LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 109 
urgency it is always most judicial to use those means which effect 
the most speedy relief. My reasons for opposing the practice of 
local bloodletting are, that when the foot is selected there is, from 
the inflammatory action already in the limb, and a further irritation 
of the sensitive sole, a great tendency to suppuration beneath the 
horny sole, which is more likely to under-run the sole than other- 
wise, and thereby retard the favorable progress of the disease. 
Where the vena saphena is chosen — and this might almost be 
termed constitutional venesection — from whieh to abstract blood, 
there are similar objections to be raised, as inflammation of the vein 
for some little distance around the opening is not an unusual result, 
and certainly not one to be desired. There is a further and very 
important reason to adduce, as militating against the use of local 
venesection solely, inasmuch as the impression on the system cannot 
be rendered so great in so short a space of time. 
During the inflammatory stage the medicines calculated to ensure 
the most benefit are aperients, diuretics, diaphoretics, stimulants, 
and salines. I have purposely omitted cathartics, as the cases are 
very few where it is necessary to administer a purging dose of aloes, 
for I have known instances where large doses of aloes have been 
given, and produced diarrhoea to such an extent as to dangerously 
increase the constitutional excitement. I would much rather prefer 
the administration of a gentle laxative to violent doses of physic, 
as I am not a believer in the “ purging out” of this disease. More 
is to be done by acting upon those grand emunctory organs, the 
kidneys, and exciting the action of the absorbent system. For this 
purpose nothing can be more efficacious than the exhibition of 
stimulants and diuretics. Turpentine, which has both the above 
properties combined, may be given in doses of half an ounce or an 
ounce, twice or thrice a day, as occasion may require, in combina- 
tion with the following compound 
Ifc Potass. Nit., 5ij ; 
Potass. Chlor., 5ij ; 
Liq. Ammon. Acet., ^ij ; 
Spt. iEther. Nit., ^ss. 
to be given in gruel or mucilage. Or, in lieu of the above, the 
following may be administered in some mucilaginous material twice 
a day : 
Ammon. Carb., 5ij ; 
Potass. Nit., 5ij ; 
Tinct. Campli., il^ss ; 
Spt. iEther. Nit., fl ^ss. 
The application of a rest-shoe to the foot gives great relief to the 
animal when moving, and is also a source of support to the limb 
generally. Hot fomentations to the leg should be almost continu- 
ous, and after the first two or three days should be applied twice 
or thrice a day. I do not approve of bandages of any description, 
as they are not always applied with even pressure, and therefore apt 
to interfere with the circulation ; and, besides, they only increase the 
heat of the limb, and very often irritate the skin. 
