86 WOUNDS AND BRUISES. 



or the resulting pressure be unevenly distributed. Either of 

 these untoward consequences will be, apparent after a few hours, 

 by the fact of the heat and swelling of the part becoming greater 

 than what would be due to the ordinary course of inflammation. 

 If such signs of irritation become manifest, the bandage should be 

 altogether removed, or re-applied in a proper manner. Supposing 

 that all goes well, the calico bandage and cotton wadding may be 

 taken off after twenty-four hours. If the antiseptic cotton-wool 

 applied to the wound be found to be dry and sweet smelling, the 

 wadding and bandage should again be put on. The wound may 

 thus be examined once a day. After, sayj'iive days, or if there 

 be oozing or bad smell from the wound, the antiseptic cotton- 

 wool should be removed by gentle bathing with tepid water ; 

 tannoform may be again dusted over it ; and the antiseptic cotton- 

 wool re-applied and kept in position by a suitable bandage. If 

 the wound still continues to suppurate, it may be rendered healthy 

 by the application, say, twice a day, of a 10 per cent, solution of 

 hydrogen peroxide (p. 67), a little turpentine (p. 68), saturated 

 solution of camphor in turpentine, burnt alum, or some other 

 suitable agent. If a scab forms and pus appears underneath it, 

 the scab should be removed by bathing with tepid water, or it 

 may be gently picked oflf, and the part stimulated by one of the 

 applications just mentioned. If the treatment indicated cannot 

 be followed out in its entirety, it can be modified according to 

 the principles laid down in pages 71 to 77. As soon as the horse 

 can be walked without his showing any marked symptoms of 

 lameness, begin to exercise him with every proper precaution, so 

 that adhesions may not be allowed to form to an extent that 

 would interfere with his usefulness. If the injury be on the near 

 fore, it is well to give him exercise in a circle to the right, e.g., 

 to move him clockwise, and vice versa; by doing so, the weight 

 will be kept off the bad leg. During recovery after a severe 

 blow on the back tendons, care should be taken not to allow the 

 horse to lead with the injured leg in a canter or gallop. When 

 leading, not only would it have to bear "more weight than the 

 non-leading fore leg, but in its, weakened condition, would be 

 less able than before to get out of the way of the hind foot on 

 the same side. Properly applied pressure, as with a cotton 

 wadding bandage (p. 44), is invaluable in the treatment of this 

 accident, not only for reducing swelling and for bringing the 

 divided parts into contact, but also for causing the wound to 

 take on healthy action. 



