SADDLE GALLS. 



105 



the narrow girth which is characteristic of the Fitzwilliam pattern. 

 A broad leather girth kept soft by the frequent application of grease 

 or oil, often serves to prevent girth galls. If the skin is very 

 tender, a piece of lambskin may with advantage be sewn round the 

 girth, with the wool towards the sensitive part. 



TREATMENT. — ^The appropriate treatment of these injuries can 

 be considered under the following headings : — 



1. Bruises which may develop into abscesses, and which at first 

 are neither inflamed bursae nor serous cysts. We find these in- 

 juries generally on the withers, on the backbone just behind the 

 cantle, on the off side of the back underneath the cantle (with side- 



Fig. 41. — Raising saddle cloth off the withers before girthing up. 



saddles), and- at the " girth place." If such a hurt has been inflicted, 

 it \Yill in almost all cases be made evident, on removing the saddle, 

 by the swollen condition of the seat of injury. In this case, 

 tlie swelling is due to passive congestion (p. 14) brought on 

 by pressure, and consequently may be appropriately treated by 

 hand-rubbing (p. 664). We may do this, if the skin is not broken, 

 by pouring into the hollow of the hand spirits of wine, methylated 

 spirits, whisky, or brandy, and rubbing it into the part with gentle 

 friction, which may be continued for about ten minutes. This 

 application of friction is so efficacious in relieving congestion, that 



