FIRST AID IN DISEASE AND LAMENESS 



rule is not provided with the needles and thread 

 suited to this kind of work; a fairly good substi- 

 tute, however, is always in reach, and this consists in 

 passing one or more, as the case may require, small 

 galvanized wire nails through the skin close to the 

 cut edges and tying a thin wrapping cord or twine 

 between the nail and skin. 



When a wound occurs, with excessive hemorrhage, 

 in the thick and soft muscles, and where it is not pos- 

 sible to utilize a bandage, the opening or cavity may 

 be firmly packed with some such substance as oakum, 

 cotton, wool, or in fact any soft or pliable material 

 made into a wad and pressed firmly into its deepest 

 recesses until it has been packed full; then draw 

 the skin well outward and use the nails or thin pegs 

 of hard wood as already described; then wash the 

 parts with some disinfectant, a three per cent, solu- 

 tion of carbolic acid, creoline, or sulphate of zinc. 

 This will be found nearly always in reach, is simple 

 and cheap, and answers the purpose. 



This may look like crude surgery, but we must 

 bear in mind it is intended only as a temporary bridg- 

 ing process and to hold the case until a better surgeon 

 can be reached. 



Corns. There are instances when a horse, while 

 in action, will suddenly and from no apparent cause 

 go lame. Why this should be so is something of a 

 mystery. The limping is very pronounced, but, when 

 in a standing position, the animal shows no evidences 

 of pain. When watching the case closely, there will 

 be observed a quick and spasmodic effort just at the 

 time the foot is being raised from the ground, and if 

 the foot is taken up, clasped firmly by both hands, 

 placed between the knees, and firm pressure applied 

 the animal will evince more or less pain. This is 



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