470 SHOULDER SPRAIN. 



half a pint of tincture of arnica to a gallon of water ; under 

 the supposition that the violence of the symptoms spring 

 from the muscular structure being hurt. Should the case 

 be recent, and the inflammation or external symptom less, 

 bathe with cold water alone ; and, in either case, so soon as 

 the inflammation has abated, change the cold water for hot. 

 In this manner, keep the shoulder wet for a week or longer, 

 when every sign of active disease having departed, a blister 

 may be appHed. With regard to the manner of applying 

 the blisters in these cases, the late Mr. Blaine speaks very 

 confidently, and he says ; " I would recommend the follow- 

 ing practice, which I have long pursued in these cases with 

 invariable success. As soon as the more active inflamma- 

 tory symptoms are abated, I proceed to raise an artificial 

 inflammation by the free use of stimulants, generally of the 

 liquid blister, in the following manner : Mix six ounces of 

 common oil with two or three ounces of liquid blister (see 

 Mat. Med.), and with this rub the whole affected part twice 

 a day, until the swelling and inflammation it will bring on 

 prevent the use of more. In two or three days these will 

 subside, when it should be repeated, until the same effects 

 again prevent the application. In this way keep up a mild 

 inflammation for a week or ten days, according to the origi- 

 nal violence of the affection : in general cases, the subsiding 

 of the second swelling will leave the horse sound. This 

 w^ill be found a much more efficacious mode of practice 

 than the common blister ; but it must be particularly re- 

 membered, that I know of no affection so liable to return 

 as this ; consequently, although the horse may appear 

 sound, it will be very dangerous to put him to immediate 

 work." 



Blows on the point of the shoulder. — These injuries occur 

 more frequently than strains ; they are often productive of 

 more present lameness, and eventually of consequences 

 more serious. Turning suddenly in a narrow stall, running 

 against a hard body, or being kicked, or violently struck, 

 may occasion this injury. There will be great tender- 

 ness and heat at the point of the shoulder ; some swelling, 

 and the lameness will be extreme. In such cases the treat- 

 ment will be the same as in sprain of the shoulder. 



