689 



local bleedings have been specially recommended, with antiphlo- 

 gistic aj)pHcations upon the congested regions. General bleeding 

 at the jugular is especially indicated; a large bleeding of from 

 five to ten litres, repeated if the pulse or the condition of the dis- 

 ease indicates it. Local bleeding, often recommended, seems to 

 us, generally speaking, to be useless ; that of the toe is of difficult 

 performance in founder, as the feet are usually raised from the 

 ground with difficulty, and the operation is quite painful, and 

 may give rise to more or less serious complications. However, in 

 serious cases it can be done while the animal is thrown down, not 

 so much on account of the blood depletion as to prevent the pos- 

 sibility of gangrene supervening. It is more useful in the ox, 

 according to Lafosse, who recommends to pare the foot down to 

 the quick and to put on the shoe again if the animal has to con- 

 tinue its journey. 



The topical applications employed are varied and numerous ; 

 the simplest and most practical is cold water, cold baths at half 

 the leg (Fig. 520) ; take in running water, 

 if it can be done, and if the animal stands 

 up; walking in the water is then recom- 

 mended, if practicable, walking increasing 

 the venous circulation of the part. Instead 

 of running water, ponds, marshy grounds, 

 pools of stagnant water, or even Uquid 

 manure may serve the same purpose. In 

 establishments where horses are numerous, 

 there are special tubs where the water is 

 constantly changed. The animal may be 

 placed in some of these, up to his fetlock, 

 in an astringent solution. Mathew has in- 

 vented an apparatus for continued irriga- figs. 520. 

 tion, consisting of a reservoir of water ele 

 vated above the body of the animal ; around each coronet is placed, 

 in shape of a bracket, a tube of india rubber, perforated with holes 

 opening on the hoof ; from the reservoir rvins a tube which bifur- 

 cates and furnishes to each leg a descending division connected 

 with the bracket (Fig. 521). The water is then allowed to run 

 around the coronet and drip over the foot. Instead of simple 

 water, the use of snow or broken ice has been recommended, 

 wrapped in cloth round the hoof ; pads of oakum dipped in solu- 



Local Cold Douch 

 Application. 



