1042 INJURIES PRODUCED BY STRIKING, AND THEIR COMPLICATIONS. 



fitting anti-cutting shoe applied. Should the inner wall be too low, 

 it must be raised by placing leather, &c, under the shoe. 



Rings and boots, often recommended against striking, are seldom 

 of much value. Some horses are so apt to strike, that not even the 

 most careful shoeing is sufficient to prevent them injuring themselves, 

 and in such cases boots may be tried. They require, however, to be 

 so fashioned as not to be displaced if struck, nor cause injuries if 

 tightly buckled. The best form of boot contains a zinc plate exactly 

 responding to the oval form of the fetlock. 



The straw and indiarubber rings often used in draught-horses force 

 the animal to move with the feet further apart, but have no permanent 

 effect on the action, and as soon as they are removed the animal strikes 

 as before. A " Yorkshire boot " is useful in dry weather, and can 

 be made more effectual if before folding down the upper part a thin 

 straw plait be wound regularly round the point struck. When the 

 upper portion of cloth is folded down it secures the plait in position. 



Injuries produced by striking must be treated according to their 

 character. Complications are best prevented by carefully cleansing 

 the wound, and dressing it with iodine or other antiseptic. Such 

 precautions are particularly necessary in winter, and when the roads 

 are dirty. Especial care is required if the skin be perforated, as 

 the entrance of infective material into the subcutis then is greatly 

 favoured. 



When suppuration is already established, the first precaution 

 must be thoroughly to cleanse and disinfect the wound, so as to 

 prevent further extension. After-treatment is based on general 

 principles. Cold applications are contra-indicated ; more useful 

 is moist heat in the form of warm baths containing a disinfectant. 

 Immediately pain diminishes and swelling commences to recede, 

 slow exercise should be given to hasten resorption. 



Double precautions are required in subaponeurotic inflammation. 

 When located in the fetlock or near the tendon, lukewarm baths, 

 containing antiseptics such as Cofectant, carbolic, &c, are indicated, 

 and immediately fluctuation can be detected the swelling should be 

 opened, though due care must be exercised to avoid injuring blood- 

 vessels and nerves, or opening the joint or tendon sheath. When 

 the joint or the tendon sheath is plainly implicated operation is 

 better avoided, because in such cases no good can result, and the 

 owner is apt to conclude that the use of the knife was responsible for 

 the fatal result. 



