214 DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



they are at such a distance that there is no danger of wound- 

 ing the latter in bleeding. 



Cartilage. Gristle. A smooth, elastic substance attached 

 to bones. Cartilages are situated in parts where elasticity is 

 required ; they render the parts connected with them capable 

 of slight changes of form, and instant recovery, to accommo- 

 date themselves to accidents and circumstances, without 

 serious injury to themselves. There are also inter-articular 

 cartilages ; that is, flat, smooth cartilages, between the ends 

 of two bones. These, being covered with synovia, or joint 

 oil, serve to facilitate the motion of the joint. 



Castor. A peculiar matter found in bags, near the rectum 

 of the beaver. It is used as an antispasmodic, in doses of 

 two drachms, (for a horse,) mixed in thin gruel. 



Castration. An operation often performed on horses, and 

 other domestic animals. The best method of performing it 

 is by means of the clams and ligature. 



Cataplasm, or Poultice. This application, when designed 

 to promote suppuration, or formation of matter, is best made 

 by mixing together equal parts of slippery elm and flax seed, 

 pouring a sufficient quantity of boiling water on the mixture, 

 to make it of the consistence of mush, and binding it on the 

 part ; the bandage should not be so tight as to interfere with 

 the return of blood by the veins. A poultice should always 

 be renewed every twelve hours. 



Cataract. A disease of the horse's eye. A cataract may 

 be partial or total. The partial cataract is known by specks in 

 the pupil, which interrupt vision in proportion to their size, 

 and according to their situation. In the total, or complete 

 cataract, the whole of the pupil becomes of a white or pearl 

 color. A horse's sight is least injured by partial cataract, 

 when the speck is most remote from the centre of the pupil, 

 and near to the upper margin. When a complete cataract 

 takes place in one eye, the strength of the other becomes 

 established, so that the horse soon accommodates himself to 

 the loss. 



Catarrh, or Cold. This is, perhaps, a disorder more com- 



