210 INJURIES. 



will occupy : it requiring a space of six weeks before the 

 hair is sufficiently reproduced. At least, this was the time 

 it took in Col. Cavendishes dun horse, whose knees were 

 shaved in March. The time of year will probably make 

 some difference. Grievous as this sequel ever is, the 

 remedy, however, may be much better left to time with 

 which the cicatrix diminishes, and, unless it be so large as 

 is hopeless, ultimately conceals the blemish. 



In very many cases of alleged " opened knee joint,^^ I 

 believe it is only one of the bursce that is " opened.^^ And 

 the one most in front, most exposed to injury, and, con- 

 sequently, most likely to be '^ opened^^ is that of the tendon 

 of the extensor metacarpi. 



H 3 (a shy grey mare) fell when in walking order, 

 contusing and sadly lacerating both the knees, which after- 

 wards discharged synovia from the opened bursa. Bad as 

 was the injury, we could do nothing more than poultice, 

 and then dress daily with astringent powder (composed of 

 flour and alum), washing the powder off every four or 

 five days, and renewing the application as before. Nothing 

 could do better than the case did under such simple treat- 

 ment. 



OPENED KNEE AND OTHER JOINTS. 



A wound penetrating into a joint is an affair of moment, 

 and is eminently so when the knee of a horse is the seat of 

 injury, because it is concerned in every motion of the fore 

 extremity; yet it is the joint most likely to meet with this 

 accident. Nevertheless, whatever is said in 'relation to this 

 part, will apply equally to other joints suffering similar 

 injury. 



Causes. — The ordinary cause of open knee-joint is falling 

 down ; an accident which happens at the time skin, tendon, 

 and capsular ligament, are all on the stretch, and are there- 

 fore more hkely to be torn asunder. There are other ways, 

 however, in which the joint may be penetrated. It may be 

 pierced by a thorn; or any sharp-pointed instrument may 



