139 



• Since practising dilation my estimate of the value of this 

 process of treatment as an adjunctive measure in all cases of 

 wounds and injuries to the feet, even in cases where tetanic 

 symptoms were fully manifested, may be learned from the fol- 

 lowing statement : 



In all cases of injury to the feet placed in my charge for 

 treatment, I soften and dilate the quarters, more or less, 

 according to circumstances and the nature of the case. I 

 practice this general measure upon the principle that, in any 

 case, it can do no harm, and in some cases it may prevent 

 tetanus — the constant dread of the veterinary practitioner — 

 from supervening. Its direct benefits, in the majority of cases, 

 however, are so plainly manifest in facilitating the healing pro- 

 cesses — in conjunction with purely medicative measures of 

 treatment, that I have but little or no confidence in any plan 

 of treatment without it. 



STRINGHALT. 



A MYSTERIOUS MALADY. 



I propose to record some observations which I have made 

 in the course of my experience upon a somewhat barren topic. 

 This subject has engaged the pens and baffled the acumen of 

 such pathological investigators as Professors Spooner and Sewell, 

 and Percival, Blaine, Youatt, Goodwin, and Busteed, of New 

 York, besides some other of lesser note. 



I do not suppose that the small item of observation which I 

 wish to record will amount to anything more than a suggestion, 

 or clue, which others as well as myself may follow out who may 

 have opportunities for experiment and observation. The pau- 

 city of the information we possess as to the true origin and 

 seat of this malady and its supposed absolute remediless char- 

 acter, may sufficiently excuse the smallness of the donation. 



Writes Professor Varnell, " There is a mystery about the mal- 

 ady, which, for the present, is darkened over with a heavy mist, 

 that requires considerable research to clear away." During 



