DOCTORING. 2/7 



and an allowance of very soft food. Should there be in- 

 flammation about the wound, the application of warm wet 

 rags will serve to allay it. 



Injuries to the knees from falling are among the 

 commonest ailments of the stable. Sometimes the skin 

 only is injured, while at others the deeper structures are 

 involved, and cases occasionally occur in which the bones 

 are absolutely laid bare. The treatment in all instances 

 should commence by the most careful cleansing, with warm 

 fomentations for half an hour or more, and should then pro- 

 ceed as follows : for skin-deep injuries, tincture of myrrh after 

 frequent daily bathings will prove an excellent dressing : 

 for those of a deeper nature, the same treatment, only in- 

 tensified, and at night a soft pad of cotton wool steeped 

 with sulphate of zinc and secured with a bandage ; when 

 bones or tendons are involved, the joint-oil — a white-of- 

 egg-like substance — will be discharged, and when this 

 occurs the horse's fate is sealed : he is absolutely valueless, 

 and may be destroyed at once, unless he can be made of use 

 for stud purposes. In ordinary cases of broken knees, if 

 there is suppuration or proud flesh, a weak solution (about 

 a twelfth part in water) of bichloride of mercury will be 

 found useful, and in all cases the patient must be prevented 

 from lying down. He should be walked gently about at 

 intervals throughout the day, and be fed on nourishing food 

 of a succulent nature. 



When a horse has to undergo any painful operation, a 

 merciful owner will always chloroform him. The best way 

 to do this is to wind a very long towel, or bandage, about 



