ing, for several days, whenever it is apprehended that the animal has taken cold, or been otherwise injured by violent exertions.
HORSE-RADISH, or Cochlearia Armoracia, L. an indigenous perennial plant, growing on the sides of ditches, the banks of rivers, and other damp places; flowering in the month of May.
It has a strong pungent smell; a penetrating acrid taste; and is refused by every kind of cattle.—The root, when scraped, is much used at the table as a condiment for fish, roast beef, &c.; it is also employed for many other culinary purposes; and might, in times of scarcity, afford flour for bread. With this intention, however, the roots ought to be collected in autumn, and treated in the manner already described, vol. i. pp. 447 and 513.—But, if horse-radish be intended for immediate use, it ought to be dug out of the ground fresh, only from October to March; or to be gathered in the spring, then dried, reduced to powder, and preserved in bottles closely stopped, for occasional use; when it should be previously moistened with spring water.—When steeped and digested in vinegar, during a fortnight, this root is said effectually to remove freckles in the face.
In paralytic complaints, horse-radish has sometimes been applied, with advantage, as a stimulating remedy to the parts affected.—A strong infusion of it excites vomiting; and is greatly recommended by Sydenham in dropsies, particularly such as succeed intermittent fevers.—Prof. Beckmann mentions this vegetable among the mosl proper substances for tanning or currying leather.
HORSE-SHOE-HEAD, an affection of the heads of infants, in which the sutures of the skull are too open, or too great a space occurs between them; so that the aperture is frequently not closed, or the cranium in that part does not become hard and firm, till the age of puberty. This opening increases as often as the child takes cold; and, if it continue for a long series of years, it is generally regarded as a sign of weakness, or short life. In this case, the usual practice is to rub the head occasionally with warm rum or brandy, mixed with the white of an egg, or a little palm-oil: it will also be advisable to wear a small cushion over such aperture, by which it will not only be protected from the cold air, but likewise from receiving sudden injury; and consequently the closing of it will be promoted. Such infants ought to be watched with additional care, to prevent any accidental falls, or blows, on the head, which to them would be fatal.—See also Food.
HORSE-TAIL, or Equisetum, L. a genus of perennial plants, comprising eight species, six of which are indigenous: of these, the following are the principal:
1. The sylvaticum, or Wood-horse-tail, which grows in moist woods, shady places in the vicinity of rivers, and on boggy soils: it flowers in the months of April and May. Horses eat this plant with avidity; and, in some parts of Sweden, it is collected for the purpose of serving them as winter-food.
2. The arvense, Common, or Corn-horse-tail, growing in wet meadows and moist corn-fields. It is a most troublesome weed in pastures, and is seldom touched by cows, unless pressed by hunger,
