58 THE ARMY HORSE. 



hard and fast work, irregular exercise, and high feeding. 

 Draft animals, pulling heavy loads over rough or slippery 

 ground, are particularly subject to this injury, which is also 

 more commonly seen in young than in mature animals. The 

 swelling can be readily detected; under pressure it fluctuates; 

 heat may or may not be present ; lameness rarely results unless 

 the injury be accompanied by complications, such as hone 

 spavin or bony deposits. 



In sprain of the stifle joint, the ligaments holding it in 

 position are severely stretched, in some cases sprained or 

 ruptured, and even dislocation of the patella 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 forAvard in the natural manner 

 on account of the dislocation. The bone is returned to place in 

 the following manner : A rope having been placed about the 

 pastern, 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 explained 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 prevent the horse extend- 

 ing his leg to the rear, but allowing him to stand upon it ; keep 

 the rope on until the blister has worked. 



General treatment of spiYiins. — Perfect rest is absolutely 

 necessary and must never be overlooked in the treatment of all 

 sprains; therefore the injured animal should 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 applications should be in the form of 

 fomentations (bathing), or bandages saturated with water. 

 Flannel bandages must not be allowed to drj^ while in contact 

 with the injured parts, as flannel applied wet, shrinks in drying, 

 and will not only retard the reparative process, but cause un- 

 necessary pain. Cold water is often materially assisted in 

 accomplishing 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 



