FARRIERY. 



tact with the ground. Some horses have 

 been ruined by inattention to this point, 

 and some few have naturally a defect in 

 that part. To provide ag-ainst such cir- 

 cumstances, Mr. Coleman uses an artifi- 

 cial frog 1 , which receives the pressure, 

 and gives the greatest firmness to the 

 tread. It is usually but a temporary ex- 

 pedient, as the frog commonly grows, and 

 renders the substitute unnecessary. 



Having given a general, but very cor- 

 rect outline of the process of shoeing, we 

 shall proceed to a brief statement of the 

 various diseases, &c. which usually come 

 within the farrier's notice, in their alpha- 

 betical order. 



Jlnasarca, or dropsy of the skin, is ge- 

 nerally called the water farcy, owing to 

 the fluid being dispersed through the cel- 

 lular membrane of the skin. It is known 

 by pits remaining after the skin has been 

 pressed by a finger; and, usually, pro- 

 ceeds from a deficiency of the absorb- 

 ents, or an excess in the inhalents ; from 

 jaundice, hydatides, or previous inflam- 

 mation. The cure is usually effected by 

 stimulant applications, and by diuretics ; 

 smart friction, and gentle exercise, if 

 long continued, are highly serviceable ; 

 the food should be nourishing. When 

 only the lower extremities are diseased, 

 rollers dipt in spirits, or in oil of turpen- 

 tine, will generally remove the complaint. 

 Horses are most subject to anasarca at 

 spring and fall, when shedding their 

 coats. If eruptions take place, the cure 

 is much facilitated : but they ought to be 

 mildly treated, and suffered to heal vo- 

 luntarily. 



Jlscites, or dropsy of the belly, may be 

 known by the local swelling, which, 

 when gently struck, undulates so as to be 

 sensibly felt by the hand. This com- 

 plaint arises from the causes just describ- 

 ed, and occasions considerable thirst, 

 short breath, and an obvious diminution 

 of urinary discharge. To cure this com-' 

 plaint, every means should be used for 

 strengthening and accelerating the secre- 

 tion in general, and for promoting the 

 circulation of the blood and fluids. Drastic 

 purges, diuretics, sweating, and in some 

 cases mercury, rarely fail to render im- 

 portant service. This disease, however, 

 is apt to recur, unless the constitution be 

 completely fortified, and the general ha- 

 bit brought into due state. 



Bleeding, or blood-letting, should be 

 performed with a lancet of a suitable size ; 

 the fleam being very uncertain on large 

 rolling veins ; and in the thigh, &c. ab- 

 solutely dangerous, often producing- vio- 



lent inflammation, and sometimes incur- 

 able lameness. The jugular-vein is usu- 

 ally opened in common cases ; especially 

 when the head is the seat of disease : 

 in other instances the plate-vein, or that 

 within the thigh. In the first case, a 

 piece of thin cord should be passed 

 round the horse's neck a little above the 

 withers, and the part be wetted, so as to 

 shew the vein. The quantity must de- 

 pend on the case ; but one or two quarts 

 for periodical bleeding are enough to be 

 drawn from a full-sized horse in good 

 condition ; in some cases, much greater 

 quantities must be taken. When the 

 bleeding is to be stopped, slacken the 

 line, and pass a pin through the lips of 

 the orifice ; then taking a few hairs from 

 the tail or mane, or a piece of thread, 

 pass over the head and point of the pin 

 therewith, in an alternate (i. e. a figure 

 of 8) direction, and make fast. 



Breaking down, as it is usually called, 

 proceeds from a rupture of the suspen- 

 sory ligaments, and chiefly happens to 

 young horses in training. In this instance 

 the fetlock nearly touches the ground, 

 but the foot can be bent when raised. 

 Few cures are made, though much palli. 

 ation may be effected, by reducing the 

 inflammation in the first instance, raising 

 the limb, especially the heel, so as to 

 throw the weight on the other leg, and 

 to relax the part. By this precaution, 

 added to bleeding, purging, and the use 

 of bracing applications, or eventually by 

 firing, the limb may gradually become 

 equal to very light exercise; but never can 

 be depended upon, or be deemed sound. 



Broken wind, this complaint is suppos- 

 ed to proceed from a rupture of the 

 cells in the lungs : in the moment of the 

 wind's being expelled from them a 

 check occurs, which gives occasion to a 

 second effort, thus causing a division in 

 the sound : hence the term under which 

 this complaint is known. The causes of 

 this rupture are numerous, but the fol- 

 lowing are among the most frequent; 

 viz. catarrhs, working after a full meal, or 

 after drinking freely : girthing too tight : 

 being suddenly put into hot stables after 

 standing out in a cold air, &c. &c. This 

 complaint, webelive, does not admit of a 

 perfect cure ; but, by much care, may be 

 greatly relieved. The food should be 

 compact and nutritious, such as corn and 

 old hay. Carrots are excellent in this 

 case, as are parsnips, and beet roots ; 

 probably on account of the saccharine 

 matter they contain. We have heard, 

 that molasseshas be en given in the water, 



