DISEASES OF THE MUSCLES AND TENDONS. 205 



became fuller and stronger. The vein was now reopened by 

 tightening the cord, and again as much blood drawn as be- 

 fore. For four successive times a half gallon of blood was 

 thus taken away, the animal seeming stronger at the conclu- 

 sion of the operation than at its commencement. In fact, 

 after the first bleeding, she showed no sign of faintness or 

 faltering. By this time the jaws had relaxed so that they 

 could be pulled open half an inch. All this consumed about 

 an hour and a half. 



But the dependence was not wholly upon bleeding. While 

 this had been going on, a large, thick woolen blanket was 

 brought, and, after having been wet in cold water, was spread 

 over her whole body. Twenty bucketfuls of cold water 

 were then poured upon her. Instead of killing her, as some 

 might imagine it would have done, this proved of the greatest 

 benefit. It cooled her system, and caused the adipose matter, 

 or fat, to harden and contract ; and thus the nerves and blood 

 vessels were allowed space for their proper play again.* 



In three hours her jaws were so much relaxed that, by 

 considerable effort, she was able to swallow. • A fourth of a 

 pound of salts and a gill of laudanum were given, while the 

 same amount of salts was used as a clyster. During the 

 bleeding, her pulse fell from seventy-three to sixty. She re- 

 mained under the author's treatment for two days, when she 

 was taken home, a distance of two miles. In due time she 

 entirely recovered, and at the date of this writing — two 

 months afterward — she remains as well as ever. 



CRAMPS. 



A few horses are subject to cramp. This is h:. irritability 

 and involuntary spasm of a particular muscle, or set of mus- 

 cles, and is caused by a strain, a bruise, or some similar in- 

 jury. Horses whose energies have been overtaxed by severe 

 pulling and straining during the day, and who are compelled 

 to stand all night in a narrow stall, are very likely to suffer 

 from cramp in the legs. When the horse tries to move, 

 the muscles, having become stiff' and inflexible, refuse to act 



