86 WOUNDS AND BKUISES. 



of the cotton wadding bandage unless it be put on too tightly, 

 or unless the resulting j^ressure be unevenly distributed. Either 

 of these untoward consequences will be apparent after a few hours, 

 by the fact of the heat and swelling of the part becoming greater 

 than what would be due to the ordinary course of inflammation. 

 If such signs of irritation become manifest, the bandage should be 

 altogether removed, or re-applied in a proper manner. Supjoosing 

 that all goes well, the calico bandage and the cotton wadding may 

 be taken otf after twenty-four hours. If the antiseptic cotton wool 

 which was applied to the wound be found to be dry and sweet 

 smelling, we should again put on the wadding and bandage. 

 The wound may be thus examined once a day. After, say, 

 five days, or if there be oozing or bad smell from the wound, the 

 antiseptic cotton wool should be removed by gentle bathing with 

 tepid water ; tannof orm may be again dusted over it ; and the anti- 

 septic cotton wool re-applied and kept in position by a suitable 

 bandage. If the wound still continues to suppurate, it may be ren- 

 dered healthy by the application, say, twice a day, of a 10 per 

 cent, solution of hydrogen peroxide (p. 67), a little turpentine (p. 

 68) saturated solution of camphor in turpentine, burnt alum, 

 or some other suitable agent. If a scab forms and if pus appears 

 underneath it, the scab should be removed by bathing with tepid 

 water, or it may be gently picked off, and the part stimulated ])y 

 one of the applications just mentioned. If the treatment which 

 I have indicated cannot be followed out in its entirety, it can be 

 modified according to the principles laid down in pages 71 to 77. 

 As soon as the horse can be walked without his showing any marked 

 symptoms of lameness, I think it well to begin to exercise him with 

 every proper precaution, so that adhesions may not be allowed to 

 form to an extent that would interfere with his usefulness. If the 

 injury be on the off fore, it is well to give him his exercise in a circle 

 to the left, and vice versa; for by doing sc^, we shall, as much ns 

 possible, keep the weight off the bad leg. Daring recovery after 

 a severe blow on the back tendons, we should be very careful not 

 to allow the horse to lead with the injured leg, in the canter or 

 gallop ; for not only would it, when leading, have to bear more 

 weight than the non-leading fore leg, but in its weakened condition, 

 it will also be less able than before to get out of the way of the hind 

 foot on the same side. Properly applied pressure, as with a cotton 

 wadding bandage (p. 45), is invaluable in the treatment of this acci- 

 dent, not only for reducing swelling and for bringing the divided 

 parts into contact, but also for causing the wound to take on 

 healthy action. 



