86 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



not too much straw to prevent the foot being carried 

 without interruption. 



Then give twenty-five drops of the tincture of aconite 

 root every five hours, for the first twenty-four hours, to 

 relieve pain, excitement, and fever. Take hold of the 

 broken leg carefully, and place it in a position as near 

 like the other leg as possible, not only in shape, but in 

 actual length by measurement, for it is the neglect of 

 this that some legs are left shorter and some longer after 

 fractures. The whole position of the leg being got at, 

 apply a good coating of tar to the leg, around, above, 

 and below the point of fracture. Then wrap the whole 

 leg in oakum, coarse tow, or carded cotton. Over this, 

 place broad pieces of boards, like shingles, on the sides 

 and front of the leg, and fill all uneaveness with the tow 

 or cotton, so the splint or boards will lay flat on the leg. 

 Secure the whole by careful tieing wdth broad strings or 

 soft cords. The great secret in the successful treatment 

 of simple fractures of the bones of the legs, is the fixing 

 of the leg, so it cannot move until they have united. 

 Feed the horse well, and see every day that the splints 

 on the legs are not loose. Never sling a horse from his 

 feet in cases of fracture, for it will be regretted. If the 

 horse is to be kept in a stall, make a hole in the floor of 

 the stall underneath the foot of the broken leg, so that 

 he can stand with the leg at full length. Bear in mind, 

 no horse will put his foot to the ground till he is able to 

 do so ; therefore, leave every thing to the broken-legged, 

 except the matter of securing the broken bones in their 

 place. And by giving him his feed, he may be safely 

 left to himself, and nature will do the rest for him. 



Fracture of the Hip or Pelvis. 



Symptoms. — The horse is extremely down in one of 



