WOUNDS. Ill 



In spirits of wine, applied several times a day to the surface of the 

 wound, only until the joint oil disappears, will answer the purpose 

 better than the hot iron. In very severe cases, where the carcase of 

 the animal is of trifling value, and it is therefore desirable to attempt 

 a cure at all risks, the application of a paste made with flour, and 

 firmly bound round the part by a number of linen bandages, will, by 

 preventing the flow of joint oil, succeed in closing the joint in many 

 cases : the bandages, however, should not be removed for several 

 weeks, and if necessary the animal may be slung. 



Should, however, the wound be very large, and the opening into 

 the joint large too, it will usually be prudent to destroy the animal at 

 once, especially if it is in tolerable condition. A dead horse is worth 

 comparatively little, but a dead ox, fairly slaughtered, will produce 

 its full value. Therefore, the possibility of a cure not being effected, 

 or of the animal materially losing condition while the cure is attempt- 

 ed to be performed, should always be taken into account ; and in 

 cases where the meat is not injured it should be inquired whether the 

 expense and trouble, and the sufferings of the animal, should not be 

 at once terminated by the butcher. 



These are the only means that should be used. When the farrier 

 or the cow-leach wants to inject his corrosive sublimate, or his oil of 

 vitriol, let no consideration tempt the farmer to comply. It is cruel 

 work, and it does not succeed in one case out often. 



These cautions are repeated again and again, for it begins now to 

 be generally felt and acknowledged, that we have no right to torture 

 and abuse our quadruped servants. 



In every joint case it will be prudent to bleed, and administer a 

 dose of physic, and use all proper means to prevent or abate fever. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



STRAINS AND BRUISES. 



The ox is not so subject as the horse to strains, for his work is 

 slower and usually less laborious. The horse is seldom strained at 

 slow and steady work, and that only is generally exacted from the 

 ox. The principal cause of strain in these animals arises from their 

 contests with, or their riding or ramping each other. 



In recent strains, attended with lameness and heat, the following 

 is one of the best embrocations that can be used : — 



RECIPE (\o. 51). 



Embrocation for Strains. — Take hay salt, four nuncps ; oil of origanum, one drachm, 

 rub them well together, until the salt is reduced to a powder, then add vinegar, half a 

 pint ; sprits of wine, two ounces ; water, a quart. 



