ROWELS — BLISTERING. 439 



blister cerate, and a little oil to lubricate the surface, is thrust in 

 at the heel and out at the cleft of the frog, taking care not to go 

 deep enough to wound the tendon as it passes over the navicular 

 hone. The needle is then forcibly drawn through, and the tape 

 knotted, as already described. The openings must be kept clean 

 by sponging daily ; and in three or four weeks the tape will have 

 nearly worked its way out, when it may be withdrawn. 



Rowels are now seldom employed, being very unmanageable 

 plans for causing counter-irritation. An incision, about an inch 

 long, is made in the skin, selecting a part where it is loosely at- 

 tached, and into this a blunt instrument, called a " cornet," is 

 pushed, and worked about in all directions, until the skin is sepa 

 rated from the subjacent parts for a circle with a diameter of from 

 two to three inches. Into this a piece of thick leather of that 

 diameter, with a hole in the middle, is inserted, previously having 

 smeared it with blister cerate ; and the part is then left to nature. 

 In a few days, a discharge of matter comes on, which must be 

 washed off occasionally; and in the course of time, the leather, if 

 allowed, would find its way out by ulceration. Before, however, 

 this takes place, it is generally removed. 



BLISTERING. 



When it is decided to blister any part, the hair should be 

 cut off as closely as possible; the ointment is then rubbed in with 

 the hand for ten minutes, leaving a good quantity smeared on the 

 surface. If the legs are to be blistered, the heels should be pro- 

 tected by lard. Considerable itching is caused after the first two 

 or three days, and many horses, if allowed, gnaw the part to such 

 an extent as to cause a serious blemish. It is therefore necessary 

 to keep the head away, which is done by putting a " cradle" on 

 the neck. The irritation of loose straw is very aggravating, and 

 the stall or box should either be bedded with tan, or sawdust, or 

 with used litter, so damp as to lie smoothly. It is generally the 

 practice to put the blistered horse on a bare floor; but he will often 

 do great harm to his legs and feet (which are of course unsound, 

 or they would not be treated in this way), by constantly stamping 

 from the pain occasioned while the blister is beginning to rise. 

 When the legs are stiff and sore from the swelling, he stands still 

 enough, but at first there is nothing^of this kind to keep him quiet. 

 James's blister, which is very mild, and useful for trifling diseases 

 of the legs, or for bringing on the hair after " broken knee," can 

 generally be used without a cradle ; but even with it, horses will 

 sometimes gnaw themselves, and it is better not to run any risk. 

 At the end of a week, some neat's-foot oil should be applied every 

 morning, with a feather or soft brush, to keep the scabs as supple 



