SPA 



SPI 



415 



or according to Dr. Bracken, a col- 

 lection of brownish gelatinous 

 matter, contained in a bag, or cyst, 

 which he thinks to be the lubricat- 

 ing niatter of the joint altered, the 

 common membrane that encloses it 

 forming the cyst. This case he 

 has taken the pains to illustrate in 

 a young colt of his own, where, he 

 says, when the spavin was pressed 

 hard on the inside of the hough, 

 there was a small tumour on the 

 outside, which convinced him the 

 fluid was within side the joint. He 

 accordingly cut into it, discharged 

 a large quantity of this gelatinous 

 matter, dressed the sore with dos- 

 sils dipped in oil of turpentine, put- 

 ting into it, once in three or four 

 days, a powder made of calcined 

 vitriol, alum, and bole. By this 

 method of dressing, the bag slough- 

 ed off, and came away, and the 

 cure was successfully completed 

 without any visible scar. 



" This disorder, according to the 

 above description, will scarcely 

 submit to any other method, ex- 

 cept tiring, when the cyst ought to 

 be penetrated to make it effectual. 

 But in all obstinate cases that have 

 resisted the above methods, both 

 the cure of this, and the swelling 

 ca lied wind-galls, should, I think, 

 be attempted after this manner. 

 If, through the pain attending the 

 operation or dressings, the joint 

 should swell and inflame, foment it 

 twice a day, and apply a poultice 

 over the dressings, till it is reduc- 

 ed." Complete Farmer. 



Mason's Farrier asserts that " a 

 spavined horse may be considered 

 as completely ruined, for a per- 

 manent cure can rarely be effected. 



if attempted even on its first ap- 

 pearance. A blister of Spanish 

 flies applied on the part affected, 

 (after shaving the hair off) with a 

 bath of strong spirits or vinegar, 

 and a week's rest, will frequently 

 suspend the lameness produced by- 

 spavin for a time — but a radical 

 cure may not be expected." 



SPAYING, the castration of fe- 

 male animals, to prevent concep- 

 tion, and promote their fattening. 

 It is said, that spayed sows will 

 have a greater quantity of fat upon 

 their inwards than barrows, and 

 that they are, on the whole, more 

 profitable. 



SPELT, a species of grain re- 

 sembling wheat, but smaller, and 

 darker coloured, bearded, with on- 

 ly two rows on an ear. It is used 

 in Germany for bread, and will 

 make malt. Of this grain the au- 

 cients are said to have made their 

 frumeni'y, of which they were very 

 fond. It may be sowed in autumn 

 or spring, and deliahts in a dry soil, 



SPIKY ROLLER, a wooden 

 roller, armed v\ith spikes, of im- 

 portant use in husbandry. 



This instrument was formerly 

 just mentioned by Mr. Ellis ; but 

 has been of late brought into use by 

 the ingenious Mr. Randall, of York, 

 in Engiartd : Who rncojnmends, 

 that the roller be a cviitider of the 

 heart of oak, seven feet long and 

 eighteen inches diameter, with a 

 strong band of iron on each end. 

 Teeth or tines of iron, seven im hes 

 long, are driven three inches inio 

 the wood, and four inches apart, in 

 the qiiinruDX order, over the who'e 

 convex surface. The ovJer po^^ts 

 must be pretty sharp ; and tnc ei.uls 



