16 THE ARMY HOBSE IN ACCIDENT AND DISEASE. 



^CARE OF THE INJURED, 



■P 



If the horse is seriously injured and stands with difficulty, he should 

 be placed in slings (Plate II) to partially support the weight of the 

 body. The slings must be properly adjusted, fitting closely behind 

 the elbows in such a manner as to support the weight of the body on 

 the chest and not on the abdomen. This position is maintained by 

 the use of the breast piece and breeching, which prevent the shifting 

 of the sling. A single stall, having a level floor, free from bedding, 

 is more suitable than one allowing more motion to the animal. 



If the horse is but slightly injured, there is no necessity of placing 

 him in slings. An ordinary stall with a level floor is all that is re- 

 quired. After the injury has been dressed he should be allowed to 

 stand without being disturbed. If very lame, and movement is 

 painful, the more quiet he is kept the more quickly will recovery 

 take place. Absolute rest and perfect quietude are two very essential 

 things, and when secured they will hasten the process of recovery with- 

 out inflicting unnecessary pain upon the animal. In some surgical 

 cases it is necessary to restrain the animal so that he can not injure 

 himself by rubbing or biting the affected parts. This can be accom- 

 plished by tying up the head or by the application of side lines. 

 Bandages may be applied to the legs of animals for different purposes : 

 First, to give support to the blood vessels and synovial bursae; sec- 

 ond, to dry and warm the legs; third, to support packs used in apply- 

 ing hot and cold lotions; and fourth, when conditions are favorable, 

 to check haemorrhages. 



WATER SUPPLY. 



However harmless impure water may have been to animals in a wild 

 state, the more we subject them to an artificial existence the more 

 we remove them from the immunity they may have possessed against 

 common causes of disease and the greater liability is there for the 

 development of diseases which originally may never have existed. 

 In other words, the domesticated animal should always have pure 

 water; when the vitality is further reduced by sickness the necessity 

 of absolute purity is even more imperative. 



