CHAPTER 111. 



COMMON ACCIDENTS AND THEIB TREATMENT. 



Broken Knees — Cutting: Causes of — Boot to Prevent Cutting — 

 Speedy Cutting — Strains: How Caused — Strains of the Back 

 Sinew — Enlargement of the Back Sinew — Over-reach — 

 A bscesses — Galls — Fractures and Dislocations — Fails — 

 Lameness — Quittor — Accidents caused by Spurs. 



P|.EOKEN KNEES admit of a variety of treatment, ac- 

 ]^fL cording to the degree of mischief occasioned. When 



a horse has had a bad fall — such as coming down 

 on a road covered with loose, jagged stones — and cut open 

 the joint itself, professional advice had better be obtained 

 at once. In many cases, the whole Veterinary College itself 

 can do no good, and the animal has to be destroyed ; in 

 others, skilful treatment will occa-ionally work wonders. 

 Assuming that the injury is less serious than that above 

 mentioned, and the skin is cut through, without having ex- 

 posed the joint, the part should be immediately fomented 

 with hot water, and then constantly dabbed with a cloth 

 soaked in tincture of arnica and water (Idr. of the tincture 

 to half a pint of water). Be careful, of course, to get all the 

 grit and dirt out of the wound as soon as possible. Continue 

 ihe treatment with the arnica for two or three days, when 

 it will usually be found that the inflammation ha-; subsided. 

 When this stage is reached, apply a blister — Lieutenant 

 James's is one of the best — to the part, which will be found 

 to bring the hair on again in a surprisingly short space 

 of time. Directly the accident happens, give the horse 

 a physic ball, and put him on half rations, with plenty of 

 wet bran. 



