226 THE PEACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



Poultices are usually made with bran, though this has the 

 disadvantage of drying very quickly, to remedy which it may be 

 mixed with linseed-meal or with a little linseed-oil. Boiled 

 carrots or turnips mashed up make a good poultice, as does 

 linseed-meal, when mixed with boiling water, and a little 

 olive-oil added by stirring. 



A charcoal poultice is sometimes used when there is a bad 

 smell to be got rid of. It is made by adding linseed-meal to 

 boiling water, and stirring until a soft mass is produced ; with 

 this some wood-charcoal in powder is mixed, and when ready 

 to be applied some more powder is sprinkled on the surface. 



It may be noted that, in lieu of these materials for poul- 

 tices, the material known as spongio-piline can be usefully 

 employed. A piece of sufficient size is steeped in hot water, 

 applied to the part, covered with a large piece of oiled silk or 

 waterproof stuff, and secured there. Even an ordinary sponge, 

 steeped in hot water, and covered with any waterproof material, 

 makes a good poulticing medium ; it is well adapted for the 

 throat, near the head, as well as for the space between the 

 branches of the lower jaw. 



Enemas or Clysters. 



These are given in fevers, inflammation, constipation, etc., 

 to empty the posterior part of the bowels. They are ad- 

 ministered by a large syringe which can contain a quart or more 

 of water, with a nozzle about twelve inches in length, with an 

 ox's bladder tied to a pipe, or a large funnel with a long nozzle 

 at a right angle ; but the syringe is best. Water alone is 

 usually employed for enemas ; it should be about the tempera- 

 ture of the body, not less, but perhaps a degree or two more. 

 To administer it one of the horse's fore-feet should be held up, 

 v/hile the operator (having filled the instrument, and smeared 

 the end of the nozzle with a little lard or oil) pushes the latter 

 very gently and steadily for a few inches into the intestine, 



