PHYSIC. T9 



Blisters, as at present used, are far too powerful. Were they diluted 

 with three times their bulk of bland oil, or of solution of soap, thej would 

 be equally effective and far less dangerous. But, unfortunately, there is 

 a prejudice among the partially educated, to which class nearly all veter- 

 inary surgeons belong, iu favor of potency in their applications. Such 

 persons seem to reckon the benefit to be produced according to the 

 strength of the agent employed. By what other reason is it possible 

 to explain the foolish perversity which still clings to the abuse of the 

 heated iron ? By what other motive can we account for the prejudice 

 which tempts the use of the fearful blistering oil, as now commonly 

 exhibited ? 



The parts of the horse most generally blistered are the legs, and the 

 explanation commonly given to excuse the folly is a desire "to freshen 

 the old animal on the pins," or "to brighten up the manner of going." 

 The legs are parts of the living frame, and one part can hardly fail with- 

 out the general system sympathizing. The author was once as tired as 

 the horse commonly may be supposed to be ; but, on that occasion, his 

 feet were restored long before his body recovered from its exhaustion. 

 Such a personal testimony seems to witness that fatigue affects the sys- 

 tem generally. Indeed, the legs may be the means of progression ; but 

 it is the life which puts them in action, and it is the nerves which trans- 

 mit energy to the muscles; none less ignorant than the generality of 

 veterinary surgeons and the lower order of horse proprietors, would have 

 conceived the possibility of restoring animation to a debilitated system 

 by torturing the parts in which the symptoms of decay are most promi- 

 nently testified. 



Moreover, there is a maxim, first made known by John Hunter, and 

 subsequently recognized by the profession of which he was the ornament 

 This maxim declares that "two great inflammations cannot exist in the 

 same body at the same time." Upon the truth of this discovery, the 

 practice of counter-irritation is based. Then to fire and to blister simul- 

 taneously may increase the torture of the poor existence thus harbar- 

 ously treated ; but, according to the doctrine largely accepted by the 

 medical profession of this country, the double process accomplishes 

 nothing surgical or curative, since the blister must destroy the action of 

 the fire ; and the man who is greedy to obtain the benefits of both oper- 

 ations, secures the advantages of neither measure. 



To blister, however, is a very antique custom ; so, also, is the appli- 

 cation of fire, which was first performed upon the human body. Old 

 medicine does not bear a very good character, and only exemplifies the 

 much which suffering can endure,«or the little which cruelty can accom- 

 plish. So far as horses are concerned, Uttle would be sacrificed were the 



