LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
129 
leading consideration. We must not expect to accomplish this in 
a hurry. Great and extensive mischief has been inflicted; ten- 
dons, ligaments, thecae, bursae, joints perhaps, are involved in it ; 
to the repairing of all which Nature must necessarily be allowed 
full and sufficient time. And even when all has been done that 
can be done, both by Nature and Art, towards restoration, will 
much remain still to be accomplished, to which the action of the 
parts will require to be aroused afresh by another and quite a 
different class of remedies ; to wit, 
Blistering and Firing. — ’Even in severe sprains, by the judi- 
cious application of the remedies recommended, and perseverance 
in their use for a sufficient length of time, soundness in very many 
cases is to be restored, providing the case be brought, so soon as 
it shall happen, under treatment, and providing it be not one of 
relapse or renewal of an old sprain. Inflammation nearly or quite 
abstracted, the leg becomes cooled down almost to its natural 
temperature ; and although a good deal of thickening in places 
remains, and the skin covering the enlargements has an unnatural 
closeness and tensity — arising from adhesions existing between it 
and the parts underneath, caused by unabsorbed interstitial de- 
posit — yet do the tendons perhaps play, or may from use after a 
time do so, with sufficient facility to enable the horse to walk and 
even trot soundly upon his still anormal limb. On the other 
hand, stiffness may remain very observable in action ; or lameness, 
though much relieved from what it has been, may still continue, 
and appear to be permanent ; rendering the animal, unless more 
can be done for him, unserviceable to his possessor, and a source 
of plaint against his veterinary attendant. Under these circum- 
stances, blistering or firing comes to be considered. Nay, even 
under circumstances wherein there is no lameness — wherein sound- 
ness has been restored, either completely or sufficiently for return to 
work, must these potent therapeutic and surgical aids be called in, 
would we desire to preserve our quondam patient under work, 
and especially under severe or trying work, against the liability, 
I might almost say certainty , of return of lameness. There is no 
disease that I know of so likely to relapse under fresh excite- 
ments as sprain. Even horses with slight sprains require inter- 
vals of rest, and after they have been “cured” too, before they 
can be safely taken again into work ; and in severe cases, no 
veterinarian or hunting man would think of a horse standing any 
violent work, at least — such as hunting, racing, &c. — without 
having “had the iron.” Firing, here, is the remedy, and the only 
remedy to be relied upon. Blisters may answer in certain cases 
of first sprain, and that not of the worst character, and where the 
subject of it is not likely to be called on in the capacity of hunter, 
VOL. XXIII. T 
