DISEASES or D05IESTIC ANIMALS. 121 



and blisters are of great benefit. Cold water may cause the horse to ap- 

 pear pretty well, but knuckling may still remain. Cantharides is perhaps 

 preferable just for a sprain. 



Interfering or Striking the fetlock joint while travelling. Shoeing 

 with light shoes will generally relieve it. Get the animal in good condi- 

 tion, etc. Sometimes the striking is not sufficient to bruise the shin to 

 any great extent, but gives rise to contusion, sets up inflammation, the 

 result of which is an extensive exudation, which usually terminates in 

 suppuration ; and the matter is deep seated and not very abundant, but 

 from its situation the animal suffers intensely. Such cases sometimes 

 puzzles the young practitioner to tell what is wrong. This may occur 

 from a sprain, but usually from irritation. The animal, when standing, 

 rests the foot, or may lift it from the ground, acting much the same as 

 in suppuration of the foot. Apply hot cloths and poultices, which will 

 allay the inflammatory action or hasten the process of suppuration. 

 Watch it closely, and if, after poulticing for one or two days, the swelling 

 increases and perhaps fluctuates to a slight extent, then you are sure 

 matter is formed ; and when it arrives at a certain stage open it ; but be 

 careful in inserting the lancet if there is extensive exudation. First 

 twitch the animal and make a small incision ; or sometimes insert a 

 probe or director, and then open slightly. If opened in time, it will often 

 prevent extensive sloughing. Poultice, etc., after opening. If 'sinuses 

 are found and matter is discharging, cleanse nicely, and then use caustics, 

 or butter of antimony, nitrate of silver, etc. ; or, there may be thickening, 

 which may be removed from iodine ointment, or an occasional blister. 

 Do not apply irritants when the horse has a tendency to brush, so to speak. 



Knuckling. — This sometimes falls under the head of disease, and 

 sometimes you can scarcely call it such, and in examining for soundness 

 you may be puzzled to say whether it is sound or unsound. There may 

 be jerking forw^ard of the fetlock at almost every step, or even when 

 standing still. The joints appear prominent in front. It detracts from 

 the symmetrical appearance of the limb, but may not interfere with the 

 action at all. Post mortem often reveals 'nothing wrong with the joint. 

 It is oftener seen in the hind than the fore limb, hard and fast work being 

 the exciting cause, or working young animals before they are able to un- 

 dergo such exercise. The high feeding of colts which are kept in the 

 stable is a cause, or it is sometimes the result of more or less disease in 

 the fetlock joint, or the formation of the limb, a straight fore limb and 

 pastern, etc., tend to this. 



Treatment. — If of long standing little can be done for it, but if it ap- 

 pears suddenly in a horse three or fours years old, it may be got rid of. 

 Give rest, apply cold water, and afterwards blister, and if the horse has 

 been in the stable recommend him turned to pasture for a time. 



Knee Sprung is similar to knuckling, and interferes but little with 

 the animal's usefulness. It is sometimes the result of formation, and 

 sometimes the result of hard or fast work before the animal is fit for such 

 work, or standing in a stall, especially if such stall slants from before 

 backward. Judges of horses prefer a knee-sprung to a calf-kneed horse, 

 as they will stand more work, and a calf kneed horse is more liable 

 to stumble. Some say that knee-spring arises from distension of the ex- 

 tensor tendons ; others say from contraction of the flexors and ligaments. 

 Another cause is feeding young animals highly, as for show purposes, 

 and not giving regular exercise. High-heeled shoes also have a tendency 

 to produce this. If in a young horse fx'om any of these causes, a little 

 treatment and a little rest may restore it. If in a gross animal, give a 

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