1353 OPENING THE TUMOUR, WHEN PROPER. 



system should be sustained in some degree proportioned to what it may ob- 

 viously require. Therefore, horses that may be in good condition at the time 

 of the attack, and withal highly feverish and full of corn, will only require 

 opening medicine, whilst a brisk purgative might do harm by lessening the 

 access of matter to the tumour, and the system would still retain a portion of 

 the offensive cause of disease, which would break forth at a future period in 

 some one or other of the correspondent diseases dependent on tubercular af- 

 fections. In this case give the following 



Laxative Ball. 



^'^f.^' }ofeach 3 drachms, 



Castile soap, ) ' 



Ginger, 1 scruple. Mix for one dose. 



If difficulty of swallowing is already perceivable, a drench would be found the 

 more desirable form of arriving at the same end. Then give the 



Laxative Drench. 



Captor oil, 6 ounces. 

 Water gruel, 1 quart. 

 Salts, 6 ounces. Mix. 



Meantime, at the first appearance of the disorder, let the hair be clipped off 

 close at the part affected, and a little way round, to allow of greater effect from 

 any application that may be deemed necessary. The head being clothed, will 

 restore as much warmth as hath hereby been abridged. Mild cases will re- 

 quire no more than this, probably, and the assistance of a poultice and fomen- 

 tation of marsh-mallows daily to the throat, to bring the swelling to a proper 

 state for opening. This will be shown by its pointing, or becoming soft and 

 peaked in the middle. But a premature employment of the lancet is to be 

 avoided, for the reason before assigned, viz. to give lime for the whole matter 

 to collect ; when this period arrives, the whole swelling will be soft and yield- 

 ing to pressure, unless the animal be a very thick-skinned one, with a great 

 chuckle-head. In these cases, the part should be rubbed with a stimulating 

 liniment, and if the tumour is working its way inwards so as to threaten suf 

 focation, blistering ointment may be applied. After each and either of these 

 applications, the poultice is to be again put on with care; and as much of 

 its efficacy depends upon its remaining in contact with the throat, the adjust- 

 ing of it properly requires great pains and some adroitness for the thing. 



Much difficulty being experienced in making serviceable bandages, 1 have 

 annexed a descriptive sketch of such a one as would be proper to keep on the 

 ttpplications. It needs no further explanation than is given in cases of sore 

 hroat at page 78, and of abscess, at page 114. 



Stimulating Liniment, 



Mustard, powdered, 1 ounce, 

 Liquid Ammonia, 3 drachms 



Mix and apply assidously to the part. 



