210 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
TREATMENT.—Keep the jaws fixed by a head-collar, with a strap 
fastened around the face and lower jaw above the nostrils. Feed only 
thick gruels and other fluids until the jaw is completely healed. 
LACERATION OF THE TONGUE. 
Laceration of the tongue may result from a high port-bit; the forcible 
administration of food; irregular or long, rough teeth; a blow when the 
tongue hangs out; thorns, sharp bones, and the like. The symptoms are 
slobbering and inability to eat, which will lead te an examination that will 
discover the laceration. 
TREATMENT.—Remove foreign bodies. Apply a lotion of equal parts 
of calendula and water. If ulcers appear, apply alum or hydrastis. Keep 
the bit out of the mouth for some time. Give soft green food. 
GENERAL CARE IN WOUNDS. 
Keep the wounded parts at rest. Remove any foreign body or mat- 
ter that may be in the wound. If the jaw be injured, give only sloppy 
diet, such as does not require mastication. If the legs are affected, the 
horse should be tied up in many cases, and occasionally should be so placed 
that he cannot gnaw the wound. If “ proud flesh’? forms, which is an 
excessive and unhealthy granulation, apply sulphate of zinc or copper, 
nitrate of silver, or alum. If the healing process be too slow or stopped, 
the wound may be roused again to action by gently removing the edges 
with a knife if it be in the skin, or by other mechanical irritation if an- 
other part be thus dormant. Poisoned wounds, as from snake-bites, should 
be promptly cauterized, as directed under Hydrophobia. All indications 
of lock-jaw should be promptly regarded. It is also desirable, often very 
urgent, that oil-silk be put over the dressing to exclude the air. 
STAKING. 
Staking is an injury sustained by leaping a fence or gate, the skin and 
tissues of the abdomen being punctured or torn. 
TREATMENT.—If the skin is not broken, but the muscles are torn, and 
the bowel falls into the torn part underneath, a well-fitting pad must be 
bandaged on and kept wet with arnica-lotion. Should the skin be broken 
and the bowel hang out, keep the horse where he is, gently wash blood 
and grit from the bowel with warm water, and replace it with gentle 
pressure and manipulation. The surgeon will then draw the lips of the 
wound together and bind them with pins and tow. With a bandage around 
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