LAMENESS, FRT3M VARIOUS CAUSES. 381 



No. 60. Powdered iodide of potass 2 dr. 



Simple Cerate 1 oz. 



Cod-liver oil i oz. 



Rub these ingredients together in a mortar, and when thor- 

 oughly mixed it is fit for use. A daily application of this oint- 

 raen^L for a short time will suffice. There are many ca-ses of si)lent 

 \hat do not occasion the least lameness • therefore they had better 

 *e let alone. 



Bowed Legs or Sprung Knees. 



The following case will illustrate the method of cure for sprung 

 knees. The subject of this operation had met with an accident, 

 which resulted in " bowed limb," and had so progressed within 

 the period of a few months as to render the limb the most de- 

 formed one I ever saw ; for when the toe touched the ground, the 

 heel was elevated about four inches. At the same time, the infe- 

 rior extremity of the cannon overlapped the large pastern some- 

 thing like three-quarters of an inch. Such a deviation from the 

 perpendicular line would, as a matter of course, bring a tremendoub 

 strain on the extensor tendons in front and the suspensory liga- 

 ment, and this appeared to be the ca.se ; for tlie tendons sud liga- 

 ment were rigid as a bowstring. 



The horse was cast on the off side, and, after securing the limbs, 

 the near fore one was released from the hobble and hold by assist- 

 ants. A puncture in the outer lateral region of the flexor tendons 

 vas made through the integument. A convex, probe-pointed 

 bistoury was then introduced, and, by a gentle sawing movement; 

 tiie flexors perforatus and perforans were divided. On straight- 

 ening the limb, which was done without the least difficulty, the 

 edges of the tendons had sej)arated almost two inches. These 

 v*ould, of course, after awhile, become reunited by granulation and 

 interstitial dej^osits. Thus tendons would, finally, gain in lengtJ 

 something loss than two inches, which would render the log al- 

 most straight again. The puncture through the skin being small, 

 a single suture sufficed to close the orifice. This being accom- 

 plished, a cold-water bandage wa.s neatly ajiplied, and then the 

 patient was permitted to rise. lie walked to the stable tolerably 

 well, yit still had a slight " knuckling over" at the fetlock. This 

 was probaA)ly owing to the distended or lax state of the capsular 

 ligament and extensor tendon. A shoe was now ap])liod to tb« 



