COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES OF THE KNEE 9 1 



some extent, even without using caustic remedies, 

 then the best way to render it less visible is to apply 

 a mild blister to the part, which will stimulate the hair 

 to shoot out more abundantly round the scar. We 

 do not think there is much faith to be placed in the 

 application of ointments, except they may be stimulat- 

 ing, in consequence of being generally composed of 

 turpentine or Spanish flies. 



It is seldom a knee that has once been broken 

 is so healed as not to be perceptible, although in 

 some cases the hurt has been so slight that it can 

 hardly be detected. But even in the least visible of 

 these the hair is always slightly curled, and where 

 this is noticed, the leg should be taken up and the 

 knee bent, when the scar, however slight, will be at 

 once perceived. But we would not have it supposed 

 that a broken knee is invariably an indication of a 

 stumbling animal, because the best of horses have 

 come down, by being backed by a bad rider, or 

 placing his foot on a rolling stone on a road when 

 going at a quick trot, or other cause. However, a 

 broken knee once detected will put the purchaser 

 upon his guard to watch minutely the action and 

 paces of the horse, as well as the form of his fore- 

 quarters ; because, if his shoulder is thick and upright, 

 and the legs placed far under him, then he is likely 

 to have a bad action, and be apt not to lift his feet 

 high enough to clear the ground properly. On the 

 other hand, I knew one of the finest hunters that ever 

 took the field with his knees broken, from his rider 

 having forced him to a leap which it was impossible 

 he could accomplish. If the shoulder is oblique and 

 the withers high, with a strong, well-developed fore- 

 arm, it may be fairly inferred that he has come down 

 from some accidental cause. 



