RECEIPT BOOK. 41 



sal prunellse, nitre, or the sal polychrestum, dis- 

 solved in his drink. 



Cow's dung alone, applied warm to the part, 

 with lard or ointment of marsh mallows, may be 

 sufficient to bring the swelling to maturity. 



When the matter seems ready for a discharge, 

 it may be opened in the dependent lowermost part, 

 by the application of a hot iron; afterwards keep- 

 ing a dossel in the mouth of the wound til4 the run- 

 ning abates; and applying compresses and conven- 

 ient bandage to ke^p the elevated skin close to the 

 flesh, that it may be the sooner united. But if the 

 cavity of the imposthumation be large, it will not 

 be amiss to lay it open an inch or more. 



The cure may be finished with applying only the 

 unguentum basilicum; or a digestive made with 

 turpentine, the yolks of eggs, or honey, with a 

 moderate mixture of brandy, or spirit of wine. 

 And if any foulness appears, or if it heal too fast, 

 or if spongy soft flesh arise, pledgets dipped in 

 copperas water, or a solution of blue vitriol, may 

 be applied, which will keep it smooth and even. 



But if the swelling increase fast, with no tenden- 

 cy >o digestion, and if it rise up towards the neck, 

 affecting all the muscles of the part, the horse will 

 be in danger of suffocation, unless a course differ- 

 ent from the former be taken. 



Besides repeated bleeding, if he is not too much 

 worn out, take a hot searing iron, and apply it to 

 five or six places on the lower part of the swelling, 

 cauter.zing those parts, that they may be speedily 

 brought to matter, which may be dressed with flax 

 dipped in tar and turpentine, mixed betore the fire, 

 and applied warm. For by givinof pain in those 

 dependent and inferior parts, you cause the hu- 

 4* 



