WOUNDS AND INJUEIES. 471 



injury is inflicted upon the muscles at the back of a fore 

 limb above the knee, or immediately behind the knee-joint. 

 The caulkens of the shoe represented, are made high ; and, 

 reaching from one caulken to the other, for the latter to rest 

 upon, is a stout bar of iron. The purpose of the cross-bar is 

 to allow a more uniform pressure to the foot when upon the 

 ground, and also to prevent the shoe from being entangled 

 amid the straw : if the patient be turned to grass, it wiU also 

 prevent the heel from sinking deep into soft ground. The 

 caulkens should be made not only of extra length, but should 

 project backwards ; when so constructed, the foot is not thrown 

 up so suddenly, nor pitched so much upon the toe. The 

 length of the support, including the cross-bar, should be from 

 one to two inches. Of course the length of the support need 

 not be so great if the caulkens are not inclined backwards. 

 See Mg. 26, as it is a matter of some importance. 



Loose Box. — The wounded patient should be placed in a 

 comfortable loose box ; and if the weather be cold, the animal 

 should be well clothed ; but if the weather be warm, the 

 clothing may be dispensed with. Especial care should be 

 directed to the doors and windows of the box, to shut out the 

 flies. The windows should be guarded with gauze, or thin 

 canvass blinds. Mies, in hot weather, are a dreadful pest to a 

 wounded horse. For further directions with regard to loose 

 boxes, see page 117. 



ExEECiSE. — Exercise may, in the milder cases of injury, be 

 resorted to, particularly if the patient has not the liberty of a 

 loose box. It is a matter, however, of no great importance to 

 give directions upon. The condition of the patient, including 

 the extent of the wound, the state of the weather, and other 

 matters of a trifling character, of which the own* of or 



