Appendix
Rules for Nursing in General Sickness
In a case of serious illness it may be taken that the best conditions obtainable are no more than good enough. Place the patient, therefore, in the roomiest, airiest box available, ensuring that ventilation is not confused with draughts.
Bed down with short straw (and plenty of it) to ensure freedom of movement without working the bedding into a heap.
Clothe warmly, using light woollen clothing for preference. Bandage the legs loosely for additional warmth, and if the circulation is poor use a hood.
Avoid all disturbing noises as far as possible; one attendant only should be put in charge of the patient, all others being kept at a distance.
Try to maintain the horse's strength as far as possible by tempting him often with small quantities of food in great variety. It matters little what he eats so long as he eats something. Remove anything he does not eat. Whilst the temperature is high the horse is not likely to feed. Most horses will drink skimmed milk, if a start is made by diluting it with water.
Keep a bucket of fresh water at a convenient height: the horse will wash his mouth out from time to time even if he does not drink. This being so, the water must be changed constantly, especially in such diseases as coughs, strangles, influenza, etc., where there is nasal discharge. As a general rule the water should be chilled, in which case care must be taken when changing it to maintain an even temperature.
The applications of dressings, fomentations, syringing, etc., must be carried out with scrupulous care, at whatever hour of the day or night. On night visits avoid noise and glaring lights. Anything and everything likely to upset the patient must be avoided. A really sick horse should, strictly speaking, never be left alone; apart from the danger of a crisis, he derives comfort from the presence of a gentle, sympathetic attendant. In this connection it should be noted that the very best man you have is not too good for the task of ministering to a really serious case of illness; but it is a whole-time job, and it must be made possible for him to compete with it.
Antiseptics
Carbolic acid is the best antiseptic for the disinfection of stables, etc.
If stables have to be disinfected after ringworm or other infectious diseases, carbolic acid should be added to limewash in the following proportions:
Carbolic acid …………………………………………… 1 pint.
Limewash ………………………………………………. 1bucket.
For ordinary limewashing half this strength is sufficient.
It may be used for wounds at the strength of 1 in 40.
Lysol is a good disinfectant, and is used at the following strengths:
| For wounds: | 1 teaspoonful to 1 pint of water. | |
| To disinfect instruments: | 2 teaspoonfuls to 1 pint of water. | |
| For general stable use: | 1 tablespoonful to 1 pint of water. |
Peroxide of hydrogen is a good antiseptic, particularly suitable for open joint, but also used for wounds.
Strength.
Peroxide ………………………………………………….. ½pint.
Water ……………………………………………………… 5 pints.
Potassium permanganate. Half a teaspoonful in a gallon of water is a cheap and valuable antiseptic for wounds and general purposes.
Half a teaspoonful in a bucket of drinking water or in a bran mash is a valuable internal antiseptic.
Chinosol is a preparation produced in tablet form and is a safe disinfectant for all purposes.
Salt is a valuable disinfectant—strength, one handful to a bucket of water—but its continued use produces granulation.
Iodine. Iodine is one of the most commonly used disinfectants for wounds and a supply should always be kept at hand.
The ordinary tincture of iodine is made as follows:
| Iodine | ½ oz. | |
| Potassium Iodide | ½ oz. | |
| Rectified Spirit | 1 pint. |
Owing to the heavy government tax on spirits this prescription becomes expensive if it is required in large quantities and a cheaper preparation known as Iodine Paint made with a special spirit which is not subject to tax can now be purchased at a more reasonable price.
Caustics
Caustics are used for burning back tissue such as proud flesh or warts.
Caustics also stimulate slow-healing wounds or ulcers.
The commonest caustic is blue stone (copper sulphate).
It is applied by dusting the affected part with the powder, repeating the process every third day.
The following prescription may be dusted daily on slow-healing wounds and has an astringent effect.
Boracic powder …………………………………………… 3 parts.
Copper sulphate …………………………………………… 1 part.
The scale formed is fairly easy to bathe off.
Another common caustic is caustic potash, which is purchased as a stick and rubbed on to the part to be burnt back every two or three days.
