196 



well as more prudent to destroy the animal at once ; 

 but if the wound does not affect the joint, (and on 

 this point the farrier alone can give certain informa- 

 tion,) it should be carefully and tenderly washed 

 out with a sponge and warm water, and then 

 poulticed for two or three days ; after this the 

 inflammation will probably have subsided, and 

 ointment should be applied ; not gunpowder and 

 grease : every country blockhead recommends this 

 to promote the growth of the hair ; it has no such 

 effect, and on the contrary, it often irritates and 

 retards the cure of the wound. Lard alone, or 

 with a little mixture of alum, will be much better ; 

 care, however, should be taken to apply the oint- 

 ment in the direction of the hair ; otherwise, when 

 the cure is effected, the hair will grow in an uneven 

 or inverted form, and will make the blemish more 

 apparent. 



In all cases of strains, local bleeding and rest 

 are indispensable ; where the back sinews are 

 affected, rest can only be secured by a high- 

 heeled shoe : after all inflammation has disap- 

 peared, absolute rest, even for a considerable time, 

 is requisite to a cure : if the part is enlarged, 

 stimulating lotions, such as hartshorn and oil in 

 equal proportions, and even blistering, may be be- 

 neficially appUed ; I have not, however, much faith 



