1 52
2 to accompany him in a boat, on a duck-shooting excursion, on
3 an extensive lake. As the rajah had not his own parasol with
4 him, I gave him mine out of politeness; for as I was shooting,
5 I did not want it. It was extremely hot, and I had nothing on
6 me but a thin shirt, not even a waistcoat or jacket, so I was
7 exposed to the burning rays of the sun for some hours, and the
8 consequence was a severe coup-de-soleil. My friend C , on
9 witnessing my state, despaired of my life, his “ Tissot ” stating
10 that a coup-de-soleil was extremely dangerous. But how great
11 was his surprise, when he saw me recovering on the third day !
12 Happily, the attack did not affect my head, but only one of my
13 shoulders, and by applying leeches and poultices I recovered.
14 The king of England had at this time sent five immense
15 horses as a present to Runjeet Sing. Alex. Burnes had brought
16 them up the Indus, and they were much admired for their size
17 and uncommon height. One of them was lost on the way, and
18 another became the famous riding-horse of the maharajah, who,
19 being of a very low stature, appeared, when on the back of the
20 animal, like an ape on an elephant. This horse fell sick, and
21 although I had him immediately under my care, and spared no
22 trouble, he became, like other dead animals, food for the dogs,
23 carrion birds, and Pariahs, the lowest caste in India, who eat any
24 animal, whatever may have been the cause of its death.
25 The horse had several ulcers on his legs, which having been
26 healed by internal and external remedies, caused convulsions, and
27 in that state he perished. I afterwards had other opportunities
28 of curing similar ulcers with a simple remedy, according to my
29 medium system, namely, by lamanaria saccharina (probably
30 because it contains iodine), such ulcers being a kind of scrofula.
31 This disease occurs very often in the Punjab, and the natives call
32 it Zeherbad (venomous swellings), as it ulcerates, and secretes
33 a serous and corroding matter. By adhering to the same system,
34 I also cured horses affected with glanders Arsenic and dulca-
35 mara alternately administered, in small doses, in the morning and
36 evening, proved very effective. The French veterinary surgeons
37 administer for this disease hydrochloric acid, which, diluted