SADDLE GALLS. 



107 



of the skin, it should be torn off, or cut out; for if this 

 be not done, it will act as -a foreign body and will keep the 

 wound open. When a small piece of skin becomes isolated, 

 it is apt to lose its vitality ; probably on account of its having been 

 deprived of blood supply from the surrounding skin, as we may see 

 when cross lines are deeply burned into the skin during the opera- 

 tion of firing, so as to form diamond-shaped marks. 



2. An inflamed condition of the bursa which lies on the summits 

 of the bones that form the top of the withers (p. 332). 



3. A serous cyst which may occur on one or both sides of the 

 withers (p. 337). 



4. Fibrous tumours, which usuallv form on the withers or over 



Fig. 42. — Smoothing out wrinkles under the girths. 



the backbone, just behind the cantle of the saddle. These tumours 

 should be carefully dissected out with the knife, and the resulting 

 wound treated antiseptically (p. 67 et seq.). 



5. Cuts or chaps without sufficient bruising to cause an abscess. 

 We may apply to them a couple of times a day tannoform, iodoform, 

 Friar's balsam, or alum and water. 



Whenever a scab becomes bruised or hurt, it should be bathed 

 with warm water or poulticed, so that it can be easily removed, 

 after which any new matter that may form, will have free vent. 

 The wound should then be treated with an antiseptic (p. 67). 



6. " Heat-spots " from irritation caused by contact with the saddle 



