11^ FORM OF BANDAGES 



close observation. In genera!, this may be ascertained by a change in the 

 animal's manner : he will eat more heartily as the matter increases : which 

 proves that the disease of his habit has accumulated at this precise spot. He 

 should not be allowed long to remain in this state, lest the offensive matter 

 should penetrate inwardly or laterally. If the disease is thus distinctly known 

 to proceed from the remains of ill-cured fever or inflammation, poultices should 

 be applied to bring it forward to the surface, and the animal receive increased 

 feeds of dry oats, of beans, or sodden oats, according to his former habits, in 

 order to encourage the access of matter ; for nature, exhausted by the violence 

 or the continuance of the disorder, is incapable of expelling this last remains 

 of the enemy, and stands in need of support. Should the horse have been 

 lately laid up with fever, or for some time past shown languor in his gait, and 

 heaviness about the eyes, or it may be concluded from his recent hard labour 

 and hard mode of living, that he has been long ailing inwardly: in this case 

 the abscess being evidently a critical symptom of the general evil state of his 

 blood, nature must be assisted in getting rid of the offensive matter ; and for 

 that purpose bring the tumour to a head by means of a poultice. The head 

 is most commonly the seat of swelled glands. 



Drawing Poultice. 



White bread, the crum of a 41b. loaf. 

 Onions chopped, 2 lb. 



Boil the onions in water, and pour the whole on the bread: mix to a tolerable 

 consistency, and whilst blood-warm apply copiously to the parts in a cloth. 

 Support the application by means of a bandage of stout linen cloth, with liga- 

 tures tying over the forehead and across the poll thrice, as described in 

 the annexed sketch. Some persons have recommended the use of a so- 

 lution of gum to render the cloth impervious to liquids. See page 79. 



