WOUNDS. 141 



pressure whatever from the saddle or any other cause 

 of irritation be permitted; therefore, unless a saddler 

 can effectually chamber and pack the saddle so as to 

 prevent the possibility of its touching on or near the 

 sore, the saddle must not be used at all. 



The worst and common result of sores on the back 

 is, that sinuses or cavities, with an almost impercep- 

 tible orifice, insidiously eat away like poll-evil into the 

 more important part of the adjacent structure. Here 

 the aid of the veterinary surgeon is indispensable. 



(Being myself acquainted with anatomy, I used to get a depend- 

 ing orifice as near as possible to the bottom of the sinus (as dis- 

 covered with a probe) by a bistuary, laying the sinus open all the 

 way ; or if the direction were rather superficial, by the insertion of 

 a seton-needle about the width of the sinus, run out at bottom, 

 leaving the seton in to direct the discharge. The latter operation, 

 if carefully conducted, is decidedly the simplest and best when 

 practicable, ) 



For prevention of sore back avoid injurious pressure 

 from an ill-fitting saddle ; also removing it too quickly 

 from the back of a heated animal [see "Work," page 

 37). Pressure of the terret-pad [see page 58), or of the 

 roller from not being properly chambered over the 

 ridge of the back {see page 19), must also be carefully 

 guarded against. 



WOUNDS, 



if deep or dangerous, should meet with the immediate 

 attention of a surgeon, as none but anatomists should 

 deal with them. Generally speaking, the loss of a 

 moderate quantity of blood is rather beneficial than 

 otherwise, tending to avert inflammation. Where 

 water-dressing {see page 149) can be applied, nothinc*- 



