SHOULDER LAMENIiSS. 241 



for a few minutes, providing he do not "jump about," and risk re- 

 laming himself, will be beneficial. In the case of there being no 

 amendment, or not that amount of " better" that had been expected, 

 some change of treatment should be thought of. When hot and 

 cold applications have failed to afford relief, sometimes 



A Stimulating Liniment, well rubbed in over the point of 

 the shoulder, has been known to do good. The one we use is the 

 following : — 



R 



This liniment takes immediate effect, and sometimes for a short 

 time annoys the animal so much that he requires to be held in hand 

 for a few minutes, or to be fastened up short with the rack-chain. 

 The first perfrication, providing the rubbing, be not contrary to the 

 direction of the hair, will not move the coat; the second, however, 

 will be apt to do this; the third almost certain to do so : knowing 

 which, it will be for the prescriber to act accordingly. 



A Blister entirely over the point of the shoulder is, however, 

 the remedy most likely to prove efficacious in a case wherein mild 

 means have conferred little or no benefit ; the objection to such a 

 remedy being the certain removal of the hair, and the consequent 

 laying-up of the horse for a much longer time than consent in this 

 stage of the lameness can always be obtained for; though, in the end, 

 it may prove — as it often does — really a saving of time. Three or 

 four weeks is the shortest period you can reckon upon for a blister to 

 work itself out, even if it be sponged off with hot water as soon as 

 it has taken effect — which in this case ought to be done : and then, 

 even though the horse may prove sound, the shoulder will proba- 

 bly be left bare ; though that, of course, will depend on the strength 

 and composition of the blister used. What will frequently amount 

 to a blister, and at the same time will leave the hair unloosened, is 

 the application of the acetum cantharidum. A painter's brush 

 answers best to apply it with , the hair being simply wetted with 

 the essence by stroking it with the brush in the direction in which 



VOL. IV. I i 



