The management and treatment of the horse in the stable, field, and ...

In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 1-49
extremely uncertain, profuse bleeding is strongly recom-
mended by most writers ;
open the jugular vein on both
sides and take as much blood as will cause the horse to
fall, or if it is down at the time, until it manifests
evident signs of exhaustion; after this give newly-
powdered croton nut half a drachm, or croton oil 20
drops. Upon no occasion give more than half a drachm
of the nut or 20 drops of the oil, as cases are not wanting
where SO drops of croton oil have killed heavy powerful
horses, which were previously in good health. The
croton should be given in a drink of oatmeal and water
every six hours, after which ten grains of nut or five
minims of oil may be given until the bowels are freely
moved ; to assist in which, injections of warm soap and
water should be often used. In using croton nut or oil,
from its acrid properties, we make the horse's throat and
mouth very sore, therefore it should never be used unless
in a case of extreme necessity. I have no doubt but the
following would have quite as beneficial an effect without
the irritating effects :—One ounce of aloes dissolved in a
pint of water, afterwards two drachms every four hours
until it operates, after this such medicine should be given
as has a tendency to diminish the quantity of blood sent
out from the heart. Foxglove in drink doses of one
drachm each every six or eight hours, or tartar emetic
can be given alternately with the foxglove in one drachm
doses.
If the above treatment does not arrest immediately
the disease, death is sure speedily to follow. Some-
times cases occur with horses at grass which are
mistaken for mad staggers, but, although producing