POINTS IN PRACTICE. 
409 
vith a puckering string at each end. One end of the tube is 
>assed over the nostrils, being carried into the mouth far 
nough so that the upper string will be above the canine teeth, 
a the male. The other end of the tube contains the sponge 
aturated with the anesthetic, and is closed by the lower 
1 tring, which can be loosened as required. This simple 
rrangement allows sufficient air to pass into the lungs through 
he mouth, in cases where chloroform is used, and a horse 
an be kept under its influence for a very long time, with very 
ttle danger to the patient. 
Not only in city practice, but in country practice as well, 
re we called upon to treat wounds of the feet; usually pro- 
uced by nail punctures, and supplemented by the addition 
f some caustic agent to the wound by some well-meaning 
erson. It seems to me that the use of irritating applications 
1 punctured wounds of the feet is not only uncalled for, but 
: is positively dangerous in the majority of cases, as they 
auterize the external opening of the wound and imprison the 
us that is almost sure to form if the opening is closed by 
•ritants, and compel the pus to seek an outlet through the 
)ft tissues, usually at the heel. My advice to my patron is: 
Then a horse picks up a nail, stop at once and remove the 
ail; have the horseshoer enlarge the opening in the sole; 
ave the foot immersed for fifteen minutes in hot water, if in 
inter, and if in summer, for an hour in cold water. My 
pason for using hot water in winter and cold in summer is 
scause we can add comfort to the animal by so doing, and 
Dt from any theoretical idea. Cases treated in this manner 
ave never, to my knowledge, reached the suppurative stage. 
In cases where suppuration is established when called, my 
ractice is to open the abscess at the coronet, unless it is 
ready open, which is usually the case, and then enlarge the 
aening in the sole, as it is absolutely necessary to have free 
rainage to facilitate recovery. Formerly, like many others, 
y practice was to poultice, but this method of treatment, 
ith many others, has been relegated to the “ has been ” cor- 
2r, after it had added its quota of grey hair to my already 
Duntiful crop, that soon followed my poulticing in an 
ltbreak of furuncle, some years ago. 
