Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Surfeit, in Farriery

SURFEIT, in farriery, a disease chiefly incident to horses: it may be occasioned either by suffering them to drink immoderate portions of cold water, while they are in a profuse perspiration; or by neglecting them, when Hide-bound. In both cases, the whole mass of the fluids becomes tainted; the skin is affected with eruptions; and (as farriers express themselves), the body is filled with inflammatory crudities.

Such are the general symptoms indicating a surfeit, the mildness or malignity of which, depends on the age, habit, and constitution of the horse. With a view to remove the disease, a moderate quantity of blood should first be drawn, in order to accelerate its circulation: a few warm mashes should next be given, to open the body; and after them, two or three of the following purgatives, according to circumstances: Let one ounce of Barbadoes aloes; three drams of pulverized jalap; two drams of cream of tartar; and a similar portion of Castile soap, calomel, and ginger in powder; be mixed with syrup of buckthorn, sufficient to form them into a ball.—These medicines ought to be divided into three doses, administered at proper intervals; the diseased animal being carefully sheltered from the cold; and, on the third day after the last dose has been taken, Mr. Taplin recommends the following alteratives:—To half a pound of levigated antimony, and an equal portion of sulphur, let four ounces of each, cream of tartar, and Æthiop's mineral, be added; the ingredients be perfectly incorporated, and then divided into twelve parts, each consisting of two ounces: one dose should be given every night with the corn (the latter being previously sprinkled with water, so as to retain the powder), for a month; and, in case no advantage be perceptible, the dose must be increased to 2 1/2 oz. during the first week, and to three ounces in the second week. Throughout the whole course, two ounces of nitre ought to be given every morning, in a pailful of soft water. Should any scabs or execoriations appear on the surface of the body, they may be removed, by washing them with equal parts of soap-leys and lime-water.