become 
 perceptible to the judicious eye of observation ; the 
 carcass is seen unnaturally full and overloaded, for want 
 of those gradual evacuations, promoted by gentle motion, 
 the legs swell, becoming stiff and tumefied, till nature, 
 in her utmost efforts for extravasation, terminates in 
 either cracks, itch, grease, or some one of the many 
 disorders arising from an impurity, viscidity, or acrimony 
 in the blood. 
 
 The hoofs, by being almost invariably fixed to the 
 constant heat of the accumulating dung before described, 
 acquire a degree of contraction indicating hoof-bound 
 lameness. The eyes frequently give proof of habitual 
 weakness, in a watery discharge from the continual 
 irritation of the volatile effluvia, the dilatation and 
 
46 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 contraction of the eye in search of light, the heat of 
 the body, etc., etc., all tending to constitute a frame 
 directly opposite in health, vigour, and appearance, to 
 those whose condition is regulated by a very different 
 system of stabularian management. 
 
 The evils arising from this mistaken treatment are 
 only yet enumerated in part, being those that evidently 
 appear upon a superficial survey of the stables, and their 
 contents ; others become discernable upon being brought 
 into action. They are certainly less enabled to encounter 
 fatigue than any horse in Ireland, from so constant an 
 existence in the absolute fumes of a hot bath. They 
 never can be exposed to the external air in a cold, wet, 
 or winter season, without danger to every part of the 
 frame. By such contrast, they are instantly liable to a 
 sudden collapsion of the porous system, which locking 
 up the perspirative matter, so violently propelled to the 
 surface, throws it back upon the circulation with 
 redoubled force, where nature being too much overloaded 
 to admit its absorption, it becomes immediately fixed 
 upon the eyes, or lungs, laying a very substantial foun- 
 dation of disease and disquietude. If such horse is put 
 into strong exercise, he soon proves himself inadequate 
 to either a long, or an expeditious journey ; for whether 
 the body is overburthened with weak and flatulent food 
 and water at setting out, jaded with early fatigue, to 
 which he has not been accustomed, or debilitated with 
 the stable discipline we have so minutely described, the 
 effects are nearly the same. If his journey is of any 
 duration, or his exertions of any great magnitude, it is 
 no common thing to find he has fallen sick, lamed or 
 tilled upon the road ; he is next sold to the first bidder, 
 under whose systematic care and rational mode of 
 management, a few months perhaps makes him one of 
 the best and most valuabe horses in the kingdom. 
 
 This is a cii'cumstance that happens so very constantly 
 in the equestrian fluctuation of fortune, and the assertion 
 so repeatedly justified by occular demonstration, and 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 47 
 
 practical experience, that I stand not in the least fear of 
 a contrarity of opinions upon so conspicuous a part of 
 the subject. 
 
 Stable management. — This is a subject of considerable 
 importance, but it is evident that the great variety of 
 matter entering into this work will not admit of all the 
 detail that may be wished. 
 
 Feeding forms the most essential part in the care of 
 horses, and more error is committed on this head from 
 want of knowledge of the internal economy of the horse, 
 than is first imagined. 
 
 The horse is an animal intended for speed — is furnished 
 with a very small stomach, but capacious intestines, he 
 therefore should be fed but a little at the time ; and as we 
 know that whenever the stomach is empty, a great debility 
 pervades the whole frame, and as a small stomach must 
 be frequently empty, so we should frequently feed our 
 horses, giving them but a little at a time. The general 
 food of horses is herbage, green or dry, and grain, which 
 is always dry. To horses under common labor, from 1 8 
 to 20 pounds of sound meadow hay, with a stone and 
 a-half of oats, daily, will be fully sufficient for any 
 horse, no matter how hard his work may be. Should 
 anything lessen the work, one stone, with a bran mash 
 at night, will be enough. Some persons, when hay is 
 dear, and corn cheap, substitute wheaten straw for hay, 
 others mix straw with their hay ; but by far the most 
 economical mode for the owner, and the most nutritious 
 for the horse, is the use of chaii, which, "when mixed with 
 corn, is called manger feeding. Potatoes and corn mixed, 
 or bran, with potatoes boiled and mashed, agree with all 
 constitutions. 
 
 Carrots form an excellent food for horses, particularly 
 for pursine and thick winded ones ; tui^nips mixed with 
 bran is also good food for fanning horses, much better 
 than oats and turnips mixed, as the latter frequently 
 creates flatulency and colic. 
 
 Changing the food of horses is found very beneficial 
 
48 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 to some — others do not thrive well on a change. In the 
 spring, when horses cannot be turned to grass, it is 
 peculiarly beneficial to soil them, that is, to allow them 
 green food in the stable, but great care is necessary to 
 give it fresh every day, or at farthest, every other day. 
 It should never, likewise, be put together in large 
 quantities, which gives it a disposition to ferment. 
 
 Watering of Horses is a part of their dieting that is 
 not of trifling import. All horses prefer soft water, and 
 it is more wholesome ; so partial are they to it, that a 
 muddy pond is an irresistible stimulus to every horse. 
 It is not a good custom to warm water for horses, but 
 it is a worse custom to give them water just from the 
 well or pum, and this becomes more pernicious in sum- 
 mer, when well water is much colder than in winter, 
 and likewise when a horse is heated by exercise. The 
 quantity given should be regulated be the exercise, and 
 other circumstances. In common cases, a horse requires 
 more than half a bucket-full, and that three times a day. 
 It is nonsense to suppose that abstinence from water 
 increases the wind and vigor. Horses should never be 
 galloped after di'inking, it is the frequent cause of broken 
 wind, nor should horses have much water given before 
 eating ; but on a journey, when the animal is very dry, 
 give two quarts, then feed, and when that is done, give 
 the remainder of the quantity intended. 
 
 Dressing or Grooming. 
 
 There are three intentions answered by dressing 
 horses — it cleans them from dust and dirt — it counteracts 
 the artificial state of long continued rest and inactivity 
 they are under by their confinement, which it does by 
 exciting the circulation — and lastly, it gives beauty and 
 sleekness to the coat. Ignorant grooms consider only 
 the latter intention, and as dressing requires much labor, 
 they naturally resort to such means as produce a sleek 
 smooth coat without exertion, and this, experience tells 
 them, is best effected by hot stables. It is idleness 
 
THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 49 
 
 which has been the origin of this deviation from nature, 
 but which, to give it a hold on the good opinion of their 
 masters, grooms assert is intended to add to the health 
 and useful qualities of a horse ; but nothing is so absurd, 
 nothing is so unnatural, and nothing is so productive of 
 so many evils to this valuable class of animals as hot 
 stables. Let the advocate for them live for a month 
 (confined as many hours out of the twenty-four as horses 
 are) in the di^essing-room of a warm bath, they may 
 become fine and delicate, but their vigor and durability 
 will be lost. 
 
 The Feet. 
 
 The feet are always an object of particular attention 
 with every prudent horseman. Every morning the feet 
 should be carefully picked and examined. Observe 
 whether the shoes are fast, what state they are in, 
 whether the clenches are sprung, so as to cut the horse. 
 Where the feet grow fast, the shoes ought to be removed 
 once in every three weeks, whether the shoes are worn 
 or not. A want of attention to this particular is the 
 ruin of many horses; ignorant grooms imagine that 
 because the shoes are not worn out, the hoofs want no 
 alteration. The moment a foot becomes too high, so 
 soon it begins to contract ; in hot weather particularly, 
 if the feet are naturally of a diy hard kind, they should 
 be stopped every night with cow dung and yellow clay, 
 and not to forget to have them picked the following 
 morning. 
 
 Exercise. 
 
 ITothing is so convincing a proof of the necessity of 
 exercise to animals, as their love of play in the state of 
 nature, from which natural act we likewise infer, that 
 it is much more necessary to the young and to the 
 robust, than to the old and to the weakly. Survey a 
 spirited horse with the eye of attention, and observe the 
 astonishing difference before and after his liberation from 
 the manger, to which he is sometimes (under the 
 
50 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 influence of strange mismanagement) haltered for days 
 together without remission. In the stable you perceive 
 him dejected, spiritless, and almost inanimate, without 
 the least seeming courage or activity, but when brought 
 into action, he instantly assumes another appearance. 
 
 The advantages arising from an unremitting perseve- 
 rance in the regularity of daily exercise (both in respect 
 to time and continuance) cannot be clearly known, and 
 perfectly understood, but to those who have attended 
 minutely to the good effects of its practice, or ills that 
 become constantly perceptible from its omission. This 
 is undoubtedly the more extraordinary, when it is 
 recollected there is no one part of the animal economy 
 more admirably adapted to the plainest comprehension, 
 than the system of repletion or evacuation, which may 
 (avoiding technical description and professional minutise) 
 be concisely explained and clearly understood, as matter 
 necessarily introductory to what we proceed to inculcate^ 
 upon the palpable consistency of constant and moderate 
 exercise, for the establishment of health and promotion 
 of condition. 
 
 It is very necessary we should take a survey of a 
 horse brought from the stable in a state of plenitude, 
 after temporary inactivity, when we find the body too 
 full and over-loaded, to make his first eiforts with any 
 degi'ce of ease or pleasure ; every one not totally absorbed 
 in a state of stupefaction, or natural illiteracy, must 
 have observed the unremitting attempts and strainings 
 of the animal to throw off the superfluous burden, by 
 repeated evacuations so soon as brought into action. If 
 at all hurried before the carcass, is in some degree 
 relieved from its accumulated contents, you perceive a 
 weezing or difliculty of respiration, occasioned by the 
 pressure of the stomach thus loaded, upon the lobes of 
 the lungs, restraining them in their natural elasticity for 
 the purposes of expansion and contraction. 
 
 In this style also, if his pace is extended beyond a 
 walk, you find him break into a more violent perspiration 
 
THE HORSE AXD ITS DISEASES. 51 
 
 than a horse in proper condition and regular exercise 
 would display in a long journey, continued at the same 
 rate without intermission. These are all indications of 
 nature not to be mistaken, or denied, by those at all 
 connected or conversant with the subject before us, and 
 sufficiently demonstrate the resulting effects of continuing 
 to overload the system with a greater quantity of food, 
 than there is proportional exercise to carry off. 
 
 Perspiration, that is the gradual emission (physically 
 termed insensible, as not being profuse to perception) 
 will, in even gentle exercise take from the superflux of 
 the blood, what the necessary evacuations of dung and 
 urine take from the accumulated contents of the intestines, 
 which if suffered to remain in an abundant and preterna- 
 tural proportion, must by its compulsive retention, 
 acquire a degi'ee of putrid or acrimonious morbidity, 
 inevitably producing disease. 
 
 These morbid attacks act differently upon different 
 subjects, according to their state or tendency, at the time 
 of the blood or body assuming a corrupt or infectious 
 influence, displaying itself in such a way as is most 
 applicable to the constitutional predominance of disease 
 in the horse, previous to the least trait of discovery. 
 
 Exercise in all its particulars of manner, distance, and 
 duration, must be entirely regulated by contingent reflec- 
 tions upon the health, state, and condition of the subject ; 
 so it must be perfectly clear, that the recommendation of 
 certain exercise to horses in a high state of health and 
 condition, cannot be supposed to extend to those under 
 physic, or in different states of recovery from disease. 
 Such must unavoidably receive judicious regulations from 
 the parties concerned, as the kind of daily exercise we 
 now have in contemplation, only appertains to horses in 
 health, the preservation of which is the present object of 
 consideration. All the observations under this head 
 have been introduced to demonstrate the utility of exer- 
 cise in general, and the ills that certainly arise from the 
 want of it. 
 
52 
 
 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 NAMES OF MEDICINES USED FOR HORSES VARIOUS FORMS OF 
 
 MEDICINE — BALLS, AND HOW THEY ACT POWDERS — DREN- 
 CHES CLYSTERS OINTMENTS — FOMENTATIONS POULTICES — 
 
 BLEEDING PHYSICING FIRING BLISTERING GELDING 
 
 ROWELS AND SETONS — SHOEING. 
 
 Names of Medicines used for Horses. 
 
 Acids 
 
 Aether 
 
 Aloes 
 
 Alum 
 
 Ammonia 
 
 Aniseed 
 
 Anodynes 
 
 Antimony 
 
 Arsenic 
 
 Aasafoetida 
 
 Astringents 
 
 Balsam 
 
 Bole Armenian 
 
 Bark ^ 
 
 Benzoin 
 
 Blisters 
 
 Blue Vitriol 
 
 Butter of Antimony 
 
 Black Antimony 
 
 Calamine 
 
 Camphor 
 
 Calomel 
 
 Castor Oil 
 
 Cathechu 
 
 Cantharides 
 
 Caraway Seeds 
 
 Chalk 
 
 Caustic 
 
 Cascarilla 
 
 Columbo Root 
 
 Canella Bark 
 
 Chloride of Lime 
 
 Chloride of Soda 
 
 Cummin Seeds 
 
 Chamomile 
 
 Charcoal 
 
 Corrosine Sublimate 
 Cream of Tartar 
 Croton Oil 
 Decoctions 
 Digestives 
 Digitales 
 Diuretics 
 Drenches 
 Epsom Salts 
 Emetic Tartar 
 Escharotics 
 Euphorbium 
 •Expectorants 
 Extract Saturn 
 Fomentations 
 Ferri Sulphus 
 Gentian 
 Ginger 
 Gum MjTrh 
 Glauber Salt 
 Glysters 
 Goulard 
 
 Grains of Paradise 
 Garlic 
 Hemlock 
 Honey 
 Hartshorn 
 Hellebore 
 Hogs' Lard 
 Iodine 
 Infusions 
 Julop 
 
 Japan Earth 
 Juniper 
 Kali 
 Laudanum 
 
 Liquor Ammonia 
 
 Linseed 
 
 Lead 
 
 Lime 
 
 Liquid Blister 
 
 Liquorice 
 
 Madder 
 
 Malt 
 
 Mercurial Ointment 
 
 Myrrh 
 
 Marsh MaUowes 
 
 Nation 
 
 Nitre 
 
 Nitric Acid 
 
 Opium 
 
 Oil of Olives 
 
 on of Wormwood 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 
 
 Oak Bark 
 
 Oil of Elder 
 
 Oil of Bay 
 
 Oil of Linseed 
 
 Oil of Palm 
 
 Oil of Amber 
 
 Oil of Anniseeds 
 
 on of Caraways 
 
 Oil of Juniper 
 
 Oil of Tar 
 
 Oil of Origanum 
 
 Oil of Vitriol 
 
 Pepper 
 
 Pitch 
 
 Potash 
 
 Precipitate 
 
 Purges 
 
 Quassi 
 
Quick Silver 
 
 Saviu 
 
 Eesiu 
 
 Soda 
 
 Eue 
 
 Spanish Flies 
 
 Rhubarb 
 
 SquQls 
 
 Salts 
 
 Spii-its of Wine 
 
 Sal Amoniac 
 
 Spirits of Aether 
 
 Salt of Steel 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 
 
 Salt of Tartar 
 
 Sulphur 
 
 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 53 
 
 Tar 
 
 Tobacco 
 
 Tonics 
 
 Unguents 
 
 Vitriol 
 
 Vinegar 
 
 WiUow Bark 
 
 Zinc 
 
 The various forms of Medicine. 
 
 The usual forms in which medicine is administered 
 to a horse are those of balls, powder, drenches, clysters, 
 ointments, fomentation, and poulticing ; also, bleeding, 
 blistering, and physicing. 
 
 Balls. 
 
 There are some circumstances in the preparation of 
 this form of medicine not in general sufficiently attended 
 to by farriers. Substances that are volatile do not keep 
 well in balls, and therefore should only be made when 
 used. The same caution is also requisite with such as 
 liquify by the absorption of air. All hard substances en- 
 tering into balls, should be finely powdered, and the moist 
 matter that is to form them into an adhesive mass, 
 should be of a nature that will neither ferment, nor 
 become mouldy. Very dry and bulky powders are 
 no way so conveniently formed into a mass, or keep so 
 well, as by the addition of lard or palm oil. 
 
 Diuretic Balls, and liow they act. 
 As we have but little power over the skin of the 
 horse, so we have correspondently a gi^eater one over 
 the kidnies. In the human being, the reverse of this 
 is the case; and the articles that act on the human 
 kidney, appear to do it more by a sympathetic effort of 
 the stomach, whereas, diurectics in the horse, at least the 
 greater number of them, appear to act primarily on the 
 kidnies by determining a gi^eater quantity of blood to 
 them, and by stimulating them to separate a larger 
 
54 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 quantity of water from it ; the blood, therefore, losing 
 an unusual proportion of its serum, or watery part, 
 must be supplied from other sources; this is done by 
 the absorbing vessels, which take up, in that case, any 
 superfluous fluids they meet with to supply the 
 deficiency. 
 
 Diuretic Ball. 
 
 Resin, yellow 3 drachms. 
 
 Nitre 3 ,, 
 
 Common Turpentine 2 ,, 
 
 Yellow Soap 3 ,, 
 
 Diuretic Powder. 
 
 Besin .* 2 drachms. 
 
 Nitre 3 
 
 Cream of Tartar 3 ,, 
 
 To be given in bran mashes. 
 
 Tonic Ba,llj No. 1. 
 
 Gum Myrrh 3 drachms. 
 
 Green Yitriol 2 ,, 
 
 Oak Bark Powder 3 ,, 
 
 Ginger 1 ,, 
 
 Tonic Ball, ITo. 2. 
 
 Arsenic 10 grains. 
 
 Gentian Root 3 drachms. 
 
 Cascarilla 3 ,, 
 
 Any of the above tonic balls are supposed to exert 
 their influence on the muscular fibre, and to improve 
 their tone ; this they do in some instances through the 
 medium of the stomach, and are then called stomachs. 
 Tonics are therefore stimulants of permanent action. 
 
 Alterative Ball, No. 1. 
 
 Sulphur 4 drachms. 
 
 Black Antimony 3 ,, 
 
 Resin 3 ,, 
 
 Nitre 2 „ 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 55 
 
 Alterative Ball, No. 2. 
 
 Calomel half clracliin. 
 
 Cream of Tartar 2 drachms. 
 
 Digitalis half drachm. 
 
 Alterative halls are supposed to act medicinally on 
 the body, in a slow and nearly imperceptible manner. 
 The nitre increases the urinary discharge, and keeps 
 down the accumulation of fluids in swelled legs, and 
 other enlargements. Resin is an active diuretic altera- 
 tive, but it simply empties the system, while white 
 nitre is a refrigerant also. Cream of tartar is an 
 excellent alterative, particularly in conjunction with 
 merculias and sulphur, in breaking out surfeits. Digita- 
 lis is likewise a useful alterative in watery accumulations. 
 
 Cordial Ball, No. 1. 
 
 Gentian Root 4 drachms. 
 
 Ginger • '6 ,, 
 
 Caraway Seeds 3 ,, 
 
 Made top ivith Jiomy. 
 
 Cordial Ball, No. 2. 
 
 Camphor 1 di-achm. 
 
 Coriander Seeds 2 ,, 
 
 Ginger 3 „ 
 
 Oil of Aniseed ^ an ounce. 
 
 Cordials. 
 These, with stomachs and tonics might perhaps all of 
 them be properly defined under one comprehensive term 
 of stimulants, for in this propei-ty their utility prin- 
 cipally depends. The mode of action of all of them in 
 general cases appears to be by a sympathetic eflfect they 
 excite between the stomach and the system. 
 
 Laxative Ball, No. 1. 
 
 Calomel 1 drachm. 
 
 Barhadoes Aloes 3 ,, 
 
 Made up loith Castile Soap. 
 
56 THE HOESE AXD ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Laxative Ball, No. 2. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 4 drachms. 
 
 G^inger 1 „ 
 
 Calomel ^ ,, 
 
 Nitre 2 „ 
 
 Made np with Common Soap. 
 
 Laxative may be denominated a milder purgative, 
 but acting without irritation, and hence, much to be 
 preferred in violent inflammatory affections. In some 
 chronic cases also they are eligible, because they can be 
 more frequently repeated. 
 
 Purgative Ball, No. 1. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 
 
 Ginger 1 
 
 )) 
 
 Physicing excites the intestines to a more early, a 
 more frequent, and a more copious discharge of their 
 contents, and may be termed purgative. If this etfect 
 is intended to be produced in a slight degree only, it is 
 termed laxative. 
 
 Powders, 
 
 Powders are generally composed of calomel, nitre, 
 sulphur, antimony, and some of the aromatic seeds 
 reduced to fine powder, and mixed with bran ; such 
 medicines as do not easily dissolve in water, should be 
 moistened before mixing in the food, 
 
 Drenclies. 
 
 In compounding a drench, it is necessary that the oils 
 and balsams should be well combined with the watery 
 substance, and the drench should be administered by a 
 horn. The great advantages of drenches are the remedies 
 exhibited in this form, which generally produce very 
 speedy effects, and are consequently well suited to urgent 
 cases where immediate relief is required. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 57 
 
 Clysters. 
 
 All medicine which can be thoroughly mixed with 
 any watery fluid, so as to pass easily through a slender 
 tube, may be advantageously administered in the form 
 of a clyster. A pewter syringe with a pipe about 12 
 inches long, and one inch in diameter, having the 
 extremity very smooth, so as not to injure the internal 
 coat of the bowels is preferred. The use of clysters has 
 very properly become frequent, and is justly in high 
 esteem. 
 
 Ointments. 
 
 Ointments are chiefly employed as an application to 
 sores, or in cases of eruption of the skin ; they cannot 
 be used in farriery, as on the human body, on account 
 of the hair that covers the body of the horse 
 
 Fomentations. 
 
 Fomentations are composed of some infusions or 
 decoctions of herbs, and are used to soften or relax the 
 parts to which they are applied. The proper method of 
 applying them is by wetting a large woollen cloth in 
 very hot water, and after wringing it slightly, laying it 
 as warm as possible on the part to be fomented for a 
 minute at a time. 
 
 Poultices. 
 
 Poultices should be reduced to a perfect softness, and 
 frequently removed ; when intended to produce suppura- 
 tion, they should be applied waim, but when required 
 to check inflammation, they are usually laid on cold. 
 
 A poultice to the extremities is applied by means of 
 an old worsted stocking cut off at the ancle, the leg of it 
 being slipped over the roof, is brought around the part, 
 and secured below, by means of broad list not too lightly 
 applied. The poultice is then put into the stocking by 
 means of the hand, and afterwards secured above by 
 another piece of broad tape loosely applied. 
 
58 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 A Common Softening Poultice. 
 Bran, any quantity, pour boiling water to form a thin 
 paste, add linseed meal, sufficient to make it adhesive ; 
 after this, stir in one or two ounces of sweet oil, 
 
 A Cooling Poultice, 
 
 Bran : , . . . , any quantity. 
 
 CaiTots , ditto. 
 
 Sugar of lead water to form a poultice, which as it 
 dries moisten with more sugar of lead water. 
 
 Cleansing Poultice for Grease 
 or icherous discharge from other diseased surfaces, or for 
 gangrenous wounds. 
 
 Oatmeal .,..., , half-pint. 
 
 Linseed Meal ditto 
 
 Powdered Charcoal four ounces. 
 
 Stale beer gi'ounds, sufficient to make a poultice. 
 
 Bleeding, 
 
 This operation is frequently necessary in the diseases 
 of horses, and is performed either with a lancet or fleam 
 in the neok vein. The blood should always be preserved, 
 that the quantity drawn may be accurately known, and 
 its quality ascertained. The princij^al object in di'awing 
 blood is to lessen its quantity, by which the remaining 
 mass circulates with more freedom in the vessels. It 
 likewise takes off the inflammatory tendency of the 
 blood, removes spasms, and prevents other bad conse- 
 quences that may follow, especially in plethoric habits ; 
 and it is always to be remembered, that when the 
 symptoms of a disease are taken from the motion of the 
 blood, the disorders arising from it depend upon its 
 circulation being either increased or diminished. Hence, 
 therefore, all the changes which take place in the 
 quantity and quality of the blood are attended either 
 with diminution, or an increase of its velocity. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 59 
 
 Although the cases which may require bleeding are 
 numerous, yet, one general caution is necessary, namely, 
 never to take away blood but when it is absolutely 
 necessary, for it is a fluid that may be easily taken away, 
 but not so easily replaced. Besides the practice of 
 bleeding frequently, or at stated times, is exceedingly 
 improper, as it disposes the body to become weak and 
 relaxed. In bleeding, therefore, a due regard must 
 always be had to the constitution, age, strength, etc., of 
 the horse, and the state or habit of the body it is in at 
 the time 
 
 Although blood ought not in general be taken from 
 horses on trifling occasions, when they may be said to 
 be healthy, yet, when cases occur that do require it, it 
 may not only safely, but usefully be recommended to 
 take a greater quantity at once, than is usually done. 
 For instance, from three to four quarts, according to the 
 urgency of the symptoms at the time. 
 
 For as horses are veiy subject to inflammatory diseases, 
 and those that are of the spasmodic kind, and as bleeding 
 plentifully relaxes the whole system of the horse in 
 these cases, the taking away a small quantity of blood, 
 is, in fact, playing with the disease ; the horse is then 
 said to be blooded, and that satisfies the owner and farrier. 
 Time is thus lost, the disease acquires strength, and it 
 may then be beyond the power of art to mitigate or 
 conquer it ; hence, the horse falls a sacrifice to timidity 
 and ignorance. 
 
