429 OPEN SYNOVIAL JOINTS. 
made by its own feet increases the ecreature’s alarm; it lashes out 
frequently until it has pounded part of its dwelling into atoms and dis- 
abled itself to that degree which makes the highest punishment the 
greatest mercy. 
A high trough is required to guard against the effects of that itching 
which attends the healing process, and provokes the animal to strike its 
knees. his it would do against the manger were its head in the cus- 
tomary position. Were a wall before it, the knees might still be laid 
open; but with a high trough nothing is within the reach of its injured 
joint. Even supposing one of the slender supports, by the cunning of 
excitement, to be struck, the substance should be too light to offer any 
dangerous resistance, the blow being far more likely to overturn the 
machine than to lacerate the limb. 
When the quadruped has remained sufficient time in the slings to have 
become familiar with them, pull up the cloth so that it may slightly 
touch but not press against the belly. Then well secure it, and leave 
the animal to rest its wearied limhs, or not, as it pleases. Its suffering 
joints will soon teach the horse to bear the entire weight upon such a 
support, and to sleep comfortably in the contrivance. With a few, and 
only a few examples, living in slings has induced such confirmed consti- 
pation as necessitated a daily resort to bran mashes. Most horses, 
however, speedily accept and grow fat, enjoying the relief thus afforded. 
Only one caution need be given—look well to the tackle. The horse is 
very heavy, and should a single fastening prove insecure, the result 
might convert a healing wound into a hopeless injury. 
With the employment of slings, change the lotion for one composed 
of chloride of zine, one scruple; water, one pint; this need he applied 
only during the day. It is too weak to occasion 
pain, and should be used with the saucer and 
sponge, after the manner of washing a broken 
knee or open joint, which has been previously 
illustrated. The strength, nevertheless, is suf- 
ficient to coagulate the albumen of the synovia. 
Thus it forms a species of natural bandage 
which excludes the air, while at the same time 
que ALpuMINous BAL, waren It stimulates the flesh and causes that to heal 
FORMS IN SHAPE OF AN OPEN 2 . : i. 
Joint? WHEN treaten win Under the protection of its own ‘albuminous 
ane oe OF CHLORIDE OF secretion. 
The coagulated albumen frequently accumu- 
lates in front of the knee. The author has seen it attached to the part 
quite of the size and very near to the form of the largest apple. It 
must on no account be touched, however large it may grow or however 
