ABUSE OF THE HALTER.
These are lamentable instances of the general behavior of grooms to the creatures entrusted to their care. Nothing is so corruptive as misplaced authority. A little mind knows no difference between the possession of power and the indulgence of tyranny. The use and the abuse are synonyms to the ignorant; and the sins committed principally reside with him who places the life Heaven has entrusted to his care in such unworthy custody.
THE TONGUE HEALED AFTER HAVING BEEN
DEEPLY CUT BUT NOT SUNDERED.
The jaw has been divided to show the injured
tongue, as it would appear in the mouth.
a. The indentation at the seat of injury, and
which will remain so long as life shall continue.
When a tongue is partially divided, do not insert sutures of any kind. Metallic sutures wound the fleshy palate, and silk sutures soon slough out. Neither, therefore, does good, and each serves to confine the food which enters the division. Foreign matter irritates a wound and retards its healing. Consequently, do nothing to the tongue when partially divided. Feed the patient on gruel until the healing is complete, and wash out the mouth thrice daily, with some chloride of zinc lotion, one scruple of the salt to a pint of water, after the manner described in the preceding article.
Should the tongue be separated to that extent which divides the vessels, then, with a knife remove the lacerated part, which otherwise being deprived of support, must slough off. Still do nothing to the tongue afterward. Feed on thick gruel and wash out the mouth with the lotion. A horse with half a tongue will manage to eat and drink, but some food is spilt and some left in the manger. Constant dribbling of saliva is the chief consequence of such an injury. This is unpleasant, and arises from deglutition being injured. A horse which has had the tongue lacerated only, but not divided, forever retains the evidence of the injury; and as the food is apt to accumulate at the point of union, the animal ever after demands attention subsequent to every meal.