PREVENTION AND FIRST AID TREATMENT OF DISEASE. ^}2 



that the lip is retained in its proper position, where it will often heal, but 

 should it be hanging by a small neck of skin only, it is better to cut it off 

 at the outset. Treatment should consist of the application of antiseptics, 

 and as a rule it will be found possible to bandage these injuries, which 

 should be done from below upwards in order to keep the cut ends in 

 position as described above, sufficiently thick pads of tow being placed 

 under the bandages to prevent any undue pressure on the injured skin. 



Many treads and overreaches occur when horses are suddenly and 

 unexpectedly checked or when one rank rides into another, especially 

 trotting down crowded and narrow roads. Extra care on these occasions 

 will prevent a fair proportion. 



Sprams may, of course, occur under all conditions, but they are not Sprains, 

 so common in transport animals as in those whose work is faster. 

 Pain, heat, and swelling will make their presence apparent, and unless 

 these can be detected, other causes of lameness should be carefully 

 sought. 



In the camel, sprain of the muscles inside the thigh occurs "from 

 splitting," z>., the hind legs slipping apart sideways on wet slippery 

 ground. This is so frequent an accident that it is advisable when camels 

 are likely to slip, owing to the ground and weather, to tie their hind 

 legs together sufficiently close to prevent them spreading widely, but 

 allowing them play enough to walk. 



Sprains of tendons and ligaments are most frequent in the back 

 tendon between the knee and fetlock of the horse's and mule's forelegs, 

 and may also occur in the camel and working ox ; the fetlocks and 

 hocks are also liable to sprains from sHps and stumbles in bad ground. 

 In all cases the general symptoms of sprains are the same ; swelling ot 

 the part, with pain on pressure, and unless these are present, the cause 

 of lameness should be sought elsewhere. In addition, the part is hot, 

 compared with the rest of the leg, but this is not so easily detected as 

 the former signs. Lameness is always present, but many slight cases 

 can Avork perfectly v. ell at a walk when required to do so. 



Sprains of back tendons, if taken at once, may have a pressure 

 bandage put on them. This is applied as follows : a thick pillow of 

 wadding, cotton wool or tow is placed evenly round the leg, care 

 being taken to have it so thick that the subsequent pressure of the 

 bandage will not injure the skin. Over this is wound, as tightly and 

 evenly as possible, an ordinary bandage. It should exert an even, firm 

 pressure over the whole of the injured surface an extend well above 

 and below it. The padding should also project at each end to ensure 

 that there is no cutting of the skin by the edges of the bandage. When 



