S Feb., 1907.] Diseases of Farm Animals. 75 



to prevent filling of the legs, incipient windgalls, and other swellings. 

 But they should not be kept on for more than an hour or two. unless the 

 work has been inordinately excessive. By continuous bandaging, such as 

 some racehorses are subjected to, the joints, tendons, ligaments, and tissues 

 become so used to the artificial support that they lose their natural tone and 

 strength, and bandaging comes to be a permanent requirement, instead of 

 ■a temporary help, to the passing circulatory fatigue of the parts. 



Hand-rubbing and Body Friction. 



Closely akin to bandaging as a means of relieving leg weariness and 

 preventing filling or " stocking " of the extremities, is the practice of hand- 

 rubbing. It is a means of applying smart friction to a part so as to 

 induce vigorous circulation, and to be of the most benefit must be carried 

 on for half an hour or more. 



Body friction by means of wisps of straw, brushes, or towels is a form 

 of massage directed to the maintenance of evenness of circulation in the 

 surface of the body in cases of colic and internal inflammations, where 

 the tendency to- " breaking out into a cold sweat "' is observed 



Blistering. 



Blisters constitute a ver\- frequent form of external treatment in animals, 

 particularly in limb affections. In all cases they excite a determination 

 ■of blood to the part, causing a surface inflammation ; and are applied 

 to uninflamed sprains and enlargements for the purpose of hastening the 

 process of repair, or promoting abso^rption of an exudate. Other cases 

 in which blisters are applied have been referred to throughout the text. 

 The blisters in most common use are the " fly blister " or cantharides 

 ointment, and " mercurv blister " or biniodide of mercur\ ointment. 

 These are made respectively as follows: — • 



Fly Blister. — Hog's lard or vaseline, 8 parts; powdered cantharides or Spanish 

 fly, I part. Gently heat the lard or vaseline till melted. Then stir in the cantharides 

 a little at a time till thoroughly incorporated, and allow to cool before use. 



Mercury Blister. — Hog's lard or vaseline, 8 parts; biniodide of mercury, i part. 

 Thoroughly mix the biniodide with the lard or vaseline by means of a spatula on a 

 slab. 



Any irritant medicament mav be used as a blister, and powdered euphor- 

 bium, sulphuric acid, and such like are often added to " strengthen " the 

 blister ; but in Australia the use of these latter irritants is extremely dan- 

 gerous, and often results in permanently blemishing the animal. 



Blisters may be more effecti\elv applied if the hair of the part is 

 closely clipped. The severity of action of the blister largely depends 

 op the vigor with which, and length of time, the ointment is rubbed in. 

 As a rule, a smart rubbing with sufficient ointment to keep the skin and 

 b.ands well lubricated for a period of five or ten minutes is sufficient to 

 produce the desired effect. If the blister does not " rise" bv the fol- 

 lowing dav, bathing the blistered surface with hot water will expedite 

 matters, or a little more of the ointment may be rubbed in. When a 

 fly blister is used, the surface should not be extensive, as the active prin- 

 ciple of the blister (cantharidine) is liable to become absorbed in sufficient 

 quantity to produce inflammation of the kidneys ; indeed, fatal results 

 have at times followed on the blistering of all foru" limbs at one time. 

 After the blister is applied, the horse should be tied up short, so that he 

 may not be able to reach the part with his mouth when the itching com- 

 mences. If he is to be turned out immediately, a " neck cradle ' sh<~)uld 



