234 DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



cet, and poison) can be traced, and leave unmistakable 

 evidences of their encroachments. Instead of provoking the 

 vital powers to action by such destructive enginery, we 

 should afford Nature all the aid we can, but never interfere 

 with her operations. 



Fistula of the Withers. " An obstinate disease of the 

 horse's withers, or points of the shoulder, commonly produced 

 by a bruise of the saddle." No wonder Dr. White calls it 

 " obstinate," when the following treatment is recommended 

 by him. " The scalding mixture — it consists of any fixed 

 oil, (as lamp or train oil,) spirit of turpentine, verdigris, and 

 corrosive sublimate. These are put into an iron ladle, and 

 made nearly boiling hot ; and in this state the mixture is to 

 be applied to the diseased parts, by means of a little tow 

 fastened to the end of a stick ! It is necessary to prevent the 

 mixture from flowing over the sound parts, as it would not 

 only take off the hair, but cause ulceration of the skin." If 

 this mixture will produce diseased action in the sound parts, 

 we need not ask what will be the result when applied to parts 

 already diseased. The author has cured many cases of fistula, 

 by treating them as common abscesses, with the application 

 of stimulating antiseptic and tonic poultices, (see Poultices,) 

 and by a purifying course of treatment, with proper attention 

 to diet, &c. 



Fleam. An instrument with which horses and cattle are bled. 



Flesh. A common name for the muscles of the body. 



Flexor Muscles. The flexor muscles are those that bend 

 one bone upon another. The muscles that serve to bend the 

 leg, for example, are named flexors. 



Foaling. The bringing forth young in mares is not so 

 often attended with difficulty as in cows, and they have 

 seldom occasion for assistance. They should be placed in a 

 situation where they may have shelter, and where they are 

 free from danger. 



Fomentations. Fomentations are generally made by pour- 

 ing boiling water on camomiles, burdock, poplar bark, &c. 

 For an emollient fomentation, ground slippery elm is preferred. 



