.—This is an article so much in use with HORSES, (in a pulverized state,) that it is absolutely necessary it should undergo some degree of elucidation; to prevent, if possible, a part of the medical deception, and adulteration, which so universally prevails. Liquorice root is plentifully produced in most countries of Europe, and is in all held in the same degree of estimation for its utility. What is grown in England is preferable to what is brought from abroad; the latter being generally mouldy, and in a perishing state, which it will always soon become, if not kept in a dry place, or buried in sand. It is remarkable for its peculiar property of allaying thirst, particularly as it is the almost only sweet known so to do: it is in constant use as an article of much medicinal efficacy with the human species, both as a most excellent PECTORAL and DETERGENT, as well as to soften acrimonious humors, reduce glandular irritability in colds, and promote expectoration.
The article called Spanish liquorice is an extract prepared from the root in Spain, and other countries, where it is cultivated in large quantities; but it is rarely to be met with in the shops in a state of purity and perfection; those who are the makers being either very slovenly in the preparation, or interested in the event, constantly mixing it with sand, (or other impurities,) to enlarge the weight, and increase the profit; under which disadvantages it is universally known as, and experimentally proved to be, a pectoral balsamic of general utility. In respect to what is dispensed at the shops, under the name of LIQUORICE POWDER, it is only necessary to observe, that it may be purchased at any for little more than half what the real dried root can be bought and powdered for by the first wholesale houses in the Metropolis. The deception is clear, and self-evident; as it is an article of great consumption, so it becomes the more properly appropriate to the pecuniary purpose of adulteration: those who best know the advantage arising from such practice, best can tell, that two pound weight of GENUINE LIQUORICE ROOT, ground in the drug mill, and there incorporated with the customary proportions of bean meal and wheat flour, will make fourteen pounds of most excellent liquorice powder for retail; and is the very article with which the public are supplied as a substitute for a medicine of so much efficacy, that it is to be regretted it should so easily become a matter of such general prostitution. See Adulteration.
LIVER of ANTIMONY
—is a medicine possessing a very powerful and active property; and would not have been introduced in this place, but with a view to prevent some of the MISCHIEFS which would probably happen, from too free a use of so dangerous an article, when in the unrestrained hands of the illiterate, the injudicious, the unthinking, or the inexperienced. It will create some surprise with the considerate, that this preparation, (known also by the name of CROCUS METALLORUM,) from two to six grains of which will operate as a violent emetic with an adult of the human species, should be given in doses of half an ounce each by common farriers to a horse, and that probably three or four times in twenty-four hours; under an impression, that it would, and does operate only by perspiration, or as an alterative; beyond which, probably, their ideas or intentions may not extend. When it is taken into consideration, that the horse does not possess the power of regurgitating by vomit, it then becomes a matter of due deliberation, how far it may be consistent and proper, to permit valuable horses to be drenched with medicines of this description in such immoderate quantities; a very few grains of which will excite such violent operations with one of the human species. Those who administer it as an ALTERATIVE, will, perhaps, prudently conceive, two drachms a day, in doses of a drachm each, full as much as ought to be ventured upon, incorporated with such other articles as the urgency of the case may seem to require.
LIVER
.—The liver in a horse is liable to disease, as obstructions by tubercles, indurated tumefactions, and schirrosity; either of which may be produced by various means, and treated as Jaundice, which SEE.
LOCKS
—are elastic leather pipes, or circular pads, stuffed with does' hair, about the size of a second finger in circumference, and made to buckle just above the fetlock of either leg, as a preventive to cutting with the other. There are others of a different form, made flat, having a padded oval in the center, which are called cutting-boots: the former, however, have the preference, as they occasion less stricture upon the tendons.
LOINS
—are the part of a horse at the extremity of the back immediately preceding the rump and hip bones, situate above the flanks. Beneath the loins internally are seated the KIDNIES, which, as well as the loins, are very susceptible of injury, by carrying improper weights, drawing too heavy loads, particularly up hills, or in short turns; to prevent all which should be humanely attended to. Injuries of this kind, when unfortunately sustained, are very easily ascertained by a little serious attention. The subject will sink and contract himself, if pressed forcibly upon the part with the hand; he will also move in his stall with a kind of curved motion, groaning probably if compelled to move suddenly; likewise in laying down, or in attempting to stale, which he frequently does, but mostly in small quantities. Exclusive of whatever medical means may be adopted, BLEEDING, gum Arabic dissolved in gruel, as common drink, and mucilage of linseed, to sheath the acrimony of the juices in an inflammation of the kidnies, or surrounding parts, will be found admirable collaterals. See Kidnies.