238 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



bruise of any other part, when it is not convenient to foment — 

 a diluted tincture of arnica (one ounce of arnica to a pint of 

 water) may be used ; or perhaps a weak solution of acetic acid 

 may answer the purpose. Should the part be wounded, as it 

 often is, it may be necessary to employ sutures ; but if the acci- 

 dent is not discovered early, sutures are of no use. The com- 

 pound tincture of aloes and myrrh will expedite the healing 

 process ; and when suppuration commences, use pyroligneous 

 acid. We saw a horse a short time ago, which, in jumping a wall, 

 ye scrambling over it, inflicted a wound about two inches below 

 the patella ; considerable tumefaction followed, with a profuse 

 discharge : the former yielded to fomentation and physic ; in 

 order to stop the latter and heal the wound, it was thought ad- 

 visable to introduce a seton below it, and there set up an arti- 

 ficial discharge, by which means a cure was effected. A horse 

 may be punctured in this region. A case occurred in a ship yard 

 at Medford, which may be proper to notice : A sliver had en- 

 tered on the inside of the patella, and passed several inches 

 backward ; it was extracted and dressed ; next day the limb 

 from the hock upw r ard became dropsical, hot, and tender : refriger- 

 ating lotions, cathartics, and diuretics were used ; the swelling 

 gradually subsided, and the wound healed ; but a large abscess 

 formed just above the hock, which was opened, and the horse 

 finally got well. Another horse, standing in a stable in this city, 

 was punctured with a hay fork, on the outside, yet close to the 

 patella; synovial inflammation and discharge of synovia took place; 

 the case was protracted, but finally yielded to astringent injections ; 

 the horse was lame for some time after, owing to adhesions that 

 had taken place. Punctures of this character must be treated 

 the same as open joint. See Dislocation of the Patella. 



LAMENESS OF THE HOCK. 



Lameness of the hock is generally ligamentary, except when 

 originating in spavin ; and some contend that even spavin first 

 commences in ligamentary tissue ; however, we have nothing to 

 say about spavin just now, except to refer the reader to that 

 article. Lameness in the hock, from strain, over-work, or blow, 

 is evident from the heat, pain, and tumefaction about the part ; 



