454 



Antiseptic and disinfectant injections may then be used. Should pus 

 accumulate in the tissues openings must be made at the most depend- 

 ing i)arts for its escape. Wounds from shotguns if fired close to the 

 animal are serious. They are virtually lacerated and contused wounds. 

 Eemove all the shot possible from the wound, and treat as directed 

 for contusions. When small shot strikes the horse from a distance it 

 sticks in the skin or only goes through it. The shot grains must be 

 picked out, but as a rule this "peppering" of the skin amounts to but 

 little. 



Chafing by the harness — saddle or collar galls. — Wounds or abrasions 

 of this description are very commonly met with during the spring plow- 

 ing, particularly in " new ground," or from ill-fitting saddles or collars 

 at any time of the year. Collars too large or too small are equally 

 productive of this trouble. In the spring of the year, when the horse 

 has been unused to steady work for some months, the skin is tender 

 and easily abraded. The horse, from being wintered on a scanty allow- 

 ance of grain, is soft, sweats easily, and if the collar and shoulders are 

 not properly attended to chafing of the skin is almost sure to follow. 

 The harness should be repaired, cleaned, and oiled before using, and the 

 collar in particular should be thoroughly cleansed after every day's use. 

 The shoulders are to be frequently washed with cold water, and after- 

 ward bathed with white-oak bark tea, alcohol, or other astringents. 

 Should ill-fitting or badly made harness or saddles gall a horse, they 

 must be refitted at once, or laid aside for other and better ones. 



The treatment of such abrasions is simple and efiective if the cause be 

 removed without delay. The parts must be thoroughly bathed in soapy 

 water, allowing the lather to remain on the abraded surface. There are 

 many remedies for harness galls. Among them may be mentioned alco- 

 hol, 1 pint, in which are well shaken the whites of two eggs; a solution 

 of nitrate of silver, 10 grains to the ounce of water; sugar of lead or 

 sulphate of zinc, 20 grains to an ounce of water; carbolic acid, 1 part 

 in 15 parts of glycerine, and so on almost without end. Any simple as- 

 tringent wash or powder will effect a cure provided the sores are not 

 irritated by friction. If the animal must continue his work the harness 

 must be padded or chambered. 



Burns and scalds. — Wounds from burning or scalding are rare in the 

 domestic animals, but when extensive they prove very troublesome and 

 are often fatal. According to the severity of the burn we find the skin 

 simply reddened, vesicles (bbsters) may be jjroduced, or the part may 

 be literally roasted or boiled, causing complete destiuction of the tissues 

 and sloughing. When a large surface of the skin is burned or scalded 

 the animal (if he does not die at once from shock) will soon show symp- 

 toms of fever — shivering, coldness of the extremities, weakness, rest- 

 lessness, quick, feeble pulse, sighing breathing, etc. 



The treatment in such cases must be prompt and energetic. Stimu- 

 lants, such as whisky with mi'k and eggs, are to be frequently given. 