 It is to be remembered that inflammatory diseases, 
 particularly when the bowels are aftected, make a very 
 rapid progress in horses, and if they ai'e not overcome 
 at the beginning by bleeding freely, the liorse commonly 
 dies in 24 hours of a gangrene or mortification in the 
 intestines. 
 
 Bleeding is ^sometimes the quicker method of giving 
 relief in the beginning of inflammatoiy fevers, to which 
 horses are very liable, it is also necessary in all violent 
 acute pains, as in gripes or cholics. 
 
60 THE HORSE AJfD ITS DESEASES. 
 
 Strangwry, or suppression of urine, in rheumatic com- 
 plaints, is where the pain causes stiffness or lameness, 
 and which frequently shifts from one limb to another, 
 or when it affects the neck and occasions that stiffness 
 and contraction of the muscles which is commonly called 
 the chards in inflammation of the liver, the lungs, the 
 plura, stomach, intestines, kidnies, bladder, or any of 
 the internal viscera, in apoplexy, or giddiness, and in 
 all disorders where the head seems affected. 
 
 On the other hand, bleeding is to be avoided in all 
 cases of extreme lowness, or weakness, produced by 
 fatigue, or disease, such as purging, or scouring, or 
 diabetes, or excessive staling, or during the time of 
 molting or shedding his coat. 
 
 Physicing. 
 
 In purging horses, great care and attention are 
 necessary, the bowels being particularly irritable, and 
 liable to inflammation. The physic gen^^ally given is 
 too strong. I am certain that many horses have been 
 destroyed by the immoderate doses that have been 
 recommended by writers on farriery. The only certain 
 and safe purgative for horses, is aloes ; and of the 
 different kinds of aloes, the Barbadoes is undoubtedly 
 the best ; and it is advisable to prepare a horse for 
 physic, by giving him bran mashes for two days before 
 he gets it, as the bran will gently relax the bowels, 
 and remove any indurated faces that may be lodged in 
 them — it will also tend to facilitate the operation of the 
 medicine. 
 
 When the horse is purged for the first time, it is 
 prudent to give a very moderate dose ; were the common 
 quantity given to one of weak irritable bowels there 
 would be danger not only of producing great debility, 
 and thereby of counteracting the intention of the 
 medicine, but likewise of destroying the animal by 
 bringing an inflammation of the bowels, and this is by no 
 means an unusual occurrence. Should the first ball not 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. (31 
 
 operate sufficiently, a stronger may be given after an 
 interval of three days. 
 
 The morning is the best time for giving a purgative, 
 the horse having fasted the night before ; if he is 
 disposed to drink after taking the ball, give him a 
 moderate quantity of warm water, which will promote 
 the solution in the stomach ; during this day the horse 
 is to be kept in the stable, except for twenty minutes in 
 the evening, when he is to have Avalking exercise after 
 he gets a diink of warm water. 
 
 The following morning he is to be exercised for an 
 hour, and at this time the medicine will generally begin 
 to operate ; should the purging aj)pear sufficient, he 
 need not be taken out a second time, but when the 
 desii'ed effect does not readily take place, trotting exercise 
 will tend to promote it. 
 
 On account of the horizontal position of the horse's 
 body, it generally requires twenty-four hours to elapse 
 before the medicine begins to operate, though it some- 
 times commences in a shorter period, but much depends 
 on the constitution of the horse. 
 
 When purging continues longer than usual, and the 
 horse appears to be considerably weakened by the evacu- 
 ation, let the astringent ball be given, and the horse 
 well clothed. 
 
 Prescription for Physic Balls. 
 No. 1. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 5 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Aromatic Powder 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of C&Ways 10 drops. 
 
 In one hall, 
 No. 2. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel ^ ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 4 ,, 
 
 Ginger 1 ,, 
 
 With sirup enough to form the ball. 
 
62 THE HOUSE AISTD ITS DISEASES. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 7 drachms. 
 
 Calomel ^ ,, 
 
 Oil of Aniseed 10 drops. 
 
 Aromatic Powder 1 drachm. 
 
 Hog's Lard 3 , , 
 
 In one hall. 
 
 Firing. 
 
 This becomes an important and a very salutary agent 
 in good hands. The practice of firing was not always 
 confined to quadrupeds; on the contrary, it probably 
 was first used on man ; to this day, in many countries, 
 it is a popular remedy among human surgeons. In 
 India, Persia, and China, it is applied over the abdomen 
 for the cure of the ague ; it is also used for white 
 swellings, and numerous other complaints ; nor would 
 it be difficult to prove that we have no remedy in 
 human surgeiy, except mercury, that can compensate 
 for its disuse. Firing is performed on horses for two 
 purposes, one for the forming a permanent bandage to a 
 part, which it does by destroying the elasticity of the 
 skin, and lessening its surface — the other is that of 
 raising an active inflammation, and thereby exciting 
 absorption. Sometimes it is used to answer one of those 
 purposes only, and sometimes it is performed to promote 
 both conjointly. The Arabs fire the joints of their 
 young horses to strengthen them, by keeping a constant 
 bandage on the foot — some English breeders of blood 
 horses have done the same. This is an instance where 
 firing is performed for the first purpose. In splints, 
 spavins, and ring-bones, firing is used as a strong stimulus 
 to the surrounding absorbents, to remove any extraneous 
 substance lately deposited, hence, the bony matter so 
 hurtfully thown out, w^hich forms such swellings, 
 becomes swallowed up by these vessels, and thus 
 removed. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 66 
 
 Blistering. 
 
 This is an operation of great utility, and is perhaps 
 the safest that is performed. Blisters act by inflaming 
 the skin, which drawing a large quantity of blood from 
 the part, its watery portion, or serum, is separated, 
 and this forms the running, xit the same time, like- 
 wise, that a blister acts on the skiii, it stimulates the 
 surrounding absorbents to take up the fluids, and if the 
 blister is strong, they are much excited — these same 
 absorbing vessels remove even the solids likewise. The 
 blister for general use should be composed as follows : — 
 
 Blister, No. 1. 
 
 Spanish Flies 4 drachms. 
 
 Hog's Lard 3 ounces. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine I , , 
 
 Blister, No. 2. 
 
 Sulphuric Acid 1 drachm. 
 
 Common Tar 2 ounces. 
 
 Hog's Lard 1 ,, 
 
 Cantharides 1 ,, 
 
 Mixed together. 
 
 The mode of blistering is as follows : — The hair 
 should be cut close as possible from around tlie part 
 to which the blister is to be applied, and the blisteiing 
 ointment well rubbed in for 20 minutes, smoothened 
 down, and spread a little more on the surface with a 
 knife. 
 
 If the pasterns and fetlocks are the parts to be blistered, 
 it would be well to smear the heels with lard, tallow, 
 or melted suet, to prevent grease or troublesome sores 
 forming on them from the falling of the blistering 
 ointment. The horse should have hay or other food 
 constantly before him, which will divert his attention 
 from the blister, and soothe his pain — his head should 
 be most carefully bandaged for two days and nights, to 
 prevent him biting the blister, or lying down. On the 
 
64 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 fourth night he may be permitted to lie down, but even 
 then, the prevention to injure himself should be con- 
 tinued, by means of what is called a cradle, which is 
 put on when the blister becomes troublesome. 
 
 If the cradle cannot be got ready made at the shop of 
 a turner, it may be made of 8 or 10 pieces of round 
 wood, an inch and a half in diameter, and two feet long, 
 strung at each end of a rope, and fastened round the 
 horse's neck, whereby he is effectually prevented bending 
 his neck to bite or otherwise injure himself 
 
 Sweating Blister. 
 
 This technicality is made use of among farriers to 
 imply a moderately active stimulant, generally of aliquid 
 kind that will not excoriate, rise the cuticle, or cause a 
 separation of hair, and yet will rouse the absorbents, 
 and occasion, as is supposed, a transpiration of fluid 
 matter, or a sweating effect whereby accumulations are 
 removed in the latter stages of muscular and ligamentary 
 strains, as those of the shoulder, hip, style, and some 
 
 others. 
 
 Sweating Blister, No. 1. 
 
 Liquor Ammonia 1 ounce. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 1 , , 
 
 Spirits of Camphor 1 ,, 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 ,, 
 
 Olive Oil 1 pint. 
 
 Mixed together and nibbed in 3 minutes at the time for 3 days. 
 Blister, No. 2. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 1 ounce. 
 
 Vitriolic Acid 2 drachms. 
 
 Hog's Lard 4 ounces. 
 
 Spanish Flies 1 ,, 
 
 Blister, No. 3. 
 
 Common Tar 4 ounces. 
 
 Vitriolic Acid 2 drachms. 
 
 Oil of Origanum 4 ,, 
 
 Hog's Lard 2 ounces. 
 
 Spanish Flics 2 ,, 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 65 
 
 Blister No. 4. 
 
 Hog's Lard 6 ounces. 
 
 Yenice Turpentine 4 ., 
 
 Bees' Wax 2 „ 
 
 Yellow Eesin 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of Origanum 4 drachms. 
 
 Powdered Cantharides 3 ounces. 
 
 Blister, No. 5. 
 Best Liquid Blister. 
 
 Spirits of Wine 1 ounce. 
 
 Spiiits of Turpentine 1 , , 
 
 Cantharides 4 drachms. 
 
 Train Oil 6 ounces. 
 
 Nitric Acid 1 drachm. 
 
 Hub it on the part for 5 minutes. 
 
 Gelding. 
 
 This operation is useful in rendering horses more 
 gentle and tractahle, hut some contend that the loss of 
 strength and spirit which the animal sustains, more than 
 counterhalance this advantage. 
 
 The hest mode of performing this operation is to put 
 a switch on the animal's nose, then put on the neck 
 rope and side lines on both hind legs, pull them gently 
 as far to the front as you can, to prevent him kicking, 
 then get a fiiTQ hold of the near testicle and make an 
 incision through the centre, press it out, put on the 
 claws, and tear it off with the iron, when this is finished 
 proceed to remove the other in the same manner. 
 
 After both are removed, a pledget of fine tow, wetted 
 in one part of oil of turpentine, and four parts of linseed 
 oil, may be introduced just within the edges of the 
 wound. 
 
 The third day the parts are to be fomented with very 
 hot water for one hour in the morning, and the same in 
 the evening, at the same time keeping the orifice open, 
 by introducing the finger. I don't agree in opinion with 
 
66 THE noiiSE JlXD its diseases. 
 
 any person who would advise colts to be gelded before 
 they are two years old. I would also advise every 
 person who knows how to geld a horse, to drop the old 
 cruel fashion of binding the poor animal with ropes and 
 throwing him down, sometimes breaking his back or 
 his neck. 
 
 I have reason to believe that I am the fii^st and only 
 person in Europe that does it standing, so far as I know. 
 During an experience of 25 years, I have never read of, 
 heard, or seen, the operation of gelding performed in the 
 horse in a standing posture. 
 
 FoT a long time I have conformed to the common 
 practice of throwing down the horse and thus operating 
 in a recumbent posture, but within the last 4 years I 
 have saved the poor brute this cruel ordeal. 
 
 During that time, to the knowledge of my numerous 
 patrons in and around Permoy, I have extirpated the 
 testicles while the horse was standing, and I cannot 
 recommend too strongly to my professional brethren, the 
 peculiar advantage to be derived therefrom ; nor can I 
 conceal from myself the satisfaction which this reforma- 
 tion, and (the originality of which I claim) in this 
 department of veterinary art, has occasioned me 
 
 Rowels and Setons. 
 
 Rowels in horses are usually made in the following 
 manner : — an incision is made through the skin by means 
 of a shai^o scissors, or what appears better, a sharp knife. 
 The finger is then introduced below the skin so as to 
 separate it from the flesh all round, as far as the finger 
 will reach ; a piece of leather, about the size of a crown 
 piece, is then inserted between the skin and the muscles, 
 having been first anointed with some stimulating oint- 
 ment, a small piece of tow or caddice spread with the 
 same ointment, is put over the hole in the centre of the 
 leather, the skin is laid down over all, and the part is 
 covered with a pledget of tow. The leather is left in 
 this situation for three days, during which time the 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 67 
 
 parts adjoining the ix)wel swell, and, at the end of that 
 time, there appears a discharge of yellowish matter, 
 which gradually becomes thicker and whiter in three 
 days, at farthest ; the part must be examined, and the 
 plug removed from the hole to allow the matter to flow 
 out. The rowel is now complete, and may be continued 
 as long as found necessary. The action of the rowel is 
 easily explained — the leather introduced excites a degree 
 of inflammation between the skin and flesh, and by no 
 means taken to check this, it goes on like most other 
 inflammations of fleshy parts to suppuration ; thus a 
 discharge is produced from the part, which is found to 
 have considerable eff'ect in checking inflammation of 
 some more important organ near which the rowel has 
 been inserted. 
 
 Setons. 
 
 Setons are very useful to drain off matter gradually 
 from large abscesses, or suppurating tumors. It is a 
 piece of cord or tape passed thi^ough the base of such 
 ulcers as have deep sinuses between the skin and muscles. 
 This is effected by means of an instrument resembling 
 a needle, and the seton is kept in its place by tying both 
 ends together. The tape should be moved several times 
 during the day, and wetted with turpentine, spirits of 
 wine, or some acrid liquid, in order to keep u^) the 
 inflammation, and promote the discharge of matter, 
 which is the purpose for which setons are used. 
 
 Setons are often useful in increasing a discharge in 
 the places contiguous to inflammation, and thus carrying 
 ofl" th it superfluity of fluid matter which would distend 
 the vessels of those parts, and keep up the inflammation ; 
 for example — in inflammation of the eye, a seton in the 
 cheek will act with much advantage, on the principle of 
 counter irritation. In deep-seated inflammation, many 
 favourable results have been experienced in the use of 
 the setons ; for example — in inflammation of the navi- 
 cular joint, great advantage has been derived from a 
 
 E 
 
68 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 seton. Where there are abscesses, or tumors in the 
 withers or poll, the seton should be passed entirely 
 through, from the bottom to the top, by which the fluid 
 will be discharged, and the accumulation of more 
 prevented. 
 
 They are especially valuable in deep fistulous sores, 
 by giving an out-let to the matter secreted in them, 
 which, if not discharged, would cut deeper into the 
 parts, and without being thus worn oif, the disease 
 would never be extirpated. 
 
 Shoeing. 
 
 Even without the assistance of history, it would 
 naturally suggest itself, that the ingenuity of mankind 
 would be early employed in discovering some mode of 
 counteracting the effects of pressure, and abrasion on 
 the feet of such horses as they had domesticated, for, as 
 commerce and the liberal arts were encouraged among 
 them, so the necessity of forming more easy communi- 
 cations with each other, by means of paved tracks or 
 roads presented itself, and which, as they occasioned an 
 unnatural wear of the feet, it became necessary to 
 counteract the effects of by some artificial defence. In 
 very early ages, a species of sandals were made use of 
 for horses, as well as men, which were formed either of 
 leather, or of matting, but it appears that these were 
 only in occasional use for horses. 
 
 Xenophon, who commanded the cavalry of the Grecian 
 armies, about 500 years before Christ, and who wrote 
 expressly on the subject of horses, mentions such an 
 occasional defence for their feet, in use in his time. In 
 Columella and Yaro, who were subsequent writers, we 
 have additional evidence of this. 200 years after these, 
 Apoyrtus, a famous farrier, who lived in the reign of 
 Constantino, gives express directions for the treatment 
 of bruises and galls of the shank, brought on by the 
 thongs or fastenings of the foot shackles. At later 
 periods, these shackles were strengthened by plates of 
 
THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 69 
 
 metal which in general cases were probably of iron; on 
 occasions of great magnificence appear to have been 
 sometimes made of gold, as we are told by Pliny, were 
 those used by mules of Poppaca. 
 
 But as riding, and the use of chariots became more 
 general, so some means of obviating the inconveniences 
 of the inapt modes of fastening the defences for the 
 feet then in use, presented themselves more forcibly ; 
 yet it is probable, that it was not till about 12 or 13 
 hundi'ed years ago, that the present method of shoeing 
 with iron plates, and attaching the same by means of 
 nails was practised. 
 
 Vegetius, who lived in the reign of Valentinian the 
 third, though he accurately enumerates every thing 
 connected with an army forge, makes no mention of any 
 apparatus for shoeing horses, nor any artificers for that 
 purpose. And from Beckman we learn that the first 
 account of the modern horse shoe that can be relied on, 
 is gathered from an account of the furniture of the 
 Emperor Leo, of Constantinople ; but the use of shoes 
 of this kind was very confined at this period, nor did 
 perhaps, any horse continue to wear such altogether, but 
 now and then only. 
 
 The art of horse shoeing appears to have been brought 
 into England by William the Conqueror, having been 
 previously sometime practised in Ireland, as the Irish at 
 that time were considered the stars of Europe. Henry de 
 Ferrers, a favorite of William the Conqueror, came 
 over with . him as superintendent of horse shoers, and 
 from thence the future Earls of Ferrers, his descendants, 
 always have borne six horse shoes in the quartering of 
 their arms. 
 
 But neither in Ireland, nor in England, nor in any 
 of the Continental countries, did the art make a progress 
 at all equal to its importance. It is time that many 
 writings expressly on the subject were produced, and 
 French, German, Italian, and Spanish treaties on shoeing 
 of very old date are to be met with i there are a few 
 
70 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 English also, but which are mostly borrowed from the 
 Prench. Feverthelese, when the celebrated La Fosse 
 began his career, the practice of this art was but clumsily 
 managed, and his well-known writings on this subject, 
 appear to have first paved the way for the improvement 
 that followed. 
 
 La Fosse Shoe. 
 
 La Fosse considered long heavy shoes as useless, and 
 liable to drag off, that they lessened the animal's points 
 of support, and that thick heel shoes were no assistance 
 to weak heeled hoofs ; he was hence led to recommend 
 what he called the half moon shoe, which was short, and 
 reached only to the middle of the foot. This method 
 was considered at the time as very ingenious, and his 
 treatise on the subject was translated into the English 
 language, both by Bracken and Bartlet, who each recom- 
 mended the plan it taught. 
 
 But persons very often who try a new mode, fall into 
 one of three errors. They either enter on it with a 
 prejudiced mind, by which they are previously deter- 
 mined to find out only its defects, or they expect more 
 than can be performed, and hence are disappointed and 
 disgusted, or otherwise they embrace without prejudice 
 the new mode. This shoe, or one something similar to 
 it, wa^ also first adopted by Mr. Colman, but not being 
 found to answer, was very soon abandoned. 
 
 But with all its merits and defects, the half moon 
 shoe was not La Fosse's invention, it had been used for 
 contracted feet more than a century before. 
 
 The present mode of horse shoeing in France differs 
 very much from ours, as their shoes present no fullering, 
 but the heads of the nails which are square, are received 
 into a countersink ; these nails go round the toe, and 
 stand much more within the circumference of the shoe 
 than ours, which leaves a projecting rim beyond the foot. 
 Their shoes arc likewise not nailed so near the heels as 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 71 
 
 the Irish, and the last nail is always the smallest ; also, 
 one man holds up the foot, while the other man drives 
 the nails. 
 
 Osmer's Shoe. 
 
 Mr. Osmer was originally a surgeon, possessed of a 
 strong mind, with great marks of originality — his 
 thoughts on shoeing were offered about 1760. Osmer 
 considered the bars and frog as essential parts, and 
 particularly insisted on the propriety of that soft elastic 
 part remaining uncut, the loose ragged portions only 
 being removed. 
 
 He likewise observed, that some persons mistaking 
 La Fosse, (who blamed the improper cutting away the 
 sole and frog) had gone into the contrary extreme, and 
 suffered the feet to grow to a preposterous length. The 
 feet of all horses, he remarks, ought to be pared according 
 to their length. The shoe he recommended was to be 
 made quite fiat on the under surface, of an equal thick- 
 ness throughout its outer margin, and to prevent its 
 pressing on the sole, that is, levelled away not from the 
 edge, but from about half its width, by which means it 
 would leave a flat surface for the attachment of the crust. 
 His further directions were, that every shoe should stand 
 wider at the heel than any other part. 
 
 Mr. James Clarke's Shoe. 
 
 IS'ot very long after La Fosse and Osmer had awakened 
 the attention of the public to shoeing, Mr. Clarke, of 
 Edinburgh, published his treatise on this subject. 
 
 This gentleman's shoe did not materially differ from 
 the one recommended by Osmer, and is used by many of 
 the most intelligent of our farriers, but his remarks more 
 forcibly pointed out the improprieties generally practiced. 
 It is plain likewise that Lord Pembroke borrowed many 
 of his ideas from him. Mr. Clarke's principles rested on 
 recommending no unnecessary paring or cutting, either 
 of the hoof or frog, nor did he allow of raising the heels 
 with calkins, except in hilly countries. 
 
72 THE "HOKSE AXD ITS DTSEASK*^. 
 
 Monsieur St. Bel's Shoe, 
 In consequence of the situation this gentleman hold 
 as professor of the English Vetennaiy College, every 
 attempt he made at improvement excited the attention 
 of the English, and as Mr. Blaine says, he was certainly 
 not well informed with regard to the general pathology 
 of the animal ; yet he possessed many excellent ideas on 
 the mechanical arrangement of the foot, and his principles 
 of shoeing were ingenious. The professor's shoe was 
 intended to present a concave surface to the ground, 
 that would more closely imitate nature, which mode he 
 offered as entirely new, and though it is x>ossihle he 
 considered it as such, yet the same form was as strenu- 
 ously recommended 300 years ago, in a treatise written 
 professedly on the subject by Caesar Eiaschi, an Italian. 
 
 Mr. Morecroft's Shoe. 
 This ingenius professor of the veterinary art, rendered 
 himself eminent by his invention of casting shoes, or 
 moulding them by means of machinery, which was done 
 by sinking them in dies, but the plan was not found to 
 answer, and the ingenious inventor lost £3,000 by the 
 expeiiment. 
 
 The Patent Artificial Frog. 
 
 Mr. Colman, veterinary surgeon, convinced of the 
 necessity of pressure to the frog, vs^hen he entered on his 
 labours, invented also an ap]Daratus for this purpose, to 
 be applied in those cases, where, by bad shoeing, or by 
 disease, this part had become elevated from the ground. 
 The patent frogs were, therefore, intended to produce 
 pressure on the natural frogs. 
 
 The Patent Expanding Shoe. 
 
 Mr. Colman, finding his patent frog neither expanding 
 
 horses' feet, nor his own pocket, as Mr. Blaine said, 
 
 invented or rather adopted a shoe, having at the inside 
 
 of ciach heel a clip bent down to embrace the bar, by 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 73 
 
 -wliicli it was presiiined the tendenc}^ iu the foot to con- 
 tract would be mechanically prevented, and to promote a 
 disposition to diverge also — the heels of this shoe are 
 bevelled outwards. When this was first brought forward 
 it was like the frog, to do wonders, and the liberty of 
 forging the shoes was sold to smiths to complete the 
 bargain; the liberty of wearing them ought also to be 
 sold ; but this child of adoption appears also doomed to 
 suffer the fate of the former. 
 
 Shoeing 
 
 Is a matter of so much importance, that it cannot be too 
 clearly explained, or too generally understood, conse- 
 quently creates no surprise that so many writers have 
 condescended to offer their sentiments upon a subject of 
 such magnitude ; but it is to be regretted those opinions 
 have been submitted to public inspection in so remote a 
 way, and applies more to the professional conception of 
 individuals than to the standard of general comprehension. 
 
 The various dissertations upon shoeing, or diseases of 
 the feet, have been in general too sublime in their lan- 
 guage, and too much interspersed with anatomical 
 disquisitions and technical jargon, to acquire public 
 patronage and commendation ; to such inconsistency 
 alone may perhaps be justly attributed their consignment 
 to oblivion so soon after publication. The various ani- 
 madversions of different writers under this head, are 
 evidently too closely wrapped in the veil of obscurity, 
 and seem purposely addressed much more to the 
 anatomical judgment of the scientific artist, than to the 
 understandings of the many by whom we are to suppose 
 it should be equally understood. 
 
 An elegant arrangement of words, and ambiguity of 
 expression, may contribute a loftiness of style more 
 pleasing to the gentleman delighting in a judicious 
 display of polished language ; but, in the present in- 
 stance is required such easy flow of plain descriptive 
 matter, as becomes perfectly applicable to the inferior 
 
74 THE HOItSE AND ITS PTr^JEASES. 
 
 capacities proportionably interested in its effects, who 
 have not the least right to be excluded their share of 
 knowledge for the ostentatious introduction of pedantic 
 phraseology. 
 
 Such connected chain of useful information, divested 
 of obscure references to remote considerations (tliat only 
 to erect one mystery upon the basis of another) must 
 certainly prove much more applicable to the intentional 
 purport of common conception and general improvement, 
 than the many labored dissertations, whose titles promise 
 so much, and the learned contents of which communicate 
 so little, to be generally understood. 
 
 And here I would enter a protest, not only against 
 the suggestions of the ignorant, which 1 invariably 
 receive with profound contempt and the pity they merit, 
 but also against those gentlemen enlightened by versatile 
 attainments, who imagine that they can dictate to a 
 skilled operative farrier, the best method of performing 
 the operation of shoeing, because perhaps they have at 
 some time cast a desultory glance over a work on 
 veterinary i>raetice, and given undue consideration to 
 that important department of the science denominated 
 shoeing. 
 
