344 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



When the brace is adjusted, remove the bandage and linen, and apply 

 directly to the wound a soft, cold, oil-cake meal poultice, wet somewhat 

 with the lotion, No. 0, after it has taken up all the water it will. When 

 ready to be applied, sprinkle the poultice over with finely powdered char- 

 coal. This will encourage and promote healthy, solid granulations and 

 prevent much suppuration and sloughing. Some sloughing and suppu- 

 ration will have to take place on account of the wound being contused in- 

 stead of being made by a clean cut, as with a sharp knite. Dress the 

 wound in this manner twice a day ; continue it right along till the flow 

 of synovia is stopped, even then it is better to leave the dressing on a 

 few days more to further reduce the inflammation in the part. If the 

 ends of the tendons protrude at any time they must be clipped off. If 

 there is high fever give the following mixture : 



No. 21 . 1 Drachm tincture aconite root, 



1)4 Ounce sweet spirits nitre, 

 1}4 Ounce nitrate of potash, 

 Water to make one pint. 

 Mix. 



Give a tablespoonful every two hours, till the ])ulse is improved arc 

 fever abated. Feed lightly for a good while. 



V. Knee Sprung. 



Knee sprung is not a disease, but is the effect of disease. When the 

 legs are healthy, the center of gravity passes dov;n through the center of 

 them, and out at the heals ; but in case of knee sprung, the center of 

 gravity passes back of the knees, giving them a very bowed appearance. 

 It always comes on gradually, and may stop at any stage, and never ge: 

 worse ; but sometimes it goes on to so great an extent as to render the 

 animal almost useless. Horses often sleep standing, and do it with 

 safety, no danger of falling, as long as the legs are sound, but when the 

 knees are so bowed forwards as to throw the center of gravity on a line 

 forward of the origin of the suspensory ligaments the horse will fall when 

 he goes to sleep standing. 



Causes. — ^The most common cause is sprain or other injury of the 

 back tendons of the leg. The ones most often sprained, and injury to 

 which is most likely to cause knee sprung, are the suspensory ligaments, 

 and the metatarsal ligament. Sprain of these, without proper treatment 

 and rest, is sure to be followed by knee sprung. Sprains of the other 

 ligaments, long continued soreness in the feet, sore shins, soreness in the 

 joint, etc., are also frequent causes. In fact any abnormal condition of 

 the foot or leg below the knee, that gives rise to long continued lameness 

 and resting the heels or leg by knuckling the fetlock, is sure to be fol- 

 lowed by a going over on the knees, from contraction of the back tendons 



