218 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK 



a small quantity — not more than about three pints — of blood 

 must be taken at first, and ten days later, as much, more 

 If his strength has not been reduced, it may do to bleed but 

 once, then taking three quarts of blood. In case his general 

 health is vigorous, it will not be necessary to resort to bleed- 

 ing at all. But this condition will rarely be found in con- 

 nection with scratches. ^ 



The remedy to be applied is as nearly infallible as any 

 thing possibly can be. The corrosive liniment will cure the 

 disease in every stage, and in every condition of the system, 

 and under almost any circumstances. Apply it with a little 

 mop, shaking it up well before using. Turn out about a 

 table-spoonful of it in an earthen cup, and with the mop 

 saturate the affected parts thoroughly. Use the liniment for 

 four days ; then omit for two days, and use again. The hot 

 iron need not be employed to dry it in, as this is one of the 

 cases in which it has more effect while on the surface. 



Keep the horse out of the wet while applying the liniment, 

 or it will do him little good. Feed light; and if it is the 

 time of pasture, he will need no other diet. In winter, give 

 as much green, soft food as can be procured. 



THRUSH. 



This disease is characterized by a continuous discharge of 

 very offensive matter from the frog and heel of the foot. 

 The cleft of the frog is from one-fourth to one-half an inch 

 in depth. The exudation of purulent matter from this re- 

 gion sometimes continues for a long time before the inatten- 

 tive owner becomes aware of it. When thrush has an in- 

 dependent existence as a local disease, it is generally the con- 

 sequence of standing in a damp, wet stable; or it may be 

 produced by injuries of the frog. There is no disease of the 

 horse's foot but may be, and often is, the cause of thrush. 



It is the result of gross negligence and mismanagement 

 in the large majority of cases. It would be a rare vis- 

 itant of our stables if they Were kept cleaner and dryer. 

 The cavalry horse seldom has it, and there is no reason what- 



