TAMINO.] 



MODERN VETERINARY PRACTICE. 



[tamino. 



ret*our3o to, or the uiildor blistiTs usihI, and 

 ropt'atcd t'very day. ^Mercurial ointinent, well 

 rubbed iu on any bony oxcresceuce, tor a day 

 or two previous to applying tho blister, will 

 greatly tend to promote the absorption of tho 

 oilendinix parts. 



Iu inllaininatory afTectiona, wo find blisters 

 of great importance, acting as counter-irritants; 

 and it appears singular that two inflamma- 

 tions seldom exist iu tho neighbourhood of 

 each other; therefore, when such an aflectiou 

 has taken place iu any part, and it is desired 

 to be removed, we raise an artificial inflamma- 

 tion iu its neighbourhood by means of blisters. 

 In iiillauimatory affections of the lungs and 

 bowels, it is proper to blister the chest, belly, 

 Ac, by which means the inflammatory action 

 may be shifted from the vital organs to parts 

 of less importance; for if a horse affected with 

 inflamed lungs be blistered either iu the 

 chest or belly, and if the blister does not 

 properly rise, he will probably die of slieer 

 debility. The blister oiutment generally ought 

 to be bought at the druggist's, as it is some- 

 times made of such irritating materials, that 

 the animal is put to the most excruciating 

 pain imaginable, when we well know that the 

 blistering properly lies iu the cantharides 

 only. 



Before applying a blister, the hair should 

 be cut ofl" as closely as possible from the part, 

 and around it. The blister ointment should 

 then bo well rubbed in for ten or fifteen 

 minutes, on which thorough application of it, 

 its operation mainly depends. Having done 

 this, smooth the hair downwards, and spread a 

 little more ointment on the surface, with a 

 spatula. If there is occasion to blister the 



pasterns and fetlocks, apply n little hog's InrJ 

 to tho hollows of tho heels. This will often 

 prevent tho formation of grease or troubleaomo 

 sores from tho discharge of tho blister fulling 

 on these parts. 



Another caution i.-<, that when a blister is 

 acting, tho litter should all be removed from 

 under him, lest tho straws tickle and irritate 

 his legs 80 much, that ho may not only at- 

 tempt to gnaw them, but strike them against 

 the manger, or one against the other. I'o 

 prevent this, the horse must be tied up to tho 

 rack for at least two days, when the prin- 

 cipal irritation will have left him. But never 

 blister without putting a cradle round his 

 neck. It will prevent him biting his legs, or 

 attempting to do so. Cradles may generally 

 be had at most of the turners' shops; or, 

 should there bo an obligation to make one, 

 ! take eight or ten pieces of broom or mop- 

 handles, and cut them into lengths of about 

 two feet long, and make holes in both ends, 

 so that they may bo threaded with a piece 

 of strong cord, and then fasten them around 

 the horse's neck. The horse then becomes 

 effectually prevented from biting or tearing 

 himself. If blistering once does not answer 

 the purpose anticipated, and you determine to 

 blister again, first wash off, with soap and 

 water, all scurf that may have been left by tlie 

 first, before applying the second blister. A\^hen 

 it is intended to turn a horse out after blister- 

 ing, care should be taken that all the parts 

 are healed, or flies and dust may get into the 

 sores, and become exceedingly troublesome. 



Sweating blisters are generally of a milder 

 nature than others, and in consequence fre- 

 quently applied.— (See Blistering Linimenty 



CHAPTER XXXVIL 



RESTIYENESS.— T.\MIXG SYSTEMS PURSUED BY THE "JUMPER," ITIE " WHISPERER," MADAME I6ABELIE, 



AXD MR. RAREY; VICES. 



It has been said of naturally vicious norses, I temporarily subdued by some master spirits, 

 that however they may have been cowed and I they are never to be depended upon ; but will 



335 



