THE HUNTER AT HOME. 157 



two nights, so that (poor victim !) he should not lie down, 

 and by bending his knees interfere with the healing pro- 

 cess. Also, for the first three or four days keep the knee 

 continually wet with a lotion composed of tincture of 

 arnica, two ounces ; water, one quart. Arnica is a grand 

 thing for a bruise, and the bruise is often the worse part 

 of a slightly broken knee. If all goes on well, the horse 

 should be out again in three weeks or so, where this 

 treatment is followed ; but, to save appearances, he will 

 require a judicious application of some cosmetique for 

 some time to come. When the chance of a blemish is 

 important, and time is not so, a very mild blister has 

 been recommended, which, by taking all the hair off from 

 the knee, allows it to grow again altogether and even, 

 and no doubt this would have the desired effect, but I have 

 never tried it personally, though I have had some 

 experience of broken knees. I have always treated them 

 as above, and have generally got off with no blemish to 

 speak of, and several times with none at all ; but this (the 

 blemish) depends a good deal on the nature of the original 

 wound. A very deep cut must leave a mark, treat it how 

 you will; but still the arnica wash reduces the amount of 

 the blemish to the smallest possible extent. On no account 

 should a bandage be put on or near the knee, as severe 

 inflammation would be most likely produced thereby. 

 Broken bones are only to be cured by a bullet, in the 

 majority of cases. Broken legs may occasionally be so far 

 mended that the animal may live and be used for breeding 

 purposes, if it be qualified for such a career ; but I do not 

 think any adult horse with a broken leg has ever been 

 repaired to the extent demanded for active work. 

 Hunters are rather liable to fractures of the small 

 bones of the foot or pastern ; and for such accidents, if 



