LEGS OF THE HORSE, THEIR ACCmENTS AND DISEASES. 333 



X. Broken Down. 



Causes. — Broken down is the terr.i applied to rupture of the suspensory 

 ligaments. It is most common among racers, because the strain their 

 fore legs are put to in a race exceeds the strain of all other kinds of work. 

 The force of the stroke comes on the fore legs. They gral) the earth, pull 

 the body forward, and when the body is passing the poise, and just before 

 lifting the forward foot off the ground, they give a trcmenduous push 

 that sends the body forward and at the same time high enough to avoid 

 falling on the nose while gathering their feet for another spring. It is 

 during the spring, just after the body has passed the poise, that breaking 

 down takes place. 



Kow to know it. — The ligaments are ruptured, the toe turns up and 

 the fetlock pad comes down to the ground, completely ruining the 

 animal. 



What to do. — In cases of complete break down it is an act of mercy 

 to destroy the animal. But horses are often so nearly broken down that 

 they are ruined for all kinds of active labor, yet might be saved for 

 breeding purposes by giving the leg thorough treatment, and a year's 

 rest. The same treatment prescribed for sprain of the back tendons 

 mil apply to this, especially the firing, which is absolutely necessary. 



Treatment for Blood Poison:— This is usually due to absorption of the 

 putrofaetive matter of gangrene or ulceration, or the pus of internal or 

 large abscesses. 



How to know it: — Fever, loss of appetite, langour, rapidly iuereasing 

 weakness, emaciation, ana?mia and palor. 



What to do. —Take of quinine six drams, alcohol four ounces, glycerine 

 four ounces, water to make one pint, mix, give two ounces every two to 

 four hours. If recovery is not prompt call in a qualified veterinarian. 



Treatment for Sallenders or Mallenders:— Mix a half teacupful 

 of lard, one oz. of gum cauii)h()r and two dr. mercurial ointment and 

 apply twice a day. If more serious, treat as for "grease." 



