412 ACUTE LAMINITIS. 



effect boiled linseed and turnips mashed together. Whatever in- 

 gredient be employed, it is advisable to wet the poultices from time 

 to time by dipping them in hot water or pouring the water over 

 them. But I recommend that fresh poultices be applied every 

 morning and evening. The pediluvium or warm bath, as recom- 

 mended by D'Arboval and some others, is almost impracticable 

 should the horse be lying, and often very troublesome when he is 

 standing, and, after all, not so effectual as poultices. If warm water 

 is to be applied, the spongio-piline would afford the best medium 

 for it. 



Theorise and reason upon this mode of treatment as we will — 

 and there is much in theory to be said for it, and something to be 

 said against it — I am bound, by the results of my own trials of it, 

 unhesitatingly to declare myself in its favour. In some cases it 

 has seemed to work wonders ; but to this I feel myself constrained 

 to add, in others it has as signally failed. Still, I have been vastly 

 more successful practising Mr. Gabriel's treatment than with any 

 other plan I have been wont to adopt ; and therefore I have, quoad 

 hoc, every reason to be pleased and satisfied with it. Not that we 

 are to feel ourselves precluded by it from introducing portions of 

 any other practices in the treatment to which authority or ex- 

 perience has lent its recommendations, should we deem any such 

 to be called for. 



In the cases in which disappointment has attended such treat- 

 ment, 1 have often observed that the setons have failed to produce 

 the suppurative action usually consequent on their employment. 

 Instead of being soiled with purulent matter, emitting the offensive 

 odour so strongly remarked on by Mr. Gabriel, they have remained 

 dry and odourless. There seemed too high or too extensive in- 

 flammation to permit the secretion of pus; and it became a ques- 

 tion, under such circumstances, whether, instead of proving benefi- 

 cial, our setons had not been productive of harm by creating fresh 

 irritation and inducing more blood to the foot, and thereby adding 

 to that — viz., the inflammation — of which there existed already too 

 much] In such a case as this, and especially when we have 

 already drawn blood from the system to the extent that we dare 

 do, we naturally seek for some local abstraction of blood from the 



