The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-01-26
WOUNDS OF HORSES
First Aid lnsures Minimum Loss
of Service of Animal.
liable TO MANY INJURIES
Air Kept From Wound Causes Pain
to Pass RapidIy-stop Flow Of
Blood by Several Methods
Use Antiseptic Fluids.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
To be able to render first aid" to
a wounded horse, and to follow up
with proper treatment, not only in
sures a minimum loss of service Of the
animal, but frequently saves its life.
Horses are liable ordinarily to such
wounds as cuts, decorations, conttl-
sions, bruises, punctures and poisoned
wounds. They also may be burned or
scalded, incur troublesome harness or
saddle gals, or be afflicted with ul-
GERS, assesses, or fistulas.
An incised wound is simple cut
made with a sharp body, like knife,
producing merely division Of the It's
sues. The duller the body the more
force is required, the more tissue de-
stroyed, the greater the time required
for healing. In cut wound the
edges are even and definite, while those
of lacerated wound are irregular and
torn. Three conditions are present as
a result of an incised wound: ~ Pain,
(2) hemorrhage, (3) gaping Of the
wound. The first pain is due to the
crushing and tearing of the nerve
fibers. The secondary, pain is usually
due to the action of the air and in
fiammatory processes. When air is
kept from the wound pain ceases soon
after the. lesion is produced. Bleeding
may be from the arteries, veins, or
capillaries. In the latter form of bleed
ing the blood oozes from the part in
drops. Hemorrhage from the veins
is dark red and issues in steady
stream without squirting. In arterial
bleeding the blood is bright red and
spurts with each heart beat. This lat
ter variety of hemorrhage is the most
dangerous, and should be stopped at
once before attempting any further
treatment. Bleeding from small veins
and capillaries ceases in a short time
spontaneously, while larger vessels,
arteries, require some form
of treatment to cause complete stop
page of the hemorrhage.
Stopping Hemorrhage.
Checking the flow Of blood may be
accomplished by several methods, such
as compress bandages, torsion, hot
iron and ligatures. The application
Of an iron at red heat will cause the
CLOTHING of the blood In the
vessels, and this clot is further sup
ported by the production of scab,
or crust, over the portion scared. If
the iron is at a white heat, the tissue
is charred, which makes 1t brittle and
the bleeding is liable to be renewed;
If at a black heat, the tissue will stick
to the iron and will pull away from
the surface Of the wound. Cold wa
ter and ice bags quickly stop capillary
while hot water is preferable
In more excessive hemorrhages.
"A solution of the chloride Of iron
placed on a wound alone or by means
Of cotton drenched in the liquid pro-
duces a rapid and hard clot. Tannic
acid, alum, acetic acid, alcohol, and
oil of turpentine are all more or less
active in this respect. To check bleed
ing from large vessels compression
may be adopted. When 1t is rapid
and dangerous and from an artery, the
fingers may be used for pressing be-
tween the wound and the heart (digital
but If from vein, the
pressure should be exerted on the
other side of the wound. Tourniquet
may also be used by passing strap
around the part and tightening after
placing pad over the hemorrhage.
The rubber ligature has now replaced
the tourniquet and is bound tightly
around the limb to arrest the bleed
ing. Tampons, such as cotton, tow, or
oakum, may be packed tightly In the
wound and then sewed up. After re-
there for "a or 48 hours they
Are removed.
Bleeding may sometimes be easily
checked by passing pin under the
vessel and by taking a horsehair and
'orming figure 8 by running 1t above
Ind below the pin, thus causing pres
sure on the vessel. Torsion is the
of the blood vessel until the
walls come together and form a bar
Ter to the flow Of blood. 1t may be
by the fingers, forceps,
,r by running a pin through the YES
vel, turning it several times, and
hen running the point into the tissue
o keep it in fixed position.
Legation is another method for stop
ling a hemorrhage. The blood vessel |
should be seized with the artery for
.eps, clean thread of silk passed |
lround it, and tied about one-half inch
rom it's end. The silk should be ster-
lized by placing it in an antiseptic
so as not to impede the heal
ng process or cause blood-poisoning
n lockjaw, which often follows the
igation Of a vein with unsterilized
Sometimes it will be i'm
possible to reach the bleeding vessel,
70 1t is necessary to pass the ligature
round mass Of tissue which in
ludes the blood vessel. Legation is
he most useful method of arresting
lemorrhage, since it disturbs healing
east and gives the greatest security
gainst secondary hemorrhage.
After the bleeding has been con-
solloI opd oil hn5 \ |