278 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



which is known by the mouth of the opening sink- 

 ing in and the swelling being reduced. Besides 

 putting the antimony into the openings it is neces- 

 sary to rub a little of the following on the swelling: 

 Cantharides, two drams; lard, one ounce; rub on a 

 sufficient quantity of this well in with the fingers. 

 Repeat in two weeks. This form of blister seems 

 to have the power of acting as an alterative, chang- 

 ing the unhealthy tissue into healthy, and there- 

 fore assists greatly in the cure of fistula. In a 

 week or two after stopping the use of the antimony, 

 if the openings should show signs of bulging, and 

 have a bluish, spongy aspect, use the antimony 

 again for a few times, as it is possible that all the 

 pipes were not destroyed. I have had to do this 

 three or four times before I succeeded in getting it 

 in a healthy condition to heal. Keep at it even if 

 it takes several months to cure it. There are cases 

 in which the withers of the horse get bruised, caus- 

 ing swelling and heat of the part, which would like- 

 ly become a fistula if it were not properly treated. 

 Bathe the part well with cold water for twenty 

 minutes three times a day, and apply acetate of 

 lead, half an ounce; water, one quart. Saturate 

 a piece of woolen rag with a little of this and lay 

 it over the swollen part after each bathing, until 

 the heat is removed, then use the cantharides blis 

 ter above mentioned. Repeat every second week. 

 This will either scatter it or hasten the formation 

 of matter. If a part of the swelling becomes very 

 soft and the hair drops out it is in a condition to 

 be opened with the knife. After removing the 



