►CHAP. I.] MODE OF BANDAGING. 227 



It will be seen, that unless the remedy proposed 

 is practically applicable, the preparation thereof 

 would be wholly unprofitable; therefore, when a 

 poultice, steaming, or blistering, is deemed neces- 

 sary, we should endeavour to secure it in the best 

 possible manner ; and as most persons are but poor 

 horse milliners, we have undertaken in this instance, 

 as well as in cases of strangles, poll-evil, and vives, 

 to exhibit the best means of retaining the remedies 

 in their proper places. 



The cloth to be employed should be of stout but 

 supple linen, as Russia duck, or hempen sail-cloth ; 

 or in failure thereof, a fresh sheep- skin, or a piece 

 of Chamois leather might be substituted. 



Some recommend steeping the cloth in a solution 

 of gummy substances, to render it water-tight ; but 

 such contrivances only add to its unconquerable 

 stiffness, and we should prefer oiled silk, such as is 

 used for umbrellas, if readily procurable, and not 

 too dear for the pockets of those more immediately 

 concerned. 



When spread abroad, the cloth will be of an 

 irregular octagon shape, at each corner whereof is 

 to be strongly sewed on a piece of broad tape for 

 the purpose of fastening to the girth, or round the 

 neck, and to a breasting of broad web, which is 

 supported by another piece, that passes over the 

 withers, and which two should be previously fastened 

 together by stitching the cross-piece ends upon the 

 breasting. The two extremes of the bandage will 

 be thejillet across the forehead and the fastening 



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