BROKEN KNEES. 



!)5 



the hack of the upper low of bones to serve as a lever-like attachment for 

 the tendons of the muscles which bend the knee. Occasionally, we meet 

 with an eighth and very small hone — the pisiform — at the back of the lower 

 row. 



In well-bred horses, the trapezium is often very prominent. This con 

 formation, wliich is a desirable " point,'' may give the animal, to ine.xperi 

 enced eyes, a false appearance of being " tied in below the knee." 



Over the front of the knee passes the broad, flat tendon of the muscle 

 (extensor metacarpi magnus) which extends that joint. Between this tendon 

 and the bones of the knee, in order to prevent friction, are placed two 

 bursa? or sacs, which contain synovia (joint oil). As these bursa' partly 

 overlap the tendon externally, they are Ihable to become wounded when the 

 tendon is laid bare by the animal " coming down." On the outside front, if 

 I may use the term, passes the tendon of the muscle which serves to extend 

 the foot (extenscu' pedis. Fig. 7). There is also a small oblique extensor 



Fig. 40. — Cradle. 



tendon which passes across the knee ; and the skin, with its loose under- 

 lying tissue, finally covers the whole part. 



The tendon of the extensor pedis, except in extremely grave cases, is on 

 account of its side position, hardly ever laid bare or injured. 



Here, the principles which should guide our treatment, are those 

 of ■' Wounds on or near Joints " (p. 91). 



TREATMENT. — The object of treatment should be reparation 

 with the least possible destruction of tissue, in order to limit tlie 

 extent of the subseciuent blemisli as much as practicable, and 

 obviate the danger of the wound extending into the joint. Hence, 

 strict antiseptic measures (p. 69) should be adopted. Poulticing 

 or continued fomentations should on no account be employed, for 

 they tend to destroy the vitality of the part, and encourage 



