WINDGALL. 287 



cleansed of any obstruction, and so rendered more bibulous. 

 And in situations where it can be conveniently applied, pressure 

 likewise, by bandage or otherwise, will be found an important 

 agent in promoting absorbent action. An ointment which has 

 been strongly recommended to us for the dispersion of bursal 

 swellings that are becoming chronic, is composed of the bi-chloride 

 of mercury and simple ointment or hogs' lard, in the ratio of 3i to 

 §i. In using an application of this kind, however, the same as in 

 the case of an ordinary blister, we must bargain for the loss of 

 hair from the parts. But such a vesicatory may be used as with 

 caution to guard against this consequence. The acetum can- 

 tharidum, compounded and applied in the manner prescribed at 

 page 180, will not disturb the hair. 



Should such measures as we have recommended fail in accom- 

 plishing our object, the question might be raised of how far it 

 would be desirable or politic to employ cauterization: and, to 

 carry this into effect, either the windgalled parts may be fired in 

 the usual mode, or the hot iron may be applied over the surface of 

 them, with a piece of hog's skin interposed, so as to imitate 

 pretty closely what surgeons call the moxa. It rarely happens, 

 however, that we are called on to use the actual cautery for wind- 

 gall alone : generally speaking, the windgalled legs are, at the 

 same time, from other causes, failing legs ; very often there are 

 present the accompaniments of thickened and rounded sinews, 

 for which causes is the firing especially required : the windgalls 

 being probably more secondary than primary in the causation of 

 the failure. 



A summary mode — and, were it not for the danger that too fre- 

 quently attends it, the most effectual one for the removal of wind- 

 gall — is an operation having for its object the discharging of its 

 contents through an external opening, and the subsequent destruc- 

 tion of the secretory powers of the membranous sac composing it. 

 And in such a case as capped hock, or capped elbow, or any in- 

 sulated bursal swelling, unconnected with any joint or synovial 

 sheath, such an operation has been followed by the happiest results. 

 Not only has the enlargement been in a comparatively short time 

 got rid of, but the fruitful producer of the fluid has been, at the 

 same time, utterly destroyed. On the other hand, it is our duty to 



