30 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



so rapidly that they are at best poor substitutes for 

 bran and linseed meal. They are, however, useful 

 substitutes when the latter are not to hand. 



The Application of Poultices or Cataplasms. - 



Since these may be required on any part of the animal, 

 from the sole of his foot to the top of his withers, and 

 from his face to the end of his tail, it follows that many 

 and diverse methods must be adopted to retain them 

 in the desired position. The first-named part is perhaps 

 the easiest of all on which to fix them securely. 



If the whole foot has to be included in the treat- 

 ment, a considerable amount of material is required, 

 and a poultice-boot (fig. 442) or leg-bucket is to be 

 \ preferred to anything else; but as this is a luxury 

 not in the possession of the average horse-owner a sub- 

 stitute must be sought for, the most suitable material 

 being a piece of sacking or old rug. The pieces in- 

 tended for use should be formed into a bag sufficiently 

 large to receive the foot, and long enough to reach the 

 middle of the cannon-bone. Some of the poultice should then be put into 

 the bag, which is now drawn over the foot, and the remainder packed well 



Fig. 442.— Poultice-Boot 



Fig. 443.— Poulticing the Head 



Fig. 444. — Poulticing one Side of the Head 



round the outer side of the foot as high as the pastern. Whatever may 

 be the disease for which the application is made, it should be borne in 

 mind that the inflammatory action will extend beyond the seat of the 



