SPECIAL INJURIES OF THE BONES. 353 



inflammation may be subdued by fomentations and thick wet 

 bandages. 



The distended thecce may be punctured with a nozzle of a 

 hyjiodermic syringe and subjected to pressure, or treated with 

 strong bUsters (biniodide of mercury 2 dr., lard i oz.) repeatedly 

 applied; or simple pressure will suffice if kept up for some 

 weeks, increasing the time daily. Setons would be dangerous. 



For distended Joint see below. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE KNEE-JOINT. 



This may be seen in all stages from that in which the animal 

 starts forward perceptibly at the knee, and manifests suffering 

 when you try to fully extend it by strong pressure on its 

 anterior surface, to the most violent and destructive inflamma- 

 tion with extensive exudation of lymph and even the formation 

 of abscess. It tends to leave the puffy swellings of its capsule 

 referred to under the preceding heading, or distinct hard bony 

 enlargements on the anterior surface of the joint. The animal 

 stands squarely upon his feet with no inclination to raise the 

 heel, and in action carries the knee-joint comparatively unbent, 

 takes a fairly long step, and comes down with greatest force 

 on the heels, so as to wear the shoe at this point. A rider has 

 a peculiar sensation of the chest sinking under him. The lame- 

 ness increases with exercise, especially on hard surfaces. 



Treatment. — Rest, without shoes; subdue inflammation by 

 soothing applications, after which blister the part. If the 

 animal persists in using it too freely, apply splints and bandages 

 to fix the joint, and place in slings. 



WOUNDS OF THE KNEE. 



Dislocation of the Knee-joint with laceration of the 

 lateral ligaments occurs, and though if put in splints and slings 

 the patients will sometimes recover with a stiff knee, the result 

 is a very undesirable one. 



