454 WOUNDS. 



the horse as quiet as possible, and to restrain the neck 

 from movement ; which latter is best effected by tying up 

 the head, and giving him gruel for food. It is also re- 

 commended to apply a mild blister, in the course of the 

 tumefied vein, which seems to assist by lessening the gene- 

 ral inflammation : this, in fact, is an indication never to be 

 lost sight of. 



When, however, we have no hopes of saving the vein 

 from obliteration, but, on the contrary, a disposition mani- 

 fests itself to form abscesses in various situations, we must 

 proceed to more active measures. The abscesses must be 

 opened freely with a knife, or, if one appears to communi- 

 cate with another, setons may be passed through the sinuses 

 by which they are joined. The head must be tied up, and 

 blister follow blister ; another being reapplied before the 

 action of the first has ceased. In this fashion the life will 

 be saved, although the vein will be lost ; the horse sub- 

 sequently may become equal to the severest service, though 

 immediately after the loss of a jugular he may require some 

 care. He must not be fed from the ground, or ridden hard 

 for twelve months succeeding his recover}^ His manger 

 ought to be elevated, and his water even lifted up, so as to 

 prevent him from stooping his head. At first, his food 

 ought to be such as requires little mastication, but in three 

 months he may return gradually to hay and oats. At the 

 termination of a year, he may feed off the ground, or from 

 a common manger ; he will by that time be equal to the 

 greatest exertion, and may be sold as sound, though in 

 such instances a guarded warranty is generally demanded, 

 and usually given. 



A marked morbid consequence of bloodletting arises from 

 bleeding in the plate or in the thigh vein ; in which the 

 phleme often passes through the vein into the fascia that 

 lies between the vessel and the muscles. In these cases 

 the fascia inflames, and a formation of pus takes place 

 within it, which, as it cannot escape, insinuates itself to 

 some depending situation : an opening should, therefore, be 

 made to evacuate the matter, or a seton may be inserted 

 for this purpose, and the part be repeatedly blistered ; the 

 animal being taken good care of, and not put to liard work 

 too soon afterwards. 



