SMALL POX IN SHEEP. 515 



applied every day and night, as soon as mixed, it being 

 suffered to perform its fermentative process upon the leg ; 

 and, by the action of the carbonic acid gas, it is remark- 

 able what a change is produced on the part, generating a 

 mild, bland, pus-like fluid, with a decrease of irritability. 

 Should the expense be objected to, a carrot or turnip poul= 

 tice may be tried instead, though no vast saving is effected, 

 as these last are much longer and more uncertain in their 

 action. It is, moreover, essentially necessary to the cure, 

 that all sprouting luxurious gi'anulations should be reduced 

 to the level of the surrounding integuments. Caustics only 

 render these grapes, as they are termed, of greater size ; 

 but the mode best adapted for their removal is by the knife ; 

 having a flat piece of heated iron also ready to pass over 

 the surfaces, in case the haemorrhage is profuse ; as the horse 

 having grease can but ill afford the loss of blood. The 

 operations being finished, apply the poultice as directed. 

 In two or three days leave off the poultice, and employ the 

 strongest lotion into which chloride of zinc enters, and 

 sprinkle the legs with either of the powders before men- 

 tioned, only rendering each weaker as the symptoms abate. 

 In this manner a cure may be accomplished. The disease, 

 however, is apt to return. Should it display this disposi- 

 tion, discharge the groom, and procure one that is less 

 sparing of his labour. Do not have the horse's heels 

 washed when he comes in dirty from w^ork. Make the 

 groom take a hay-band, and go upon both knees, to rub 

 them with both hands, until they are thoroughly dry. 

 Wash them the following morning, and be careful to dry 

 them well afterwards. The thin linen bandage may also be 

 dried ; and the way to the stable, and the straw under the 

 animal inspected, to see they are all free from dirt. A 

 Liverpool dealer, when he has a horse that displays a dis- 

 position for grease, claps a blister upon the heels, and 

 gives the horse a few old beans, with a quart of ale daily. 

 This treatment has so highly pleased the dealer, that he ex- 

 pressed a determination to pursue it for the future. 



SMALL POX IN SHEEP. 



When this disorder first appeared in England, the editor 

 then declared his opinion, that it was but as a fugitive 



l12 



