COXCUSSIOX OF THE BRAIX. 249 



continue to escape, it will be seen on removing the poultice, 

 and the hot iron should be again applied. 



If the flow of the joint-oil can not be stopped, a high degree 

 of inflammation is set up in the joint, the horse sufl'ers inde- 

 scribable pain, and hectic fever sets in. The case is then hope- 

 less; and the horse would better be shot. 



If the opening into the joint is so large as to ofi'er no pros- 

 pect of cure, if the patient is a brood-mare or stallion, ampu- 

 tation of the leg, some distance above the knee, may save life, 

 and leave the animal quite useful. 



CONCUSSION OF THE BRAIN. 



This is a stupefying, or apparent knocking dead, of the 

 horse, from a blow on the head. After awhile sensibility re- 

 turns, but the animal is evidently not ^^ right in his headP 

 After the horse has got up, he will walk staggeringly, hang 

 the head, and be insensible to Avhat is around him. His breath- 

 ing will be dif&cult and oppressed, and after some time the 

 pulse may be increased. The fact of the lick on the head, 

 and the horse not being right after it, will be pretty good evi- 

 dence of the trouble. The pupil of the eye will be enlarged, or 

 dilated. 



Treatment. — While the horse is yet down, and apparently 

 dead, hartshorn (aqua ammonia) or tincture of camphor may 

 be applied to the nose, or a bucket of cold water dashed on 

 the head, for the purpose of arousing him. The place where 

 the blow was received should be examined to see if the skull 

 is fractured, and if any piece of bone is driven in and press- 

 ing on the brain. If there is fracture, open the skin to the 

 bone, by two cuts, running one across the other, and take out 

 the broken pieces and stitch up the wound. After the horse 

 has got up, keep a bandage around his head, wet with cold 

 water or solution of tincture of arnica. If the pulse rise, or 

 any other symptoms of inflammation appear, give the horse 



