l82 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



wound, let the bowel slip into abdomen, and withdraw 

 the sponge. Look inside, and, if necessary, pass in a 

 fresh sponge to take up clots or fluid. Adjust the edges 

 of transversalis wound, and excise protruding fat. Pass 

 two or three sutures (twist No. 3) through internal 

 oblique muscle, and sponge the surface with carbolic 

 lotion. Re-hobble upper hind limb, and bring edges of 

 external oblique together with a few fine sutures. Close 

 the external wound with strong (No. 6) twist sutures 

 passed through skin and muscle, tied in front or behind 

 the line of union. Then slit skin and fascia downwards 

 and backwards to 2 inches from lower end of first 

 incision. This will drain the operation wound. Sponge 

 the surface with carbolic lotion, and let the horse rise. 

 Dust the flank with iodoform and tannin, insert aseptic 

 tow in drainage wound, and cover the whole with car- 

 bolized cotton, protected with four layers of gauze. 

 Support the dressing by winding calico round the body, 

 and roller bandages secured with safety pins. Muzzle 

 the horse for five or six hours, but leave his head loose. 

 Encourage, but do not force, exercise. For a few days 

 restrict his diet, which ought to be somewhat laxative. 

 Dressings should not be renewed until oozing occurs, 

 then re-dress, but do not plug the drainage wound. The 

 dressings might be substituted with advantage by pitch 

 plaster or a mild blister.' 



Following closely the lines advocated. Professor Mac- 

 queen operated on (a) an aged brown pony gelding, 

 (h) an eight-years-old chestnut pony gelding, and (c) an 

 aged brown nag gelding, at one of which operations I 

 had the good fortune to be present. 



So far as could be ascertained, these animals were 

 healthy before the experiments. 



Animals [b) and (c) were allowed to live sufficiently 



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