THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 395 



len rugs, such as horses are usually clothed with in cold weather ; 

 also, a number of strong iron skewers, a strong packing needle, 

 and several yards of thick string. Having procured the above 

 articles, (for recollect it is worse than useless not to have them 

 of a sufficient number, size, width, and length,) the second step 

 is to use them properly ; and upon this depends entirely the suc- 

 cess of the operation. Take the linen sheets and the linen band- 

 ages, and immerse them in a large quantity of clean cold water, (the 

 colder the w T ater the better,) and stir them about in the writer, 

 so that the whole may become thoroughly saturated. Thirdly, 

 take the large sheet out of the water, roll it up the short way, 

 and give it a turn or two for the purpose of forcing out the 

 loose water which it may contain, and giving this into the hands 

 of an assistant, (of which the operation will require two or three.) 

 he must then strip the patient of all clothing, and freely sponge 

 its body with cold water from the chine to the loins, embracing 

 the sides, and under the abdomen ; then take the wet sheet, — 

 rolled as it is, — lay it upon the patient's back parallel to the 

 spine, and, holding firm the loose end, let an assistant roll it 

 firmly round and round the body as tight as possible ; then take 

 the longer of the woollen wrappers, (not the woollen horse rugs,) 

 and roll it also firmly round the body, and upon the top of the 

 wet sheet, and secure its loose end with two or three of the iron 

 skewers ; and upon the top of this again fold a large woollen 

 rug, which make secure where the ends meet with the needle 

 and thick string. In precisely the same manner apply the 

 smaller of the wet sheets to the neck, (but here a little difficulty 

 may arise, which will require careful attention — the necks of 

 well-bred horses are frequently very thin and spare, and they re- 

 quire in this process to be packed : the best packing is made with 

 a roll of wool, one roll of which is fixed on each side of the neck 

 in the hollow, running parallel with the windpipe,) which fold 

 with the lesser woollen sheet, and above it again with a woollen 

 rug, made secure as above described. Then repeat the process 

 upon every one of the limbs, and fold above the wet bandages 

 the dry woollen ones. To complete the operation, all that is 

 now required is to spread over the patient the dry woollen rugs : 

 the one placed over the body make secure with a broad surcingle, 



