604 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



liquid used about a wound should contain sufficient disinfecting sub- 

 stance to render it a preventive of germ-growth. To this end get into the 

 habit of mixing a commercial coal car disinfectant, such as zenoleum, in 

 all bathing water, fomentation water and poultice water used in prac- 

 tice. Next use clean cloths and bandages saturated with a disinfecting 

 solution such as we have prescribed — say a teaspoonful of the disin- 

 fectant to a cupful of clean water. An injury to a hoof necessitates 

 removal of the shoe, and all of the shoes if the horse is to stand in the 

 staible for a long time or is forced to lie down a great deal. Then the 

 hoof must be thoroughly cleansed before a knife is used on its deep, 

 sensitive tissues, and to this end the outer layer of filthy horn should be 

 cut away from the sole, after which the part should be soaked in a 

 disinfectant solution and then treated with a clean knife used to cut 

 down upon the wound caused by a nail, for instance. 



Lockjaw follows failure to thus open up a nail-prick hole and use a 

 disinfectant. It is no use merely to pull out the offending nail and then 

 pour in some turpentine, as is commonly done; neither does it help much 

 to cut down upon the hole with a dirty knife and then apply a cow-dung 

 poultice, which swarms with germs at the time and is one of the best 

 possible substances for the successful multiplication of germs, which 

 thrive as does the yeast-plant when mixed with moist, warm dough. 

 Oxygen or fresh air kills the tetanus germ and other germs. Let oxygen 

 into wounds and have the air clean by keeping the stable clean and well 

 ventilated. Protect a wound against germs, rest the injured part, treat 

 it gently, tie the horse so he can not bite It, avoid the use of irritants, 

 dirty dressings and rough handling and nature will often do all the 

 rest of the necessary surgeon work. 



Treat a sprain by applying a plaster of parls cast if the ankle 1b 

 Implicated and on removal of the cast, in two weeks, application of a 

 blister, such as cerate of cantharides, may be all that is necessary. Treat 

 a swollen, hot and sore joint, where possible, by applying a soothing poul- 

 tice or antiphlogistine or other plastic dressing, or by putting on hot 

 or cold compresses and using a simple and safe soothing lotion, such 

 as extract of witch hazel. Use no hot liniments or blisters upon au 

 inflamed, recently injured part, unless In the single exceptional In- 

 stance of a joint just punctured by a nail or fork-tine. Use the liniments 

 and blisters after the inflammation has subsided and to stimulate action 

 In the parts and by increasing blood flow remove products of inflammation 

 and promote repair. 



Give prolonged rest to all cases of lameness; this alone will cure 

 many an injury causing lameness. Stop bleeding by picking up and 

 tying with clean, silken cord saturated in a disinfecting solution; don't 

 fill the wound with filthy cobwebs. They stop bleeding, to be sure, but 

 fill the part with germs and may lead to fatal blood poisoning. Slight 

 aipplication of a red-hot iron to a bleeding vein which can not be ligated, 

 or packing a cavity with oakum saturated in tincture of Iron, will stop 

 bleeding promptly, and when the blood spurts from an artery and there- 

 fore Is light red in color, remember to bind tightly around the limb 

 above the wound, but below it if the blood comes from a vein and there- 

 fore is blue-red in color and flowing instead of spurting. 



