72 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



dress as for a common sore. (See preceding Article and 

 Poll Evil. 



Fits. — This is a term applied to horses subject to me- 

 grim, or staggers, (which see,) causing them to fall. 

 Hence, the expression, ^'fitty horse." 



Flaxseed. — Every part of this seed is used one way 

 or another in the treatment of diseases of the horse. 

 The ground seed, mixed with warm water, is an excellent 

 cooling food for horses, almost a laxative. The pressed 

 juice, or oil, is a certain and safe purgative for the horse 

 in quart doses. The residue, which remains after the 

 oil has been pressed, commonly called cake meal, and 

 when mixed with warm water, makes the best of poultices 

 to a sore or wound. (See Poultices.) 



Fomentations. — This term has been used exclusively 

 to the application of warm water to an inflamed or sprained 

 part, and sometimes to a sore. I may be right or may 

 be wrong, when I say that the application of cold water 

 to parts similarly affected, are just as much entitled to 

 the term fomentation, for certainly it is applied the same 

 way and for the same purpose, namely, to allay irrita- 

 tion in the sore or sprained part ; and it has from my 

 own experience, proved to have a much better effect, and 

 in as short a time. Cold applied has an effect to brace, 

 strengthen, and give tonicity to relaxed sprains and 

 sores. Warmth has an opposite effect, i. e., to relax and 

 debilitate. In foot diseases, warm water will be prefer- 

 able for softening the horn. Where warm water is used, 

 the cure should be treated afterwards by cold fomenta- 

 tions. A good way to apply cold water is by means of 

 wet woolen cloths wrapped loosely around the parts, and 

 wet every hour or so before the skin becomes warm. At 