Antiseptic Poultices
To make a poultice, ample bran to cover the part to be poulticed should be put into a bucket and enough boiling water added to damp the whole thoroughly. To make the poultice antiseptic a handful of salt or a teaspoonful of lysol should be added to each half bucket of bran. If continued applications of poultices are necessary, the quantity of disinfectant should be reduced after the first application.
A more lasting poultice can be made with antiphlogistine or Kaolin compound.
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| poulticed foot. |
To poultice a foot several layers of sacking should be put on the ground and the poultice tipped on. Get the horse to stand on the poultice and tie round the fetlock. As foot poultices are apt to slip, it is advisable to bandage the leg and put the ends of the sacking under the bandage. Unless poultices are made large they soon lose their heat and their efficiency.
Cold-water Bandages
Flannel bandages must always be used; they should be steeped in cold water and should be frequently changed, otherwise they act as hot-water bandages owing to the temperature of the blood.
Standing in a running stream is better than any cold-water bandage. If this is impracticable, a hose-pipe inserted into the bandage with the tap turned slowly on is a good substitute.
Pressure Bandages
Are frequently used as a protection against sprains during fast work, and are invaluable in the stable for horses with worn tendons. Cotton-wool bandages are by far the safest and most effective of all pressure bandages.
They are applied by wrapping a layer of cotton wadding round the leg and bandaging fairly tightly with an ordinary flannel bandage—care being taken that an even pressure is maintained throughout.
Stockinette bandages are used extensively in racing stables, but they are not recommended, being likely to cause trouble unless skilfully adjusted.
Soda-water Bandages
Are cold-water bandages with common soda added to the water. The soda has the effect of making the water cooler.
Cooling Lotions
A good cooling lotion is:
Sulphate of zinc ………………………………… 1 tablespoonful.
Acetate of lead ………………………………….. 1 – “–
Soft water ……………………………………….. 1quart.
If this is not at hand methylated spirit or petrol diluted with 10 parts of water has a cooling effect.
The best method of application is to soak cotton-wool in the lotion and dab it on to the injured leg hourly.
Reducing Pastes
Take a handful of Fuller's earth or whitening and add enough vinegar to make a paste. Apply by pasting over the joint and repeating daily. A useful reducing paste for preventing filled legs is:
2 lbs. of blue clay.
4 tablespoonsful of methylated spirits.
4 tablespoonsful of vinegar,
1 tablespoonful of glycerine.
Mix with sufficient soft water to make the whole into a paste and spread on the leg with a flat piece of wood.
It should be re-applied as it flakes off.
Clay Bed
A clay bed is made by thoroughly wetting clay and ramming it with a rammer until it forms a kind of pudding. It must be re-wetted and rammed daily.
It is best to put it down in a stall with boards across to hold it from spreading.
Embrocation or Liniment
May be made as follows:
Olive oil ………………………………………… 8 tablespoonsful.
Turpentine ……………………………………… 3 – “–
Strong Liquid ammonia ………………………… 2 – “–
Blisters
Blisters are counter-irritants producing a severe form of inflammation.
The effect of a blister is to draw the blood to the affected area, thus expediting the process of repair.
The commonest form of blister is cantharides ointment (black blister), which is made by mixing 1 part of cantharides with 7 parts of lard.
The lard should be boiled and the cantharides added.
A milder form of blister is red blister, made by mixing 1 part biniodide of mercury with 8 parts of lard—this can be mixed cold.
Wyley's green blister, though more expensive, is more humane, as it is non-irritant.
Plaster of Paris Strapping
Is useful in the case of a split pastern, and can be purchased ready-made. It should be dipped in cold water and applied, when it will set hard.
Hot Fomentations
Are used in the early stages of inflammation to relieve pain, promote circulation, and, in the case of an abscess, to draw it to a head.
Fomentation consists in bathing an injury with water, the temperature of which must not be hotter than the hand can bear.
The best method is to have two fairly large pieces of flannel, keeping one in the hot water whilst the other is in use. They should be well wrung out, pressed on to the affected part, and changed every two or three minutes. It is advisable to make fomentations antiseptic.
Healing Ointments and Powders
One of the best healing ointments is B.I.P. (bismuth iodoform paste). It is unfortunately very expensive. A cheaper ointment is oxide of zinc 1 part, lard 8 parts.
