DISEASES OF HORSES. 229 



«in«ler flistinct forms, one of which affects the lymphatics of the skin 

 and is called the hud or button jarcy ; tlie other is principally con- 

 ftned to the hind legs, which it affects by large indurations, attended 

 with heat and tenderness. A mere dropsical accumulation of water 

 jn the legs sometimes receives the name of water farcy ; but this 

 has no connexion whatever with the true disease in question : farcy 

 is very contagious, and is gained from either the matter of farcy or 

 from that of glanders. ^ 



75. Treatment of farcy. The distended lymphatics or buds may 

 often be traced to one sore, which was the originally inoculated 

 part, and in these cases the destruction of this sore, and that of all 

 the farcied buds, will frequently at once cure the disease, which is 

 here purely local. But when the disease has proceeded further, 

 tlie virus must be destroyed through the medium of the stomach ; 

 although even in these cases, the cure is rendered more speedy and 

 certain, destroying all the diseased buds, by caustic or by cautery 

 Perhaps no mode is better than the dividing them with a sharp firing 

 iron ; or if deeper seated, by opening each with a lancet, and touching 

 the inner surface with lapis infernalis. The various mineral acids 

 may any of them be tried as internal remedies with confidence ; 

 even losing sight of the necessity of watching their effects narrowly, 

 and as soon as any derangement of the health appeai-s, to desist 

 from their use ; oxmuriate of quicksilver (corrosive sublimate) may 

 be given in daily doses of fifteen grains ; oxide of arsenic may also 

 be given in similar doses. The subacetate of copper (verdigris) may 

 also be tried, often with great advantage, in doses of a drachrr: 

 daily. Blaine joins these preparations, and strongly recommends 

 the following : oxmuriate of quicksilver, oxide of arsenic, subacetate 

 of copper, of each eight grains ; sublimate of copper, one scruple ; 

 make into a ball and give every morning, carefully watching the 

 effects, and if it be found to occasion distress, divide, and give half, 

 night and morning. The same author professes to have received 

 great benefit from the use of the following: expressed juice oj 

 elevers, or goose-grass, a strong decoction of hempsecd and sassafrss, 

 of each six ounces; to be given after the ball. It remains to say, 

 that whatever treatment is pursued will be rendered doubly effica- 

 cious if green meat be procured, and the horse be fed wholly on it, 

 provided the bowels will bear such food ; but if the medicines gripe, 

 by being joined with green food, add to the diet bean-meal. When 

 green meat cannot be procured, carrots usually can; and when 

 tliey cannot, still potatoes may be boiled, or the oats may be speared 

 oi malted. As a proof of the beneficial effects of green meat, a 

 horse, so bad with farcy as to be entirely despaired of, was drawn 



