342 CURB. 



so enabling curbed horses, after lengthened laying-up, to perform 

 their work with their wonted effect, and with the advantage of not 

 being liable to fail again in the same parts. I mean, after curbed 

 subjects have been efficiently or repeatedly blistered, or fired if 

 thought requisite, and at the same time sufficiently rested. 



The Ointment of the Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury, made 

 by rubbing up from one to two drachms of the red powder of the 

 mercury with an ounce of hog's lard, has proved, at times, an useful 

 application ; so much, indeed, has it grown into favour with some 

 veterinary practitioners that they prefer it to a blister. In 1840 

 Mr. Wills read a paper on the subject to the Veterinary Medical 

 Association, in which he spoke in warm commendation of the oint- 

 ment, composed as above stated, as remedial in splints, curbs, 

 windgalls, &c. The ointment may be applied either upon a trim- 

 med or an untrimmed surface, not requiring friction like a blister, 

 nor the head of the horse confining for upwards, at least, of an hour 

 afterwards. A mare was brought to Mr. Wills for opinion, hav- 

 ing curbs on both hocks ; one of them " large and indurated." The 

 owner was unwilling to have her fired, since that would " blemish 

 her." Mr. Wills thought he could succeed in removing one with 

 the ointment, but was dubious concerning the dispersion of the 

 other. He commenced the red mercurial treatment, and in six 

 weeks " the curbs had quite disappeared." Mr. Wills thinks that 

 this ointment possesses the additional virtue of promoting the 

 growth of hair*. 



Iodine and strong Mercurial Ointments, singly or in 

 combination, are employed frequently by horse-dealers and grooms 

 from an apprehension of, from the use of other and more efficient 

 remedies, incurring blemish. Such applications, however, are of 

 very little use when the object is the permanent removal of lame- 

 ness ; the curb being very apt to recur afterwards, supposing it 

 gives way to their employment. 



Firing will certainly be deemed advisable in the case of a 

 curbed horse failing after having been efficiently or repeatedly 

 blistered ; indeed may, from the magnitude of the curb or the ex- 



* See vols, xiii and xiv (for 1840 and 1841) of The Veterinarian. 



