48 SPRAINS. 



Besides its efficiency, treatment of sj^rains by bandaging, so as 

 to obtain evenly distributed pressure, has the great advantage of 

 being inexpensive, easy of application, and requiring but very little 

 subsequent attention. 



For directions as to physic, feeding, shoes, bedding, etc., see 

 page 26 et seq. 



As soon as heat and soreness have left the part, we may gradually 

 commence exercising the horse very gently. 



If a fortnight, or so, of treatment by cotton bandaging and hand- 

 rubbing does not produce the desired effect, or if it entails too much 

 trouble to carry it out, we may apply a charge, which is an adhesive 

 plaster that may be arranged as follows : — Take 4 ounces, each, of 

 Burgundy pitch and bees'-wax; melt them together; and stir in 

 2 oz. of mercurial ointment. Apply the mixture, taking care that 

 it is not so hot as to hurt the skin, to the leg by means of a stiff 

 painter's brush, so that a thick coating shall cover the back tendons, 

 and fill up the depressions on each side. Place, from time to time, 

 cotton wadding, cotton wool or tow on both sides of the leg, and 

 then cover it with the mixture, until the part presents a round ap- 

 pearance. Over the whole, roll tightly a cotton bandage (about 18 

 ft. long and 3 in. wide), between the folds of which the mixture is 

 to be freely plastered, so as to obtain uniform and firm pressure. 

 The bandage may be finally secured by sewing. According as it 

 works loose, it should be unrolled, and tightened up afresh, from 

 time to time. It should not be kept on longer than a month, lest 

 it make the skin sore. 



A charge acts by pressure. 



We should give a long and complete rest from work which 

 throws undue strain on the part ; taking care, however, when the 

 structures have, to all appearance, recovered their normal strength, 

 to gradually increase the work, within thoroughly safe limits, until 

 the animal attains his ordinary standard of labour. After a severe 

 sprain of structures below the knee or hock, I do not think that a 

 hunter or race horse should be put into strong galloping work sooner 

 than three months subsequent to the accident. The time need not 

 be so long with trotters ; for, at their pace, when one foot comes 

 on the ground, it is always supported by its diagonal fellow ; that is, 

 the near fore, by the off hind; and vice versa. It is, here, evident 

 that the trot should be largely used in bringing gallopers which 

 have sprained their fore legs, into full work ; that is, in preparing 

 them to stand the strain of a sharp gallop. 



We should avoid giving work which is both fast and long to 

 race horses that have suffered from any of the injuries in question. 

 If it lias to be fast, it should be short; if long, it ought to be slow. 

 Half-a-mile or three furlong gallops, repeated a couple of times, with 



