LAMENESS IN HOUSES. 
9 
mode of applying spirits of wine itself, the pipe-clay being simply 
the vehicle. The same paste has been found serviceable in capped 
hock ; a part to which any sort of bandage is equally difficult or 
impossible of application. 
A BLISTER is the remedy loudly and universally lauded for 
curb ; and for the practical reason that curbed hocks are found to 
stand after blistering, while they frequently fail after mild treat- 
ment. Tt is easy to account for this. An ordinary blister — more 
severe than a sweating one — and especially if the hair be trimmed 
off, and the blister be a “strong’' one, occupies some considerable 
time in working off, during which an entire change takes place in 
the organization of the curb. Any inflammation still remaining in 
the swelling is altogether superseded by the renewed and violent 
inflammatory action caused by the blister, and internal as well as 
external parts become involved in it. The consequence is, that the 
effusion of lymph is still further augmented, the parts inflamed 
afresh become agglutinated together, and in the end a general thick- 
ening takes place, implicating all around, rendering the curb indu- 
rated and callous, little organised, and little subject to any renewal 
of inflammatory action. By this general consolidation and thicken- 
ing the motion of the parts, no doubt, is for a time hindered and 
restricted ; by usage, however, the permanent adhesions elongate, 
giving to the parts they unite, by degrees, looseness and liberty, and 
so enabling curbed horses, after lengthened laying-up, to perform 
their work with their wonted effect, and with the advantage of not 
being liable to fail again in the same parts. I mean after curbed 
subjects have been efficiently or repeatedly blistered, or fired if 
thought requisite, and being sufficiently rested. 
The Ointment of the Deuto-Ioduret of Mercury, made 
by rubbing up from one to two drachms of the red powder of the 
mercury with an ounce of hog’s lard, has proved, at times, an useful 
application ; so much, indeed, has it grown into favour with some 
veterinary practitioners, that they prefer it to a blister. In 1840 
Mr. Wills read a paper on the subject to the Veterinary Medical 
Association, in which he spoke in warm commendation of the oint- 
ment, composed as above stated, as remedial in splints, curbs, 
windgalls, &c. The ointment may be applied either upon a trim- 
med or an untrimmed surface, not requiring friction like a blister, 
nor the head of the horse confining for upwards, at least, of an hour 
afterwards. A mare was brought to Mr. Willis for opinion, hav- 
ing curbs on both hocks ; one of them “ large and indurated.” The 
owner was unwilling to have her fired, since that would “ blemish 
her.” Mr. Wills thought he could succeed in removing one with 
the ointment, but was dubious concerning the dispersion of the 
other. He commenced the red mercurial treatment, and in six 
VOL. XXIII. C 
