CHAPTER II.—PART I.
MECHANICAL INJURIES AND WOUNDS
The treatment of injuries and wounds is a branch of Veterinary Surgery of the utmost importance to the owners of horses, for accidents are of every day occurrence. We shall, however, not be able to devote so much space to the subject as some would deem desirable.
Flesh Wounds may be classified as _Contused Wounds_, when there is an injury inflicted on the surface of the body by mechanical violence without rending the skin; _Incised Wounds_, when such an injury is inflicted by a clean cutting instrument; _Lacerated_ or _Jagged Wounds_, when the parts are torn and the lips of the wound are irregular; and _Punctured Wounds_, when the injury is deep rather than broad, and the effect of piercing as by a stab.
Contused Wounds
DEFINITION.—Wounds are said to be “contused” when the skin, although bruised, is not cut through or broken; they are followed by the usual symptoms of inflammation, namely, redness, swelling, heat and pain.
CAUSES.—These can be best understood by one or two illustrative examples. A horse gets the collar chain around his heels at night when he becomes fast, and, in struggling to free himself, he bruises and excoriates the hollow of the pastern. Next morning he is found very lame, with swelling and great tenderness of the parts, but there is no rent in the skin. He has what is called “Contused Wound.” Or, another cause of injury commonly occurs in cavalry stables, where the horses are separated from each other by an iron bar, over which one of them manages to get one of his hind legs. In struggling to get back, he bruises the inside of his thighs, and probably his belly as well. Next day we find him with his leg considerably swollen, lame, and tender on pressure, from “Contused Wounds.” Other causes are kicks from horses, blows from bad-tempered grooms, and falling on hard ground.
TREATMENT.—Apply the VETERINARY OIL to the part two or three times per day, and give the first day or two, the A.A., three times per day, after which, an occasional dose of I.I.
Incised Wounds
DEFINITION.—Incised wounds are those in which a clean cut is made through the integuments or parts underneath, merely dividing textures without lacerating them, and are generally caused by some sharp instrument.
TREATMENT.—In such cases it is necessary to bring the lips of the wound together, and retain them so by what are called sutures, the best of which is an ordinary pin passed through the skin a quarter of an inch from the edges of the wound, whose lips are then kept close together by the further addition of a small piece of tow passed over, under and around the pin, forming a figure thus $, after which the point of the pin may be cut off with a pair of scissors. These pins, or, as they are called, “twisted sutures,” may be placed one inch apart from each other. Most Veterinary Surgeons use what is called the “interrupted suture,” as follows: A curved needle, armed with a strong thread, well waxed, is passed through the skin on each side of the wound, when the ends of the thread are drawn together and tied in a common knot. As many of these stitches are to be made as the length of the wound renders necessary, but they should be about three-quarters of an inch apart. These sutures, as a general rule, should be allowed to remain as long as they will; but should an effusion of serum or matter take place in the interior of the wound, the lower or most dependent one should be taken out, and the fluid allowed to escape; and then, but not before, warm applications may be applied. Exceptional cases, however, do occur when, from the extent of the injury, considerable swelling takes place about the third day, and constitutional disturbance intervenes. In these cases the sutures may be removed; but in the majority, the swelling must be looked upon as a natural consequence attendant on the formation of lymph, which may be seen oozing from the lips of the wound, and which is necessary to glue them together, till the small vessels pass from side to side and form a permanent bond of union. Always dress the wound and keep the edges of the opening moist with the VETERINARY OIL, applying it from day to day, to prevent inflammation, suppuration and to promote healing by “first intention.” The interrupted or thread suture is preferable for wounds about the head, as the horse would probably tear out the pin by rubbing it against the rack or manger. Previous to applying sutures, we should remove all foreign bodies and clots of blood from the wound, and oil every part well with the VETERINARY OIL, and give A.A. four times a day.
_Hemorrhage_, although causing great alarm to the uninitiated in veterinary science, is generally a matter of very little consequence, except a large artery is divided, as the bleeding will soon stop without our assistance. But should the blood come in jets, be of a bright scarlet color, and not stop in a reasonable time, we should either seize the open mouth of the vessel with forceps and pass a ligature around it or apply a compress of tow and a bandage. Cold water dashed on the part, or HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL will frequently have the desired effect.
Lacerated or Jagged Wounds
DEFINITION.—By these are meant that description of injury to the soft parts where the skin and subtextures, instead of being simply divided, are torn asunder and present a jagged and irregular appearance, and are often much bruised.
