other remedies for spavin. 129 



Blister. 



There appears to me more reason for making a comparison be- 

 tween a seton and a blister, as remedies for spavin, than between 

 a seton and the actual cautery ; and of the two former, for my own 

 part, I give the preference to the seton. It is not at all times 

 safe or politic to theorize on the action or effects of different reme- 

 dies, since on occasions those prove of most avail which afford, in 

 our preconceived opinion, the smallest promise ; though, most as- 

 suredly, were I permitted to do so on the present occasion, I should 

 say that a seton, from the enduring character of its operation, as 

 well as from the amount of counter-inflammation it is frequently 

 productive of — to say nothing of the unremitting issue arising from 

 it — is a remedy better fitted for the relief of a chronic deep-seated 

 disease, such as spavin, than a blister is ; seeing that a blister, 

 though sharp enough and prompt enough in its operation at first, 

 quickly degenerates into comparative inaction. It seems not so 

 much to be the activity or severity of the counter-irritant as its 

 enduring unremitting operation that proves so desirable; though, 

 undoubtedly, the combination of both virtues in the same remedy 

 will give it a high rank, a principle on which I would account for 

 the paramount superiority of firing for spavin. 



It is clearly of little or no use to apply a blister for a spavin 

 unless that blister is a severe one ; and, therefore, I recommend 

 that strong blistering ointment should be used for the purpose; 

 such ointment as the farriers of olden days were in the habit of 

 using, such as contains bi-chloride of mercury and Venice turpen- 

 tine ; ingredients which, while they add causticity and stimulancy 

 to vesication, tend materially to protract the operation of the blister. 

 And as soon as one blister shall have worked off, if time can be 

 spared for it, I would recommend a second to be applied, this being 

 the only plan of insuring any thing like success from vesicatories. 



It was a common practice at one time, and continues to be with 

 some even at the present day, to apply a blister after firing for 

 spavin. For this, however, providing the firing has been performed 

 with the requisite severity, there cannot be the smallest necessity. 



VOL. IV. s 



