252 On the Domestic Veterinary Treatment of 
without the formation of discharges. Still the antiseptic treat- 
ment, by the aid of a solution of carbolic acid, 1 part to 100 
of water, with carbolised cotton and gauze, is most effective. 
Sprains. — Muscles, ligaments, and tendons, are sometimes 
extended beyond the limits of their elasticity, owing to sudden 
and violent movements of the animal, and the result is inflam- 
mation, with swelling and pain. Excessive strain may cause 
rupture of some of the minute fibres of these structures, and 
then perfect recovery is rare. 
The immediate effects of sprain are swelling, heat, and lame- 
ness, which is the expression of the pain incurred in moving the 
injured part ; the remote effects are, in many instances, per- 
manent enlargement of the parts, and weakness of the injured 
muscle, tendon, or ligament, which renders it susceptible to a 
recurrence of the injury, and to some extent impairs the animal's 
usefulness. For these results of sprain powerful counter-irritants 
are deemed necessary, at least they are usually employed ; but 
experience has shown that equally good effects may be pro- 
duced by the persistent use of cold water, with perfect rest for 
a considerable period. 
When blistering is required, the ointment of the biniodide of 
mercury is most effective. Firing and setoning are operations 
requiring surgical skill, and it is not expected that the farmer 
will attempt them. Indeed, the reckless adoption of these severe 
measures is to be deprecated. 
Common Diseases of the Dif/estive Organs. — Animals of different 
classes in domestication are somewhat differently placed in 
regard to their liability to disease. Horses, for instance, and 
breeding animals generally, are fed with the sole object of keeping 
them in health, or in working condition ; whereas cattle, sheep, 
and swine, which are intended for the butcher, are supplied 
with as much provender as can be utilised economically by the 
organism, the object being to fatten them as quickly as possible, 
without regard to the remote effects of this " forcing system " 
on the health of the animals. A natural result of this artificial 
method of feeding is the production of certain diseased states 
of the digestive organs, from which working animals are com- 
paratively exempt. On the other hand, the working animal is 
more frequently subjected to climatic influences, and to alter- 
nations ol exertion, sometimes of a violent kind, with complete 
inaction in the stable, conditions which render him liable to 
diseases of the respiratory system in particular. 
Horses suffer at certain times from a form of indigestion 
which is in horse language expressed in the significant term, 
"loss of condition." The animal is disinclined for lood, or 
eats everything ravenously ; the skin is harsh and unthrifty, 
