This word is usually applied to all dangerous or febrile diseases, all in which the horse is dull, pained, and without appetite. The stable-management of these must vary according to the nature of the illness. Directions are given by the medical attendant, as to diet, drink, ventilation, clothing, exercise, and other matters likely to exert any influence upon the disease. In general, bran-mashes, carrots, green food, and hay, form the sick horse's diet; gruel, or tepid water, his drink. Whatever be the surgeon's orders, they should be strictly obeyed. In many cases a handful of oats or a bucket of cold water, may keep the horse a week longer from work, or ever kill him.

Bleeding

After a horse has been bled from the neck, let his head be tied up for at least three hours, and if there be no objection, it had better be tied up all night. Never tie it higher than the manger. If the horse happen to faint, as some do after a bleeding, he may be choked. The head is tied high enough, when the horse can not get it lower than the bottom of the manger. Never remove the pin and tow by which the vein is secured. They will fall away in a few days; but though they should remain for eight or ten, they will do do harm. If removed too soon the vein is apt to inflame. It is best to let them remain.

Fomenting

In fomenting for lameness or an external injury, the groom rarely has enough of water, and he does not continue the bathing long enough to do any good. If the leg is to be fomented, get a pailful of water as hot as the hand can bear it; put the horse's foot into it, and with a large sponge lave the water up as high as the shoulder, and keep it constantly running down the whole limb. Foment for about half-an-hour, and keep the water hot by adding more. If a poultice or wet bandage is to succeed the fomentation, apply it immediately, before the leg has time to cool.

Poulticing

Warm poultices are usually composed of bran-mash, to which it is proper to add turnips, linseed-meal, or oatmeal porridge; either will do, and one of them is necessary, for bran alone does not retain heat and moisture sufficiently.

Whether applied for sores, bruises, or sprains, the poultice should be large, moist, and as warm as possible and convenient. It is almost invariably too small; it should cover a good deal more than the part injured. It should have as much water as it will hold, and more should be applied every second or third hour, either by pouring it on the poultice, or by dipping or soaking it. Care must be taken that no part of the cords or bandages be too tight. They should admit the finger quite easily after they are all adjusted. When properly applied, and properly attended, a good poultice need not be changed in less than twenty-four hours. When the horse tears it off with his teeth he must be tied up, when he paws or throws it off, he must be shackled.

When too small, a poultice does little good; when too dry, it confines heat, and increase inflammation; when the strings are too tight, they stop the circulation of blood, cut the skin, and swell the leg.