104 WIND GALLS. 



WIND GALLS. 



Wind Galls are spongy and flatulent humours, that 

 make their appearance on both sides of the legs, just 

 above the pastern joint or fetlock. It is seldom that 

 a horse is found entirely clear of them, particularly 

 about the hind legs, if he be much used. 



They are produced by hard usage, strains, bruises, 

 &c. &c. of the back sinews or the sheath that covers 

 them, which by being over-stretched, have some 

 of their fibres ruptured ; whence probably may ooze 

 out the fluid which is commonly found with the 

 included air. 



When wind galls make their first appearance, they 

 are easily cured by a bath and bandage. Boil red oak 

 bark to a strong decoction, add some sharp vinegar and 

 a little alum, let the parts be fomented twice a day, 

 warm as the hand can be held in it ; then take a woollen 

 cloth, dip it in the bath, and bind the ancle up, tight as 

 possible, without giving pain to the horse. 



Should this method not succeed, after a thorough 

 trial, the swelled or pufled parts may be opened with a 

 sharp knife ; but blistering with flies is less dangerous, 

 and generally attended with equal success. 



Wind galls give to a horse a gouty and clumsy 

 appearance ; but I have never known lameness pro- 

 duced by them, or any other injury, except that of 

 stiffening his legs as he advances in years. They 

 furnish strong proof that the animal has rendered much 

 service. 



