OF FARRIERY. 



55 



FRACTURED BACK. 



Fracture of the back is not infrequent, and 

 that from several causes ; it may arise from 

 T laying clown in a narrow stall, and the diffi- 

 culty of getting up again ; and sometimes 

 from the Horse turning over in the standing, 

 whilst lying down, so that there is not room 

 for him to get his hind legs clear of the 

 stall post ; consequently, from struggling to 

 regain his feet, the ligament of his back be- 

 comes so much strained, that inflammation 

 commences, and in all probability may termi- 

 nate in anchylosis ; in consequence, the Horse 

 puts on a peculiar gait, which by Horse- 

 dealers and grooms is called chinked in the 

 hack ; or, he is tecliuically called a German. 

 It sometimes will occur in casting a Horse, to 

 perform an operation, though the greatest 

 care may have been taken, and you have 

 about you men who understand their busi- 

 ness. An occurrence of this kind took place 

 at the Royal Veterinary College, though the 

 usual great care was taken. I had once a 

 similar case, in casting a Horse for firing ; but 

 there was every possible care taken, and 

 when that can be satisfactorily proved, it 

 amounts merely to accident, which e\ery 

 operator is liable to. 



1 need scarcely say, for fractured back there 

 is no possible cure. 1 have tried blisters and 

 charges, but never with any good effect, but 

 running the owner to an expence that might 

 , have been saved ; though some persons will 

 make you attempt at a cure ; but with me it 

 always failed. 



FRACTURES OF THE LIMBS. 



These, like all the other cases of fractures 

 the Horse may be liable to, are difficult of 



cure ; and, in consequence, the Horse is at 

 once destroyed ; but many fractures of the 

 limbs may be so restored, as to become valu- 

 able animals ; especially if it should occur 

 with a good formed stallion, or mare ; the 

 breed of which may not only be kept up, but 

 they may be useful for many purposes besides. 



FRACTURES OF THE BLADE-BONE. 



Fracture of the blade-bone is not at all in- 

 frequent, and particularly the neck of the 

 bone. This may occur either from kicks, or 

 the Horse falling when going at a fast trot ; so 

 that when he comes to the ground, one leg is 

 extended before him, the other under his 

 body. With coach-horses, I have known this 

 frequently take place : in this case the Horse 

 draws his toe behind him, cannot bear the 

 least weight on it, and appears in the most 

 excruciating pain. The remedy is, first to 

 take about four quarts of blood from the 

 Horse, at the anterior part of the leg, from 

 tlie plate vein ; have the Horse slung, so that 

 the feet just touch the ground. This being 

 completed, bathe well, with flannel dipped in 

 hot water ; which repeat until the inflamma- 

 tion appears to subside ; feed with cold bran 

 mashes, and give the following — 



Take Cape aloes - - 4 drams. 

 Linseed Meal - 1 do. 

 Soft soap to form the ball. 



If this should not be sufficient to keep the 

 system cool, in three days repeat it. 



Apply the following liniment to the Horse's 

 shoulder : — 



Take 01 Terebinth 

 01 Oliva - 



2 oz. 

 2 do. 



Coi tinue this treatment for about three weeks. 



