ON THE CECONOMY OF THE STABLE. 59 



and which abfolutcly could not be kept in the 

 houfe at all with whole legs. The mod fove- 

 reign of all medical recipes is prevention. — As 

 foon as the legs are perceived to become hot, 

 the heels fcurfy, and the hair begins to flare, 

 take a tub or pail of warm foap-fuds, with a 

 piece of foap at hand, fet therein the horfe's 

 leg up to his knee, and with the fingers gently 

 fcratch off the fcurf from every part, patiently 

 bathing and fuppling the leg and heel, as long 

 as the water remains warm. This muff be done 

 all-fours, and will abate the tenfion and render 

 the legs cool. Wipe perfeftly dry with a linen 

 cloth. At night take the fame fleps with 

 chamber- lye, in which hot iron has been 

 quenched. Continue this as long as needful. 

 Touch the cracks and raw places, in the in- 

 terim, with French brandy, or the tobacco in- 

 fufion, or as occafion may require with cam- 

 phorated elder, or fpermaceti ointment, al- 

 though this latter has been complained of as 

 too fliffening. Linfeed oil and brandy fliook 

 together till the mafs become white, foap lini- 

 ment and other forms to be found at the con- 

 clufion of the chapter, may al ib be ufeful in 

 this intention. Care fhould be taken not to 

 irritate, and add to the inflammation of the 

 legs, by harfh, too long continued, or improper 

 rubbing ; and if they be tightly bandaged with 

 linen or woollen, which every groom knows 



how 



