1032 DISEASES AND THEIK TEEATMENT. 



as they leave much additional thickening, and are not so effectual 

 as the actual cautery." 



HOT FOMENTATIONS. 



This is so often advised for acute inflammation, sprains, etc., 

 notwithstanding the simplicity of its application, I think it advis- 

 able to give such details as will serve to aid the owner in its use. 

 The use of hot and cold water alone, intelligently applied, will be 

 found a very safe, simple, and effective remedy for allaying in- 

 flammation, pain, and congestion. 



The principle is to apply all the heat the animal will bear, but 

 not enough to scald or burn. It is best accomplished by wring- 

 ing through a common clothes wringer a woolen blanket (a com- 

 mon horse-blanket will do) out of boiling hot water, fold it quickly 

 into four or more thicknesses, and place it over the affected part. 

 Cover the hot cloth well with dry blanket. If continued or re- 

 peated long enough to relax the skin, cold is to be applied to tone 

 it up, when, if necessary, the heat is to be again continued. 



For Acute Pleurisy. To relieve the pain, apply hot fomenta- 

 tions over the seat of the pain, from one to three hours, or till the 

 pain subsides. The fomentations should be renewed every five or 

 ten minutes, and at the conclusion should be followed with 

 a heavy, cold compress for about ten minutes. Ice compresses in- 

 stead of the fomentations will sometimes afford relief when all 

 other means fail. After ice-compresses have been applied for an 

 hour, they should be followed by a hot fomentation, and then apply 

 the cold compress again until the pain subsides. 



For Colic. Apply hot fomentations sufficiently large to cover 

 the abdomen or belly of the horse, in quick succession, for an 

 hour or so, till relief is obtained. And at the same time give a 

 copious injection of hot water into the rectum, of from 110 to 118 

 F. A gallon or two of water should be used for this purpose. 

 Any kind of a syringe will do, but the Fountain Syringe is much 

 to be preferred above all others. Sometimes the fomentation is all 

 that is necessary to give relief, and sometimes injections alone will 

 give great relief. 



For Strains and Sprains. Apply hot fomentations vigor- 

 ously, changing them every five or ten minutes till the pain and 

 swelling subside. Apply a cold compress for the last application, 



