138 
STRANGULATED HERNIA, ETC. 
origin I believe, with which most of the low plains of India 
abound, which is as hard as iron, and with which our high 
roads are made—or with silica brick, laid edgeways, and very 
slightly elevated on either side of the stall, so as to converge, 
thereby causing the urine to gravitate and empty itself into 
a drain parallel with the range of stabling, and this again 
emptying itself into a covered cesspool at one end of the 
stables, which could be periodically deodorized and emptied. 
Thus would the diseases of the stable be in a measure eradi¬ 
cated, and a case of canker would be seldom heard of, as well 
as many other noxious maladies incidental to the horse in his 
artificial state : and thus I would employ hunhur for the pre¬ 
vention of canker , and many other diseases of the stable. 
By the bye, with reference to canker, I have effected a 
perfect cure in the most inveterate cases, by adopting the 
French plan of treatment with the plastique”. A paste is 
formed by pouring sulphuric acid on alum ; this paste when 
applied fresh, soon becomes as hard as adamant, adapting 
itself to every crevice. Ever}' particle of fungoid excrescence 
is pared away daily, and the 6 ‘ plastique^ applied evenly over 
all the diseased parts. I recollect two cases that were pro¬ 
nounced incurable, and were to have been shot, which were 
perfectly cured by this treatment, and returned sound to their 
work. 
I believe the <e plastique 55 to be the most efficient and 
effectual remedy we have in this formidable disease, but I do 
not know that it is in general repute. 
I would finally mention that the government cattle 
(bullocks), are not under the supervision of veterinary 
surgeons, and I believe, periodically, the government suffers 
immense losses by the cattle epizootic. 
During one of these periodical visitations, two valuable 
cow r s, the property of Major Bishop, adjutant of my corps 
(one a thoroughbred English, and the other a country cow T ), 
were attacked with disease. The rumination had ceased 
entirely, a copious flow' of frothy saliva from the mouth took 
place, the mucous membranes were injected, the head drooped 
to the ground, the pulse and breathing became accelerated, 
and the aspect of the animals generally w'as most dolorous. 
Being requested by Major Bishop to prescribe for them, I 
applied a blister over the sides, and exhibited freely the 
Potassae Nitras, alternately with liberal potations of Liquor 
Ammonias Acetatis, and Spiritus iEtheris Nitrici. This, 
after the subsidence of the febrile excitement, was followed 
by a course of tonics and nutritious diet, and both animals 
completely recovered. 
