Mr. Glark'j Obfervations oti the Genus Oejlrus. 319 



prcfent very limited knowledp,e of them we are able to difcover; 

 but we may venture to remark, that their cfFedl in keeping up a 

 confiderable degree of irritation in the membranes on which they 

 are fituated, may, perhaps not inaptly, be compared to that of a per- 

 petual iflue or blillcr. Nor is there wanting abundant proof of 

 the utility of local irritations in preventing the accefs, as well as in 

 curing difordcrs. We often fee a formidable difeafe quickly re- 

 moved' by bliftering the Ikin, or by irritating the mucous membrane 

 of the ftomach or inteftines by a vomit or purge. The appearance 

 of exanthematous eruptions on the flcin, and the formation of local 

 abfceffes, from the fame caufe of partial irritation, often relieve a 

 general diforder of the fyftem. The mucous membranes and the 

 ikin poffefs this power when irritated in the moft eminent degree, 

 and to thefe the larva of the Oejlr'i are applied. Irritating the 

 membranes of the ftomach in other animals would excite naufea 

 and vomiting; butjrhe horfe not pofleffing this power, his ftomach 

 is peculiarly fitted for the ftimulus of fuch inhabirants. 



It has alfo been remarked in hofpitals, that a patient afflifled 

 with a wound, ulcer, or other fevere local complaint, is not fo fuf— , 

 ceptible of the contagion of a. fever or other general diforder. 



How far the accefs of thofe dreadful diforders which fometimes 

 arife of themfelves in cattle and horfes, and afterwards become conta-- 

 gious, as the murrain, glanders, farcy, &c. maybe prevented by 

 thefe peculiar irritations, it will not be eafy to difcover; nor whe- 

 ther that fingular tendency or difpofition in the horfe to inflam- 

 matory complaints, as the caligo of the eyes, termed moon-rblindnefs, 

 inflammations of the lungs and of the bones, as fpavins, fplints, &c. 

 may be in any degree checked or fubdued by the application of. 

 thefe locaXJiiniulf. 



In confirmation of this fuggeftion I may remark (although I am^ 



aware. 



