898 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



Where there is strain, bind a linen roller round the leg 

 tightly, and wet it diligently with cold water day and 

 night; examine the limb every morning; give four drachms 

 of aloes, and a very small suggestion of nitre to cool the 

 system. Pressure may be gently and conveniently applied 

 by a broad vulcanised india-rubber band, and a wetted 

 piece of spongio-piline. Of old, the farrier was ready with 

 his firing-iron, even in cases of sprain ; the veterinary 

 surgeon has, in the interest of humanity, driven him out. 



When the sprain is more severe, bleed copiously from the 

 arm ; put the horse where he may be quiet, and have a 

 high-heeled shoe placed on the foot of the affected leg. 

 Gold applications, in the very early stages, particularly 

 when the swelling is considerable, will tend to unload the 

 vessels ; and the same indications will be followed by 

 immersing the whole limb in spring water. In two or 

 three days change this plan for fomentations or embroca- 

 tions. An}^ treatment more stimulating than this in the 

 early stages tends to increase the deposit of lymph, and to 

 organise it into a permanent tumour. But when the active 

 stage of the inflammation has subsided, then mildly stimu- 

 lating applications are proper ; and they should be accom- 

 panied here with due friction and bandaging. The recovery 

 from a severe case is usually very slow ; the parts being 

 ligamentous, do not readily reinstate themselves. The after- 

 treatment must, therefore, fully accord with this view, 

 which is that of giving sufficient time ; and in most cases 

 it ought to be some weeks after the horse may seem sound 

 before he is put to full work. It is better, in the most 

 favourable cases, to give a few weeks' rest, using, as already 

 recommended, a vulcanised india-rubber bandage and 

 spongio-piline saturated with water. A lotion of muriate 

 of ammonia, one ounce, pyroligneous acid and spirits of 

 wine, two ounces each, camphorated spirit, two drachms, 

 and cold water, one quart, may be applied. Where the 

 induration remains obstinate, repeated blisters, applied as 

 recommended by Mr. Blaine in shoulder lameness, are the 

 best means of reducing the tumours. 



SPEEDY-CUT — OVERREACH. 



The inside of the leg, immediately below the knee, and 

 up to the head of the inner splint bone, is liable to thft 