 Such suggestions aie, in the words of the immortal 
 Shakspeare, " wasteful and ridiculous excess," for it 
 cannot be expected that the uninitiated, no matter how 
 clever in general information, can pretend to that theo- 
 retical and practical knowledge which the votaries of 
 that particular department possess. 
 
 I would respectfully suggest to my readers to make 
 any fitting observations they like on the way a horse 
 travels, and trespass not on the province of the farrier, 
 because many horses have been ruined from the dogged 
 perseverance with which they seek to have their sug- 
 gestions carried into execution. 
 
 It will be observed by the foregoing, that many 
 professors of the veterinary art, have differed in their 
 opinions as to the horse shoeing system, and the style of 
 
THE HORSE A\T) ITS DISEASES. /O 
 
 shoe best suited to a horse's foot, but none of these learned 
 men have ever made, or put on horses' shoes — not so 
 with me - 1 have had many years practical experience 
 in both these important branches of farriery, etc. I 
 have seen many horses that were shod by myself, and 
 under my superintendence, travel the road and perform 
 their work with evident ease, and to the great satisfac- 
 tion of the owners. 
 
 The Concave Shoe 
 The proper form and construction of which, are matters 
 that require much consideration, as it is important to 
 ascertain the shoe least likely to injure the horse's feet. 
 
 The general shoe that I would recommend for horses 
 standing straight in their fetlocks or pasterns is the 
 following : — 
 
 The web should be the same thickness throughout, 
 from heel to toe, and sufficiently wide to prevent the 
 sole being bruised —the outer part accurately flat, and 
 designed to support the crust, and that (mly, for it has 
 been already proved, that by the crust alone, the whole 
 Aveight of the horse is sustained. It should be fastened 
 to the foot with seven nails, with holes not too large, 
 and great care taken that the nails fit the holes properly, 
 four nails outside and three inside the shoe — those 
 outside extending a little farther towards the heel, the 
 outside heel being thicker and stronger, and a better 
 hold for the nail — the last nail on the inner quarter 
 being farther from the heel on account of the weakness 
 of that quarter. 
 
 The inside part of the web should be bevelled, or 
 rendered concave, so as not to press upon the sole ; m;my 
 of our horses, from too early and undue work, have the 
 natural concave flattened, and the disxDosition to ascend 
 and descend, is thereby increased. 
 
 The concave shoe, even in this case, prevents the 
 possibility of injury, because the sole can never descend 
 to the degree in which the shoe is bevelled. A horse 
 
76 THE HOESE AXD ITS DTSE.ISES. 
 
 with Ion. 2: pasterns should have the heels of the shoes 
 much thicker behind than before, to support the back 
 sinews, and the toe cut down and shortened as much 
 as possible. 
 
 The Bar Shoe. 
 The bar shoe is a useful contrivance — it is the con- 
 tinuation of the common shoe round the heels, and by 
 means of it, the pressure may be removed from off some 
 tender part of the foot, and thrown on anotlier better 
 able to bear it, or more widely and equally diffused over 
 the whole foot. It is principally resorted to in cases of 
 corns, bad frogs, sand cracks, pumiced feet, thrushes, and 
 weak quarters. In these cases the bar shoe is an ex- 
 cellent contrivance, if only worn for one or two shoeings, 
 or as long as the disease requires it to be worn, but it 
 must be left off as soon as it can be dispensed with. 
 
 Tips. 
 Tips are short shoes, reaching only half round the foot, 
 and worn while the horse is at grass, to prevent the 
 crust being torn by the hardness of the ground, or by the 
 pawiui? of the animal, and the quarters at the same time 
 being free, the foot disposed to contract, has a chance of 
 expanding, and regaining its natural shape. 
 
 The Expanding Shoe. 
 
 It is either seated or concave, like the common shoe, 
 with a joint at the toe, by which the natural expansion 
 of tlie foot is permitted, and the injurious consequence 
 of shoeing prevented. There is, however, this radical 
 defect in the jointed shoe, that the nails occupy the 
 same situation as in the common shoe, and prevent, as 
 do the nails of the common shoe, the gradual expansion 
 of the sides and the quarters, and allow only of a hinge- 
 like motion at the toe. This is a most imperfect ac- 
 commodation of the expansion of the foot to the action 
 of its internal parts. 
 
THE HOBSE AXD ITS DISEASES. (7 
 
 Leather Soles. 
 Wlion the foot is bruised or inflamed the conenssion 
 or shock produced by the hard contact of the elastic iron 
 on the ground, gives the animal mach pain, and causing 
 a short and feeling step, or even lameness, a strip of 
 leather is placed between the seating of the shoe and 
 the crust, which, from its want of elasticity, deadens, 
 or lessens the vibration or shock, and the horse puts his 
 leg to the ground more freely, and is much relieved. 
 
 SECTION TV. 
 
 NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF THE BLOOD — NATURE AND PROPER- 
 TIES OF THE LUNGS — INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS NATURE 
 
 AND PROPERTIES OF THE KIDNEYS INFLAMMATION OF THE 
 
 KIDNEYS NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF THE STOMACH 
 
 NATURE OF THE HEART — NATURE OF THE LIVER NATURE OF 
 
 THE BLADDER — NATURE OF THE PULSE WHAT IS INFLAMMA- 
 TION .? — DIGESTION — THE ARTERIES — THE NERVES. 
 
 Nature and properties of the Blood. 
 
 The nature and properties of this fluid belong to 
 hyrology. The blood was in the earliest ages accounted 
 as the greatest consequence in the machine ; perhaps the 
 great stress laid upon it in the Eible, might i^ot a little 
 contribute to this, when men were strictly commanded 
 to refrain from blood, because '*it was the life ;" but it 
 is remarkable, that though the very great importance 
 of this fluid was known to the ancients, and to an 
 alteration of its properties was attributed most of their 
 maladies, jet they had no just conception of its motion 
 through the body. That it had motion they were 
 aware, but they in general conceived it to be like the 
 ebbing and flowing of the sea, and that during sleep this 
 was reversed. Doctor "William Harvey, who lived in 
 the year 1628, published his grand discovery of the 
 
V8 THE HORSE AXTJ ITS DISEASES. 
 
 blood returning to the heart by the veins, which was 
 before supposed to flow from tlie heart by them, and 
 having once begun his researches, he did not leave them 
 till he gave us the true route and course of the fluid 
 through the body. 
 
 The action of the air on the blood, we have every 
 reason to suppose, that the blood is constantly wasting, 
 for it tends to support the growth of parts ; admitting 
 this, it becomes necessary it should have sources of 
 renovation and restoration, which appear to be derived 
 from the lungs and the chylopoetic viscera. By the 
 first it is altered and meriorated, and by the latter it is 
 renovated in point of quantity. The blood seems to 
 acquire from the air a certain part, or possesses itself 
 of certain properties, whereby its qualities are brought 
 back from a venal to an arterial state, which is the only 
 one that seems fit for the purposes of support. When 
 the venal blood is exposed to the action of the air, it 
 soon loses its dark hue, and becomes florid and bright in 
 the part exposed to the atmosphere ; and as the other 
 portions are successively exposed, they become in the 
 same manner brilliant. 
 
 If venal blood is also placed in a bladder, those parts 
 in contact with the bladder become brightened. If 
 blood in the pulmonary artery is examined, it will be 
 found dark, impure, and ^Tnous, when, on the contrary, 
 examined in the pulmonary vein, it will be found bright, 
 florid, and arterial. "We likewise observe, that the same 
 changes, as far as regards color, take place in the blood 
 in its passage through the lungs, by means of its 
 exposure to the action of the air in the bronchial tubes 
 or cells. That this arises from the air we know, for if 
 we hang or strangle any animal, and then open each 
 side of the heart, we shall find the blood in both equally 
 black and venous. It is also certain that the change of 
 color is not the only alteration that the blood receives, 
 otherwise it would be a change on the least useful part 
 of the blood ; but it is more probable that it is an effect 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. /9 
 
 wrought on the blood in general. Innnmerable proofs 
 may be brought forward to prove that some important 
 alteration is effected in this fluid in its passage through 
 the lungs — every experiment, almost every phenomenon 
 of animal life shews it. The difference between the 
 blood in the arteries and veins, and which blood we 
 all know is derived from the same source, is a most strong 
 and convincing proof. The researches of eminent anato- 
 mists describe the phenomena of life to be effected by 
 the continual wasting and reproduction of the body, by 
 the several actions of life, as breathing, exercise, etc., 
 and therefore this waste of matter is greatly accelerated 
 by exercise, and consequently reproduced as quickly 
 vnth new and strengthening properties. 
 
 Nature and Properties of the Lungs. 
 
 The lungs are the scat of a peculiar cii'culation, they 
 convey through their comparatively little bulk, the blood 
 and other fluids scarcely transformed into blood, or soon 
 separated from it, which traverse the whole of the 
 frame. They consist of countless ramifications of air 
 tubes and blood vessels connected together by intervening 
 cellular substances. 
 
 They form two distinct bodies, the right somewhat 
 larger than the left, and are divided from each other by 
 the duplicature of pleura ; each lung has the same 
 structure, properties, and use, each of them being 
 subdivided, the right lung consisting of three lobes, and 
 the left of two. The intention of these divisions is 
 probably to adapt the substance of the lungs to the form 
 of the cavity in which they are placed, and to enable 
 them more perfectly to occupy and fill the chest. If one 
 of these lobes is cut in two, it is found to consist of 
 innumerable irregularly formed compartments, to which 
 anatomists have given the name lobules, or little lobes. 
 They are distinct from each other, and impervious, on 
 close examination. They can be subdivided almost 
 
80 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 without end ; there is no communication between them, 
 or, if perchance, such communication exists, it constitutes 
 the disease known by the name of broken wind. 
 
 Inflammation of the Lungs. 
 
 Inflammation of the hmgs is sometimes sudden in its 
 attack, but generally preceded by symptoms of fever. 
 
 The pulse is occasionally not much increased in fre- 
 quency, but oppressed and indistinct ; the artery is 
 plainly to be felt under the finger, and its usual size, 
 but the pulse no longer indicates the expansion of the 
 vessel, as it yields to the gush of blood and its contrac- 
 tion when the blood has passed, it is rather a vibration 
 or thrill communicated to a fluid already over distending 
 the artery in a few cases, even this almost eludes the 
 most delicate touch, and scarcely any pulsation is to be 
 detected. 
 
 Symptoms. — The extremities are cold, the nostril is 
 distended, the head thrust out, and the flanks begin to 
 heave. There is a peculiarity in the working of the 
 flanks ; it is not the deep laborious breathing of fever, 
 nor the irregular beating of broken wind, in which the 
 air appears to be drawn in by one effort, while two seem 
 to be necessary to expel it, but it is a quick hurried 
 motion, evidently expressive of j)ain and of inability to 
 complete the action on account of the pain or of some 
 mechanical obstruction. 
 
 The membrane of the nose is of an intensely florid red 
 more vivid in the inside corners of the nostrils, and re- 
 maining concentrated there, if at times it should seem 
 to fade away higher up. 
 
 The countenance is singularly anxious, and indicative 
 of suffering, and many a mournful look is directed at 
 the flanks ; the horse stands in a singular manner, stiff, 
 with his fore-legs abroad, that the chest may be ex- 
 panded as much as possible, and he is unwilling to move 
 lest for a moment he should lose the assistance of the 
 muscles of the arms and shoulders, in producing that 
 
THE HORSE A^^D ITS DISEASES. 81 
 
 expansion, and for the same reason, he obstinately 
 stands up day after day, and night after night, or if lie 
 lies down from absolute fatigue, it is but for a moment. 
 Cure. — Immediately on ascertaining that a horse is 
 attacked by an inflammation of the lungs, 5 quarts of 
 blood should be taken at once ; a clyster should next be 
 given, composed of 6 ounces epsom salts dissolved in 
 thin gruel, and repeated every fourth hour, after which 
 the following ball must be given : 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 I'artar Emetic 2 ,, 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Digitalis 1 ,, 
 
 Mtre 3 „ 
 
 The horse should be blistered on both sides of the 
 lungs and chest, bran mashes and drinking water, with 
 the chill taken off. He should also be warmly clothed, 
 if the weather be cold. A free circulation of air is also 
 requisite. 
 
 The Kidneys. 
 
 The Kidneys are two glandular bodies, situated in the 
 superior and posterior part of the abdomen ; the right 
 generally the most anterior, and attached to the hinder 
 edge of the liver, lying under the sixteenth rib. The 
 right is usually rather triangular, and both being parti- 
 cularly covered with the peritonium duct in many brutes, 
 as the pig, cow, and sheep ; they are embedded in fat, 
 but in the horse, dog, and most fleet animals, there is 
 less fat about them. 
 
 From the quantity of blood the kidneys receive, we 
 are led to suppose them very important organs, whose 
 use we know is to seperate from that fluid, some parts 
 whose presence would be deleterious. It is remarkable 
 that many substances taken into the stomach, and 
 absorbed by the lacteals, have their properties or sensible 
 
82 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 qualities rendered latent, so long as they remain in the 
 stomach, or in the lacteals, and even in the blood ; but 
 as soon as any separation takes place within the kidneys, 
 these substances recover their qualities, hence, canthar- 
 ides received through this medium, or by the surface of 
 the skin, produces no sensible effect on the blood vessels ; 
 but as soon as they have been seperated from it by these 
 organs, they then produce the most sensible effect — infla- 
 ming the kidneys, literius, and more particularly the 
 neck of the bladder, producing strangury. Nitre and 
 resin produce diarrhetic effect, neither being active while 
 existing within the blood vessels, but as soon as circu- 
 lated through the kidneys, they produce a high degree 
 of stimulus to those organs, whereby they seperate much 
 more of the watery parts of the blood than usual. From 
 the great vascularity of the kidneys, they are subject to 
 inflammation, to calculus concretions, and diabetes ; and 
 as their ofHce is so important, so under inflammation, the 
 efi'ects produced are as serious and destructive as would 
 occur in other parts of twenty times their magnitude. 
 The most frequent ailment, however, to which they are 
 exposed, is that of being bruised by the action of the 
 lumber muscles, in violent exercise, which bruises 
 produce a lesion of their fine vessels, and hence it is so 
 common for horses who have been hard ridden to make 
 bloodv urine. 
 
 The Ureters. 
 
 The urine having been separated from the blood, and 
 passed into the pelvis of each kidney, is then carried off 
 by means of two muscular tubes, one to each, called the 
 ureter. These canals pass out of the posterior part of 
 each sinew, and are continued backwards, not in a 
 straight direction ; being continued towards the bladder, 
 they gradually approach each other, and are crossed upon 
 by the spermatic rope, and finally inserted at some 
 distance from each other within the bladder. 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 83 
 
 Inflammation of the Kidneys. 
 
 Cause. — This disease may arise from the kidneys 
 being injured from an improper use of diarrhetics, or 
 over exertion, in drawing or carrying too great loads, or 
 hard riding, or it may also be occasioned by a fever. 
 
 Symptoms. — Weakness of the back and loins — the 
 horse stands with his legs at a considerable distance from 
 each other — the discharge of the urine is either wholly 
 prevented, or in small quantities, and as inflammation 
 increases becomes bloody, and the voiding of it more 
 difficult — the extremities become cold, and cold sweat 
 frequently breaks out — the pulse also is quick, and 
 relaxation of the kidneys will sometimes occur without 
 any inflammation ; but this may easily be distinguished 
 from the above, by the urine being of its natural color, 
 whilst the horse remains at rest in the stable ; but as 
 soon as he is brought into exercise, the discharge of the 
 mine is accompanied with blood. 
 
 Cure. — When it is ascertained that the kidneys are 
 inflamed, four quarts of blood may be taken, and the 
 following ball given ; — 
 
 Tartar Emetic 2 drachms. 
 
 Aloes, Barbadoes 4 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap ^ ounce. 
 
 The food should consist of hay mashes, or cut gi'ass, 
 and a clyster given every six hours. The loins should 
 be rubbed with the following liniment for 3 or 4 days : — 
 
 Tine. Opi 1 ounce. 
 
 Spirits of Camphor ^ ,, 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine ^ , , 
 
 Liquor Ammonia 1 ,, 
 
 Linseed Oil 1 pint. 
 
 Tut into a bottle^ and shaken well for me. 
 
 This liniment should be well rubbed on the parts 
 aff'ected, after they have been fomented with hot flannels, 
 
84 THE HOBSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 wrung out with an effusion of marsh mallows ; when 
 the disease is perfectly cured, should the season of the 
 year permit, the horse may be put to grass. 
 
 Nature and Properties of the Stomaeli. 
 
 The stomach is so important an organ, that the ancients 
 regarded it as the seat of the soul ; and its presence by 
 the great physiologist, Mr. Hunter, as the grand distinc- 
 tive mark between the animal and vegetable life, though 
 we now know, that the existence of a stomach is not 
 an invariable mark of the animal, nor does its absence 
 incontrovertably prove a vegetable origin. 
 
 In the horse there is but one stomach, which is veiy 
 small, proportioned to his general bulk, and is partly 
 membranous, partly cuticular, and partly muscular — 
 with a figure that when distended, has some resemblance 
 to a bag-pipe. 
 
 It is situated immediately behind the diaphragon in 
 the left hypochondriam, and in part of the epgastrium, 
 with its expellent orifice extending to the right. 
 
 Thus, when the stomach is moderately distended, it 
 lies in an obliquely transverse direction, with its ex- 
 tremities a little forward, and its orifices superior ; but 
 the caratic the most so, having the lesser extremity 
 rather posterior to the other, and the great curvature infe- 
 rior, and perhaps a little posterior. It is evident that its 
 situation must vary much according to its distention. 
 The foregoing description answers to it when moderately 
 filled only; but where it is very much so, the left 
 extremity will press upon the disphragm, and the right 
 will be carried more posteriorly. 
 
 From a distended stomach pressing upon the dia- 
 phragm, we are at no loss to understand why breathing is 
 impeded after a full meal, or why a horse appears to 
 labor for breadth if quickly moved, for he is forced to 
 use the intercostal muscles, the muscles of the shoulders, 
 and those of the fore extremities to open the chest, its 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 85 
 
 distention backward being prevented by the pressure of 
 the stomach upon the diaphragm ; hence, we see the 
 great impropriety of galloping horses after watering, to 
 warm it in their bellies, as it is foolishly termed, and 
 also how hurtful it is to ride hard immediately after a 
 horse has been full fed. 
 
 The inner covering of the stomach is composed of two 
 portions, a cuticular, and a villous. 
 
 This species of cuticular, covering rarely to one half 
 of the stomach, is peculiar to such animals as appear 
 destined to live on grain, as horses, asses, rats, and 
 mice ; and this forms a thii'd species of stomach between 
 the true membranous, one of graminivorious animals, 
 and the muscular of the carnivorous tribes. 
 
 The villous or sensible portion, though it occupies 
 more of the length of the stomach, yet perhaps, in real 
 extent, extends over little more than half its surface ; 
 it unites with, or is connected to the cuticular coat. 
 Its external surface is firm, and appears as it were a 
 distinct portion, but is nothing more than the general 
 cullular membrane — here rather more dense, which has 
 given rise to the description of four tunics to the stomach. 
 The vessels of the stomach are three very considerable 
 branches — the two gastrics, and one fi'om the pancreatic, 
 which are ramified over its different portions, forming 
 two considerable arches, one over the small, the other 
 over the great extremities. The blood is returned by 
 similar veins into the vena porta. The nerves are deri- 
 ved from the par vagum, which are the eight pair that 
 arise from the brain, and passing out of the skull — are 
 continued on the outside of the carotids to gain the 
 oesophagus, and proceed with it, uniting with the inter- 
 costal to furnish some branches to the thoraic visore, and 
 are then spent upon the stomach. It is probable some 
 particular end is brought about by this peculiar origin 
 of the nerves of the stomach ; and it is more than prob- 
 able, that it is by this means that it proves so greatly 
 an organ of sympathy. 
 
86 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Nature of the Heart. 
 
 The heart is placed between a daublin of the pleura, 
 the medeastenum by means of which it is supported in 
 its natural situation, and all dangerous friction between 
 these important organs is avoided ; it is also surrounded 
 by a membrane or bay of its own, called the pericardium, 
 whose office is of a similar nature. By means of the 
 heart the blood is circulated through the frame ; it is 
 composed of four cavities — two above called auricles, 
 from their supposed resemblance to the ear of a dog — 
 and two below termed ventricles, occupying the sub- 
 stance of the heart ; in point of fact there are two hearts, 
 the one on the left side, impelling the blood through the 
 frame, the other on the right side, conveying it through 
 the pulmonary system, but united in the manner in 
 which they are, their junction constitutes theii' natural 
 strength, and both circulations are carried on at the 
 same time — the first is the arterial circulation. JN"© 
 function can be discharged — life cannot exist without 
 the presence of the arterial blood — the left ventricle 
 that contains it, contracts, and by the power of that 
 contraction, aided by other means, which the limits of 
 this work will not permit me to describe, the blood is 
 driven through the whole arterial circulation, the ca- 
 pillary vessels, and the veins, and returns again to the 
 heart. The right ventricle (the other division of this 
 viscus) is likewise employed in circulating the blood 
 thus conveyed to it, but it is not the same fluid which 
 was contained in the left ventricle — it has gradually 
 lost its vital power ; as it has passed along, it has 
 changed from red to black, and from a vital to a poison- 
 ous fluid, ere it can convey the principle of nutrition, 
 or give to each organ that impulse, or stimulus, which 
 enables it to discharge its functions, it must be mate- 
 rially changed. When the right ventricle contracts, and 
 the blood is driven into the lungs, it passes over the 
 gossamer membrane, of which the lobules of the lungs 
 have been described as consisting ; these lobules being 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 87 
 
 filled with air, which has descended through the bron- 
 chial tubes, in the act of inspiration — this delicate 
 membrane permits some of the principal to permeate it. 
 The oxygen of the atmosphere attracts and combines 
 with a portion of the superabundant carbon of the blood, 
 and the expired air is poisoned with carbonic acid gas — 
 some of the constituents of the blood, attract a portion 
 of the oxygen of the air, and obtain their distinguishing 
 character and properties as arterial blood, and being thus 
 revivified, it passes over the membrane of the lobes, 
 unites into small and larger vessels, and at length pours 
 its full stream of arterial blood into the left auricle, 
 thence to ascend into the ventricle, and to be diffused 
 over the frame, 
 
 Nature of the Liver. 
 
 The liver is a large mass, situated on the right side, 
 with a smaller portion on the left hypochondrium, with 
 its convex surface adapted to the convexity of the 
 diaphragm, it is of a dark red color, and about two feet 
 and a half in circumference, being thick towards the 
 middle, but thin at the edges, in the horse divided into 
 several portions, forming two large lobes, and several 
 smaller ones, the same is observed in all animals des- 
 tined for quick motion. The liver is attached to its 
 convex surface to the diaphragm, by productions of the 
 peritonium, and likewise by means of cellular membranes. 
 It is exteriorly covered by the peritonium, and inter- 
 nally within this, there is a considerable layer of cellular 
 tissue that penetrates its substance, and which is 
 furnished with- numerous lymphatic vessels accompany- 
 ing its several portions. 
 
 Uses of the Liver. 
 
 In most animals, the liver is found more evolved at 
 birth than any other organ, the reason of which appears 
 to be, that it receives more blood than other parts, for, 
 
88 THE HOESE AXD ITS DISEASES. 
 
 not only does all the blood of the chylopoetic viscera 
 pass through it, but that from the umbelieal vein 
 likewise. 
 
 It is impossible not to admire the wisdom displayed 
 in the structure of these various parts, and the contri- 
 vances to produce these certain ends 
 
 In the foetal state, the glands and other organs have 
 no specific action to perform, or at least but little more 
 than evolution or growth, hence there is no necessity 
 for blood more pure than is merely wanted for the 
 support, and for this evolution, were the blood more 
 pure, the specific action might commence, and therefore 
 nature exhibits some admirable contrivance purposely 
 to deteriorate it, and to render it less pure, that the 
 various organs might be held only in a state of capacity. 
 The liver also exhibits a wonderful contrivance, that 
 the regulation of the economy shall be complete, and 
 the whole system in the foetal state evolved. "When 
 after birth there is no longer any necessity for these 
 contrivances, but, instead, a necessity even exists for 
 their removal ; it is effected by the common consent of 
 parts, and now the liver receives venal blood only, and 
 from which, by the living powers of the part, it is 
 enabled to secrete a fluid, that proves of the utmost im- 
 portance to the system, being the stimulus whereby the 
 intestines are impelled into motion. 
 
 Inflammation of the Bladder. 
 
 Cause. — This disease is generally produced by such 
 causes as in any way hinder or impede the free passage 
 of the urine, or the too long forced retention of it under 
 any circumstances. 
 
 Symptoms. — In cases of that kind a degree of fever 
 is evident, with frequent inclinations to pass' urine, 
 without the means of passing any, or but very little at 
 once, and the animal presents nearly the same appear- 
 ance as described in the inflammation of the kidneys. 
 
THE HORSE AXD ITS DISEASES. 89 
 
 Cure. — Inflammation of the bladder is extremely- 
 dangerous, and requires copious bleeding, which must 
 be repeated according to the strength of the animal. 
 Large clysters of wann water may be used with great 
 benefit. The following will be found a very useful 
 diink : 
 
 Linseed, bruised half pound. 
 
 Boiling water two gallons. 
 
 to which add, gjfter being boiled, 
 
 Gum Arabic four ounces 
 
 which must be previously dissolved in a quart of boiling 
 water. Mix well together for use, and give a quart of 
 it every four hours. 
 
