BROKEN KNEES. 185 



by being stuffed nigbtly with equal parts of tar, cow-dung 

 and soft clay. 



A very common and dangerous accident to tbe foot 

 arises from pricking the hoof, by awkward driving of the 

 nails in shoeing, either through the horny crust of the 

 foot into the sensible flesh, or so near to it as to give 

 acute pain and produce violent lameness. When a horse 

 falls lame immediately after shoeing, the foot should be 

 carefully examined, in order to see if this be not the cause. 

 If it be so, the seat of the injury will often be detected by 

 a sensible heat and inflammation of the injured part; if 

 not, on tapping the hoof externally all round with a ham- 

 mer, the animal will flinch when the hammer is struck 

 opposite to or above the puncture. The shoe must then 

 be withdrawn, the nail which has done the mischief must 

 be removed, the puncture must be opened out and enlarged 

 by paring away the horn quite down to the quick, when a 

 pledget of tow, dipped in Friar's balsam, should be inserted 

 into the puncture. The feet must be kept cool and moist, 

 by stuffing them, as described above, and the cure, beyond 

 this, must be left to time and rest to accomplish. 



Broken Knees. — In cases of knees broken by a fall, 

 the wound should be carefully washed with tepid water ; 

 all extraneous matter, as earth, sand, or gravel, must be 

 carefully removed ; any ragged edges of skin should be 

 clipped off with a pair of sharp scissors ; a pad of linen, 

 dipped in Friar's balsam, should be applied, and kept in 

 its place by a moderately tight bandage. The wound 

 should be washed daily with tepid water ; if there be 

 much swelling or inflammation, it may be well fomented, 

 but not poulticed, as it is an object to prevent, not to 

 encourage, suppuration. But all hot oils, astringents, or 

 stimulating applications of any kind, which grooms are 

 almost sure to recommend, and to apply contrary to 



