DISEASES AND INJURIES. 2ig 



When the wounds are large and contused, it is generally not 

 advisable, or possible even, to close them by sutures or close 

 bandaging ; as the dead portions have to be removed by the 

 natural process of sloughing or suppuration. This process 

 can often be expedited by fomentations with warm water. 



Broken knees are a somewhat common accident, and the 

 injury may vary from a slight skin graze to the most serious 

 damage to all the soft tissues, and even the bones in front of 

 the knee. 



When such an accident happens, if the skin and other 

 tissues are cut, the wound should be well cleaned by gentle 

 washing with a sponge and warm or cold water ; a piece of 

 lint ought then to be placed over the part, and maintained 

 there by means of a bandage. If the wound is not deep or 

 very contused, I have seen some very good results obtained 

 by dressing it, after it was well cleansed, with some tincture 

 of myrrh and then applying a piece of lint on which Canada 

 balsam was spread, over the injury, leaving it there until the 

 place was healed. If the lint chanced to become detached, 

 a fresh quantity of the balsam was spread over it and it was 

 again stuck on. 



When the wound is deep and contused and the joint pro- 

 bably opened, then after it has been freed from all foreign 

 matter, the leg should be made immovable by means of a 

 starched bandage or a long splint, or both combined, and ex- 

 tending from the hoof to above the knee ; the portion of the 

 bandage covering the wound being cut away, in order to per- 

 mit the injury to be dressed. This dressing will depend upon 

 circumstances, but I have found boric acid, or iodoform and 

 starch powder in equal parts, and dusted over the surface, an 

 excellent application. The horse should not be allowed to lie 

 down during the treatment, and it is generally advisable to 

 have him slung, so that he may rest his legs and not fall down 

 until the wouud is healed. 



