THE HORSE AND ITS DISEASES. 66 



Blistering. 



This is an operation of great utility, and is perhaps 

 the safest that is performed. Blisters act by inflaming 

 the skin, which drawing a large quantity of blood from 

 the part, its watery portion, or serum, is separated, 

 and this forms the running, xit the same time, like- 

 wise, that a blister acts on the skiii, it stimulates the 

 surrounding absorbents to take up the fluids, and if the 

 blister is strong, they are much excited — these same 

 absorbing vessels remove even the solids likewise. The 

 blister for general use should be composed as follows : — 



Blister, No. 1. 



Spanish Flies 4 drachms. 



Hog's Lard 3 ounces. 



Spirits of Turpentine I , , 



Blister, No. 2. 



Sulphuric Acid 1 drachm. 



Common Tar 2 ounces. 



Hog's Lard 1 ,, 



Cantharides 1 ,, 



Mixed together. 



The mode of blistering is as follows : — The hair 

 should be cut close as possible from around tlie part 

 to which the blister is to be applied, and the blisteiing 

 ointment well rubbed in for 20 minutes, smoothened 

 down, and spread a little more on the surface with a 

 knife. 



If the pasterns and fetlocks are the parts to be blistered, 

 it would be well to smear the heels with lard, tallow, 

 or melted suet, to prevent grease or troublesome sores 

 forming on them from the falling of the blistering 

 ointment. The horse should have hay or other food 

 constantly before him, which will divert his attention 

 from the blister, and soothe his pain — his head should 

 be most carefully bandaged for two days and nights, to 

 prevent him biting the blister, or lying down. On the 



