CHAPTER II. 



STABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE SICK AND INJURED. 



CARE OF THE SICK. 



The sick horsiB should, if practicable, be immediately removed to a 

 large, clean, light and well-ventilated box stall, free from drafts and 

 located as far as possible from other horses. Clean bedding should 

 be provided, and the stall kept free from manure and moisture. If 

 such a stall can not be provided a double stall, with the kicking bar 

 removed and ropes or bars placed across the front of it, will answer 

 the purpose. 



If the patient is suffering from a febrile disease (fever) during the 

 cold season of the year, paulins or horse covers can be hung up in such 

 a nianner as to serve as a protection from drafts, care being taken to 

 allow sufficient air to enter this improvised box stall. Such patients 

 must be clothed according to the season of the year, the blanket 

 drawn well forward on the neck and fastened in front, the legs, after 

 hand-rubbing, bandaged with red flannels. The bandages should be 

 changed several times daily, and the legs thoroughly rubbed to stimu- 

 late circulation. 



Horses with diseases of the nervous system require to be kept 

 absolutely quiet, and must be removed as far as possible from all 

 noise. It is preferable that only one man be allowed to attend to 

 their wants, as a change of attendants would very likely cause excite- 

 ment and thus increase the severity of the disease. Animals suffering 

 from debilitating diseases should be tempted with and fed any food 

 that is rich in nourishment and easily digested. Salt should fre- 

 quently be added. The food, etc., should be given only in such 

 quantities as the animal will readily eat, and any portion left over 

 should be at once removed, as food constantly placed before a sick 

 animal will have a tendency to deprive it of all appetite. Food that 

 is wet, such as bran mashes or steamed oats, will soon sour in warm 

 weather and will get cold or may freeze during the winter; if eaten 

 in these conditions it may cause diarrhea, colic, etc. Feed boxes, 

 water buckets, and all parts of the stall must be kept clean and free 



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