DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 301 



anything that causes a blow hard enough fractures these 

 bones. 



Symptoms. — The horse is very lame and holds the leg up 

 because of the pain. Take hold of the leg and twist it a 

 little and the ends of the fractured bones may be heard to 

 grate together. 



Treatment. — If an old animal destroy him at once, but if 

 a §plt or young horse, keep him quiet in slings. After the leg 

 is straightened apply a starch bandage, which is a bandage 

 wrung out of starch. Put a good lot of the bandage on and 

 hold the leg straight until the bandage hardens. It will then 

 hold the broken leg straight. Leave it on for four or five 

 weeks, until sure that the bones are well knit together. 



18. Break Down. 



This is when the tendons and ligaments at the back of 

 the fetlock give way and allow the fetlock to drop down 

 almost upon the ground. This is mostly met with in running 

 or racing horses, such as are put to very severe exertion. 



Treatment. — The fetlock cannot be restored to its natural 

 state. Blister once a month with the following: 



Pulverized Cantharides or Spanish Fly 2 drams. 



Vaseline or Lard 1 ounce. 



Mix and rub about half of this in along the back of the 

 fetlock. , Allow it to remain for three days and let the animal 

 run out to pasture. Repeat the blister until the lameness has 

 pretty well disappeared. If very lame, keep him in the stable 

 for a while, and bathe with warm water and salt twice a day. 

 After bathing, apply the white liniment until the lameness 

 has nearly gone, then blister and turn him out. 



19. Sprain of the Stifle Joint. 



Symptoms. — The animal cannot bring the leg forward, 

 and it is very sore, as indicated by pressure around the joint. 



Treatment. — Bathe twice a day with hot water and vine- 

 gar containing a little salt. After bathing wipe dry and apply 

 the white liniment. Keep the animal quiet to give the 

 sprained parts rest. 



20. Dislocation of the Patella or Stifle Out. 



This is when the patella or stifle bone slips out of the 

 pulley-like process of bone in front of the stiffle joint. As 



