568 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



of the flexor metatarsimagnus (the principal muscle in bending the 

 hock joint) is torn or strained. This is always a serious lameness, 

 owing to the flexibility of the part involved. 



Causes. — The causes are the same as in other joint-slips, blows, 

 wrenches, etc. 



Symptoms. — In moving, the limb is held as straight as possible ; 

 it is moved of a piece, as it Were, the stifle is turned outward at 

 every step, and theileg is swung around, and placed farther forward 

 than in hip lameness. In most cases we have heat and swelling. If 

 made to stand on the limb, the capsular swelling can be felt, and 

 pain is evinced on pressure. 



Treatment. — Rest must be given> If the cartilages are dis- 

 placed, they must be replaced by careful' manipulation ; . hot fomen- 

 tations, or Continued cold applications, must be applied ; and in the 

 latter stages, repeated blisters or setons should be resorted to. 



CUTS OR WOUNDS^. 

 In ordinary cases they are easily managed.^ All that is neces- 



Fig. 877.— Syringe for Washing out Wounds. 



sary to do is to clip the hair from the edges of the wound, remove 

 any hair or dirt from it by sponging the part with warm water, and 

 dress it with any of the healing preparations or digestives hereafter 

 given, which will cause a secretion of yellow matter, and a healthy 

 granulating process. Each day following, to be cleansed by spong- 

 ing out with a lather made of castile soap and warm water, and the 

 application of the medicine repeated. 



In a very serious, deep, or contused wound, if any large blood 

 vessels are severed, they should be tied up. Arteries will throw the 

 blood out in jets, and veins in a steady stream, If an artery is cut, 

 it must be stopped promptly ; if it cannot be tied up, it can usually 

 be stopped by touching it with a hot iron, or applying any good 

 styptic. (See "Styptics.") Simply covering over with cobwebs will 

 usually answer a good purpose. Clip the hair from the edges, also 

 any bits of loose skin which would be liable to slough off; but it is 

 always advisable to save every bit of skin that can be kept alive ; 



