PREPARATORY TREATMENT. 91 



constitution is not sympatlietically affected. In no way can 

 we better accomplish this object than by placing the animal 

 in '' a loose box." A sick horse is so far like a sick mau, 

 that everything in motion annoys him; — the noise of his 

 companions ; the narrowness of his stall ; the confinement of 

 his head ; all this disturbs him : he seems to ask us for a 

 solitude, where he can have his head at liberty, breathe a 

 pure atmosphere, lie down when he feels disposed, and 

 place himself in any posture that affords the most ease. In 

 thus tranquillising the system, we shall find we are abating 

 vascular action in the part inflamed ; and so rendering it in 

 a condition fitter for the remedial agents, whose operation is 

 of a direct character. 



Position of the Inflamed Part. — With animals that 

 cannot be made to understand what conduces to their good, 

 little can be effected in the particulars of management : 

 what little can be done, however, ought to be done. In- 

 flamed parts should always be placed in a state of repose, 

 and, if possible, at the same time in that relaxed condition 

 which leaves every fibre at ea^e. We may do much towards 

 this end, by raising or lowering the heel or toe of the shoe, 

 as the case may require. Should the head or the neck be 

 the seat of inflammation, it is beneficial to keep the head 

 elevated : often mischief is done by suffering the animal to 

 hang down the head, &c. In fact, the principle by which 

 we are to be guided, is to maintain the inflamed part in 

 that position which is most favorable to a return of the 

 blood. 



Clothing. — The next step is attention to clothing. There 

 are few diseases in which it is not desirable to keep the 

 body warm, for which we employ woollen clothing. The 

 thickness of the clothes must be regulated by the season of 

 the year, by the previous habit, as well as by reference to 

 the disease under which the animal may be labouring : in 

 hot weather, clothing is required rather to protect the wound 

 from flies than for warmth, and, consequently, linen is to 

 be preferred. In no case should the quantity of clothes be 

 burthensomc. It is also important, where the respiration is 



