86 BLISTERS. 



abscess destructive to one or both. Ophthalmia, or simple 

 inflammation of this org-an, is another source of blindness. 

 Cataract sometimes attacks one or both eyes. Dropsy, also, 

 of the humours within the eye now and then occurs, and de- 

 stroys vision.— The treatment of these several affections is 

 referred to Diseases of the Eyes. 



•*sr#**^" 



blisters. 



Blisters are useful in many of the complaints of dogs, 

 and, in some instances, they are absolutely necessary. Blis* 

 ters do not usually vesicate and detach the skin, as in the 

 human subject ; but they irritate and inflame the surface suf- 

 ficiently to answer every purpose required. Blistering- sub- 

 stances for dogs are various ; but the best is that, in common 

 use for the human subject, made of Spanish flies, applied as 

 a plaster, and carefully secured by a bandage. When, how- 

 ever, it is intended, as in very active inflammations, to raise 

 a speedy irritation, blistering ointment should be made use 

 of; and, to render it still more active, it may be thinned with 

 oil of turpentine. This should be well rubbed into the skin, 

 and a covering carefully secured over the part after. The 

 application may be repeated, in urg-ent ca:es, every three or 

 four hours. 



A very quick inflammation may also be raised by common 

 table mustard spread over any part. In inflammations of the 

 stomach, and particularly of the bowels, an excellent and 

 lasting method of irritating" the skin may be practised by 

 means of a sheep's or any other hide newly stripped off, and 

 immediately applied and secured to the part. The skin 

 should, however, be first stimulated with hartshorn or tur- 

 pentine. It should be kept in mind, that vesicatories irritate 

 and render dogs very refractory; they should therefore be very 

 closely watched when under their action. 



