ACCIDENTS OF WORK. 345 



to describe. Indeed they all belong to horsemanship more 

 than to stable economy. 



The horse is sometimes severely injured. Mere abrasions 

 of the head, the haunch, and other parts, need no notice. 

 Among the most common and severe injuries, are those of the 

 knee, the head, the neck, the back, and the legs. 



Broken Knees. — The skin may be only ruffled, or the knee 

 may be bared to the bones ; in both cases, and in all degrees 

 between these, the slightest and the severest injuries, the 

 horse is said to get a broken knee. The name does not, as 

 a stranger might suppose, indicate fracture of the bones. 



If the wound be superficial, the horse may finish his work. 

 A handkerchief may be bound loosely round it merely to ex- 

 clude air and dirt ; but in general no treatment is required till 

 the horse reach home. If the wound be deep, whether large 

 or small externally, it will be prudent to ascertain whether or 

 not it be fairly into the joint, which is little more than half an 

 inch from the surface. Clear away the sand and mud, bend 

 the knee, and examine the interior of the wound. It is some- 

 times so large that the bare bones can be seen at the bottom 

 of it. When the external orifice is small, and the depth not 

 apparent, the oozing of a whitish glary matter, resembling the 

 white of eggs, is evidence that the joint is open. This fluid 

 is joint oil, and is forced out by bending the knee. If it be 

 clear that the joint has been penetrated, apply a bandage, and 

 take the horse to the nearest stable, and put him immediately 

 under the care of a veterinarian. Apply a poultice till he 

 arrives. If the horse have to go above a mile or two after 

 this accident, the oil will escape, the bones will rub one upon 

 another, intense inflammation will succeed in the course of 

 twenty hours, and ultimately the horse either dies of fever, 

 or he becomes useless. The joint stiffens. 



It is not always easy to be sure whether the joint is or is 

 not penetrated. The wound is often in such a state with 

 sand and mud, that the first examination can not be conclu- 

 sive. When there is any doubt, the horse should, if possible, 

 have the benefit of it. The danger increases with the dis- 

 tance and the pace. If he must go, all that can be done in 

 precaution, is to apply a bandage. A neckcloth or handker- 

 chief will do. 



When valuable horses are travelling, a kind of cap is some- 

 times applied to each knee. It prevents injury, should the 

 horse fall. It is usually made of cloth, having a circular 

 piece of leather, and a little stuffing opposite the joint. Knee- 



