THE LEG. 339 



cause dreadful friction between the bones brought into actual contact with each 

 other, through the loss of the joint-oil. 



Among the various methods of treating opened knee-joint, where the lesion 

 is very considerable, is one introduced by Mr. Turner, of Croydon, which must 

 not be passed over in silence. The wound having been cleansed, a paste is pre- 

 pared composed of wheaten flour and table-beer, which are stirred together and 

 boiled for five minutes, or until they become of the consistence commonly used 

 by paper-hangers. This is spread on the wound, and round the joint, and four 

 inches above and below it. Pledgets of tow are passed over this and confined in 

 their places by means of a stocking, and over the whole is another layer, and 

 another stocking or bandage. This is not removed until the joint has closed, and 

 the synovia ceases to flow. On the second or third day the bandage will become 

 dry and hard, and cause considerable pain. It must not be meddled with before 

 or behind, but four longitudinal incisions may be made through the bandages on 

 each side, which will sufficiently liberate the joint and remove the pain*. 



When the knee has been much lacerated, although the wound may be healed, 

 some blemish will remain. The extent of this blemish will depend on that 

 of the original wound, and more especially on the nature of the treat- 

 ment that has been adopted. Every caustic application will destroy a portion 

 of the skin, and leave a certain mark. Should the blemish be considerable, a 

 mild blister may be applied over the part, after the wound has healed. It will 

 stimulate the hair to grow more rapidly and thickly round the scar, and parti- 

 cularly hair of the natural colour ; and, by contracting the skin, it will lessen 

 the scar itself. Many persons have great faith in ointments that are said to pro- 

 mote the growth of the hair. If they have this property, it must be from their 

 stimulating the skin in which the roots of the hair are imbedded. These 

 ointments usually contain a small portion of blistering matter, in the form 

 of turpentine, or the Spanish-fly. The common application of gunpowder and 

 lard may, by blackening the part, conceal the blemish, but can have no possible 

 effect in quickening the growth of the hair. 



In examining a horse for purchase, the knees should be very strictly scrutin- 

 ised. A small blemish on them should not induce us at once to condemn the 

 animal, for a bad rider, for the merest accident may throw the safest horse. A 

 broken knee, however, is a suspicious circumstance, and calls for the most careful 

 observation of the make and action of the horse. If it is accompanied by a thick 

 and upright shoulder, and legs far under the horse, and low slovenly action, he is 

 unwise who does not take the hint. This faulty conformation has produced its 

 natural consequence. But if the shoulder is oblique, and the pastern of the proper 

 length and inclination, and the fore-arm strong, the good judge will not reject 

 the animal because he may have been accidentally thrown. 



THE LEG. 



The part of the limb between the knee and the fetlock consists of three 

 bones a large one before, called the cannon or shank, and two smaller or splint 

 bones behind (see N, p. 108). The shank-bone is rounded in front, and flattened, 

 or even concave, behind. It is the straightest of the long bones, as well as the 

 most superficially situated, for in some parts it is covered only by the skin. 

 The upper head is flat, with slight depressions corresponding with the lower 

 row of the bones of the knee. The lower head is differently and curiously 

 formed. It resembles a double pulley. There are three elevations ; the prin- 

 cipal one in the centre, and another on each side. Between them are two slight 

 grooves, and these so precisely correspond with deep depressions and slight pro- 

 minences in the upper head of the larger pastern, and are so enclosed and 



* A full account of this interesting operation may be found in the Veterinarian for 1829. 



C2 