CAUSES.—They are caused by mechanical injuries, such as hooks and nails in stables, or by carriage poles or shafts running into a horse.
TREATMENT.—Our first object is to remove all foreign bodies from the wound, and to cut off all lacerated portions, whether of skin, muscle or tendon, which cannot be retained in their original position. Then all grit or sand must be washed away by dashing cold water on the wound, should there be much hemorrhage; or bathing it with warm water, should the bleeding be inconsiderable. Having thus produced a tolerably even and clean wound, and removed those parts which we know would be removed by sloughing, we assist nature by sewing up such portions of skin and muscle as are not too much injured to preclude the hope of their growing in their original position, although we may abandon all hopes of the wound uniting by the first intention. This we accomplish by thread sutures, as in the case of incised wounds, but with this difference, that we do not bring the lips of the wound together, but at once have recourse to hot applications and bandages wherever they can be applied. The use of the latter is to preserve the lacerated parts in their original position, to exclude air, and to prevent the water washing away the lymph, which is necessary for the filling up of the wound; consequently the bandage should not be removed for a few days, except that the swelling renders it actually necessary to do so. The warm application reduces the tension in the part, favors circulation and the exudation of lymph, and by its soothing effects prevents that constitutional disturbance which is so much to be dreaded in this class of wounds. In about a week the inflammation will have partially subsided and suppuration will most probably have taken place, when we remove the bandage and discontinue the hot application, merely letting a little water run over the wound to remove superfluous matter. It is undesirable to use a sponge, because it would remove the lymph at the same time and expose the small vessels to the atmosphere, which are busily engaged in repairing the injury, which, acting on them as an irritant, causes them to secrete exuberant and unhealthy granulations called “proud flesh.” For the same reason, unless the matter is very plentiful and has a bad smell, it is better not to apply even water, or in any way remove the lymph.
The best possible dressing for all such injuries is HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY OIL, which should be applied to all the raw or cut surface before being sewed or bound up, and then kept applied to the raw surface, both to prevent inflammation and to promote healing, and to hasten the process of cicatrisation, or the skinning over of the wound. Apply the VETERINARY OIL twice per day. Should the granulations rise above the surrounding skin, or “proud flesh” appear, VETERINARY OIL is still the best application, and will soon reduce the unhealthy growth and induce a natural healing.
Punctured Wounds
DEFINITION.—These have small openings externally, but are usually deeper and of a much more serious nature than others. Because from their depth they are liable to implicate blood-vessels, nerves, viscera, and other deep-seated parts of importance. And because the parts which they traverse are stretched and torn, and consequently disposed to inflame and suppurate. And because matter, when formed, has no free exit, and is liable to burrow extensively. Finally, because foreign bodies may be carried into great depths without being suspected, and create long continued irritation, and because they are most liable to be followed by Tetanus.
CAUSES.—These wounds are caused by any sharp pointed instrument, such as a pitch-fork, nail or scissors, or by stabs or thorns, bayonet or sabre thrusts.
TREATMENT.—Our first object is to remove all foreign bodies, such as splinters, thorns, or balls, should it be a gun shot wound. Should the puncture not be in the neighborhood of a joint, or penetrating a tendon or bursal cavity, it is then generally advisable to enlarge the orifice of the wound by passing a sharp knife to the bottom of it, and convert the punctured into an incised wound, when it must be treated by injecting VETERINARY OIL in all cases where it is possible to do so, and in all cases by keeping the OIL applied to the open wound or sore until it is entirely healed. Give also A.A. morning, noon and night; after which give I.I. morning and evening.
When a tendon is punctured and the thecal fluid escapes, the nature of the injury in no way differs from an open joint in the mode of treatment to be pursued, which will be found fully explained in the Section on open joint, page 44.
Laceration of the Tongue
This wound may be caused by a high port bit, by the forcible and careless administration of balls and drinks; by the end of a halter being passed over the tongue to guide the horse instead of a bit; by a fall when the tongue is between the incisors; by rough, long or irregular teeth; by thorns, sharp bones, needles, etc.
SYMPTOMS.—Slavering from the mouth and inability to feed will lead to an investigation of the mouth, when the laceration can be plainly seen.
TREATMENT.—Foreign bodies should be removed. The horse should be fed on green food, if it can be procured, and no bit put in the mouth for some days. The best application is the VETERINARY OIL applied daily. If ulcers form, I.I. should be administered also.