Where a wound is hot and unhealthy an ointment is difficult to apply, whereas powder can be dusted on and will adhere readily.
Iodoform powder ………………………………………….. 1 part
Boracic powder ……………………………………………. 4 parts
is satisfactory and is cheaper than pure iodoform.
Soap Liniment
Soft soap ……………………………………… 4 tablespoonsful.
Strong liquid ammonia ……………………….. 2 – “–
Water …………………………………………. 4 pints.
Boil water and dissolve soap in it. Let it cool and then add ammonia.
A standard soap liniment can be purchased from any chemist.
Temperature—Method of Taking
The general and accepted method is per rectum. Shake the mercury to 950 F. or below. Gently raise the dock and insert the bulb, which should be vaselined before use, at the same time rotating the instrument, till three-quarters of its length is within. Leave in position for the stated time or a little longer for luck, withdraw and read the instrument. The normal temperature of a horse is 1000 F. A temperature of 1050 F. or over calls for great care and attention. At the same time it must be realised that a steady temperature of 1020 to 1030 F. is often a symptom of serious illness. The thermometer is a very good guide for the amateur, who is in doubt whether he should call in veterinary advice.
Pulse
The pulse is either taken where the sub-maxillary artery passes under the jaw on either side, or at the radial artery, inside the foreleg, on a level with the elbow.
The normal pulse of a horse is 36 to 40 beats.
Inhalations of Eucalyptus
Put a little hay in a nosebag, or, better still, in a sack inside another and
then sprinkle a tablespoonful of eucalyptus over the hay. Add a kettleful of boiling water and hold the mouth of the sacks or nosebag over the horse's nostrils.
Purgatives and Laxatives
Before giving a horse any purgative it is essential to diet him with bran mashes and no other food for forty-eight hours.
The commonest physic is an aloes ball:
For a cart horse …………………………………... 6 drachm aloes.
Hunter ………………………………………… 5 – “–
polo pony …………………………………….. 4 – “–
small pony ……………………………………. 3 – “–
These are the doses for a temperate climate such as Great Britain. In hot climates 1 drachm less should be given in each case.
Linseed oil is a safe purgative.
Dose, 1 pint to 1½ pints according to the size of the horse.
Epsom salts, a supply of which should always be kept, are valuable for regulating the condition of the bowels. A full dose, \ lb., acts as a purgative. A ¼lb. should be given to stabled horses every Saturday night.
Bran mashes act as a mild laxative, and on all occasions when a laxative diet is recommended it is intended that the horse should be given a little hay and bran mashes with sufficient Epsom salts added to keep the bowels open.
Balling—Method of
A physic ball may be given with a balling iron or by hand, but should on no account be given with a pointed stick.
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illustration of hand holding PHYSIC BALL. |
To give the ball by hand the tongue must be held at one side in such a way as to keep the horse's mouth open. The ball must be held in the other hand between illustration of hand holding the tips of the first three fingers and pushed boldly beyond the back of the tongue.
The ball can be seen travelling down on the near side of the neck when the horse swallows.
Bran Mash
Is made as follows:
Put 3 to 4 lbs. of bran in a bucket and add enough boiling water to damp the whole; stir well with a stick till it is all damp and cover the bucket with a sack.
After it has steamed for about an hour it will be cool enough for the horse to eat.
A few rolled oats added will make it more palatable.
Linseed Mash
An ordinary bran mash is made and a pint of well-boiled linseed or linseed gruel added.
Linseed Gruel
Gruel is made by putting J lb. of linseed per horse into a bucket, filling the bucket with cold water and allowing to soak for two hours at least.
Bring to the boil and allow to simmer for several hours. Half a pound of linseed is sufficient for one bucketful of gruel.
Gruel should be made at least every other day, as it does not keep well.
Cough Remedy
Camphor and belladonna electuary is beneficial. The prescription is as follows:
Powdered camphor …………………………… 2 tablespoonsful.
Belladonna Extract …………………………… 1 tablespoonful.
This is mixed with 5 tablespoons of treacle and linseed meal to form a paste. A piece the size of a walnut to be smeared on the tongue three times daily.
Electuary is best purchased ready-made.
