86 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



before running, by an untoward encounter which took 

 place between his hock and the door-posts. The swell- 

 ing was enormous, but, by a fomentation — I fear to 

 say of how many hours' continuance — it was completely 

 reduced ; the horse was able to run, and ran his best, 

 far better than he ever ran again, being second in the 

 race. We have not all, however, unlimited relays of 

 boys ; and the due supply of hands, necessary for the 

 use of the sponges in such cases, might not accord with 

 the convenience of many hunting stables. The knee- 

 buckets, therefore, will be found invaluable. I do not 

 mean to say that they are entirely to supersede the local 

 application of poultice to a wound ; but where there is 

 lameness, proceeding from a blow upon the leg, a thorn, 

 or, in short, from any kind of injury to leg or foot, and 

 producing pain, arising from inflammatory action, hot 

 water is your resource. It will either prove in itself a 

 remedy, or will be the best preparation for more active 

 measures. A tub may be made of such dimensions as 

 to be capable of admitting both fore-legs at the same 

 time. I have known no instances of horses shewing any 

 refractory dislike to this process, but, on the contrary, 

 they have appeared to enjoy it thoroughly ; standing quiet 

 for several hours, during which the heat must, of course, 

 be renewed by occasional supplies from the copper, with 

 which every saddle-room should be furnished. If you 

 find a decided tendency to fever or inflammation in the 



