114 THE HORSE. 



Sprains are often treated by applying pressure to the 

 injured jDarts, this being very effectual, but this treat- 

 ment should be left to the veterinary surgeon; and its adop- 

 tion by the inexperienced amateur is not to be recommended. 

 On bringing a horse into work again after it has recovered 

 from a sprained leg, this must be done in a veiy gradual 

 manner, and care must be exercised that the animal is not 

 worked too severely at first, for fear of causing another sprain. 

 In the case of a horse repeatedly spraining its leg, the best 

 plan is to fire it, in order to strengthen the joart. 



Broken Knees. — These are caused by the horse falling 

 on his knees on hard ground. In bad cases, it is advisable to 

 call in a. veterinary surgeon. Complete rest must be given, 

 and the patient must be prevented from lying down by the 

 head being tied up sufficiently shortly. The horse must not be 

 allowed to lie down nor must it be walked about until tlie 

 wounds in the skin are healed, and there is no risk of the latter 

 being opened again by the knee joints being bent. If the wounds 

 are dirty, they must be cleaned by washing gently with warm 

 water and a clean piece of linen. Then they should be dressed 

 by dusting iodofomi liberally over them. If thought necesr 

 sary, a bandage may be applied loosely round the knees, some 

 antisej)tic cotton wool being put over the wound and under- 

 neath the bandage. Care must be taken not to put the ban- 

 dage on at all tightly. The bandage must be removed and 

 some fresh iodoform applied once a day, until the wounds 

 have healed. If there is any discharge from the latter, a solu- 

 tion of one ounce of creolin in one pint of water should be 

 applied twice a day by means of a small syringe, the wound 

 subsequently being di'essed with iodoform and bandaged. 

 The growth of hairs after the wounds have become completely 

 healed may be stimulated by inibbing in a very mild blister. 



Windgralls. — These are puffy swellings about the fetlock 

 joints, and are caused through work and wear. They are of 

 no importance, and do not in any way interfere with the 

 horse's usefulness, as a general rule. Bandaging will remove 



