HORSE— DISEASES AND REMEDIES. 



they do not require any treatment un- 

 less their broken ends press upon the im- 

 portant viscera of the thorax or abdomen, 

 it will be well to wait for the symptoms 

 which are caused by this mechanical irri- 

 tation before resorting to bandages, &c. 

 When a fracture occurs in any of the 

 bones of the extremities, which are con- 

 cealed by a large mass of muscle, the 

 total inability to use the limb, and the 

 loose way in which it is connected to the 

 body, so as to allow it to be moved in 

 any direction, indicate the general nature 

 of the case without difficulty, though a 

 careful examination must be made by a 

 skilful surgeon before the exact particu- 

 lars relating to it. can be ascertained. 



The treatment will depend upon the 

 bone which is broken, and whether the 

 fracture is simple or compound. In most 

 cases of the latter description none will 

 avail, and the horse had better be de- 

 stroyed ; but if the owner is averse to 

 this, it will be on the whole the best sur- 

 gery, though apparently not very scien- 

 tific, to encase the parts with adhesive 

 plasters and tow, and then treat it as a 

 simple fracture. 



If the bones of the skull are fractured, 

 unless there are symptoms of pressure on 

 the brain, it is advisable to leave all to 

 nature, simply keeping the patient quiet 

 and low, and if in a high state of pleth- 

 ora, bleeding and physicking. 



A broken lower jaw is by no means 

 uncommon as the result of a kick. The 

 best treatment is to set the fracture, and 

 then mould some gutta percha to it, 

 which may be confined behind by strips 

 round the forehead and poll, and before 

 by a padded strap passed through the 

 mouth between the nippers and tushes, 

 and beneath the tongue. The horse must 

 be fed upon mashes and steamed food. 



In fractures of . the spine and pelvis 

 nothing can be done beyond rest and 

 lowering, if necessary, by bleeding and 

 physic. 



Broken ribs, when they cause inflam- 

 mation of the lungs or liver by their sharp 

 ends pressing upon these organs, may be 

 treated by buckling two or three ordinary 

 rollers abreast of one another tightly 

 round the chest, so as to prevent the na- 

 tural dilatation of the thorax, which takes 

 place in inspiration, and which keeps up 

 the irritation by constantly moving the 



ends of the ribs. The general means 

 necessary to adopt to relieve the internal 

 mischief will depend upon its extent. 



When either the scapula, humerus, or 

 femur is broken, all that can be done is 

 to sling the horse, and by bandages en- 

 deavor to bring the limb into as natural 

 a position as possible, and keep it there. 

 There must of necessity be great dis- 

 placement of the ends of the bones, and 

 these cannot by any means be brought 

 into apposition ; but the sides in contact 

 with one another, as they over-ride, will 

 unite in course of time, and this is all that 

 can be achieved by the utmost efforts of 

 the veterinary surgeon. 



Fractures of the lower part of the tibia, 

 of the radius, of the canna bones and the 

 pasterns, if simple, must be treated by 

 adjusting the ends (which is the chief 

 difficulty, and will often require strong 

 extension to be employed), and then 

 adapting to the sides of the bones splints 

 of wood or gutta percha. If, by the aid 

 of assistants, the parts can be brought 

 into a good position, these may be care- 

 fully adjusted to maintain it, and may be 

 kept in place by tapes or straps fastened 

 moderately tight around them. It is 

 useless, however, to attempt a minute de- 

 scription of the means to be employed, 

 which can hardly be understood without 

 a demonstration; Many horses have re- 

 covered a fair use of the limb by appli- 

 cation of splints, without slinging, as they 

 will take care to avoid resting on that 

 foot in consequence of the pain it gives ; 

 but under the care of an accomplished 

 veterinary surgeon, slings will afford the 

 best chance of recovery. 



HORSE, Muscle, Tendon and Ligament, 

 Diseases of. — Muscle is subject to simple 

 atrophy, with or without fatty degenera- 

 tion. The disease shows itself by a wast- 

 ing away of the part, accompanied by a 

 flabby feel to the touch. It should be 

 treated by friction, gentle but regular 

 work, and steel given internally, one 

 drachm of the sulphate of iron powdered 

 being mixed with the corn twice a day. 



HORSE — Rheumatic Inflammation 'of a 

 muscle or muscles is one of the most com- 

 mon of all the diseases to which the horse 

 is subject. Most frequently it attacks the 

 muscles of the shoulder, or of the loins, 

 sometimes both those parts being involved 

 at the same time. When acute it receives 



