BLISTERING 39 



If a front limb is to be treated, the animal should be turned round in 

 the stall and secured to both pillar-reins in such a manner that he cannot 

 bring his muzzle into contact with an uplifted leg. 



When a hind limb is to be blistered, the animal should be racked up 

 short. Even in this position some irritable horses will injure themselves in 

 front when suffering paiu behind, and it may be necessary to keep such a 

 one under observation for a few hours "after the application is made. If 

 only one limb is operated upon, its fellow may be enveloped in a soft 

 bandage for the protection of both, for the patient is sometimes disposed 

 to rub the suffering member against the other leg. 



Only sufficient bedding should be used to prevent the patient from 

 slipping down, long loose straw causing unnecessary annoyance when 

 brought into contact with the blistered surface. Damp used straw is to 

 be preferred to moss litter or saw-dust, which gets upon the blistered 

 surface and is very objectionable. 



Horses disposed to " filling " of the legs, and mares " in season ", are 

 specially susceptible to the action of vesicants, and these should be modified 

 in strength if other reasons prevent the postponement of the application. 

 An unnerved horse should on no account be blistered. The hollow of the 

 heel should in no case receive any portion of the blister, and the space 

 should be filled up with lard previous to the application being made. 



About ten minutes of hand rubbing is usually sufficient to produce the 

 desired effect, and the morning should be chosen for this operation, as 

 affording opportunities to watch the patient and keep him out of trouble, 

 besides which, the more acute stage will be past before leaving him for 

 the night. 



If the application has proved effectual, there will be vesicles or bladders 

 upon the part next day, with some swelling of the limb though abatement 

 of the pain. On the third day it is usual to bathe with warm water and 

 soap, and when dry apply some emollient ointment or sweet-oil. 



It may be doubted whether this is a desirable course to pursue. Better 

 results, we think, would be obtained by allowing a hardened scale to form 

 and remain, but humane considerations make most of us desire to relieve 

 the suffering beast as soon as possible and give him the opportunity to lie 

 down. 



To prevent the patient from gnawing the member when released, an 

 apparatus known as a "cradle" (fig. 452) is put on his neck in such a 

 manner as to give him the maximum amount of liberty without the power 

 to injure himself. If a horse is turned out to grass with a cradle on, the 

 pieces of wood of which the cradle is composed should be held together with 

 nothing stronger than "fillis", as fatal accidents have occurred through an 



