438 THE HORSE. 



hand has been at work, and that the poor beast has been treated 

 scientifically. In very severe diseases, a blister is sometimes ap- 

 plied over the part, immediately after the firing; but this can 

 seldom be required, and as it aggravates the pain tenfold, it should 

 be avoided, if possible. On the following day, a little neat's-foot 

 oil should be gently rubbed, or brushed with a feather, over the 

 leg ; and this should be repeated daily, until the swelling which 

 comes on has nearly subsided. Less than three months' rest 

 should never be allowed for the operation to have its full effect, as, 

 if the horse is put to work before that time has elapsed, the dis- 

 ease will almost certainly return. Indeed, it is far better to allow 

 double this time, especially if the horse is wanted for fast work. 



SETONS AND BOWELS. 



Setons are pieces of tape or lamp cotton, passed through and 

 beneath the skin, leaving the two ends hanging out, either tied 

 together or with a knot upon each. The latter is the safer plan, 

 as the loop is always liable to be caught on a hook or other pro- 

 jecting body. The needle with which the passage is effected has 

 a spear point, slightly turned up, and an eye at the other end (see 

 fig. 22), through which the tape or cotton is threaded. The 



FlQ. 22. — SETON NEEDLES ONE QUARTER SIZE. 



ordinary one is about nine or ten inches long, and by its means a 

 tape or piece of lamp cotton, smeared with blister cerate, may be 

 passed through a long track of the cellular membrane, by pinching 

 up the skin into a fold, and piercing this close to the body with 

 the needle, which is then to be carried straight through. On 

 drawing the tape out of the eye, it must be tied in a large knot at 

 each end, which will prevent its slipping out. In three or four 

 days, a profuse discharge will come on, and it must ke kept up, if. 

 necessary, by repeated applications of blister cerate, or digestive 

 ointment, as may be necessary. The ends should be sponged 

 occasionally, to remove the accumulated matter. 



A smaller curved needle, about five or six inches long (see 

 lower figure, 22) is used for introducing a seton into the frog, or 

 beneath the eye. For the former operation, a twitch is first 

 applied, and the foot is then buckled up to the arm, as described 

 at page 167 The needle then, armed with the tape, greased with 



