362 
LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
remedies within our reach, attention should be paid by us to the 
history of the case submitted for treatment : its duration, and the 
mode in which it occurred, when ascertainable, may very likely cast 
some light upon our restorative plan of procedure. 
REPOSE of the lame limb is indispensable : without such a pre- 
cautionary measure all remedies will have little chance of succeed- 
ing. On this account a stall is preferable to a box for the lame 
horse ; and he should be fastened up in it so that he cannot lie 
down or move about much. Side-reins are preferable to a single 
strap or rope. 
Fomentation of the shoulder, in a recent case, we are of opinion 
is preferable to the application of cold or refrigerant lotions; but 
then, we mean fomentation persisted in, and directed in particular 
to the point of the shoulder. It being impossible to confine a hot 
poultice on the part, an ample covering of spongio-piline will be 
found an excellent substitute, seeing it may, by very simple con- 
trivance, be made to closely cover the entire surface surrounding 
the point of the shoulder. The piline poultice should be replaced 
by a fresh hot one every hour. 
A Dose of cathartic Medicine is commonly given in such a 
case, and, we think, while the lameness is yet recent, with decided 
good effect : only let the dose be strong enough to purge the animal 
without there being a necessity for exercising him. 
Topical Blood-letting, so far as that can be carried into 
effect by drawing blood from the plat vein, is advisable in most 
cases — in severe ones indispensable. And the fittest time for its 
performance is the day the patient is sick and purging from the 
physic. From six to eight or ten pints of blood, according to the 
severity and duration of the case, should be abstracted. 
COLD, in the form of refrigerant or evaporating lotions, or through 
the application of ice, may, if preferred, be substituted for the fo- 
mentations : for our own part, however, as we stated before, we 
like the soothing and emollient plan the best. At the expiration 
of a week of treatment of this mild and emollient description, the 
horse may be seen out of his stable, first in a walk, then, for a few 
yards, in a trot: caution being taken to put a stop to the trot the 
moment any lameness re-appears, indeed, to exercise of any kind, 
unless he should be found to go sound, in which case a walk out 
for a few minutes, providing he do not “jump about,” and risk re- 
laming himself, will be beneficial. Tn the case of there being no 
amendment, or not that amount of “ better” that had been expected, 
some change of treatment should be thought of. When hot and 
cold applications have failed to afford relief, .sometimes 
A Stimulating Liniment, well rubbed in over the point of 
