348 THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF FARCY. 



The beneficial eifect that blood-letting does commonly have in a 

 recent attack may be seen by a perusal of the case — an ordinary 

 one — of the Colonel's charger* ; in which it will be observed that, 

 notwithstanding he was purging at the time, and it was a week 

 after the disorder had shewn itself, a corded swelling arose in his 

 thigh, which was put back by blood-letting, and a second and a 

 third time repulsed by a repetition of the blood-letting ; although, 

 in the end, the swelling still returned and proceeded to suppura- 

 tion and ulceration. Blood-letting, therefore, is certainly, in the 

 early stage, the most likely means of bringing about resolution of 

 the farcy-buds; and though we may fail in this object, still will 

 the loss of blood often be found to retard or stay their progress, 

 at all events for some time, and so, perhaps, render the attack 

 milder than otherwise it would have proved. In acute cases, hoAv- 

 ever, do what we will, and do it when we may, it too frequently 

 turns out that no benefit results from our remedies : the disease has 

 constitutionally set in, and will run its course in spite of us. 



Walking Exercise is, in general, an indispensable accom- 

 paniment to any plan of treatment we may adopt. When the 

 patient's limb is in the frightfully tumefied condition that has 

 been described, and which it will be certain to run into should 

 the animal be kept standing still, nothing so much assists the 

 operation of medicine, and along with it proves so influential in 

 reducing the tumefaction, as slow and steady walking exercise 

 perseveringly kept up, and repeated, for an hour or half-an-hour 

 at a time, twice, thrice, or four times a-day, according to circum- 

 stances. With a view of furthering this end, the patient may be 

 placed in a roomy box : however capacious his apartment may be, 

 it is seldom he feels disposed to move in it ; but stands for ease in 

 one place, never stirring his tumid painful limb but when compelled 

 to do so. 



The Diet, during the inflammatory, swollen, tender, and irri- 

 table condition of the farcinous parts, and so long as any febrile 

 disorder of consequence reigns in the system, must be a low one : 

 the febrile stage, however, once past — once the suppurative action 

 commenced, the diet should be changed for a generous one, and 



* CJivcn at pages 230 and lol. 