Saddle Galls—Warbles—Sitfast—Serous Cyst
DEFINITION.—When a saddle or collar has galled the skin of the back and shoulders, effusion takes place into the tissue underneath. If a small circumscribed tumor is the result, we call it a “Warble”; or, if a large flat swelling with abrasion of the skin be found, the name of “Saddle Gall” or “Harness Gall” is given to it.
CAUSES.—These disorders often arise from a ill-fitting saddle or collar, also by removing the saddle too soon. After a march soldiers are not allowed to strip their horses until they cool under the saddle.
TREATMENT.—Apply the VETERINARY OIL morning and night, and give I.I. as often, until the healing begins; then give J.K. morning and noon, and I.I. at night.
Staking
In leaping fences or gates, the belly of the horse is sometimes impaled and wounded. The extent of the injury is not always apparent outwardly, and can only be ascertained by careful examination with the finger. There may be no wound in the skin, but the muscle underneath may be injured and torn, and the bowel may enter the part torn; or the stake may pierce the abdomen and a portion of the bowel may protrude outwardly.
TREATMENT.—In the former case, a well fitting pad must be made and bandaged on; the bandages or pad being well oiled with VETERINARY OIL.
In the latter case, the horse must be kept quite still, and treated where he is. The protruding bowel must be gently and carefully washed from all blood, dust and grit with warm water, then oiled and replaced by very gentle pressure. The lips of the wound must then be oiled and drawn together and kept in place with pins. A pad saturated with the VETERINARY OIL should then be placed on the wound and kept in place by a bandage around the body. If the bowel itself is wounded, it must be stitched with catgut ligatures, and then replaced. If this is impracticable at the time, a pad and bandage should be placed on injured part until surgical aid can be obtained.
As there is danger of inflammation, A.A. should be given at two-hour intervals, and also a dose of I.I. each day. The horse should be kept very quiet and fed sparingly on soft food.
Capped Elbow
This is a swelling formed at the point of the elbow, consisting of an infiltration of bloody serum, and thickened skin. It may be the result of a blow, but is most generally caused by the horse in so lying that the calks of the shoe press upon the elbow joint. In some cases, inflammatory action sets in, and the tumor softens and is discharged, or if the pressure is continued, the swelling becomes hard and firm.
TREATMENT.—When the injury is recent, apply hot water three times per day, and afterwards apply the Veterinary Oil. Alter the shoe by removing the calks and smoothing the shoe, as far as possible, to prevent any further irritation. Should it have become soft and matter formed it should be treated as an abscess.
Capped Hock
This form of injury most frequently results from kicking or some similar violence, and manifests itself either as a swelling at the point of the hock, which consists of an effusion of bloody serum and thickened skin; or the swelling bulges out on each side of the hock, making the enlargement more prominent at the sides. This is found to consist of an enlargement of the bursa or small bags, which contain the lubricating fluid for the part, and over which the sinews glide.
TREATMENT.—Give ten drops of B.B., three times per day. Wash the part with hot water morning and night, applying the VETERINARY OIL afterwards as for capped elbow. After the heat and irritation are reduced, careful hand-rubbing and the use of I.I., at night will do much to disperse the enlargement of the bursa.
Curb
At the back of the hock, three or four inches below its point, an enlargement or swelling arises which has received the name of _curb_. It is a strain of the ring-like ligament which binds the tendons in their place, or of the sheath itself. It comes on in consequence of a violent strain of the flexor tendons, or from a blow, kick, or contusion upon the part. It is most likely to occur in cow-hocked horses, where the hocks are turned inward, and the legs form a considerable angle outward, as in such cases the angular ligament must be continually on the stretch in order to confine the tendon.
When it first occurs, the swelling may not be great but is attended with warmth, pain and lameness, the leg being moved with caution and awkwardly.
TREATMENT.—In recent cases, frequent bathing of the part with the HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL diluted one-half water, allowing the horse to rest, and give A.A. at first, then B.B., three times per day. The application of HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY OIL, morning and night will be better after the heat and swelling have mostly subsided. Rest is absolutely essential. If prematurely put to hard labor it is very likely to return again. If the curb is permitted to run its course, the acute stage will pass off leaving a hard, cold tumor, which may materially interfere with the motion of the joint. All old cases require B.B., once or twice daily, for some weeks.