 The following is also very good, to be given twice a 
 day, should the pain and irritation appear to be 
 considerable. 
 
 Antimonial Powder 2^ scruples 
 
 Crude Opi , ^ drachm 
 
 Camphor 2 drachms 
 
 with treacle to make the ball, and a little gruel whilst 
 warm. 
 
 The Pulse. 
 
 It is known that the contraction of the heart causes 
 a dilatation of the artery, or its diastole ; and the cessa- 
 tion of action in the heart, or its distention, produces 
 the contraction of the aii;ery, or its systole ; and that 
 these two causes operating alternately, produce the 
 phenomena of circulation. 
 
 This momentary increase of capacity in the arteiy, 
 whereby its diameter is enlarged, is called its pulse ; and 
 the more frequent are these dilatations in it, or the less 
 numerous, so is the pulse quicker or slower. Prom the 
 regularity of the motions of the blood, the pulse is felt 
 in all parts of the body at the same time ; and as there 
 
90 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 is seldom disease present without an alteration in tlie 
 arterial system, either accelerating the motion of the 
 blood, or retarding it, so it becomes always a very 
 important matter to ascertain the several states in which 
 the vessels concerned in circiilation may be. It is a 
 little remarkable, that though the horse's pulse is very 
 easily and conveniently felt from the branch of the 
 internal maxillary that runs over the posterior jaw, yet, 
 authors who have written, have either omitted it entirely, 
 or have given the most vague directions with regard to 
 it. Mr. Bartlet recommends feeling it by the leg. Mr. 
 Clark speaks of it as most easily felt at the origin of tho 
 temporal artery, at the base of the ear ; but it is nowhere 
 so conveniently observed as at the part 1 have described.. 
 
 The pulse is slower in large animals than in small 
 ones, hence the pulse of a dog is from 80 to 110, accor- 
 ding to his size ; the pulse of a man is fi'om 65 to 70 ; 
 but in the horse, as a still larger animal, it is from 40 
 to 45. In young animals, the weakness of the system, 
 and its irritability, are considerable, hence, they have a 
 much quicker pulse. The cat's pulse is 70 to 80 ; the 
 human infant's beats more than 100; this gradually 
 lessens to the adult period, when it follows nearly the 
 standard we have noticed. As the heart of a large 
 animal has a longer way to send its blood, and its 
 resistance is consequently increased, so it takes a longer 
 time to accomplish its contraction ; and thus there is not 
 only a difference between the different species of animals, 
 but between individuals of the same species, as they 
 vaiy in size, from which, the smaller the horse, the 
 quicker the pulse. 
 
 Many circumstances must be taken into consideration 
 in studying the pulse ; a particular irritability of the 
 system occasions a quickened pulsation ; fear, likewise, 
 generally occasions a very considerable increase' of it, 
 for which reason great caution is necessary not to alarm 
 the animal, or the pulsating vessel will present a wrong- 
 indication. 
 
THE HOP.^E AXD ITS DISEASES, 91 
 
 In attending on diseased horses, it is hardly possihle 
 for the farrier to pay too much attention to the pulse, 
 or to attach too much importance to its variation, as it 
 becomes a criterion of very considerable certainty, and 
 a guide that seldom leads to error. Every farrier ought 
 to accustom himself to the natural state of the pulse, by 
 frequently feeling different pulses of healthy horses, by 
 which means the variety produced by disease will easily 
 be detected ; for an affected pulse does not only consist in 
 its quickness and slowness, but also in its softness and 
 hardness, the difference between either of which, and 
 that of health, can only be learned by attention ; thus 
 a pulse may be full or small, it may be quick or slow, it 
 may be hard or soft, or it may be regular or irregular, 
 and to which varieties we may almost refer all the 
 different states of the pulse, A full strong j^ulse, where 
 the resistance to the pressure of the fingers is very 
 considerable, giving a bounding stroke, and evidently 
 betokening an increase of the diameter of the artery, 
 seldom exists in the horse. Something like it only 
 occurs in spasmodic colic, and a very few other unfre- 
 quent affections. The highest inflammatory diseases 
 increase the quickness of the pulse, and that generally 
 in proportion to the extent of the affection. They also 
 produce, in the same proportion, a hardened vibrating 
 fstroke, but which is yet without the full bounding feel 
 present in these cases in the human ; thus, though the 
 pulse in the horse presents a much more unerring 
 criterion of the state of disease, yet analogy fails in 
 detecting a similarity between the two, and experience 
 alone ought to direct the judgment. A small pulse 
 represents in' all cases great debility. A quick pulse 
 denotes considerable irritability in the system. A hard 
 or soft pulse present contrary indications. In most 
 inflammatory affections there is present a considerable 
 degree of this peculiar vibratory hardness in the pulse, 
 generally accompanied by an increased frequency also. 
 This \ibratory hardness is the usual attendant on 
 
92 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 inflammation of vital organs. A regular pulse is some- 
 times found under very diseased affections, but it is 
 usually increased in its fullness or smallness, or in its 
 hardness or softness. A regular pulse, with a propor- 
 tionate fullness, is one of the strongest marks of health. 
 An irregular pulse in fever shews great danger; it 
 usually accompanies mortification and gangrane, and 
 when inflammation of the lungs terminates in this way, 
 it is usually present. 
 
 Inflammation. 
 
 I think it very necessary to give my readers an idea 
 of the meaning of the word " Inflammation," as it often 
 comes in question. 
 
 It was supposed by the celebrated Boerhave, and 
 other physiologists of his time, that inflammation depen- 
 ded on a vicidity of the blood, which renders it unfit for 
 circulation in the finer vessels, and hence arose obstruc- 
 tions, and those appearances by which the disease is 
 characterized. This opinion, however, has obtained very 
 little credit with modern physiologists, and is now 
 universally rejected, it having been proved, that blood 
 drawn from an animal laboring under inflammation is 
 more fluid, and remains fluid longer than that which is 
 taken from the same animal when in health. 
 
 The most prevailing opinion at present respecting 
 inflammation is, I believe, that it consists in an increased 
 action of the heart, and arteries in general, whereby the 
 blood circulates with unusual velocity through the whole 
 system into derangement and when local, or existing in 
 a particular part, the increased action is in like manner 
 confined to the vessels of that paii;. 
 
 When a part is infiamed, there arises in it an unusual 
 degree of heat, generally attended with considerable 
 swelling. The sensibility and irritability are always 
 increased, and produced by it, in the parts where it did 
 not before exist. In bones and tendons, for example, 
 scarcely any sensibility can be perceived, when they ai^e 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 93 
 
 in a state of health, but when inflamed, it is roused to 
 an alarming degree, and the most dangerous consequen- 
 ces may insue from it. Inflammation has four modes of 
 termination — the fii'st is termed resolution, that is when 
 the disease, after going a certain length, gradually 
 disappears again — the second suppuration, that is, when 
 matter is formed, or an abscess produced — the third is 
 named eff'usion, which implies an extravasation either 
 of blood, coagulated, lymph, or scrum — and the fourth, 
 gangTane or mortification, by which is meant the death 
 of the inflamed part. 
 
 Inflammation of the external parts is generally occa- 
 sioned by some mechanical injury, such as wounds, 
 bruises, etc. ; sometimes however, it arises from external 
 inflammation, or symptomatic fever, and is then to be 
 considered as an efl'ort of nature to cure the internal 
 disease. 
 
 Thus we find in fevers, abscesses taking place on the 
 surface of the body, whereby the fever is considerably 
 diminished, and in general terminates favorably. 
 
 Inflammation is often produced by plethora or redun- 
 dancy of blood in the body, in which case it is sometimes 
 general, the whole arterial system having its action 
 increased ; this also may be considered as an effort of 
 nature to get rid of the superfluous blood, and in such 
 cases, she must be assisted by copious bleeding. The 
 only favorable termination to which internal inflamma- 
 tion can be brought, is resolution, and the most vigorous 
 measures should be "adopted in order to eff'ect it. The 
 most important remedy in these cases is copious bleeding, 
 and the earlier it is employed, the more effectual will it 
 prove. The next remedy is external inflammation, 
 aitificially executed by means of rowels and blisters ; 
 the fever powder, and occasional clysters are of consi- 
 derable service. 
 
 Local inflammation is characterized by redness, 
 swelling, heat, and pain. The redness proceeds from 
 the greater quantity of blood flowing through the heart, 
 
94 THE HORSE AISTD ITS DISEASES. 
 
 occasioned by the increased action of the vessels. The 
 swelling arises from the same cause, and from the same 
 deposit of fluid in the neighbouring substance. The 
 natural heat of the body is produced by the gradual 
 change whi^;h takes place in the blood, in passing from 
 an arterial to a venous state. 
 
 If more blood is driven thi^ough the capillaries of an 
 inflamed part, and in which this change is effected, more 
 heat will necessarily be produced there, and the pain is 
 easily accounted for by the distention and pressure which 
 must be produced, and the participation of the nerves in 
 the disturbance of the surrounding parts. 
 
 If inflammation consists of an increased flow of blood 
 to, and through the part, the ready way to abate it is to 
 h^ssen the quantity of blood — if one take away the fuel, 
 the fire will go out. 
 
 All other means are comparatively unimportant, con- 
 trasted with bleeding. Blood is generally extracted 
 from the jugular vein, and so the general quantity may 
 be lessened ; but if it can be taken from the neighbour- 
 hood of the diseased part, it will be productive of ten- 
 fold benefit ; one quart of blood abstracted from the foot 
 in acute founder, by unloading the vessels of the inflamed 
 part, and enabling them to contract, and in that contrac- 
 tion, to acquire tone and power to resist future distention, 
 will do more good than 5 quarts taken from the general 
 circulation. 
 
 An ounce of blood obtained by scarifying the swelled 
 vessels of the inflamed eye, will give as much relief to 
 that organ, as a copious bleeding from the jugular vein. 
 It is a principal in the animal frame, whicb should never 
 be lost sight of by the veterinary surgeon, that if by 
 bhseding the process of inflammation can once be 
 checked — if it can be suspended but for a little while, 
 although it may return, it is never with the same degree 
 of violence, and in many cases it is got rid of entirely. 
 Hence, the necessity of bleeding early, and bleeding 
 largely, in inflammation of the lungs, or of the bowels, 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 95 
 
 or of the brain, or of any important organ. Many horses 
 are lost for want or insufficiency of bleeding, but I never 
 knew one materially injured by the most copious ex- 
 traction of blood in the early stage of acute inflammation. 
 The horse will bear (and with advantage) the loss of 
 an almost incredible quantity of blood ; four quarts 
 taken from him, will be equal to one pound from the 
 human being. 
 
 Digestion. 
 
 Digestion is one of the most important processes that 
 goes on in the body, and is that wonderful power 
 whereby substances received into it lose their own 
 properties, and become endowed with those belonging to 
 the constitution in which the assimilation is carried on; 
 that this takes place within the stomach was always 
 allowed, but in what manner was till lately a matter of 
 much debate — heart putrefaction, friction, and fermen- 
 tation have successively been considered as the principal 
 agents in digestion— but Mr. Hunter first accurately 
 described the process of solution, by the agency of the 
 gastric fluid, and which theory the experiments of the 
 Abbi Spallanzani and Eeaumer have contributed to 
 strengthen. It is now, therefore, universally considered 
 that digestion is a process of solution, and is effected by 
 means of a fluid secreted within the stomach, called 
 gastric juice. The various actions of an animal body 
 produce a waste of the fluids, and even of the solids, 
 and something like a want of tone in the moving powers — 
 these are indicated by the sensations of fatigue and 
 hunger. To restore the tone of parts, rest is required, 
 and to repair the waste, food becomes necessary ; as an 
 incitement to the taking in food at proper intervals, 
 the horse is subjected to a sensation called hunger — 
 hunger does not arise from the attrition of the sides of 
 the stomach against each other, nor does it arise from 
 the action of the gastric juice upon the stomach, but it 
 appears to be brought on by the stomach sympathizing 
 
96 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 with the wants of the constitution, and hence it is that 
 food taken in invigorates before it can be digested, and 
 hence the propriety of giving but little food, and that 
 frequently, when we travel quick, that we roay not 
 overrate the power of the stomach, and which caution 
 is more particularly requisite in weak-constitutioned 
 horses. That this sympathy between the stomach and 
 the body is great, we know by the prostration of strength 
 that is felt on an empty stomach, and which cannot arise 
 from inanition only, but from sympathy also ; for, let a 
 tried horse hear the hounds, and he will go on through 
 £i long chase with alacrity, but when the melody of the 
 dogs is over, the attention is no longer engaged, and the 
 sympathy returns. It is not improbable that a sufficient 
 degree of tenison in the stomach is necessary to give it 
 its proper energy, and without which it becomes painful, 
 hence, water in which there is little nutriment will 
 give tone by distention, and prevent for a time the sen- 
 sation of hunger ; stimulated, therefore, by this sensation, 
 animals are induced to take in such particular food as 
 their organs are equal to the assimilation of, and to 
 which they are directed both by instinct and by taste. 
 
 The carnivorous tribes are prone to take in flesh by 
 their love of it, and they have organs capable for the 
 assimilation of it — the horse has a disposition to take in 
 grain, for he has a mechanism calculated thereto — the 
 ass, the rat, and the mouse likewise. The gastric juice 
 is the powerful solvent by which this assimilation is 
 effected, but it appears not to possess any sensible 
 chemical qualities. 
 
 We have, therefore, every reason to suppose that no 
 chemical agency effects this process, but that it is truly 
 a living one. Though the powers of this juice are great, 
 yet life has a particular power to resist its action, hence 
 bots, and other worms are not, while living within the 
 stomach, digested, but when dead, they become dis- 
 solved like matter. A horse, as an animal destined for 
 great exertions, needs great support, hence he eats veiy 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 97 
 
 largely, and yet as his speed renders it necessary that 
 this viscera should be compact, so some peculiarity, either 
 in form or economy, might be expected, and which 
 speciality consists in having the food taken in, but very 
 slightly digested in the stomach ; but this process began 
 here, is further carried on, and completed in the intes- 
 tines. In the horse, the stomach is not such a general 
 organ of sympathy as in man, and some other animals. 
 In the human, on the contrary, it sympathizes largely 
 with the constitution — in illness, it seldom feels hunger 
 in us, and in most diseases it is nauseated ; the mind 
 influences it likewise — the efl'ect of bad news, unpleasant 
 sights, etc., on tlie stomach, are universally known, and 
 every day met with. In the horse, this is by no means 
 so evident, nevertheless, there are some sympathetic 
 eifects observed between this organ and the constitution, 
 it has the sympathy of hunger in common with other 
 animals — in illness, the appetite is lost, though usually 
 not in so great a degree as in the human. Instances 
 of sympathy exist in mares, when under the effects of 
 oestrum, i.e.^ when they are horseing, they will seldom 
 eat well. 
 
 The stomach has also a diseased sympathy, for sick 
 horses will often eat, and die with the food in their 
 mouths. 
 
 The Arteries. 
 
 The vessels of the body are divided into arteries, 
 veins, and absorbents, and except the hair, hoofs, and 
 epideimis, there is, perhaps, no part of the body without 
 them. 
 
 The arteries' are canals, whose origin is either from 
 the aorta or pulmonary arteries, which are the only two 
 original arterial trunks in the body ; considered generally, 
 they are long membraneous canals, which gradually be- 
 come smaller as they proceed from the heart towards 
 the extremities. They appear to have three coats, and 
 it is not improbable that the existence of these in 
 
98 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 various proportions, occasions some considerable pheno- 
 mena in health and disease ; their elastic power appears 
 in different proportions, in different horses, as in different 
 men, from which arises phenomena in the different con- 
 stitutions of individuals of each species, giving some a 
 greater disposition to inflammation, which is called a 
 sanguineous temperament. 
 
 Our knowledge of the termination of these vessels is 
 very confined; we can readily see they frequently termi- 
 nate by anastamosis, or the uniting of one branch into 
 another, whereby the blood has its course in some measure 
 altered. We know also, that they terminate in veins, 
 because we can empty the arteries by drawing the blood 
 from the venal trunks, and because injections forced into 
 the arteries in many instances, enter the veins, they 
 likewise terminate on secreting surfaces, in which the 
 contents of the artery become changed, and the part of 
 the blood having undergone fresh combinations, is 
 poured forth in a new form, and the remainder returned 
 by the venal branches. 
 
 From various circumstances we are aware, that the 
 arteries in the living animal are always full ; we see it 
 by the microscope, and we know that the new column 
 of blood can be but small, in proportion to the contents 
 of the whole arteries ; yet it is sufficient to dilate them, 
 and to cause their consequent reaction. As the velocity 
 of the motions of the blood in some measure decreases, 
 as the distance becomes greater from the heart, from the 
 anterior wave moving slower than the posterior ; and, 
 as the force of the heart decreases, and that of the 
 arteries strengthens, the further they are removed from 
 it, so at least the column is pressed on by one regular 
 force ; thus in every artery they are divided — there is 
 a regular stream with scarcely any jet ; this however, 
 only takes place in the minutest arteries. We thus see 
 why there is no pulsation in the veins — they receive the 
 blood from the arteries in one equable stream and continue 
 it by the last impulsive force of the heart, and the 
 new one of the arteries. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 99 
 
 The Nerves. 
 
 The nerves are white masses sent off from the brain, 
 some of which proceed out of holes in the cranium from 
 that viscus itself ; others arise fi'om a large mass called 
 the spinal marrow, which extends down the vertebral 
 canal, and gives off trunks through the vertebral 
 holes. 
 
 The nerves in themselves appear long whitish cords, 
 whose internal structure is fibrous, and those fibrillac 
 are distributed to every part of the body. It is supposed 
 that the brain is the seat of sensation, and that the 
 nerves are only messengers of it to all the parts. 
 
 The sensibility of a part is usually proportioned to the 
 quantity and size of the nerves it possesses ; it is evident 
 therefore, they must exist in far greater plenty in some 
 parts than in others. 
 
 Nervous influence is the occasion of another very 
 important phenomenon, which is that of motion, not 
 only the sensation of a part, but its mobility also, is lost 
 upon dividing the nerves going to it. The mobility of 
 parts brought about by nervous influence, is in some 
 measure dependant on the will, and in others it is inde- 
 pendeut of it. In the one instance it is termed volun- 
 tary motion, and in the other involuntary motion. 
 
 iSTerves are capable of reunion after they have been 
 divided, that is, a substance is interposed between, 
 possessed of the power of carrying on nervous influence. 
 We have no reason to suppose there are any of those 
 diseases termed nervous in the horse ; the only active 
 disease Ave know the nerves of the horse are subject to, 
 is locked jaw, which seems an increase of the action of 
 the brain, or of that action which communicates nervous 
 energy to the muscular fibre — hence pressure on the 
 brain has been found for a short time to relieve it. 
 
 The medullary portion is connected with the nervous 
 system ; the nerves are a prolongation of it, and are con- 
 cerned in the discharge of all the offices of life — thoy 
 
100 
 
 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 give motion and energy to the limbs, the heart, the lungs, 
 the stomach, and every part connected with life. They 
 are the medium through which sensation is conveyed, 
 and they supply the mind with the material to think 
 and work upon. 
 
PART SECOND. 
 DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 
 
PAET SECOND. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 
 
 CLASS I. 
 
 TOOTH ACHE — SURFEIT MANGE WARBLES, SIT-FASTS, AND 
 
 SADDLE GALLS MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS WENS — 
 
 FISTULA IN THE WITHERS — POLL #:VIL. 
 
 The Tooth Ache. 
 
 "When the enamel of the tooth is worn, and the 
 internal pnlpy substance exposed, tooth ache invari- 
 ably results — the grinders chiefly are aftected with the 
 canker. It might be caused by a rusty bridle, and may 
 be easily recognised by the small black blotches or brown 
 specks which appear on the tongue, and other parts of 
 the mouth. 
 
 The following gargle or application may be used : — - 
 
 Armenian Bole ^ ounce. 
 
 Burnt Alum 1 ounce. 
 
 Common Salt 1 ounce. 
 
 Wine Yinegar ^ pint. 
 
 Mix in a mortar and bottled. To be well shaken before 
 using, which is done in the following manner : — 
 
 Get a piece of whalebone, half a yard long, tie a bit of 
 tow on one end of it, then dip it into the bottle, and 
 
104 THE nOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 pass it up into his mouth, and let it run gently over all 
 the affected parts — let him champ it well about his 
 mouth, and keep him fasting for about an hour after- 
 wards, at the end of which time the following powder 
 may be rubbed in with the finger, the mouth being kept 
 open with a balling iron. I may remark that I have 
 never known this to fail in the course of my experience. 
 
 Prepared Chalk ^ pound. 
 
 Burnt Alum ^ pound. 
 
 Powdered Myrrh ^ ounce. 
 
 Camphor, in powder ^ ounce. 
 
 Cuttle Fish lione, powdered ... ^ ounce. 
 
 Onis Powder 1 ounce. 
 
 3ftx. 
 
 Surfeit. 
 
 This disease arisef^ from immoderate or excessive 
 feeding, and a depraved quality, or unwholesomeness of 
 food ; it consists in an obstruction of the pores of the 
 skin, and inflammation of the surrounding parts, 
 whether from an original affection of the skin, or sym- 
 pathy with digestive organs. 
 
 The surfeit assumes various forms in different subjects. 
 In some it is manifested by dry scales all over the body 
 and limbs — in others, by small knots and lumps — in 
 more by moisture, accompanied by an exalted tempera- 
 ture of the part, and inflammation. 
 
 The humours are so acrid and irritating, that the 
 animal suffers from a most violent itching, and some- 
 times rubs himself raw — others have no apparent erup- 
 tion, but are lame and hide bound. 
 
 Treatment. — A slight erui^tion may be removed by 
 bleeding and diuretic balls, but I have greater faith in the 
 administration of purgatives. The following is a sum- 
 mary of my treatment, which my extensive experience, 
 and its invariable success, fully justify me in adopting. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 105 
 
 I give bran mashes for three days, Trith a scruple of 
 Calomel in each ; I then administer the following ball. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Ginsrer 2 
 
 j> 
 
 Castile Soap a sufficiency to make a Ball. 
 
 "When the operation of the purgation is over, I give 
 one of the following balls for a week — 
 
 Tartar Emetic 5 drachms, 
 
 Asafoetida 5 ,, 
 
 Nitre, finely powdered 4 „ 
 
 To be made into six balls, with a sufficiency of castile 
 soap. One to be given every night. 
 
 The following alterative may be given simultaneously 
 with the above — 
 
 White Resin, powdered 6 ounces. 
 
 Sublimed Sulphur 6 ,, 
 
 Antimony and Nitre, of each ... 3 ,, 
 Calomel 3 drachms. 
 
 Mix together, and divide into 12 equal parts — one part 
 to be given every morning in a bran mash. During the 
 time the horse is under treatment, give him nothing but 
 bran mashes ; he should be kept warmly clothed, and 
 gently exercised for an houi^ morning and evening. 
 
 In that kind of surfeit, which is characterised by a 
 moist discharge fi'om the skin, the parts affected may be 
 bathed with the following lotion : — 
 
 Corrosive Sublimate 2 drachms. 
 
 Muriate of Ammonia 4 , , 
 
 Cold Boiled Water 1 quart. 
 
 Mix, and apply after washing the parts first with soap 
 and water. 
 
106 THE SOKSE ANB ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Surfeits is very often the precursor of mange, and 
 degenerates into it. 
 
 Perseverance, therefore, in the above treatment, is 
 required, as the alternate appearance and disappearance 
 of the lumps, by causing confusion, puzzle inexperienced 
 men, and induce them to modify, if not altogether sus- 
 pend the use of those potent remedies which I have 
 detailed in the foregoing page. This hesitation is the 
 most fertile service of the degeneration of the lumps 
 into the next disease, which I shall now proceed to 
 discuss. 
 
 ^he Mange. 
 
 This disease generally arises from the combined effects 
 of want of cleanliness, poverty of food, a depraved 
 quality, or excess in quantity. 
 
 There is generally an obstruction of the cutaneous 
 pores, and a partial su]^ression of perspiration — a lump 
 comes on, or more frequently an eruption of pimples 
 from which an acrid fluid oozes ; the hair and catile fall 
 oif, leaving a scruffy scab. Considerable pain and itching 
 accompany their development at this stage of the 
 disease. The skin is thickened and thrown into wrinkles 
 or folds. The parts most generally affected are near the 
 ears, roots of the mane, back loins, tail, and the back of 
 the hock. 
 
 The perpetual itching causes the horse to be continu- 
 ally biting, and rubbing himself against every rough 
 object he meets with. This annoyance preludes the 
 possibility of rest and quietness — the poor animal does 
 not take his food well — he becomes atrophised, that is, 
 he loses flesh. 
 
 This disease is highly contagious. The slightest con- 
 tact appears to suffice for the propagation of this loath- 
 some complaint — if the same brush or curry-comb be 
 used on all the horses, the propagation of mange is the 
 result. Let my readers bear this in mind. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 107 
 
 Treatment. — The treatment must be adapted to the 
 condition of the subject — my experience justifies me in 
 ascribing this disease to a two-fold origin, with each of 
 which a want of cleanliness goes hand-in-hand. This 
 two-fold origin is, too high feeding, immoderate and 
 excessive in quantity, on the one hand — or staiwation 
 or deficiency in quantity, and unwholesomeness in quality 
 on the other. 
 
