LEGS OF THE HORSE, THEIR ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES. 339 



But if it is a fracture of the foot, pastern, fetlock, hip or any other part 

 ^here there is no displacement, a cure can usually be made. After put- 

 ting the horse in a roomy, comfortable, loose box, put him in slings to 

 take the weight off the injured leg, and relieve the weight from the 

 others. Make the broken limb as straight as possible, then envelop it 

 f.or a distance of five or six inches in plaster of Paris, or if that is not handy, 

 soak a piece of sole leather in water until quite soft, and mould it to the 

 form of the leg, and bind it on so as to keep it perfectly tight and solid, 

 and in its place. Splints may be put on outside of the leather. A starched 

 bandage is very good in connection with the splints. Have the starch 

 very stiff, fill the hair with it and then begin to wind, not tight but just 

 enough so to keep the parts in their places ; put on a considerable quan- 

 tity of starch with each wind of the bandage ; after making about half a 

 dozen turns, put on the splints, one on each side, and one on the back, but 

 none in front ; then continue the bandage four or five turns. If the lee 

 swells, so as to make the bandage too tight, slit the banuage up a little 

 way at either end. Leave the whole thing on al)()ut five or six weeks, 

 keeping the horse in the sling all the time, just tight enough to give gen- 

 tle pressure on the belly and he will lie in it at his pleasure. If he acts 

 unruly at first, quiet him by talking to him, and he will very soon get ac- 

 customed to the arrangement, and like it. 



If any pieces of bone become detached they will act as foreign matter 

 and must be removed. Any such complication in a leg already done up 

 in a starched bandage, or in plaster, will be recognized by increased swel- 

 ling in the surrounding parts, and also by heat and soreness, uneasiness and 

 increase in temperature, pulse and respiration. The natural condition 

 being: Pulse 36, respiration 10 to the minute, and temperature 98.5® 

 F. The pulse is taken on the angle of the lower jaw, as the artery 

 passes around the under side on its way to the face. Temperature is 

 taken by a clinical thermometer inserted in the rectum, and allowed to 

 remain in two minutes. Respiration is taken by counting the breaths, 

 one m and one out making a respiration. 



When the hip is broken down, making what is known as "hipped," 

 there is nothing to do except to give time and what constitutional treat- 

 ment is indicated. Fracture of the shoulder blade is treated in the same 

 way, except that it might be advisable to put the horse in slings. 



In all cases watch the symptoms and treat them as they require, oat 

 it would be well always to give the following mixture : — 



j^o. 18. 1 Drachm tincture aconite root, 



2 Ounces spirits of nitre, 

 2 Drachms fluid extract belladonna, 

 1 Ounce nitrate of potash, 

 1 Ounce carbonate of ammonia, 

 Water to ooake one pint, 



MlTfo' 



