BLIND, MOON-. 



ind also on wheat in the shape of a glutinous 

 exudation, particularly when the days are hot 

 and the nights without dew. J. Robertson 

 (Hort. Trans, v. 178), considers it as a minute 

 fungus, of which different species attack differ- 

 rent plants. Sulphur he has found to be a 

 specific cure. 



In cultivated crops mildew is said to be pre- 

 vented by manuring with soot ; though by some 

 this is denied, and soot, by rendering the crop 

 more luxuriant, is said to be an encourager of 

 mildew, the richest part of a field being always 

 most infected by it. As it is least common in 

 airy situations, thinning and ventilation may 

 be considered as preventives. See MILDEW. 

 (London's Encyc. of Agricult.) 



Mr. Haggerston, who obtained a premium 

 from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 

 for the discovery of a mode of destroying the 

 rose-slug, says that a weak solution of irfiak- 

 oil soap, in the proportion of two pounds of soap 

 to about fifteen gallons of water, or weaker, 

 will check and entirely destroy the mild-w mi 

 the gooseberry, peach, grape vine, &c. &c. 

 For further particulars in regard to the appli- 

 cation of this remedy see APHIS, RUST, and 



S.Ml'T. 



BLIND, MOON-. In farriery, a disease in 

 the eyes of horses, which is commonly the 

 forerunner of cataract, and generally ends in 

 blindness. 



BLINDNESS. A deprivation or want of 

 sight, originating from various causes; acorn- 

 plaint more frequent in horses than in neat- 

 cattle or sheep. 



Blindness in horses may be discerned by the 

 walk or step being uncertain and unequal, so 

 that they dare not set down their feet boldly ; 

 but when they are mounted by an expert horse- 

 man, the fear of the spurs will frequently make 

 them go resolutely and freely, so that their 

 blindness can hardly be perceived. Another 

 mark by which horses that have lost their 

 sight may be known, is, that when they hear 

 anybody enter the stable, they prick up their 

 ears, and move them backwards and forwards 

 in a particular manner. 



Blindness in sheep. A complaint that some- 

 times occurs in these animals, from their being 

 much exposed to either great dampness or long 

 continued snows. 



BLIND NETTLE. A provincial term for 

 the wild hemp plant. 



BLINDWORM. A term sometimes applied 

 to the slow-worm (Anguis fragilis). See SLOW 

 WOTIM. 



BLINKERS. Expansions of the sides of 

 the bridle of a horse, intended to prevent him 

 from seeing objects on either side, but at the 

 same time not to obstruct his vision in front. 



BLISTERING (Dutch, bluyster). In farriery, 

 the operation of stimulating the surface of 

 some part of the body of an animal, by means 

 of acrid applications, so as to raise small ve- 

 sications upon it. It is frequently employed 

 for the purpose of removing local affections 

 of different kinds, such as hard indolent tu- 

 mours. 



BLISTER FLY. The Cantharis, or Spa- 

 nish ftv. 



BLISTER LIQUID is composed of pow- 



BLOODWORT. 



dered alkanet two ounces, and a gallon of spi- 

 , rit of turpentine ; adding, on the fourth day, a 

 pound of powdered Spanish flies ; and mace- 

 rating the whole for a month, when the clear 

 fluid will form a strong liquid blister. If so 

 powerful an external stimulant be not required, 

 this liquid may be diluted with an equal part 

 nf spermaceti oil. (Clater's Farriery.) 



BLISTER OINTMENT. One ounce of 

 powdered Spanish flies ; half an ounce of 

 .powdered euphorbium; four ounces of lard. 

 One ounce of this well rubbed in is sufficient 

 to blister a horse's leg. That commonly sold 

 by farriers generally contains oil of vitriol 

 (sulphuric acid), to make it raise the blister 

 without the trouble of rubbing in the ointment; 

 and, in consequence, a blemish is produced. 



BLOOD (Sax. blod; old French, bloed). The 

 lluid which circulates in the bodies of all ani- 

 mals. Blood, when drawn from the body, and 

 allowed to rest, speedily separates into two 

 portions, viz. the fluid, or serum, and the solid 

 clot, crassamentum, or cruor. 



In quadrupeds, in general, the temperature 

 of the blood is higher than in man. In the 

 sheep, it ranges from 102 to 103; in man 

 it is 98 in a state of health. The equal 

 distribution of the blood in the animal system 

 is as essential to the health of quadrupeds as 

 of man. When it is irregularly circulated, 

 and more sent to any organ than it should 

 share, that part becomes oppressed, diseased 

 action is set up in it; and if the organ be a 

 vital one, life is endangered or destroyed 

 through the violence of inflammation. 



Blood is an excellent manure for fruit trees; 

 and, mixed with earth, forms a very rich com- 

 post. (Ann. of Phil. vol. ii. p. 202.) 



BLOOD-ROOT. See BLOODWORT. 



BLOOD-SHOT. In farriery, a popular term 

 for that red appearance which the eye exhibits 

 when inflamed. The best treatment is to bathe 

 the eye with a lotion composed of one drachm 

 of white vitriol (sulphate of zinc) dissolved in 

 half a pint of water. 



BLOOD-SPAVIN or BOG-SPAVIN. In 

 farriery, a swelling of the vein that runs along 

 the inside of the hock of the horse, forming a 

 little soft tumour in the hollow part, often at- 

 tended with weakness or lameness of the hock. 

 Clater (Farriery, p. 272) says, a blister is the 

 proper application. 



BLOODWORT (Sanguinaria canadensts'). 

 A hardy American perennial, flowering in 

 April. It loves a shady situation and bog soil ; 

 and may be propagated by parting the roots in 

 spring or autumn. The root of bloodwort 

 throws out a bright red juice, when pressed, 

 which the Indians paint themselves with. It 

 operates as an emetic and narcotic. 



BLOODWORT (Rumez sanguineus). This 

 is a beautiful dock, growing wild in many 

 parts of England, but introduced lately into 

 gardens, for its fine deep-red appearance. It 

 grows from two to three feet high, and the 

 stalks are firm, stiff, reddish, and branched. 

 The leaves are long and narrow, heart-shaped 

 at the base, and taper gradually towards their 

 point. Sometimes the leaves are a deep green, 

 only stained, or veined with red ; sometimes 

 they are entirely a deep blood colour, which 



189 



