11 



CHAPTER n. 



STABT.T: MANAGEMENT OF THE SICK AXU INJURED. 

 ADMIXISTRATIOX OF MEDICINES. WEIGHTS AND 

 MEASURES. 



CARE OF THE SICK. 



The sick horse should be, if practicable, immediately removed 

 to a large, clean, light and well-ventilated box stall, free from 

 drafts and located as far as possible from other horses. Clean 

 bedding should be pro^dded, and the stall kept free from manure 

 and moisture. If such a stall can not be pro\dded a double stall, 

 with the kicking bar removed and ropes or bars placed across 

 the front of it, will answer the purpose. 



If the patient is suffeiing from a febrile disease (fever) during 

 the cold season of the year paulins or horse covers can be hung 

 up in such a manner as to serve as a protection from drafts, 

 care being taken to allow sufficient air to enter this impro\^sed 

 box stall. Such patients must be clothed according to the season 

 of the year, the blanket drawn well forward on the neck and 

 fastened in front, the legs hand-rubbed and bandaged with red 

 flannels. These should be changed several times daily, and the 

 legs thoroughly rubbed to stimulate circulation. 



Horses with diseases of the nervous system require to be kept 

 absolutely quiet, to do which they must be removed as far as 

 possible from all noise. It is preferable that only one man be 

 allowed to attend to their wants, as a change of attendants 

 would very likely cause excitement and thus increase the severity 

 of the disease. Animals suffering from debilitating diseases 

 should be tempted with and fed any food that is rich in nourish- 

 ment and easily digested. It should be given only in such quan- 

 tities as the animal will readily eat, and any portion left over 

 should be at once removed, as food constantly placed before a 

 sick animal wall have a tendency to deprive it of all appetite. 

 Food that is wet, such as bran mashes or steamed oats, will soon 

 sour in warm weather and will get cold or may freeze during the 

 winter: if eaten in these conditions it may cause diarrhea, 

 colic, etc. Feed boxes, water buckets, and all parts of the stall 

 must be kept clean and free from odor. The hay should be 

 clean and bright, and only the best given to the sick animal. 



