304 Tbansactions of the American Institute. 



Octobers?, 1868. 



Mr. Nathan C. Elt iu the chair ; Mr. John W. CHA:NrBER8, Secretary. 



Lameness in Horses. 



Mr. "W. Iloniieywell, Dallas, Luzerne county, Pa., inquires for a 

 remedy for what lie calls " stocks " in the hind leg of a horse, which 

 seems to be a swelling noticeable after the animal stands more than 

 twenty-four hours. 



Dr. J. E. Snodgrass. — A bandage, applied surgical fashion, would 

 be a great help ; that is, tight lacing, and this is the only case in which 

 tliis practice is to be recommended. 



Dr. J. Y. 0. Smith. — In all such general cases friction is a good 

 remedy, but I would in particular recommend electricity. It is sin- 

 gular that its application has not been made to horses, for it has great 

 remedial powers. Horses are much abused, and too little thought is 

 bestowed upon their management, particularly when borrowed. 



A. W. Lozier, M. D. — I had a horse some years ago which was 

 accidentally pricked with a fork in the gambrel joint, letting out the 

 synovial fluid or fluid of the joint ; in consequence of which it 

 became enormously swollen and stiff". Several veterinary surgeons 

 pronounced his case hopeless, and recommended as a mercy to the 

 animal to open a vein and let him go, as his suffering was 

 extreme, and he was soon reduced to a skeleton. But being attached 

 to the creature, I at last found a veterinary surgeon who promised to 

 do something for him. The horse was kept in slings for nearly a 

 month, and after dashing waiter upon it, packings, liniment, fomen- 

 tations, &c., with but little avail, I concluded from what I had seen 

 in the practice of medicine to try electricity, and had it tried twice a 

 day regnlarl}'. Tlie swelling began to go down at once, heat and 

 pain subsided, and it was really amusing to see the horse hold out his 

 wounded joint toward the surgeon every time he came with his bat- 

 tery. In two or three months he was as well and valuable as ever, 

 with no trace of lameness or swelling whatever, and continued so. 

 The electricity was applied for ten minutes twice a day, by means of 

 a simple hand battery. 



Growing Timber. 

 !Mr, David Pottit, Salem, IST. J. — Mr. Lyman says that from con- 

 versation with farmers he has set down the average duration of fence 