Docking
By docking the tail of a horse, his shape and external appearance are sometimes improved, yet the operation is not without its consequences, such as inflammation, nervous irritation, fistulous ulcers, tetanous, etc. It is hoped that the time is not distant when this barbarous and senseless custom will be abolished, and the stern hand of the law laid upon every man who thus mutilates God’s creatures. Yet if the senseless operation is done, dress the wound with HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY OIL, which keep applied to the wound. Give first fifteen drops of A.A., and after a few hours, the same of B.B., which may be repeated from time to time to relieve the soreness and inflammation.
Fractures
Fractures of the bones of the horse occasionally occur in consequence of some severe blow, contusion, fall, or other injury. They are discoverable from the _difference in shape_, _swelling_, _lameness of the part_, and especially by the “CREPITUS,” or grating sound, which occurs from moving the two fractured ends of bone together. In all doubtful cases, this crepitation is the reliable criterion. In the more palpable cases, the distortion, loss of the use of the part, and extensive swelling, remove all doubt.
Among the most common are fractures of the ribs, forming a swelling over the place, which is very sensitive to pressure. Of the pelvis, rendering one hip lower than the other. Of the leg, rendering movement and use of the limb impossible, the point below the fracture swinging about useless.
Fractures are _simple_ where a single break occurs in one bone, _compound_ when the surrounding parts are lacerated, and _comminuted_ when bones are broken up or fractured in different directions.
The treatment of all fractures rest upon very simple principles. Bring the broken parts to their natural position, keeping them there until they unite, the more perfectly this is done, the more perfect will be the result. Unfortunately, from the weight of the animal, and often his intractability, this is not always easy or even possible. But, on the other hand, nature will eventually heal even the worst cases, requiring, it is true, a longer time, and leaving behind very sad traces of her faulty workmanship. So that in treating a fracture, all these elements should be taken into consideration.
_Fracture of the ribs_: Bathe the swelling with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and the parts will soon unite.
_Fracture of the haunch bone_ cannot be reduced, but nature will ere long heal it, though with some distortion, one hip will be lower than the other.
_Fractures of the leg_, from the weight of the animal, are extremely difficult to manage. It can only be done by suspending the animal by stout canvas passing under the belly and attached to rollers on either side and by means of pulleys raising him up so that the feet just touch the ground, the canvas being supplied with heavy bands, before and behind, to keep the body securely fixed in the canvas. The fractured ends of the limb should then be carefully adjusted and the limb wound well with a roller-bandage, then a pair of iron splints, grooved so as to fit the limb, and well wadded with tow; the splint that is behind two or three inches longer than the foot, should be securely bound on. The whole internal bandage should be bathed with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL and kept wet with it, from time to time, for a week. This will subdue inflammation and hasten the union of the parts. After eight days, the splints should be removed and the limb examined, and again replaced, to remain five or six weeks, at the end of which time the splint may be removed and a simple bandage and lighter splint retained until the cure is perfected in some six weeks longer, when the animal may be trusted to use his limb. If the ends are in proper apposition and maintained there, the union will be perfect, with but little swelling or deformity.
The general treatment of all fractures is to place the parts in apposition, keep them there by proper splints and bandage, and keep the place wet with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL until the heat and swelling have subsided. Give also a dose of A.A., every two hours, for the first three days, to reduce the heat and fever; then alternate the B.B. with A.A. a dose every three or four hours during the day, to promote reunion.
Sprains or Strains and Dislocations
Sprains of various joints or parts occur which are more or less grave or serious, depending upon the extent of injury or the joint involved. If a bone is displaced it is termed a dislocation. The joint becomes painful, swelling soon ensues, and on comparing the joint with its fellow, we perceive the distortion; the limb is longer or shorter, and the animal moves it with great difficulty or not at all. If the bone is not moved from its position, but the ligaments are merely injured, or torn, or joints otherwise bruised, it is termed a sprain. The swelling in this case is often as severe and even more so than in case of actual dislocation. Yet the accident is not so serious, because in cases of horses and cattle, a dislocation is not always curable, and if the joint be replaced the danger of new dislocation is far more imminent than though it had never occurred.
CAUSES.—Sprains and dislocations occur from false steps, slipping, leaping across ditches, sudden springing, violent effort in drawing a load, or sudden turning, or from falls, blows, kicks, contusions, etc.
TREATMENT.—In all such cases the indications are simple, yet the execution of them is sometimes very difficult. For sprains, bathe the parts with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, to keep down the swelling and inflammation, renewing the application from time to time at intervals of two, four, or six hours, according to the urgency of the case, and give six doses of A.A. three hours apart, then B.B. morning, noon and night.
