322 THE HORSE. 



the pulse begins to change ; — until the strong pulse of fever becomes 

 softer, or the animal is faint, or the oppressed pulse of inflammation of the 

 lungs is rounder and fuller. 



In cases of inflammation, and in the hands of a skilful practitioner, 

 bleeding is the sheet-anchor of the veterinarian ; yet few things are more 

 to be reprobated than the indiscriminate bleedinc: of the aroom or the 



n • Oct 



larrier. 



The change which takes place in the blood after it is drawn from the 

 vein is very diligently noticed by many practitioners, "^nd is certainly de- 

 serving of some attention. The blood coagulates soon after it is taken from 

 the vein. The coagulable part is composed of two substances, that which 

 gives colour to the blood, and that in which the red particles float. These, 

 by degrees, separate from each other, and the red particles sink to the bot- 

 tom. If the coagulation takes place slowly, the red particles have more 

 time to sink through the fluid, and there appears on the top a thick, yel- 

 lowish, adhesive coat, called the buffycoat. It is supposed that the slow- 

 ness of coagulation, and the thickness'of buffy coat, are indicative of inflam- 

 mation, and of the degree of inflammation. 



In a healthy state of the' system, the coagulation is more rapid, the 

 red particles have not time to fall through, and the buffy coat is thin. 

 These appearances are worth observing ; but much more dependence is to 

 be placed on the pulse, the change of the pulse, and the symptoms 

 generally. When the horse is exhausted, and the system nearly broken 

 up, the blood will sometimes not coagulate at all, but be of one uni- 

 form black colour, and loose texture. When the blood runs down the side 

 of the vessel in which it is received, the coagulation will be very imperfect. 

 When it is drawn in a full stream, it coagulates slowly; when more 

 slowly, or from a smaller orifice^ the coagulation is more rapid : therefore, 

 all these extraneous circumstances affecting so much the coagulation and 

 consequent appearance of the blood, the pulse, and the general symp- 

 toms, should be the chief objects of regard. 



BLISTERING. 



Of Blisters we have also spoken when treating of the various diseases 

 to which they are applicable. The principle on which they act is, that no 

 two intense inflammations can exist in neighbouring parts, or perhaps in 

 the system, at the same time. Hence we apply some stimulating acrimo- 

 nious substance to the skin, to excite external inflammation, and to lessen 

 or draw away inflammation in some deeper seated and generally not far dis- 

 tant part. Thus w^e blister the sides in inflammation of the lungs — the 

 belly in that of the bowels — the legs in that of the cellular substance 

 surrounding the sheaths of the tendons, or the sheaths themselves, and 

 the coronet or the heel in inflammation of the navicular joint. 



Blisters have likewise the property of increasing the activity of the 

 neighbouring vessels : thus we blister to bring the tumour of strangles 

 more speedily to a head — we blister to rouse the absorbents to more ener- 

 getic action, and take away tumours, and callous and even bony sub- 

 stances. 



The judgment of the practitioner will decide when the desired effect wiU 

 be best produced by a sudden and violent action, or by the continuance of 

 one of a milder nature. Inflammation should be met by active blisters ; 

 old enlargements and swellings will be most certainly removed by milder 

 stimulants — by the process which farriers call sweating down. 



There is no better blister ointment or active blister than the Spanish 

 fly, mixed with the proportions of lard and resin already mentioned, 



