TREATMENT OF NAVICULARTHRITIS. 181 



small painter's brush, taking care that the strokes of the brush are 

 repeated frequently enough to wet the hair thoroughly with the 

 liquid. The horse is then to be fastened short up, so that he can- 

 not lie down; and four and twenty hours after the application of the 

 blister, supposing it to have taken due effect — which by this time 

 it will if it produce any effect at all — the hair, which has become 

 ruffled and matted together by the discharge from the blister, should 

 be sponged well with warm water, the object being to preserve the 

 skin from any subsequent stimulation from the blister or the acridity 

 of the discharge caused by it, and thus to preserve the hair. Should 

 insufficient effect appear to have been produced, it may be advis- 

 able, on the second or third day afterwards, to apply a little more 

 of the acetum: though extreme caution will be needed in so doing, 

 having rarely made the experiment myself without, in the end, hav- 

 ing had reason to repent, on account of the hair coming off. I would 

 rather wait a few days before the second application was made. 

 The sponging operation should be carefully performed every morn- 

 ing, smoothing down the hair in so doing : at the same time it is a 

 wise precaution to take, to smear the heel with grease, lest any of 

 the blister or discharge should escape into it. About ten days or a 

 fortnight after the application of the blister, under attentive manage- 

 ment, the sweated parts will in general have become sufficiently soft 

 and pliant again to warrant the horse being seen out in a short 

 gentle trot. Should there remain, however, any scurfiness about 

 the pastern or coronet, his action will necessarily be stiff in those 

 parts, and on that account perhaps will he still shew lameness, sup- 

 posing he does not do so from his continuing unrelieved by the 

 remedies that have been employed. Providing he go sound, or so 

 much better that he is evidently on the road of improvement, let 

 him remain, as before, at rest in his stall for another week, and 

 then be again trotted out for trial ; a period when, his progress to- 

 wards amendment being satisfactory, he may be turned into a loose 

 box, his continuance in which must depend entirely on circum- 

 stances. Should his services be peremptorily demanded, of course 

 he must return to work ; though the longer he is kept out of work 

 the greater will be the chance for him to stand sound when he comes 

 to be put to it. 



