334 '^'H^ FARM DOCTOR. 



Bruise of the Inner Side of the Knee. — Speedy Cut. • 

 This usually results from a blow with the opposite foot, in horses 

 with high action, in those with narrow chests, or, above all, in 

 horses driven on the snow-path. It is manifested by an inflam- 

 matory swelling on the prominence of bone inside the joint, 

 resulting in a permanent scar, a serous sac, or an abscess. Its 

 early or inflammatory stage may be treated by lotions of cold 

 water or astringent liquids, kept constantly applied : the serous 

 effusion by pressure or by drawing off the liquid through a fine 

 tube, and then bandaging, and abscess by a free incision with 

 a knife or lancet. 



'Yo prevent, keep the foot rather bare inside, with the shoe 

 slightly beveled from its wearing to its bearing surface, allow 

 no ragged nail clinches to project, and re-adjust the shoe 

 sufficiently often (every three weeks). Or a boot may be worn 

 extending from the fetlock to the knee, and with a rim at its 

 upper part to warn the animal when his foot approaches this 

 point 



Wounds in Front of the Knees. — Broken Knees.— 

 Usually sustained in falling, but it may be by striking against a 

 manger or other hard object. They are of all degi'ees of 

 severity : ist, simple loss of hair and slight abrasion of the scarf- 

 skin ; 2d, a severe bruise of the skin without laceration ; 3d, a 

 wound extending no deeper than the skin ; 4th, a wound laying 

 bare the tendons and opening their sheaths ; 5 th, a wound lay- 

 ing open the joint and exposing the bones with or without 

 laceration of the tendons ; and 6th, when the joint is opened 

 and the small bones of the knee broken. 



Treatmetit. — ist, With simple abrasion no treatment is 

 needed; 2d, if much bruised tie short to a high rack to prevent 

 lying down and bandage lightly, using a mild astringent lotion 

 (sugar of lead ^ oz., carbolic acid 60 drops, water 2 qts.) ; 3d, 

 in all cases in which the wound extends through the skin it is 

 desirable to bend the knee to the position occujjied when 



