106 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



prevent a cold. Overwork or overexertion often causes the most fatal 

 eases of congestion of the lungs. Avoid prolonged or fast work when 

 the horse is out of condition or unaccustomed to it. Animals that have 

 been working out in cold rains should be dried and cooled out and not 

 left to drj' by evaporation. When the temperature of the weather is 

 at the extreme, either of heat or cold, diseases of the organs of respi- 

 ration are most f recpient. 



It is not to be supposed that farmers can give their horses the par- 

 ticular attention given to valuable racing and pleasure horses, but they 

 can most assuredly give them common-sense care, and this will often 

 save the life of a valuable animal. If the owner properly considers 

 his interests he will stud}^ the welfare of his horses so that he may be 

 able to instruct the servant in details of stable management. 



WOUNDS ABOUT THE NOSTRILS. 



Wounds in this neighborhood are common, and are generally caused 

 by snagging on a nail or splinter or by the bite of another horse; or 

 by getting "run into," or by running against something. Occasion- 

 all}' the nostril is so badly torn and lacerated that it is impossible to 

 effect a cure without leaving the animal blemished for life, but in the 

 majority of instances the blemish, or scar, is due to the want of con- 

 servative treatment. As soon as possible after the accident the parts 

 should be brought together and held there b}^ stitches. If too much 

 time is allowed to elapse, the swelling of the parts will considerably 

 interfere. Never cut away any skin that may be loose and hanging, 

 or else a scar will certainly remain. Bring the parts in direct apposi- 

 tion and place the stitches from a quarter to a half inch apai't, as cir- 

 cumstances may demand. It is not necessary to have special surgeons' 

 silk and needles for this operation; good linen thread or ordinary silk 

 thread will answer. The wound afterwards only requires to be kept 

 clean. For this purpose it should be cleansed and discharges washed 

 awa}^ daih' with a solution made of carbolic acid 1 part, in water 40 

 parts. If the horse is inclined to rub the wound against some object 

 on account of the irritability, his head should be tied by means of two 

 halter ropes attached to the opposite sides of the stall to prevent him 

 rul)bing the wound open. The head should be so tied about ten days, 

 except when at work or eating. 



TUMORS WITHIN THE NOSTRILS. 



A small globular tumor is sometimes found within the false nostril, 

 under that part of the skin that is seen to puff or rise and fall when a 

 horse is exerted and breathing hard. These tumors contain matter of 

 a cheesy consistency. 



Treatment.— li the tumor is well opened and the matter squeezed 



