Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-02-02
WOUNDS O. HORSES



prepared ~ the United States Depart
ment Of Agrtcuiture.)
Poisoned wounds are the result OF
bites Of snakes. rahtd dogs, stings of
bees. wasps etc. single sting Is not
dangerous, but an animal Is often stung
by swarm Of insects, when the chief
danger occurs from the swelling pro-
duced. II stuns about the head. the
nostrils may be closed as q result OF
the swelling, causing labored breath
ing and possibly asphyxiation. lntoxi-
cation may be produced by the ab-
sorption Of this poison and is manifest
ed by staggering gait. spreading of the
legs. paralysis Of the muscles. difficult
respiration, and rise of temperature.
Death may follow in five to ten hours.
Treatment.
Douse the animal with cold water
and apply an alkaline liquid. such as
soapsuds, bicarbonate of soda, or weak
solution of ammonia. Internally give
alcohol, ether, or camphOr to
strengthen the heart. In case of bites
by rattlesnakes. moccasin. or other poi
SOnous snakes, a painful swelling &C.
ours about the bitten part, which Is
followed by labOred breathing, weak
ness, retching, fever, and death from
collapse. The animal usually recOv-
ers If it can be kept alive over the
third day. In treating the animal. u
tight ligature should be passed about
the part above the wound to keep the
poison from entering the general circu-
latiOn. Wash out the wound thorough
ly with antiseptics and then apply a
caustic, such as silver nitrate. or burn
with hot instrument. A subcutane-
GUS injection of One-fOurth dram of
one per cent solution of chronic acid
above the wound is also beneficial.
Cold water may be applied to the
wound to combat the Inflammation.
Bites of rabid dogs produce an in
fected wound. and the virus of rabies
introduced i'm this manner should be
removed or destroyed in the wound.
Therefore produce considerable bleed
ing by incising the wound, wash out
thoroughly with ten per cent solution
of zinc chloride. and then apply caus-
tics or the actual cautery. Horses thus
bitten should he maintained under
strict observation for the possible de-
velopment of 'ab;es during Il period of
at least three months. and if the dis
ease appears, the horse should be
killod immadiotelv
Burns and ScaIds.
These wounds of domestic animals
are, fortunately. of rare occurrence;
however, when they do occur. If at all
extensive. they prove to be quite trou-
blesome and in many cases are
fatal. They are classified In three
degrees according to the severity Of
the burn: First degree. where there
is a simple reddening of the skin; Sec
ond degree where there is formation
of vesicles, or blisters; third degree,
where there Is complete destruction
of vitality Of tie tissues. such as would
occur In ctarring from direct contact
with flames or from escaping steam.
Besides the burns caused by flames and
steam, there are other causative
agents. such as chemicals (caustic. al
kalis and acids), lightning stroke. and
occasionally the broken trolley wires
Of electric railways. When a large
surface of the skin is burned or scald-
ed, the animal (if it does not die at
once from shOck) will soon show signs
Of fever-shivering, coldness of the
extremities, weakness. restlessness,
quick and feeble pulse. and labored
breathing. No matter which agent Is
a factor In the production of burns. the
ture. The extent and site of the burn
should lead one in the determination
and course Of treatment Burns of
the shoulder and those about the re-
giOn of the elbow or other parts where
there is much movement of the tissues
are grave. and, If at all extensive
treatment should not be attempted. but
the immediate destruction of the ami
NAL Is advised. A burn of the third
degree, where there is a destruction
of the vitality of large areas of tissue
even on parts not subject to much mo-
ton. is extremely tedious to treat; in
fact, it is questionable whether the
treatment and keep of the animal will
| ever be compensated for, even though
recovery does take place; this. in any
event, will require at least six or eight
weeks. Burns caused by lightning
stroke and trolley wires are liable Il
| occur in irregular lines. and, unless
death occurs at once. they generally
| are not serious.
| Treatment.
Treatment should be prompt and eff
fective. If the burns are extensive
the constitutional symptoms should b,
combated with whisky and milk ant
eggs or ammonia carbonate, strychnin
caffein, and other stimulants to pre-
vent shock. In the local treatment, t,
alleviate the pain, the application O
cold water in some form and the hypo
dermic injection Of morphine are rec
commended. In burns of the first degree
where there is only a superficial in
fiammation. lead carbonate whit
lead) ointment Is very good. Carrol
oil (limewater and linseed Oil. equa
parts) is standard remedy. but lini
ment composed Of linseed oil and lime
water each 200 parts. blcarbonate o
soda. 100 parts. and thymol l part
is perhaps better. The scorched SUI
face should be covered with this linl