PRICKED, STABBED, OR CUT FOOT. 227 



the wound freely exposed, whenever the matter is dis- 

 coloured, the diseased surface will require some mild caustic 

 dressing ; as equal parts of muriate of antimony and water, 

 which may be increased or diminished in strength according 

 as appearances may seem to require. The condition of the 

 part will be indicated by the matter discharged, and will 

 determine the strength of the dressing. 



Into a sinus running (measured by the probe) full two 

 inches upward from the toe, and from which there had pro- 

 ceeded an abundant discharge of healthy-looking purulent 

 matter, I injected spirits of turpentine. Twenty-four hours 

 afterwards there was but very scanty oozing. I repeated 

 the injection, and the next day the issue was altogether 

 stopped, and the animal moved almost sound upon the 

 foot. 



An excellent dressing for wounds in feet, when they re- 

 quire stimulating, and look pale or unhealthy (which my 

 father was in the habit of using), is 01. Terebinth. Tow 

 wetted with it is placed upon the sore, and on that a pledget 

 of tow is laid. This is firmly pressed by iron hooping when 

 the sole is the seat, or by ligature when the wall or other 

 part is involved. 



Experience has broken my faith in poultices for cases of 

 this description. I think with C. Percivall, and he says it was 

 my father's practice — after thoroughly exposing the under- 

 run parts — to dress them with 01. Terebinth, and a firm- 

 pressed pledget, wedged in by iron hoops across the shoe. 

 The parts may be (if thought requisite) soaked in warm 

 water ^r5^, to wash the grit out. 



Give the animal some purgative medicine ; it will, as he 

 must probably rest for some days, keep his legs from filling. 

 Then place the hoof in a poultice. A second dressing will 

 not, in general, be required ; not unless it turn out that 

 fresh matter has been secreted, or is issuing from parts which 

 have escaped exploration. Provided the first dressing be 

 well executed, it does not often happen that anything is 

 needed. When the inflammation has subsided, and the 

 parts have assumed a healthy aspect, cover the foot with a 



