126 
CASE OF THOllOUGH PIN. 
oils,” and fomented with hot water, but it got worse, and 
threatened fatal consequences. I advised him to use tepid 
instead of hot w r ater; to give the animal a dose of aperient 
medicine, and plenty of walking exercise. 
The horse, under this treatment, was soon well. The 
method which was being pursued would no doubt have put 
the horse’s life in jeopardy, but if left to himself he would 
soon have been in perfect health again ; thus showing that a 
good doctor exhibits his skill as much in knowing what not 
to do, as in knowing what to do. 
The exciting cause, in this case, was the dirt and filth 
allowed to accumulate in the sheath. 
I have had many similar cases in the udders of mares, 
which got well by the use of warm water and cleanliness 
only, although frequently oedematous swellings would appear 
in the thighs and along the linea alba. 
I am, sirs. 
Yours truly. 
CASE OF THOROUGHPIN, TREATED BY 
PUN CTURATION AND PRESSURE. 
By W. A. Wheatley, M.R.C.Y.S., Reading. 
The subject was a five-years-old cart-horse, the property 
of the South-Eastern Railway Company, admitted on the 1st 
of September, 1855, with an immense thoroughpin on the 
off hock. The animal being then in a very high condition, a 
support shoe was placed on the foot of the diseased limb, and 
the frequent application of cold water to the diseased parts 
resorted to ; the diet being restricted to mashes. 
October 6th. — The horse was considered in a fit state for 
the operation. Accordingly, I had the animal secured by a side 
line, and first punctured the enlargement with the exploring 
needle, in four different places, but as the imprisoned fluid 
did not escape so readily as I expected, I determined upon 
opening the part with the lancet, which being done, the 
fluid escaped to the amount of a small teacupful. It was of 
a thin consistence, and of a pale straw colour. I then applied 
bandages dipped in cold water, and kept the hock constantly 
wet. 
7th. — The swelling had very slightly returned. I gave 
