THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY 175 



into the wound, and separate the flesh from the cellular 

 substance beneath ; this is done all round as far as the 

 linger will extend, which produces a cavity between 

 two and three inches wide, A piece of tow anointed 

 with blistering or any other stimulating ointment to 

 promote inflammation and discharge, must now be 

 inserted, in quantity sufficient to fill up the cavity and 

 leave a small end hanging from the mouth of the wound, 

 whence the discharge will drop more or less abundantly 

 according to the nature of the complaint or the strength 

 of the ointment. The tow must be changed daily, and 

 the ointment renewed or discontinued as the case re- 

 quires. 



The circular piece of leather with a hole in the cen- 

 tre, as used by the old farriers, is gradually getting into 

 disuse, and is objectionable in as much as it generally 

 leaves a blemish, whereas by the new method the rowel 

 will close and heal and scarcely be perceptible. 



Setons 



Are very beneficial in cases of abscess, especially in 

 pole-evil or fistulous withers ; indeed in most fistulous 

 wounds they are highly necessary, for by draining 

 off the humour from the very bottom of the part af- 

 fected, they prevent the abscess eating its way still 

 deeper into the body, which would render unavailing 

 all attempts to procure a speedy cure. In inflamma- 

 tion of the eyes a seton may be used in the cheek ; but 

 where extensive inflammation of any of the larger or- 

 gans takes place, blisteriag is far preferable to either 

 rowels or setons. 



The method of applying them is thus : — With a 

 large needle, or instrument made for such purposes, 



