INJURIES, ETC., BELOW THE KNEE. 



during fast and hard work, falls, etc. The symptoms are 

 very plain, the animal being dead lame, and evidently 

 suffering great pain in connection with the part, which is 

 considerably swollen, etc. 



Treatment. — In certain rare cases treatment may be 

 attempted, but success is rarely attained. Endeavour to 

 reduce the dislocation in the ordinary way; if successful, try 

 to keep down inflammation, allay irritation, and apply a 

 vesicant. 



SPRUNG KNEES. 



In this condition the knees bend forward, in consequence 

 of contraction of some of the flexor tendons. 



Cause. — The condition is usually caused by hard and fast 

 work. Irregular exercise will also produce it, as keeping the 

 animal in a stall for several days, then taking out and driving 

 freely. In other cases it may result in consequence of insuffi- 

 cient exercise and overfeeding, hence it is often seen in colts 

 until turned out on pasture, when it leaves them. It may 

 be caused by a horse standing in a stall with a floor sloping 

 from before backward. Especially do the above causes 

 operate in the production of sprung knees where there is a 

 weak conformation of the parts. 



Treatment. — In case it is due to standing on a sloping 

 floor, the animal is to be placed on a level surface, or in a 

 stall lower in front than behind. A mildly stimulating- 

 liniment or a slight vesicant is sometimes useful. In an 

 old horse treatment is useless. It is an unsoundness, but 

 often it does not seem to interfere with the usefulness of 

 the animal even in the slightest degree. 



Calf-knees.- — This condition is the opposite one to sprung 

 knees, the knees standing back like those of a calf, hence 

 the name. Such a limb is very weak, and liable to sprains, 

 etc. In some cases the limb may bend backward to such an 



18—2 



