156 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



flaxseed meal, bran, bread and milk, and mashed boiled turnips. 

 Whatever the substance, it should be clean, soft, and capable of 

 retaining heat and moisture. To keep them clean and sweet, 

 add a teaspoonf ul of carbolic acid to a pint of poultice. 



Bathing the parts in hot or cold water often proves very bene- 

 ficial. The apphcation should continue for fifteen minutes to 

 half an hour. When warmed, it may be as hot as can be com- 

 fortably borne. The bathing should take place two or three 

 times a day. It is much used and with good results in lessen- 

 ing inflammation, pain, and swelling of recent injuries, and the 

 hke. 



Enemas, or injections, into the rectum. — Medicines are given 

 by injections into the rectum when they cannot be given by the 

 mouth ; when they are not retained by the stomach ; when it 

 is desired to empty the bowels ; to destroy small worms infecting 

 the large bowels ; and to stimulate action. Foods may also be 

 given in this way. Six to eight quarts of warm water is suffi- 

 cient for an adult horse, and if to this is added a half teacupful 

 of pure glycerine, much better results will be obtained. In- 

 jections are best given by means of a rubber hose four feet 

 long to which a funnel is attached. Oil the hose, insert gently 

 into the rectum about two feet, then pour the liquid into the 

 funnel and by raising it above the animal, it will force itself 

 into the bowels. 



Counter-irritants. — This is a class of practices applied for 

 the purpose of setting up a local and artificial inflammation in 

 order to cure or counteract a disease or injury. Their appli- 

 cation requires some skill and much experience. The counter- 

 irritants most used are liniments, blisters, and burning with a 

 hot iron or "firing." 



Blisters. — Two substances are commonly used for blisters : 

 pulverized Spanish flies makes "fly-blister," and the biniodide 

 of mercury makes " red-bhster." Both are poisonous and should 

 be cared for accordingly. They are made by mixing one part 



