ULCERS. 195 



Treatment. — Most healthy ulcers will heal of them- 

 selves: at most all that is required to be done, especially 

 in warm weather, is to keep the granulations, (which see) 

 from growing too fast, and above the level of the skin ; 

 and for this purpose apply a solution of blue stone, or 

 chloride of zinc as follows : — Chloride of zinc, four 

 grains; rain water, one ounce; mix. Or, powdered blue 

 stone, two drachms; rain water, eight ounces; mix. One 

 of these mixtures may be applied once a day, just suffi- 

 cient to moisten the sore, and keep proud flesh down. 

 The simple ointment of the drug stores is a good healing 

 salve, and should always be in the house and at hand. 



In neglected sores, and when proud flesh has grown up 

 above the level of the skin of the healthy part, take a 

 stick of caustic potassa, and hold on-e end with a piece of 

 cloth, or stick one end in a goose quill, and touch the 

 sore with the other end of the caustic a few times, till 

 the proud flesh turns black. Repeat at another time, if 

 necessary. Keep the caustic in a tightly-corked bottle, 

 or else it will be dissolved into fluid when next wanted. 



Sewing the lips of wounds and sores together is not 

 now much practised, as the stitches are apt to rot, and 

 the parts swell, and, consequently, the sewing gives way, 

 and only aggravates the sore. 



Adhesive plaster is also not advisable, as, when it is 

 put on over the sore, it prevents the proper fluids of the 

 sore from being discharged, and the moisture serves to 

 loosen the plaster. 



(2.) Indolent Ulcers. — This variety of ulcer or sore 

 usually attacks the skin of the legs and heels of horses, 

 (see Phagadena, Grease, and Farcy) eating down into 

 or below the surrounding surface, and covered with a 

 whitish-gray matter, and, in some few cases, small red 