 Over-fed horses must be purged, and sometimes bled, 
 to diminish the quantity of the circulating fluid — starved 
 horses must get good wholesome, nourishing food ; 
 greater regard being had for its quality than its quantity. 
 
 In the case of poorly fed horses, the abstraction of 
 blood only aggravates the disease, and must be carefully 
 avoided. Keep the horses in bran mashes, and give in 
 each mash a powder of the following description, for six 
 consecutive days. 
 
 Black Antimony 3 drachms. 
 
 Sulphur 4 ,, 
 
 Mtre 2 „ 
 
 Tartar Emetic ^ ,, 
 
 Mix to make one dose. 
 
 As in the treatment of the disease termed surfeit, the 
 horse must be warmly clothed, and have gentle trotting 
 exercise for four days in succession, to be continued until 
 a copious perspiration breaks forth, let him then rest for 
 half an hour, when he may be rubbed with a dry cloth, 
 when quite dry rub in the following ointment : — 
 
 Strong Mercurial Ointment 1 ounce. 
 
 Sulphur I pound. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine ^ pint. 
 
 Tobacco Water 1 ,, 
 
 Mixed well together, and rubbed on three days in suc- 
 cession ; three days after the last application, wash the 
 
108 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 horse all over with soap and water, and repeat the rub- 
 bing of the ointment, and ablution of soap and water 
 alternately until a cure is effected. 
 
 I have never, in the course of my extensive experience, 
 known the above treatment to fail. I therefore regard 
 it in the light of a specific for the most obstinate and 
 inveterate forms of mange. The stall and manger should 
 be well washed with quick lime, the walls whitewashed, 
 the stable regularly cleaned out, and a clean, fresh litter 
 kept under the horse. 
 
 Yentilation should be also looked to, and a concen- 
 trated solution of chloride of lime freely sprinkled, which 
 has the effect of chemically decomposing the foul eman- 
 ations of the stable. I cannot too strongly impress on 
 my readers the absolute necessity of cleanliness, and the 
 unsparing use of chloride of lime after every symptom 
 of the disease disappears. 
 
 The horses clothing too may be brushed with solution 
 of chloride of lime, for it is a most potent disinfection. 
 
 Warbles, Sit-fasts, and Saddle Galls. 
 
 On other parts of the back, tumors and very trouble- 
 some ulcers may be produced by the same cause. The 
 little tumors resulting from the pressure of the saddle 
 are called warbles, and when they ulcerate, they 
 frequently become sit-fasts. The ulcer has a portion of 
 callous skin in the centre of it resembling leather in its 
 appearance, and so closely adhering, as not to be sepa- 
 rated without great force or dissection, and hence the 
 name given to this peculiar ulcer. 
 
 "Warbles are too often but little regarded ; they will 
 frequently disappear without medical treatment, but 
 they will at other times degenerate into sit-fasts. The 
 horse should have rest at all events. The stuffing of the 
 saddle should be so contrived, that every degree of 
 pressure be removed from the part — then a little sugar 
 of lead and vinegar should be frequently applied, for the 
 
THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 109 
 
 purpose of dispelling the enlargement ; should this prove 
 ineffective, let it by no means be torn out, but apply tinc- 
 ture of arnica — one ounce to a half pint of rain water, 
 and put on the part several times dui'ing the day, and if 
 all fails a blister must be applied. 
 
 For saddle galls, there is no better application than 
 strong salt and water, mixed with tincture of myrrh and 
 arnica. 
 
 Mallenders and Sallenders. 
 
 In the inside of the hock, or a little below it, as well 
 as at the bend of the knee, there is sometimes a scurfy 
 eruption called mallenders in the fore-leg, and sallenders 
 in the hind-leg. They seldom produce lameness, but if 
 no means are taken to get rid of them, a discharge 
 proceeds from them, which it is afterwards difficult to 
 stop. A diuretic ball should be occasionally given, and 
 an ointment composed of one quart of sugar of lead, two 
 of tar, one of mercurial ointment, and six of lard rubbed 
 over that part ; the cause of the complaint is in general 
 owing to bad stable management. Give a dose of physic 
 of the following : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 5 drachms. 
 
 Oil of Caraways 10 drox^s. 
 
 Wens. 
 
 Causes. — These tumors are sometimes spontaneous 
 productions, when apparent on both heels and elbows ; 
 when isolated to either, they generally arise from 
 accidents. 
 
 Symptoms, — They present themselves in the form of 
 small fleshy growths from various parts of the body. 
 They are seldom painful — do not often cause lameness, 
 and constitute only a triffling deformity. Those swellings 
 which are visible on the top of the hock, and point of 
 the elbow, are classed among wens. 
 
 Treatment. — Mr. Gibson, an eminent farrier, in treat- 
 ing of this subject, says, when wens are pendulous, and 
 
no THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 hang by a small root, the best way to extirpate them is, 
 by tying them with a pack thread, or hair line, and 
 gradually tightening the ligature when the fungous 
 growth falls off. A common digestive ointment is then 
 applied to heal it. 
 
 iN'ow, while I concede that Mr. Gibson's treatment is 
 successful in many cases, I must candidly confess, that it 
 has the disadvantage of being a slow coach. The rationale 
 of his treatment is certainly ingenious ; it consists in 
 cutting off the due supply of the blood, and thus causing 
 mortification, and death of the fungous excrescence. 
 
 I invariably extirpate them by the knife, and subse- 
 quently dress them with digestive ointment, and should 
 fungous granulations arise, they may be sprinkled with 
 red precipitate and burnt alum. 
 
 Bran mashes and a gentle dose of physic should 
 accompany this treatment. 
 
 Fistula in the Withers. 
 
 Causes. — ^Blows, contusions, friction, and pressure of 
 the harness and saddle, diseases of the bone, and the 
 ordinary causes of inflammation will produce fistula. 
 
 Symptoms. — It usually occurs at the top of the 
 withers — it is small at first, but quickly enlarges, and 
 spreads over one or both sides. 
 
 When suppuration occurs, the discharge is prevalent, 
 and is conveyed through the medium of small channels 
 or pipes through the areblar tiasul, (known in old works 
 as cellular membrane.) 
 
 Treatment. — "When unskilfully treated, fistulas de- 
 generate into extensive and obstinate ulcers. 
 
 The necessary prelude to treatment is to ascertain the 
 duration, nature, extent, and direction of the fistula 
 
 This diagnosis is a " sine qua noti^^ of the treatment ; 
 proceed then to make a deep incision (taking care not 
 to wound any considerable vessels or nerves). This is a 
 necessary prelude to the obliteration of the fistula. It 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. Ill 
 
 invariably favors the escape of the acrimonious matter. 
 Endeavour then to restore the diseased part to healthy 
 action, by means of mild caustic application. 
 
 The following lotion, applied with a pledget of toe, 
 will be most serviceable : — 
 
 Corrosive Sublimate 1 drachm. 
 
 Spirits of Wine (rectified) 2 ounces. 
 
 Dissolve. 
 
 When the surface appears healthy, all that need be 
 done is to keep it washed with water. 
 
 Should a luxuriant crop of granulations present itself, 
 sprinkle them with verdigris, or the following application 
 may be substituted — 
 
 Oxymuriate of Mercury 1^ drachm. 
 
 Sulphate of Copper 1 „ 
 
 reduce to a fine powder, and dissolve in 3 ounces of 
 spirits of wine. To be applied according as required. 
 
 Poll Evil. 
 
 From the horse rubbing, and sometimes striking his 
 poll against the lower edge of the manger, or hanging 
 back in the stall, and bruising the part with the halter, 
 or from the frequent and painful stitching of the liga- 
 ments and muscles by unnecessaiy tight reigning, and 
 occasionally, we fear, from a blow in the poll, carelessly 
 or wantonly inflicted, inflammation comes on, and a 
 swelling appears, hot, tender, and painful. 
 
 The first thing to be attempted is to abate the inflam- 
 mation by bleeding, physic, and application of cold 
 lotions to the part; by these means the tumor will 
 sometimes be dispersed ; this system, however, must not 
 be pursued too far. If the swelling increase, and the 
 heat and tenderness likewise increase, matter will form 
 in the tumor. As soon as matter is formed, which may 
 
112 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 be known by the softness of the part, and before it has 
 time to spread around, and eat into the neighbouring- 
 parts, it should be opened, and now conies the whole art 
 of heating poll evil ; the opening into the tumor must 
 be so contrived, that all the matter shall run out, 
 and continue afterwards to run out as it is formed 
 and collects at the bottom of the ulcer, irritating 
 and corroding it. This can be effected by a seton alone. 
 The needle should enter at the top of the tumor, pene- 
 trate through its bottom, and be brought out at the side 
 of the neck, a little below the abscess. !N"othing more 
 is required, except fomentation with warm water to 
 keep the part clean, and to obviate inflammation. If 
 the ulcer has deepened, and spread, and threatens to eat 
 into the ligaments of the joints of the neck, apply the 
 following lotion by injecting it into the part : — ' 
 
 Sulphuric Acid , 1 drachm. 
 
 Alum 1 ounce. 
 
 "Water 1 pint, 
 
 to be injected several times every day, in order to bring 
 it to a healthy state, and dispose it to fill. 
 
 CLASS II. 
 
 COUGH — CATARRH, OR COMMON COLD — ROARING — WHEESINQ — 
 PIPING BROKEN WIND. 
 
 Cough. 
 
 The irritability of so great a portion of the air passage, 
 occasioned by previous and violent inflammation of them, 
 is a most frequent cause of cough — it is sometimes 
 connected with worms. There is much sympathy 
 ])etween the lungs and the intestines, and the one readily 
 participates in the irritation produced in the other. 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 113 
 
 Notwithstanding the clearness of the cause, the cure is 
 not so evident. If a harsh hollow cough is accompanied 
 by a staring coat, and the appearance of worms, a few 
 worm balls may expel these parasites, and remove the 
 irritation of the intestinal canal. If it proceeds from 
 irritability of the air passages, which will be discovered 
 by the horse coughing after drinking, or when he fii'st 
 goes out of the stable in the morning, or by his occasion- 
 ally snorting out thick mucus from the nose, medicines 
 may be given, and sometimes with advantage, to diminish 
 irritation generally. A small powder given in a bran 
 mash composed as follows, every night for 9 days, will 
 have a beneficial effect : — 
 
 l^itre 3 drachms. 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 
 
 >) 
 
 and a cough ball every morning, made with the following : 
 
 Opi, Crude 1 drachm. 
 
 Garlic 2 ,, 
 
 Gum 2 „ 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Made up with Tar, 
 
 The above ball to be given the first thing in the 
 morning, a bran mash one hour afterwards, half an hour 
 gentle trotting, exercise at twelve o'clock, weather 
 permitting ; hay, five pounds per day ; walking exercise 
 morning and evening, for half an hour at the time, and 
 the animal to be well clothed ; also, take four quarts of 
 blood away, and blister the glands ; when chronic cough 
 occurs after eating, the seat of the disease is evidently 
 in the substance of the lungs. The stomach distended 
 with food presses upon the diaphragm, and the diaphragm 
 upon the lungs, and the lungs already labouring under 
 some congestion, are less capable of transmitting the 
 ail'; in the violent effort to discharge their functions, 
 irritation is produced, and the act of coughing is the 
 consequence of that irritation. 
 
114 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Thick wind, and chronic cough, may be sometimes 
 cured, and, as they are apt to end in broken wind, which 
 is never cured, so our endeavours should be actively 
 turned towards removing them. In horses naturally 
 gross, living high without much exercise, and feeding 
 foully, our attempts must be directed to lower their 
 general fullness of habit by bleeding, exercise, and 
 moderate feeding ; if at grass, a less luxuriant pasture 
 should be chosen ; many a horse becomes broken-winded 
 from gorging himself with too much grass ; while on the 
 contrary, another who is much affected in his wind in 
 the stable, becomes much relieved when out upon a short 
 bite or pasture not luxuriant. In the stable such a 
 horse should be muzzled at night, to prevent him eating 
 his litter, and his water should be given in small quan- 
 tities only ; all sudden exertions likewise should be as 
 much as possible avoided. 
 
 Catarrh or Common Cold. 
 
 The sudden transition from heat to cold to which 
 horses are so frequently, and often so thoughtlessly 
 exposed, renders this a very common complaint with 
 them. A simple cold, if neglected, may end in an incur- 
 able disease, especially with horses of a delicate 
 constitution. 
 
 Catarrh commences with a slight degree of fever, with 
 some little discharge from the nose and eyes, accompanied 
 by cough, which is sometimes hard and painful to the 
 horse — when this is the case, bleeding will be necessary ; 
 but if the cough is not severe, the complaint may be 
 generally removed by simple treatment. 
 
 The horse should be kept warm, and six balls of the 
 following medicine administered every morning fasting — = 
 
 Digitalis ^ drachm. 
 
 Nitre 2 „ 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Made into a ball with Tar, 
 
THE HORSE AXD ITS DISEASES. 115 
 
 Food should consist of bran mashes, and walking 
 exercise mornino: and evenins:. 
 
 Roaring. 
 
 "Which is a remnant of improperly treated catarrh. 
 The following drench will be found of great benefit, 
 when a cough accompanies this complaint : — 
 
 Linseed 1 pound. 
 
 Treacle Bounces. 
 
 Vinegar 1 pint. 
 
 Let the linseed be put into six pints of hot water, and 
 allowed to stand by the side of the fire until it has fairly 
 taken the substance out of the seeds, then let it be 
 strained, and the other ingredients mixed with it ; give 
 the horse half-a-pint of this six times during the course 
 of the twenty-four hours. 
 
 Wheezing. 
 
 This stage of the disorder is known by a wheezing 
 sound, being heard like that of the human being aflected 
 with asthma. It has its seat in the membraneous lining 
 of the wind j)ipe low down, where it separates into two 
 branches to convey the air to both lobes of the lungs — 
 there a mucus fluid lodges in the passages. Some old horses 
 wheeze only after feeding and when lying down; but horses 
 that are confirmed wheezers can be heard at all times ; 
 wheezers should not have much hay, but enough of corn 
 which should be given frequently, as well as water. 
 The windpipe should be blistered, and give the following 
 ball twice a week : — 
 
 Turpentine ^ ounce. 
 
 Ginger 1 drachm. 
 
 Linseed Meal 4 ,, 
 
 H 
 
116 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Some persons consider the following better : — 
 
 Powdered Eesin 4 drachms. 
 
 Gringer ^ „ 
 
 Linseed Meal 2 ,, 
 
 Made into a ball with palm oil. 
 
 When attended with any degree of fever, the following 
 should be given twice a day, instead of the above : — 
 
 Digitalis I drachm. 
 
 Mtre 3 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1^ 
 
 )j 
 
 Piping. 
 
 The seat of the disease in this stage, is higher up 
 than the former, and consists in a strict contraction of 
 the windpipe, which considerably diminishes its width. 
 The sound produced in consequence, is a sort of shrill 
 wheezing, nearly like a whistle. Blisters have sometimes 
 been found to alleviate this disease, but a complete cure 
 is quite hopeless. 
 
 Broken ■Wind- 
 Causes. — All diseases in the lungs proceed from 
 inflammation in a greater or less degree, which, when 
 violent, if not speedily relieved, end in death ; however, 
 should this be avoided, it generally lays the foundation 
 for a chronic cough, or broken wind. 
 
 Symptoms. — This disease is indicated by the breathing 
 of the horse, altering from its natural state, and from an 
 easy, gentle, and uniform respiration, to a painful 
 laborious heaving, and a violent agitation of the flanks. 
 On examination of the lungs of broken-winded horses, 
 there is sometimes not much diff'erence to be observed 
 between them and healthy ones, but there is always 
 some emphysematous appearance ; commonly it is con- 
 siderable, and much air is diffused throughout the 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 117 
 
 parenchymatous substance of the lungs ; sometimes there 
 are little yersicular appearances oyer the outer surface. 
 That air is diffused within the substance, and not 
 wholly pressed out by the last expiration, is further 
 proved by the circumstance of the lungs not collapsing, 
 when the cavity of the chest is opened ; when aii', there- 
 fore, is inspired in the broken wind, it finds no difficulty 
 of entrance, but being diffused and entangled among 
 the cellular tissue, it finds a difficulty in being expii^ed, 
 and this makes the expiration much longer than the 
 inspiration, and the horse is seen to do it at two efforts ; 
 by the first lie appears to empty the air from the cells 
 themselves, anr'^Dy the second more forcible contraction, 
 which is operated by means of the abdominal muscles, 
 the lungs are pressed on, to endeavour to force out the 
 extravasated aii' from the cellular members. 
 
 Treatment. — Attempts at ciu^e have always failed, for 
 the air cells cannot be again made whole. Our en- 
 deavours, therefore, can only be directed to mitigate the 
 symptoms. 
 
 The first care will be to prevent over repletion of the 
 stomach, for this, in every case, will greatly aggravate 
 the difficulty of breathing — the second is, to avoid over- 
 distention of the lungs, by too violent and too sudden 
 exercise. By carefully attending to these two principal 
 indications, a broken-winded horse may be rendered 
 comfortable to himself, and useful to his master. 
 
 To fulfil the first indication, the food should be 
 regularly given in moderate quantities only ; but most 
 particularly, it should be such as contain much nutri- 
 ment in a small space — hence, corn is more i)roper than 
 hay, and above all, I have found food composed of one 
 part carrots and two parts oats, agTee particularly well ; 
 on a sufficient quantity of this food, a horse will need 
 but veiy little hay ; water should be sparingly given, 
 and without this caution, all the others are useless. I 
 would, also recommend the following ball to be given 
 twice a week. 
 
118 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Opium Crude. ^ drachm. 
 
 Garlic 3 ,, 
 
 Gum 2 „ 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Aloes 2 ,, 
 
 The animal should never get more than four quarts 
 of water to drink at the time, except at night, when he 
 may have six quarts. 
 
 CLASS III. 
 
 DISTEMPER — STRANGLES — MEGRIMS — PALSY — STAGGERS, OK 
 APOPLEXY EPILEPSY WORMS. 
 
 The Distemper. 
 
 The distemper is generally prevalent in the spring of 
 the year, and is produced by the cold easterly winds 
 upon animals which are usually at this period shedding 
 their winter coats, and consequently less provided against 
 its effects. The horses confined in hot stables are most 
 subject to it. 
 
 Symptoms. — This disorder is attended with some 
 degree of fever, frequently accompanied with soreness of 
 the throat. It is also occasionally attended by a dis- 
 charge from the nose ; but it varies much in its symptoms, 
 and is found most prevalent among young horses — it is 
 infectious and epidemical 
 
 Cure. — This disorder is very rarely fatal if judiciously 
 treated ; but many valuable horses have been destroyed 
 by administering cordials, which are highly injurious. 
 As soon as the symptoms of the distemper appear, the 
 horse should be bled, the bowels opened, and the glands 
 blistered ; walking exercise, and warm clothing are also 
 necessary. 
 
THE HORSE AiND ITS DISEASES. 119 
 
 StraDgles. 
 
 It is very strange, how very contrary the opinions of 
 almost all writers on this subject have been, and how 
 lamentably ignorant appear their descriptions of it. Mr. 
 Prosser wi'ote a treatise professedly on the strangles and 
 fevers of horses, in which he introduces some very good 
 critiques on other writers, yet left both subjects entirely 
 where he found them. Mr. Gibson supposed the com- 
 plaint resembled small pox, etc. Mr. Bracken, the 
 quinsy ; others, the hooping cough, measles, chicken 
 pox, etc. All which suppositions originated in a want 
 of attention to the animal economy in general, and to the 
 disease in particular, for it bears no resemblance to either 
 of these, but in a specific fever of horses, accompanied 
 with a disposition to inflammation in the glands of the 
 head and throat. 
 
 La Fosse divides it into mild or malignant, and false 
 or bastard strangles ; but these definitions do not seem 
 to be well founded, for though there are cases in which 
 the symptoms are milder than others, it does not appear 
 that any specific virus is ever left by which future 
 depositions are formed, called vivos. There is no reason 
 to suppose it infectious, though it has been said to have 
 been given by inocculation. 
 
 The disease appears to consist in a specific attack on 
 the parotid and submaxillary glands, more frequently 
 the latter, and which most horses have once during their 
 lives, and once only, generally between the ages of four 
 and six years ; but as this specific attack does not render 
 these glands invulnerable to future inflammatory aff'ec- 
 tions, frorn cold or other causes, so whenever any after 
 swelling occurs, ignorant farriers suppose it connected 
 with the strangles, which has not, they think, perfectly 
 drained off, and such swelling is called vivos. 
 
 Symptoms. — The strangles usually commences with 
 the general symptoms of catarrh, or, as more familiarly 
 expressed, like a cold and fever ; sometimes there is so 
 little symptomatic aftection, particularly in mild weather 
 
120 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 at grass, that the glands gather, burst, and heal, without 
 the matter being hardly noticed. 
 
 In general cases however, it does not pass off thus 
 easily ; but there is, besides the swellings under the ear, 
 or under the throat, some cough, dulness, and loss of 
 appetite, and it is then frequently mistaken for the 
 epidemic catarrh, or distemper ; but from this it may be 
 distinguished by the swellings themselves, which are 
 more hot and tender, and more enlarged in the strangles 
 than in catarrh. 
 
 The age of the animal attacked, will also usually 
 assist in detecting the strangles ; add to which, that the 
 epidemic or distemper, the constitutional affection 
 generally runs higher. 
 
 ]S'o great harm however can arise, in the event of the one 
 complaint being mistaken for the other. In all cases of 
 doubt, with regard to strangles, very hot fomentations 
 only should be used to the swellings, which tend to allay 
 the tension of iiTitability, without materially promoting 
 either the resolution or suppuration. 
 
 Treatment. — When the inflammatory symptoms are 
 considerable, treat exactly as directed under catarrh, 
 with the exception of bleeding, which is not to be 
 attempted unless there is some urgency in the case, such 
 as hard quick pulse, with heaving of the flanks, the 
 extremities cold, the cough painful, and the nostrils 
 red. If the throat should be likewise sore, have it 
 blistered, keep constantly to the head a nose bag, with 
 a warm mash of bran, sprinkled with spirits of turpentine, 
 and tincture of camphor, having fii'st blistered the part. 
 
 The tumors having suppurated, sometimes burst in- 
 wardly, in which case the future cure must be left 
 principally to nature, and nothing more in general will be 
 requisite than mild food, and a laxative ball composed of 
 
 Aloes 3 drachms. 
 
 Calomel .. 1 ,, 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Nitre 3 „ 
 
 Made into a bail. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 121 
 
 When the tumors point outwardly, as soon as the 
 matter is felt to fluctuate freely, but not before, they 
 may be opened with a lancet, which will tend to shorten 
 the complaint. 
 
 Megrims. 
 
 This disease is occasioned by a pressure on the brain, 
 caused by an unusual flow of blood to it ; the flow of 
 blood through the brain is ten times greater in quantity, 
 than through any other portion of the body. To prevent 
 as far as possible any unusual flow of blood to this organ 
 the arteries pursue an extremely winding course, and 
 enter the skull through small holes in the bony process. 
 These holes are so small, that they will admit but of 
 little enlargement of the blood vessels, and thus to a 
 great extent, the process of inflammation is arrested. 
 
 Symptoms. — The megrim is the name of the simplest 
 form of inflammation, arising from the above causes ; 
 this most commonly apx^ears when a horse is over-driven. 
 "When attacked, he will suddenly stop, and shake his 
 head — if allowed to stand for a few minutes this will 
 go off again. Sometimes he will be quietly in a state of 
 complete torpor, at other times he will struggle with 
 great violence, and yet, be unable to rise ; in either of 
 these conditions he will continue from five to ten 
 minutes, when he will gradually resume sensibility, 
 but after these attacks he generally exhibits symptoms 
 of dulness and exhaustion. 
 
 Eemedy. — Immediately after the first attack, take six 
 quarts of blood, a short time after give a dose of physic, 
 in the form of a ball, consisting of the following : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 7 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 2 ,, 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Ginger 1 
 
 )} 
 
 Bran mashes, and gentle exercise every day. 
 
122 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 If a horse has had one attack of this malady, he is 
 liable to a return of it, and the most prudent plan is, to 
 part with the animal, as he cannot afterwards be 
 depended upon. 
 
 Palsy. 
 
 Causes. — The palsy may arise from high feeding, and 
 want of proper exercise ; sometimes it proceeds from 
 hard working, without a sufficiency of wholesome food^ 
 or it may be produced by falls, blows on the head, or 
 loins, injury in casting and turning a narrow stall, and 
 occasionally it is the result of mere old age, in which 
 case it is hopeless to attempt a cure. 
 
 Symptoms. — When a horse is seized by palsy, the use 
 of some particular member is lost — sometimes one or 
 more limbs, and especially the hind legs. When the 
 brain is affected, the use of one side is totally taken 
 away, the horse falls suddenly, and the muscles of the 
 affected parts become so placid and relaxed, that all 
 attempts to rise are fruitless. However, the disease in 
 young horses may often be cured without much difficulty. 
 
 The following purge will be found beneficial : — ■ 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 7 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 2 , , 
 
 Ginger 2 ,, 
 
 The food to consist of bran mashes, and lukewarm 
 w^ater; let the affected part be well rubbed, with a 
 strong blister. 
 
 The Staggers, or Apoplexy. 
 
