50 Accidents and Injuries. 



of oil and water mixed together by a small addition of car- 

 bonate of potash. WhilsL swallowing the liquid, the horse's 

 throat to be rubbed gently by hand. 



On emergencies, pour as much water as possible down the 

 throat, in hopes that in coughing out the water, the obstruction 

 will come with it. 



A Veterinary Surgeon can clear the throat with a probang (too 

 difficult an operation for a non-professional) or can make a cut 

 into the throat called Tracheotomy. 



An injection of morphia under the skin is useful to lessen the 

 spasms of choking, which might kill the horse. 



FISTULA. Usually on withers from injury by saddle ; or 

 behind the ear (then called POLI< EVIL) from abuse of bearing 

 rein, or the result of a severe blow. It commences with swelling, 

 which becomes hot and tender ; abscess and sinuses form. If the 

 lump at first starting be treated as described above for BLOWS 

 and BRUISES, it will probably subside. 



If, however, it becomes hot and tender, matter is forming, and 

 hot poultices are essential to bring it to a head. Use probe, and 

 if a pipe or narrow hole is perceptible, that is a sinus, which must 

 be cut open with a bistoury (doctor's knife) without hesitation, 

 and kept open with wedges of clean tow till it heels from beneath 

 gradually. After cutting, sponge with warm water till bleeding 

 stops; then apply twice a day a paste of young hutteela\edi\es 

 pounded together with a little salt. If, as often happens, the 

 horse wriggles his skin so that nothing will stick on, touch the 

 sore lightly with a bit of blue vitriol damped, afterwards using 

 chloride of zinc lotion or ointment till cured. Or one drachm 

 of Burnett's disinfecting fluid, mixed with a pint of water, can 

 be injected daily with a syringe into the sinus. Flies must be 

 kept off bj^ covering the whole shoulder or neck with a thin 

 cloth loosely ; the cloth itself being previously dipped in a mild 

 solution of carbolic acid, better still, phenicated camphor. 



FITS. More common in harness than in saddle. Horse sud- 

 denly stops, twists roimd, and is evidently giddy, or falls down 

 insensible. Fit passes off generally in ten minutes, but wiD pro- 

 bably recur. It is caused by working too soon after heavy feed, 

 or harness being too tight. 



Treatment. — At once loosen curb, bearing rein, collar, and 

 girths ; pour cold water on head. If very bad, cut palate with 

 penknife till it bleeds freely. After short rest, drive slowly. 

 Subsequently give aperient clyster, and look out for further 

 symptoms. i 



GALLED WITHERS or POLL. *Sf€e Fistula. 



