BROKEN KNEES. 265 



These si"x distinct bones, united to each other by numerous and powerful ligaments, 

 will also afford a far stronger joint than the apposition of any two bones, however 

 ^perfect and strong might be the capsular ligament, or by whatever other ligaments it 

 might be strengthened. In addition to the connexion between the individual bones, 

 there is a perfect capsular ligament here, extending from the bone of the arm to those 

 of the leg; and the result of the whole is, that the hardest work and the severest 

 accidents produce little deformity, and no dislocation in the knee : nor do the shocks 

 and jars of many a year cause inflammation or disease. It is an undeniable fact, 

 that such is the perfect construction of this joint, and to so great a degree does it 

 lessen concussion, that the injuries resulting from hard work are, almost without an 

 exception, found below the knee, which seems to escape the injuries of the hock. 

 There is a remarkable difference in the effects of work on the knee and the hock. 

 The knee is subject to enormous concussion in its strict sense. The hock to a some- 

 what different work. The knee altogether escapes bony enlargements and inflam- 

 mations of the ligaments, like spavins ; and, what is more remarkable, it also escapes 

 the damages to which the anterior fetlock is liable from precisely the same concussion 

 as the knee. 



The seventh bone, the trapezium, so called from its quadrangular figure, is placed 

 (see M, p. 68) behind the others, and does not bear the slightest portion of the weight. 

 It, however, is exceedingly useful. Two of the flexor muscles, already described, 

 proceed from the bone of the arm, and are inserted into it; and being thus thrown 

 off the limb, have a less oblique direction given to them, and, therefore, according to 

 the principle of the lever, act with considerably more power. It is also useful in 

 another way. As the tendons of the various muscles descend the limbs, they are 

 tied down, as we have described, by strong ligamentous bands : this is particulaily 

 the case in the neighbourhood of the joints. The use of it is evident. The exten- 

 sor tendons, which lie principally on the front of the leg, are prevented from starting 

 and strengthened and assisted in their action ; but the flexor tendons which are at the 

 back would be liable to friction, and their motion impeded, if they were bound down 

 too tightly. This projecting bone prevents the annular or ring-like ligament from 

 pressing too closely on the main flexor tendons of the foot; and, while it leaves them 

 room to play, leaves room likewise for a little bag filled with mucus to surround them, 

 which mucus oozing slowly out, supplies the course of the tendons with a fluid that 

 prevents much injurious friction. 



The knee should be broad. It should present a very considerable width, compared 

 with the arm above, or the shank below. In proportion to the breadth of the kneo 

 is the space for the attachment of muscles, and for the accumulation of ligamentous 

 expansions and bands. In proportion to the breadth of the knee there will be more 

 strength; and likewise the direction of some muscles will be less oblique, and the 

 course of others will be more removed from the centre of motion, in either of which 

 cases much power will be gained. 



BROKEN KNEES, 



The treatment of broken knees is a subject of considerable importance, for many 

 horses are sadly blemished, and others are destroyed, by wounds in the knee-joint. 

 The horse, when falling, naturally throws his knees forward ; they receive all his 

 weight and are sometimes very extensively lacerated. The first thing to be done is, 

 by very careful washing with warm water, to cleanse the wound from all oravel and 

 dirt. It must then be ascertained whether the joint is penetrated. The gratinf of 

 the probe on one of the bones of the knee, or the depth to which the probe enters the 

 wound, will too plainly indicate that the joint has been opened. Should any doubt 

 exist, a linseed-meal poultice must be applied. This will at least act as a fomenta- 

 tion to the wound, and will prevent or abate inflammation; and when, twelve hours 

 afterwards, it is taken off, the st/twvia or joint-oil, in the form of a glairy, yellowish, 

 transparent fluid, will be seen, if the capsular ligament has been penetrated. Should 

 doubt remain after the first poultice, a second ouo-ht to be applied. 



It having been ascertained that the interior of the joint is not injured, attention 

 must be paid to the wound that is actually made. The horse should wear a cradle 

 to prevent his getting at the wound. A stimulating application — the common black- 

 oil of the farrier is as good as any — should be lightly applied every day until healthy 

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