THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
29Y 
sary to remove the dressing, but may be sufficient simply to, 
loosen the bandage. The animal should be placed in a wide 
stall, or box, if possible, where he may move freely, and lie down 
easily; and he must be prevented from tearing off the dressing 
by the application of a neck cradle. A low diet is necessary for 
several days, in some instances mashes being the only food 
allowed. Still, a good appetite and lively condition are always 
good signs. 
The interval of time which should be allowed to elapse be¬ 
tween the operation and the removal of the first dressing, should 
be judged by the amount of pain which the animal seems to suf¬ 
fer; by the temperature of the atmosphere; and by the amount 
of liquid discharge found oozing from the wound and moistening 
the dressing which covers and protects it. Generally, the dress¬ 
ings should be disturbed as late and as seldom as possible. Cir¬ 
cumstances will sometimes occur, however, which necessitate 
their removal earlier, as for example, the extreme heat of the 
weather; the extremely offensive odor proceeding from the dis¬ 
eased parts; and a sudden and evident increase of pain in the 
wound, without any, known cause. Under these circumstances, 
which however, are of rather infrequent occurrence, it is some¬ 
times necessary to remove the dressing as early as the third day, 
although at this time, as suppuration is not yet well established, 
the operation is, quite painful, and may be accompanied by free 
hemorrhage. But if the weather is not excessively warm; or if 
the pain is not excessive; or the dressing remains dry on the out¬ 
side, and matters seem to be generally in good condition, the bet¬ 
ter course is to wait from eight to ten days, before the dressing 
is renewed. Indeed, numerous cases are on record when a still 
longer period has been allowed to elapse, and the re-dressing has 
been deferred to the extent of three weeks, or longer. In any 
event, great caution must be exercised in the removal of the 
dressings, and the surgeon should be careful to have all his ap¬ 
pliances ready in advance, in order that the wound may be ex¬ 
posed to the air for the shortest possible space of time. When 
exposed, the wound should be of a red color, with commencing 
granulations, and a temporary hoof, soft and whitish in appear- 
