THE LEG. «6» 



there is more danger, because there is more motion. If it is situated 

 opposite to the union of the two rows, the result is most to be dreaded, 

 because between these is the principal motion of the joint, and that 

 motion will not only disunite and irritate the external wound, but cause 

 dreadful friction between the bones brought into actual contact with each 

 other, through the loss of the joint-oil. 



When the knee has been much lacerated, although the wound may be 

 healed, some blemish will remain. The extent of this blemish will depend 

 on that of the original wound, and more especially on the nature of the 

 treatment that has been adopted. Every caustic application will destroy 

 a portion of the skin, and leave a certain mark. Should the blemish be 

 considerable, a mild blister may be applied over the part, after the wound 

 has healed. It will stimulate the hair to grow more rapidly and thickly 

 round the scar, and particularly hau' of the natural colour ; and, by con- 

 tracting the skin, it will lessen the scar itself. Many persons have great 

 faith in ointments that are said to promote the growth of the hair. Kthey 

 have this j^roperty, it must be from their stimulating the skin in which 

 the roots of the hair are irubedded. These ointments usually contain a 

 small portion of blistering matter, in the form of turpentme, or the Spanish 

 fly. The common application of gunpowder and lard may, by blackening 

 the part, conceal the blemish, but can have no possible efiect in quickening 

 the growth of the hair. 



In examining a horse for purchase, the knees should be very strictly 

 scrutinised. A small blemish on them should not induce us at once to 

 condemn the animal, for a bad rider or the merest accident may throw 

 the safest horse. A broken knee, however, is a suspicious circumstance, 

 and calls for the most careful observation of the make and action of the 

 horse. If it is accompanied by a thick and upright shoulder, and legs far 

 under the horse, and low slovenly action, he is unwise who does not take 

 the hint. This faulty conformation has produced its natural consequence. 

 But if the shoulder is obHque, and the pastern of the proper length and 

 incKnation, and the fore-arm strong, the good judge will not reject the 

 animal because he may have been accidentally thro^vn. Fi-om the com- 

 plicated nature of this joint, from its being placed so immediately under 

 the centre of gravity, and having to receive the entire weight of the horse 

 and rider, the concussion is so severe as frequently to produce diffuse 

 inflammation of the synovial and other tissues. Race-horses are very 

 frequently lame from diseased knees, which veterinary authors say but 

 little about. 



The animal should have rest ; a dose of physic should be given, with 

 antiphlogistic applications to the knee, to be followed by counter-irritation 

 in the shape of a bhster. Several valuable race-horses have suffered from 

 this disease, some of them when only two years old. 



THE LEG. 

 The part of the limb between the knee and the fetlock consists of three 

 bones : a large one in front, caUed the cannon or shanJc, and two smaller or 

 splint bones behind (see Jf, p. 140). The shank-bone is rounded in front, 

 and flattened, or even concave, behind. It is the straightest of the long 

 bones, as well as the most superficially situated, for in some parts it is 

 covered only by the skin. The upper head is flat, vrith shght depres- 

 sions corresponding with the lower row of the bones of the knee. The 

 lower head is differently and ctadously formed. It resembles a double 

 pulley. There are three elevations ; the principal one in the centre, and 

 another on each side. Between them are two slight grooves, and these so 

 precisely correspond with deep impressions and slight prominences in the 



B B . 



