FOMENTATIONS.
This class of remedies is usually composed of relaxants, &c., of several kinds, combined with tonics, stimulants, and anodynes. They are very useful to relieve pain, to remove rigidity, to restore tone, and to stimulate the parts to which they are applied.
| Wormwood, | equal parts. |
| Tansy, | equal parts. |
| Hops, | equal parts. |
Moisten them with equal parts of boiling water and vinegar, and apply them blood warm.
Use.—For all kinds of bruises and sprains. They should be confined to the injured parts, and kept moist with the superabundant fluid. When it is not practicable to confine a fomentation to the injured parts, as in shoulder or hip lameness, constant bathing with the decoction will answer the same purpose.
Anodyne Fomentation.
| Hops, | a handful. |
| White poppy heads, | 1 ounce. |
| Water and vinegar, | equal parts. |
Simmer a few minutes.
Use.—In all painful bruises.
Relaxing Fomentation
| Powdered lobelia | 2 ounces. |
| Boiling water, | 2 quarts. |
Simmer for a few minutes, and when sufficiently cool, bathe the parts with a soft sponge.
Use.—In all cases of stiff joints, and rigidity of the muscles. Animals often lie down in wet pastures, from which rheumatism and stiffness of the joints arise. In such cases, the animal must be taken from grass for a few days, and the affected parts be faithfully bathed.
Stimulating Fomentation.
Cedar buds, or boughs, any quantity, to which add a small quantity of red pepper and ginger, boiling water sufficient.
Use.—This will be found very efficacious in chronic lameness and paralysis, for putrid sore throat, and when the glands are enlarged from cold and catarrh.