116 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 



round the leg*. In this way the active inflammation may 

 g'enerally be speedily subdued, reducing- it to the state in 

 which strains of the back-sinew usuall^^ appear; but, of 

 course, the more complete the rupture of the tendon, the 

 greater the difficulty of effecting- a radical cure. But it 

 should be known that these parts reunite and that a broken- 

 down horse will often recover the use of his leg for ordinary 

 purposes ; thougii he will seldom stand the severe trial 

 which racing- or training* demands. After the ice poultice 

 has been discontinued, and at the end of three weeks or a 

 month, when the leg- is quite cool, it may be necessary to 

 blister or flre the limb, or to apply a charge. If the strain 

 is very severe, nothing is so effectual as firing, followed by 

 a blister. Next to this comes an ordinary blister with mer- 

 cur}^ or the biniodide of mercur^^ The charge is a good 

 remedy after this last, as it prevents the horse from using 

 the tendon too soon, and affords a firm mechanical support. 

 The good effect of the arnica is also very considerable. In 

 old swellings of the back sinews, consisting of an enlarge- 

 ment of the sheath, rather than of a real break-down, a 

 sweating embrocation, will often effect an absorption of 

 the swelling, and prevent further mischief; but it should 

 not be used when there is any heat of the part, the cooling 

 lotion being then the proper remedy. It should always be 

 remembered that in strains, when there is increased heat 

 of the leg, cooling medicines, low diet, and cooling lotions 

 are the proper remedies ; and that firing, blistering, and 

 stimulating embrocations must be defin'red until this treat- 

 ment has had time to produce the desired effect. If 

 the contrary plan is pursued, matters are onl^^ rendered 



