OPENED KNEE AND OTHER JOINTS. 215 



bandages without removing them, for should we find (on 

 untying the upper tails) there has been some solid eflPusion, 

 we must be careful not to remove the bandage, but simply 

 loosen the upper part sufficiently to lodge a fresh supply of 

 the styptic powder. 



It appears to me to be advisable to treat the case locally, 

 by fomentations and poultices, while the physic is operating 

 and fever is subdued by bloodletting, should these measures 

 be required. Then — the first burst of fever and inflam- 

 mation having been abated or repelled — I should say was the 

 time for the employment of the styptic powder and 

 bandaging. When these have been applied, let the horse 

 be tied up with two halters or double halter rein, with only 

 sufficient liberty of head to get at the manger : so very 

 much depends upon an extended and quiet position of 

 limb. The bandages may remain on three, four, or five 

 days, according to circumstances. Should very great swell- 

 ing of the limb supervene, it may be necessary to take 

 them ofi^, and re-apply them, even on the second day, or 

 they may only require a little fresh adjustment and tighten- 

 ing. Should the pad of tow with the dressing have slipped 

 below the knee, all must be immediately removed and bound 

 up anew. Sometimes there will not be any swelling to 

 notice, but the veins of the affected limb will become tumid 

 and have a solidified feel; this must not be allowed to 

 continue, but relief should be given either by temporary 

 relaxation of, or by removing the bandages altogether for a 

 short time. 



Suspension. — Where the wound is extensive it becomes 

 advisable to place the animal in slings, that the weight of the 

 body may be supported by artificial means. The mode of 

 slinging which least annoys a horse, and affords him every 

 opportunity of resting his limbs, is to suspend him from a 

 cross beam by means of ropes and pulleys, connected with a 

 very broad piece of doubled sailcloth spread underneath the 

 animaVs belly. Attached to the cloth should be two breech- 

 ings and two breast-girths, in order to keep the horse from 

 slipping either backwards or forwards. The ropes and 



