MODERN FARRIER. 17 



clysters has very properly become frequent^, and is 

 justly in high esteem. 



11. Ointments. 



Ointments cannot be employed in farriery, as in 

 the human body, to introduce remedies into the 

 system, on account of the hair that covers the body 

 of quadrupeds. They are chiefly employed as an 

 application to sores, or in some cases of eruptions of 

 the skin. 



12. Poultices. 



Poultices should always be reduced to a softness, 

 and repeatedly renewed. When intended to produce 

 suppuration, they should be applied warm ; but 

 when applied to check inflammation, or to correct 

 the unpleasant smell arising from foul ill-conditioned 

 ulcers, they are usually laid on cold. 



13. Fomentations. 



Fomentations are composed of some infusion or 

 decoction of herbs, and are used to soften or relax 

 the parts to which they are applied. They are ap- 

 plied by wetting a large woollen cloth in the warm 

 liquor, wringing it slightly, and laying it as w^arm 

 as can easily be borne on the part to be fomented. 



14. Purges. 



Purgative medicines are extremely useful, if ad- 

 ministered with prudence ; but, we repeat, they 

 should never be given to a horse in health, in order 

 to prevent disease. The intestines of horses are very 

 long, and so constructed as often to retain a purge 

 twenty four or thirty hours ; and if it be of an irri- 

 tating quality, considerable mischief may in conse- 



c 



