The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-08-10
Blister.


Blistering constitutes one of the most
effective appliances of the healing art,
and is one of the chief remedies in a con
siderable number of diseases. The main
principle on which it acts is that of
counter-irritation, or Of reducing in
fiammatory action in an interior organ
of the animal system by exciting a
stronger local inflammation on the near
est exterior part of the system; and
subordinate principle is the accelerating
of the action of the nearest blood vessels
or the rousing of the local absorbents to
a temporary condition of unusual en-
ergy. rcx7
Blisters are eninently 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
fiammation of the internal parts of the
foot may be reduced by blistering above
the coronet; Inflammation of the bowels,
by blistering the abdomen, and inflam-
nation Of the lungs, by blistering the
sides. Blisters are also the best rene
dies for curbs, windgalls, spaVins and
various other disorders. When properly
made and free from any such caustio
ingredients as sulphuric acid and cor
rosive sublimate they in1ict no perma-
nant 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. Fut blister ought never to
be applied to a part which is irritated
or tender, for it might then produce ex-
tensive and virulent sfoughing; nor
ought it ever to be applied where there
is a tendency to grease or scratches, for
itawould be likely to aggrayates1ch dis
orders;s and whenever it requires to be
applied during winter, thorough care
ought,t to be used to protectlthe animal
from cold or from current of air about
the legs. .a
When blister is to be applied, the
part should previously be cleared as
much as possible from hair, q 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 blistersi is pull
verified Spanish flies. One common BIZ
STEERING ointment for horses is composed
of half an ounce of powdered Spanish
flies, an ounce of oil of trlrpentine. and
four ounces of hogs lard; another is
composed of one and a 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
rosiye sublimate has frequently been
recommended as an ingredient of bis
ter; yet, except when very severe bis
teriIsgy, as In a case of bone spawn, or
ring bone, as required, it ought in every
instance to be omitted, for it is very apt
to ulcerate the skin, and leave a 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
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 flies. Prairie Frn.a,1ea..