54 THE ARMY flORSE IN ACCIDENT AND DISEASE. 



Til sprain of tlic stifle joint, tho ligaments holding it in position are 

 severely stretched, in sonic cases spraine<l or ruptured, and even dis- 

 location of the i)atella may occur. In this trouble the patella is forced 

 outward and thus makes the joint immovable, the leg being extended 

 backward and the foot resting on the toe. If the animal is forced to 

 move, he drags the leg, being unable to bring it forward in the natural 

 manner on account of the dislocation. The bone is returned to ])lace 

 in the following manner: A rope having been placed about the pas- 

 tern, the leg is steadily drawn forward by one or more assistants, 

 while the operator stretches the patella forward and inward. When 

 the bone regains its proper position, the animal has proper control 

 of his leg. Reduce the inflammation promptly and blister as ex- 

 plained below, in case the patella persists in slipping out again, a 

 rope should be fastened to the pastern and attached to the collar 

 about the horse's neck; the rope should be drawn'tight enough to 

 ])revent the horse extending his leg to the rear, but allowing him to 

 stand upon it; keej) the rope on until the blister has worked. 



General treaUitent of spi^ains. — Perfect rest is absolutely necessary 

 and must never be overlooked in the treatment of all sprains; there- 

 fore the injured animal sliould be at once removed to a level stall 

 where it can remain until complete recovery has taken place. Hot or 

 cold applications should be applied to the injured parts. These appli- 

 cations should be in the form of fomentations (bathing), or bandages 

 saturated with water. Flannel bandages must not be allowed to dry 

 while in contact with the injured parts, as flannel applied wet, slirinks 

 in drying, and will not only retard the reparative process, but cause 

 unnecessary pain. Cold water is often materially assisted in ac- 

 complishing the desired results by the addition of acetate of lead or 

 sulphate of zinc, witch-hazel, or nitrate of potash. A convenient 

 solution is made as follows: Acetate of lead and sulphate of zinc, each 

 1 ounce; water, 1 quart; or, 1 pint of witch-hazel, 1 ounce of acetate 

 of lead, and water enough to make 1 quart. If pain is very severe 

 the following may be used: Tincture opium, 4 ounces; acetate of 

 lead, 2 ounces; water to make 1 quart; this application is of more 

 benefit when applied warm. All applications should be used several 

 times daily. 



If, after the inflammation is reduced, the parts remain large and 

 swollen, benefit will result from the application of tincture of iodine, 

 well rubbed in, twice a day. If this treatment fails to restore the 

 parts to their normal condition in a reasonable length of time, a 

 blister should be applied. It is made as follows: Cantharides (pow- 

 dered) 1 part, cosmoline 4 to 5 parts; or, cantharides (powdered) 1 

 part, biniodide mercury 1 part, cosmoline 4 to 6 parts. 



Before applying either the blister or the iodine the hair should be 

 clipped from the parts to which the medicine is to be applied. To 