A useful cough remedy is 30 grains of sulphate of quinine given in damp food alternate nights. After four doses miss two nights and repeat.
Ammonia Drench
Spirits of ammonium aromaticus, 2 tablespoonsful. Cold water, 1 pint (This drench is given in cases of heart failure).
Tonic
There are many patent medicines of this description on the market. A good prescription is as follows:
Sulphate of iron ……………………………………….. 2 drachms.
Powdered Nux Vomica ……………………………….. ½ – “–
Gentian …………………………………….. 2 – “–
Aniseed …………………………………….. 2 – “–
This is sufficient for one dose, which should be given daily for a week, and on alternate days for a further week.
Shoeing
Most blacksmiths possess an intimate knowledge of the horse's foot and are extremely good at shaping shoes to suit individual cases. The owner is well advised to tell the blacksmith if the horse has any tendency towards stumbling, brushing, speedy cutting, etc.
Most hunters are shod with a fullered and seated-out shoe.
A seated-out shoe has the inner edge bevelled off to reduce the risk of over-reach.
A fullered shoe is one with a groove in which the nail holes are placed, and generally has four nails on the outside and three on the inside. The usual plan is to have one clip at the toe for the fore feet and two quarter clips on each hind shoe.
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SEATED-OUT FULLERED | SHOE. QUARTER CLIPS |
Calkins, as shown in the illustration, are generally put on the hind shoes to prevent the horse from slipping.
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HIND SHOE WITH QUARTER CLIPSAND CALKINS. | A THREE-QUARTER SHOE. |
A three-quarter shoe is frequently used when a horse is re-shod after suffering from a corn.
A shoe with a piece of strip iron between the shoe and the sole is used to keep a dressing in place, e.g., for thrush.
The strip can be removed by tapping it towards the toe.
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PLAIN SHOE WITH STRIP IRON. | FEATHER EDGED SHOE |
A feather-edged shoe is one which has been bevelled off to reduce the risk of brushing or speedy cutting.
A Charlier shoe is not used as frequently as it used to be. It is a narrow shoe which is bedded into the wall and fits flush with the sole. A special tool is used by the blacksmith for cutting away the wall to receive the shoe. It is used for giving pressure to the frog.
Tips are used for horses at grass if the ground is hard or if they have brittle feet.
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TIP | HALF SHOE. |
A half shoe is useful if it is necessary to give room for expansion at the heels.
A wedge-shaped shoe is used when it is desired to take the strain off the back tendons. It should always be used for a horse with a curby hock.
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WEDGE-SHAPED | SHOE. BAR SHOE. |
The bar shoe is not frequently found in England to-day. By raising the heel it relieves the back tendons of a portion of the strain.
The wedge-shaped shoe to a large extent has replaced the bar shoe.
Destruction of a Horse
When it is necessary to put a horse down, the usual course is to send for a horse slaughterer, who will bring a humane killer with him.
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He knows how and where to shoot so that death shall be instantaneous.
After an accident it is frequently the case that no expert is available, and everyone connected with horses should know where a horse must be shot in order to put him out of pain instantaneously.
The bullet should pass through the brain and the top vertebrae of the neck.
The centre of the brain is situated beneath the point of intersection of two lines drawn from the base of the right ear to the top of the left eye, and vice versa. The bullet should be travelling approximately horizontally.
If a humane killer is not available, a revolver or shot-gun will perform the task equally well, and the range should be short enough to make any chance of missing the correct spot practically impossible. If the horse be lying so that it is difficult to shoot square on the correct point in his head, a shot at the back of the ear directed towards the brain will accomplish its task instantaneously.
Crib-biting and Windsucking
Some horses develop the art of swallowing air, and this constitutes a vice.
A crib-biter, as the name suggests, swallows air by catching hold of the manger or other convenient object with his teeth.
A windsucker swallows air with a backward jerk of the chin only.
These vices are generally contracted owing to enforced idleness in the stable or through imitating another "cribber."
Crib-biting is discouraged by putting creosote along any projecting objects in the box or by removing any unnecessary projections.
Windsucking can be checked by means of a broad strap fastened round the thin part of the neck tightly enough to prevent the muscles contracting.
Both these vices give rise to indigestion and constitute an unsoundness.
