This powder is composed of Linseed meal half an ounce, Powdered alum half an ounce, Blue vitriol half a dram, and Bole armen. two drams.
This powder is prepared principally for grease and thrushes, but it is also a good dressing for unhealthy sores—or sores in which there is proud flesh.
In cases of grease, when the discharge is but little, and not very offensive, besprinkle the affected parts with this powder; let the horse be exercised in the morning and afternoon; and, if the legs be swollen, let a diuretic ball be occasionally administered.
But should the discharge be copious and fetid, apply to the heels, by means of pledgets of tow and linen bandages, a liniment composed of this powder and oil. This dressing ought to continue undisturbed for two or three days; during which time a dose of physic may be administered with considerable benefit. Let his food consist of bran mashes. As soon as the dressings shall have been removed, the animal ought to be exercised for two hours, the heels afterwards wiped dry, and the liniment again applied, unless the discharge have ceased; in which case the powder sprinkled upon the part, as above recommended, and a diuretic or two will complete the cure. Should the case require a repetition of the liniment, purging balls are preferable to diuretics.
Of horses that have thrushes, lower the heels, that the frog may be upon a level with the heels of the shoe, pare out the cleft with a small drawing-knife, so as to cut away the ragged parts of it, and introduce a little of the astringent powder daily, at the evening stable hour. If heat be perceptible in the foot, a dose of physic may be given at the same time.
No. XII.—Ophthalmic Powder.
This powder is composed of Sugar of lead two drams, Turmeric half a dram.
So long as the eyes appear red and angry, nothing but cold water should be made use of to them, with which they ought to be continually wet. At the same time, if there be much inflammation, take four or five quarts of blood from that side of the neck corresponding to the affected eye, or from both sides, should both eyes be bad.
When the inflammation is abated, sponge the eyes and eyelids with a lotion, made by dissolving a quarter of an ounce of this powder in a quart of cold spring water, several times in the course of the day.