THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 447 



matter (lymph) may separate the membrane and the bone, and eventuate 

 in necrosis, or death of the bone. 



What to do. — If the difficulty is not severe, cold water faithfully ap- 

 plied during the inflammatory stage, and later, blisters, will be all that 

 will be necessary. In fact, treat it precisely as is recommended for 

 splint. 



In very severe cases, where there is great tenderness, and decided 

 doughy swelling, make a series of incisions with a bistoury or narrow- 

 bladed knife, carrying the blade a short way beneath the skin, and then 

 cutting down to the bone. This is done to let the contents escape. Use 

 as a fomentation hot water containing half an ounce to an ounce of laud- 

 anum to a pint, and afterwards with cold water. If the healing is not 

 prompt, apply a blister. In a majority of cases it should yield by apply- 

 ing the following astringent lotion : 



No. 185. 60 Drops carbolic acid, 



yi Ounce sugar of lead, 

 2 Quarts rainwater. 



It may be necessary, in fact it will be better, to give a purgative, 4 cr 

 5 drachms of aloes, to be followed by 20 drops tincture of aconite, three 

 or four times a day. The animal should have perfect rest and be kept 

 on sound hay and bran mashes. 



X. Botten Bone. 



This is called necrosis when it attacks the shaft or body of the horse, 

 *nd caries when it is confined to the ends at its joints. 



Causes. — Death and decay of the bone, from inflammation. It is lia- 

 ble to occur in poll-evil, founder, from cracked or broken bones, and 

 inflammation of the membranes. 



How to know it. — There will be severe inflammation, followed by one 

 flr more abscesses, which break and discharge. They do not heal, but 

 form fistulas (pipes). The discharge at first may be thin and without 

 smell, but after a time there is a peculiar and fetid odor, characteristic 

 of decayed bone. 



What to do. — The proper thing to do is to cut down at once to the 

 decayed bone, scrape it clean, remove all loose portions, wash the wound 

 ■with chloride of zinc lotion, made as follows : 



So. 186. 40 Grains chloride of zinc, 



1 Ounce distilled water. 



The wound made in cutting is to be treated as is any wound. If the 



