MINOR DISEASES 147 



cannot say however that I hke to see it in the 

 hunting field. 



Thorns are sometimes very troublesome and 

 the most careful search fails to find the head of 

 them, though the searcher may be morally con- 

 vmced that they are present. Thorns in the fore- 

 arm may be attended with serious consequences 

 if not got out. The tendency of a thorn is to 

 work inwards and if, as is not infrequent, sup- 

 puration takes place, serious and even permanent 

 injury may result. If a thorn is known to be in 

 the forearm and cannot be reached it is an 

 excellent plan to shave a portion of the hair off 

 and blister mildly. The blister will prevent 

 motion and so lessen the risk of the thorn working 

 m. It also softens the skin and so makes it 

 easier to get the thorn out. 



An experience of my own may be worth 

 relating. After a brilhant forty-five minutes and 

 the usual standing about for a few minutes 

 attendant on the breaking up of a fox, I found 

 my horse was dead lame, and though I tried to 

 thmk I was mistaken I knew only too well that 

 he was lame in his shoulder. I was twelve miles 

 from home and it took me more than four hours 

 to get there. The veterinary surgeon who 

 chanced to be at my place soon after I arrived 

 carefully examined the horse, confirmed my 

 worst fears, said there was nothing for it but rest 

 ordered the horse to be thrown up for the re- 

 mainder of the season, and cheerfully proceeded 

 to talk of the state of affairs on the Continent 



