628 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



hand to add a rather thick layer of starch at each turn. If the 

 larger bones, such as those of the thigh, pelvis, or fore-arm, 

 be broken, then the best course is, in most instances, to consign 

 the animal to the slaughter-house. 



SPRAINS. 



Sprains usually occur in connection with the fetlock -joint, 

 and the back sinew of the leg may also be the seat of lameness 

 due to sprain. The sheath of this tendon may have some of its 

 fibres ruptured, or some of the smaller ligaments binding some 

 of the bones of the fetlock together may be more or less injured. 

 The animal is lame, the parts are hot and swollen, and 

 pressure on them causes the animal to shrink. Sprains may 

 be treated with fomentation and cooling lotions, and when the 

 inflammation is subdued a stimulant application may then be 

 used; but it should be very carefully borne in mind that it is a 

 very great mistake to apply stimulating embrocations to parts 

 which are actually inflamed. Cooling lotions, e.g. of lead and 

 spirit and water (1 fluid ounce of Liq. Plumbi Acet., 1 fluid 

 ounce of methylated spirit, 6 fluid ounces of water), may be very 

 useful. 



It often happens that oxen are lame in the stifle. If there be 

 no inflammation, the compound liniment of ammonia should be 

 well rubbed over the joint once or twice a day. Setons inserted 

 over the joint and dressed with black oil daily are also to be 

 recommended. They should be inserted every fortnight, and the 

 parts should be kept quite clean. 



Our readers will see that many difi'erent kinds and degrees of 

 injuries are met with in all animals, and that in regard to oxen 

 most especially it is often the case that the alternatives of 

 slaughter on the one hand or of treatment on the other present 

 themselves for consideration. In the horse this point is far less 

 seldom raised, since the value of a living horse is great, while 

 that of a dead one is trivial. 



Now, speaking of injuries generally, we see that there may be 

 dislocations, or other derangements of joints, more or less serious 

 fractures, and also more or less severe wounds. Wounds, too, 

 may be of divers kinds, and the dangers arising from them may 

 also be of difi'erent natures. There may be great, or even exces- 

 sive, loss of blood, owing to the opening of important arteries 



