76 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



CHAPTER V. 



OF WJNDGALLS, BOG SPAVIN, THOROUGH PIN, CAPPED HOCK, 

 TUMOURS OF THE ELBOW AND THE KNEE. 



WIN DG ALLS. 



The term vvindgall *, was never more mis- 

 applied to any disease, than the present ; for 

 the enlargement in which the disease consists, 

 does not contain air at all ; but they are a 

 kind of syst, or sack, attendant on most, or all 

 joints, but particularly those which will come 

 under our notice, in consequence of their fre- 

 quently occasioning lameness, and, at best, a 

 great eye-sore. These sacks are situated on 

 both sides of the tendons, just above the fet- 

 lock joints, before, and not unfrequently upon 

 the hind legs likewise. These prominences 

 become enlarged, generally, from hard work, 

 occasioning a greater determination of blood 

 to the part; consequently, a greater secre- 

 tion of mucus they contain, increasing, until 

 they become disagreeably large. It is from 

 this circumstance, that if you apply lini- 

 ments, or lotions, to windgalls, afld appa- 

 rently reduce them, that they immediately 

 enlarge again on being put to work ; for, if the 

 sack containing the mucus be enlarged to the 



* The technical term for windgalls is enlargement of the 

 " biirsae mucosse ;" but, as we promised to avoid techni- 

 calities, we give the name they are generally understood 



hv. 



disagreeable size vve sometimes see it, it never 

 contracts to its original feature. 



For the cure of windgalls, I shall give my 

 reader the practice I have invariably pursued, 

 and not without considerable success. As be- 

 fore stated, liniments, lotions, and even blister- 

 ing has little or no effect ; but the plan I have 

 adopted has been, lirst to clip the hair off all 

 round the leg, over the fetlock joint, and 

 about three inches above the seat of the 

 enlargement ; then take from four to six 

 ounces of mercurial pluister, and put it in a 

 melting pot, previously having procured an old 

 paint-brush, and when thoroughly melted, rub 

 on the parts where the hair has been clipped 

 off, well grubbing it in with the old brush. 

 Having done this to your satisfaction, take a 

 flannel bandage, about three yards long, and 

 about three inches broad, bind this tight 

 round the leg, and let it remain so situated for 

 a fortnight, when you may take a pair of 

 scissors, and snip the bandage down the front 

 of the leg, and let it fall off at liberty. (You 

 must not forget the cradle.) I have treated 

 windgalls repeatedly in this manner, and have 

 had no further occasion to do more to them. 

 However, should this not be found effectual, 

 1 have either fired the parts, or opened the 



