LAMENESS in HORSES

—proceeds from a variety of causes, and requires much patient investigation to ascertain, to a certainty, the exact seat of injury; for want of which judicious precaution, mischief frequently follows. Horses are sometimes persecuted , blistered , and fired , for a LAMENESS in one part, which ultimately proves to be in another ; and this alone sufficiently points out the absolute nece ity of a deliberate discrimination. As lamene proceeds from different causes, so it is of different kinds, and requires various modes of treatment, equally opposite to each other. This cannot be more forcibly elucidated, than by adverting to the difference between a lamene originating in a relaxation of the SINEWS , and a ligamentary injury sustained by a sudden turn , twist , or distortion , of some particular JOINT . These require a very different mode of treatment; and yet it is too much, and too unthinkingly the custom, to treat every kind of lamene in the same way. From either a want of patience in the owner, or a want of prudence in the practitioner, the favourite operation of BLISTERING is thought applicable to every case without exception; and being often resorted to before the inflammation of the part has sufficiently subsided, occasions a permanent enlargement, with a thickening of the integument, and consequent stiffne , rendering the remedy equally injurious with the original defect. In all lamene es occasioned by a relaxation of the TENDONS , blistering, and even firing, are admitted to have a forcible effect, provided they are brought into use at a PROPER time; but not before the inflammation (which is generally attendant upon such case) has previously subdued. In all ligamentary injuries, BLISTERING is seldom, if ever, known to be productive of permanent advantage; and is, perhaps, upon most occasions, so immediately adopted, because a single application is of so much le personal trouble , than a daily persevering hour bestowed in hot FOMENTATIONS , and stimulative EMBROCATIONS . Upon the subject of lamene in general, it is nece ary to remark, that injuries sustained in the tendons (commonly called the back sinews) are more frequently relieved, and a lasting cure obtained, than in a lamene of the joints; where, after patient and persevering medical applications, and a corresponding portion of REST , a renewal of work has almost immediately produced a relapse.