HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



limb for anv lenj^th of time, otherwise the })art below will die, 

 and probably render tlu^ animal useless. Ha\ing arrested the 

 bleeding, the womul must be cleans?d from irritating particles of 

 material. 



In the case of broken knees, particles of sand and other 

 gritty substances are very apt to insinuate themselves into the 

 depths of the wound. It is most important to remove such. 

 After the bleeding has been arrested, and the wound cleansed, 

 we must, if possible and applicable, sew it up. In most cases 

 a special curved needle is used for this purpose, the size of 

 which will depend upon the situation and extent of the injury 

 inflicted (see plate). Metallic wire, silver wire, silk thread, or 

 catgut are the commonest substances emplo\edfor the stitches. 

 In an emergency, ordinary twine (dipped in weak creolin lotion) 

 can be used. Its thickness varies according to purpose. Before 

 inserting the stitches, the edges of the wound ought to have 

 all hair clipped off, otherwise the lips of the latter will be 

 irritated, and the healing procees hindered. 



In skin and fiesh wounds, each stitch is taken separately 

 — not as in ordinary sewing — then tied off. The knot or twist 

 must not be over the wound, but resting on the sound skin 

 at one side. If the wound is only very small — say a couple of 

 inches or so in length — and confined to the skin, bring the lips 

 of the wound very closely together so as to try and get it to 

 heal at once (first intention). \\'hen the injury is a deep one 

 on or about the buttocks, it is advisable to send for \'eterinary 

 surgeon. 



This is because of the great strain thrown upon stitches in 

 this region, causing the ordinary stitches to give way, so leaving 

 a greater blemish than ever. 



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