HOT FOMENTATIONS. 1033 



and the compress can be left on continuously, but it should be cov- 

 ered with the woolen cloth. 



For a Cold. If the cold is located in the head, a fomentation 

 can be applied to the head, and should be extensive enough to 

 cover most of the neck. This can be done by folding a blanket 

 lengthwise about four thicknesses, and just winding it spirally 

 around the horse's head so as not to cover the eyes ; and if one 

 blanket is not sufficient, another blanket can be wound around 

 the head and down the neck in the same manner. The fomenta- 

 tion should be well covered with a dry blanket, and if it is so hot 

 that the horse cannot bear it, the hot folded blanket, after being 

 wrung out of hot water, should be folded in a dry one, so as not 

 to burn him. In this case, it is not necessary to add another dry 

 blanket over the fomentation. 



If the cold seems to be settled all over the horse, several blan- 

 kets may be joined at the edges, and thrown over the horse so 

 that the edges hang down to the ground, forming a kind of tent 

 for the horse to be under. The edges of the blanket behind and 

 before the body can be pinned together. Then place a vessel with 

 hot water under the horse, and a hot brick or hot flat-irons can 

 be thrown into the water to produce a vapor, which should be 

 continued until the horse is in a profuse sweat. Then he can be 

 sponged off, beginning with cool water, and ending with cold wa- 

 ter, or sprayed with cool water, then with cold; or the water can 

 be poured over the body, if it is not convenient to spray. The an- 

 imal should then be warmly blanketed, and in the course of 20 

 minutes if he does not sweat, or has ceased to sweat, should then 

 be dried thoroughly by wiping with cloths and rubbing with the 

 hand, until perfectly dry. Care should be taken that the tempera- 

 ture of the room in which this treatment is given should not fall 

 much below 50, and would be better to be about 65 or 70, and 

 there should be no draught. The treatment can be made much 

 more effective by placing the horse's feet into as hot water as he 

 will bear, while the vapor is being given. 



Another method is a hot-blanket pack, which is sometimes 

 more convenient, and is just as effectual. The hot-blanket pack 

 can be given by wringing a heavy blanket out of hot water, and 

 folding it; then folding it into a dry blanket and putting it 

 around the body of the horse. It will require at least two such 



