WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT 



A fatal bleeding may result. Here then, we have a good 

 example in which the displaced ends of a broken bone caused 

 the animal's death. 



In rupture of the rectum, it has been argued that the tear 

 occurs " indirectly " in some instances, though we do not 

 think in the majority. The nature of a horse's work may 

 render it more susceptible to the reception of certain injuries 

 than others. Thus we find horses employed for " shunting " 

 purposes upon railways are frequent sufferers from wounds 

 about the feet. " Poll evil," is, we believe, common amongst 

 horses working in coal pits. 



The same may be said of sex. Mares are exposed to wounds 

 in connection with the reproductive organs during coitu and 

 labour, from which the gelding and entire are exempt ; but 

 either of these may suffer (though less frequently) from injuries 

 to the penis, sheath, scrotum, etc., etc. 



Again, age has some bearing upon the infliction of artificial 

 wounds. For example, colts are usually castrated, necessitating 

 the infliction of a wound, consequently increased risk. In the 

 case of a clean cut (incised) wound, bleeding profusely, we must 

 try and stop this latter. Cold water wiU often arrest 

 bleeding from small blood vessels. When a large blood 

 vessel has been severed it will be necessary to grasp the cut 

 end and tie a hgature (piece of silk thread, etc.), around it. 

 When a blood vessel has been punctured it is the best plan to 

 ■cut it clean across. Bleeding from the neighbourhood of the 

 feet can be controlled by the application of a tight bandage, 

 or else an elastic band (tourniquet), but care must be taken not 

 to allow the latter to remain on for above half an hour or so. 

 At any rate, never leave an elastic band around the 



II 



