522 DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE FACIAL EEGION. 



sinuses daily, first with tepid, then with cold water containing 

 some deodorizer, as the chloride of lime or zinc, carbolic acid, 

 or Coudy's fluid, afterwards with astringents, as weak solutions 

 of the perchloride of iron, sulphate of copper, or tannic acid. 

 The aperture must be kept open so long as the foetor and the 

 discharge continue. The discharge at first is thick, curdled, 

 and foetid, but by degrees it assumes a less unhealthy character, 

 becomes thinner daily, until at last it has the same appearance 

 as the nasal mucus. Tliis change is always significant, and 

 diagnostic that the case will do well ; but if the discharge con- 

 tinue to have a foetid odour, to come away intermittingly, 

 clotted, and sometimes sanguineous, the termination will gene- 

 rally be unfavourable. In several instances I have found some 

 portion of the inner plate of the sinus, or one or more of its 

 osseous irregularities, divested of their lining membrane, and 

 presenting spots of caries. In such instances the injection of 

 very dilute hydro-chloride acid, say one part to a hundred, has 

 been of signal benefit. 



I also find benefit to follow sprinkling the animal's box with 

 chloride of lime; the continual inhalation of the cldorine 

 having apparently a beneficial effect upon the diseased mucous 

 membrane. 



When the disease is accompanied by constitutional ill health, 

 the local must be supplemented by general treatment. I do 

 not agree with those who recommend that the general treat- 

 ment should precede the operation, unless the animal be in a 

 state of extreme debility. To improve the tone of the system, 

 the patient must be removed from all depressing influences, and 

 placed in a well- ventilated and comfortable box or stable ; the 

 food to be nutritious, but easy of digestion ; the hay and corn 

 must be of the best quality, and given liberally. Now and 

 then a mash may be allowed, — particularly if there is any ten- 

 dency to torpidity of the bowels, — with carrots or grass, if in 

 season. The horse is to be well groomed; damp wisping is 

 very beneficial by keeping up the action of the skin ; the ex- 

 cretory organs must not be allowed to become dormant, or the 

 system will become loaded with effete materials. 



Medicinally, the mineral tonics have been found serviceable, 

 particularly the sulphates of iron and copper, given in the food 

 or in a balL 



