PREVENTION AND FIRST AID TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 329 



when struck. If the bone is not seriously injured the swelling- which 

 accompanies the injury subsides in a few days, but if it is cracked or 

 badly bruised there is usually a persisting flat swelling, rather hard to the 

 feel, and lameness. Even though cracked right through, the broken bones 

 may not come apart, as they are covered with a very tough parchment- 

 hke skin, and may unite again if rested. Tie up the animal to prevent 

 lying down, as in rising a great strain is placed on the bones ; keep 

 standing till the swelling disappears and the case is quite sound. 

 Antiseptics to the wound. 



In cattle, fracture of the horns is not uncommon, and when occurring 

 in slaughter animals, they should be at once killed for food, but in 

 draught animals they require treatment. If the horn is pendulous but the 

 skin unbroken, replace it in position and tie a flat piece of wood across 

 both horns to keep it so ; if the skin is broken it is generally best to 

 remove the horn altogether and treat the wound antiseptically, but when 

 practicable the animal had better be converted into beef. 



Injuries to the eyes are usually due to blows or small objects getting Injuries to 

 stuck on the front of the eyeball. The eye turns milky white, is closed the eyes, 

 and weeps. Keep a cloth over to prevent light entering, oil below the 

 eye to prevent tears making the skin sore, and apply weak boracic 

 water. To remove anything from the front of the eye, wipe it firmly with 

 a smooth cloth over the finger ; do)i!t poke ajiythi]ig into it. To save 

 camels' eyes being injured, long tent poles should be carried with spikes 

 to the front, pointing sliL^htly upwards and not protruding beyond the 

 head. The poles should be lashed behind to splay the spikes outwards in 

 front. 



The eyelids of the camel are particularly liable to become inflamed. The 

 and for abscesses to form in them. They should be fomented, opened eyelids of 

 and treated with boric acid either in powder or lotion. The use of '^^^^"^^^• 

 irritating lotions, such as carbolic acid and zinc, should be especially 

 noted as not suitable for injuries in the neighbourhood of the eyes and 

 mouth. 



Injuries to mouth. — The tongue is sometimes cut by the snaffle being Injuries to 

 dragged across it or a twist of rope or chain placed in the mouth, mouth. 

 These wounds recover very rapidly if kept clean after feeding, but they 

 generally leave a deformity of the tongue. Boric acid lotion may be used 

 as a dressing for them, but cleanliness is the main thing. 



The bars of the mouth between the corner incisors and first molar Bit 

 teeth may be injured by the pressure of the portmouth bit, which by injuries, 

 allowing the tongue to escape through the port, exerts all its force on the 

 bars. If the gum is merely bruised, it will be found swollen, tender, and 

 red, and the horse will probably be restive to handle, but a few days' rest 