=Sprains of the Fet-Lock.=—A sprain of this joint sometimes occurs, manifested by heat, swelling, and lameness more or less decided, and especially manifested when the horse is moving on uneven ground. When recent, bathe the part with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and saturate a bandage with it, wrap it up, moistening it from time to time, and giving B.B., two or three times per day, fifteen drops at a dose. The pain and lameness will gradually abate.
=Luxation of the Patella, or Stifle.=—Under the influence of a severe blow, a sudden leap or strain, the patella, or knee-pan is sometimes displaced. The animal holds his leg stiff and extended, cannot rest on it, and when obliged to walk, draws it along. This displacement of the patella is called being STIFLED. The displacement can be reduced by the aid of sufficient help, and placing a side-line with a hopple on the pastern of the affected limb, and drawing the hind leg forward, the surgeon will then, with both hands, bring the bone to its place.
Often the reduction is effected of itself if the horse makes the slightest effort. The part should be bathed in HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, as the ligaments are always injured; give fifteen drops of B.B. three times a day.
Injuries of the stifle, bruises, strains, etc., often occur, and should be treated by bathing the part with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and giving the animal the above Remedy for injuries.
Sprain of the Psoas Muscles.—This occurs from drawing heavy loads on soft ground, or from horses’ hind legs slipping back on ice, or from jumping a bank.
SYMPTOMS.—Difficulty in bringing up the hind legs when made to move, and sometimes inability to stand. It may be mistaken for spinal injury, but the difference is as follows: When the spine is injured, complete paralysis takes place, whereas in Sprain of the Psoas Muscles the animal is able to kick and to extend the leg with great force. Examination _per rectum_ will leave no doubt as to the nature of the injury, for pain on pressure, and swelling of the muscles, will be evident.
TREATMENT.—Give B.B., morning and night.
=Sprains of the Muscles of the Haunch.=—The gluteal muscles are sometimes sprained by violent exertion. The injury will be followed by effusion, swelling, and stiffness of the quarters, and afterwards by a gradual wasting of the muscles, which can be perceived by standing behind the animal and comparing the quarters.
TREATMENT.—Warm applications, A.A., and, after the inflammation has somewhat subsided, the B.B. four times per day.
=Hip Joint Lameness.=—This lameness may be produced by a sprain of the round ligaments, or gluteus externus muscle; but it more frequently arises from a sprain of the tendon of the gluteus maximus at its insertion into the trochanter major.
SYMPTOMS.—A dragging and rotary motion of the leg, pain on pressure, and a swelling which fills up the natural furrow, so well defined in well bred horses, formed by the semi-membranous and gluteus externus.
TREATMENT.—This is the same as for Sprain of the Muscles of the Haunch.
=Sprain of the Stifle Joint.=—This is not very common, but when it does occur it may be easily recognized by the swelling, which, being superficial, can be easily felt, and by the pain caused by pressure. The action is also peculiar, the animal is unwilling to advance the hind leg, and drags it after him in trotting.
TREATMENT.—Warm applications frequently applied, and HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL morning and evening. As soon as the inflammation subsides the warm application must be discontinued, and a dose of B.B. given three times per day.
=Sprain of the Hock.=—The tendons and ligaments of this joint are all liable to be sprained in leaping and galloping through heavy ground. The tendons of the gastrocnemii internus, or those which retain the latter in its place, sometimes become lacerated, and allow the cap formed by the gastrocnemii tendon to slip off the os calcis to the outside. In such an accident we cannot replace the tendon, but with rest and warm applications the animal may become fit for road-work.
The tendon of the flexor pedis perforans, which passes down the back of the hock, is occasionally sprained, and the sprain is followed by a thickening, and sometimes ossification of the tendon. The extensor pedis at the front of the hock may also be sprained, and this occurs just where the tendon passes under the inferior annular ligaments, and, being accompanied by distension of the bursa, may be mistaken for sprain.
The ligaments connecting the bones of the hock may suffer from an ordinary sprain, which, if discovered and properly treated, may be easily cured. But, unfortunately, the sprain is seldom discovered until the inflammation has wrought an important pathological change in the tarsal ligaments, whereby their structure loses its elasticity and becomes converted into a cartilaginous or bony substance. If this takes place in the inner part of the hock, we call the disease Spavin; but if on the posterior part we call it Curb. These are usually classed as diseases of the bone, but they more properly belong to this category, as they are an effect of long continued and neglected Sprain.
