94 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



bandage is utilised, because with such it is easier to get an even distribu- 

 tion of pressure over the joint. A stable bandage is now applied from 

 the knee to the coronet, and the animal is placed in slings for a fortnight. 

 The tightness of the bandage will prevent further exudation of fluid, and 

 will also usually prevent the bending of the knee, which is desirable. 

 Should the patient make persistent attempts to flex the joint, a splint 

 should be applied to the back of the limb from the forearm downwards, 

 and kept in position by the application of a bandage. 



This method is very effective in treating this disease. 



If the swelling is solid, puncturing is useless, and the only treatment 

 available is to dissect it out, an operation which, though it is possible, 

 usually leaves a permanent blemish. Moreover, in many cases, where the 

 swelling is solid, it is below the radio-carpal articulation, so that the 

 animal trots free from lameness, and the swelling is then more unsightly 

 than injurious. 



In cases where the swelling is semi-solid, the application of a powerful 

 blister will frequently bring about a material diminution in its size. 



BROKEN, CHIPPED, OR ABRADED KNEES 



This is brought about usually by the animal stumbling and falling on 

 its knees. The degree of injury varies from a simple superficial abrasion 

 to the laceration of all the layers covering the front of the carpus. The 

 epidermis only may be removed, and the true skin exposed, or the 

 annular band may be exposed and bruised. Sometimes both the above 

 and the tendon are exposed and injured. The worst cases are those in 

 which the tendons and anterior common ligament are cut through, and 

 we have a communication with the interior of the joint, thus causing 

 traumatic arthritis. 



The wound itself may be punctured, incised, contused, or lacerated. 

 Frequently, when the animal stumbles on loose stones and falls whilst 

 going down a hill, a considerable quantity of tissue is removed, when we 



