472 WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE 



sheep and pig, which are usually left to the mercy of shepherds 

 and uneducated persons, who, however worthy they may be in other 

 respects, yet know nothing or next to nothing of medicine or sur- 

 gery, and are consequently far more likely to do harm than good by 

 their interference, particularly in the matter of disease. 



It will therefore be understood that the following hints are not 

 meant to enable non-veterinary people to " doctor " animals, but 

 merely to put them in a position to act usefully in emergencies, be- 

 fore the veterinary surgeon comes. 



Wounds. — Animals, and especially horses, are very often 

 wounded, and the seriousness of the wound will depend not only 

 upon its extent and character, but also upon the part in which it is 

 made, and especially on the amount of bleeding that takes place. 

 With regard to character, wounds are incised, lacerated, contused, 

 and punctured. 



Incised tvounds are clean cut by some sharp body, and the parts 

 are merely cut through, not torn or bruised ; they are made by 

 glass, knife, scythe, or any other keen-edged instrument or body, 

 and do not often contain foreign matters, as dirt, grit, &c. If clean, 

 and not extensive, and the bleeding slight, they may not require 

 anything done to them until the veterinary surgeon arrives, except 

 keeping them clean. If there is bleeding, cold water may be ap- 

 plied, and the edges of the wound brought as near to each other 

 as possible by means of a bandage, by pins passed through the lips 

 of the wound at intervals of an inch or so, and twine twisted round 

 them, or by stitches with a strong needle and thick thread. Should 

 the bleeding be profuse, steps must be actively taken to check it 

 until proper aid is procured. Pressure must be made by plugging 

 the wound with tow, cotton-wool, lint, or a handkerchief, if there 

 be space ; if the wound be in a limb, then bandaging the part 

 tightly with a handkerchief may check the hemorrhage for the 

 time; if it does not, then severe pressure should be made on the 

 course of the large vessels above the wound, by making a bandage 

 or handkerchief into a firm roll, placing it over the vessels — which 

 are always on the inside of the limb — and securing it there by 

 another bandage. The animal should be kept quiet. 



Lacerated wounds are generally more serious than incised wounds, 

 as the parts are torn and jagged. They are produced by hooks, 

 nails, b.tes, kicks, sharp prominences, stakes in fields, &c. There 

 is seldom so much bleeding as in incised wounds, the vessels being 

 torn instead of cut. They are serious from their extent, the parts 

 injured, and the after consequences. In the region of the belly 

 they may be extremely dangerous, especially if the skin and mus- 

 cles are so torn that the intestines protrude, or the cavity of the 

 abdomen be opened. Remove any foreign matters from the wound 



