MODERN BLACKSMITHING 173 



Every joint is liable to sprain by the horse's falling, 

 slipping", or being overworked. These cases cause a 

 great deal of trouble, oftentimes producing lameness, 

 pain, swelling, tenderness, and an unusual amount of 

 heat in the part. 



Treatment. — Entire rest should be given the horse, 

 and if the part is found hot, as is usually the case, 

 apply cold water cloths, changing frequently, for from 

 one to three days until the heat has subsided, when 

 apply Kendall's Spavin Cure, twice or three times a 

 day, rubbing well with the hand. 



If the fever is considerable, it might be well to give 

 fifteen drops of tincture of aconite root, three times a 

 day, for one or two days, while the cold water cloths 

 are being applied. Allow the horse a rest of a few 

 weeks, especially in bad cases, as it is very difficult to 

 cure some of these cases, unless the horse is allowed to 

 rest. 



STAGGERS 



A disease of horses, resulting from some lesion of 

 the brain, which causes a loss of control of vob^ntary 

 motion. As it generally occurs in fat horses which 

 are well fed, those subject to these attacks should not 

 be overfed. The cause is an undue amount of blood 

 flowing to the brain. 



Treatment. — The aim of the treatment should be to 

 remove the cause. In ordinary cases give half a 

 pound of epsom salts, and repeat if necessary to have 

 it physic, and be careful about overfeeding. 



