89 



dry by evaporation ; rubbing him dry and gradually cooling bim out is 

 the wisest treatment. When a horse is hot — covered with sweat— it is 

 dangerous to allow him to stand in a draught; it is the best plan to walk 

 him until his temperature moderates. In such cases a light blanket 

 thrown over the animal may prevent a cold. Overwork or overexertion 

 often causes the most fatal cases of congestion of the lungs. Avoid pro- 

 longed or fast work when the horse is out of condition or unaccustomed 

 to it. Animals that have been working out in cold rains should be dried 

 and cooled out, and not left to dry by evaporation. When the tempera- 

 ture of the weather is at the extreme, either of heat or cold, diseases ot 

 the organs of respiration are most frequent. 



It is not to be supposed that farmers can give their horses the par- 

 ticular attention given to valuable racing and pleasure horses, but 

 they can most assuredly give them common-sense care, and this will 

 often save the life of a valuable or useful animal. ISTeglect on the part 

 of the owner is as often (perhaps oftener) the cause of disease in the 

 horse as neglect on the part of the servant. If the owner properly 

 considers his interests he will study the welfare of his horses so that 

 he may be able to instruct the servant in details of stable manage- 

 ment, as it often happens that the fault on the part of the servant is 

 due to want of knowledge more than to willful neglect. 



WOUNDS ABOUT THE NOSTRILS. 



Wounds in this neighborhood are common, and are generally caused 

 by getting snagged on a nail or splinter, or by the bite of another 

 horse; or by getting "run into," or by running against something. 

 Occasionally the nostril is so badly torn and lacerated that it is im- 

 possible to effect a cure without leaving the animal blemished for 

 life, but in the majority of instances the blemish or scar is due to the 

 want of conservative treatment on the part of the owner or attendant. 

 As soon as possible after the accident the parts should be brought 

 together and held there by stitches. If too much time is allowed to 

 elapse the swelling of the parts will considerabl}^ interfere. The skin 

 in this neighborhood is thin and delicate, and therefore it is easy to in- 

 sert sutures. Never cut away any skin that may be loose and hang- 

 ing, or else a scar will certainly remain. Bring the parts in direct ap- 

 position and place the stitches from a quarter to a half inch apart, as 

 circumstances may demand. It is not necessary to have special sur- 

 geons' silk and needles for this operation ; good linen thread or ordi- 

 nary silk thread will answer. The wound afterwards only requires to 

 be kept clean. For this purpose it should be cleansed and discharges 

 washed away daily with a soluticji made of carbolic acid 1 part, in 

 water 40 parts. If the horse is inclined to rub the wound against some 

 object on account of the irritability, his head should be tied by means 

 of two halter ropes to prevent him rubbing the wound open. The 

 head should be so tied about ten days, excej)t when at work or eating. 



