346 OPERATIONS. 



The blood coagulates soon after it is taken from the vein. The coagulable part is 

 composed of two substances : that which gives colour to the blood, and that in whicn 

 the red particles float. These, by degrees, separate from each other, and the red par- 

 ticles sink to the bottom. If the coagulation takes place slowly, the red particles 

 have more time to sink through the fluid, and there appears on the top a thick, yel- 

 lowish, adhesive substance, called the buffy coat. The slowness of the coagulation 

 and the thickness of buflTy coat are indicative of inflammation, and of the degree of 

 inflammation. 



In a healthy state of the system, the coagulation is more rapid, the red particles 

 have not time to fall through, and the bufly coat is thin. These appearances are 

 worth observing; but much more dependence is to be placed on the char;\''ter and 

 change of the pulse, and the symptoms generally. When the horse is exhausted and 

 the system nearly broken up, the blood will sometimes not coagulate but be of one 

 uniform black colour and loose texture. When the blood runs down the side of the 

 vessel in which it is received, the coagulation will be very imperfect. When it is 

 drawn in a full stream, it coagulates slowly, and when procured from a smaller orifice, 

 the coagulation is more rapid. Every circumstance affecting the coagiilation and 

 appearance of the blood, the pulse, and the general symptoms, should be most atten- 

 tively regarded. 



A great deal of mystery is associated with bleeding in the management of the racer 

 and the hunter. The labour of the turf and the field having ceased, there is frequently 

 some difficulty in preventing a plethoric state of the constitution — a tendency to 

 inflammatory complaints. If the horse is rapidly accumulating flesh, it may be pru- 

 dent to abstract blood, dependent in quantity on the age and constitution of the ani- 

 mal. Attention to this may prevent many a horse from going wrong; but the custom 

 that once prevailed of bleeding every horse a fortnight or more after the racing or 

 hunting season had passed, is decidedly objectionable. 



As preparatory to work, bleeding is far from being so much employed as it used to 

 be. As a universal practice, when the horse is first taken from grass, it now scarcely 

 exists. It would not always be objected to, if the horse was fat and full of flesh, but, 

 otherwise, it is a custom more honoured in the breach than the observance. It cer- 

 tainly produces very considerable effect. More rapidly than any species of diet — 

 more rapidly than any sweating or purging; it reduces the condition of the horse, but, 

 we have often thought, at the expense of those essentials to life and health that cannot 

 be easily replaced. 



BLISTERING. 



We have spoken of the effect of blisters, when treating of the various diseases to 

 which they are applicable. The principle on which they act is, that no two intense 

 inflammations can exist in neighbouring parts, or perhaps in the system, at the same 

 time. Hence we apply some stimulating acrimonious substance to the skin, in order 

 to excite external inflammation, and thus lessen or remove that which exists in some 

 deeper seated and, generally, not far distant part. Hence, also, we blister the sides 

 in inflammation of the lungs — the abdomen in that of the bowels — the legs in that of 

 the cellular substance surrounding the sheaths of the tendons, or the sheaths them- 

 selves, and the coronet or the heel in inflammation of the navicular joint. 



Blisters have likewise the property of increasing the activity of the neighbouring 

 vessels : thus we blister to bring the tumour of strangles more speedily to a head — to 

 rouse the absorbents generally to more energetic action, and cause the disappearance 

 of tumours, and even callous and bony substances. 



The jiulgment of the practitioner will decide whether the desired eflTect will be best 

 produced by a sudden and violent action, or by the continuance of one of a milder 

 character. Inflammation should be met by active blisters; old enlartrenicnls am', 

 swellings will be most certainly removed by milder stimulants — by the process which 

 farriers call sweating down. 



There are few more active or effectual blisters than the Spanish fly. mixed with the 

 proportions of lard and resin that will be hereafter stated. The best liquid or sweat- 

 ing blister is an infusion of the fly in spirit of turpentine, and that lowered with neat's 

 foot oil, according to the degree of activity required. 



In preparing the horse for blistering, the hair should be clipped or shaved as closely 

 as possible, and the ointment thoroughly rubbed in. Much foult is often found Miib 



