298 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



black, yellowish, white, or of some allied shade and without 

 any of the pink aspect of healthy bone. 



General Treatment of hiflammation in Bone. — Unless in the 

 very mildest cases, the first object is to check the inflammation 

 by soothing measures. A purgative is usually desirable. Rest 

 is indispensable. Whenever possible such a position should 

 be given to the part as will obviate pressure, weight, or gravita- 

 tion of blood toward the disease. Soothing local measures, 

 such as fomentations with warm water ; a thick wet bandage 

 covered with dry ; the persistent application of cold water, by 

 continuous showering of the part, the water being brought from 

 a bucket placed at a higher level by means of an elastic tube 

 fastened to the body ; in certain cases ice-bags may be applied ; 

 or cooling astringent lotions, such as vinegar and salt ; acetate 

 of lead I oz., vinegar 2 qts., carbolic acid 60 drops, etc. This 

 may have to be kept up from five to fifteen days. When heat 

 and tenderness have subsided, counter-irritants are to be used. 

 In slight cases rubbing with compound iodine ointment, or 

 with a mixture in equal parts of liquor ammonia and olive-oil 

 may suffice. In others we may use active blisters such as 

 Spanish flies 2 drs., camphor 5 grs., alcohol 5 drops, lard i oz. 

 Or a drachm of the Spanish flies may be replaced by a drachm 

 of iodine or biniodide of mercury. In either case the hair should 

 be cut off and the ointment well rubbed in for several minutes 

 against the direction of the hair. The animal's head should be 

 tied short for twelve hours, to prevent gnawing of the part and 

 blistering of the lips. After this the surface is to be smeared 

 with lard, daily, until the scab drops off. In still other cases the 

 hot iron may be demanded. It should be applied in points, 

 each application being very temporary, to avoid the effect of 

 radiated heat on the adjacent skin. The usual distance between 

 the points is from | to f inch, and the depth will vary in different 

 cases. When the irritation from the hot iron has passed off, 

 blisters may be applied if necessary. 



