444 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



its place. Hold it there firmly until the muscles regain their ori^nal 

 contractibility in some measure, and use an infusion of bayberry or oak 

 bark, cold, freely, for some days. 



In addition to this it is better that the horse be made to stand on the 

 injured limb. To do this it is usual to tie a cord tightly about the other 

 hind le£?. This is apt to make a blemish. Tie the other foot so it cannot 

 be thrown back. 



In nine cases out of ten when the owner supposes his horse to be stifled 

 the difficulty will be found to be from injury to some other part of the 

 limb, as sprain of any of the ligaments of the leg, of the fetlock, a 

 prick of the hoof, etc., causing the animal to hold the limb in such a 

 way as to cause the stifle bone to seem displaced. 



Horses often injure the parts around the stifle joint by running, leaping, 

 or from bruises or other hurts. In this case the treatment is to be the 

 same as in any other sprain or bruise. In mild cases the following will 

 be found good to bathe the sprain or bruise with : 



No. 183. 1 Ounce tincture of arnica, 



1 Pint rain water. 



Bathe the affected part freely with this from time to time. If the 

 difficulty is severe, fomentations of hot water must be perseveringly used 

 until the inflammation subsides, and then resort may be had to blistering 

 if necessary, or a seton may be placed under the affected part to get up 

 counter irritation. In severe cases the cure is slow and the animal must 

 have absolute rest. 



In any difficulty in or about the stifle joint, it is well to examine care- 

 fully for wounds or bruises. 



A wound of the parts will often cause intense pain, and to the unin- 

 itiated, apparently all the symptoms of dislocation. The veterinarian is 

 never deceived, and no one need be if he brings common sense and a 

 careful examination to bear upon any wound, bruise, strain or other 

 injury. There will be blood, matter, swelling or heat in the part af- 

 fected. This found, use the remedies prescribed in such cases. 



Vm. Splint. 



Causes. — The name is given to a peculiar enlargement generally found 

 OD the outside of the small bones of the fore leg, and inside the leg. 

 The causes are not well defined. Splint may be caused by violent blows 

 or other injuries, but it seems to be more a consequence of weight and 

 strain. The inner splint bone, or small bone of the leg, is placed nearer 

 the center of the body than the other, and there is at almost all times 

 greater weight upon it, while on certain occasions it may also be subjected 



