BROKEN KNEES. 63 



^'liat office or use the thyroid gland performs in man or 

 animals. 



Treatment. Apply with friction by the hand once a 

 week, bin-iodide of mercury, one drachm ; hog's lard, one 

 ounce. Mix, and make an ointment. Rub in a piece 

 about the size of a hickory-nut over and around the en- 

 largement. 



Broken Knees. — When a horse stumbles and falls 

 upon his knees, and takes the hair and some of the skin 

 off, this is called broken knees. 



Treatment. Wash and cleanse the parts from sand and 

 dirt, and if the skin is ragged and torn, clip off' with a 

 good pair of scissors. After this is done, ascertain if there 

 is any discharge from the sore of an oily substance, and 

 if so get a smooth piece of iron, immerse it for ten 

 minutes in boiling water, and apply it to the edges of tlie 

 wound, so as to cause the parts to swell, and prevent the 

 escape of the joint oil ; for if this be allowed to escape, 

 the ends of the bones will come against one another. 

 Irritation and inflammation will be set up, and either 

 destroy the life of the horse, or make an anchylosed or 

 stiff* joint. This is an important point to be observed, and 

 that very early in all cases of broken knees or open joints 

 wherever situated. After the hot iron has been applied, 

 use the following wash twice in the day : — Sulphate of 

 zinc, half an ounce ; rain, or soft water, eight ounces. Mix. 

 This will heal the sore, and prevent proud flesh from 

 growing. This wash will answer for the more simple 

 wound of the knee, and where there is no open joint. 

 Do not apply bandages, as they will cause the whole leg 

 to inflame and swell. Sometimes a kind of pouch will be 

 formed by the lower edge of the wound, holding whatever 



