St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-18
Blister.

Biistering constitutes one of the most
effective appliances of the healing art,
and is one of the chief remedies in con-
siderable number of diseases. The main
principle on which it acts is that OF
Concentration, OF of reducing in
fammatory action in an interior organ
of the animal system by exciting d
stronger local inflammation on the near
est exterior part of the system; and a
subordinate principle is the accelerating
of the action of the nearest blood vessels
or the rousing of the local absorbents toa
temporary condition Of unusual energy.
Blisters are eminently efficacious in
dispensing such callous swellings as
arise from strains, bruises, and other
similar causes. They are of great SER
vice in reducing the Inflammation of
parts remote from the surface. This in
flammation of the internal parts of the
foot may be reduced by blistering above,
the coronet; Inflammation of the bowels,
by blistering the abdomen, and infam-
nation of the lungs, by blistering the
sides. Blisters are also the best reme-
dies for curbs, windgalls, spavins and
various other disorders. When properly
made and free from any such caustic
ingredients as sulphuric acid and cor
rosive sublimate they inflict no perma-
nent damage on the skin, and do not
prevent the hair from growing; and
when they are not successful in the first
application they can, with all safety, be
repeated. But a blister ought never to
be applied to part which is irritated
or tender, for it might then produce ex-
tensive and yirulent sloughing: nor
ought it ever to be applied where there
is a tendency to grease or scratches, for
it would be likely to aggravate such dis
orders; and whenever it requires to be
applied during winter, thorough care
ought to be used to protect the animal
from cold or from current of air about
the legs.
When blister is to be applied, the
part should previously be cleared as
much as possible from hair, a quantity
of the blistering ointment should be
well rubbed into it, and thin coat of
the ointment afterward spread over the
whole surface A horse, on beginning
to feel the action of the blister, is very
apt to bite the part, and, in conse-
quence, both to do serious mischief to
the part and to blister his month. To
prevent this, he ought to either be tied
short or to have what is called cradle
placed about his neck, during six to
| eight hours after the application of the
| blister. When the blister is applied to
any of the legs, the bedding should be
removed during the same number of
hours, and if the hinder limbs are to be
| blistered, the tail should be tied up
| during the first day.
The most active ingredients in the
great majority of suitable blisters is pull
verized Spanish flies. One common biz
stering ointment for horses is composed
of half an ounce of powdered Spanish
| flies, an ounce of oil of turpentine, and
four ounces of hogs lard; another is
composed of one and half or two
ounces Of Spanish flies, half an ounce
of oil of origanum, one ounce of Oil OF
| turpentine, two ounces of hogs lard,
/ and four ounces of common tar. Cor
rosive sublimate has frequently been
recommended as an ingredient of bis
ter; yet, except when very severe blis-
tering, as in case of bone SPAWN, or
ring-bone, is required, it ought in every
instance to be omitted, for it is very apt
to ulcerate the skin, and leave perma-
nent mark or blemish. Good mustard,
made into paste with hot water, and
applied hot, often blisters as well as
ointment of Spanish flies, and ought to
be used instead of the latter. when q
large surface is to be blistered, such as
the sides, the abdomen, or the loins.
Some of the preparations of iodine and
mercury also make active blisters, and
are sometimes used mixed with ONT
ment of Spanish fiies.-Prairie Farmer.