A HORSE THAT HAS RUBBED ITSELF
VIOLENTLY AGAINST A WALL.
These parasites inhabit the large intestines. They produce extraordinary ravages, notwithstanding their insignificant appearance. The last is difficult to eradicate because of the extent of bowel which it infests. The stronguli will sometimes eat through important structures, but the ascarides are always located within the rectum. Then, most medicines being deprived of activity, are inoperative before they reach the last locality. For this reason it is best to commence the treatment with injections of train oil. Should these be followed by no result at the expiration of a week, resort to a solution of catechu—one ounce to the quart of water: give that for seven mornings. Upon the eighth, give the animal a mash, and at night administer a mild physic ball; about four drachms of aloes and one drachm of calomel. Repeat the medicine if required; but if not, resort at once to the arsenicalis and ale or stout, which was recently recommended.
Tobacco smoke enemas are sometimes efficacious when all the previous measures are powerless. Frequently the posterior irritation is distressing. It is sometimes so provoking that the horse will thereby be induced to destroy its personal appearance by rubbing the tail and quarter violently against the wall, or any rough surface within its reach. In such cases the injections of train oil are most likely to prove beneficial; the local itching may be in some measure removed by inserting up the anus a portion of the following ointment night and morning:—
| Glycerin | Half an ounce. |
| Spermaceti | One ounce. |
Melt the last and blend. When nearly cold, add—
| Mercurial ointment (strong) | Three drachms. |
| Powdered camphor | Three drachms. |
SPASMODIC COLIC.—FRET.—GRIPES.
Spasmodic colic is an affection which every loiterer about a stable, from a postboy to a farrier, imagines he is able to cure. Many attacks no doubt would depart of themselves; others might be removed by simple motion. Nevertheless such possible remedies should never be trusted. Neither should gin and pepper, red pepper and peppermint, hot beer and mustard, rubbing the abdomen with a broomstick, kneading the belly violently with a man's knee, or any popular measure be permitted. Such remedies are likely to get rid of colic by causing enteritis. When inflammation of the bowels thus originates, it is generally fatal, the strength being exhausted and the powers of nature worn out by the previous disorder—not to mention the prepossession of the spectators, which prevents the more serious disease from being early recognized.