494 A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN 



Poultice^. — Few liorsemen are aware of the value of these simple ap- 

 plications in abating inflammation, relieving pain, cleansing wounds, and 

 disposing them to heal. They are applications of the best kind continued 

 much longer than a simple fomentation can be. In all inflammations of the 

 foot they are very beneficial, by softening the horn hardened by the heat 

 of the foot and contracted and pressing on the internal and highly sensitive 

 parts. The moisture and warmth are the useful quahties of the poultice ; 

 and that poultice is the best for general purposes in which moisture and 

 warmth are longest retained. Perspiration is most abundantly promoted 

 in the part, the pores are opened, swellings are reheved, and discharges of 

 a healthy natui^e procured from wounds. 



Linseed meal forms the best general poultice, because it longest retains 

 the moisture. Bran, although fi^equently used for poultices, is objection- 

 able, because it so soon becomes dry ; the combination of the two in propor- 

 tion of one part of meal to two or thi'ee of bran is a very useful one. To 

 abate considerable inflammation, and especially in a wounded pai't, Goulard 

 may be added, or the linseed meal may be made into a paste with a 

 decoction of poppy-heads. To promote a healthy discharge from an old 

 or foul ulcer ; or separation of the dead from the living parts, in the pro- 

 cess of what is called coring out ; or to hasten the ripening of a tumour 

 that must be opened ; or to cleanse it when it is opened, — two ounces of 

 common turpentine may be added to a pound of linseed meal : but nothing 

 can be so absurd, or is so injurious, as the addition of turpentine to a 

 poultice that is designed to be an emollient. The di^awing poultices and 

 stoppings of farriers are often highly injurious, instead of abating inflam- 

 mation. 



If the ulcer smells ofi"ensively, two ounces of powdered charcoal may be 

 added to the linseed meal, or the poultice may be made of water, to which 

 a solution of the chloride of lime has been added in the proportion of half 

 an ounce to a pound. As an emollient poultice for grease and cracked 

 heels, and especially if accompanied by nauch unpleasant smell, there is 

 nothing preferable to a poultice of mashed carrots with charcoal. For old 

 grease some slight stimulant must be added, as a little yeast or the grounds 

 of table-beer. 



There are two errors in the application of a poultice, and particularly as 

 it regards the legs. It is often put on too tight, by means of which the 

 return of the blood from the foot is prevented, and the disease is increased 

 instead of lessened ; or it is too hot, and ujinecessary pain is given, and the 

 inflammation aggravated. 



Powders. — Some horses are very difficult to ball or di-ench, and the 

 violent struggle that would accompany the attempt to conquer them may 

 heighten the fever or inflammation. To such horses powders must be 

 given in mashes. Nitrate of potassa may be generally used in cases of 

 inflammation or fever ; or calomel or even the farina of the croton-nut for 

 physic ; but powders are too often an excuse for the laziness or awkward- 

 ness of the carter or groom. The horse frequently refuses them, especially 

 if his appetite has otherwise begun to fail ; the powder and the mash are 

 wasted, and the animal is unnecessarily nauseated. All medicine, if pos- 

 sible, slaould be given in the form of ball or drink. 



Resin. — The yellow resin is that which remains after the distillation 

 of oil of turpentine. It is used externally to give consistence to ointments, 

 and to render them slightly stimulant. Internally it is a useful diuretic, 

 and is given in doses of five or six drachms made into a ball with soft soap. 

 The common liquid turpentine is, however, preferable. 



RowEiiS. — The manner of rowelling has been ah'eady described. As 

 exciting inflammation on the surface, and so lessening that which had pre- 



