81 



strained all over, so that they could scarcely stand for 

 a while. Bleeding copiously, however, to the amount 

 of six quarts^ reduced the tendency to inflammation ; 

 and altho'Jgh they might be pro'nounced hurt all over 

 and the hind horse in particular, both did well after 

 physicing, and a few days of light work. 



1 liave found a fomentation of hot vinegar of very 

 great service, in a well marked case of recent strain ; 

 the pian recommended by White, of administering it 

 by means of a woollen cloth or lug. steeped and loose- 

 ly wrung out being f Howed. A fresh sheep-skin, 

 just flayed, was applied immediately, and the lame- 

 ness sensibly lessened, after two days, applying tlie 

 fomentation four or live times. 



FOUNDER. 



Cause. — ITird work, bid shoeing, a^e and ill-usage, 

 cither of which produce so many other dsorders per- 

 (aininj; to (he horse, in his domesticated state, precede 

 founder ; for, we never meet with it unless the animal 

 has been so treated or kept, and I look upon it rather as 

 a complication or effect of several diseases of the foot. 

 Some of these we have seen, are liable to be mistaken 

 for others ; therefore do they get maltreated, imper- 

 fectly cured, or retain the seeds of future disease ; and 

 founder is given to that which is otherwise inscrutable^ 

 has no other origin, and is badly defined by all writers 

 and talkers upon the subject. Out of this dilemma I 

 do t»ot attempt to rescue it — I care not for terms, un- 

 less insomuch as they can assist us to unravel the 

 character of the disorder. Contracted heel is the slow 

 cause of most cases of formder, vvhereby the quarters 

 press on the coffin and shuttle bone, and thus prevent 

 the action of the latter, wnich is very great at every 

 step, and is mainly conducive to the proper secretion 

 of the horny material before spoken of pretty !iiuch at 

 large. To a '* chill " is generally attributed the im-* 

 mediate cause of founder ; and indeed the poor ani- 

 mal which has suffered severely at the hands (or spurs) 

 of his master, is most open to acquire any ill which 

 chill or cold may inflict. When this chill takes place, 

 the attack is sudden and usually violent. Inflamma- 

 tion always attends the first sytiiptora of founder, if it 



