RUNNING THRUSH
.—The defect so called, is a varicous state of the centrical cleft of the frog, from whence oozes a fœtid corrosive ichor, which continues to putrify and destroy the whole, in proportion to the length of time it is neglected. In many instances, where the frog seems hard and sound upon the surface, the confined acrid cause is corroding underneath, and frequently breaks out on either side; when which is the case, the hard and horny part must be superficially removed, so that the proper applications may come into immediate contact with the parts below: for so long as the diseased and disunited parts remain at top, so long is there harbour for the insinuation and retention of gravel, dirt, sand, or any other extraneous substance; and while this is permitted to continue, a regeneration of the parts destroyed cannot be expected. The leading steps to cure, are to keep the diseased frog remarkably clean, by washings with warm water and a sponge, after each time of the horse's being used, or taken to exercise. When dry, equal proportions of TINCTURE of MYRRH and FRIAR'S BALSAM (previously incorporated) should be poured upon the part, so as to admit of its reaching equally every remote interstice where the corroding cause may have penetrated; this will obtund the acrimonious property of the morbid ichor, and promote a speedy restoration of whatever may have been destroyed. Solutions of Roman vitriol, and other escharotics, are favourite applications with the lower orders; who either do not know, or will not give themselves time to consider, that their invariable effect is to contract the parts to such a degree of internal rigidity, and external horny hardness, that the frog is absolutely annihilated, the bars of the foot destroyed, the heel narrowed; the bottom of the hoof, when held up, has much the resemblance of a vacuum, of burnt appearance, as if the contents had been intentionally scooped out by gradational degrees of cauterization.
RUT
.—The DEER of both descriptions (red and fallow) are said to go to RUT, at the particular season of VENERY and COPULATION.
RUTTING TIME
—commences the latter end of August, and continues to the first and second week in October; during which both the STAG and BUCK assume a degree of courageous boldness in approaching man, that they never display at any other time of the year. At this season their necks swell; they range from one place to another incessantly, in seeming search of some object to attack; the voice of the stag is loud and alarming, to those who have not been accustomed to hear it. When opposed, they are so exceedingly strong and ferocious, that no common force can stand against them: they attack an individual in RUTTING TIME with a certainty of success. Some few years since, the LOCKSMITH who inspected the gate locks of Windsor Great Park weekly, was pursued by a stag, and when within a few yards of him, most luckily escaped by climbing a small tree, where he was kept in jeopardy near twenty-four hours, till the next day the stag made a retreat upon the accidental approach of the keepers. A short time after which, a girl, about fourteen years of age, passing through Hackwood Park, near Basingstoke, in Hampshire, (and having on a red cloak,) was attacked by one, the oldest inhabitant of the district, who literally not only perforated her body with his ANTLERS in almost every part, but extended his fury so much to her apparel, that the melancholy spot was covered with rags; and the corpse so maimed and disfigured, that it retained but little of the appearance of a human frame.
S.
SADDLE
—is the well-known mechanical construction formed for the mutual accommodation and safety of both the HORSE and the RIDER. Although historical records prove them to have been in use with the ancients, there is no demonstrative reason to believe they were established in England till the reign of Henry the Seventh, when they were adopted under a compulsory law, that the nobility should not ride without them. Saddles are of different sorts, according to the distinct services for which they are designed; and, in fact, are so universally known, not only in the aggregate, but in all their component parts, that any elucidation upon so common a subject; must be evidently superfluous and unnecessary.