HORSES. 157 



SWEENEY. 



Sweeney is the name given to a certain disease id 

 which there is a wasting of the flesh in the bone, called 

 the scapula [shoulder-blade] of the horse. It is generally 

 occasioned by a sprain of one of the joints of the leg. 

 causing an interruption of the circulation of the fluids 

 which nourish the muscles [flesh] of that part of the 

 shoulder — hence the wasting of the flesh occurs. Farm- 

 ers call the disease sweeney, but it is not found under 

 that name in the books. 



The remedy is simple. In the centre of the wasted 

 part, take hold of the skin, and pull or lift it up with the 

 thumb and finger, and with a sharp knife, cut off" the 

 piece thus lifted up, so as to remove entirely a piece of 

 the skin about an mch in diameter ; then dress the spot 

 with a suppurating salve, to make it run matter for two 

 weeks ; then let it heal. The cure depends upon the 

 inflammation occasioned by the wound and the salve ; 

 this occasions an increased flow of nourishment to the 

 wasted part. 



We would suggest whether the insertion of a rowel 

 would not answer the purpose more eflfectnally, and with 

 .ess trouble, than removing a piece of the skin, and 

 applying suppurating salve. 



Another Remedy. " Take half a pint of grease.. 

 tried from old rusty bacon ; half an ounce gum cam- 

 phor, shaved fine ; "four or five red peppers ; simmer all 

 together till thoroughly mixed. Apply this every other 

 morning to the affected shoulder, rubbing it briskly with 

 a smooth stone until it becomes quite hot. Pulling up 

 the skin two or three times a day, where the flesh is 

 wasted will expedite the cure." 



GALLED BACK. 



Remedy. White lead moistened with milk is an ex ■ 

 cellent remedy. Keating, in his expediri^n t5 the source 

 of St. Peter's River, found this the most successful appli- 

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