THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 39% 



after the operation to see that there is as little exciting cause as po3sible. 

 Inflammation may, indeed, result from bruising the vein in the act of 

 bleeding, but this must be of so rare occurrence as to be scarcely worthy 

 of notice. The same may be said of a large and ragged wound made by 

 a bungling operator. 



The motion of the animal after bleeding, and rubbing so as to displace 

 the pin and tow by which the wound is usuall}'^ closed, may be set down 

 as the srreat sources of danorer. If the horse is turned loose and allowed 

 to graze about, hanging doyra his head and keeping it down at will, vrith 

 his jaws in almost constant motion, inflammation of the vein is apt to 

 result. So, if he is allowed access to food in a trough or stable. When 

 allowed his freedom he is apt to rub the wound whenever itching sensa- 

 tions supervene, as they are apt to, and the trouble is thus easily induced. 

 If put to the saddle immediately after blood-letting from the neck, the 

 bridle reins may rub the wound, and especially irritate it by disturbing its 

 fastenings ; and if put to harness the collar may press the blood too 

 violentlv and constantly against the orifice, and so bring on inflammation. 



How to know it. — The earliest indication is a slight opening of the lips 

 of the wound, whence exudes in small quantity a thin, waterv* discharge. 

 A slight swelling appears ; this is followed by a hard, cord-like enlarge- 

 ment of the vein, which feels hot ; and there is some visible swelling at 

 the angle of the jaw. The swelling takes place above the orifice, and 

 the inflammation tends almost wholly in that direction. 



If negrlected, the second stage of the disorder soon sets in. Abscesses 

 form along the vein, and these flnally burst and discharge a thin but 

 filthy pus. These tumors are united at their bases by sinuses in the 

 interior of the vessel. 



It ma}' be reckoned as a third stage of the disease when the vein feels 

 hard under the skin, and the abscesses discharge a dark, impure and 

 stinking pus, resembling rotten blood. At this stage the horse grows 

 dull and stupid ; then at last the inflammation extends to the brain, and 

 a madness similar in violence and fatal effects to the rabies may supervene. 



What to do. — In the first place,. "an ounce of prevention is worth a 

 pound of cure," and whenever it is necessary to bleed an animal, let it 

 be done in as neat, skillful and expeditious manner as possible; then 

 close the wound with care, leaving no part of the fastening pin to project 

 over the suture or winding of tow or cord by which the lips are drawn 

 close ; and at once tie up the horse in a stall. If the stall is contracted 

 in ^-idth, it is all the better, as he will be less likely to stir unnecessaiily. 



Tie the halter above and something back from the manger, so that he 

 cannot rub his neck against the trough nor anything pertaining to th:it 

 part of his stall. Give him no food that will necessitate chewing—' 



