•\VOUNDS.J 



THE HOESE, AND 



[■WOUNDS. 



such wounds are also imputed to the frequent ] 

 great depth to which they are liahle to extend. 

 In consequence of this, important parts and 

 organs are often injured. Such cases are less 

 easily cured, owing to the difficulty of ex- 

 tracting any extraneous substances which may 

 happen to be lodged in the wound. AH punc- 

 tured wounds and stabs are at the same time 

 dangerous, inasmuch as they are particularly 

 apt to be followed by a considerable amount 

 of inflammation, fevers, deep-seated abscesses, 

 sinuses, &c. 



Wounds of this description are, in this 

 country, not very common. The stings and 

 bites of certain insects, and the bites of vipers, 

 mad dogs, cats, &c., are the only instances 

 which we meet with. The only insects to be 

 dreaded are the stings of the wasp, or the 

 hornet. This insect, to appearance, is the 

 most formidable creature of the winged tribe 

 in Britain, the sting being frequently attended 

 with the most acute pain and inflammation. 

 Even the sting of the wasp, should it occur 

 where the skin is thin, such as on the inside 

 of the thigh, occasions extreme pain and 

 irritation. 



WOUNDS OF THE HEAD. 



"Wounds of the head of the horse do not so 

 frequently occur as might be expected. The 

 principal occur on the ears, the eyelids, the 

 nose, or the salivary gland or duct. This duct 

 is situated at the angle of the jaw, where the 

 pulse of the animal is felt. It is sometimes 

 liable to be torn, when the saliva escapes by it, 

 instead of passing on to the mouth to mix 

 with the animal's food. It also frequently 

 occasions great debility. 



Erom the situation of the parotid duct, and 

 its liability to become wounded, what is called 

 a salivary fistula may be the consequence, 

 unless steps are immediately taken to afibrd 

 relief. The cheek and face become considerably 

 swollen ; to prevent the increase of which, the 

 actual cautery should be used. A budding- 

 iron, however, is the best instrument; after 

 using which, draw the lips of the wound 

 together with a suture, and apply adhesive 

 plaister over the whole, in strips, about a 

 quarter of an inch apart, first cutting the hair 

 close ofl" all round the part, that the plaister 

 may adhere more firmly. 

 208 



Lacerations of the horse's ear sometimes 

 occur. In such cases have him cast, and the 

 lacerated part cut ofi". After this operation, 

 if it should not look at all pleasant, remove as 

 much more as will make it do so; then crop 

 the other ear to correspond. This is the only 

 method that can be pursued, as, from the little 

 vascularity of the ear, it being principally 

 composed of gristle, union cannot be expected 

 to take place. 



The eyelids frequently become lacerated, 

 and very much torn, from nails or splinters of 

 wood about the rack, manger, or standing. 

 In this case, a small curved needle, with 

 whity-brown thread, should be taken, and 

 sutures introduced in such a manner as to 

 bring the parts as much in contact and as 

 near to the appearance they had before the 

 accident took place. After this, use the fol- 

 lowing : — 



Sulphate of Zinc ^ oz. 



Spirit of Wine 2 do. 



Water 16 do. 



Apply this lotion to the parts afiected three 

 or four times a day. 



Wounds of the nose, or nostril, sometimes 

 occur, and are exceedingly difficult to heal, in 

 consequence of our not always being able to 

 apply proper remedies. The only thing to be 

 done is to sew up the lacerated parts, and 

 apply compound tincture of myrrh, as in a 

 common wound. It is difficult, in such cases, 

 to recommend another distinct mode of treat- 

 ment without the real nature of the wound is 

 perfectly ascertained. 



WOUNDS OF THE CHEST. 



These wounds occur mostly in large towns, 

 where there is considerable movement with all 

 kinds of vehicles ; when the shaft of one car- 

 riage comes in contact with the horse of the 

 one he may chance to meet, enters his chest, 

 and often causes immediate death to the horse. 

 In such cases the first thing to be ascertained 

 is the depth of the wound ; and, in order to 

 restrain the rapid action of the circulation, 

 copious bleeding must be used. A piece of 

 tow, well smeared with digestive ointment, 

 should be introduced into the wound, in order 

 to procure a discharge as soon as possible. 

 The horse should be kept without food for at 

 least twelve hours ; at the expiration of which, 



