358 CHAPTER 47. 



But the difficulty of cure is very great, because the process of sloughing 

 through the capsular ligament and the surrounding parts must have 

 greatly weakened their reparative powers. A favorable result can hardly 

 be looked for. 



. 720. After-treatment. 



As soon as possible after convalescence, a little quiet led exercise should 

 be given twice a day ; because all joints from disuse, even in health, but 

 especially in disease, are liable to become stiff. Some interval, however, 

 must be permitted to elapse before the horse is again put to work, in 

 order to allow time for the parts to regain their strength. 



Repeated mild blisters are often beneficial and in some cases necessary, 

 to excite the action of the absorbents, to remove any thickening of the 

 parts, which may interfere with the proper motion of the joint. Towards 

 the end of the healing process, the superabundant granulations, which 

 often form round the wound, may require to be cut off with the knife. 



722. Old Method of treatment. 



The old Veterinarians were in the habit of plugging up the wound with 

 wheaten or some such paste, or of applying strong astringents such as 

 sulphate of copper to the part. These remedies are, however, too violent. 

 We cannot heal a wound by art, we can only assist nature to do so. 



723. Amount of blemish resulting from Broken Knee. 



The amount of blemish resulting from Broken knee will depend on the 

 severity of the injury and on the treatment adopted. If the injury be 

 confined to mere abrasion of the skin, no mark ought to be left. If the 

 skin is cut through, some mark will certainly be apparent, either in dis- 

 placement of the natural lay of the hair, or in the appearance of white 

 hairs, or in the absence of hair. If the joint be laid open, the blemish 

 will probably be considerable. A light blister over the part offers the 

 best chance of stimulating the growth of the hair ; but if the injury has 

 destroyed the roots of the hair, or if any portion of the skin has sloughed 

 away, we need scarcely say that no treatment will reproduce hair. 



724. Wounds or bruises of the Jcnee not producing open joint. 



When a horse falls on and injures his knees, it is always advisable, 

 even though the joint may not be laid open, to throw the animal out of 

 work for a few days and to foment his knees. There must be more or 

 less stiffness in the part, which will not be got rid of for some days. If 

 such reasonable precautions are neglected, the owner may not improba- 

 bly pay the penalty by the horse falling down again, when he goes to 

 work. 



725. Injuries of Sheaths of tendons and ligaments. 



When the Sheath only of a tendon or ligament is injured, the case is 

 less serious, and the wound is in general easily closed and healed. The 

 treatment, however, is the same as that recommended for open joint. 