 Symptoms. — The premonitory appearances are a low 
 hanging of the head, and either supporting it on the 
 manger, or extending it nearly to the ground. He 
 moves through and fro while standing, and seems liable 
 to fall at every movement ; his sight and hearing are 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES, 123 
 
 mucli impaired. He will remaiu in this condition from 
 one to twelve hours, he then falls. His eyes are open 
 and protruding, with a fixed, seemingly unconscious 
 stare — he grinds his teeth ; the strong convulsive 
 twitchings follow, and these are the certain preludes of 
 death. 
 
 Causes. — A deranged state of the digestive organs is 
 the most ordinary cause, and this is the effect of over- 
 feeding. Some persons are so foolish as to suppose that 
 horses may have as much grain as they can eat, but this 
 is a serious mistake, because, even without the aid of 
 water, the grain will swell in the stomach. 
 
 Remedy. — The horse must be bled ; take eight quarts 
 of blood fi'om the jugular vein, and after some time 
 has elapsed, this should be repeated, but a lesser 
 quantity. If the lower intestines or rectum is over 
 loaded, the hand should be forced up, and the bowels 
 relieved, and if the animal exhibits symptoms of relief, 
 the following medicine should be administered in the 
 form of a ball : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 7 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 2 ,, 
 
 Ginger 2 ,, 
 
 These to be mixed with honey, in a sufficient quantity 
 to form a ball ; also, give several clysters, composed as 
 follows : — 
 
 Oatmeal 3 quarts. 
 
 Common Salt 3 ounces. 
 
 Linseed Oil ^ pint. 
 
 These clysters may be repeated twice or three times 
 a day. A blister may be applied behind the ears, with 
 benefit ; should the horse sufficiently recover to be able 
 to take food, boiled barley, scaled bran or oatmeal, and 
 luke-warm water should be given to him for some days, 
 until he is able to masticate hay, which ought to be of 
 the best quality. 
 
124 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 To complete the cure, the following may be given in 
 a ball : — 
 
 Cream of Tartar 1 ounce. 
 
 I^itre , . 4 drachms. 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 
 
 )> 
 
 Epilepsy. 
 
 Cause. — Epilepsy sometimes proceeds from a plethora, 
 or fullness of blood, and often from violent exercise 
 or surfeit, and from any of the causes that produce 
 lethargy or staggers. 
 
 Symptoms. — When a horse is attacked with epilepsy, 
 he reels and staggers, and his eyes seem fixed in his 
 head, he appears quite stupid, and stales and dungs 
 insensibly, trembles, looks around him, and falls sud- 
 denly ; sometimes he remains immoveable, with his legs 
 stretched out as if he was dead, except a quick motion 
 of the lungs and heart, whilst his flanks work violently ; 
 occasionally, the convulsions which follow are slight, at 
 other times violent — the head and fore part are most 
 singular. "When the fit is going off, he generally dis- 
 charges a white and dry foam from the mouth ; after the 
 fit is over, he shakes his ears, and eats and drinks as 
 though nothing had occurred. 
 
 In old horses this disease generally proves incurable, 
 since, thi^ough their weakness, little assistance can be 
 given, to the operation of medicines, but in ordinaiy 
 cases the following may prove efficacious, care being 
 taken to open their bowels previously by clysters, and a 
 X)Lirgative : — 
 
 Asafoetida 2 di'achms. 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 
 
 Camphor 1 
 
 >> 
 
 made into a ball, and given every twelve hours, and 
 after four days, give the following in a drink : — 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 125 
 
 Castor Oil 1 pint. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 ounce. 
 
 Powdered Ginger 1 ,, 
 
 Diet. — Bran mashes, and gentle exercise. 
 
 "Worms. 
 
 There are different kinds of worms found in the 
 intestines of horses, and when they become numerous, 
 often prove injurious to the constitution. 
 
 Loss of apx3etite, gri^nng pains, a rough coat, and 
 tucked up belly, and hide bound, are symptoms of worms. 
 Teres, or long white round worms, very much resembling 
 in form the common earth worm, which is met with 
 from 5 to 1 inches in length in the intestines ; and, 
 itching of the rectum, evinced by a quick twitching of 
 the tail, and a small quantity of mucus, which hardens 
 and assumes the appearance of a white powder at the 
 anus, is indicative of ascarides, small needle-formed 
 worms, which lodge in the large intestines, and are 
 frequently found in great number to the coaccum. A 
 third species sometimes, although of much raider occur- 
 rence, inhabit various parts of the intestinal canal from 
 the stomach downwards ; this is the tape worm, which 
 is known from its broad flat tape-like appearance, and 
 consisting of many articulated joints. This species 
 is most formidable, and most difficult to be removed. 
 
 "For the expulsion of worms, the following is the best 
 remedy to be given, every morning and evening for 
 three days, in bran mashes : — 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 drachm . 
 
 Calomel 1 „ 
 
 in each mash, and a purgative to be given the fourth 
 morning, composed as follows. 
 
126 THE HORSE AXD ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Ginger 1 ,, 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap to make it up ivith. 
 
 The horse to have only seven pounds of hay each day, 
 during the time, and when the purgative commences to 
 operate, give two ounces oil of turpentine in half a pint 
 of luke-warm water, in a drench, and trot the animal for 
 five minutes. 
 
 CLA.SS IV. 
 
 OPHTHALMIA — GUTTA SERENA INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE — 
 
 DEAFNESS LOCKED JAW. 
 
 Ophthalmia, or Mood Blindness. 
 
 Should four days pass, and the inflammation not be 
 abated, we may begin to suspect that it is the ophthalmia, 
 especially if the eye is very impatient, and the cornea 
 clouded. The humour often loses its transparency, even 
 the iris changes its color, and the pupil is exceedingly 
 contracted. The veterinary surgeon has now an ob- 
 stinate disease to combat, and one that will generally 
 maintain its ground in spite of all his effoits ; for two 
 or thi'ee weeks the inflammation will remain un- 
 diminished, or if it appears to yield one day, it will 
 return with redoubled violence on the next. At length, 
 and often unconnected with any of the means that have 
 been used, the eye begins to bear the light— the red- 
 ness of the membrane of the lid disappears, the cornea 
 clears up, and the only vestige of disease which remains 
 is a slight thickening of the lids, and apparent uneasiness 
 when exposed to a very strong light. 
 
THE nOESE AXD ITS DISEASES. 127 
 
 If the owner thinks that he has got rid of the disease 
 he will be disappointed, for in the course of a month or 
 two, either the same eye, or the other undergoes a second 
 or similar attack. All again seems to pass over, except 
 that the eye is not so perfectly restored, and a slight, 
 deeply-seated cloudiness begins to appear, and after re- 
 peated attacks and alterations of disease from eye to 
 eye, the affaii^ terminates in opacity of the lens or its 
 capsule, attended with perfect blindness from its 
 periodical return, and some supposed influence of the 
 moon. 
 
 What is the practitioner doing all this while. He is 
 only a useless spectator if he does not apply the following- 
 remedies. Bleed from the angular vein, at the corner 
 of the eye, not from the temporal artery, for that does 
 not supply the orbit of the eye ; also scarify the lower 
 corner with a keen lancet, and take four quarts of blood 
 from the jugular vein the following day, and give the 
 following purgative : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 di'achms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 4 ,, 
 
 The animal to have bran mashes, eyes covered, 
 gentle exercise in a shady place, and only four pounds 
 of hay per day. The eyes to be washed three times 
 a-day with the following lotion : — 
 
 Crude Sal Amoniac 2 drachms. 
 
 Vinegar 1 pint. 
 
 EainWater, boiled and cooled 1 ,, 
 Flit into a bottle. 
 
 Gutta Serena. 
 
 if 
 
 Another species of blindness, commonly called glass- 
 eye. The pupil is more than usually dilated — it is 
 immoveable, and bright and glassy. This is palsy of the 
 
128 THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 optic nerve, and is usually produced by determination 
 of blood to the bead. Tbe treatment of gutta serena is 
 quite as difficult as tbat of cataract. "We have beard of 
 successful cases, but we never saw one, nor sbould we 
 be disposed to incur mucb expense in endeavouring to 
 accomplisb imi)ossibilities, reasoning from tbe cause of 
 tbe disease. We sbould bleed and pbysic, and ad- 
 minister strycbnine in doses, commencing at balf a grain, 
 and not exceed, two grains, morning aad nigbt, very 
 carefully watcbing it. If we succeed, it must be by 
 constitutional treatment ; as local treatment, tbe seat of 
 disease is out of reacb. 
 
 Common Inflammation of the Eye. 
 
 Inflammation of tbe eye may be considered under two 
 forms, tbe common and manageable, and tbe specific and 
 fatal. Tbe common inflammation is generally sudden in 
 its attack — tbe lids will be found swelled, and tbe eyes 
 partially closed, and some weeping ; tbe inside of tbe lid 
 will be red — some red streaks visible in tbe wbite of tbe 
 eye, and tbe comeu sligbtly dim. Tbis is occasionally 
 connected witb some degree of catarrb or cold ; but it is 
 often unaccompanied by tbis, and depends on external 
 irritation as a blow, or a bit of bay, or seed, or busk 
 witbin tbe lid, and towards tbe outer corner wbere tbe 
 haw cannot reacb it ; tberefore tbe lids sbould be always 
 carefully examined as to tbis possible source of tbe 
 complaint. Tbe animal sbould bave a dose of pbysic to 
 commence witb, composed as follows : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 4 ,, 
 
 Made into a hall. 
 
 Also take some blood from the temporal artery, and 
 wasb tbe eye with tbe following lotion morning and 
 evening : — 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 129 
 
 Sugar of Lead 1 drachm. 
 
 Sulphate of Zinc 1 ,, 
 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
 Have the eyes covered, and give bran mashes with 
 some carrots. If the above lotion does not improve the 
 eye in three days, stop it and apply the following :- — 
 
 Cider Yinegar ^ pint. 
 
 Salammoniac 1 drachm. 
 
 Water ^ pint. 
 
 Have the eye washed three times a day, and exercise 
 the animal morning and eveninoj for half an hour at the 
 time, in a shady place. 
 
 'O 
 
 Deafness. 
 
 The beautiful play of the ears has ceased, and the 
 horse hears not the voice of his master. Much of the 
 apparent stupidity of some horses is attributable to their 
 imperfect hearing. It occasionally appears to follow the 
 decline of various diseases, and especially of those that 
 affect the head and the respiratory passages. It has 
 been the consequence of brutal treatment, closing the 
 condiut of the ear, or rupturing the tympanum ; and it 
 is certainly as in other animals, the accompaniment of old 
 age. In the present state of veterinary knowledge, it is 
 an incurable complaint ; the only thing that can be done 
 is, not to punish the poor slave for his apparent stupidity, 
 produced perhaps by over exertion in the service of his 
 master. 
 
 Iidcked Jaw, or Tetanus. 
 
 This disease has a two-fold origin, the one is caused 
 by wounds, and the other has no apparent cause, but is 
 supposed to be symptomatic of some constitutional causes, 
 as intestinal irritation from parasitic animals. Both 
 varieties are denominated tranmatic and idiophaticy in 
 technical phraseology. 
 
130 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Wounds in the leg, producing solution of continuity 
 of the nervous filaments, iiTitation from worms in the 
 alimentary canal, as likewise the operation for docking 
 and nicking, are the most frequent causes of this obstinate 
 and fatal disease. From whatever causes it may arise, 
 the brain and spinal cord are undoubtedly its principal 
 seat. The "rationale" of this fearful remedy is this — 
 a wound in a part favourable to the maintenance of 
 prolonged irritation, is capable of exciting a particular 
 region of the spinal cord, from which the state of excite- 
 ment spreads, so as to involve not only the whole cord, 
 but also the medulla oblongata, and in this state a large 
 portion of the motor nerves participate, so as to induce 
 tonic contraction of the muscles they supply. 
 
 Tetanus 
 Consists not in an inflammatory affection of the cord, or 
 in its membranes, nor in congestion of them, but simply 
 in a state of prolonged physical excitement the natural 
 polar force of the centre being greatly excited, and kept 
 so by the constant irritation propagated to it by the 
 nerves of the wounded part. 
 
 Symptoms. — Tetanus, consisting in a constant spasm 
 of the muscles of the head, neck, and spine, is slow in 
 making its appearance. The horse does not feed well, 
 partly chews, and drops its food and gulps water. The 
 motion of the jaws is observed to be limited, and some 
 saliva escapes from the mouth ; this stage would be the 
 most appropriate for administering medicine, but unfortu- 
 nately, it is of short duration — perfect rigidity of the 
 voluntary muscles, and closure of the jaws, quickly 
 supervene. The head is generally protruded, and cannot 
 be bent ; the eye is retracted within its socket, with the 
 haw projecting over it; the nostrils are expanded, the 
 ears erect, and the countenance expressive of anxiety 
 and extreme agony ; the tail is erect and quivering ; 
 the hind-legs spraddling, and the fore-legs projecting 
 like a stool ; the pulse is at first normal, but soon 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 131 
 
 becomes quick, small and irregular. If the poor 
 animal is touched, or the slightest blast of air directed 
 over his body, the quickening of the pulse, and recur- 
 rence of the spasms, indicate his fear and pain ; thus, 
 the disease continues for 9 or 10 days, at which time 
 the animal is exhausted from the expenditure of nervous 
 energy. 
 
 Treatment. — As it is a diseased state of the nerves 
 which conveys motor influence to the muscles, the most 
 appropriate treatment consists in that which is to be 
 directed to their origin — the brain and spinal cord. 
 The brain has been trepanned, with a view to increase 
 the pressure on the masses, and the whole region cerebral 
 of the spine has been blistered ; but although relaxation 
 of the muscles, and a temporary diminutive of the spasms 
 have thus been effected, still, they are of no avail, when 
 they are confided in alone ; and as a torpid and sluggish 
 condition of the bowels is an invariable concomitant 
 symptom, the exhibition of croton oil in doses of half a 
 drachm is highly commendable, without the slightest 
 fear of causing inflammation of the bowels, the animal 
 enjoying an undoubted immunity from any such 
 untoward feature, when attacked by this formidable 
 disease. To sum up, the treatment is of a two-fold 
 nature, local and constitutional. 
 
 As it is invariably the cause of a wound, the wound 
 must be searched for, and cauterised with actual cautery, 
 (red hot iron,) or lunar caustic, and then dressed with 
 digestive ointment. 
 
 The constitutional treatment consists in tranquilising 
 the system, and the most potent agent here is bleeding, 
 to the extent of 20 pounds; administering powdered 
 opium in a dose of two drachms, at first in the form of 
 a ball, and repeating the opium in diminished doses of a 
 drachm every four hours. 
 
 The following purgative drench may be given with 
 advantage, if the jaws can be opened. 
 
 I 
 
132 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 1 ounce. 
 
 Ginger 3 draclims. 
 
 Treacle 2 ounces. 
 
 Oil of Aniseed 30 drops. 
 
 Por the purpose of producing counter irritation, the 
 following blister may be rubbed along the spinal region, 
 and over the whole body : — 
 
 Cantharides 1 ounce. 
 
 Euphorbrum 2 drachms. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 1 ounce. 
 
 Hogs' Lard 6 ,, 
 
 Mix to make Faste Blister. 
 
 Some veterinary surgeons recommend the friction of a 
 liquid blister, composed of equal parts of oil of turpen- 
 tine and tincture of cantharides ; and they suggest the 
 advisability of covering the whole spinal region with 
 sheep skins, as fresh as possible from the animal. If 
 the bowels are open, give the following ball : — 
 
 Crude Opium 1 drachm. 
 
 Camphor 2 ,, 
 
 Asafostida .-. 2 ,, 
 
 Mix into a ball^ and repeat every fourth hour. 
 
 Some veterinary surgeons recommend hot fomenta- 
 tions, while others recommend cold — some recommend 
 bleeding, and some do not. The advocates of the one 
 system condemn the supporters of the other. 
 
 My readers will find my opinions embodied in the 
 above, and will do well to adopt them, and put them 
 into practice, as I have never found them to fail in mild 
 cases, but I must confess, that in obstinate cases the most 
 skilful treatment has been baiSed, the poor exhausted 
 animal having succumbed to its fatal influence. 
 
 In administering the balls to horses affected with this 
 disease, they are not to be given, as in ordinary cases ; 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 133 
 
 each ball must be broken into small pieces, on the end 
 of a stick, or what is better, a bit of whalebone, or the 
 ball may be dissolved in a pint of decoction of rue, and 
 given as a drench morning and evening, with a small 
 horn. 
 
 Considerable time should be taken, and great care 
 and caution observed in the administration of medicine, 
 as awkwardness in manipulation increases the con- 
 vulsions of the poor brute, and may cause no alleviation 
 of his sufferings, or amelioration of his symptoms. 
 
 CLASS V. 
 
 JAUXDICE — PLEURISY COI'fSUMPTION LOSS OF APPETITE 
 
 FARCY — GLANDERS FOUL FEEDING. 
 
 Jaundice. 
 
 This disease is generally attended with some local 
 affection of the liver. It may proceed from want of free 
 perspiration, or from anything that creates severe action, 
 especially from the liver — sometimes it is occasioned by 
 high feeding, or habitual costiveness. 
 
 Symptoms.— This disease is indicated by the eyes ap- 
 pearing of a dusky yellow color ; the inside of the mouth 
 and lips, and eye-lids, also look yellow; the animal 
 appears dull and sluggish, and refuses all kinds of food ; 
 his urine is of a dark brownish color, and when lodged 
 on the ground, seems like blood ; he also stales with 
 difficulty ; his bowels are costive, and his motions of a 
 pale yellow color ; the pulse is irregular, and he is 
 feverish in a greater or lesser degree. 
 
 Cure. — ^Various are the means proposed by farriers for 
 the proper mode of cuiing this disorder. Some recom- 
 mend bleeding in the first stage, which I have reason to 
 
134 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 believe is very necessary. I would also give, every 
 second evening, the following medicine in a ball, until 
 the bowels are freely open : — 
 
 Earbadoes Aloes 1 dracbm. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 2 ,, 
 
 The animal to have bran mashes morning and evening, 
 and carrots at twelve o'clock, to the amount of eight 
 pounds ; best hay, six pounds per day ; drinking water 
 to be given sparingly ; walking exercise half an hour 
 morning and evening. I have never found this simple 
 mode of treatment fail. 
 
 Pleurisy. 
 
 Cause. — The pleurisy may be produced by the same 
 cause as inflammation of the lungs ; indeed, inflam- 
 matory disorders are always brought on by a sudden 
 suppression of perspiration. 
 
 Symptoms. — In inflammation of the plurea, or 
 membrane, which lies in the chest, and hence called 
 pleurisy. The symptoms vary so little from inflammation 
 of the lungs, that it is diflicult to distinguish. In 
 pleurisy a horse shov/s great uneasiness, and is continu- 
 ally shifting about; he often strives to lie down, but 
 immediately starts up again, and turns his head to the 
 side affected ; whereas, a horse with inflammation of the 
 lungs moves tranquilly, and never attempts to lie down. 
 In pleurisy a horse's mouth is parched and dry, but in 
 inflammation of the lungs, when opened, a ropy slime 
 runs out generally in great abundance. 
 
 Cure. — The cure of pleurisy and inflammation of the 
 lungs is the same ; except where accidental symptoms 
 occur to require variation, bleeding from 4 to 6 quarts is 
 particularly necessary. A horse should be kept on light 
 open diet for a fortnight, or three weeks, such as bran 
 morning and evening ; oats, five pounds, mixed with 
 
THE HORSE AA^D ITS DISEASES. 135 
 
 carrots cut up at twelve o'clock ; gentle exercise morning 
 and evening, for half an hour at the time. 
 
 Purging is also very jDroper in this disease, but it should 
 be very gentle, and composed as follows : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 3 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Ginger ^ ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 4 ,, 
 
 This ball may be repeated after a week, provided the 
 horse does not appear weak from the first dose. 
 
 Consumption. 
 
 Causes. — Consumption may proceed from various 
 causes, from colds imperfectly cured, or from the influ- 
 ence of the farcy or glanders fixing on the lungs. Hot 
 and irritable horses are most subject to this disease, as 
 they generally exhaust themselves by too groat exertion. 
 
 Symptoms. — Though this complaint is not very preva- 
 lent among horses in this country, it sometimes occurs, 
 and is indicated by a loss of vigor and strength — the 
 animal loses his appetite, and flesh soon, and frequently 
 stales and dungs ; some survive for a time, and others 
 go off very suddenly. 
 
 Cure. — As consumptions are preceded by inflammation, 
 bleeding is necessary, after which the bowels should be 
 gently opened by clysters and purges. The following 
 ball may be given : — 
 
 Earbadoes Aloes 5 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 
 
 Castile Soap 4 
 
 )> 
 
 The horse should be kept moderately warm, and have 
 bran mashes and water with the chill taken off. 
 
 The following ball may be administered every other 
 night, for three or four times, and then omitted for a few 
 nights, and repeated again if necessary. 
 
136 THE IIOHSE ANT) ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Tartar Emetic 2 drachms. 
 
 A^safoeticla 1 ,, 
 
 Mtre 3 
 
 Liquorice Foivder to make the ball. 
 
 This ball v/ill relax the skin, and insensible perspira- 
 tion will be promoted. During the administration of 
 these medicines, the horse should be gently exercised 
 every day for half an hour ; his food should be green, if 
 possible, and in the winter season, carrots will form a 
 good substitute. "When he recovers, his work should be 
 light and moderate for some time, and he should be kept 
 in the fresh air as much as possible. 
 
 Loss of Appetite. 
 
 Causes. — This disorder is frequently the mere symp- 
 tom of other diseases, and must be treated accordingly. 
 It is, however, sometimes the effect of weakness on the 
 stomach, induced by the improper use of medicines, and 
 occasionally it is produced by fatigue, a want of proper 
 exercise, or the stomach being over loaded with 
 indigestible food. 
 
 Symptoms. — This state of disease is generally termed 
 chronic indigestion, and is indicated by a want of 
 appetite, and also a roughness and staring of the coat. 
 
 Cure. — Should the horse have no inflammatory com- 
 plaint, and it is evident that the loss of appetite arises 
 from a weakness of the stomach, a cordial ball may be 
 given every day, composed as follows : — 
 
 Caraway Seeds, powdered ... 5 di-achms. 
 
 Ginger, powdered 3 ., 
 
 Oil of Olives 16 drops. 
 
 Made up ivith honey. 
 
 These balls will tend to strengthen the stomach and 
 renew the appetite. It will be necessary to keep the 
 horse clean, and regular in his bowels ; nourishing food 
 
THE HOKSK AND ITS DISEASES. 137 
 
 composed of brau morning and evening ; six pounds of 
 good oats, with carrots at twelve o'clock ; clean spring 
 water four times a day to diink ; exercise three times a 
 day, half an hour each time. 
 
 Farcy. 
 
 Cause. — This disease may be attributed generally to- 
 suppressed perspiration, and also to hot and crowded 
 stables, and is more prevalent among waggon and post 
 horses than any others. After been thi'own into a 
 violent heat, and ridden through brooks and ponds to 
 wash them, they are too fi^equently allowed to stand a 
 considerable time at the door of a public house, which 
 has in many instances occasioned farcy. 
 
 Symptoms. — The horse appears dull — his skin tightens 
 and dries — he feeds slowly — his respiration becomes 
 quicker than usual — his hind legs get slightly swollen, 
 and the glands rise up in small lumps or knots, which 
 at first are hard and sore, and are usually termed farcy 
 buds, and in a few days suppurate, and emit an unhealthy 
 ichorous discharge. 
 
 The edges of these ulcers have a cancerous appearance 
 as the disease advances; the whole body becomes affected, 
 and partial swelling sets in, particularly on the inside 
 of the hind legs and nose, and frequently terminate in 
 glanders. This disease is sometimes very obstinate and 
 difficult to cure. 
 
 Cure. — When confined to a single limb, and attended 
 with great swelling and inflammation, if the horse be in 
 good condition, take five quarts of blood, and give the 
 following purgative : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 „ 
 
 Mtre 4 
 
 Castile Soap 2 
 
 3Iade into a ball. 
 
 The horse to have bran mashes and lukewarm drinks. 
 
 >> 
 
138 THE nOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 "WTien the above has ceased to operate, give in a bran 
 mash every evening for nine days : — 
 
 Calomel i drachm. 
 
 Nitre 3 ounces. 
 
 The swelled part to be fomented three times a day with 
 very hot decoction of marsh mallows, three gallons ; salt 
 one pint ; vinegar one pint, and a rowel may be introduced 
 at the lower part of the swelling, and also in the chest. 
 
 After he has taken the above powder for nine days, give 
 the following in a ball :— 
 
 Aloes 5 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 2 ,, 
 
 Ginger 2 ,, 
 
 "When the whole system is affected with this disease, 
 the extremities swelled, the sores numerous, and the 
 animal assumes a haggard apj^earance, the following 
 may be given every day for a week : — 
 
 Cantharides 3 grains. 
 
 Arsenic 4 ,, 
 
 Pepper 1 scruple 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 1 drachm. 
 
 Made into a ball. 
 
 The horse to have very gentle exercise, and good 
 nourishing food, such as boiled potatoes, carrots and oats ; 
 he must not be exposed to wet or cold, and his clothing 
 should be warm. A horse afflicted with farcy, should 
 be separated from those in health. 
 
 Glanders. 
 
