236 



A DICTIONARY. 



healed. A dislocation of the stifle, or 

 patella, must be reduced by brini^ing the 

 horse's leg under the belly, and then depress- 

 ing the outer angle of the patella, or stifle 

 bone, with the hand, which gives the 

 muscles the power to draw the bone into its 

 place. Generally speaking, dislocations are 

 rare. 



Distemper. — This name is applied to 

 diseases that prevail at particular periods, 

 and spread to a considerable distance. 

 (See Epidemic.) 



Docking. — Cutting off part of the tail. 

 If this is ever necessary (and the author 

 doubts it), then the operation should be 

 performed before the animal is two years 

 old. 



Drastic. — A term applied to purgatives 

 that operate powerfully. 



Drenches, or Drinks. — When it is 

 necessary that any medicine should operate 

 speedily, this is the best form in which it 

 can be given. A bottle with a short neck is 

 the best drenching instrument. In giving a 

 drench, the tongue should be at liberty, the 

 head moderately elevated ; the drench is 

 then poured down moderately. The head 

 is to be kept in an elevated position until 

 the drench is swallowed. If the animal 

 happens to cough while the drench is in his 

 throat, the head should be immediately let 

 down. 



Dressing. — A term employed to desig- 

 nate medical applications to a wound, or 

 ulcer, and the operation of cleaning a horse. 



Dropsy. — This disease consists in a col- 

 lection of serous or watery fluid, either in 

 cavities, as the chest, belly, or ventricles of 

 the brain, or in the cellular membrane under 

 the skin. Dropsy is more a symptom of 

 disease than a disease itself; but some- 

 times, on account of the violence and danger 

 of the symptom, it is often treated as a 

 disease. The proximate cause is a check to 

 perspiration ; the remote cause is bleeding, 

 or any thing that can debilitate the general 

 system. 



Dropsy of the Chest. — This is some- 

 times a consequence of disease of the lungs ; 

 and, when it happens, those important 



organs generally are so far disorganized, or 

 injured, that there is very little chance of the 

 animal's recovery. 



Dropsy of the Belly, or Ascites. — 

 The causes are the same as above ; the only 

 difference is, that, from circumstances pre- 

 disposing, the fluid is determined on the 

 peritoneum (see Peritoneum) instead of 

 the pleura. 



Duct. — A membranous tube, or canal, 

 through which certain fluids are conveyed. 

 Thus the lachrymal duct conveys tears from 

 the eyes to the nose. 



Dung. — By examining a horse's dung, 

 we are enabled to judge of the state of his 

 health. When the dung is hard, and in 

 small knobs, and covered with slime, laxa- 

 tive medicines are beneficial ; and when it 

 is passed in too great quantities, it com- 

 monly arises from too liberal allowance of 

 food. If oats are voided whole, it will 

 generally be found to be caused either 

 by a defect of the teeth, or by a too 

 voracious appetite, occasioning the food 

 to be swallowed without mastication ; in 

 which case the animal should be fed on 

 shorts, or scalded food. 



Duodenum. — The first intestine that 

 comes from the stomach. (See Intes- 

 tines.) 



Dura Mater. — A strong membrane that 

 invests the brain and divides it into two 

 lobes. It likewise separates the large brain 

 (cerebrum) from the small, or cerebellum. 



Ear. — The horse's ear is merely an organ 

 for collecting sound ; consequently he has 

 complete power over the muscles attached 

 to them, and can turn them in different 

 directions. 



Effluvia. — Invisible vapors that arise 

 from bodies. 



Effusion. — The oozing out of serum, or 

 coagulable lymph, from the blood-vessels. 



Embrocation. — A liquid preparation for 

 rubbing upon the skin, and generally used 

 for strains, bruises, and enlarged glands. 



Embryotomy,* — When, from weakness, 

 a very narrow pelvic opening on the fore part 

 of the mother, or monstrosity on the part of 

 * Blaine. 



