356 SPRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 



can be done, both by Nature and Art, towards restoration, will 

 much remain still to be accomplished, to which the action of the 

 parts will require to be aroused afresh by another and quite a 

 different class of remedies ; to wit, 



Blistering and Firing. — ^Even in severe sprains, by the judi- 

 cious application of the remedies recommended, and perseverance 

 in their use for a sufficient length of time, soundness in very many 

 cases is to be restored, providing the case be brought, so soon as 

 it shall happen, under treatment, and providing it be not one of 

 relapse or renewal of an old sprain. Inflammation nearly or quite 

 abstracted, the leg becomes cooled down almost to its natural 

 temperature ; and although a good deal of thickening in places 

 remains, and the skin covering the enlargements has an unnatural 

 closeness and tensity — arising from adhesions existing between it 

 and the parts underneath, through unabsorbed interstitial de- 

 posit — yet do the tendons perhaps play, or may from use after a 

 time do so, with sufficient facility to enable the horse to walk and 

 even trot soundly upon his still anormal limb. On the other 

 hand, stiffness may remain very observable in action ; or lameness, 

 though much relieved from what it has been, may still continue, 

 and appear to be permanent ; rendering the animal, unless more 

 can be done for him, unserviceable to his possessor, and a source 

 of plaint against his veterinary attendant. Under these circum- 

 stances, blistering or firing comes to be considered. Nay, even 

 under circumstances wherein there is no lameness — wherein sound- 

 ness has been restored, the horse must not be permitted to return 

 to work without these potent therapeutic and surgical aids being 

 called in, would we desire to preserve our patient in soundness, 

 and especially under severe or trying work, against the liability, 

 I might almost say certainty, of return of lameness. There is no 

 disease that I know of so likely to relapse under fresh excite- 

 ments as sprain. Even horses with slight sprains require inter- 

 vals of rest, and after they have been "cured" too, before they 

 can be safely taken again into work; and in severe cases, no 

 veterinarian or hunting man would think of a horse standing any 

 violent work, at least- — such as hunting, racing, &c. — without 

 having '' had the iron." Firing, here, is the remedy, and the only 



