THE “WARBLES” AND THEIR CURE. 31 
patient is disposed of the better—for scarcely one in a 
thousand ever stands a preparation after. 
Bandages, as I have said, I never use except in illness, when 
dry flannels are the best. In health I prefer hand-rubbing to 
anything else, to assist circulation. The benefit derived from 
bandages I consider more imaginary than real. Still, like other 
fanciful matters, they have their purpose of ornamentation if 
not of use. The wavy appearance given to the hair on the legs 
could probably not be so effectively produced in any other way. 
Cracked heels are seldom heard of now, whilst formerly 
almost every horse suffered more or less from this trouble- 
some complaint, which in very bad cases affected its 
condition considerably. The primary, if not the sole cause, I 
believe, used to be sweating, for the evil has simultaneously 
disappeared with its abandonment. But if the heels are left 
wet after washing out the feet (which is too often the case), 
it will produce soreness ; therefore care should be taken to 
wipe them perfectly dry. However, should any horse be so 
affected, the best remedy is fomentation after the water has 
been steeped in bran, and strained through a sieve or a wire 
strainer, and a little of the following ointment applied twice a 
day: Mix a little red precipitate powder with hog’s lard, 
simmer over a slow fire and stir till cold. 
Just before becoming, or when actually fit, horses are very 
frequently attacked with “warbles,” an irritating and very 
troublesome complaint, though not dangerous. It usually 
appears on the back and sides, and is no sooner cured in one 
place than it returns in another. They are very seldom seen in 
any horses except those in strong work, and in other respects in 
the best of health. A little cooling medicine may be given, and 
an astringent lotion applied twice a day to the parts affected. 
\ Hog’s lard, 14 lb ; powdered camphor, 3 0z.; red precipitate, powdered, $ oz. 
