No. I.—Cathartic Mass.
One ounce of this Mass made into a ball is a Dose of physic.
A Ball contains seven drams of Aloes, the remaining dram being made up with Ol. olivar, Ol. carui, and water.
Any horse to which a dose of physic is given, should be fed on bran mashes, in lieu of corn, until its operation has ceased. If there be no cause for its immediate administration, let ample bran mashes be given, by way of preparation, in lieu both of hay and corn, during one day, and the ball administered the following morning, after the horse is sufficiently watered, and a couple of hours at least before his bran mash be given him. Exercise also, during the day, is advisable. The following day, early in the morning, after the horse has had water, with the chill taken off, offered him, till he refuses to drink more, let him be walked out briskly for one hour, unless he purge; in which case let him be returned to the stable, littered down, frequently watered, and plentifully supplied with bran mashes. But should the physic not operate at the expiration of his exercise, nor after he has remained four succeeding hours in the stable, let him be exercised for another hour; and he may be gently trotted at this time should he still show no signs of purging; let it be here understood, however, that in no case is a horse in physic to be galloped. To insure purgation, water is no less requisite than exercise.
Should the animal continue to purge on the third day, let his bran be eaten dry, and let him be kept short of water, and without exercise, until the physic be set. As soon as his dung shall have put on its natural appearance and consistence, the usual ration of provender may be restored, and he may return to duty.
If the horse has been lately taken up from grass, or be low in condition, or light-carcassed, six drams of the mass is generally a sufficient dose; but if he be of large size, and in high condition, even nine drams may be occasionally required.
Horses of a costive habit, whose dung-balls are small and not of their natural colour—whose coats are rough and skins tight upon their ribs, and who do not thrive, require physic. Purging balls are also given with benefit to horses that have mange, or itchy skins—swelled legs, or grease—fever in the feet—inflamed eyes—staggers—locked jaw—any swellings from blows or wounds, &c.
When a sick or lame horse requires physic, to whom exercise would be injurious, let the dose be increased by one or two drams; and to him the ball may be given at any time—either day, or night—he may stand in need of it; in order that its operation may be as speedy as possible.
To a horse not labouring under active disease, a second dose of physic is not to be administered prior to the seventh day; but to a sick one, should the case be urgent, the dose may be repeated at the expiration of twenty-four hours.
Horses suffering from coughs, discharges from the nose, or inflammation of the lungs, are not to have full doses of purgative medicine given them, but the febrifuge, or sedative mass should be given.