INTKODUCTIOir. 



23 



equally applicable in the horse, because they are not easily fixed, except 

 on the feet. A poultice, unless made large, dries too rapidly, and is 

 then apt to cause irritation, instead of soothing. On the other hand, if 

 made large, it is heavy and difficult to secure. The poultice must not 

 be tied so tight as to arrest the circulation or to leave a mark. "With this 

 view, a broad tape or a piece of list should be used instead of a string. 

 An old stocking with part of the foot cut off makes a good poultice bag 

 for the lower part of the leg. 



Poultices should always be inclosed in a bag made from some thin 

 but strong material, in order to prevent the substances from which they 

 are made from becoming entangled with hair, making it very trouble- 

 some to clean. Fig. 15 also shows how they may be inclosed. They should 



Fi3. 15. 

 Enclosure for poultices. 



be snugly fastened by bandages, as just stated, to the diseased part, 

 and removed as often as necessary to keep them sweet. Applications of 

 various liniments, irritants, disinfectants, anodynes, etc., may be made 

 by mixing with the substance of the poultice, or spreading upon its 

 surface. 



Poultices intended for the special purpose of giving warmth to a part 

 are usually made of hot bran. Those intended for relaxation may be 

 made of equal parts of moist bran, linseed meal, and olive oil ; or of 

 boiled carrots or turnips mixed with bran. For ill-conditioned sores 

 linseed answers best. If a sore is painful, opium may be added to any 

 of the above. To soften the horn in inflammation of the feet, vinegar 

 may be added to the bran. A poultice may be made an astringent dress- 

 ing by the addition of sulphate of zinc. 



Powders, if tasteless, may be given sprinkled on the food, or mixed 

 with molasses as electuaries, or of any kind, nauseous or otherwise, in a 