 Cause. —It is difficult to ascertain the primary' cause 
 of this disease, it is however said to arise from contagion 
 or improper stable management ; close and ill ventilated 
 rotables mostly witness its ravages, or it may be produced 
 
THE n01?SE AND ITS DI^^EASES, 139 
 
 by anytliing that weakens the constitution, or from 
 general debility. 
 
 Symptoms. — This fatal and loathsome disease has 
 been the scourge ol this noble race of animals, to our 
 knowledge, for the last three hundred years. With 
 regard to the discharge from the nostrils, it is almost 
 transparent, and hangs about the nostrils in a peculiar 
 manner. Where a necessity exists for an immediate 
 decision relative to the disease, the following is the best 
 manner of proving it. If the matter issuing from the 
 nose in these deceptive cases, arise from cold, if dropped 
 into water, soon rises to the surface, and swims — but if 
 the matter from a glandered horse be so dropped into 
 water, it sinks. There is also an immoveable kernel in 
 the near gland, with ulceration up the nostrils. 
 
 A singular character of the glanders is, that it 
 generally attacks one nostril only, and that the left one. 
 Mr. Dupary, a celebrated veterinary surgeon, and director 
 of the school of surgery at Toulouse, mentions that out 
 of 800 cases of glanders which occurred during his 
 practice, only one was affected in the right nostril. 
 Ulcers will appear up the nostrils, the horse will lose 
 his flesh, his belly will be tucked up, his coat will be 
 unthrifty, and readily come off, the appetite will be 
 impaired, the strength will fail, the ulcers up the nostrils 
 get large and numerous, and the air passages being 
 obstructed, a choking noise is heard, at every act of 
 breathing. The lungs are now diseased and filled with 
 ulceration, and at length the horse dies. 
 
 Ciu^e. — This disease is deemed incurable, and although 
 some writers prescribe their far-famed receipts for its 
 cure ; it is only an imposition on the credulous, without 
 any prospect of success. 
 
 When it is clearly proved that a horse is glandered, 
 he should be immediately destroyed, and his manger, 
 and every other part of tlie stable well washed with a 
 strong solution of soda and water, and afterwards with 
 chloride lime, and the iron- work painted. 
 
140 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Foul Feeding. 
 
 Cause. — This is a symptom of indigestion, and in 
 most cases of this nature there is evidently an acid upon 
 the stomach. 
 
 Symptoms. — This aifection of the stomach is evinced 
 by the horse eating in a voracious manner, greedily 
 swallowing substances that are indigestible, such as 
 mortar, dirty foul litter, or even the dung of other 
 animals ; such horses are termed foul feeders. 
 
 Cure. — In the removal of this disorder, a purge should 
 be first administered, the following will prove useful :~- 
 
 Barbadoes A^loes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of Mint 20 drops. 
 
 Castile Soap 4 drachms. 
 
 Made into a Ball. 
 
 "When the operation of this purgative has subsided, 
 the following ball may be given every other day, until 
 the disease appears perfectly cured. 
 
 Grentian, powdered 3 drachms. 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 1 ,, 
 
 Ginger 2 ,> 
 
 During the course of these medicines, the horse should 
 have regular exercise, and the stable kept very clean ; 
 he should also have a quantity of clean straw under the 
 manger, in order that there may be no inducement for 
 him to consume substances that are detrimental. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 141 
 
 CLASS VI. 
 
 SPASMODIC COLIC FLATULENT COLIC ENTANGLE:MEXT OF THE 
 
 GUT STONE IN THE INTESTINES HERNIA, OR RUPTURE — 
 
 SUPPRESSION OF URINE PROFUSE STALING. 
 
 Spasmodic Colic. 
 
 This disease generally attacks rather suddenly, and is 
 brouglit on by various causes ; sometimes it is occasioned 
 by drinking a large quantity of cold water, when the body 
 has been heated, and the motion of the blood accelerated 
 by violent exercise. In horses of delicate constitutions 
 that have been accustomed to hot stables and warm 
 clothing, it may be brougiit on merely by drinking water 
 that is very cold ; bad hay appears to be another cause 
 of the complaint, but it frequently occurs without any 
 apparent cause, and then probably depends upon a 
 spasmodic action of the stomach, or bowels, occasioning 
 an obstruction of the intestines and a confinement of air. 
 
 It has not been ascertained whether this air be pro- 
 duced by a fermentation of the contents of the bowels, 
 or formed by the arteries of their internal coat ; which- 
 ever of these is the source of the air, there is no doubt 
 that the immediate cause of its formation and confinement 
 is weakness, or loss of vital energy. 
 
 Symptoms. — This disorder in general, comes on very 
 suddenly, without any premonitory signs. The horse 
 becomes very restless, shifts his position, paws the 
 ground, and looks round with anxiety at his flanks, 
 sometimes raising his foot as high as his belly, and 
 striking it violently, he will also lie down and roll about 
 on his back. In a few minutes the spasm subsides, and 
 tlie animal, after shaking himself, will resume feeding. 
 At longer or shorter intervals, the attack is renewed, 
 but with increased violence, he will throw himself with 
 considerable force on the ground, will break into a 
 copious perspiration, and heave greatly at the flanks. 
 These spasms are renewed at intervals, and gradually 
 
142 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 become less frequent and less severe ; or, if on the 
 contrary, they are more frequent and acute, and at length 
 manifest a nearly uninterrupted series, then it may he 
 suspected that violent inflammation has taken place. 
 Cure. — Give the following quantities in a drink : — 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 1- ounces. 
 
 Spirits of Aether-Nitre 2 ,, 
 
 Linseed Oil i pint. 
 
 If there is no relief after the above, it will be advis- 
 able to take four quarts of blood with a view to prevent 
 inflammation, and remove the spasmodic contraction of 
 the intestines ; also, give several injections composed of 
 six quarts of warm water, and six ounces of common 
 salt mixed, and if the pain continues, rub in the following 
 embrocation all over the belly : — 
 
 Mustard, powdered 6 ounces. 
 
 Camphor 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 2 ,, 
 
 Water of Ammonia 2 , , 
 
 The horse to have bran mashes, half his usual comple- 
 ment of hay, and gentle exercise ; he may have a feed 
 of boiled barley every night for a week. 
 
 Flatulent Colic. 
 
 This is a quite dilferent disease from the former ; it 
 is not spasm of the bowels, but inflammation of them, 
 from the presence of gas emitted by indigested food, 
 whether collected in the stomach, or small or large 
 intestines ; all kinds of vegetable matter are liable to 
 ferment. 
 
 In consequence of this fermentation, gas is evolved to 
 a greater or lesser extent, perhaps to 20 or 30 times the 
 bulk of the food. This may take place in the stomach, 
 and if so, the life of the horse is in immediate danger. 
 This extrication of gas usually takes place in the colon 
 
THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 143 
 
 and coecum ; and tlie distention may be so great as to 
 rupture either the one or the other, or sometimes to 
 produce death without either rupture or strangulation, 
 and that in the course of a day and night. 
 
 Symptoms. --The horse falls down as if he were shot. 
 In the stable he paws the ground, lies down, rolls, starts 
 up all at once, and throws himself down again with great 
 violence, looking wistfully at his flanks, and making 
 many fruitless attempts to stale. 
 
 Hitherto, the symptoms are not much unlike spasmodic 
 colic, the character of the disease soon begins to develope 
 itself. It is one of the large intestines, and the belly 
 swells all round, but mostly on the right flank. As the 
 disease proceeds, the pain becomes more intense, the 
 horse more violent, and at length death closes the scene. 
 
 The treatment is very difi'erent from that of spasmodic 
 colic, in consequence of the disease being caused by a 
 combination of hydrogen, with some other gas that has 
 a strong affinity for chlorine. The chloride of lime 
 dissolved in water, is administered in the form of a 
 drink ; the chlorine separates from the lime as soon as 
 it comes into contact with the hydrogen, and muriatic 
 gas is formed. This gas having a strong affinity for 
 water, is absorbed by any fluid that may be present, and 
 gutting its gaseous form, either disappears, or does not 
 retain a thousandth part of its former bulk. All this 
 may be very rapidly accomplished, for the fluid is quickly 
 conveyed from the mouth to every part of the intestinal 
 canal. Eleed freely from 4 to 6 quarts of blood, throw 
 up several clysters, and have the belly well rubbed from 
 time to time. 
 
 Entanglement of the Gut. 
 
 This is caused by colic, in consequence of the animal 
 throwing himself about, while suffering under the pain 
 of that complaint ; portions of that intestine called the 
 ileum, becomes twisted and knotted, and drawn together 
 with astonishing firmness — there is no cure for this 
 complaint. 
 
144 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Stone in the Intestines. 
 
 Horses that are subject to very frequent attacks of 
 colic pains, have usually stony masses in the coecum or 
 colon, sometimes they are some pounds weight ; th(3se 
 obstructing the passage of the gut, produce colic pains, 
 and at other times when exceedingly large, by pressing 
 upon the mucous membrane, produce inflammation. 
 Eut as yet, no distinctly marked symptoms have been 
 detected, by which their presence can be ascertained. 
 
 Hernia, or Rupture. 
 
 A portion of the gut protrudes from the abdominal 
 cavity through the abdominal ring into the scrotum, and 
 the opening is so narrow, that the gut, gradually 
 distended by foeces, or thickened by inflammation, can- 
 not be returned without the use of the hernia knife, 
 which must be used with caution. The following 
 is the proper way to perform the operation : — when the 
 gut falls into the scrotum, have the horse thrown on a 
 bed of straw, then put on his back, placing a bag stuffed 
 with straw at each side ; then open the scrotum, and 
 remove the testicle from that side of the scrotum in 
 which the hernia occurs, taking particular care not to 
 leave the knife touch the gut when opening the scrotum. 
 If you cannot return the gut through the same passage 
 it came from, set your knife so that you will be able to 
 know when you enter it through the ring, what portion 
 of that ring you will cut, taking care to face the knife 
 outwards towards the hip ; press on the spring, and you 
 will be able to cut the ring large enough to allow the gut 
 to return. The horse to have a mild purgative ball, 
 composed as follows : — 
 
 Aloes 4 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 ,, 
 
 Nitre 3 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap to make the hall. 
 
THE HOUSE AXD ITS DISEASES. 145 
 
 The animal to have bran mashes, also the scrotum to be 
 fomented twice a day. 
 
 Suppression of Urine. 
 
 This complaint may arise from a variety of causes, 
 as whatever has a tendency to affect the parts about the 
 neck of the bladder, particularly matters of food, blows 
 on the parts, the contractions produced by spasms of the 
 muscles in the parts, and others of the same nature. 
 
 Symptoms. — It is indicated by great uneasiness, irri- 
 tation, and loss of appetite, with either a partial or total 
 suppression of urine. 
 
 Cure. — Clysters and mild purges should first be 
 administered for the purpose of clearing out the bowels, 
 after which the following may be used : — 
 
 Camphor 2 drachms. 
 
 Opium, powdered 1 scruple. 
 
 T^itre 2 „ 
 
 Liquorice Eoot, powdered ... 4 ,, 
 
 To be given one ounce a day in a ball, for four days ; 
 and it will be highly beneficial, during the course of 
 these medicines, to have a flannel cloth frequently 
 squeezed out of some hot fomentations of herbs, and 
 applied to the parts between the legs of the horse, as 
 near the neck of the bladder as possible. The animal 
 should have but very little water to drink, with the 
 chill taken off. 
 
 Profuse Staling. 
 
 Causes. — This generally arises from bad food, especi- 
 ally food injured by the effect of salt water. 
 
 Symptoms. — It is easily known by the abundant 
 discharge of rather pale urine, attended with coldness 
 of the skin, and a staring of the coat. 
 
 "When the complaint is of long standing, great 
 weakness of the body is produced with a loss of 
 appetite. 
 
14G THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Cure. — On the first attack of this disease, a ball, 
 composed as follows, will be found of service : — 
 
 Catheicu 2 drachms. 
 
 Opium, powdered 1 ,, 
 
 Alum 2 ,, 
 
 Prepared Chalk 3 , , 
 
 The animal to have thin gruel to drink instead of water ; 
 the legs should be bandaged, and the ball repeated every 
 day ; his diet to be bran mashes, and no exercise. 
 
 CLASS YII. 
 
 RHEUMATISM — HIDE BOUND CHEST FOUNDER — FEVER — DIAR- 
 RHEA — FALLING OF THE FUNDAMENT — FALLING OF PENIS. 
 
 Rheumatism. 
 
 Causes. — Sudden and continued exposure to wet and 
 cold, are invariably the precursors ot this disease. It is 
 most prevalent in horses which are kept in stables, and 
 warmly clothed. 
 
 Symptoms. — As in the human subject, this malady 
 assumes two forms, viz., the acute and chronic. The 
 acute form is characterised by a certain degree of fever, 
 whereas in the chronic type, the fever is absent ; it is a 
 mere local affection, and almost isolated. 
 
 A horse attacked by rheumatism, moves the affected 
 limb "VN'ithout flexion of its joints; the lameness then 
 evidently subsides to a certain degree after exercise, and 
 again after rest, the lameness returns with redoubled 
 energy. 
 
 The above marks constitute the line of demarcation 
 between lameness arising from rheumatism on the one 
 hand, and accidental causes or injuries of a local nature 
 on the other. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 147 
 
 When the loins are attacked, the horse suffers extreme 
 pain, the locomotive muscles lose their wonted energy, 
 dorcal and lumbar flexibility are suspended, and he is 
 obliged to step short alike on all-fores. 
 
 Treatment. — Give bran mashes, and keep him well 
 covered, and rub the parts affected with the following 
 embrocation : — 
 
 Liquor Ammonia Fort 1 ounce. 
 
 Spirits Camphor 1 , , 
 
 Spirits of Tuqjentine 1 , , 
 
 Tincture of Opium ^ ,, 
 
 Mix in a bottle^ and shake well before using. 
 The animal to have walking exercise twice a day. 
 
 Hide Bound. 
 
 This term implies a tightness of the skin, which feels 
 as if it were glued to the ribs, the coat having, at the 
 same time, a rough unhealthy appearance. 
 
 Cause. — This state of the skin accompanies various 
 complaints, such as farcy, founder, chronic cough, grease, 
 general debility, and glanders ; when they have assumed 
 the constitutional character, are all accompanied by an 
 impaired state of the digestive organs, and to them our 
 first remedies must be applied, and as soon as the cause 
 is removed, the skin will be restored to its natural 
 healthy condition and appearance. 
 
 Cure. — If the complaint is connected with any of the 
 maladies to which I have referred, then the horse must 
 be put under medical treatment, as the complaint is 
 connected with the suspension of some important secre- 
 tion, and the alimentary canal generally. Give the 
 following mild purgative every day for a week until the 
 bowels are open. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 1 drachm. 
 
 Calomel ^ ,, 
 
 I^itre 2 ,, 
 
 Made into a ball with treacle. 
 
 K 
 
148 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 The horse to have bran mashes, and after the bowels 
 are open, stop the above ball, and give the following 
 every day for nine days in a ball : — 
 
 Black Antimony 3 drachms. 
 
 Mtre 2 „ 
 
 Sulphur 4 ,, 
 
 The animal to have warm clothing, and walking 
 exercise morning and evening. 
 
 Chest Founder. 
 
 The muscles are occasionally the seat of a singular 
 and somewhat mysterious disease. The horse has con- 
 siderable stiffness in the movement of his limbs, but 
 evidently not referable to the lower extremities. There 
 is tenderness about the muscles of the breast, and 
 occasionally swelling ; I believe it to be nothing more 
 than rheumatism, produced by suffering the horse to 
 remain too long tied up, and exposed to the cold, or 
 riding him against a very bleak wind. Sometimes a 
 considerable degree of fever accompanies this, but 
 bleeding, physic, a rowel in the chest, and warm em- 
 brocation composed of 
 
 Liquor Ammonia 1 ounce. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 1 , , 
 
 Spirits of Camphor 1 ,, 
 
 Olive Oil 1 pint. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 ounce. 
 
 Mixed together, and rubbed in every second day, for 
 three minutes at the time. 
 
 The horse to have warm clothing and gentle exercise. 
 
 Fever. 
 
 ' The fevers of horses bear very little analogy to' those 
 of the human body, and require a different treatment. 
 Many writers on farriery, as Mr. White said, described 
 a great variety of fevers, but their observations appear 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 149 
 
 to have been drawn from the works of medical authors, 
 and their reasoning seems to be entirely analogical I 
 could only discover two kinds of fever, the one is termed 
 simple, the other symptomatic — for example, if the lungs, 
 bowels, or stomach were inflamed, the whole system 
 would be thrown into disorder, and a symptomatic fever 
 produced ; but if a collapse of the perspirable vessels 
 happens to take place, the blood will accumulate in the 
 interior parts of the body, and though inflammation is 
 not produced by it, the unequal distribution of the blood 
 alone will occasion that derangement in the system, 
 which constitute the simple fever. 
 
 The simple fever does not occur so often as the 
 symptomatic, nor is it by any means so formidable in its 
 a})pearance ; yet, it is necessaiy to give it the earliest 
 attention, for unless nature receives timely assistance, 
 she will be sometimes unable to get rid of the load which 
 ox)presses her, and the blood will accumulate in the 
 interior part of the body, until inflammation in some of the 
 viscera is produced, and a dangerous disease established. 
 
 Symptoms — The following are the symptoms of the 
 simple fever — shivering succeeded by loss of appetite, 
 dejected appearance, quick pulse, hot mouth, and a 
 degree of debility ; the horse is generally costive, and 
 voids his urine with difficulty ; sometimes the disease is 
 accompanied with quickness of breathing, and in a few 
 cases, with pain in the bowels, or symptoms of colic. 
 
 Cure. — As soon as a horse is attacked by the disease, 
 let him be bled freely, and if bound in the bowels, give 
 a pint of castor oil, and several warm clysters composed 
 of water and oil ; the fever powders to be given in bran 
 mashes if he takes them, if not, give the following in a 
 ball every day until he gets a change for the better : — 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 drachm. 
 
 Nitre 3 „ 
 
 Camphor 1 ,, 
 
 Digitalis 1 ,, 
 
150 THE HOHSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 If the bowels are not open, let him have one drachm 
 of aloes in the above ball each time until they are. 
 
 Symptomatic fever is generally occasioned by high 
 feeding, close stables, and a want of proper exercise ; 
 sometimes, however, a sudden transition from a cold to 
 a hot temperature is evidently the cause of it ; when a 
 fever is symptomatic, it is not preceded by shivering, 
 nor is it so sudden in its attack as the simple fever, but 
 when it is not subdued by an early application of 
 remedies, the symptoms gradually increase in violence, 
 until they present a very formidable appearance. 
 
 The symptomatic fever has many symptoms, in common 
 with the simple fever, which are, loss of appetite, quick 
 pulse, dejected appearance, hot mouth, and debility j 
 and if to these are joined difficulty of breathing, and a 
 quick working of the flanks, with coldness of the legs 
 and ears, we may conclude that inflammation of the 
 lungs is the cause of the fever. 
 
 If the horse hangs down his head in the manger, or 
 leans back upon his collar, with a strong appearance of 
 being drowsy, the eyes appearing watery and inflamed, 
 it is probable that the fever depends upon an accumula- 
 tion of blood in the vessels of the brain, and that the 
 staggers are approaching. "When the symptoms of fever 
 are joined with a yellowness of the eyes and mouth, an 
 inflammation of the liver is indicated. Should an in- 
 flammation of the bowels be the cause, the horse is 
 violently griped ; when inflammation of the bladder is 
 the cause, the horse is frequently staling, voiding only 
 very small quantities of urine, and that with considerable 
 pain. Large wounds, and particularly those of joints, 
 will also produce symptomatic fever. In all cases of 
 fever, the horse should be bled freely, and give a 
 purgative ball, composed of the following : — 
 
 Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 3 ,, ■", 
 
 Made into a ball. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 151 
 
 And after the purging is set, give the following fever 
 ball every day for a week : — 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 drachm. 
 
 Digitalis ^ ,, 
 
 Camphor 1 ,> 
 
 Nitre 2 „ 
 
 The horse to have bran mashes, gentle exercise, and 
 well clothed. 
 
 Diarrhea. 
 
 Causes. — This disorder may proceed from a defective 
 perspiration, from an increased secretion of bile, from 
 too violent exertion, or from hard riding, over feeding, 
 or eating unwholesome food, and sometimes from a 
 morbid change in the secretion of the stomach and 
 intestines. It may also proceed from drinking imme- 
 diately of cold water when heated, or occasionally from 
 worms; sometimes it is the critical termination of a 
 disease, in which case it proves salutary, and ought not 
 be suddenly checked. 
 
 Symptoms. — This disease is indicated by a constant 
 and copious discharge of dung, accompanied with pain, 
 restlessness, and loss of appetite. As the disorder in- 
 creases, the discharge is chiefly mucous, or mixed with 
 small hard lumps of dun g, covered with greasy matter. 
 "When this disease has been neglected, and evacuation 
 becomes involuntary, attended with coldness of the 
 extremeties, a fatal termination will generally ensue. 
 This disease is most prevalent in winter or cold weather. 
 
 Cure. — Both astringents and violent purges are 
 improper in this disease — such medicine as invigorates 
 the intestines should only be employed ; a drink may be 
 given every morning, for two or three mornings, 
 composed of 
 
 Castor Oil 6 ounces. 
 
 Tincture of Opium ^ „ 
 
 In two quarts of thick gruel. 
 
152 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 The horse should he kept warm, his diet should 
 consist of bran and gruel, or malt, and his drink should 
 be of thin gruel. After the complaint has been some- 
 what removed, the following ball may be given every- 
 day till perfectly recovered : — 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 1 drachm. 
 
 Gention Eoot, powdered 2 ,, 
 
 Ginger 2 ,, 
 
 Palling of the Fundament. 
 
 Horses of a delicate constitution are most subject to 
 this complaint; it often arises from long continued 
 looseness, hard riding and driving. 
 
 Treatment. — If taken in time, the administration of 
 appropriate remedies removes it, but from inattention 
 and negligence, it is often obstinate. Wrap a bit of rag 
 around the fingers, grease it slightly, then proceed to 
 push up the gat, having first washed it with an 
 astringent lotion, composed of two drachms of sulphate 
 of zinc, or the same quantity of alum, dissolved in a 
 half -pint of wine or water. 
 
 A more dilute solution of either these astringents may 
 be injected twice a day, but should inflammation be 
 developed by this treatment, it would be well to discon- 
 tinue it, and substitute tlie following, which is more 
 adapted for the inflammatory condition of the mucous 
 membrane of the rectum. 
 
 Sugar of Lead 1 drachm. 
 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
 Yinegar 1 di'achm. 
 
 The occasional substitution of an ointment for the 
 preceding injection, is accompanied with the best effects. 
 The following is the form : — 
 
 Sugar of Lead 1 ounce. 
 
 Marsh Mallowes Ointment 1 pound. 
 
 3Iixed. 
 
THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 153 
 
 Violent purgative should be avoided, but bran mashes 
 may be given instead, to induce regular evacuations. 
 
 Falling of the Penis. 
 
 This complaint is occasioned by the total relaxation, 
 and consequent weakness of the muscles and ligaments 
 intended to sustain it in its natural condition. 
 
 Over- worked horses, and particularly stallions which 
 have covered too many mares, are subject to this 
 complaint. 
 
 Treatment. — In slight cases the penis may be returned 
 within its sheath, and charged repeatedly in the course 
 of the day with cold water, or a saturated solution of 
 common salt in water. 
 
 The muscles may be anointed with the following 
 liniment : — 
 
 Prepared Hogs' Lard 4 ounces. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 1 ,, 
 
 Melt the lard in a vessel over a slow fire, then add 
 the turpentine, stir until they are thoroughly incorpo- 
 rated, when it is ready for use. 
 
 Should the disease prove obstinate, bolster up the 
 penis, and apply a charge over the back of the sheath, 
 leaving ample room for the horse to urinate. 
 
 When the disease is accompanied by debility, 
 administer cordials and tonics. 
 
154 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 CLASS VIII. 
 
 BONE SPAVIN — BOG SPAVIN BLOOD SPAVIN CURB — CAPPED 
 
 HOCKS THE THOKOUGH PIN — SWELLED LEGS — LAMENESS IN 
 
 THE SHOULDER. 
 
 Bone Spavin. 
 
 This disease generally attacks diseased horses, and is 
 situated on the upper end of the shank bone of the hind 
 leg, either below or in the middle of the hock joint. 
 Horses with their hind-legs much bent at the hock, and 
 termed cow-hocked, are more subject to this affection, 
 since the stress is increased upon that part by its 
 angularity, which, if not speedily removed, may prove 
 incurable. In the inflammatory state, or during the 
 first attack of the bone spavin, the lameness will disap- 
 pear for a short time after the horse has been exercised, 
 and by this circumstance, the bone spavin is distinguished 
 from lameness in any other part of the limb. 
 
 Remedies. — Spavins can only be successfully treated, 
 if at all, by blisters frequently repeated, which may 
 induce an absorption of the long deposit ; when this fails, 
 then liave recourse to firing, and if firing proves 
 ineffectual, no other means is likely to succeed. The 
 animal to have a diuretic ball every week after being 
 fired for a month, composed as follows : — 
 
 Mtre 3 drachms. 
 
 Rosin 3 ,, 
 
 Bog Spavin. 
 
 This disease is more frequent than the blood spavin, 
 and generally proceeds from similar causes. 
 
