302 BLISTERING. 



each othei, and the red particles sink to the bottom. If the coag- 

 ulation takes place slowly, the red particles have more time to 

 sink through the fluid, and there appears on the top a thick, yel- 

 'owish, adhesive substance, called the buffy coat. The slowness 

 of the coagulation and the thickness of buffy coat are indicative of 

 inflammation, and of the degree of inflammation. 



In a healthy state of the system the coagulation is more rapid, 

 the red particles have not time to fall through, and the buffy coal 

 is thin. M'^hen the horse is exhausted, and the system nearly 

 broken up, the blood will sometimes not coagulate, but be of one 

 uniform black color and loose texture. When the blood runs 

 down the side of the vessel in which it is received, the coagula- 

 tion will be very imperfect. When it is drawn in a full stream, 

 it coagulates slowly, and when procured from a smaller orifice, the 

 coagulation is more rapid. Every circumstance affecting the co- 

 agulation and appearance of the blood, the pulse, and the general 

 symptoms, should be most attentively regarded. 



BLISTERING. 



We have spoken of the effect of blisters, when treating of 

 Ine various diseases to which they are applicable. The principle 

 on which they act is, that no two intense inflammations can exist 

 in neighboring parts, or perhaps in the system, at the same time. 



Blisters have likewise the property of increasing the activity 

 of the neighboring vessels : thus we blister to bring the tumor of 

 strangles more speedily to a head — to rouse the absorbents gen- 

 erally to more energetic action, and cause the disappearance of 

 (lumors, and even callous and bony substances. 



The judgment of the practitioner will decide whether the de- 

 'ired effect will be best produced by a sudden and violent action, 

 or by the continuance of one of a milder character. Inflamma- 

 tion should be met by active blisters ; old enlargements and swell 

 ings will be most certainly removed by milder stimulants — by the 

 process which farriers call siveating down. 



There is no better or more effectual blister than an ointment 

 composed of one part of powdered Spanish flies and four of lard 

 and one of resin. The lard and the resiu should be melted to- 

 gether, and the powdered flies afterwards added. The best liquid 

 or sweating bhster is an infusion of the fly in spirit of turpentine, 

 and that lowered with neat's foot oil, according to the degree of 

 activity required. 



In preparing the horse for blistering, the hair should be clipped 

 or shaved as closely as possible, and the ointment thoroughly 

 rubbed in. Much fault is often found with the ointment if the 



