OR, HORSE DOCTOR. 47 



it a proper bandage ; or, curriers' shavings, wetted with a 

 composition made of vinegar, spirits of wine, and a little 

 tar, and laid on the swelling with a pretty tight bandage 

 round them, will be of great use. Take it off once a day, 

 and soak the shavings again, or get fresh. Injuries of this 

 kind must not be expected to be removed immediately. 

 Rest is absolutely necessary, and turning the horse out to 

 grass would be of great service as soon as the swellng dis- 

 appears, but not before. If these methods fail, the next 

 thing is to blister ; for I have known blistering succeed when 

 all the former have failed. The last thing to have recourse 

 to, is firing ; and this must be done carefully, and by some 

 experienced person. 



Sprains of the Knees and Pasterns. 



The knees are liable to many misfortunes besides sprains. 

 The Speedy Cut is done by striking one foot against the other 

 leg, just below the knee, and is frequently done by a horse 

 that trots high. Sometimes it swells very much, and is taken 

 for a sprain. Sometimes horses get kicked by others, or 

 meet with some other accident which causes a swelled knee, 

 which is sometimes bad to remove. A jDOultice, made as 

 follows, and carefully applied to the part injured, will have 

 a great tendency to remove the swelling : 



Take 4 ounces of Tar. 



4 ounces of Spirits of "Wine. 

 3 ounces of Hogs' Lard, 



Melt these together over a slow fire, and be careful not to 

 set fire to them, and put in as much linseed-meal as will make 

 them of a proper consistence. This is a very good poultice 

 for many other kinds of swellings, and although but little 

 known hitherto, I hope that it will bo found of great service. 

 If any substance be left wliich will not give way to this 

 method, you must lay on a little blistering ointment. 



Lameness in the Stifle. 



The Stifle is the tenderest part of a horse, except the eye. 

 How many horses have lost their lives by misfortunes in this 

 part, and how many have been left lame by not being pro- 

 perly cured ! A horse that is lame in the stifle generally 

 treads on his toe, and can not set his heel to the ground 

 without great pain and difficulty. When you find this is 

 the case, bathe the part well with warm vinegar ; and if a 

 puny swelling appear, foment it well with a woolen cloth 

 wrung out of hot vinegar, wormwood and rosemary, having 



