TREATMENT OF DISEASES OP THE IIOESE. 483 



been first used, and a little too soon, tliere might have been considerable, 

 and perhaps dangerous return of fever. 



CnARCOAL is occasionally used as an antiseptic, being made into a 

 poultice with linseed meal, and applied to foul and offensive ulcers, and to 

 cracked heels. It removes the fcetid and unwholesome smell that occa- 

 sionally proceeds from them. 



Charges are thick adliesive plasters spread over parts that had been 

 strained or weakened, and, being applied to the skin, adhere for a con- 

 siderable time. The following mistui'e makes a good charge — Boi^gundy 

 or common pitch, five ounces ; tar, six ounces ; yellow wax, one ounce, 

 melted together, and when they are becoming cool, half a drachm of 

 powdered cantharides well stirred in. This must be partially melted 

 afresh when apphed, and spread on the part with a large spatula, as hot as 

 can be done without giving the animal too much pain. Flocks of tow 

 should be scattered over it while it is warm, and thus a thick and adhesive 

 covering will be formed that cannot be separated from the skin for many 

 months. It is used for old sprains of the loins, and also strains of the back 

 sinews. The charge acts in three ways — by the sKght stimulant power 

 which it possesses, it gradually removes all deep-seated inflammation — by 

 its stimulus and its pressure, it promotes the absorption of any callus or 

 thickening beneath ; and acting as a constant bandage, it gives tone and 

 strength to the part. 



Clysters. — These are useful and too often neglected means of hasten- 

 ing the evacuation of the bowels when the disease requires their speedy 

 action. The old ox bladder and wooden pipe may still be employed, and 

 a considerable quantity of fluid thrown into the intestine ; but the patent 

 stomach and clyster pump of Mr. Reid is far preferable, as enabling the 

 practitioner to inject a greater quantity of fluid, and in a less time. 



Two ounces of soft or yellow soap, dissolved in a gallon of warm water, 

 will form a useful aperient clyster. It will detach or dissolve many irri- 

 tating substances that may have adhered to the mucous coat of the bowels. 

 For a more active aperient, half a pound of Epsom salts, or even of 

 common salt, may be dissolved in the same quantity of water. A stronger 

 injection, but not to be used if much purgative medicine has been pre- 

 viously given, may be composed of an ounce of Barbadoes aloes, dissolved 

 in two or three quarts of warm water. If nothing else can be procured, 

 warm water may be employed ; it will act as a fomentation to the inflamed 

 and irritable surface of the bowels, and will have no inconsiderable efiect 

 even as an aperient. 



In cases of over-purging or inflammation of the bowels, the injection 

 must be of a soothing nature. It may consist of gruel alone, or if the 

 purging is considerable and difficult to stop, the gruel must be thicker, 

 and four ounces of prepared or powdered chalk well mixed with or sus- 

 pended in it, with two scruples or a drachm of powdered opium. 



No oil should enter into the composition of a clyster, except that linseed 

 oil may be used for the expulsion of the ascarides, or needle-worms. 



In epidemic catarrh, when the horse sometimes obstinately refuses to 

 eat or to drink, his strength may be supported by nourishing clysters ; but 

 they should consist of thick gruel only, and not more than a quart should 

 be administered at once. A greater quantity would be ejected soon after the 

 pipe is withdrawn. Strong broths, and more particularly ale and wine, 

 are dangerous ingredients. They may rapidly aggravate the fever, and 

 should never be administered except under the superintendence, or by the 

 direction, of a veterinary surgeon. 



The principal art of administering a clyster consists in not frightening 

 the liorse. The pipe, well oiled, should bo very gently introduced, and 



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