BKOlvEN KNEES, OK OPEN JOINT. 971 



these do no good whatever. All we can do is to give rest; leave 

 the rest to nature. Turn him into a large loose-box or small pad- 

 dock, and feed him well, and it is astonishing how the patient 

 will sometimes improve. 



Drs. Hamill and Meyer treat ordinary cases of sprung knees 

 with very marked success, by lowering the heels and lengthening 

 out the toes somewhat ; this can be done both by paring the heels 

 down some, and using thin-heeled shoes; then rubbing on the legs 

 once or twice a day alcohol, or any good stimulant. The case 

 seems to improve even under moderate work. Very bad cases 

 are incurable. 



Broken Knees, or Open Joint. 



It is a very common occurrence in the horse, generally arising 



Fig, 837.— Broken Tig. 838. — The same with 



knee. hau* clipped from the 



edges of the 

 wound. 



from accidents, kicks, blows, stabs, etc. It is most common in 

 the knee and hock; but all the joints of the limbs are liable to be 

 punctured or laid open by some accident or injury. 



Open joints are generpJly divided into lacerated and punct- 

 ured. In the former we have the skin, ligaments, etc., cut 

 through, and the j oint laid open, as is often seen in the knee. In 

 the latter we have merely a small opening (it may be only suffi- 

 cient to admit the probe) into the joint, from which trickles the 

 synovia, or joint-oil. 



All cases are alike dangerous, and are characterized by the 

 same general symptoms, and are liable to be attended by the same 

 consequences. They differ only in degree, according only to the 

 importance and extent of the cavity exposed. 



