16 



HORSES 



Fractures of Bones. A fracture is termed 

 simple when the bone is broken across; 

 comminuted, when ])r()ken in fragments; 

 and compound when the broken euds pro- 

 trude through the skin. 



The bones most commonly fractured are 

 the long bone below the knee and hock; the 

 bone running from the stile joint to the hock ; 



sometimes 

 the corner 

 of the large 

 hip bone; 

 the latter 

 fracture as 

 a rule due 

 to striking 

 theangleof 

 hip bone 

 ajiainst the 

 1 am door 

 as horse 

 enters. 

 Fractures 

 of the long 



bones are generallv the result of kicks. If 

 an animal is seen to be kicked in the region 

 mentioned and becomes lame it is well to 

 keep it in complete rest until the exact 

 nature of the injury is established. 



When fractures are known to exist, it l)e- 

 comes necessary to at once luring the broken 

 parts in exact position and so maintained, 

 while a l)andage of some woolen material 

 about four inches broad is applied. This 

 should 1 e of suffici(>nt thickness so that 

 stiff card board or leather splints can be 

 applied thereon (one to the front and one 

 at the back) will not chafe the skin. The 

 material for the splints should be moistened 

 so that when dry th(>y will conform to the 

 bandages. Plaster of Paris bandages are 

 then to be applied over the splints. Frac- 

 tures in old horses seldom unite and it is 

 policy to destroy them. 



WOUNDS 



All wounds are more or less painful and 

 due care should l)e taken when handling 

 them. No strong, painful remedies should 



be applied. Bleeding should always be 

 checked and the parts made as dry as pos- 

 sible- In case an artery is cut, indicated 

 by a fine stream that shoots out from the 

 wound, apply a piece of cotton batting, 

 gauze, or other soft material that has been 

 wrung out in a mild disinfectant. In case 

 a l)andage cannot be applied and the wound 

 is large, pack the cavity with the material 

 recommended. These bandages or packings 

 should be left in place about twenty-four 

 hours, after which there is little danger of 

 hemorrhage. 



Nail Punctures of the Feet. The feet 

 of all animals are very sensitive and almost 

 any injury to them will cause the animal to 

 exhibit more or less pain, depending on the 

 severity of the injury. It is good practice 

 when an animal becomes suddenly lame 

 to at once examine the foot. If due to a 

 nail, the offender is to be at once removed. 

 The puncture should be enlarged in a cup- 

 like fashion, cleaned out and iodine or some 

 good disinfectant poured in and a layer of 

 soft material placed immediately over the 



A WELCOME LITTLE STRANGER 



