THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 283 



The treatment of common strain, if seen early, is a very sim- 

 ple affair, and may be conducted somewhat after the following 

 manner : Take tincture of arnica and pure water, equal parts ; 

 bathe the parts in a thorough and careful manner, and apply a 

 cold water bandage, and continue the treatment until relief is 

 obtained : in cold weather, the wet bandage must be covered with 

 dry cloths, or packed. 



STRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. 



Strain of the fetlock is frequently occasioned by bending the 

 joint in a lateral direction, and injuring the capsular ligaments of 

 the joint. Lateral motion in these joints is very limited ; there- 

 fore, if a horse treads on a round body, or gets his foot in a hole, 

 and the strain comes upon the side of the joint, lameness is gen- 

 erally the result. 



Treatment. — If a loss of continuity has taken place in any of 

 the tendons or ligaments, a starch bandage must be applied, in 

 the form of figure 8. If it is nothing but a sprain, the cold water 

 bandage may suffice. Any morbid habit, however, must be sub- 

 dued by alterative medicine. See Alteratives. 



STRAIN OF THE KNEE. 

 Treatment. — The same as in strain of the fetlock. 



STRAIN OF THE COFFIN JOINT. 



Treatment. — Rest, cold water applications, cooling medicine, 

 and light diet. 



STRAIN OF THE BACK. 



Strain in the back or lumbar region arises from causes very 

 evident to those who pay any attention to the anatomical struc- 

 ture of the horse. Considering the heavy loads he is often com- 

 pelled to carry or draw, it is astonishing that he should be so 

 free as he is from lameness in the back. The diagnostic 

 symptoms of this form of strain are, pressure over the lumbar 