 Symptoms. — Nearly the same symptoms are generally 
 apparent in this case as the preceding. It is attended 
 with a slight inflammation, which causes enoysted 
 swelling or enlargement of the capsules or membraneous 
 bags, that contain and afford the synonoira that lubricates 
 the joints at the upper and inner side of the hock. 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 155 
 
 Remedy. — This, like bone spavin, admits but of a 
 limited degree of treatment ; repeated blisters are the 
 most likely to afford relief, and if all fails, tiring is the 
 last remedy. 
 
 Blood Spavin. 
 
 Causes. — This generally arises in consequence of hard 
 work, and over- straining and exertion, or from bruises or 
 other local injuries on the parts, causing considerable 
 weakness. 
 
 Symptoms. — It appears like a small soft swelling or 
 enlargement of the thigh vein, in that part where it 
 runs over the inside of the hock joint, and is easily 
 distinguished by its giving way, and disappearing in 
 in some measure, on pressure below it, and returning 
 again on its removal. 
 
 Cure. — Standing in a running stream, morning and 
 evening, for one hour at the time, and half an hour's 
 hard rubbing after being properly dried ; continue this 
 treatment for three weeks ; when hand-rubbing the 
 parts affected, wet your hands with the following 
 astringent lotion : — two pounds oak bark, boiled for 
 two hours, one quart of salt, and three ounces alum. 
 
 The Curb. 
 
 Causes. — This disease usually occurs from protracted 
 and excessive working on the road, or from local injury 
 done to the parts, and it is also hereditary. 
 
 Symptoms. — The curb is common in horses, especially 
 such as are cow-hoofed, and appears in swelling on the 
 back part of the hock ; it generally causes a degree of 
 lameness, in proportion to the inflammation of the parts, 
 and which rarely gives way of its own accord. 
 
 Cure. — In most cases where curbs are not of too long 
 standing, they may be removed by the application of a 
 blister, or iodine ointment, but in inveterate cases, firing 
 is the only remedy. 
 
166 THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Capped Hocks. 
 
 The point of the hock is swelled, a soft fluctuating 
 tumor appears in it ; this is an enlargement of one of 
 those mucous bags of which I have spoken, and which 
 surrounds the insertion of the tendons into the point of 
 the hock. It is usually produced by blows, and in the 
 majority of instances, by injury which the horse inflicts 
 upon himself by kicking ; therefore, a horse with capped 
 hock, is properly regarded with a suspicious eye. It 
 also occurs sometimes by the bedding of the horse being 
 too thin, and the hock may be bruised in consequence, 
 and it may besides proceed from a sprain of the hock 
 joint. 
 
 Blistering, fomentation, or any other treatment, will 
 not do ; if the case is inveterate, opening and dissecting, 
 by cutting out the small bag that contains the fluid, is 
 the only remedy. 
 
 The Thorough Pin. 
 
 Cause. — This usually takes place on account of 
 some particular weakness, or relaxation in the ligament 
 surrounding the joints, and when pressed by the finger 
 it disappears, but returns immediately again. 
 
 Symptoms. — This is a soft flexible swelling, and 
 appears on the two opposite sides of the hock joint at 
 the same time ; being supposed to pass entirely thi'ough 
 the joint, thus deriving the name of thorough pin. 
 
 Cure. — There is rarely much lameness produced by 
 this disease ; the most certain cure is blistering, composed 
 as follows : — 
 
 Spanish Plies 4 drachms. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 1 ounce. 
 
 Hogs' Lard 4 ,, 
 
 Mixed together. 
 
 Have the blister rubbed in secondly, if required. If 
 this treatment does not eff'ect a cure, the animal should 
 be fired. 
 
THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 157 
 
 Swelled Legs. 
 
 Both the fore and hind legs of horses are liable to 
 considerable swelling, but the latter are most subject to be 
 thus affected. Prequently when a horse seems to be affec- 
 ted with no other disease, the hind legs will suddenly 
 swell to a great extent from the hock to the fetlock, 
 and in some instances, even from the stifle downwards ; 
 this is accompanied with heat, and extreme tenderness 
 of the skin, inducing lameness of a peculiar character ; 
 a quickened and hard pulse are usual concomitants of 
 this seizure, with a considerable degree of fever. This 
 complaint is acute inflammation of the cellular substance 
 of the limbs, being sudden in its attack, very violent in 
 its degree, and consequently attended with the secretion 
 of a quantity of fluid on the cellular tissue. Young 
 horses, and those which are over-fed, with little exercise, 
 are most liable to be thus attacked. Horses may also 
 have swelled legs from general debility ; the limbs being 
 most remote from the centre of circulation, first exhibit 
 loss of power, and this is manifested by swelling, in 
 consequence of the accumulation of fluids in them. 
 
 Cure — If accompanied by fever, take 4 quarts of blood 
 away, after which the following diuretic should be 
 given : — 
 
 Eesin 3 drachms. 
 
 Turpentine 4 ,, 
 
 Ginger 1 ,, 
 
 Linseed Meal 4 ,, 
 
 Made into a ball. 
 
 Four hours afterwards, give the following purgative 
 in the form of a ball : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of Caraways 10 drops. . 
 
 Castile Soap 1 drachm. 
 
 Also tdse fomentation. 
 
158 " THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Lameness in the Shoulder. 
 
 It is easily distinguished from lameness in any other 
 part, by the horse dragging his toe and moving his foot 
 in an outward circular manner at every step. Fomenta- 
 tion to the part four times a day, one hour at the time, 
 will be found extremely beneficial ; the animal should 
 not be allowed to lie down during the time. If lameness 
 appears obstinate, a blister should be applied and 
 repeated, if necessary, composed as follows : — 
 
 Spanish Flies 4 drachms. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 4 , , 
 
 Hogs' Lard 3 ounces. 
 
 Mixed together and rubbed on the part for twenty 
 minutes. 
 
 CLASS IX. 
 
 STRING HALT — BROKEN KNEES — WIND GALLS — SPLINTS — STRAIN 
 IN THE BACK SINEWS — GREASE. 
 
 String Halt. 
 
 String halt is evidently an aff'ection of some of the 
 nerves which communicate motion to these muscles. It 
 is an irregular action of the nervous energy, but what 
 particular fibre is affected, or what muscle is chiefiy 
 spasmed has never been ascertained. The horse's action 
 is unpleasant to the rider, but it cannot be denominated 
 unsoundness ; on the contrary, the general opinion of 
 farriers of great experience is, that a horse with string 
 halt has more than usual strength and endurance. 
 
 By some it has been supposed to exist in the spinal 
 marrow, and by others, to be situated in the nerves 
 supplying some of the muscles of the leg. ISTo cure has 
 ever been discovered. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 159 
 
 Broken Knees. 
 
 The treatment of broken knees is a subject of much 
 importance, for many horses are blemished, and others 
 are destroyed by wounds in the knee joint. The horse, 
 when falling, naturally throws his knees forward ; they 
 receive all his weight, and are often very much lacerated. 
 The first thing to be done is, by very careful washing 
 with warm water, to cleanse the wound from gi^avel and 
 dirt ; it must then be ascertained whether the joint is 
 penetrated. The grating of the probe on one of the 
 bones of the knee, or the depth to which the probe 
 enters the wounds, will too plainly indicate that the 
 joint has been opened. 
 
 The opening of the joint being ascertained, the first 
 and immediate care is to close the orifice, for the fluid 
 which separated, and lubricated the bones of the knee 
 being sufi'ered to escape, they will be brought into 
 contact with, and will rub upon each other ; the delicate 
 membrane with which they are covered will be highly 
 inflamed, the constitution will be speedily aff'ected, and 
 a degree of fever will ensue that will destroy the horse, 
 while, in the mean time, of all the tortures that can be 
 inflicted on the animal, none can equal that which 
 accompanies inflammation of the membranes lining the 
 joints. 
 
 The manner of closing the orifice must be left to a 
 skilful practitioner, who alone is capable of treating such 
 a case. It may be eff'ected by a compress, enclosing 
 the whole of the wound, and not to be removed for many 
 days, or it may be touched over the lacerated part with 
 a hot iron, and a poultice of linseed meal may then be 
 placed on the part, and the case treated as a common 
 wound. Should the blemish be considerable, a mild 
 blister may be applied over the part, after the wound 
 has healed ; it will stimulate the haii^ to grow rapidly, 
 and lessen the scar. 
 
160 THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Windgalls. 
 
 Causes. — These most commonly proceed from im- 
 moderate labor, working horses too young, or allowing 
 them to stand too much on uneven floors, thereby 
 causing the fetlock joints to remain too long on a stretch, 
 instead of being in a state of relaxation. 
 
 SymjDtoms. — These usually arise in small puffy 
 swellings, or enlargements, immediately above the 
 fetlock joints, and appear in both the fore and hind logs ; 
 they are not, however, confined to these parts, but 
 sometimes are met with in the hocks, near the knees, 
 and in other places ; existing in most cases, without any 
 degree of pain. 
 
 Cure. — In slight cases, washes of strong astringents 
 may be found sufficient to remove them, such as the 
 following : — 
 
 Sal Ammoniac 1 ounce. 
 
 Sugar of Lead 1 ,, 
 
 OakEark 4 ,, 
 
 Vinegar 1 quart. 
 
 Put into tivo gallons of water and boiled to tico quarts. 
 
 The bandage to be put on tight, and kept we I all day, 
 and taken off at night. 
 
 If the above treatment will not do, the horse must 
 be fired or blistered. 
 
 Splints. 
 
 Cause. — The splint generally attacks young horses, 
 especially the fore-legs, and may arise from their being 
 more exposed to concussion, the weight of the body 
 being thrown upon them during progression. 
 
 Symptoms. — This disease is general^ apparent on the 
 side of the shank bone, sometimes in the middle, atid 
 sometimes just below the knee. An enlargement of the 
 bone will frequently take place. It is sometimes 
 situated under a ligament or tendon, and very often 
 
THE nOBSE AND ITS DISEASES. 161 
 
 attended with a degree of inflammation. Wlien they arc 
 seated in the middle part of the shank-hone, they are 
 less painful and dangerous than when they are formed 
 on the back parts of them ; and when near the joints, 
 they are more productive of lameness. 
 
 Cure. — In young horses, splints sometimes disappear 
 of their own accord, being absorbed by a natural action 
 of the vessels, bnt the result should never be depended 
 upon ; the most effectual remedy is the following : — 
 
 Benedoid of Mercury 1 drachm . 
 
 Iodine 1 ,, 
 
 Spanish Flies 30 grains. 
 
 Lard 1 ounce. 
 
 Mixed together, and rubbed in, three minutes every day, 
 for eight days, and also fomented with very hot water, 
 half an hour every day, before the ointment is rubbed in. 
 The above treatment cannot be surpassed. 
 
 Strain in the Back Sinews. 
 
 These tendons are enclosed in a sheath of dense 
 cellular substance, in order to confine them in their 
 situation, and to defend them from injury between the 
 tendon on the sheath, there is a mucous fluid to prevent 
 friction ; but when the horse has been over- worked, or 
 put to sudden and violent exertion, the tendon presses 
 upon the delicate membrane lining the sheath, and 
 inflammation is produced ; a different fluid is then thrown 
 out which coagulates, and adhesions are formed between 
 the tendon, and the sheath, and the motion of the limb 
 is more difficult and painful. At other times, from 
 violent or long continued exertion, some of the fibres 
 which confine the tendons are ruptured. A slight injury 
 of this nature is called a sprain of the back sinews or 
 tendons, and when it is more serious, the horse is said 
 to have broken down. 
 
 It should be remembered, however, that the tendons 
 can never be sprained, because they are inelastic and 
 
162 THE HOliSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 incapable of extension, and the tendon or sheath, are 
 scarcely ever ruptured, even in what is called breaking 
 down. In every serious affection of this kind, care 
 should be taken that ,the local inflammation does not 
 produce general disturbance of the system, and therefore 
 the horse should be bled in the toe, and have a dose of 
 physic, when the blood begins to appear ; the vein may 
 be more freely opened by a small lancet thrust horizon- 
 tally under the sole, and almost any quantity of blood 
 may be easily procured. The immersion of the foot in 
 warm water will cause the blood to flow more rapidly ; 
 a sufficient quantity having been drawn, a bit of tow 
 should be placed in the groove, and a shoe tacked on by 
 which the heels may be raised from the ground, and 
 much tension removed from the sinews; the bleeding 
 will thus be immediately stopped, and the wound will 
 be readily healed. 
 
 The leg should be well fomented three times a day 
 with hot water, and half an hour at the time between 
 the fomentation — the leg should be poulticed with lin- 
 seed meal ; should there, however, remain the slightest 
 enlargement, the leg must be blistered, and if there 
 remain a callous enlargement after the blister, the horse 
 must be fired. The principal use of firing is to rouse 
 the absorbents to such increased action that they will 
 take up and remove the diseased thickness of the skin, 
 and likewise the unnatural deposit in the cellular 
 substance beneath. 
 
 Grease. 
 
 This is a disease of the skin of the heels, sometimes 
 in the fore-feet, but most commonly in the hind ones. 
 
 The disease is too frequently the effect of washing the 
 limbs with cold water, while they are over-heated from 
 exercise, and allowing them to dry of their own accord ; 
 the consequence is, the reaction after the application of 
 cold being very great, produces iuflammatiun, or it may 
 be caused by constitutional debility. 
 
Tni- llou^;l: a>-I) its diskases. 163 
 
 SymptoiTiR. — The approach of this disoaso is indicated 
 by the horse rising his feet freqiK^ntly from the ground, 
 and evincing great pain and uneasiness when resting 
 upon it. 
 
 Swelling and inflammation of the heels about the 
 fetlock follow, which afterwards breaks out, and dis- 
 charges an oily matter of a peculiar offensive smell ; 
 when the inflammation is extended to the cellular mem- 
 brane under the skin, the pain and lameness are very 
 severe. The aff'ected part is soon brought to an abscess, 
 and bursting leaves a deep ill-looking ulcer. 
 
 Cure. — The following astringent lotion may be applied 
 with great benefit: — 
 
 Yinegar 1 pint. 
 
 Sal Ammonia 1 ounce. 
 
 Sugar of Lead 1 pound. 
 
 Oak Eark 4 ounces, 
 
 The bark to be put into a gallon of water, and boiled 
 to two quarts over a slow fire. When boiled, add the 
 whole together, and wash the part affected four times a 
 day ; at the same time, give the following every second 
 day for a week, viz. : — 
 
 Turpentine ^ ounce. 
 
 Nitre 2 drachms. 
 
 Ginger 3 „ 
 
 Linseed Meal 1 ,, 
 
 After seven days, give a purgative as follows : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 
 
 Calomel 1 ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 1 ,, 
 
 Oil of Caraways 10 drops. 
 
 L 
 
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16o THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 as he moves along, so tbat he is apt to come down on 
 any uneven place on the road, and will be constantly 
 stumbling witb the smallest irregularity of surface. 
 
 Remedies. — Many have seen the inventions to prevent 
 and retard the progress of this disease ; the medical 
 remedy should not be intrusted to any but professional 
 horse doctors, because the chief thing to be done is to 
 remove the inflammation which exists, and this is best 
 effected by local bleeding, and doses of physic ; the sole 
 should be pared as much as it will bear, the quarters 
 should then be deeply rasped, taking care not to pene- 
 trate so deep as the caronery ring. The toe ought next 
 to be rasped and shortened, and likewise scored. Wet 
 clay ought to be so placed in the stall that the horse will 
 stand in it all day, and at night a plentiful supply of 
 wet clothes should be tied round the foot. When shod, 
 have no nails driven in the inside quarter of the shoe. 
 
 Tread, or Over-reach. 
 
 This is nearly connected with tahe qunrter, and 
 (•ompT^'hond« wounds and bruises of the caronet, usually 
 the (^tfeets of the horse setting one foot upon the othei-, 
 whic]^ frpqiiently happens in the hiiid-f(^(^t, also, by the 
 liind-foet over-r(^aphing the heel when in rapid motion, 
 and wounding it. 
 
 Ilemedies. —Although this is not in general a very 
 serious injury, yet it should be immediately and carefully 
 attended to ; the first thing is to wash out the sand or 
 dirt which may have got into the wound, and dry the 
 feet thoroughly with a cloth, after which a pledget of 
 tow wutted with friars balsam, should be firmly bound 
 over the wound, which usually proves a speedy cure. 
 Ignorant quacks are in tlio habit of applying caustic to 
 wounds of the feet ; this should on no account be per^ 
 mitted, as it is very apt to injure the coronary ligament 
 so as to rtinder it incapable of afterwards secreting 
 healthy horn. 
 
T.^E IIOR-^K AN'T) IT.S DTSFASE:^. 167 
 
 The Navicular Joint I)i??eas9. 
 
 Beliind and beneath the lower pastern bone, and 
 behind and above the heel of the coffin bone, is placed a 
 small bone, called the navicular bone. The use of this 
 bone is to support and strengthen the union between the 
 lower pastern and the coffin bone, and to assist the flexor 
 tendon in its action as it passes over it, in order to be 
 inserted into the bottom of the coffin bone, and forms a 
 joint with tbat tendon. 
 
 Cause. — Like many other complaints of the horse, 
 this is often induced by sudden and violent exercise after 
 the animal has been allowed to stand in the stable 
 inactive, the parts not being for some time adapted to 
 overstrained action, or may be too much play between 
 the bone and the tendon, or the cartilage of the bone 
 may be inflamed, and thus produce destruction of it, 
 and cause a lameness of the most painful nature; from the 
 navicular bone being so obscurely situated, it is difficult 
 to ascertain, by inspection, where it is diseased, and 
 this has puzzled many to find oat the cause of lameness 
 emanating from it, and has too often been attiibuted to 
 the shoulder. 
 
 Cure — Like some other diseases incidental to the horse, 
 the cure of this is very uncertain, except treated in the 
 following manner. Take two quarts of blood from the 
 toe vein, and blister all round the coronet, have the 
 blister repeated, if necessary, and put on a thick-heeled 
 shoe. The animal should have a causative ball the same 
 time, composed as follows : — 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 5 drachms. 
 
 Calomel I ,, 
 
 Castile Soap 2 ,, 
 
 Oil of Caraways 2 drops. 
 
 The ball should be formed with a little linseed meal 
 and treacle. This disease is altogether of so delicate a 
 nature, that I would not advise its cure to be attempted 
 
168 THE HOBSE AJTD ITS DliEASEi, 
 
 by any uoskilfiil person, as it is one of tboi@ wWeh eao 
 only be successMly treated by experienced home doctors, 
 
 Sand-Crack. 
 
 This is a down emek in the hoo( sad it m^ oeem 
 
 dilher in tJie fome or hind feet In the fom-feestf th©y 
 siom MMsdllj fcnoind in the inner qitMrter. Th^ mmm. 
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TBE HOttgl AND ITS DISEASES. 169 
 
 which is ooUeotid in it, after the ulcer has ripened, 
 biiag confined there, issues from it, and induces a 
 itparation between the horny and fleshy sole ; and 
 having aeoumiilated in considerable quantity, at length 
 diiohargis itself at the coronet, generally close to the 
 q^uai'ter. This, however, does not manifest itself to any 
 extent, as both the aperture and quantity of matter 
 whioh oozes out, are apparently so insignificant, that 
 they will lead an inexperienced person to suppose the 
 dieoharg© of little consequence. In this, however, they 
 will be sadly mistaken, for most serious mischief lurks 
 witilin, and the difficulty of removing it is extremely 
 great. In this state of the disease, although the fistula 
 h of very small dimensions, yet, the effects of this con- 
 ined matter, will have extended over almost the entire 
 quarter, and the horny sole may be separated from the 
 hoof. 
 
 Eemtdies. — It must be evident that this is a case which 
 eaa only be treated by a professional man. In most 
 easts, it beeomes necessary to remove the greater portion 
 ©f the h©rn J sole, and thereafter restore the healthy state 
 ©f the teader surfeee beneath. When this has been 
 elfeeted, the horse wiU quickly be reproduced ; but in 
 eiases where much of the sole has been removed, it will 
 tjike at least Ibur or five months to restore that which 
 hm ^eea removed, so that the horse may again be sub- 
 Jeelted to labor, 
 
 T© i^ltore the healthy eenditioii of the foot, very active 
 me^ms must }m adopted ; sulphate of copper, ground very 
 fiae "will destroy the uleerated suifiiee ; to aseeitaiin the 
 st<^ Qif the disease a prehe must he used, and if it 
 t^mehe® ®mj @f the hentes, it is doubts whether a eure 
 <cajft Ibe eifeetyi evea % the laost skMaL 
 
 Quiatlbaiir ^ateai priseeeds fmrn. me^(e<Eted hrmses ainid 
 iajuaife® ©f the isede @f the fejyfe. Whem h(nara£« have flbft 
 Ife^ md. m® iMd<em qmmtEMy ©v^r a nmn^a^ mmevemi sibey 
 ir^fcad, th®^'it ame inaryBaM© t® h& mjwm^ amdespieMiEy 
 
170 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Narrow webbed shoes are frequently the cause of bruises 
 of the feet, by leaving the sole ratlier unprotected ; 
 another cause is, the smith paring too much of the sole, 
 or pricking him whilst putting on the shoe. 
 
 Corns. 
 
 This disease of the foot is termed corns, bearing the 
 resemblance to the corn of a human being. It has a red 
 appearance, and is more spongy and softer than any 
 other part. The horse flinches when this portion of the 
 horn is pressed upon, and there is occasional or 
 permanent lameness. "WT^ien it is neglected, so much 
 inflammation is produced in that part of the sensible 
 sole, that suppuration follows, and to that quittor, and 
 the matter either undermines the horny sole, or is 
 discharged at the coronet. When the foot becomes 
 contracted, the part of the sole enclosed between the 
 external crust which is wrung in, and the bars which 
 jce' opposing that contraction, is squeezed, as it were in 
 a vice, and becomes inflamed, hence it is rare to see a 
 contracted foot without corns. In the great majority of 
 cases, the corn is confined to the inner quarter of the 
 foot or crust. 
 
 Hemedies. — When a corn first appears, it is not 
 difficult, by proper means, to remove it completely, but 
 when it has existed for some time, the injured parts 
 become weakened, and the diseased action of throwing 
 out blood, instead of secreting horn, becomes familiar to 
 them. As soon, therefore, as it is discovered, the cure 
 should be immediately attempted ; first, by removing 
 with a fine drawing knife, eveiy portion of the diseased 
 horn around, and the whole of the extravasation like- 
 wise, avoiding, however, to wound the sensible sole 
 underneath ; having done this, introduce any ,caastic 
 liquid, as butter of antimony, into the opening, which 
 will act on the sensible sole, by destroying the unsound 
 parts, and stimulating tlie remainder to a healthy 
 secretion of horn. 
 
THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. l7l 
 
 If,any contraction of the heels occur, they shonld be 
 slightly thinned to relieve the pressure, and without 
 this, it is probable a cure will not be effected. A bar 
 shoe may be used, laid off the heels, and taking its 
 bearing on the frog. In a week or ten days, the part 
 will have gained sufficient strength, when the horse may 
 be put to grass. 
 
 Bite of a Mad Dog. 
 
 This awful, and mostly fatal disease, ranks among 
 those which affect the nervous system. 
 
 It results from the bite of a mad or rabid animal. 
 The poison of the saliva remains in the wound for an 
 uncertain period, varying from tkree to eight weeks, 
 and then begins to produce the dreadful effects. 
 
 "When the disease is fully developed, the horse is 
 highly excited, he kicks and plunges in the most violent 
 manner, and attempts to bite other horses, or even his 
 attendants. 
 
 The thirst is excessive, and the act of swallowing 
 invariably accompanied by a gulping effort. 
 
 The disease seldom goes beyond the third day. Post 
 mortem appearances. —Inflammation at the back of the 
 mouth, top of the wind pipe, and also of that connecting 
 link of the brain, and spinal cord, called the medulla 
 obbongata. 
 
 Treatment. — The most effectual treatment, and the 
 only one, on which reliance can be placed is, to cut out 
 at once the bitten part, and cauterize it with caustic, or 
 a red hot iron. 
 
 The following internal medicine "may be given, and 
 the adjacent parts also rubbed with it, three successive 
 times the day before full moon. 
 
 Satin Leaves, powdered 2 drachms. 
 
 Peioter, powdered 2 ounces. 
 
 Rue Leaves, powdered 3 ,, 
 
 Garlic, powdered ...3 ,, 
 
1 72 THE HOUSE AND ITS DISEASES. 
 
 Also the wound may be dressed with ointment, 
 composed as follows : — 
 
 Uees "Wax 3 ounces. 
 
 Black Pitch 1 „ 
 
 Eesin 4 ,, 
 
 Common Turpentine 3 , , 
 
 Dissolve them together over a slow fire^ then add 
 spirits of turpentine, four ounces. 
 
 HEMIY AND COGHLAN. I'lUNTEllS, GEOKGE S-ST., COKK, 
 
E 11 R A T A , 
 
 Page. Line. For. Read, 
 
 9 35 seveuteeuth seventh, 
 
 57 30 roof hoof, 
 
 63 35 bandaged tied up. 
 
 65 27 tear sear. 
 
 86 2 daubiin doubling. 
 
 145 19 one ounce once. 
 
 U6 3 Catheicu Cathecu. 
 
eumfrtngs Scftooi of Vetsrinaiy mmtssi 
 
 Tufts Uoiversfty 
 
 200 Westboro Road ,^ 
 
 ftl^.aiL. /S ..