THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. . 57 



Clysters. 



All medicine which can be thoroughly mixed with 

 any watery fluid, so as to pass easily through a slender 

 tube, may be advantageously administered in the form 

 of a clyster. A pewter syringe with a pipe about 12 

 inches long, and one inch in diameter, having the 

 extremity very smooth, so as not to injure the internal 

 coat of the bowels is preferred. The use of clysters has 

 very properly become frequent, and is justly in high 

 esteem. 



Ointments. 



Ointments are chiefly employed as an application to 

 sores, or in cases of eruption of the skin ; they cannot 

 be used in farriery, as on the human body, on account 

 of the hair that covers the body of the horse 



Fomentations. 



Fomentations are composed of some infusions or 

 decoctions of herbs, and are used to soften or relax the 

 parts to which they are applied. The proper method of 

 applying them is by wetting a large woollen cloth in 

 very hot water, and after wringing it slightly, laying it 

 as warm as possible on the part to be fomented for a 

 minute at a time. 



Poultices. 



Poultices should be reduced to a perfect softness, and 

 frequently removed ; when intended to produce suppura- 

 tion, they should be applied waim, but when required 

 to check inflammation, they are usually laid on cold. 



A poultice to the extremities is applied by means of 

 an old worsted stocking cut off at the ancle, the leg of it 

 being slipped over the roof, is brought around the part, 

 and secured below, by means of broad list not too lightly 

 applied. The poultice is then put into the stocking by 

 means of the hand, and afterwards secured above by 

 another piece of broad tape loosely applied. 



