BROKEN KNEES. 271 



1st. \^^len the skin is simply bruised, the hair being, as it 

 were, shaved off, with a little oozing of blood. This need 

 cause no uneasiness as to after-blemish, if properly treated ; but 

 if treated in the common way — by hot fomentations, flannel 

 bandages, and stimulating ointments or liniments — a blemish is 

 the sure result. 



The proper method of treatment is as follows : — 1st. Tie up 

 the animal's head, so that it cannot lie down. This I hold to 

 be important, for the skin may be so injured that but little 

 additional pressure is required to cause it to slough, and slough- 

 ing, however trifling, will leave a blemish. In addition to 

 tying the head, all that is required is to sponge the knee 

 lightly with some cooling application, such as the v/hite lotion, 

 repeatedly, for two or three days, or until the inflammation has 

 subsided. If much swelling should arise, a purgative should 

 be given. 



2d. When the skin is cut. The edges should be brought 

 together as well as possible, and so kept by plaster, or styptic 

 colloid, or shellac paste dipped in lint or tow. A wound on 

 the knee must never be pinned or stitched, for flexion of the 

 part will most assuredly tear out the pin or suture, with a 

 piece of skin as well, and thus increase the blemish. In addi- 

 tion to the colloid or plaster, a light calico bandage may be 

 applied, the horse's head tied up, and the dressing not inter- 

 fered with for four or five days, if the case progresses favour- 

 ably. But if the leg should swell, or show signs of pain and 

 inflammation, the bandages must be removed, and the wounds 

 examined ; if found to be suppurating, they are to be lightly 

 washed, and afterwards dressed with mild astringents, or very 

 dilute carbolic acid — one to 200 parts of water is strong enough 

 — or the white lotion, with a small quantity of the carbolic acid, 

 will do very well. 



It must be understood that before the edges of the wound 

 are brought together, all foreign bodies, such as dirt, hay -seeds, 

 &c., are to be removed. Very often a small piece of dead tissue 

 will be seen, presenting a deadened white appearance in the 

 wound. This should be removed by the curved scissors, other- 

 wise it will act as a foreign body. 



Sd. When the skin is divided, more or less lacerated, ex- 

 posing the magnus tendon, it does not necessarily foUow that, 



