TREATMENT OF SADDLE-GALLS. 495 



Treatment. To prevent the condition, general experience suggests 

 leaving the saddle on for half to one hour after dismounting. Where 

 an injury has taken place, the vessels are compressed and almost 

 bloodless. If pressure be now suddenly and completely removed, 

 blood is vigorously forced into the paralysed vessels, and may thus 

 rupture their walls. On the other hand, if the saddle is allowed 

 to remain some time' in position, circulation is gradually restored 

 without injury. The fact that the swelling first appears after removal 

 of the saddle supports this explanation. 



In cutaneous swellings further extravasation is most surely checked 

 by cold, which causes the vessels to contract ; while reabsorption 

 of extravasation which has already taken place, is most favoured 

 by moist warmth. The use of cold is indicated in fresh cases — that 

 is, in those seen immediately after the appearance of the swelling. 

 In twelve to twenty-four hours, on the other hand, moist warmth 

 deserves preference ; and, where cold cannot be carefully and con- 

 tinuously applied, Preisnitz's poultices should be employed. The 

 use of cold may be associated with gradual slight pressure, or, even 

 better, with massage. A cloth folded several times, or a bag filled 

 with little pieces of ice, is very useful in fresh cases. The old practice 

 of binding a flat stone on the swelling leads to necrosis of the skin ; 

 the application of a turf soils the back, and thus predisposes to new 

 bruises. Massage, in the form of gentle stroking with the ringers, 

 greatly hastens reabsorption. Most cutaneous swellings of recent 

 appearance can be removed in twelve to twenty-four hours by cold, 

 associated with massage. When of longer standing, moist warmth 

 in the form of Preisnitz's poultices deserves preference, and can be 

 assisted by massage. Where necrosis does not result, this method 

 of treatment always succeeds. Tincture of arnica, often used, has 

 no effect ; even its antiseptic properties are nullified on account of 

 the excessive dilution to which it is generally subjected. 



Where necrosis has appeared, separation of the dead portions is 

 facilitated by Preisnitz's poultices, or moist warmth. Portions of 

 necrotic skin should be dissected away or removed with dressing 

 forceps. Removal of the necrotic piece of skin does not greatly 

 assist healing, because the line of dissection seldom coincides exactly 

 with the division between living and dead tissue. After separation 

 of the piece of skin, the wound is gradually filled up by granulations. 

 The general principles of asepsis must be strictly enforced. As soon 

 as a dry scab has formed, interference should be avoided. Where 

 the wound has filled up, cicatrisation is well advanced, and the 

 neighbouring swelling has disappeared, the saddle may again be 



