THE KNEE. 253 



rapully diminish, and even disappear ; but if it is of considerable 

 miiofiiitude, the skin should be opened along the middle of the 

 swelliuof, and the tumor dissected out. 



The elbow-joint is sometimes punctured, either accidentally, or 

 through the brutality of the groom or carter. The swelling is 

 often rapid and extensive, and fatal inflammation may ensue. 

 Rest, and the closure of the wound, are the most important con- 

 siderations. 



There are other muscles of the fore-arm employed in extending 

 the limb. At x, Fig. 35, is the principal one, called the extensor 

 metacarpi. Its office is to extend the leg. 



The next muscle in situation and importance is seen at iv, and 

 called the extensor loedis. 



At u. Fig. 35, is the tendon of another extensor muscle, and 

 at 2; a curious oblique one, passing over the tendon of x, confining 

 it in its situation, and likewise assisting in extending or straight- 

 ening the leg. 



The muscles employed in bending the leg are both numerous 

 and powerful. Two of the superficial ones are given in Fig. 36. 

 The first is aX t, Fig. 35 ; it is also seen at h, Fig. 35. It is 

 called \\\Q flexor ineclius Tnetacarjn, because its office is to bend 

 the leg. The other is seen at v, Fig. 35. It is called the flexor 

 metacarjii externus, and is also designed to flex the leg. 



The internal flexor is seen at e. Its office is also to bend the 

 leg. 



A portion of one of the most powerful of the flexor muscles, 

 and powerful indeed they must be, is delineated at c, Fig. 35. 

 It is XkiQ flexor brachii. It is the muscle by which, almost alone, 

 the whole of the leg below the arm is bent, and carried forward 

 and upward. [There are other muscles of the leg and foot, not 

 necessary to be named here.] 



THE KNEE. 



To avoid the effects of concussion in so exposed a part, six dis- 

 tinct bones, each covered above and below with a thick coating 

 of cartilage, cormected together by strong ligaments, but separated 

 by interposed fluids and membranes, form the knee. 



The knee should be broad. It should present a very consider- 

 able width, compared with the arm above, or the shank below. 

 In proportion to the breadth of the knee is the space for the. at- 

 tachment of muscles, and for the accumulation of ligamentous 

 expansions and bands. In proportion to the breadth of the knee 

 there will be more strength ; and likewise the direction of some 

 muscles will be less oblique, and the course of others will be more 



