LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
127 
prise remedies of a higher class, according as the sprain is slight 
or severe, recent or of long standing. In most diseases of the 
muscles or their tendons, it is a primary consideration to put them, 
as organs of motion, into a state of repose. This is effected in 
two ways: — by putting them into a condition of relaxation, by 
bringing their points of attachment as near together as possible ; 
and by absolute rest. In the present instance our object will be 
attained by a thick-heeled shoe, or a shoe raised at the heels by 
calkings, according to the requirements of the case. Trifling as 
this may appear to some, it tends very much to the relief of the 
animal whenever his leg is in pain, besides contributing to aid 
other remedies in bringing about restoration. 
Fomentation of the leg, which is more effectual than the 
warm bath, is by far the best topical remedy for a recent and 
painful sprain. It soothes and softens pain, while it abates in- 
flammation and relaxes the parts it is seated in. One of the 
best modes of using fomentation is through the medium of the 
spongio-piline. Cut two pieces, each large enough to wrap 
round the leg, and long enough to reach from the knee to the 
fetlock, and fold either piece in succession round the affected part, 
letting the other soak the while in the hot water. The water 
should be as hot as a man can bear to immerse his hand in, and 
that temperature ought to be maintained. One of the pieces of 
spongio-piline may remain bound, by a common bandage over it, 
upon the leg during the night : it will act as a poultice ; and being 
fresh applied the last thing at night and renewed the first in the 
morning, there will be no fear of its growing dry. During the 
inflammatory and painful stage of the sprain I do not approve of 
cold applications. 
A full Dose of Cathartic Medicine will materially aid 
our local treatment ; and 
Drawing Blood from the Arm or Toe of the Foot will, 
when inflammation runs high, prove one of the most direct sub- 
duers of it we can have recourse to. Supposing it does not 
materially inconvenience or pain the animal to have the shoe 
removed, I prefer, myself, abstraction of blood from the foot, as 
telling more directly on the congested parts. In a slight sprain, 
blood-letting is hardly called for. 
Cold Applications will be found preferable to warm ones, 
so soon as the heat and tenderness have quitted or become much 
abated in the sprained parts. After the relaxing effects of the 
fomentation, they will brace the parts — act as a tonic to them; 
and at the same time tend to extract any remnants there may still 
be of inflammatory action. Various kinds of evaporating and 
cooling and sedative embrocations are used for this purpose ; 
