152 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



least a fortnight, he should, if in the winter 

 time, have his liberty in a loose box, bay of a 

 barn, oi large stable, where he will, by a 

 natural attention to his own ease and safety, 

 (unless hurried, driven, or disturbed, which 

 should by all means be prevented,) suffici- 

 ently guard the injured parts. On the con- 

 trary, if in the summer, he should be turned 

 into a paddock or pasture alone, at a distance 

 from other Horses, where he cannot by their 

 neighings be excited, by any exertion of spirit 

 or extravagance, that may occasion a relapse. 

 But in either cases, if the enlargement of 

 the part does not subside, and the lameness 

 bear visible marks of amendment, so soon 

 as may be reasonably expected, take the 

 Horse up, and apply the following liquid 

 blister : 



MILD LIQUID BLISTER. 



Take Cantharides, powdered 4 drams. 



Vinegar - - - 4 ounces. 



Mix well together. 



This mixture must be gradually rubbed 

 over the whole part, for at least half an hour, 

 letting it be entirely absorbed by, and around 

 the seat of pain, if possible ;' then apply the 

 fcandage as before described, and shoiteh the 

 halter, to prevent the Horse gnawing the 

 part : at the expiration of three or four days, 

 the Horse may either be turned out, or put 

 in a loose box, as the time of year may serve ; 

 but my opinion is, let the time of year be what 

 it may, a loose box is preferable to any thing. 

 When the Horse is first brought into use, let 

 his work or exercise be gentle, fearing a 

 relapse of the complaint ; if such should be the 

 case, immediately have recourse to the follow- 

 ing : 



Take Of the best vinegar, or verjuice 1 quart. 



Common salt 



4 oz. 



Rub the parts well with it, twice a day. 



By this method of practice, I have seen the 

 complete cure of many, without having recourse 

 to firing, which is in general much too 

 speedily adopted, and no doubt hurried on by 

 the great anxiety of the ignorant farrier, and 

 who may be anxious to shew off his abilities ; 

 but with all kind of strains, you must give 

 the animal rest, and to this alone, nine times 

 out of ten, the cure is to be attributed ; for 

 after firing, even in extreme cases, turning out 

 is the sequel, and if taken up sound, I should 

 attribute much more of the cure to that grand 

 specific rest, than to the effect of firing ; in 

 addition to which also, your Horse comes 

 out without any blemish whatever. 



Strains in the ligamentary parts are in 

 general occasioned by sudden jerks, short 

 turns, or sinking in deep ground, and forcible 

 exertions to get extricated. These being 

 situated at the junction of bones, and in some 

 cases, covered with muscles and soft parts, 

 that no great expectation of relief can be 

 formed, upon the efficacy of external applica- 

 tion, Vfjben the seat of pain is unluckily s* 

 remoteJ'from the surface. Having given a 

 cursory explanation of strains, I shall now 

 proceed to give a detailed account of these 

 affections and their situations, with the best 

 mode of cure. 



As has been before observed rest is one of 

 the best remedies we have in hand for 

 sprains ; but that is Nature. Now, it is 

 our duty to assist Nature to its furthest ex- 

 tent ; in doing which, we are obliged to call 

 in medical aid, and when we do this with 

 confidence, we generally meet with success. 



