BKOKEN KNEES. 273 



round in the stable, and supply nim with food by meai^s . of a 

 bag suspended from the . stall-posts ; the slings^ in |the graver 

 lesions playing a most essential part. 



In some rare instances the -nround in the skin and tendon is 

 situated at the inferior part of the knee, over the articulations of 

 the lower row of carpal bones and the metacarpals. A wound 

 in this part, although penetrating deeply and opening into the 

 joint, is not nearly so dangerous as one over the articulation 

 between the two rows : for there is but little motion, the suc- 

 ceeding inflammation is not nearly so great, nor the aupervening 

 anchylosis so important. 



5th. When the accident has been sufficiently severe to fracture 

 one or more bones of the knee, the animal should be destroyed. 



The causes of lameness now to be described, extending to 

 the foot, are mostly common to both anterior and posterior 

 extretnities When they are not common to both, special 

 reference will "be made to them. They may be enumerated as 

 follows : — 



1. Sprain of the flexor tendons. 



2. „ of suspensory ligament. 



3. Inflammation of the sesanioid bursa 



4. „ of the fetlock -joint 



5. Hupture of lateral ligaments of fetlock -joint. 



6. K.nuckling over. 



7. Sprain of inferior suspensory ligaments. 



8. Wind-galls. 



9. Ring-bones. 



10. Sprained pasterns. 



SPItAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS. 



Tlie so-called sprain of the back sinews is not primarily in 

 reality a lesion of the flexor tendons proper, nor of their thecre, 

 but consists of a diseased condition, arising from over-extension 

 of the metacarpal or metatarsal check ligaments, situated below 

 the knee and hock, performing the same functions as the radial 

 ligament which has been already described. 



These ligaments arise from below the upper extremities of the 



