PURGATION. 299 



of matter from ablccfles, without the necefTity 

 of admitting much air, the influence of which 

 upon an ulcer, is the caufe of heftic fever. In 

 refpeft to fetons for horfes, I fhall follow Mr.' 

 Clarke, in preference to any other authority, 

 although I can by no means join him in the 

 fanguine expe61ation, that they may entirely 

 fuperfede the neceffity of more harfli meafures, 

 ■ in long neglefted and inveterate cafes: in 

 truth, I know by experience, fuch hope to be 

 fallacious. When tumours are taken in time, 

 whether on the poll, withers or back, and have 

 not been previoufly bungled by common far^ 

 riers, whofe management in this cafe is often 

 the worft part of the difeafe, they may be 

 carried off, and broudit to heal by the dif- 

 charge from fetons, without any of the ufual 

 butcherly, and cauterizing work, or the leaft 

 blemifli or lofs of fubftance. Farriers are very 

 apt to proceed with the knife, before the mat- 

 ter of the tumour is fully concocted, by which 

 error they treble the difficulty, and period of 

 the cure, and mofl: probably leave an indurated 

 lump which is never effaced. 



The feton-needle is a long, thin, fliarp in- 

 flrument, pointed like a dart, with which the 

 praftitioner ought -to be furnilhed, of various 

 fizes, from fix to fifteen inches long, bended a 

 little on the under fide. The feton-cord, dip- 

 ped in digefiive ointment, being fuited to the 



fize 