Give fifteen drops of B.B., three times per day.
Cutting, Brushing, Speedy-Cut,
Over-Reach and Tread.
These are names given to bruises caused by one foot striking against another foot or leg.
=Cutting or Brushing= is caused by a foot striking the opposite fetlock or cannon bone. It may occur before or behind; usually behind. It arises from defective structure of the legs, or from wasting of the legs in horses badly fed, so that they are brought abnormally near to each other.
=Speedy-Cut.=—The inside of one or both feet usually strikes the fetlock joint of the opposite foot in passing it; but sometimes the cannon bone is struck just below the knee; the bruise thus caused is called “Speedy-cut.” It occurs during fast action, generally in horses with badly shaped legs. It is more dangerous than common cutting, because the pain is more severe and the shock to the system greater, so much so that sometimes the horse falls as if he were shot. Examination may discover a small bare place, partially concealed by adjacent hair, or a contusion, or an abrasion of the skin, or a scab on the inside of the cannon bone. In bad cases the periosteum may be swollen and the bone itself enlarged.
TREATMENT.—This should be the same as for common cutting; but in all probability the only effectual remedy will be the construction of a speedy-cut boot, with a pad on the inside of the leg reaching from the knee to the fetlock, kept in position by buckles, and resting on the fetlock joint.
=Treads and Over-Reaches.=—These are names given to a wound between hair and hoof, inflicted either on the fore coronary substance by the shoe of the hind foot, or on the hind leg by another horse treading on it. Cart horses may inflict the injury on themselves with the calk of the shoe. These wounds are sometimes difficult to heal in consequence of the difference in organization of the parts injured, the exterior being highly vascular, but the interior cartilaginous.
TREATMENT.—Every portion of detached _horn_, _hair_ or _skin_ must be removed and the wound cleansed and dressed with the VETERINARY OIL placed on soft tow and bound up with broad tape. On the third and every subsequent day the dressing may be removed, but warm applications and poultices must be avoided. In cases of neglect or ill-treatment the suppurative process may have become established, and the warm applications may be necessary. If neglected the disease may end in Quittor.
In all cases of INJURIES or BRUISES, give A.A., and B.B. in alternation, two doses of each per day.
Broken Knee
This is a very vague term and may imply simply to a bruise, an abrasion of the skin, or a division of the tendons or of the capsule of the joints.
CAUSES.—Mechanical, such as falling or striking the knee against some hard and sharp substance.
SYMPTOMS.—There may be a simple bruise, without perforation of the skin, which, though not strictly speaking a broken knee, may be conveniently regarded as such; the knee is hot, swollen and painful, and sometimes hair is removed, or there may be abrasion of the skin, or it may be cut through, torn and jagged, and the underlying tissues more or less injured, the sheath of the tendon being exposed. If no glairy fluid issue at the time the joint is not open, and there is no cause for uneasiness about anything except the blemish which may remain, but which will generally be very slight if suitable treatment be adopted. A more serious form of Broken Knee is where it is bruised, cut or lacerated, and opened down to the joint, accompanied by the escape of clear synovial fluid, “joint oil,” like the white of an egg;
TREATMENT.—The horse’s head must be racked up for a few days or placed in cradles, to prevent his biting the wound. In broken knees where the skin and subtextures are very much contused, and where such a quantity of sand has become imbedded that suppuration is a necessary consequence, it is well to put on a turnip or carrot poultice (but never bran, for it acts as an irritant). A leg of a woolen stocking should be drawn up over the knee and fastened around the leg at the lower part with a piece of tape, then, from above, the space in front of the knee can be filled with mashed turnip; the upper part of the stocking can then be fastened as the lower. The poultice may be repeated morning and evening for about three days, when suppuration will most probably be established, and no further treatment be necessary unless the granulations become too luxuriant, when the VETERINARY OIL may be applied, but not too freely or too often. In a few days the scab will fall off, and if cicatrisation has not taken place, the process may be hastened by washing the part three times a day with tepid water, or better, with the HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL. Give B.B.
Stings of Bees, Hornets, &c.
Sometimes where a horse has been tied near a swarm of bees, if sweaty or offensive to them, the swarm has been known to attack him, producing pain, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes death. Hornets are as bad or worse. Apply freely HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL. Give A.A., fifteen drops, and repeat it every hour.