TKEATMENT OF STRAINS. 197 



twice or thrice in the day ; occasionally wetted with spirits 

 of turpentine, or some acrid liquid, in order to increase the 

 inflammation which it produces, or the discharge which is 

 intended to be established. 



To form a rowel^ the skin is raised between the finger 

 and thumb, and with a lancet, or with scissors contrived 

 for the purpose, a slit is cut an inch in length. The finger, 

 or the handle of the improved roweling scissors, is intro- 

 duced, and the skin is forcibly separated from the muscular 

 or cellular substances beneath, until there is a circular 

 cavity two or three inches wide ; into this a piece of tow is 

 inserted sufficient to fill it, and previously smeared with 

 blistering ointment. This causes considerable inflammation 

 and discharge. If a little of the tow be left sticking out 

 of the incision, the discharge will conveniently dribble 

 down it. The tow should be changed every day, with or 

 without the ointment, according to the action of the rowel 

 or the urgency of the case." * 



If either of these be applied to the front of the shoulder, 

 it will produce such a counter irritation as will reduce the 

 inflammation in the locality of the strain, and aid in its cure. 

 They take the place of the blistering mentioned by Mr. 

 Youatt. 



Other Strains. — The following directions of Dr. Dadd, 

 concerning strain of the back, and those given under the 

 head of shoulder strain^ will serve as a guide to the treatment 

 of all strains, supposing the mode of procedure to be changed 

 as is required by the locality of the affected part : 



The diagno.4ic symptoms of this form of strain are, — 

 pressure over the lumbar region elicits symptom^s of pain ; 

 the part feels hot ; and the horse, when compelled to de- 

 scribe a circle, shows, by the careful manner in which he 

 turns, that it gives him great pain. 



* Library of Useful Knowledge. 



