THE CARE OF BANDAGES AND HAND RUBBING. 437 

 THE CARE OF BANDAGES. 



All bandages should be kept rolled up ready for immedi- 

 ate use. In rolling them up, the ends to which the tapes 

 are fastened should be turned over toward the side of the 

 material on which the tapes are sewed, and form the core or 

 centre of the bandage. After the roll has been started, it 

 should be turned by the thumb and forefinger of both hands, 

 turning the bandage away from the body. From time to 

 time the material may be drawn tight by placing the foot on 

 the part which falls to the ground. Bandages should never 

 be put away w^et or dirty. If lotions have been used, the 

 bandages should be washed, rinsed and thoroughly dried, 

 either in the open air or before the fire. 



HAND RUBBING. 



" After a day of severe and protracted exertion, gentle and frequent 

 friction is very useful for restoring the legs and for preventing the cold 

 swelling to which the legs of many horses are liable after work, but it is 

 improper where there is any swelling hot and painful. The hind always require 

 more than the fore legs. The friction seldom requires to be carried higher 

 than the hock or knee-joints." 



" Cold-blooded, long-legged horses are troubled with cold legs while 

 standing in the stall. It is difficult to avoid them altogether among horses 

 that are not in good condition, loaded with fat or plethoric ; yet frequent 

 hand rubbing does much. Some grooms give it five or six times a day ; so 

 much is seldom required, indeed never, except under disease ; but it does no 

 harm that I know of, if it does not make the heels too bare. To be of any 

 use it must be done in a systematic manner and in good earnest. If the 

 horse be perfectly quiet, the man will sit down on his knees, and with a 

 small soft or cloth rubber in each hand, he will rub upward and downward, 

 or he will use his hands without the wisp, particularly if the hair be short 

 and fine. Much force is not necessary ; indeed, it is pernicious. In coming 

 down the leg the pressure should be light, and in passing upward it must not 



