CATTLE, THEIR DISEASES, 
241 
an ointment or fluid, and never as a plaster, cut or shave the hair from 
the part, wash and dry thoroughly, and apply with strong friction for 
several minutes. The following, if thoroughly applied, will raise a blister, 
and will not leave a blemish : 
No. 2. 1 Oz. Powdered Cantharides, 
12 Oz. Lard heated to 212 deg. Fahr. 
Mix well together and stir until cooL 
A sweating blister of medium strength to be used to produce irritation 
and a watery discharge without raising a full blister, and which may be 
applied separately to the same spot and without removing the hair, i$ 
made as follows : 
No. 3. 1 Oz. Powdered Cantharides, 
1 Pt. Alcohol. 
Add neither corrosive sublimate, arsenic, acids, nor turpentine to blis- 
tering agents. They are not useful, are often injurious, and always give 
unnecessary pain. 
As a rule, sufficient irritation can be produced on cattle by mustard and 
hot water, well rubbed in, and this form should be used except in partic- 
ular cases. The following rules should be carefully remembered : 
1. — Never blister more than one or two spots at the same time. 
2. — Be careful about blistering in hot weather. 
3. — Never blister an inflamed part when there are symptoms of 
mortification. 
4. — There is always danger of producing strangury in horses from 
blistering. 
5. — When a blister causes great nervous irritability, loss of appetite, 
or difficult urination, wash the blistered surface with strong soapsuds ofi 
soft soap, dress it with sweet oil, and give a full dose of opium; 
(3. — The second day after a blister has been applied, foment the part 
with warm water, and dress it with lard or oil. 
7. — An animal that has been blistered should be prevented from biting, 
rubbing, or otherwise irritating the blistered part. 
■* • * 
Firing. 
The actual cautery is most valuable in bone diseases, or chronic lameness. 
In certain diseases it cannot be successfully replaced by any other counter- 
irritant. The iron should be at a full red or white heat, and used with a 
light hand, so that a distinct impression is made. Moro than one leg 
