LACERATED EYELID.
Horses frequently endeavor to amuse the weary hours by a playful game with one another; if accident results, it is not wholly the fault of the guileless animals; they are tied to the mangers; they cannot exert their activity; otherwise their principal enjoyment resides in the freedom of their heels. And looking at a blank mass of monotonous white for many hours may have disabled the sight or have confused the judgment.
The groom being absent, advantage is taken of the event to have a romp. The animals snap at one another over the divisions to their stalls; often the amusement extends, and four or five heads may be beheld united in the sport. Generally, however, the game is confined to two players; but, either way, no injury is meant; the teeth rattle, but they are intended to close upon empty space. However, man has to bear the consequences which his errors provoke. That species of confinement to which horses are subjected renders the judgment uncertain and the sight untrue. The animal pretends to snap, but, either from one head not being removed quick enough or from the other head being protruded too far, the teeth catch the eyelid and divide it through the center. The injury is not very serious, for had malice impelled the assault, much more than an eyelid would have been grasped between the jaws.
In other cases, the groom has driven nails into the wall of the gangway; grooms are fond of seeing the stable decorated with pendant objects of various kinds. So long as the nails are occupied, little danger ensues; but they are apt to be left vacant, and horses are constantly passing along the gangway. To leave room for the servant obliges the animal, very often, to keep close to the wall; the projecting nail catches the lid of the eye, and a long rent, commencing upon the outer side, usually results.
EYELID TORN BY A NAIL.
Such an injury creates great alarm, but it is less serious than it appears to be. Let the wound, from whatever cause it springs, be well bathed with a soft sponge and cold water; this should be done till the bleeding ceases. Afterward, the wound should be let alone for two or three hours, that the edges may become partially sticky; then let there be procured a long piece of strong thread, having a needle at each end; the needles should be new, very sharp, and of the stronger sort employed by glovers. Let all the punctures be made from within outward, to avoid injuring the eyeball, and a separate needle be employed for each divided surface. The thread being brought through, cut off the needles, and loop, but do not tie the thread. Proceed with another suture, and do not tie that; then with another, observing the same directions, and thus, till the eyelid has a sufficient number of sutures. Then proceed to draw all to an even tightness—none should be absolutely tight. The parts ought only to be approximated, not tied firmly together; well, all the sutures being of equal size, they are fastened, and the operation is concluded.
But as the wound begins to heal it is apt to itch, and the horse will often rub the eye violently to ease the irritation. To prevent this, fasten the animal to the pillar-reins of its stall, and let it remain there till the wound has healed; the injury will in a short time close, but the sutures should be watched. When the holes begin to enlarge, the thread can be snipped. If the punctures be dry, let the divided sutures remain till nature shall remove them. If they are moist, and the wound appears united, you may try each thread with a pair of forceps; should any appear loose, then withdraw it, for after division it can be of no use, and may provoke irritation; however, should it be retained, employ no force; have patience, and it will come forth without man's interference.
THE LID, WHEN DIVIDED BY THE TEETH,
BROUGHT TOGETHER BY MEANS OF SUTURES.