HUNTERS 159 



tion to produce great cold will probably prevent 

 such swelling taking place, and thereby time 

 is gained ; for afterwards when the inflammation 

 has subsided it is usually necessary to blister the 

 place, to induce the absorbents to remove the 

 deposit which is sure to be left, from the inter- 

 ference with the circulation caused by the 

 swelling. The sal-ammoniac preparation given 

 above is as good as anything for this purpose. 



Usually the leg is considerably swollen before 

 the stable is reached, and then there is nothing 

 better than to foment the leg with hot water 

 for a considerable time, to relax the vessels, and 

 allow the circulation to continue its course. The 

 sponge should be pressed against the leg well 

 above the injured part, and the hot water allowed 

 to run down over it. Yery hot water is not 

 needed, it being quite sufficient if it feels hot to 

 the hand, but the temperature must be kept up, 

 and not allowed to cool. Any one, though not 

 used to horses, can be impressed to do this, but 

 if assistance cannot be obtained a bucket of hot 

 water, with a rug over it to keep it hot, can 

 usually be elevated sufficiently high for a 

 syphon to be made out of any indiarubber tubing, 

 with the lower end inserted inside a bandage 

 loosely wrapped round the leg. Only a small 

 portion of water should be allowed to flow out at 

 a time, or the bucket will be quickly emptied, 

 and if there is no tap to the end of the tubing, 

 the lower end must be sufficiently choked to 

 regulate the flow. A few straws tied lengthwise 

 round a small stick the thickness of a lead pencil, 

 and thrust inside the tubing, will do as well as 

 anything, and they are always obtainable. Care 

 must be taken that the lower end of the piping 



