Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-11-10
Observation-Disclosures
! For Live Stock Breeders.


usual recourse is the butchers knife,
but with valuable breeding stock this
IL often unnecessary economy, for
treatment Ia possible as with other
small animals, says the Bulletin OF the
National Wool Growers Association.
Most shepherds say kill when II is any
bone other than those below the knee
and back, no matter how valuable tho
animal may be, but here again We say
don't kill, but endeayor TO procure
union OF tho bone.
Where the fracture Ia low down, and
the bone comparatively straight, the
work of the amateur surgeon is sim
pie. Have an attendant secure the
other legs, then cast the patient, bring
the broken leg into perfectly natural
position, which, with a little further
manipulation, will bring tho broken
bones into opposition. II everything
is now In readiness, the spllnts and
other dressings may DO applied. For
a fore-leg broken below the knee, uso
but one spllnt and wrap II we'll with
cotton-batting. Place II behind tho leg
instead OF at one side or In front, and
hold II In place by few turns OF
cheesecloth bandage. See that tho
ends OF the splint are we'll covered
with batting, then take q 2-inch-wlde
plaster OF Paris bandage, which may
DO bought in any drugstore, soak II
well In water and at once bind II
around tho leg and splint neatly, COM
menclng at the bottom and working
up, then down again and 90 on until all
In In place when the operation Is COM
pleted by cheesecloth bandage APP
piled Immediately while the plaster is
wet.
The reody-prepared bandage 10 much
nicer to handle and more satisfactory
In every way than plaster Of Paris In
bulk prepared at time Of use, and an
other advantage Is, that II is put up
In tin box and may be kept at hand
for an emergency any length of time
without losing its virtue, which can
not be said Of plaster, which ia apt
to be found useless Just when most
required. In adjusting splints to q leg
broken Just above tho knee, 1t is nee
essary to make the whole leg rigid,
hence the splint should extend from
the ground up, and all hollows be-
tween 1t and the leg should be we'll
filled with batting before applying the
plaster bandage. Now as to fractured
shoulder-blades and femurs (the bone
OF the hind leg above the stlne-joinD,
the setting OF which most shepherds
DO not attempt. Shear the wool as
closely as possible, also from belly or
chest and over the top OF the shoulder
or rump as the case may be. Melt 3
pounds Of Burgundy pitch in pan
over hot fire and have wooden pad
die In II to stir with and apply the
pitch. Have ready, before melting the
pitch, at least 100 pieces Of unbleached
muslin 2 inches wide and running In
length from to 10 inches. Bring the
leg into natural position 30 that the
broken bono will be In opposition;
then having the other legs secured and
the sheep held or strapped upon q
table, proceed to enclose the entire
leg of the broken part in strong case
Of pitch and cloth. Coat one side Of
q piece OF the muslin with tho hot
pitch, then lay 1t directly upon the
skin. Place strip after strip In place
until the skin from stihe to hip is hid
den by layer 4 or 5-ply thick and do
the same as regards the under side OF
the leg, uniting the pieces layer upon |
layer from above and Glow neatly, 80
that the Job, when finished, II on q
hind leg, looks about like ham In
canvas jacket. Some long pieces
should also be stuck to the other dress
ing and brought we'll over the rump
or shoulder, 80 as to carry the leg Off
che ground until 1t is time to remove
the cast, which will be In three weeks.
BY this time the wool will have grown
below the pitch plaster, so that by
careful use Of the shears It may be
removed. Raw places should afterward
be dressed daily with little vaseline,
and as soon as the muscles retain their
strength, sheep will go sound, or even
II little lame, that is much better
than losing the animal altogether as
\ breeder