14 



VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



In most cases three or four fomentations in the course of the twenty- 

 four hours are sufficient. 



Cold-water Bathing of the Legs is in many cases very beneficial. 

 The cold gives tone to and braces up the structures, which may have be- 

 come weak or deficient in vital energy. The value of cold as a tonic has 

 not been sufficiently appreciated in such cases. 



A very convenient india-rubber apparatus is made for the pur- 

 pose of bringing a constant stream or trickling of 

 cold water on any part which may require such 

 treatment. 



After each application the part should be thor- 

 oughly dried and wrapped in a cotton bandage. 

 The cold application under ordinary circumstances 

 may be repeated three times, but not oftener, during 

 the day. 



Gentle Haud-rubbing of the Skin and also 

 sponging of the nostrils and dock with weak vinegar 

 and water are generally refreshing to sick animals. 



The sheath should always be carefully cleaned at 

 the outset of any serious illness, and tliis operation 

 should be repeated, if the case is prolonged. 

 Gfiving a Ball requires for its successful performance a knack 

 which may be learned by carefully observing Gamgee's directions, as fol- 

 lows, viz.: — Istly, Turn the horse from his manger, with a halter on, 

 held by a groom or assistant. Attempting to give a ball to a horse tied 

 up in a stall has before this proved a fatal experiment to the operator. 

 2dly, It is extremely dangerous to resort to twitching with awkward 

 horses, as our power in keeping the mouth open depends on the moderate 

 stretch on tlie tongue, which is not felt or cared for by a horse severely 

 punished with a twitch on his ear. 3dly, Stand on the off side of the 

 horse's head, with a towel in the left hand to wipe the mouth, should 

 there be, as in some cases, an excessive amount of, secretion to interfere 

 with holding the tongue; the left hand is placed on the horse's crest, 

 whilst the right is introduced into the angle of the mouth, the tongue is 

 seized gently, wiped if necessary, grasped with the left hand as in Fig. 

 3, and drawn downwards. Some persons introduce the left hand so as 

 to compress the tongue against the left side of the lower jaw, bringing it 

 between the molar teeth on that side; and others drag the tongue out of 



Fig. 3. 



Tub for soaking the foot 

 and lower leg in warm 

 water. 



