INCIDENTS AND REMEDIES 247 



should always be tried. Also enemas of soap and warm 

 water, about half a bucket. 



Chloral hydrate can be given in a ball most conveniently, 

 but the administration wants more or less of an expert, as, 

 if the ball bursts in the mouth, it gives rise to great irritation 

 of mucous membrane. The ordinary pig-sticker is not an 

 expert, and should only attempt balling after a good deal 

 of practice. The same remarks apply to carbonate of 

 ammonia balls. 



In cases of exhaustion carbonate of ammonia is the most 

 useful drug given in a draught : Carbonate of ammonia, 

 1 ounce ; water, Ih pints. 



Bleeding. — Cold water and pressure is, as a rule, all that 

 is necessary ; or a pressure pad of cotton - wool alone 

 saturated with friar's balsam. 



In case of a large vessel, vein, or artery : 



If a vein : Bandage tightly on the side farthest away 

 from the heart and plug the wound with antiseptic cotton- 

 wool, or wool soaked in friar's balsam. 



If an artery : Bandage tightly above the wound, that 

 is to say, between the wound and the heart. A bandage 

 or handkerchief tied lightly round the limb (in most cases 

 the wound is in one of the legs), and a small piece of stick 

 inserted between the skin and the bandage and twisted 

 up tight makes a good improvised tourniquet. Very often 

 more harm than good is done by amateurs searching for 

 blood-vessels to ligature. Much better in all cases to plug 

 the wound and bandage tightly, leaving the bandage intact 

 for at least twelve hours, or until the animal can be attended 

 to professionally. 



Stitching. — As a general rule wounds should be left un- 

 stitched. They can be kept cleaner, and generally heal 

 up without leaving much of a mark. 



Gaping wounds, however, and wounds having the skin 

 hanging loose, must be stitched. In these cases the stitches 

 must be sufficiently close and deep to ensure their not being 

 dragged out, and ought not to be kept in more than twenty- 

 four hours if there is much swelling or dragging at the edge 

 of the wound. 



