CONDITION OF HUNTERS RESUMED 313 



extension, and forcible elongation, of the tendons, 

 etc. etc. ; but as long as I have been enabled to consult 

 my reason on such matters, I have always treated 

 a sprain as a violent inflammation of the part, and 

 done all in my power to repel it by fomentations, 

 cooling lotions, and a dose or two of physic. Rest — 

 absolute rest — however, is the grand specific : and 

 does not the animal tell us this ? for when a 

 horse goes lame, is he not then resting the injured 

 limb? 



Blistering and firing, as I said before, are coupled 

 together like two hounds, and one or the other of 

 them generally is resorted to in the cure of bad sprains. 

 If there is enlargement after inflammation is subsided, 

 some stimulant must be used ; but, since I have 

 experienced the effect of the mercurial plaster, I am 

 quite out of conceit with blistering. If firing must 

 be resorted to, the operation should not take place till 

 some weeks after the injury has been done. 



Bad riders are very apt to lame their hunters in 

 riding them over a country. If it were possible to 

 give every man a good hand on his horse, there would 

 not be so many lame ones as there are. 



and disturbance. When at unrestrained liberty, it is natural to 

 conclude they adapt the gentleness of their motion to the state 

 of their case, and exert themselves no more than a proper respect 

 to their own safety may render secure. It is a self-evident fact, 

 that a restoration of elasticity or strength of part is more likely 

 to be obtained by rest, and the efforts of nature, than any topical 

 application that can be made ! " (Taplin's " Sporting Dictionary.") ' 



1 Although this paragraph foot-note is derived from a very old book, it does, never- 

 theless, express the state of affairs admirably. — Editor. 



