178 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



but still does not heal, and this may be treated 

 with a little powdered alum and fullers earth, 

 dusted over as described above. 



Q, How should broken knees be treated ? 



A. The knee should be well washed with 

 warm water to remove all the dirt, and then 

 poulticed for a day or two, till the wound has a 

 clean raw surface. Each time the poultices are 

 changed a little warm water and soft soap should 

 be gently squirted over the wound, from a glass 

 syringe. 



As soon as the inflammation has subsided the 

 poultices must be stopped, and iodoform puffed 

 over the surface after it has daily been cleaned 

 by syringing. A piece of linen with the surface 

 well covered with cold cream, or zinc ointment, 

 to prevent it sticking to the wound, may be 

 fastened lightly above and below the knee, to 

 keep dirt out ; but no flies will come near to 

 irritate the horse when iodoform is used. A 

 cradle should be put round the horse's neck, 

 to prevent it gnawing the wound. 



Q. Should not a horse be well ribbed up ? 



A. Certainly, but the last rib must not 

 approach too close to the prominent part of 

 the hip (the ilium), or the horse cannot bring 

 his hind leg properly under him, either in 

 galloping or jumping. There should be sufficient 

 space in the hollow between the two to contain 

 the doubled-up fist, with the thumb extended as 

 far as possible. With many cobby animals there 

 is not enough space for the fist alone. The back 

 ribs themselves can be just as large in the one 

 case, as in the other. Even of more importance, 

 as far as constitution is concerned, than the length 



