420 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



Or either of the following blisters may be jised, which are among 

 the very best : — 



Finely powdered cantharides 1 oz. 



Powdered eiiphorbium. ..,, .....: 2 dr. 



Lard s , 1 oz. 



Tar 2 oz. 



Mix. This is a very strong blister, and is regarded as very good. 



Another favorite perscription is : — 



Corrosive sublimate >. '. . . 2 dr. 



Lard ' . .1 oz. 



Tar! .J oz. 



Cantharides. . , 2 dr. 



The following will also be found efficient : — 



Equal parts of biniodide of mercury and cantharides, and three parts 

 each of tar and lard. 



The blister should be thoroughly rubbed on with the hand about 

 ten minutes. Twenty-four hours afterward apply a little vaseline 

 or oil, and repeat night and morning until the action subsides. This 

 will prevent the skin from cracking, as well as lessen the pain. After 

 which, wash with castile soap and warm water. In no case should 

 more than one leg be blistered at a time, especially if the horse is 

 thin-skinned and sensitive, as it produces serious disturbance and 

 fever. A variety of prescriptions for blisters will be found under 

 the head of the best remedies used, if it is desired to use blisters ; 

 also the most famous secret quack cures will be found under that 

 head ; but it is not advisable to use them. 



Firing. 



For firing, put the horse in stocks. If this is not convenient, 

 the next best way is to bring a rope around the neck and fasten to 

 the well leg ; or still better; buckle a soft strap around the fetlock, 

 and from a ring attached to the strap, pass a rope around the neck 

 of the horse and draw short enough to raise the-foot from the ground. 

 Next put on a twitch, with the stick part at least twenty inches 

 long ; it should be sO arranged as not to hurt the horse until the in- 

 stant of touching with the iron, when the head should be thrown up 

 a little with a slight jerking motion, to divert his attention from the 

 pain of the firing. 



I give two illustrations of the firing part of the iron, reduced in 

 size about one third. The larger the iron, the linger it will re- 

 tain the heat. The blade should be of steel (of the form given in 

 the illustration), a little more than a quarter of an inch thick at the 



