152 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



tAventy-four hours, to the place he is confined in. Open 

 not the door of his house twice when once can be made to 

 answer: thus much suffering may be avoided, and the 

 chances of recovery enhanced. All the medicine necessary 

 for the horse to have, will be one drachm doses, once in 

 the twenty-four hours, of peussic acid. Great care will 

 have to be exercised in keeping this powerful poison; and 

 considerable judgment as to how this medicine is to be 

 given to an animal Avith his jaAvs closed. Gently elevate 

 the head a little to insure proper gravitation, and pour the 

 acid into the Avidest part betAveen the teeth, and hold the 

 head steadily for a fcAV minutes; then retire, and close the 

 door, not a loud Avord being spoken. A table or dessert 

 spoon will ansAver for the purpose A^ery Avell. Veterinary 

 surgeons have an elastic tube, AAdiich is introduced into the 

 back part of the mouth, and the acid poured doAA^n the tube. 



If the animal Ka^c from three to four days, and is 

 afforded CA^ery opportunity to eat a little, he may get aa^cII. 

 WhatcA^er the AA'ounds or injuries that haA^e given rise to the 

 locked-jaAV, they should be dressed Avith equal portions of 

 oHa^c oil and creosote, AA^hich Avill soothe the irritated 

 nerves of the part. An occasional poultice of flaxseed may 

 be necessary. 



AboA^'e all things, neither bleed nor physic, as these can 

 do no good, and aa^II only hasten the death of the animal 

 by taking aAvay AA^hatcA^er strength he may haA^e, all of 

 Avhich Avill be necessary to carry him through so severe a 

 disease. 



Loins. — Sprain of the loins or small of the back is 

 sometimes seen in Aveakly built horses of irritable dispo- 

 sition. 



Symptom. Weakness upon pressure, as of a saddle-horse 

 yielding to the rider, when mounting the horse. 



